By now, all the preparations I could complete had been completed. I stood in front of my wives, Alis and Florita, in the small waiting chamber behind the grand throne room Celameth had designed. There was not much in this room other than a small desk; a simple, yet comfortable, chair in front of the desk; and a exposed wardrobe.

With the four of us—the demi-goddess Celameth was here in this small chamber too. She was kneeling on the ground with her head pressed against the dull grey seemless floor—in this room it felt cramped.

I was wearing a simple black dress suit, something which I had seen many people wear on TV in my previous life. But here, instead of a white shirt and coloured tie, I wore a black shirt and black tie. As I had created it using my divinity, it looked as had been tailored for me. It enhanced the width of my shoulders, and hinted at my slight muscular build.

What was more, the darkness worked well, contrasting against my pale skin.

I tugged the collar, even though it fitted right. Having something tight around my neck was still uncomfortable. It wasn’t due to the fact that in moments, I had to go out and talk to hundreds of people. I swallowed, but my mouth was still dry.

Alis put her hand against my arm, reminding me she was here with me. Alis’ presence really was comforting.

Her beautiful, pale, freckled face was so close I gave into temptation and gave her cheeks a kiss. Her pale cheeks flushed slightly red under my kiss.

I had married Florita a few days ago in an arranged political marriage. Before that, she had been a stranger. Yet despite that, her presence was comforting. Our relationship was comfortable and had all the signs of it becoming a true loving marriage. So I couldn’t help but smile when Florita huffed.

She stood there with a sexy little pout on her lips. She was wearing a sexy black dress, tight fitting so you could see her wondrous curves, and showed just enough of her honey-coloured skin so to be tempting, but not lewd.

I pulled her close to me, cupping my hands on her wonderfully toned buttocks, and gave her a kiss on those sexy, pouted lips.

Now it was time for Alis to huff.

Instead of taking things further with either of them, I released Florita and took both of their hands and squeezed them. The nerves within—my heavy heart, my trembling stomach, my dry mouth—had all calmed somewhat.

Neither of them would be coming out in front of the representatives of the power holders of this world, secular and divine alike. It would be me, and me alone, out there facing them all down. Telling them I was about to set out to destroy the world as they knew it.

They would never know why. That was one secret which I would never share.

All I cared about was that, to them, I was about to become a villain. At least now I would have companions who would dare to tread this path of blood, fire, and destruction alongside me. And together we would tread this path alongside Aggard.

No longer would Aggard walk down her path alone. Finally, she could have the companions she so desired.

Reluctantly, I let go of their hands, the palms of my hand still clammy, giving them each a smile and a small kiss, and headed towards the throne room. As I passed through the door, I released a small fraction of my divinity. Whatever hubbub of murmuring and nervous shifting there ceased. I walked past Hallvard and Wulf and four other honour guards. All of them saluted me before kneeling. All of them wore the black tabard with crossed keys.

I walked through the corridor they created, not paying them any overt attention, yet thankful that they trusted in me and Alis and would walk by our side.

In deathly silence, broken only by a single muffled cough, I walked over to the pale replica of my divine throne. Pale replica it might’ve been, but it in this gaudy room, with gold gilt, and bright colours, its simple blackness stood out.

I sat down on my throne, tugging at my jacket to make it more comfortable to sit in.

Sitting comfortably on my throne, with the eyes of hundreds upon me, I declared war against the mortal realm.