The oppressive atmosphere in the hall after this being’s entrance was only interrupted after he asked this question. None of the gods dared to utter a sound before but the feeling of Dread and Despair that filled the room lifted at the same time as everyone released a sigh of relief.

  Meltrismara looked at the newcomer. “Do you always have to do this, Paradox?”

  That is right, dear listener, the one who just entered is the last of [The Ten Creators]. The only one of the Creators who stands on the same level as Meltrismara who acts as their leader. There are rumors that his strength is greater than hers but nobody saw them ever fight and the only reason no one challenges or tries to disrespect him is because they fear him.

  “What do you mean, Meltris? You know exactly that with the war currently happening it gets harder to control the Concepts and I can't really be bothered with controlling them just for some trivial reason. But enough of that, what did I miss?”

  Meltrismara shook her head before answering. “Nothing much. They just started fighting after the Villain surprised him with an explosion to the face.”

  Paradox turned his gaze to the mirror. The Villain and the Hero were currently seen trading blows but unable to hurt each other. “I see. Looks like I really didn't miss anything.”

  “Could I ask something?” A voice sounded from the other side of the podest the thrones stood on. A light green coloured silhouette sat on a throne with a painting that depicted golden coins and jewels being thrown into pink flames. “I would like to know why Paradox joined us only now.”

  Some of the other gods also listened in on this. What was he occupied with that was more important than the battle down below in the Mortal Realm?

  “That, dear Ignavaria, is a question you wouldn't need to concern yourself with.” He let his gaze wander over the gods. “It looks like there are more than just you that would like to know and wouldn't be happy with not an answer so I will make an exception and tell you.”

  He directed his gaze back to the mirror. “You see, there was a group of crazy idiots that thought themselves to be revolutionary geniuses and came up with the wonderful idea of using a mix of alchemy and magic to conduct some ethically and morally questionable experiments. Of course, there wouldn't be a need to involve myself with this and could just ignore it but no, those idiots started using necromancy and after they were found by a noble, they acquired their help in return for an army of undead super soldiers. While making those they used monsters and one of those idiots thought it would be a great idea to experiment on Souls. Yes, here they got my attention completely and I needed to know how fast my Knights could take care of them or if I could send someone else.”

  “I'm sorry to interrupt, Paradox, but that would have never occupied you for this long. Even considering the time it would take to find someone that would be able to take care of it as most of our Knights are currently solving some more pressing problems.” Solestio interrupted.

  Paradox looked at him for a moment. “And you would be correct. I found someone a few hours ago that could have done that. Before you ask, yes, there was something else.” He pauses before continuing with a sigh. “They thought it was a smart idea to bring in a dragon as their test subject.”

  The silence that followed was heavy. No one moved or paid attention to the scene the mirror showed them. All of their eyes were directed to Paradox as he sat there on his throne. It was written on their faces what everyone present was thinking: You can't be serious and Even stupidity has its limits.

  Paradox saw their faces and laughed mirthless to himself. “Yes, that's what I thought too but it was worse. It was a child of the queen of the dragons herself.”

  If the Creators were present in a body of flesh and blood you would be able to see them lose every colour in their faces.

  You are probably wondering why they react like this so let me explain. Necromancy itself isn't frowned upon but everything involving souls was forbidden by the Creators since they left the Mortal Realm. No one in their right mind would dare to even communicate with the souls of the deceased unless they had asked the God of Death for permission first. So, illegal experiments involving souls? You would be hunted down by everyone the gods were able to send after you. Involving a dragon in dangerous experiments regardless of what kind? You were causing a rampaging dragon to hunt you down until they found their baby, hopefully alive because a dead dragon means a dragon desiring revenge. Involving a child of the queen of the dragons? My friend, why don't you launch earth's nuclear weaponry into your position? That would cause less harm and destruction than she will.

  “Paradox, please tell me the scope of the destruction she caused this time.” Meltrismara was clearly unhappy hearing all of this.

  “Don't worry your pretty head about it. She didn't go on a killing spree this time.”

  Meltrismara looked at him as if she couldn't believe his words. “What do you mean by that? We are talking about their queen! The oldest living being on Ephemera besides us Creators and the strongest in the Mortal Realm. The last time she went on a rampage it took us a millenium to repair the damage and you are telling me she didn't go on a rampage this time?!”

  Paradox, even though his silhouette didn't really have a face, clearly smirked. “She and I talked and we came to an agreement. She didn't go on a killing spree, I took care of the idiots and the problems they caused and now I'm here. No rampaging dragon, no idiots messing with souls and still no murdered Villain so let us concentrate on that.”

  She clearly wasn't happy ending their conversation like that but what other choice did she have. He was right about everything so she gave her attention to what mattered.

  [Ephemera, The Mortal Realm, Plains of Akrid. The third day of Padox, year 17 after the Rupture]

  [Hero's POV]

  While the first explosion surprised Ethan the fight itself wasn't as difficult as everyone made him believe it would be. Was it the most difficult fight he had in his short life? Yes, absolutely, but every rumor he heard from the soldiers, every report from the survivors, every speech from the generals and every advice from his teachers and comrades caused Ethan to think that fighting Jonas would turn into a battle of a human against a god-like monstrosity.

  Maybe he was better than he thought he was? Ethan may be many things but he wasn't a fool or arrogant enough to think it was his skills alone. He could feel it inside him, the Blessings the Creators gave him so he could draw upon their strength. They filled him with warmth and a feeling of power he was sure He would never reach.

  Invoking the Blessing of the Land made him more resilient, less likely to lose his balance. It helped endure the explosion with nothing more than a scratch. Flooding his limbs with the Blessing of the Sea allowed him to close the distance between him and the Villain while avoiding the spells thrown at him with almost no effort.

  His overhead swing was blocked by a hexagonal shimmering barrier appearing in the path of his sword. The Villain smirked and blasted the Hero away with a bolt of mana.

  “Your Blessings are really unfair, Hero, but don't forget that I have more battle experience than you. I won't go down so easily!” Another snap, another barrel. This time though the barrel was painted blue with a symbol resembling waves painted on it.

  Instead of exploding like the last one did, this one burst apart and released a sudden wave of water that threatened to take the Hero with it. As rapidly as the water appeared it froze, trapping Ethan and rendering him unable to move. The Villain used this to create several spears made from crystalized mana and shot them towards the trapped Hero.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Ethan took a deep breath, a wall of mist suddenly expanded from his position and the spears crashed into the ice. Meanwhile Ethan broke through the mist, an aura of flames enveloping his body. The flames gathered around his sword and with a swing he fired them in a crescent towards Jonas.

  A wall of earth blocked the flames but Ethan was unable to avoid the spears that came as retaliation. The first two graced him lightly, causing a small cut in his cheek and leg, the third struck him in his shoulder. His left arm hung limply by his side but he could already feel the Blessing of Life healing the wound moderately.

  Ethan tried to close the distance again, another barrel blocking his path. This happened several times and every time the Villain sounded Ethan with the properties of the barrel itself or the spells he used afterwards.

  ‘Continuing like this will not work in the long run’, Ethan thought to himself. He didn't Like the idea but he had something planned. Continuing their game of him advancing only to be stopped by another barrel, Ethan took his time. Every wound inflicted on him was healed by the Blessing while the others helped with preventing the worst.

  Another normal looking barrel appeared before him. Ethan slid underneath the barrel and stood up. The explosion catapulted him towards the Villain who didn't expect his opponent to do something so stupid.

  Jonas failed to create another barrier in time and Ethan's gamble paid off. Flying through the air followed by a rain of blood was the right arm of the Villain.

  “Aarrgh!” The Villain clutched his shoulder, the smell of burnt flesh filled the air as he cauterized the wound using a flame. “Well played, Hero,” he chuckled. “I didn't think anyone would be stupid enough for such a gamble but it seems like you are braver than I thought…”

  Ethan looked at him, prepared to rush in again but his instinct held him back. Something was wrong, He could almost taste the feeling of danger coming from his adversary.

  “I will stop holding back then… I should honor you at least this much, no?” Mana came in waves from the Villain, enough to physically push back Ethan. It made a shiver run down his back. Having enough mana that it could influence someone's surroundings without any spell or refinement meant only one thing and the implications of this made the fear of death cling to Ethan like the embrace of a crazy lover.

  With a snap a dozen different barrels surrounded Ethan, all of them coloured red with a drawing of the sun. They exploded in a burst of blinding light followed by a wave of heat that caused Ethan's skin to burn. Without the Blessings of the Land, Sky and Sea as well as Life supporting him his skin would probably vaporize immediately. He stood there, blinded and having burns all over his body. His armor luckily didn't deform thanks to the enchantments and the Blessing but it was hot enough to burn him a second time.

  While trying to see again proved difficult and would take time, His enemy didn't allow him to rest. Another explosion threw him to the side, pillars of ice slamming into him and causing him to fly through the air, a barrage of magically conjured arrows piercing parts of his skin.

  He endured attack after attack while his Blessings protected and healed him. They were strong but not almighty, he wouldn't be able to endure it for long.

  After what felt like an agonizing eternity for him, the attacks slowed down. His body was barely keeping him alive, his eyes now healed could see that the Villain probably overdid it. He stood in front of the obelisk, sweat dripping down from his Hair, struggling to catch his breath.

  Suddenly he could feel something change. His wounds closed faster, a surge of energy filled his body. He could feel the Blessings grow in strength. Ethan stood up and took a deep breath. The energy of the Blessings filled his entire body.

  Life, Land, Sea, Sky, Virtue, Magic, Sun.

  In his mind he could see the Blessings' power turn into a stream of rainbow coloured energy flowing through his veins. He would bring this to an end, here and now.

  The Hero opened his eyes, his sword ready to taste blood again. Another deep breath and he sprinted forward, closing the distance in record time and he swung his sword in another overhead swing.

  The Villain reacted in time and dodged, the sword missing him only barely. The power behind the attack carved a deep crack into the ground that remained immaculate until now.

  What they didn't see was that a wound on Ethan's leg cracked open and rainbow coloured light leaked out.

  [Ephemera, The Divine Realm, The Hall of Creation. The third day of Padox, year 17 after the Rupture]

  “ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MINDS!!!!!”

  A voice boomed through the hall, the echo haunting the hallways. Paradox stood in front of his throne, clearly angered and looking at Meltrismara and the other Creators that had a hand raised and pointing at the mirror.

  “Calm down, Paradox. You saw just like us that the Hero would lose. We had to help him a little.” A deep, calm voice came from the silhouette next to Thalasos. It had a deep brown colour and the art on his throne showed mountains and a group of beings sitting around a campfire.

  “ARE YOU REALLY ASKING ME TO CALM DOWN?! Your help would ensure that the Villain dies, yes, you are right. BUT WHO TOLD YOU TO IGNORE EVERYTHING ELSE!!!!” Paradox wasn't just angry but enraged.

  Thalasos smirked. “We can ignore the rules once, Paradox. They were, after all, not made with such a scenario in mind. Or would you Like a repeat of the Rupture?? That another plan of the Villain is successful and causes even more problems?!”

  The feeling of Dread and Despair appeared again but this time more intense. It lingered around the gods like a predator ready to pounce on its prey. Paradox looked like he was ready to murder someone.

  “That's enough, all of you.” Meltrismara intervened. “Sit down, Paradox. We can talk about the reason later but we need to see this to an end!”

  Paradox glared at her. She held his gaze and started back, calm and collected. Paradox turned his gaze to the mirror and the projection of the battle.

  “Shit!” He ran out of the Hall. “Paradox! Where are you going?!” Meltrismara shouted after him. “Making sure your stupid snowball doesn't bury us all in a frickin ice age!”

  The gods wondered what he meant before a loud “crack” came from the projection and a bright, rainbow coloured light filled the room and blinded them all.

  [Ephemera, The Mortal Realm, Plains of Akrid. The third day of Padox, year 17 after the Rupture]

  The soldiers in the city felt it. The people in the supply lines and medical tents saw it. Both didn't know what it was but they could tell one thing: they wouldn't survive this.

  From the temple on top of the city, the place where the Villain and the Hero fought each other, came a bright light. A shockwave shook the ruins of the city before they heard the explosion. Slowly, the light changed from bright white to all colours of the rainbow, mixing, swirling and then expanding in the form of a dome. Everything touched by the dome of light disappeared inside, evaporating and turning into particles that fueled its growth.

  Most of the soldiers were too far into the city. They didn't get the chance to run. The ones on the wall and outside of it started running. Mostly the ones outside the walls escaped, many others didn't. The people in the tent, be it wounded soldiers, healers, suppliers or even the Saintess of the Church of Life, began a last prayer to the gods, wishing for the safety of those they left behind.

  Lighting flashed but instead of the typical thunder following it the people heard the screech of a raven that sounded too deep and too monstrous to be normal.

  Above the city, the clouds gathered. Red and violet lighting was seen, igniting the clouds and causing black flames to erupt. The flames, clouds and lighting began swirling around each other in a giant vortex. The wind picked up speed, the tent got blown away and trees lost their hold on the ground.

  The vortex in the sky dropped slowly downwards, forming a new shape.

  Six wings made from the black flames connected to the main body, lighting flashed through them, creating runes and unknown symbols. Two legs, formed from dark ice, ended in sharp talons big enough to pierce a dragon. Five feathery tails flew behind the main body, moving in a way that would cause a normal bird to fall from the sky. The main body was made from the storm clouds itself, the front covered in scales and the back in long feathers. The head of this beast was a horned skull that looked like it was burned in a fire. Its three eyes stared angrily towards the dome of light.

  It opened its beak, the lower half splitting down the middle. With a terrifying screech that froze the blood in even the most fearless barbarian, the giant raven dive bombed towards the dome. Before crashing into it, it stopped mid flight, spreading its wings to cover the entire surface area of the dome and enclosing it underneath itself. The dome stopped expanding the moment it got touched by the raven.

  Both the giant raven and the dome underneath it began shrinking. More and more until only a small ball remained in the air. The ball burst apart in a pillar of flames, scorching the ground and clearing the sky. It too disappeared after its energy was expended.

  From the ruins there was no trace to be found. Only a crater remained where humanity fought one of its most important battles.