The One Who Watches"
The power radiating from the Void Form was still shaking the walls of the hall.
Time itself seemed to forget how to move.
The kings watched Riven without breathing.
Cory was kneeling, his eyes filled with both fear and reverence.
Riven took one step forward.
> "White Mask God."
The air inside the hall turned cold.
Suddenly, everything fell silent.
No breath.
No heartbeat.
No sound.
The universe itself became quiet.
---
The Moment Time Died
A wind stirred.
Yet it wasn't wind — it was presence.
Shadows began to move slowly.
The ceiling, walls, and floor darkened under an unknown will.
The kings' eyes widened.
The Ice Emperor's voice trembled:
> "T-time… stopped…"
Cory's fingers went numb.
> "This… this is beyond divine power…"
---
The Voice Arrives
Then—
A voice echoed in the air.
It was neither male nor female.
Neither near nor distant.
It sounded like a whisper from the deepest layer of existence:
> "Did you speak my name… Void Child?"
The kings fell to their knees.
Not willingly — their souls bowed.
The Elf King gritted his teeth.
> "That… that really is the White Mask God…"
Riven showed no emotion as he answered:
> "I didn't summon you.
I awakened you."
Cory forgot how to breathe.
---
The God Speaks
A formless, white-masked silhouette appeared in the center of the hall.
There was no expression — yet its very presence inspired terror.
> White Mask God:
" You are trying to break fate.
But I am the one who writes it."
Riven's void wings flickered like black flame behind him.
> Riven:
"Your fate ends with me."
The god paused.
Then a distorted laugh echoed.
> White Mask God:
"You are strong… but unfinished."
"Void is consuming you. That power is your master."
"And yet… you believe you are in control."
Cory whispered internally:
> "Lies… my lord bows to no power."
---
A Spiritual Confrontation
The god stepped closer to Riven.
Only a few steps separated them.
Time strained as if it would crack.
> White Mask God:
"Tell me, Riven…
Why awaken me?"
Riven leaned forward, his voice sharp as death:
> "To kill you."
The kings held their breath.
The god remained silent.
Then his voice rolled like distant thunder:
> "Then prepare."
"Because I am coming."
---
Departure
Suddenly the hall shattered back to reality.
Time moved again.
The kings collapsed to the ground.
Some cried — others couldn't speak.
Cory tried to stand, but his knees trembled.
> "L-Lord… Riven?"
Riven slowly opened his eyes.
The flames of the Void did not fade — they burned brighter.
And he spoke one sentence:
> "The war has begun."
---
End of Chapter
The God Descends"
---
No Mercy for Traitors"
The hall returned to normal — at least physically.
But the fear in the air remained like a mark left by the White Mask God.
Riven walked calmly to the massive obsidian throne and sat,
as if he hadn't just challenged a god.
One leg crossed over the other.
His fingers tapped the armrest.
Then — he smiled.
A dark, arrogant, insane smile.
> "Ah… finally, war again.
It's been a long time."
Cory's eyes shined with devotion.
The kings felt only one thing:
Fear.
---
The Kings' Silence
All five kings stayed bowed.
Yet their minds were screaming.
Beast King's thoughts:
> "This lunatic sees armies, nations — my people — as pawns.
He thinks war is exciting."
Elf King:
> "This power… beyond divine.
Can he truly be stopped?"
Dwarf Lord:
> "With strength like this… he could erase us all."
Ice Emperor:
> "My people… will kneel or disappear."
Human King:
> "Gods… this isn't a war.
This is the apocalypse."
---
Riven's Gaze
Riven lifted his head.
Void fire burned in his eyes.
He spoke — calm, yet threatening:
> "One question."
No one moved.
His voice echoed like judgment:
> "You're not… planning to betray me, right?"
---
Silence
Air vanished.
Even fear had no room to breathe.
No answer.
Only silence — louder than screams.
Cory tilted his head with a sharp grin:
> "You must answer."
---
Forced Loyalty
The Elf King was first.
> "N-no.
Never.
We stand with you."
The others followed instantly:
> "So do I."
"We'll fight with you."
"Our loyalty is yours."
"We swear it…"
Their voices weren't brave.
They were the voices of prey.
---
Beast King's Truth
The Beast King murmured softly—
But inside:
> "We're lying, monster." "But betrayal or obedience — either way, we die."
His throat tightened as he swallowed.
---
Riven's Smile
Riven looked at each of them.
Slowly — very slowly — he smiled.
> "Good."
He raised his hand.
Shadows stirred.
Dark symbols appeared across the walls.
> "Because…"
His voice turned to ice.
> "…treason means death."
Cory instantly knelt:
> "In the name of the Void."
The kings knelt as well.
Not because of loyalty —
But because they wanted to live.
---
Final Line
Riven leaned back against the throne.
> "Prepare."
"The next step… is killing gods."
And in that moment, the kings understood—
Riven wasn't a ruler.
He was a catastrophe wearing a human shape.
—