Return of the Legendary Runesmith-Chapter 526 - 525- Grave situation

The six gods, ranked by authority and age:

Aurelios, the eldest and watcher of Adrian’s world.

Vaelthorn, watcher of Raven’s world.

Polaris, responsible for Scarlette’s world.

Vierella, watcher of Valor’s world.

Kariella, guardian of the Dark Knight’s world.

Elfandath, overseer of Forgelet’s world.

"So... what should we do now?" one of the seven figures seated around the vast round table asked.

The chamber resembled a grand conference hall, golden chandeliers hanging overhead and towering high-backed chairs occupied by the deities.

One chair, however, rose higher than the rest, its spire cutting upward with quiet dominance. The man seated upon it appeared older than the others, his presence heavier, more seasoned.

These were the six watchers of the world. The same beings who have stood against Darkness about one thousand years and someone who took the decision to seal independent magic.

Six deities now gathered in solemn discussion.

Their meetings had become somewhat regular over the centuries, but this was perhaps the first time in a thousand years that all six had assembled in one place.

And the reason was clear to everything. Something has changed in the past some time. Something they dreaded but didn’t think would happen so suddenly.

The question, asked earlier, was immediately countered by the raven-haired goddess, Vierella.

"Why do you ask as though we have already reached a conclusion and merely summoned you to be informed of it, Elfandath?" The woman held mockery in her voice, clearly irritated.

The broad-shouldered man with the waist-length moustache scoffed. He folded his thick arms on his broad chest and told her,

"I am simply breaking the silence. We are not here to stare at one another, are we?"

That was true, ever since they have gathered, none of them have spoken; everyone engaged in their thoughts.

Vaelthorn let out a tired sigh.

"Please, set aside your banter during this discussion." The blue-haired deity already looked weary. "Aurelios, would you first explain the reason for this sudden gathering?"

Aurelios alone possessed the authority to summon his brethren together at once. The eldest of them all.

Given his responsibilities, such an action was exceedingly rare. In fact, it had perhaps occurred only once before in all their long existence.

The silver-haired deity leaned back in his seat and muttered, "Our brother has been rather mischievous, it seems."

"Nytharos? What has he done this time?" Kariella asked, her golden brows lifting in concern.

Polaris scoffed. "That bastard struck a deal with Death’s successor. He is no longer standing on neutral ground."

The revelation made the raven-haired goddess gasp, while the others reacted with visible shock.

Vaelthorn leaned slightly toward his elder brother. "Aurelios... is this true? Has Nytharos chosen his side after all?"

Aurelios released a slow breath. "Not entirely. But yes, he appears to be dangerously tempted."

Elfandath groaned in frustration. "Then why not crush his soul? We still have a fragment sealed within the Celestial Lock, do we not?"

Vierella scoffed. "That would only weaken him. And once Death regains his true self, Nytharos’ strength will be irrelevant."

Nytharos was the youngest among them, the one with the least authority. His people, the world he once governed, had long since fallen into lifeless ruin.

He was now a god with a limited lifespan, sustained only by the fragile faith of his Acolytes and the residual power he had accumulated over the ages.

For Darkness, however, such strength would mean nothing. That entity would discard Nytharos like a used rag, without hesitation, without the faintest trace of empathy.

"We warned him," Polaris growled, his voice low and edged with restrained fury. "We gave him the chance to spend his remaining years with some dignity. But that evil-born wretch does not understand dignity. He only wishes to wound us and harm the worlds we protect."

A heavy silence settled over the chamber. Each deity withdrew into their thoughts, searching for a way to defuse the crisis or pull Nytharos back from this reckless path.

"Why can we not eliminate Death’s successor?" Vierella asked at last. "He is nowhere near as powerful as he once was."

"Perhaps," Kariella replied softly, uncertainty threading her tone. "But he nearly defeated Nytharos’ vessel, did he not?"

Elfandath scoffed. "He is no match for us. Nor will he ever be."

Vierella rolled her eyes. "As though you could simply descend and fight him. We defied the laws once before. We cannot afford to repeat that mistake."

Elfandath’s face twisted with displeasure.

Even as deities, they were bound by the laws imposed by the One who had created them. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Polaris spoke again. "Then we send our Apostles. We are permitted that much. Aurelios, you do have one on that sphere, do you not?"

Each of them possessed Apostles they could guide and command. Without breaking the laws, they could bestow blessings upon these chosen mortals, granting them sorcery independent of natural limits and strength far beyond what any ordinary being could attain.

Aurelios slowly shook his head. "No. He is not ready. My devotee would be crushed beneath the weight of my blessing."

Vierella scoffed. "Just how weak is he?"

Elfandath nodded, perhaps for the first time aligning with Vierella during the entire discussion.

"Exactly. It has been years since he awakened your blessing, and he is still unprepared? What has he been doing all this time?"

Aurelios exhaled slowly and leaned back into his towering seat.

"It failed. Attempting to create a rift between Darkness and my Apostle failed. Darkness did not react as I anticipated."

Kariella’s shoulders sagged. The strategy had been hers, to drive a wedge between light and darkness through the heart of a woman. Yet the outcome had not unfolded as expected.

"My Apostle now respects it," Aurelios admitted.

Elfandath winced. Polaris rolled his eyes in open irritation.

"This incarnation of Death is dangerous in an entirely different manner," Vierella murmured. "He travels from world to world, resolving the crises of other Apostles as well. When the decisive moment arrives, we will face resistance from our own devotees."

Silence returned, brief but heavy.

At last, Aurelios turned toward his most perceptive brother. "Vaelthorn. Do you have a suggestion?"

All eyes shifted to the frail-looking yet sharpest among them.

The blue-haired god sat motionless, head lowered, submerged in thought.

Then he spoke.

"What are the chances that the cursed one will attempt to liberate Nytharos from his prison?"

Polaris gave a slight shrug. "Is it not obvious? Nytharos has already provided that accursed being with enough memories and revelations to stir his curiosity."

By revealing truths they had desperately sought to conceal, Nytharos had made his allegiance clear.

Adrian’s origin was a truth they had intended to delay for as long as possible.

With time, they could have manipulated the human when the moment was right.

But now...

"Hmm," Vaelthorn nodded slowly. "I see. Then we shall use it."

The others looked at him in confusion until Aurelios asked, "Use what?"

"One of Nytharos’ Apostles is closely bound to that cursed existence," Vaelthorn replied calmly. "We will use her through the fragment of Nytharos’s soul we have. We will use his apostle to dispel darkness."

His eyes turned glacial.

"He will see the blade approaching," Vaelthorn said softly, "yet his emotions will prevent him from stepping aside."