While Michael's marriage celebration was going on full swing, in the realm of gods, where chaos and rumors of Dagon's return swirled, a towering figure commanded attention. This godly being was Rudra, the War God, a sight to behold. Standing taller and broader than any mortal, his muscular frame exuded power and strength. His fiery red hair cascaded down his back, complementing his commanding presence.
Adorned in gleaming golden armor, Rudra's arms were protected, while his sculpted chest and well-defined abs were proudly displayed. His shoulders bore the weight of majestic lion heads, intricately crafted and attached to his shoulder plates, symbolizing his ferocity and dominance.
Atop a hill, on a bed of gold, Rudra reclined, a goblet of wine in his hand. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and gold, casting a warm glow upon the god's features. His aura resonated with divine power, radiating an aura of authority and awe-inspiring might.
The mountaintop where Rudra found solace was strewn with fragments of stone, remnants of golems that had met their demise during his relentless training. Each shattered piece bore testament to the god's formidable strength and unwavering dedication to his craft.
In this tranquil moment, Rudra, the embodiment of war and battle, found respite. The world outside may have been plagued by chaos and rumors, but here, on his golden throne, he could bask in the glory of his own divinity.
As Rudra reveled in his pocket dimension, an intrusive light pierced through the serenity. Annoyance etched upon his features, he shook his head disapprovingly, disrupted from his cherished moment of relaxation. Gradually, the luminous glow transformed into the ethereal figure of a woman with radiant golden hair.
"Seraphine, I don't recall extending an invitation to my domain," Rudra asserted with a commanding voice that resonated like thunder.
"We have discovered the graces of the gods trapped in the mortal realm, Rudra," Seraphine disclosed, her tone carrying a mixture of astonishment and concern.
Unfazed by Seraphine's news, Rudra exhibited no emotions, except for his irritation at having his peaceful time disturbed by the Goddess of Information.
"Good for you," he retorted dismissively, reclining once more upon his opulent golden bed, deliberately averting his gaze from Seraphine.
"They were imprisoned within the temple of the God of Darkness, and Dagon has released them," Seraphine divulged. The moment Rudra heard the names 'God of Darkness' and 'Dagon,' his nonchalant facade dissipated, replaced by a flicker of excitement as he lifted his gaze to meet Seraphine's expectant eyes.
Amused, Rudra contemplated the revelation. "So, all this time, the graces were hiding right under our noses. And Dagon, how did he manage to breach our realm from the depths of hell? I can only imagine the frenzy the pantheon must be in," he mused, flexing his formidable godly muscles.
"Andohr is currently handling Dagon's presence. The pantheon requests that you ensure Dagon's swift return to the depths of hell," Seraphine conveyed, prompting a chuckle from Rudra.
"Andohr? That guy always complicates matters for the sake of appearing like a master strategist. All he does is waste time and laze around all day. Hold on a moment, you mentioned Dagon freeing the graces from the Dark God's temple. Didn't you inform me that Dagon was unable to breach our realm through the protective barrier surrounding the mortal realm?" Rudra inquired.
Seraphine sighed wearily, continuing with her explanation. "Somehow, Dagon managed to momentarily enter our realm and unleash the graces. I am now certain he is amassing his forces within the realm between. As a fallen god, Dagon possesses the ability to transcend the barrier erected by the Dark God. The only hindrance preventing his full incursion into our realm is the artifacts that bind him to hell. Andohr leads the Skyhall army against Dagon's hell walkers. However, Andohr cannot unleash his full power without leaving that damn castle."
"So, you expect me to venture into the realm between and join forces with Andohr's mortal army?" Rudra questioned, his tone dripping with disdain at the mere suggestion put forth by Seraphine.
"Let me make this clear, Rudra. Dagon is unable to escape hell until his hell walkers break the artifacts within the realm between. Andohr is confined to his castle, unable to enter the realm of gods, and we are unable to step into the mortal realm until the barrier created by the Dark God is dismantled. The pantheon desires the Dark God's current incarnation to break the remaining three seals, allowing us to breach the barrier and confront Dagon directly in hell. Do you understand?" Seraphine explained, simplifying the intricate situation.
"It seems straightforward enough. Although I'm certain the pantheon and Andohr have concocted an elaborate plan to make themselves appear as masters of the universe, pulling off intricate strategies and such," Rudra chuckled at the thought of the pantheon's machinations.
"Things are not as simple as they may appear, Rudra. Perhaps for you, the War God who charges into battle with sheer brute force and no need for elaborate plans," Seraphine remarked with a serious tone.
"I always have a plan, Seraphine. It's called power. Overwhelming power surpasses strategies any day," Rudra stated confidently, rising from his golden bed to face Seraphine.
"No matter how intricate an ant's plans may be, all it takes is a single step to crush both their plan and their life," Rudra declared confidently, causing Seraphine to sigh in resignation. She knew better than to argue with Rudra, for he had proven himself victorious time and time again against the enemies of the Pantheon. After all, he was the God of War for a reason.
"Will you venture into the realm in between?" Seraphine asked, seeking a direct answer. However, instead of responding immediately, Rudra lifted his wine glass, savoring a slow sip before continuing.
"Fighting the hell walkers would serve no purpose. A war cannot be won by winning a solitary battle. Victory in this war with Dagon will only be achieved when his head lies severed on the ground. To defeat him, we must confront him at his weakest point," Rudra explained, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Seraphine couldn't help but grin inwardly, recognizing the fervor that always consumed Rudra. While he may not possess the strategic prowess of Andohr, when it came to winning wars, there was no god more adept than the God of War himself.
"What do you propose, Rudra?"
"As I've said, I dislike convoluted plans. My strategy is simple. I shall send a fraction of my divine essence into the mortal realm, locating the three seal bearers and allowing the current incarnation of the Dark God to eliminate them. This will grant us access to hell, where we can confront Dagon directly before he sets foot in our realm," Rudra outlined his plan, noting the alignment with Andohr's own strategy. Normally, Seraphine would never involve Rudra and Andohr in the same endeavor, for their mutual animosity ran deep. However, time was of the essence, and the pantheon needed Rudra's formidable presence.
"What about the Dark God? What do you intend to do with him?" Seraphine inquired, her curiosity piqued. She knew that five thousand years ago, Rudra had harbored a burning desire to confront the God of Darkness. However, the Dark God had reset the universe and erected a formidable barrier between the mortal realm and the realm of gods, effectively preventing athe clash between them. Rudra had been denied the opportunity to engage in battle with his ancient adversary. But now, with Rudra's power to send a sliver of his grace through the weakened barrier following the demise of several seal bearers, the long-awaited clash between the God of Darkness and the God of War seemed feasible.
"What is he up to in the mortal realm?" Rudra inquired, withholding his own plan involving the God of Darkness for the time being.
"He is getting married," Seraphine revealed, causing Rudra to click his tongue in response.
"Then I shall wait. I am not an asshole and have no desire to disrupt a wedding. Let him embark on this new chapter of his life without interference," Rudra declared, devoid of any ill intentions towards the God of Darkness.
"You are aware that he cannot be killed without the-"
Seraphine's sentence was abruptly cut off as Rudra interjected.
"He may be unkillable for now, but I can weaken him to the point where he will no longer pose a threat," Rudra snickered, his confidence evident.
"But that is not a permanent solution, Rudra. He has the potential to regain his strength," Seraphine argued.
"Then I will face him time and time again until you strategists come up with a more viable approach. After all, we gods have nothing but time on our hands," Rudra declared, his determination unwavering.
Then, Rudra placed his fingers on his forehead, tapping into the immense power that flowed through him. With a swift motion, he extracted a small sliver of golden thread, pulsating with his divine grace. Holding it up, he turned to face Seraphine.
"This tiny fragment of my grace will accomplish more than Andohr's complicated plans ever could," Rudra proclaimed confidently. With a flick of his wrist, he released the sliver of grace, watching as it disappeared into the vast expanse of the golden sky, making its way toward the mortal realm.
Seraphine raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "But Rudra, your grace requires a mortal vessel in the mortal realm. How do you plan to accomplish that?"
Rudra grinned mischievously, his eyes gleaming with unspoken knowledge. "Fear not, Seraphine. I still have devoted worshippers in the mortal realm who would gladly offer their physical bodies for the manifestation of my grace. They shall be the vessels through which my power will flow."
Seraphine nodded, realizing the extent of Rudra's connection to his followers. She understood that their unwavering devotion would provide the conduits necessary for his divine grace to manifest in the mortal realm.
In the vast tapestry of the divine realm, each god was a protagonist in their own story, with their own trials, triumphs, and quests. The God of Darkness, the God of War, the God of Time and Space, and the Fallen God Dagon all played their roles, guided by the invisible hand of fate.
Their choices, desires, and motivations wove together, bringing them into conflict and forging alliances that remained hidden from the rest of the realm of gods. Among them, it was the God of Darkness who found common ground with Dagon, the Fallen God. Together, they formed an unexpected alliance that threatened the delicate balance of power.
The true motives of Dagon's rebellion and the intricate relationship between the God of Darkness and Dagon remained concealed, awaiting a time when the threads of fate would be pulled, unraveling the mysteries of their intertwined stories.
As the sliver of grace continued its journey, Rudra and Seraphine stood in the realm of gods, contemplating the imminent events that would unfold. The fate of both realms hung in the balance, and Rudra's bold plan would set into motion a series of events that could change the course of their existence.
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