Ruk

Fae Capital of Orion, Royal Palace

Several hours later

Birse had been waiting for what felt like ages as Liliana finally entered the throne room, Reyna aiding the sickly Fae into hovering over to her throne. After sitting, both looked at each other. Birse silently gauging her expression and state while Liliana waited for him to speak.

And after several silent moments, he did “So, you’ve made your move.”

Liliana smiled weakly “That I have, Esfelt’s King. I hear you tried to make your own, how did that end?”

Birse smiled back calmly, as he lowered his gaze briefly “Not as I’d have hoped, fortunately we didn’t lose much.” Before looking back up with narrowed eyes “Do you truly think this will work? For how long, do you think this will hold Chaoz together?”

“Long enough.” Liliana responded as her smile faltered “Long enough for the threat to be over, after which we’ll have plenty of time to deal with the rest.”

“I don’t need to tell you that, this is a naïve move. You’re also piggybacking over what we’ve caused, to what end?” Birse asked with now fierce eyes and a solemn tone “You’re going to villainize us, aren’t you?”

Liliana chuckled weakly “On the contrary, you’ve done enough to villainize yourselves already. Not that you care, huh?” She asked with a raised brow.

Birse snorted “No, I guess we don’t.” amused as well.

“What I’m doing is making the best out of what you’ve failed to accomplish, see it as me saving your work from being burned to a crisp.” Liliana explained “You lost your villain, so it only makes sense to use another existing one. Instead of recreating the hate they all have in their hearts, we’ll divert it, re-align those feelings elsewhere.”

“United by the same belief, by the equality of hating a common enemy?” Birse sighed.

Liliana nodded “I expect nothing more than full co-operation. The next few days will be…delicate.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll co-operate. As long as you do nothing to push us away.” responded Birse as he turned around to leave.

Il’tel

Four days pass by.

Peace, Equality…overused and misunderstood words.

Unity…a complicated concept of both. For there to be unity between differing sides, one side must consider the other equal to some extent. For there to be unity between opposing sides, both must agree to peace even if temporarily.

But no peace comes without lies, for no one people can truly live appeased alongside another.

There is also no equality without inequality, for there must be misconception before there is understanding.

And all this leads to hate, a difficult wall to climb over and leave behind.

These thoughts ran through Kyle’s mind as he witnessed this moment in Chaoz’s history. As he stood within the crowd of billions of Elves, and millions of other races. They had gathered here to witness it too, as leaders, chieftains, royalty, elders and noblemen gathered at the very center of them.

They were on Il’tel, within the Forest Court’s territory called Nature’s Sanctuary. A vast field of green grass spread out all around them, only one or two trees within the mostly empty valley rising high and strong under the two suns.

The reason this mixture of people was gathered here? Today?

Days had gone by, the Alliance making peace with the human tribes of Jalran and the rogue Mer clans beneath the deeps. The Ogres had come to an agreement with the Humans of Kal of the fortress city of Kalran. The Empire had spoken with the Scalarians of the Temple of Fire, using their friendship with the Dragons to rope them in as well.

Birse had also in some way convinced the Aurei, that solitary living on as they do now doesn’t need to change. They only must agree to one simple concept, friendship with the other races who will return the same.

Now they all stood here, watching, standing in large groups of millions as they gazed off towards the very middle where the ground was raised by a few feet so everyone could see. All around there were all kinds of Elves, all species of Beastmen and Scalarians, all types of Humans and Mer. From Ogres to Orcs, from Aurei to Avians. Even Dwarves and Fae, Demons and Devils had joined this massive gathering.

All this was made possible through hundreds of portals opened over the recent days, allowing people through, setting up camps and tents as they all gathered. Waiting, anticipating this day. And now it had come.

As each of the leaders stood on the higher ground where everyone could see them, with Liliana just now appearing from the sky above. Her beautiful hair flowing in the wind, her dazzling wings demanding everyone’s attention.

Kyle could only narrow his eyes, distraught at what was occurring. Unsure if everything would turn around right. But also…”Gah this is annoying.” He mumbled out.

“What is?” asked Soren, around them the entire guild stood together surrounded by thousands of other summoned who had come to witness this event.

Kyle snorted in amusement “Don’t you see it? Sure the main topic of this event is the peace being agreed on between the many kingdoms but…they are also declaring something else.” He sighed while gazing up at the earthly podium “Look at them, uniting together. Even though our plans failed, even though we messed up and couldn’t get it done.”

“The hell you yammering about?” asked Skill as he elbowed Kyle in the arm.

Kyle barely felt the jab as he glanced over at the skinny ranger “Read in between the lines.” Was all he said before turning back and becoming silent.

Skill was confused, but as no other answer came out of Kyle he just shrugged and turned back as well.

Several minutes later, as every one of the leaders had finally arrived. The ceremony began with Liliana taking the lead in speaking to the crowd, hovering up and beginning to very slowly spin “Welcome, citizens.” She watched over them all, the Dwarves eyeing the Elves, the Ogres eyeing the Orcs…Everyone was tense “And thank you all for coming to witness this day of change. For today, everyone’s lives will be affected. For today, each and every one of us will come to much more than an agreement. Let this day go down in history, let it be heard, let it be known and let it never be forgotten.”

She took a deep breath before continuing on “As we all know our world is at risk, blame be whoever you wish to blame. It is, in the end, all our faults. But it is not blame we are here to speak of today. No we won’t speak of the past no more, today we speak of the future. Your future, my future…Their future. This day decides all our futures. Us leaders of this world we call home, the stallions pulling Chaoz with, we have come together for you. And in front of you, we will display what we wish out of you.” She glanced back and down, as out of the group of gathered leaders stepped out Birse letting go of his two brides as he did.

He gazed off at the mass of diverse creatures before him, all eyes on him “The Empire and its Courts, The Alliance and its members, The Dezol…Il’tel, Barik, Hasharr and Ruk. Today Chaoz comes together as one, be it the Mer down below the deep oceans, the Aurei in their underground tunnels or the Elves in their thick forests. We become one. No longer enemies, no longer just allies. From today onward you will no longer be known as Esfeltians, as Imperials or Tribesmen. From today onward we become one people under one flag, one nation under one name.”

Birse glanced back, allowing Sion to take over from the other side of the podium. She stepped forth, anxiously staring out at the eyes, at the many faces looking solely at her “Our hate and anguish can only heal with time, but that doesn’t mean we cannot fix what we can manage here and now. Today we clean the wounds we’ve given each other, we stitch them up so they do not get infected. We remember them, but also care to not reopen them. But for this to happen, we will need all of your help. A country isn’t anything but a stretch of land without its people, this is a belief my…late father deeply trusted in.”

Sion briefly glanced back as without a second thought Asmodeus stepped forwards and began to speak “To recognize this movement, to officialize this merge. We who show you the way, together as one people, have decided to rename our world as we see fit. Because it is not the Avatar who lives here, but us. So those who live here, to those who’ve lived here, to those who just arrived and to all those yet to come. I welcome you all, for the land you stand on, the air you breathe and the grass that flows between your feet is our world. This is our world, our reality, our Concordia. Welcome, Concordians.”

Just as Asmodeus finished speaking Luna raised her long serpentine neck, a long metal pole clenched in between her scaly lips. The Dragon Queen slammed the pole down into the hard ground, pushing it deep to where no storm would blow it out. She let go of it, and as she did the thick cloth that was pressed in between her lips before, unraveled.

The flag blew in the wind, proudly just as gracefully. It was a white background, with several black-outlined rings hooking into each other. Within each ring was an emblem, each and every single emblem of every faction, kingdom, tribe and people of this world. The rings made a circle of themselves, and within that large circle were three words. One in plain English, the second in Elven runic and the third in Orcish script. The three written languages of this world.

And each word read as the first, Concordia. Each meant the same thing, Unity.

Liliana spoke again “For all of us. For our friends, our families, our neighbors and our loved ones. We unite, to change, to grow and to survive the coming storm. Together, as one power, as one wave of emotion and strength. For no Hero can save us, we must save ourselves first. Because this is our home, our world, our reality.“ She repeated that last sentence several times, as she looked at each people ”And nothing and nobody is going to take that from us.”

Kyle could only sneer as her gaze fell on him, singling him out from the massive crowd. He grinned as those around him noticed and turned to look at him also, as an expectant silence fell. He sighed, met her gaze and suddenly surged upwards. Spirit flowing beneath his feet, giving him ground to stand on as he hovered up in the air.

He heard her, loud and clear. He understood her words, read in between the lines. And now she was expecting his response. So he gave her one “For those who do not know me, I am Kyllix, Dark Hero of the Frost and Void. Read on with my classes and titles, I won’t waste your time by speaking them.” He first spoke to the crowd around him, then to Liliana herself “You look at me, Demi-Goddess of the Fae. What do you seek from me? You said it loud and clear, this is your world, your reality. Then what about us? Are we summoned not welcome anymore?”

“The Summoned will always be welcome unless they cause unrule or unrest. But I do seek something from you, Dark Hero. I seek your compliance, I seek your word. For it wasn’t you or any of your God’s children that gathered all these people here today, was it?” asked Liliana as she glanced around at the nods of agreement “Do we want Ymir as the one Deity for next couple centuries? What has he done? What has he accomplished?” she turned to gaze at him “Finnish this Quest, Hero. Choose me, before it is too late.”

Kyle grew quiet but the crowd around him began to grow loud, shouting at him, demanding of him. Liliana had played it well, she had played them all. But Kyle could only smile widely in amusement, as he raised his right hand forward flat. Slowly the crowd grew silent once more.

“You are correct, everything I’ve done did not bring the outcome I was planning for.” Kyle admitted with a chuckle “You were also correct, I won’t save you. I won’t save any of you. Why? Because I don’t want to, I honestly don’t care about any of you. What I’ve done, what I’ve been doing is not for you…Concordians. No what I’ve been doing was for this world, for Chaoz. For my friends, for my guild. And for myself.”

Kyle’s smile grew into a wicked sneer “But none of it was for naught, in the end we did reach this act didn’t we? And yeah you’re also right that, it was you who gathered all these people. I won’t take the credit, I don’t need it, I don’t want it. Although it does bring a smile to my face to see you take a jab at your own father, your real father.” Kyle’s sneer spread, becoming a grin as he watched Liliana’s eyes widen with great amusement. “So I’ll concede, congratulations-“

“Wait.” Liliana snapped out of her surprised daze quickly enough, cutting him off before speaking “Before you say it, I beg you. For your wish, for what you will ask It to change. Ask for the dead back, those who have fallen since the start of this entire thing. Be it Demon, Human or Elf. Please ask for them back.”

Kyle would of laughed, it was like the both of them had planned this entire chat. Which they had not, Kyle was just piggybacking on Liliana’s lines. As she portrayed him as the selfish, uncaring Chosen. She let him portray her as the empathic savior. As she made this plea, to everyone Kyle seemed cornered. Because he could either agree and bring the world closer together, or disagree and be hated by the entirety of Concodria.

But Kyle wasn’t so simple to just leave it at a ‘Yes’ even if he planned to wish for just that from the start, no he wanted a show. Because when Kyle got into the role, he went through and through till the end. “You tell me how to use my wish, my one reward for all my trouble. I get exactly what in return then?”

Liliana grimaced, yet she had also expected this response and she could not risk messing up at this point “Anything understandably possible, we will provide you with it. All you must do is ask and if it is morally obtainable, you shall have it.”

Kyle’s expression turned deadpan, all but his smile, thin and evil as he spoke “Well then…there is something.” His tone completely changed too, the reflection of cold causing Liliana to feel a shiver crawl up her spine “Your half of the Champions that are to be picked…Surrender them to me and we have a deal.”

Liliana’s eyes widened, Kyle was asking too much “You know that the stronger the chosen Champion the more power they gain, correct?...”

Kyle chuckled “Of course I do, worry not I will make the right choices. If you make yours now.” He knew how much of an asshole he seemed to everyone at the moment, he just didn’t care. Liliana had played him, he was returning the favor. Because he knew she couldn’t decline, not at this point. With everyone’s eyes on them, Kyle was using the same blade she turned on him to force her into saying what he wants her to say.

Liliana’s eyes narrowed, she had forgotten who she was speaking to. But now she remembered, and clearly she underestimated him. As he had not just her, but the entire crowd moving exactly as he wanted them to as they all turned to look expectantly at her. Leaving her no choice “As you wish, you will get to choose all of the eighteen Champions.”

Kyle nodded as his eyes shone with glee, he wasn’t about to lose without profiting in some way or another. (“Apologies Ymir, but your daughter is smarter than I gave her credit for.”) Kyle spoke to the God he knew was listening in.

(“Hah…apologize not child. This works too, what is another century in this blasted five star luxury hall?”) Ymir responded within Kyle’s mind (“I’ve been inside your head for long enough to know not to be surprised, my only regret is that our connection will now be severed!”) the God chuckled.

Kyle chuckled with (“For me as well, truly…Thank you, for everything.”)

(“No Kyle, thank you.”) a sudden image of the God appeared within his mind, his fist stretched out towards him (“Now go get them.”)

Kyle smiled, an honest, appreciative smile as he spoke once more. His words now imbued with mana just as his voice “Then I Dark Hero of this Quest -when the requirements are accomplished- choose you Liliana as the victorious Deity.”

Liliana nodded back, when suddenly a notification appeared above them all followed by the sound of deep horns being blown.

The Quest has been completed

The {Dark Chosen} has accomplished all requirements

And picked their Deity (Liliana) to be the next Goddess of Concordia

Hero, choose your Champions.

Kyle glanced around and about, he had seventeen to choose and had already made up his mind. So he spoke the names, first the obvious, then the less so “As Hero I choose for Champions of Liliana. Birse, Soren, Cherry, Jacky, Skill, Seren, Woody, Steph, Sparta, Jane, Rico, Vain, CHfarms, DeathChilled…Karnage, Zaahr and…Lilior.”

The notification hovering over them all didn’t disappear, but more appeared for those names called. One even appeared for Kyle himself.

Your status as {Champion} has been altered to the {Dark Hero}’s choice.

Title ({Champion of Ymir}) has been replaced with ({Champion of Liliana})!

Then the main notification changed, fading out and then fading back in, different than before.

Now Hero, make your wish heard.

Kyle read the notification, but before speaking he glanced around. Noticing that, time seemed to have stopped. “Your doing, Avatar?” he asked, but no response came from the disembodied voice this time.

“Avatar…” Liliana mumbled out, the only other person not have been frozen in time with Kyle.

“Do you hear it, Goddess?” Kyle asked with a smirk.

Liliana’s eyes were wide open in surprise, as she nodded “Yes…Do you not?”

Kyle chuckled “I’m afraid I’m not a God, and I’m not quiet dead enough anymore. So no, I do not.” he sighed "Well let's get this over with, I cannot hear you so you listen. As victor of this Quest, I wish for all those who have fallen into death's clutches to be revived from the start of this Quest and onwards. Yes you heard me correctly. From this Quest's start, and onwards. Not now, Not yesterday or tomorrow. But forever."

Liliana seemed entranced by the suns, as she listened to the voice only she could hear. Her expression seemed to suddenly pale as she asked “Wh-What do you mean!?”

“What did it say?” Kyle asked as time seemed to slowly revert to normal around them.

Liliana looked down from the sky to meet his eyes “It said it accepts your wish and…It apologizes for what is about to happen, that there is nothing it can do…” she explained, "It believes in your strength and...ability to make the right decision?" a confused tone joining her expression.

Kyle stared back at her, a just as confused face when suddenly her entire body began to shine. Glowing with golden light, Liliana’s body was engulfed so much so that he couldn’t see her anymore.

Then Kyle felt it, he sensed the wretched mana the moment it appeared. Like a sickening memory resurfacing from the very depths of his mind, the sense filled him with hate so profound it froze him in place. Giving him no time to react as reality ripped apart around Liliana, as a mass so void of color crawled out of the rift that it reflected any light possible coming from this world. It resembled a hand from what little he could make out of it, claws that grasped around Liliana’s glow and suddenly clenched it.

Kyle surged towards her, as the barely visible hand pulled her form into the rift. He reached out, his eyes wide with fury as all three flames blazed around his body.

“Not so fast, Hero.” Said a voice so clear and sweet that it sickened him, as the angelic form suddenly appeared before Kyle. A full set of silver plate armor, long pitch black hair, fiery golden eyes and two sets of feathery black wings. The Arch Angel Michael hovered in Kyle’s path, suddenly gripping him by the neck as Kyle watched the hand pull Liliana in.

Yet the rift didn’t close behind them.

“We’ve been waiting for too long, to let a trouble maker like you ruin it all. But if you wish to follow her so badly…Lord knows we want you out of our way just as much as her!” Michael exclaimed with a sneer as he suddenly turned, pulling Kyle with as golden mana formed all over the Angel’s body, dissipating Kyle’s flames. As Michael threw Kyle with every bit of his strength, sending the Spirit Beast flying into the colorless rift.

Kyle felt his heart sink, as the rift’s edge met his back. As he sunk into the reflecting light, he watched Michael’s sneer, he watched his guild’s expressions of surprise, he watched Lilior’s face of horror. The last thing he saw as the void enveloped him, was Karnage as she reached out towards him, tears at the brink of streaming down her face.

Then…Absolute Darkness.