Whispers Of Celestial War

The infernal household was in its usual state of chaotic normalcy. Today, however, the air was charged with the anticipation of another celestial meeting—a meeting that Kikidori and Ere'ana were obligated to attend. Yumi and Akuma were left behind to supervise Kael and little Aralyn, and, as always, Kael's resentment simmered beneath his cool exterior. It wasn't just that his father was always disappearing into these celestial meetings; it was that, time after time, Kael felt abandoned to a responsibility that wasn't his, while secretive discussions of wars and divine battles took place in rooms where he wasn't allowed.

Frustration and curiosity, two powerful yet dangerous companions, had long roiled inside Kael. And today, it boiled over. Once his parents had departed, Kael couldn't stand the thought of spending another idle day while forbidden secrets were being discussed without him. Determined to be part of something important—anything other than the endless drone of family banter—he decided to sneak out.

He waited until the household's activity fell into a semblance of routine. Yumi busied herself with preparing a snack for Aralyn and Kael, and Akuma was dozing in a corner, utterly unbothered by the absence of his usual celestial gossip. Seizing his chance, Kael slipped quietly out of his room, down the stone corridors of their home in Hell, and eventually found himself outside under the searing light of the infernal skies.

Following an intuition that felt more like reckless abandon than careful planning, Kael navigated his way through twisting passageways until he reached the portal that led to the celestial realm. The portal shimmered like a broken mirror, promising a view of a world far removed from the ever-present heat of Hell. Heart pounding with excitement and a touch of fear, Kael stepped through.

He emerged into a vast, otherworldly hall that buzzed with an energy unlike anything he had ever experienced. The meeting place was grand—a majestic chamber filled with beings whose presence exuded power and authority. Celestial gods, emperors, empresses, celestial kings, princesses, queens, and countless divine entities filled the space, their voices overlapping in a mix of solemn conversation and barely concealed tension.

Kael's eyes widened in awe. He knew he was in the presence of the highest echelons of celestial beings. Even though his upbringing in Hell had taught him to scorn many things of the light, there was an undeniable allure in the raw power that these celestials radiated. But he had to be cautious—he was, after all, not meant to be here.

He crept along the periphery of the hall, careful to stay hidden in the long shadows and behind ornate columns. Every step echoed softly, and his heart hammered against his chest. It wasn't long before he found himself near a long, polished table where the meeting was underway.

At one end of the table, Kikidori was seated. His presence was unmistakable, and he carried the air of someone who belonged in this room, even if his disdainful humor sometimes betrayed his origins. Kikidori's dark eyes shifted occasionally as he exchanged whispers with the beings around him. To his right, sitting almost imperceptibly close, was Lucifer—whom Kikidori derisively called "Luci," "the Big L," "loser," or even "Shorty" when he felt particularly cheeky. The banter between them was subtle, but it carried a charge of mutual understanding and rivalry that transcended realms.

On the other side of Kikidori sat Ere'ana, her radiant presence a stark contrast to the somber tones of the other celestials. Even in this grand assembly, her ethereal beauty and determined gaze set her apart. She exuded authority without even having to raise her voice, and it was clear that her role in the meeting was of great significance.

Hidden in the shadows, Kael listened intently. He strained to catch snippets of conversation, hoping to understand what mattered so much that it warranted this clandestine gathering. The air was thick with gravity, and every word uttered by these divine beings reverberated with an intensity that made his skin tingle.

Discussions of wars—more wars, in fact—against cosmic adversaries and rebellious beings that threatened the balance between celestial light and infernal darkness filled the air. Plans were being made, alliances discussed, and strategies devised in hushed tones. The subject was a matter of enormous consequence, one that could very well reshape the eternal war between the forces of Heaven and Hell.

Kael's heart pounded as he listened. He felt a strange mixture of awe and anger. How could such decisions be made without him? How could his father, who seemed so indifferent to his plight, be allowed to participate in these matters without considering the impact on his own son? The questions whirled in his mind, but before he could piece them together, a familiar, disapproving voice cut through his thoughts.

"Go home, Kael," Kikidori said abruptly, his tone devoid of warmth or concern. The words sliced through the murmur of celestial discourse like a razor. Kikidori hadn't even turned his head—his command was delivered as if Kael were a mere nuisance in his meticulously controlled space.

Startled, Kael stepped back. "No," he retorted, his voice shaking slightly with indignation. But it was too late. Before he could protest further, Kikidori raised a hand and, without so much as glancing his way, summoned a ring of fire that erupted around Kael. The flames crackled loudly, their heat and noise drowning out the serious conversation that continued around the table.

The sudden burst of fire sent a ripple through the assembly, and for a brief moment, all eyes turned toward the infernal interruption. Kael staggered, caught in the harsh glow of the summoned fire. The crackling noise was overwhelming, effectively muffling the hushed dialogue of the celestial council. His ears filled with the roar of flames instead of the important words he so desperately wished to hear.

Kikidori's command was clear: young Kael was not meant to be part of these discussions. Whatever secrets were being shared—strategies of impending wars and cosmic battles—were considered too weighty for someone of Kael's age. And so, with a dismissive air, his father enforced the boundary that had long separated the worlds of celestial intrigue and Kael's forbidden curiosity.

As the ring of fire pulsed around him, Kael tried to shield his ears, desperate to catch even a fragment of the conversation. His eyes burned from the intensity of the flames, and his thoughts raced. He wanted to protest, to demand that he be allowed to hear what was so crucial. But every word was swallowed by the roar of the fire—a barrier both physical and symbolic.

In the midst of this, Lucifer—ever the enigma—raised an eyebrow and exchanged a look with Ere'ana. It was a look that seemed to acknowledge both the absurdity and the inevitability of what had just transpired. Their conversation resumed in lowered voices, as if to confirm that some matters were indeed not meant for youthful ears.

Kikidori's eyes flicked briefly toward Kael, the fire dancing in his gaze, but he said nothing further. The ring of flame gradually dissipated, leaving behind an oppressive silence. Kael, though unharmed physically, felt the sting of rejection and isolation. Every crackle of fading embers was a reminder that he was not welcome in these circles—that his curiosity, his yearning to understand the celestial machinations, was considered a dangerous trespass.

Defeated yet defiant, Kael's mind reeled with both the weight of the secrets he had almost heard and the bitter taste of his father's contempt. He knew that today was just another chapter in a long line of exclusions, another instance where the barrier between him and the divine world was enforced with ruthless efficiency.

In that moment, standing at the edge of a world of gods and emperors, Kael resolved that he would not be so easily dismissed. Even if his father's summons and the barrier of fire silenced him for now, his determination would not be quenched. Somewhere within those echoing halls of divine power lay truths that he was meant to uncover. And though he was deemed too young to understand, the fire in his heart burned brighter than any summoned flame.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he backed away from the meeting table and retreated into the shadows. The celestial council's voices, once so close and tantalizingly clear, now seemed distant and muffled—an orchestrated secret meant to keep him at bay. Yet, even as he left the grand hall, his mind churned with resolve. One day, he vowed silently, he would break through these barriers and claim his right to know.

Back in Hell, as the celestial meeting continued without him, the echoes of his defiance mingled with the whispers of war. And even though Kikidori's dismissive command and the ring of fire had silenced him momentarily, Kael's spirit was far from extinguished. He would learn, he would understand, and he would no longer be left in the dark.

End of Chapter 50