Chapter 49: The form of sin is forgiven.

Satan undulated her body in all directions, distorting space itself. A wave of distortion engulfed Apollo, throwing him into this torn universe.

Apollo: Pfff… What clumsiness!

But before he could react, a violent strike from Satan's tail hit him full force and propelled him far away.

Apollo: Argh…!

As he got up, his gaze fell on the immensity of Satan's reptilian form. It stretched endlessly, oversized, almost infinite in this place beyond natural laws.

Apollo: Wonderful…

He remained still, observing.

Satan:

You cannot defeat me.

Do you know why?

Because by attacking me, you sin.

And every sin-whether of anger, hatred, or simple violence-feeds me.

You think you strike? You offer me a feast.

I am the Mirror of Vice: every attack sublimates me, every transgression elevates me.

You do not wound me; you kneel me before your own fall.

For sin is not a fault here.

It is an offering.

And I am the Goddess who devours it.

Apollo: Oh really? Is that so?

Satan transformed again. Her silhouette became that of a slender serpentine humanoid, with powerful legs and a slim waist.

Satan:

Here is my ultimate form.

Apollo: Oh… really? And then?

He narrowly avoided a claw diving toward him.

Apollo: She is fast!

The attacks followed relentlessly, like an unyielding rain.

Apollo:

You think you scare me, little creature?

He tried a kick, to no effect. Satan remained impassive, her gaze locked on his.

Apollo: Impossible…

He launched a series of strikes and plunged his spear into the demon's body. But it remained unharmed, as if its shell were forged from the same celestial metal that shapes divine weapons.

Satan:

You still don't understand?

Sin is the very nature of harmful action.

To fight is a sin.

And I am that sin.

As long as you oppose me, you feed me.

Your blows, your powers, your rage… all of it strengthens me.

You cannot defeat me, for I am the consequence of every one of your acts.

Apollo: Very well…

His aura suddenly intensified.

Apollo:

Destruction of being and source!

His spear flamed a deep red. He charged at Satan, but the weapon shattered into a thousand shards on contact with her body.

Apollo: No… It's not possible! Even destruction of being and source?!

Satan grabbed him by the neck.

Satan:

Your attacks will always be sins.

The stronger they are, the more you elevate me.

You fight me, but it is yourself you wound.

I am your sin incarnate, Apollo.

And one does not destroy what defines us.

Apollo: Hehehe… I understand now.

Satan:

What are you laughing at?

Apollo:

The truth is, I had already lost this fight…

From the moment I faced you.

You were in your realm.

The mere act of fighting is a fault, thus an offering to your essence.

Satan:

At last… you open your eyes.

Apollo:

In truth, no being can defeat you.

You are not a mere concept, but a meta-concept even more powerful, recognized in the deepest arcana of the Kingdom of Viraya.

But remember… I am a god.

Satan:

A god? You still think you have a chance against me? I am invincible, accept it!

Apollo: Hmm…

Blood flowed in the second stratum of this unreal world.

Satan: What is…?!

Apollo held in his hand Satan's severed arm.

Apollo:

Let me reveal a truth to you.

Gods are never beneath sin.

Why? Because a god is the incarnation of perfection.

A perfection that transcends even the very idea of what is good or evil.

Look and understand: sin does not exist for a perfect being.

No matter the nature of their actions, they are only manifestations of divine will, and divine will is beyond human laws.

A god neither needs to justify themselves nor be judged, for every gesture, every decision, is a pure expression of cosmic order.

Thus, even acting against what mortals call "morality," a god does not sin.

They rewrite morality itself, for the inflexibility of perfection surpasses the chains of sin.

Satan: No… I refuse to believe that… Have you been lying all along?

Apollo: I hope you enjoyed my acting skills!

Satan: GRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!

She lunged at him, unleashed.

Apollo materialized his spear.

Apollo:

This fight has lasted long enough… It's time to finish it.

The spear began to radiate golden light, its shards bursting like broken stars.

Apollo:

Pocăința Crimei!

Satan charged. The spear pierced her, forming a black sphere of energy that exploded into a scarlet beam, devastating. The blast crossed space like an apocalypse dawn. Then… silence.

Satan: Kof… Kof…

Blood dripped from her lips. Apollo's spear was lodged in her belly. She looked at it, then slowly withdrew it.

Apollo:

It's over.

Satan resumed human form. Long white hair fell over her shoulders, her red eyes still shining.

She placed her hand on her belly: not a drop of blood. Her powers were restored, as on the first day of the Garden.

Satan:

But… What have you done, Apollo?

Apollo:

I freed you.

From your anger. From your hatred. From your pain.

From all that pushed you to hate the world and the gods-and to want to destroy them.

You are free now.

You no longer have to blame anyone.

Satan:

Free…? And yet, I still have my powers. I could still fight you. Aren't you afraid?

Apollo gently stroked her hair.

Apollo:

Haven't you suffered enough?

I'm sorry for what the gods did to you.

But… if I destroyed you today, I would be the true monster…

Satan: Oh… Apollo…

He knelt, bowing before her.

Apollo:

I, representing the celestial deities,

offer you our apologies…

For all you have endured.

She grasped him, moved.

Satan: Stand up, I beg you!

She was flushed with confusion, disoriented.

Satan:

I cannot bear to see you, so great, so noble… bow like this!

Apollo:

It's very rude to interrupt a divine forgiveness ritual.

Satan:

Believe what you want, but I refuse to see you like this!

And besides… I never had manners, so I don't care!

Apollo rose with a smile.

Apollo:

As you wish. But at least accept our apologies.

You will never be disturbed like this again.

All the reparations you awaited are now accomplished.

Satan averted her gaze, blushing, then turned again, covering her face.

Satan:

It is… accepted…!

Apollo:

I'd like you to say that to my face.

Satan turned and shouted.

Satan:

I accept your apologies!!!

Apollo:

No need to shout, let's go home.

He turned on his heels, walking into the void. Satan watched him, recalling the words of the very first primordial god she had met: Goth Cancellor.

"I am Goth, also called Cancellor. Primordial god number 25.

Like all of ours, we are just to creatures.

But terribly severe if they deviate."

Tears slid down Satan's cheeks.

Satan:

The primordial gods… are magnificent. If only I had met you sooner…

She wiped them away.

Apollo:

You're not following me? You're crying?

Satan:

None of your business!

Apollo:

Very well, very well…

She leapt toward him and hugged him.

Apollo: Uh…!

Satan:

Thank you so much... For an eternity, I dreamed of finally being free.

I remain the incarnation of sin, but a new peace dwells within me. I cannot express all my gratitude, Apollo... sniff.

She began to cry again, which slightly annoyed Apollo.

Apollo:

You could start by letting me go, don't you think?

Meanwhile, in the depths of the Void, Thanato waited patiently for Apollo's arrival. But to his great surprise, it was Raiku who appeared.

Raiku:

You!!!

Thanato glanced behind him, then fixed his gaze on Raiku.

Thanato:

Me???

Raiku:

Yes, you, coward... That technique was useless, and now, I will make you swallow your own death facing...

An unexpected voice then rose, interrupting Raiku mid-declaration. He frowned, irritated.

???:

Hum... Excuse me?!!

Raiku:

Who dares interrupt me?!

Thanato (light laugh):

Well, well, Wamy. What brings you here?

It was indeed the voice of Wamy, the strange wandering entity between planes.

Wamy:

Sorry to interrupt this settling of scores, but the hall is still waiting for you... I located Arcane, so I thought it might be useful to warn you!

Thanato shuddered slightly, then answered sincerely.

Thanato:

Perfect. Thank you, Wamy. You're always so thoughtful.

Raiku (annoyed):

You dare ignore me?!

Thanato (calmly):

To you, demon, I leave the victory. You know well that the gods are perpetually absorbed by other tasks.

Wamy nodded with a knowing smile.

Wamy:

Besides, hitting such a pretty woman, even demonic, would almost be a crime!

Raiku blushed despite herself, then frowned, puzzled.

Raiku:

Uh... Are you idiots or what?

Wamy & Thanato (in unison, very serious):

We are as serious as can be!

Raiku:

I... I don't even have words...

Suddenly, Satan appeared, walking beside Apollo. Raiku stared at them in astonishment.

Raiku:

Sata... What are you doing like that, beside Apollo?

Satan:

Call me Satan now. It's my real name. As for Apollo... let's say I no longer have any reason to confront anyone.

Raiku:

What do you mean?

Satan:

That I will finally... find rest.

Thanato (taken aback):

What?! Where does this sudden change come from? You seem... like another person.

Satan:

The source is simple. I am... satisfied.

Over time, I endured everything:

I cried, and no one comforted me.

I reached out, and I was ignored.

I was hungry, no bread was offered.

I was cold, no fire was lit for me.

I needed presence... I was abandoned.

I hoped, and no one encouraged me.

I was rejected.

I sought affection... I received blows, insults, closed doors.

Sadness. Reflection. Resolution.

And now, I find it strange how quickly people notice when you change.

But they never see... what pushed you there.