1 The Holy Temple

Far beyond the fallen universe, there exists a dominion so magnificent and divine that no words can even begin to describe its beauty. Towering crystals stood peerlessly on grandiose golden clouds like great pillars of eternity. Surrounding this heavenly dominion were countless winged beings of light, safeguarding its existence from outside.

In the middle of this heavenly realm was a temple of great magnitude as compared to all of Existence. It serves as the beacon that manages all of the universes that have existed, still existing, and will exist as the river of time flows. The most conceivable mortal image of this temple was if one combines the Coliseum and the Temple of Athena and made it as large as the Sun, floating on golden clouds within the vastness of creation.

Within this temple was a vast chamber— as large as worlds itself —filled with iridescent crystal pillars filled with the powers of Genesis. The authority of the divine within had been uncontested since time immemorial.

In all of the corners of the chamber were millions of seats of great divinity, thrones of kings and gods that ruled over creation.

Nothing, not even the greatest of minds, had the power to infiltrate this realm. It was where all of creation came into being, the origin of all stories.

It should have been the case. Unfortunately, this temple was also facing the damning Inexistence that ravaged thousands of universes.

"Chief Principal, Reimit has now fallen to the Eldritch Realm. There are no universes left to fend off those abominations!" Within the chamber, millions of golden cloaked beings were frantically running about, panicking about what's going to happen next.

"There is no escape! We shouldn't have let those terrors infiltrate the realm just to finish one universe!" Another golden cloaked being shouted with horror."

"Quiet down! Quiet!" Above these rampant beings were three golden beings with greater standing, different from the rest. Despite the pressure that was being placed upon the realm, they stayed calm and composed. They assumed leadership over the other beings below.

"We must defend The Temple at all costs. That is the will of The Zenithal." The golden being in the middle proclaimed calmly.

"Defend?!" One of the golden cloaked beings shouted in complaint, "He just wants us to die!"

Boom!

As soon as he finished saying that, his body hurled and hit one of the pillars of the chamber to the shock of everyone. The golden cloaked beings shakingly turned and looked up at one of the higher golden beings now hovering in the air with a darkened look on his face.

This golden being wore a red cloth that draped across his silver armor. On his back were two steel-colored wings that sent an intimidating aura to all that was around him. In his hand was a longsword, prepared to cut down all that dares to offend Him.

"How dare you speak of Him in such a tone?" He growled with a sharp glint on his eyes.

"W-We apologize, Lord Mikael." The golden cloaked beings groveled and whimpered.

The Lord Mikael narrowed his eyes, looking at them before returning to his post, behind one of the other golden beings.

The one in front who was also the one that announced the order then spoke, "You lesser gods have no right to speak to us Princes of Creation in such a tone, and you definitely have no authority to assume His infallibility. Speak as such one more time and We will make sure that all of you would go down the bellies of the Eldritch first hand. Do you understand?"

The golden cloaked beings couldn't even talk and only lowered their heads. As for the Prince, he turned around and gazed at the huge crystal gate behind them. He clasped his hands together and prayed, "Oh Father, please illuminate thy children as to what should be done." He muttered.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Suddenly, a loud and confident voice echoed as the gates of the chamber opposite to the Crystal Gates was busted open by a squad comprised of 20 angels cladded in white armor with four red wings on their backs. Lined up perfectly, standing stoically, they easily opened up a path, pushing several gods away like normal commoners. Looking past the gates, everyone saw a dignified man, clad in a star-like armor, adorned with countless scars and dents, probably from the countless battles that its master had faced.

His face was beyond handsome, perfected beyond any conceivable mortal mind. His long, black hair cascaded down his chiseled shoulders without even a single strand astray. He, without a doubt, was flawless beyond belief. No one would even believe it if others were to say that this man had been staying in the most chaotic realm beyond Existence.

Being held in his left hand were thousands of chains, dragging thousands of Eldritch heads with them. His right hand held the handle of a huge greatsword sheathed in an ancient scabbard inscribed with runes that were unrecognizable to any gods inside the hall. As he walked, all the red-winged angels that he walks past turned and faced at the gods who were still glaring at them, begrudged at what they did beforehand.

Without a care to any of the lesser gods, the man looked up at the Princes, devoid of any respect and even had a tinge of a mocking look, "Why are you so harsh to the divinities, Brother Gabriel? Don't you know that thy shall treat all as equal children of the Father?" The man snickered.

"Brother Lucifer, you have come!" Overjoyed, Raphiel, the other Prince, greeted him. In response, the man, Lucifer, smiled at him.

"What are you doing here, Brother Lucifer? You are in charge of protecting the entire Expanse from Inexistence. Your absence there would let more Eldritch into the realm. You must return to your post." Gabriel said to him, his eyes gazing straight into the other's eyes.

"All of Existence are now nearing extinction and you expect me to stay put? It seems that your mind only grew denser while I was away. That woman really did make you lose your mi—"

"Shut your mouth, Lucifer. I do not permit you to throw insults at her." Gabriel uttered coldly.

Lucifer sighed, "Doesn't matter. I have come not to bicker with you." He then looked around and said, "Your God, despite knowing that the Expanse is in peril, did not come to your aid. Instead, he lets all of creation fall into the hands of the Eldritch. I have come to change that." He proclaimed to all.

"What do you mean by that?" Eyes narrowed; Gabriel looked at Lucifer hostilely. Mikael gripped his sword, prepared to attack at any given time. Raphiel, on the other hand, looked at the growing tension with worry. The lesser gods looked on with trepidation. In response to the two Prince's hostility, Lucifer smirked. He threw the chains down, arms opened wide, and declared fearlessly and provocatively what they all expected to hear; "The Father's reign has come to an end. The Scarlet Powers have already surrounded the Holy Temple. Yield, for The Expanse shall now be under the rule of the Morningstar!"

After saying that, the red-winged angels— the Scarlet Powers— unsheathed their swords and uncovered their true purpose; to be prepared to fight against the gods.