The great hall of the Celestial Council hummed with divine light and power. Each throne glowed with its elemental aura, filling the space with reverence and weight. The Paladins stood before them, their guardian angels at their sides.
But the air soured.
Fate's gaze burned into Neo, her eyes like two collapsing stars. Her aura flared, threads of destiny spilling outward like chains made of fire and frost. The entire chamber quaked under her wrath.
"How dare you—" she began, her voice echoing like a curse, "—speak so lightly of this sacred hall. You dare to stand before us after your sins? You defile this place with your very existence!"
The pressure hit like a tidal wave. The other Paladins gasped as their knees buckled, clutching their chests. Even their guardian angels flinched as though a great hand had gripped their souls and begun to wring them dry.
Adonis dropped to one knee, his jaw clenched. Aurora's warmth faltered as she shielded her heart with her hands. Even Leroy, usually battle-mad, grit his teeth as sweat trickled down his brow.
Celeste's eyes widened, wings snapping open in alarm. "Neo!" she hissed. "That's Fate's wrath—don't—!"
Yawn.
But Neo… yawned.
The pressure washed over him like a breeze. His golden-red eyes half-lidded, he raised a hand to cover his mouth lazily. His voice was dry, almost exasperated.
"Tsk, tsk. You still carry that grudge against me." He let out a long sigh, shaking his head. "Guess killing me wasn't enough for you in the end. Kinda petty if you ask me."
The words were soft — but they struck like thunder.
Every head in the hall whipped toward him in shock.
"K-Killing you?" Aurora whispered, horrified. Rey paled. Nora's icy eyes widened, the mask cracking. Even Vere leaned forward in stunned delight, her smile wicked.
Fate's aura surged higher, a storm of hatred that could have reduced lesser souls to dust. The Paladins staggered further, gasping for breath. Adonis fell to both knees, blood running from his nose.
"If this keeps up, we'll —"
Th others experienced a pressure that seared against every cell, every fibre of their body.
And then— warmth.
A shimmering veil enveloped the Paladins. The Soul Angel had moved, her aura soft and calm, like a mother gathering frightened children. She smiled faintly, her light covering each of them in a gentle but sturdy shield. "You'll not harm them due to your own grievances," she said softly, though her eyes were firm.
Fate snarled, furious at being checked — but the Soul Angel's aura held strong.
Neo, unaffected all along thanks to his hidden title [Rebel], stretched his arms overhead like a man waking from a nap. He looked directly at Fate and waved a hand dismissively.
"Stop pressuring the others. If you're going to throw a tantrum, do it later, don't drag the others into this. Let's just get on with it already."
The audacity. The sheer gall.
Even Celeste was momentarily speechless, staring at him with wide eyes. Her lips twitched again, but she forced herself to keep her stoic mask — though a faint smirk broke through.
"Unbelievable," Nora whispered under her breath, though whether in awe or anger, none could tell.
Fate's aura spiked higher still — until another voice cut through the storm like a blazing sun.
"Enough, Moira!"
Luminier, Angel of Light, rose from his throne. His form burned brighter, his voice sharp, commanding, pure. The hall trembled beneath his righteous anger. "You will not unleash your wrath upon the Paladins! They are chosen by Heaven — by us! Even if you despise one, you will not jeopardize the mission with your grudges!"
The storm broke. Fate's aura recoiled like a snapped chain. She turned her face away, her jaw rigid, but her eyes still burned daggers into Neo.
The hall exhaled. The Paladins, shielded by the Soul Angel, staggered back to their feet. Shock still lingered in their eyes — but more so was awe. Neo had stood untouched where they had nearly been undone.
Celeste muttered under her breath with a crooked smile: "Rebel to the bone. No wonder Avon picked you."
"Now that that's over," Neo stated calmly."mind telling us what this is about?"
Luminier peered closely at Neo, his bright gaze held Neo's calm one. "Very well,"he said, spreading his arms, light filling the hall. "Paladins, listen well. You were not chosen lightly. Your world — Novarion — nears its destined end. All worlds are fated to one day face their conclusion. The [END] of Novarion approaches."
The stars above the dome darkened, swirling into a vision: a vast blood-red sky filled with cracks opening up to the void, rivers of flame and shadow spilling through. At the heart of the vision, a throne of black iron rose, and upon it sat a looming figure crowned with horns of midnight flame.
"The Demon King," Luminier intoned. "The one who heralds the end. Born from Novarion's final embers, he is the incarnation of destruction. His birth will open the gates to the interdimensional army of demons, led by the fallen angel himself — Lucifer."
At that name, the hall trembled. The Paladins gasped.
Leroy grinned, fire blazing in his eyes. "Finally! A real fight!"
Aurora clutched her chest, her face pale with worry. "Lucifer…? That's—"
Adonis raised his chin, determination in his voice. "Then it is our duty to fight him. To protect Novarion and its people."
Nora's cold eyes narrowed. "If the world is ending, saving it is nothing more than delaying the inevitable. But…" She exhaled frost. "I'll fight nonetheless."
Avon chuckled from his shifting throne, one leg draped over the armrest. "Well, that's the official sermon. But let's spice it up a little, shall we? Heaven and Hell can't interfere directly this time."
Neo's eyes sharpened.
Avon twirled his glowing marble, it's aura even more menacing than before. "Complications. Politics. Call it what you want. So the Paladins are the compromise. Heaven's representatives… while the Demon King is Hell's." He smirked. "Neat, right?"
Neo's fists clenched at his sides. A cold fire lit in his eyes — fury, deep and old.
"Demons…" he muttered. His voice carried more venom than he intended while his eyes were a frightening contrast, serene, almost amused, although a crazed glint flashed briefly in his eyes. "I'll kill every last one of them."
Celeste's brows rose at the sharpness of his tone. The other Paladins glanced at him, startled.
But Neo didn't notice. His jaw tightened, memories flashing: Lars' betrayal, his death, Sai's abduction. The bitter taste of blood and the feeling of helplessness as Sai was dragged away. The mocking laughter of demons.
He exhaled slowly, forcing his composure back, his smile faint but sharp.
"Looks like I've got even more reason to fight than I thought."
Avon smirked knowingly, while Moira's hatred only deepened.
The game had begun, and Neo was determined to win... no matter the cost.
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Hey guys, 👋 Author here. I'm glad that you've made it this far and want you to know that Neo's only getting started as the real fantasy journey begins now. Please add this book to library, I need the motivation.
PS: don't forget to vote.