The Devorer must Devour

According to the creation myths, the world was shaped by a god with many names, among them the Supreme Being and the Son Of Phoenix. From him, two sons were born: *MorningStar*, bearer of the Golden Flame, and *Deuce*, bearer of the Violet Flame. The Golden Flame, a source of pure mana, opposed its virtuous capabilities to the Violet Flame, which generated corrupted mana. Together, they created mortals in the lower plane, preserving the balance between life and death, good and evil, thus ensuring harmony among all species.

However, from the depths of the subterranean plane emerged a creature born of darkness, spitting the Flame of Destruction: it called itself *Son Of Dragon*. An eternal war erupted between him and the Supreme Being. To save the world, the latter sacrificed himself to destroy the Son Of Dragon, thus ensuring the survival of humanity.

Following this sacrifice, MorningStar became the ascendant of the Southern Elysians, and Deuce that of the Northern Elysians. But he left behind an impious progeny: the Infernos. Unlike the Elysians, who could manipulate either pure mana (South) or corrupted mana (North), the Infernos mastered both, thus enhancing their versatility and power.

It is said that upon the death of the god and the Son Of Dragon, their consciousnesses merged with the world. It is said that to reach their level, one must return to the source, draw upon their lineage, affinity, laws, and soul. This return to origins is described in nine steps, four of which are crucial. Although it is fundamentally impossible for mortals to surpass Origin 2.

For the Elysians and Infernos, the first step is to reach Origin 4, accessible only by awakening the energy of the soul. The second step is Origin 5, marking their recognition in the upper and lower planes. At this stage, they can access the Tenshi Mode, a transformation linked to their ancestor, where the Elysians adorn themselves with feathered wings, and the Infernos with bat-like wings.

The third step, Origin 6, corresponds to the awakening of one's *Personal Law*. Not everyone possesses a law, which prevents most from reaching this level. As for the final step, it is but a legend inscribed in the archives. It is called *Ahskharsh*, the level of the Supreme Being and the Adversary. It is written:

"The creation of the inner world, or Ahskharsh, can only be achieved at the pinnacle of self-understanding and perfect synchronization with one's soul."

"He who conquers the lower plane will obtain the power of his ancestor, thus becoming the new Son Of Phoenix or the new Son Of Dragon."

For hundreds of years, Elysians and Infernos have been at war, sometimes in large-scale battles involving the upper and lower planes. The Elysians, plagued by internal conflicts, always succumbed to the Infernos, whose influence grew inexorably.

Until the era of Armageddon, where the youngest prince of the Infernos would pay the price...

Linfer, still kneeling, his limbs and neck bound by golden chains, opened his eyes slightly. His vision, at first blurry, gradually cleared.

"I'm... alive?" he murmured, almost incredulous.

"Of course, little brother," replied a soft voice behind him.

Linfer tried to turn his head to see the source of this familiar voice, but his body denied him any freedom.

"What's going on here?" he asked, lost, unable to look anywhere but straight ahead. There, all he could distinguish was an infinite horizon of black ashes. The skeletons, monsters, and other abominations that had surrounded him before had disappeared.

Alderbaran stepped in front of him, crouching gracefully to meet his gaze.

"I kept you alive for thirty years, here, little brother. His army was endless."

Linfer did not respond immediately, his words seemed to get lost in his throat.

"They betrayed me..." he finally uttered, his voice broken.

"Really? How shocking," she replied, with a hint of sarcasm, covering her lips with her hand as if she were truly surprised.

"It's not funny."

"But why such a sad face?" she retorted, feigning innocence.

Linfer clenched his teeth, annoyed.

"They betrayed me, Uriel and... Zitish. They abandoned me! I trusted them, damn it!"

Alderbaran's silence lasted a few seconds.

"And so?" she eventually asked calmly.

"What? How is that 'and so'?" Linfer stared at her.

"Ah, little brother... You're still so naive. When have we ever tried to change those we love? We love people for who they are, not for what we want them to be. You should have known that Zitish never loved you."

Linfer shook his head.

"I thought I could change for her... I don't even know what I really am... What am I supposed to do? I'm doomed to stay here anyway."

Alderbaran rose slowly, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon.

"Do you know what my law is?" she suddenly asked.

"Anti-Stasis... something like that?"

"Exactly. Returning everything to a state of degradation, destruction."

"And so?"

Alderbaran gently removed her veil, revealing her face marked with deep cracks.

"Since my birth, what have I destroyed?" she asked, without averting her gaze from him.

Linfer took a few seconds to think. His sister rarely used her power. Most of the rumors about her were exaggerated. The only time he had seen her in action was when she had destroyed the apple core he had thrown, as an offense to their father. But he had never seen her burn a living being.

He finally replied, hesitantly: "Nothing notable..."

"A being born to destroy, but who does not destroy... destroys oneself. Our law applies first to ourselves," she said, smiling, as the cracks on her face deepened.

"You mean that's why you have so little time left!" Linfer exclaimed, shocked.

"We're not talking about me, little brother. It's about you. So, tell me, do you possess Luciel's law of *Kindness*?"

Alderbaran approached one of the chains still binding Linfer, her hand enveloped in a black flame. The chain resisted briefly before yielding to her flame's strength.

"Impressive... It's probably one of King MorningStar's most powerful artifacts," she murmured to herself.

As the chains dissipated one by one, Linfer finally replied: "... No..."

"The Linfer I knew would never have knelt, even before Father. And now, here you are, weighed down by betrayal. You don't even dare to hate those who betrayed you, you only curse yourself. Why have you become like this?"

Freed from his chains, Linfer rose with difficulty. Although he regained some mobility, one chain remained in place, embedded in his heart, anchored and cracking his soul. It prevented him from using his powers.

"I understand, I was manipulated... She played me, turning me into her puppet... But it's over for me, sis. How could I take revenge when I can't even feel mana anymore?" He shrugged, resigned.

"And when have you ever needed power to defy others? Do I have to remind you what your law is?"

"My law? It's... Devour," he said in a detached tone, staggering towards an uncertain direction. After a few steps, he stopped abruptly, his gaze meeting Alderbaran's.

"Belzebuth is approaching with his army. I'll hold him off again," she declared.

"Do you think you can defeat him?"

"Victory is not what matters, Linfer. Do you remember how they called me in the lower plane: Shatterer. I will finally do what I was / am meant to do."

"I understand... Then, will we see each other again?"

Alderbaran lifted her eyes to the sky, her thoughts elusive.

"I don't know... But it's cold. And she needs warmth."

"Alright..." Linfer murmured, thinking she was talking about herself, affected by Belzebuth's imminent aura. But he was far from the truth. Even Alderbaran did not know exactly what she meant.

She began to walk towards the direction where Belzebuth was approaching, before turning back with a mysterious smile.

"So, do you finally know your true nature and what you must do?"

Linfer stared at her for a long time. Then, a distorted smile stretched his lips, so wide that it seemed to almost reach his ears, revealing canines that had become more sharp.

"The Devorer must Devour..."