Prologue

Prologue:The Beginning of Everything

My name is Orion. Sounds like the name of a hero or someone important, doesn't it? Well, I'm not. If anything, I'm the opposite.

For as long as I can remember, the world has been a mess. I don't know who my father was, and my mother is an alcoholic who has never cared about me. I've never had friends or anyone to talk to.

I've been on the brink of death so many times I've lost count. It was always the same thugs who beat me up to take the little money I earned collecting trash or fixing things. I tried to defend myself more than once, but it never worked. They were always stronger, faster, crueler. Over time, I realized that resisting only made things worse.

Most people live like this, trapped between robberies, murders, and even worse things. Things that shouldn't exist, things that don't even seem human.

But if you have enough money to pay the Church, you can escape that. Their "divine protection" guarantees a calmer life, or at least one free from thugs. But if you're like me, you have no choice but to live at their mercy, praying they don't destroy you too much.

All of this is God's fault. He has allowed corruption in the Church and has done nothing to change it. He has remained indifferent, sitting on his heavenly throne, for nearly a thousand years.

We're currently in the year 995 of the current God's reign. Only five years remain until a new successor is chosen. Five years for hope to return to the world.

The power of a God is not infinite. Every thousand years, divine energy begins to wear out from maintaining the balance of the world, sustaining creation, and dealing with the chaos humanity generates. If the God is not replaced, they could collapse, and with them, everything we know.

But honestly, what does it matter? A God who has done nothing during their reign losing power... maybe destruction is for the best. Because nothing guarantees the next God will be any better. They might be just as bad or even worse.

Then, the day came.

Although the world was still the same hell, I was not the same. Despite having resigned myself to not fighting the thugs, I understood that if I kept letting them beat me up, one day they'd kill me. That's why I trained during those years. I'm not strong, but now I can stay on my feet long enough to escape alive. That's more than I could say a few years ago.

On January 1st, 997, God finally spoke.

I was in a ruined street when it happened. The sky darkened slightly, as if the world held its breath, and then a voice echoed everywhere, deep and omnipresent.

—Attention, mortals! Yes, it's me, your dear God. Listen closely because I don't like repeating myself.

The voice was mocking, filled with sarcasm that instantly enraged me. For some reason, I wasn't surprised.

People reacted as if the world was about to end. Some screamed, others knelt and prayed. Most just stared at the sky, motionless, unable to process what was happening. It was the first time we'd heard God's voice, and it wasn't what anyone expected.

—You've been waiting for this moment, haven't you? The glorious announcement of my successor. But you know what? I've decided to change the rules.

Panic spread quickly. Murmurs of rage, fear, and confusion filled the streets. How could God, the same being who allowed the world to sink into misery, speak with such mockery? His tone only poured salt on our wounds.

—This time, my Divine Vision won't choose the next God. That would be too boring! This time it will be different. This time, we're going to play a game.

The mocking tone of his voice was like a knife in my mind.

—My seven archangels will each choose a champion and grant them unique abilities. They will compete for my throne, and the winner will become the next God. Isn't that exciting?

A thunderous laugh filled the sky, like thunder.

—Let the chaos begin. And remember: if I don't like something, I can always change the rules. Good luck, mortals! You'll need it.

When the voice disappeared, silence returned, heavier than before. The faces around me showed a mix of anger and terror. No one knew what to expect. The only clear thing was that the world, already chaotic, was about to fall apart even more.

All I could do at that moment was go home. As I walked, I listened to what people were saying.

—If I were chosen, the first thing I'd do is kill God.

The anger in his voice was palpable, and I couldn't say I disagreed. But in my head, I could only think one thing: "That's impossible. Neither he nor I could be chosen."

In the slums, no one stands a chance. The chosen ones have always been people close to the Church or nobility. That's the truth.

I kept walking, hearing the same comments repeated in different tones: hatred, despair, even adoration. Some praised God, as if that would save them. I could only think one thing: "None of this will save us."

When I got home, there was Bianca, my mother. Slumped over the table, drunk as always. Not even God speaking stopped her from drinking.

The first thing she did when she saw me was lazily open one eye and mumble: —Got any money? Give me whatever you have.

Her voice was slurred, her words barely coherent. For a moment, I laughed. But I held back. —I only have three bronze coins, — I replied indifferently.

She got angry upon hearing it, but I didn't care much. I left the coins on the table and went to my room.

I collapsed on the bed, letting exhaustion take over. The chaos of the day, God's voice, people's reactions... It was too much to process. I closed my eyes and let sleep take me.

I woke up startled, around six in the morning. I'd had a strange dream, but I didn't remember what it was.

However, something felt different. The air was heavy, as if something invisible was watching me.

When I turned to the broken window in my room, I saw something that shouldn't be there.

A figure.

Tall, dark, with glowing eyes that stared at me intently. It said nothing. It didn't move. It just watched me.

And, in that moment, I knew.

My life was about to change. For better or worse, that was no longer up to me.