Chapter 1014: Flaming Rage And The Future

The war was over, yet flames smoldered over the streets of Kevlon. While Amedith and Liliyana had trained their eyes on the criminals, their efforts remained constrained, as forcing the innocent to behave the way that they wanted wasn’t exactly the just thing to do. And so chaos roamed the city of Kevlon, brazen and unafraid.

That is until a beacon of light burst above the city into a singular mass–the form of the hero, and the new god of law–Raven ’Phordite. Drawing everyone’s attention at once, he glanced down, still reluctant to impose his authority as a god. However, at a mere glance, the people’s eyes glimmered with hope, for they’d mistaken him for their god, Hamleth.

Clad in his familiar glow, Raven knew he could not deceive these folks from the very start. And so, as light retreated from his mortal shell, he appeared before them bare of his newfound divine powers, looking down at them with a stern glance.

’Do not be lenient...’ Reminding himself of Athenia’s advice, he drew a deep breath and spoke with a general’s voice that rumbled through legions.

"Hamleth is dead, and he died as he lived, like a coward hiding behind his wall of titles. Now, you can continue to worship him, a dead god–wouldn’t be the first time it has happened. There are still those who worship Aphrodite in secret somewhere. But if it is law that you follow and not some lunatic obsessed with control, then this is my order..." Taking a deep breath, he let it out with a heart full of frustration. "As the new demi-god with the authority of law! I expect you to return to your houses! To your duty and your families! Kevlon’s law still stands with me, and in time, you must choose to leave or stay under my protection with new laws inscribed in the law books of this empire! UNTIL THEN! GO HOME AND MAKE UP YOUR MINDS! FOLLOW THE NEW ORDER OR KEEP PRAISING THE DEAD GOD WHO WOULD’VE THROWN YOU TO THE PITS THE FIRST CHANCE HE GOT!"

Using his authority and power, at the end of his order–Raven took hold of the minds of the public, forcing them to halt their march towards chaos. At once, their minds stilled and their eyes turned in the direction of their homes. While still in control of themselves, they felt compelled to move and follow the new god’s authority. And to even Raven’s surprise, they began to move without a single question.

Much time they would have in the comfort of their homes or wherever they ended up if their houses were already burned in the chaos, to think and make their decision. Staying under new authority or chasing the ideals of a dead god whose influence was already dwindling before his death. The choice seemed simple, and yet some may linger in the past while others will most likely decide to move forward.

In either case, Raven had a few more places to visit, but before teleporting away, a meeting with Amedith and Liliyana was necessary. The magus and the devil had hordes of questions waiting for him, but he only had the time to answer a few. In the meantime, the news of his godhood had reached far and wide. Shaking the very ground under the council gods’ feet and drew the attention of the king once more.

Even so, there was another. A slumbering beast of arcane, her eyes shifting behind the closed eyelids. The birth of a new god had stirred something within her blazing furnace of a chest. Inciting anger and rage, but not all of it was directed at Raven. Bellona, the goddess of war in her prison of another god’s bones, burned a flicker more than what she was allowed thanks to the suppressing essence she was constantly being dosed with.

’Murdok...’ The name rang in her head, full of contempt and hatred.

The god of death had told her of her future and even convinced her to send word of her imprisonment to Athenia’s chosen. But never did she expect him to turn into a rival, a mortal turned god, instead of helping her escape. That very anger fueled the blazes within her chest, burning the binds she was chained to and fighting against the unholy poison crippling her true strength.

However, the moment her flames went over the hot mechanisms, she heard a few words, and in a rush the works moved around her.

"Elevate the dose and replace the burned parts with new ones! Do it before she’s free! A few deaths or burns would be the least of your worries if that happens, so move fast, you imbeciles!"

She’d heard that same female voice countless times, but today, it enraged her like never before. Had her lips not been sealed shut by the metallic claw-like muzzle made from a god’s corpse, she would’ve screamed her heart out, but instead, knowing it was no use, her flames reflected her frustration.

Screams echoed all around her as the factory was set ablaze. Yet the workers, burning through the flame-retardant suits, knew better than to focus on their own agony. Many before them had served the king and died for the sake of Elderia, and their sacrifice would be no different. With hearts heavy and tears burning before they could form, the men and women of the factory worked to quell the raging goddess.

All the while, Iris and Xavier watched them like hawks from the base of their lab. Necks held as high as it can go, and their minds were filled with questions as to what in the world was going on beyond this prison of theirs.

"We should talk to the king and find out what the hell that firework show was about. Our subject seemed to have been agitated by it somehow, so it has to be related somehow."

"Maybe, but we still have to finish our weapon, and right now all of this excess energy she’s giving off can fuel the kingdom for years to come." As soon as Iris heard Xavier’s assessment, her eyes narrowed, and she glanced sideways at him.

"You mean to say..." He nodded.

"We can drain her like you wanted; the king won’t notice any difference since we would already have enough energy stored to fuel the kingdom for a few years at least. Our god killer will be ready in just a few months if we’re careful."

As much as Iris was curious about the outside, her determination to see the god killer to the end took precedence immediately. The king could keep all the control that he wanted, but as long as mortals rule the world instead of gods, and it was they making the decisions–most of them, at least; nothing else mattered. Subjugating those who don’t agree with them before making them see sense in their way of thinking, killing the gods who stand in their way–it all felt so close she could taste it.

"Well then," with a smile on her face, she stretched and started moving towards her workstation. "What are we waiting for?"

And although not as confident in this idea to expedite the creation of the god killer, trying to keep in line with his wife’s plans, Xavier followed along, hoping he could contain Iris and also help them achieve their twisted version of ’world peace’.