The room was dimly lit, only a few lamps flickering on the walls. Their soft glow danced across the figure standing in the center—tall, imposing, and calm.
"So, tell me again," the man said, his voice deep and commanding. "Who is the god?"
Aria hesitated. "Well..."
He stepped forward, and his voice grew colder.
"Then you don’t have any right to question who’s more fit to be one."
He turned his back to her and raised a hand.
"The sins of this world... the sins done by the gods themselves." His tone was calm, but beneath it was rage.
Aria clenched her fists. "How did the gods sin?"
He turned to her slowly. His eyes glowed faintly in the dim light.
"They sinned the moment they made this world unjust. In other words..." He gestured around, as if the room represented the whole world. "The world itself is a sin."
His voice echoed through the room.
"I will sever the fate of this sinful world. I will build a world of one system, one body. A just world... with no good or evil, no heaven or hell. Only one goal: to live happily. Peace will rule the new world."
He raised his hand higher.
"And I... will rise as the God of that world."
The air shifted. The lamps around them suddenly blazed brighter in response to his words.
"Sinful beings don’t belong in the world I want to create. You will all die... and be reborn into my perfect world. By the time I’m done, my purpose will be fulfilled."
He looked straight into her eyes.
"For I... am... Sin."
The flames from the lamps surged violently with his name. The shadows danced wildly on the walls.
Sin smiled faintly and stretched out his hand toward Aria. "Come with me. Let’s end this sinful world together."
"A world without sin... a just world... no heaven or hell, just one goal..." she whispered.
Sin nodded. "True peace."
He stepped closer. "Come with me. You and I—we’ll become the gods of the new world."
Aria slowly raised her hand toward his. Their fingers almost touched.
Her eyes glowed pink.
A burst of holy flame erupted from her palm, burning Sin’s hand. He stepped back with a grimace, holding his hand.
The flames faded. Sin dusted his hand off and chuckled.
"I guess that’s a no, then."
Aria stood tall. "That’s right."
"Too bad," he muttered. "I was actually looking forward to working with you. It’s a shame... You possess the holy flames. I thought maybe... just maybe... you believed in my ideals."
"You’re just like that foolish Azreal."
Aria’s eyes widened. "Azreal!"
Sin smirked. "Yeah. Even he rejected my offer."
Aria’s lips curled into a small smile. "Seems no one believes in your dream world. Just give up already."
Sin turned away and began walking.
"You think ideals need followers to be real?" ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽
He looked over his shoulder. "Belief? My dream doesn’t depend on others. I’ll make it myself... with my own strength. When it’s done, they’ll all crawl back—begging to be let into my new world."
Aria narrowed her eyes. "But you need me. And I refused."
"Don’t think so highly of yourself. I don’t need your permission. It’s true my dream won’t be fulfilled without you... but I never said I’d ask."
He turned and walked toward a chair, sitting down calmly.
"I’ll just make you."
Aria took a step back. "What are you talking about?"
Sin grinned. "Let’s keep that a secret."
Suddenly, a group of robed figures emerged from the shadows, surrounding Aria. She gasped, looking around as they raised their hands.
A glowing red circle appeared beneath her, pulsing with dark energy.
"Let me go!" Aria shouted, struggling.
Sin leaned back, smiling. "Don’t worry... it won’t hurt."
Azreal stood in deep thought, his cloak billowing behind him. Hulk burst into the room, out of breath.
"My lord! We can’t find Aria anywhere!"
Azreal frowned. "How hard can it be to find one girl?"
Arian’s form flickered into existence beside them. "My lord. Good news. I’ve reconnected with Aria. She’s alive."
Azreal turned sharply. "Then track her. Now."
Arian closed his eyes. Streams of fire danced around him. His senses reached out, following a faint trail of hellflames into the void.
A moment later, his eyes opened.
Azreal snapped his fingers. "Where is she?"
Arian hesitated. "She’s in... Vel’karas. The Graveyard of Reason."
Everyone fell silent.
Hulk stepped forward, confused. "Where is that? I’ve never heard of it."
Azreal’s eyes burned with fury. "I’m going."
"My lord, it’s too dangerous," Arian warned. "In your condition—"
Azreal clenched his fist. "I let Aria fall into danger. I’m getting her back."
Suddenly, Nena ran in, tears in her eyes. "Please... bring her back."
Azreal placed a hand on her shoulder. "I will. I promise."
He turned to Hulk. "Tell the other Pillars to stay alert. I believe this is Sin’s doing. He might attack the other gates while I’m gone."
Hulk nodded. "Yes, my lord."
"I’ll go too," Arian said.
Azreal shook his head. "No."
"I have to. I failed in protecting her. I’ll go... even if it kills me."
Azreal gave a faint smile. "Do as you wish."
Arian floated beside him, and Azreal looked toward the burning gate ahead.
His voice echoed softly.
"Aria... just wait for me."
Meanwhile, a voice echoed telepathically throughout the five Gates.
"This is Sarah. As you may have heard, Aria has been taken. Lord Azreal has gone to Vel’karas to rescue her. He suspects Sin is behind this, and the gates may be targeted."
"All Pillars—be on guard. A war may soon begin in Hell. Protect the gates. Save Aria."
Selmora’s eyes glowed with flames. "Aria... you’re in trouble again. But I know Lord Azreal will bring you back. I’ll wait for you."
Dragos finished putting on his armor. "So, it’s time."
Drakos smirked. "Heh... finally."
Veymar stood on a rooftop, his cloak fluttering.
His eyes gleamed. "This could be fun. Let’s play, Sin."
Malphas sighed. "That girl... always stirring up chaos."
Morgath entered. "All the guards are reinforced, my lord."
Malphas nodded. "Good. We won’t let the enemy win."
Hulk stood before the gate, eyes full of determination.
"I swear, Lord Azreal. We’ll protect the gate with our lives. Go—and come back safe."
"Hey! If you’ve enjoyed the story so far, let me know by voting or commenting. Your support helps me keep writing iand improving this world!"