They had crossed into godhood… but once had it felt divine.
Union and Xenos stood in the living quarters of a Palace carved from stars, but neither could shake the cold weight that followed them. Not even the infinite cosmos outside their window could distract them from the questions that haunted every heartbeat: Why us? What now?
CELESTIAL SANCTUM
Takagi paced in front of Xenos and Union, his expression a mix of seriousness and curiosity. The glow of the room reflected off his armor, making his presence even more commanding.
"Alright, let's start with the basics. I'm here to train you both. Over time, you'll learn how to harness your abilities and truly use them to your advantage."
Xenos leaned forward, his fists clenched."When do we start?"
Takagi grinned.
"As soon as possible. But first, there's something important you need to understand—what it means to be a god."
At those words, both siblings straightened, their curiosity piqued.
"Your body will soon undergo a transformation, adjusting to the sheer power of your godhood. Strength, speed, senses, intelligence—even your willpower—will skyrocket to heights you can't imagine. Once you've tapped into your full potential, you could annihilate an entire galaxy of demons with a single strike."
Xenos' jaw tightened as he imagined the possibility. He clenched his fists, a flicker of fire sparking at his fingertips.
Takagi continued, his tone measured.
"Your body isn't just a vessel for your soul—it's also a shell for your godhood. Two separate forces. One is your true essence; the other is the nature of your creation. Together, they define your power."
Union frowned.
"That sounds… complicated."
Takagi chuckled.
"It is complicated. But in time, you'll come to understand."
He raised a fist, letting it glow faintly with divine energy.
"Godhood comes with unimaginable power, but also unimaginable responsibility. We gods are natural-born destroyers—whether for good or evil. Our battles are rarely small; they can tear apart entire galaxies. A single punch from a fully realized god can cause catastrophic destruction. That's why control is everything."
He pointed at them, his tone sharpening.
"You'll need to learn to control not just your power, but your very being. Your godhood isn't just a power source—it's a consciousness. Your soul is the mind; your godhood is the instinct. And if you pass out, the instinct fights in your place. But remember—if you die, it's over. Your soul will enter Infinity, and your godhood will disappear into the void. Remaining to be harnessed or later passed down."
Xenos raised an eyebrow.
"And you're telling us—we can actually achieve all this?"
Takagi nodded, his grin returning.
"In time, yes. You've already seen hints of it. Think about it—haven't you both healed from injuries faster than anyone else?"
The siblings exchanged glances, realization dawning on them.
"That's part of being a god. We regenerate from almost anything. Cuts, broken bones, even fatal injuries—we heal. But there are two exceptions: our heart and our brain. If those are destroyed completely and simultaneously—we're done for."
The air grew heavy as Takagi's tone shifted—but just as quickly, his grin returned.
"Now, let's talk about your powers."
Takagi walked over to Xenos, looking him up and down.
"You're the God of Suns and Flame. Your power revolves around creation and destruction. Right now, you can create simple fireballs—but with training, you'll be able to conjure weapons, shields, even allies made entirely of fire. The last God of the Sun—before he died—was one of the strongest gods I ever sparred with. You've got some big shoes to fill."
Xenos' eyes widened.
"So—there was another like me?"
Takagi nodded.
"Every time a god dies, their role has a chance of being inherited by who it deems suitable. Sometimes directly, sometimes not.
In your case, you inherited the godhood. Same goes for you, Union."
He turned to her, his expression softening slightly.
"As the Goddess of Space, your domain isn't just stars and galaxies—it's the very concept of space itself. Your predecessor, the God of Space, could create black holes that swallowed entire star systems. He manipulated space with terrifying precision.
With enough training, you might even surpass him."
Union's brows furrowed as she absorbed his words, but before she could respond, Xenos spoke again.
"What about your powers?"
Takagi paused, his grin fading slightly. For a moment, he seemed distant, as though weighing how much to reveal.
"My powers are… unique. I'm the God of Time. That means I can manipulate a portion of it.
But there are limits. I can't travel to the past or future—at least, not physically.
Sometimes I catch glimpses, but I can't control when. And I can't rewrite time, no matter how much I might want to."
He raised his hand—and without touching him, lifted Xenos off the ground.
"But I have another power. One that makes me a bit of a wildcard."
Xenos struggled against the invisible force but couldn't break free.
"Power Absorption. Every enemy I've defeated—I absorbed their abilities and strengths.
That's how I gained manipulation powers like this."
He gently lowered Xenos back down.
Union crossed her arms.
"Have there ever been fights between gods that caused real destruction?"
Takagi's expression darkened. For the first time, his voice carried a weight that silenced the room.
"There have. Before our time—before anyone's time—creation was ruled by gods alone. Suzuro's era. Back then, gods fought for the throne—for the title of King of Gods.
The scars of those battles still exist, hidden in the fabric of creation. Now, most of us fight for training. But even then, we must hold back. One wrong move, and we could tear everything apart."
Though the burden of their new reality settled on them like a storm, there was something else beneath it—excitement.
Takagi sat down in a chair across from them.
"Now that's covered…
I'd like to know more about you two. Where you come from—and why there weren't many of your people."
Xenos's expression changed—and so did Union's. But it was Xenos who answered.
"Xeunus. Once a beacon of light. Home to five hundred million Sunphans.
We ruled through the warmth and flame of the sun. It was harmony."
His fist clenched, embers sparking at his fingertips.
"Then came the MoonKin. They brought war… darkness… and silence."
"The war that wiped your race…" Takagi began.
Union interrupted him.
"No. We were already dying before the war ended. The MoonKin unleashed a plague… it killed our mother while she held us in her arms."
Xenos's eyes burned with grief.
"We were hiding when she screamed.
Father couldn't save her. Couldn't save anyone."
"And your people?" Takagi asked softly.
"Reduced to 500. Then 300. Then nothing but ash."
He paused, stepping forward toward the window.
"We watched them slaughter our kind like animals.
Their laughter echoed across the mountains while our cities burned."
His voice cracked, but he didn't stop.
"Union opened her first portal in panic.
I discovered my fire the day I saw the last Sunphan's corpse rotting in the streets."
Takagi stepped toward the center of the room, sensing the depth of their pain.
"…That was your ignition."
Xenos turned to face him.
"We didn't awaken with glory, Takagi. We were born from grief. Every flame I summon is a scream—every strike Union takes is a cry from dying people. We are not gods because we were sculpted. We are gods because we survived what no one else could."
Takagi stepped closer and tapped Xenos on the chest.
"I see your soul, Xenos. I understand your silence. Your fury isn't recklessness—it's remembrance."
Xenos gave a long pause.
"Don't pity me. Don't try to understand our pain. Just remember it. We don't fight because we're powerful. We fight because no one fought for us."
Takagi held his gaze. Then, a faint smirk crept across his lips.
"If someone had fought for me—then maybe I wouldn't be seen as such a tyrant."
Xenos's breath caught in his throat.
Union, listening behind them, stepped forward—eyes wide, heart suddenly open.
There was no divine glow in Takagi's eyes now.
No aura. No power.
Just a boy inside—one who carried more weight than any universe should bear.
Then he turned to leave. And as he did, it was like he became someone else entirely. He smiled brighter, glancing over his shoulder.
"Oh, before I go—one more thing. Training starts tomorrow.
Xenos and Union's eyes widened in unison, the sorrow in their hearts briefly snatched away.
"Tomorrow!?"
Takagi chuckled.
"You'd better get some rest."
The siblings exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of their new reality sinking in. The heavy doors sealed behind Takagi with a quiet thud. For the first time since arriving in the divine palace, silence wrapped around them—not the crushing silence of Suzuro's throne room, but a colder, lonelier one.
Union sat on the edge of her bed, hands clenched in her lap.
Xenos stood by the window, staring into the endless cosmos.
The stars shimmered like distant ghosts.
"Why us?" Xenos asked quietly.
Union looked up, surprised by the softness in his voice.
"What do you mean?"
"Why did we survive? Out of everyone… the entire planet… why us?"
He turned toward her, his expression shadowed.
"We watched Father die. I remember the screams. The fire. The smell of burning stone.
And now I'm supposed to believe it was destiny? That we were chosen for some divine role?"
Union lowered her gaze, the weight of his words sinking deep.
"I've been asking myself the same thing since the moment we stepped into that portal."
She stood slowly, walking toward him.
"Maybe we weren't chosen because we were stronger.
Maybe it wasn't about strength at all."
"Then what? Luck? Cruel irony?"
He looked away, voice bitter.
"They call us gods, Union. But gods don't bleed. Gods don't scream while watching everything they love turn to ash."
Union placed a hand gently on his shoulder.
"No—but maybe gods are meant to carry the weight of what they've lost. Maybe that's the price of surviving."
Xenos didn't answer. His jaw tightened, his fists clenched.
"I don't want to be a goddess. I want our family back. Our people. Our home. But wanting doesn't change anything."
She stepped beside him, eyes on the stars.
"So if we're here—if we were truly chosen…
then maybe it's not about what we lost."
She turned to him, her voice steady—eyes glistening with unshed tears. Maybe it's about what we do with what's left."
Xenos stared for a moment then finally nodded. The fire in his eyes no longer wild—just burning steady.
"Then we'll make it mean something.
For them."
They stood side by side in silence, staring into the stars—not as mortals, not yet as gods, but as survivors…
Trying to make sense of a future forged in fire.
Whatever came next, one thing was certain:
Nothing will ever be the same.
ETERNAL CRUCIBLE
The Eternal Crucible hung in a separate realm, an infinite expanse untouched by time or space. It was neither here nor there, existing beyond the multiverse, crafted by the unknown to serve as the ultimate arena for divine combat. No mortal eyes had ever seen it, and even most gods whispered of it with reverence and awe.
Takagi stood at the center of the chamber, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on Xenos and Union. His tone was calm but carried an undeniable authority.
"We start with the essentials: defense, offense, and movement. These are the pillars of your foundation. Without them, unlocking your true potential is meaningless. But first, you'll be needing these if you plan on doing anything."
Takagi approached them and with a flick of his wrist, two armor stands formed.
"These aren't just armor. They're identity. They'll carry your legend through your entire journey."
Xenos took his first, gripping it like it was forged in flame. It shimmered with obsidian plating veined with deep red—a reflection of the fire that drove him. Union hesitated for a moment before accepting hers. The armor was elegant—silver with cosmic blues, trimmed with a flowing royal cape draped over her shoulder like those worn by all gods to glorify who they are. She stared at the cape for a long moment—then remembered the conforntation with Eres and without a word, tore the regal from the shoulder. The room went quiet. Even the golden runes seemed to pause in their descent.
The tear left a jagged mark across her pauldron, a scar across perfection. She let the fabric fall to the floor like dead weight. Then she looked at Takagi, eyes unwavering.
"I don't want to be seen like the rest. I'll be something else."
Xenos gave a low whistle.
"Aren't you dramatic."
Takagi didn't flinch. He looked down at the torn cape, then back up at Union. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Good," he said. "Gods don't follow tradition. They rewrite it."
They both fully put on their sets of armor and it instantly adjusted to their; ensuring nothing was unprotected. However, the armor was absent of a helm. Ensuring gods fight with better eyesight and less weight on the neck.
Takagi smiled as he clapped his hands together.
"Now where were we? Right! The basics."
Union scuffed.
"The basics? Look, we've fought before. Why waste time with the basics when you could just show us how to use our powers?"
Takagi's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to an icy calm.
"If you think you're ready, prove it. Come at me. No powers. Just your hands."
Union faltered, taken aback. The room seemed to grow colder as Takagi's words hung in the air. She hesitated, every instinct screaming that to face him now was madness.
"…Fine. I'll learn how to—"
"I said come at me. Now."
His sharp tone cut through her hesitation like a blade. Gritting her teeth, Union stepped forward. She raised her fists, swallowing her fear as she lunged at him with a single punch aimed for his face. Takagi tilted his head slightly, the punch gliding harmlessly through empty air.
"That's it?"
Frustrated, Union threw a flurry of punches, each one faster and more forceful than the last. Takagi's movements were effortless, his body a blur of precision as he dodged each strike with surgical timing. He moved backward, his hands still clasped behind his back, his calm demeanor infuriating. Union snarled, increasing her speed, trying to overwhelm him. Suddenly, her speed increased as she threw a powerful hook aimed for Takagi's chin. Takagi's stance shifted slightly, his hands finally coming into play as he parried the punch and began to block her follow up attacks. Each block was a calculated deflection, sending her strikes off course. With a fluid motion, Takagi ducked low and swept her legs out from under her. Union crashed to the ground but rolled back to her feet, her breathing labored. Takagi stood still, waiting. Her anger boiled over as she charged him with everything she had. She aimed a powerful punch at his face, but before she could connect, Takagi sidestepped smoothly. His hand moved in a blur, striking parts of her armor that covered her pressure with precise finger strikes; the force traveling through her armor and along her body. Union froze mid-strike, her muscles locked. Before she could process what had happened, Takagi's fist shot toward her face, stopping just inches away. The sheer force of his halted punch unleashed a gust of wind that roared through the room, sending Union sprawling to the ground.
Her body trembled as the force lingered.
"Each combat philosophy is a mental blueprint, fusing technique, aura, and instinct into transcendent form. Gods don't merely fight—they speak through combat, and what they say can kill reality itself."
Union gasped for air, her body trembling as she pushed herself to her knees. Takagi raised his hand into the air, his expression unreadable.
"Now watch closely."
With a flick of his wrist, his aura flared.
*Aura Release: 5%.*
The entire ceiling above them disintegrated in an instant, revealing the void of space. Stars and galaxies swirled beyond the open roof as Takagi's oppressive energy bore down on the room. Xenos and Union struggled to breathe under the weight of his aura.
"What… what is this?"
"This is an Aura Release. By combining your godhood with your aura, you create a surge of energy capable of devastating destruction. The power depends on the percentage you release. At higher levels…"
Union and Xenos exchanged a glance, their eyes wide with both fear and awe. "Show us more."
Takagi nodded, stepping forward.
"Over countless years of battle, I've forged not just techniques, but entire philosophies of combat—billions of them. Each one is a reflection of war itself, designed to unravel even the most untouchable foes."
"Can these philosophies blend with our powers?" Xenos asked in curiosity.
"Yes. You're free to adapt them, shape them—breathe your essence into each form. Fuse them with your aura, your will, your instincts… and what you create won't just kill. It will transcend death. It will erase the very idea of resistance."
He gestured toward the center of the room, where a glowing, faceless training construct materialized, shimmering with divine energy.
"This is a training dummy. Watch carefully."
Without a signal, Takagi moved.
Not a step, not a shift—a disappearance.
His form blurred into motion, faster than the eye could follow, a sudden ripple in reality itself. The first blow came not as a strike, but a storm of intent—a volley of precise punches that didn't just hit the dummy, they studied it, dismantled it, each impact designed to crush where structure mattered most. The chest collapsed inward with a chorus of cracks, as though the bones themselves surrendered. He retracted his fists, and his palms shimmered with subtle energy—technique fused with godhood. One palm strike followed—measured, silent, lethal. The dummy didn't fly—it was launched, a controlled meteor crashing through air and trailing smoke. But before it could kiss the ground, Takagi lifted his fingers, and space itself answered. The construct jerked mid-air, its body caught in invisible threads—his will, his manipulation, absolute. It hung there, suspended, trembling under a sudden gravitational pulse that pinned it in place, the atmosphere around it distorting. It could not fall. It could not flee. Takagi's foot moved—a side kick that came from stillness, yet carried the weight of a collapsing star. It connected with the dummy's flank, fracturing the air and its frame alike. The entire right side of the construct detonated, and what remained was hurled across the training ground. It hit the floor like debris from a war long over—motionless, obliterated, forgotten.
Takagi stood calm, arms by his side, as if he'd done nothing at all. But in that one display, he had demonstrated philosophies layered in silence: economy of movement, the harmony between body and godhood, the annihilation that comes from mastery—not strength. He raised his foot and brought it down in a thunderous stomp, driving through the dummy's chest. Steam curled from the fissure as Takagi turned to face Xenos and Union, his gaze steady.
"Something like that."
Xenos stared, his heart racing. Every movement Takagi had made was precise, calculated, and overwhelming. He hadn't wasted an ounce of energy.
"You make it look… easy."
Takagi's lips curved into a faint smile.
"That's because I've already mastered the essentials. Tomorrow, you'll begin to do the same. Rest well—you'll need it."
Xenos and Union stood in stunned silence as Takagi exited the room, leaving them alone in the aftermath of his demonstration. The weight of his words, and the promise of the challenges ahead, hung heavily in the air.
The Age Of Creation
Long before the Big Bang, a primordial plane of existence stretched far beyond the limits of comprehension. This era, called the Age of Creation, was brought into being by two enigmatic forces of unimaginable power. These beings were not gods but architects of existence itself, designing a reality that transcended all known boundaries.
Their work did not stop at a single universe; instead, they crafted a layered structure, each level expanding into realms of unimaginable complexity and scale. This grand design formed the foundation of all existence, showcasing the limitless reach of their vision.
The Structure of Creation
1. Solar Systems: At the base were the Solar Systems, dynamic hubs of energy and life, each functioning as a microcosm of creation.
2. Galaxies: Galaxies, vast collections of solar systems, connected these microcosms. Each galaxy operated under its own unique rules and housed countless mysteries.
3. Universes: Universes here were standalone realities, each with its own physical laws, dimensions, and narratives. Some thrived with life, while others were desolate voids.
4. Multiverses: Multiverses were collections of universes, each governed by distinct principles. They represented the infinite variations in experiments.
5. Hyperverses: The Hyperverse transcended physical reality, where concepts like thought and consciousness took form. It was a domain of pure abstraction and limitless potential.
6. Omniverse: The Omniverse was a boundless expanse where time, space, and logic ceased to exist. It was an infinite abstraction, beyond mortal comprehension.
7. Outerverse: The Outerverse encompassed all existence, uniting every level into a singular totality. It was the ultimate expression of power.
8. The Void: A place untouched by light, time, or thought. The cradle of creation's silence. Even gods whisper its name, for within it lies the truth no being dares to confront: the end of all meaning.
To Be Continued…