Chapter 3: The War of Gods and Demons

Kuragami stood frozen in the middle of the battlefield, his body refusing to move. Screams of agony echoed in his ears, the metallic scent of blood filled the air, and the earth trembled under the weight of destruction. He wanted to fight. He wanted to protect the people around him. But his body wouldn't listen.

"Why can't I move? Why can't I fight?"

All around him, the war raged between the followers of the gods and the disciples of the demons. Blades clashed, spells erupted in the air, and the sky was torn apart by divine and demonic energies colliding.

Men, women, and creatures of both light and darkness fell before him, their lives extinguished in an instant. Kuragami clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

"I have to do something! I can't just watch them die!"

But his legs were weak. His hands trembled. His mind screamed for him to act, yet his body refused to obey.

Then, in the midst of the chaos, a soft, glowing light emerged. It was beautiful, warm, and gentle. It contrasted the death and destruction surrounding him, its glow so pure it was almost painful to look at.

And then—he saw her.

His mother.

Elara stood in the distance, her silver hair flowing as she faced the gods. She radiated power, her presence commanding even in the face of divine wrath.

Kuragami's breath caught in his throat.

"Why is Mother fighting the gods?"

Then, the shadows stirred.

The demon warriors knelt before her, their voices filled with regret.

"Demon Queen, we have failed. We were entrusted with the duty of protecting you and the young prince, but we have failed in our mission. Please forgive us."

Kuragami's mind spun.

"Prince? What are they talking about?"

One of the demon commanders turned to him, his eyes filled with sorrow.

"Kuragami-sama, we are under orders from Demon King Rimuru to protect you at all costs."

The words hit him like a thunderbolt.

"Demon King Rimuru… my father?"

His mind reeled from the revelation. His entire life, he had believed his father had died in battle against the gods. But now, everything was shifting.

"If Father was the Demon King... then what does that make me?"

Kuragami's thoughts were interrupted by a booming voice that shook the heavens.

The God of Light descended from the sky, his golden wings unfurling like a divine storm. His presence was suffocating, his radiance overwhelming. He gazed at Elara with a look of pure fury.

"Goddess of Dragons… We have finally found you. This time, you will not escape."

Kuragami's breath stopped.

"Goddess… of Dragons?"

His mother… was not just a mortal. She was a goddess.

The God of Light raised his divine spear, his voice like thunder.

"Your existence is a blasphemy. The Creator demands your destruction. I will end you here and now and return your body to the one who made you."

Elara's expression remained calm, but her grip on her sword tightened. She turned her gaze to Kuragami, her voice softer now.

"Son… There are things I cannot explain to you yet. But when the time is right, you will understand everything."

Kuragami's fists shook.

"Mother! I can help! I won't run away!"

Elara's expression darkened.

"No, Kuragami. You must leave this place. If you stay, you will die."

A surge of divine power erupted from the heavens, shaking the battlefield. The God of Light raised his hand, preparing to smite everything in sight.

But Elara was faster.

With a single motion, she summoned an army of fifty dragons.

Kuragami's heart pounded.

"How… How can Mother summon this many dragons? Just who is she?"

One of the demons beside him spoke, his voice laced with respect and sorrow.

"Prince… I do not have the right to explain this to you. Only your father can."

Kuragami clenched his jaw. His father… The father he never met, the father he thought was dead…

The battlefield trembled as the war escalated. The dragons roared, their mighty wings creating hurricanes as they clashed with the divine army. Blades of light rained from the sky, colliding with the flames of the dragons.

Kuragami turned his gaze toward his mother. She was surrounded.

The gods had unleashed their might upon her, divine swords piercing through her defenses.

"No… No! Mother!"

Pain shot through his heart.

He had failed to save Emily.

He had sworn to never let it happen again.

Yet here he was… unable to do anything.

His eyes burned with tears as he watched his mother fight against impossible odds.

Then—

The sky split open.

A divine light, pure and merciless, descended from the heavens, parting the clouds.

A power unlike anything he had ever felt before.

A voice, neither human nor god, echoed through the battlefield.

"Judgment has come."

Kuragami's body froze as the light enveloped the battlefield.

This was not an ordinary war.

This was a battle that would change everything.

And he was at the center of it.

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To be continued…