Chapter 24 The Pyre of Gods

Demon King POV

The battlefield groaned under the weight of their clash. The Goddess of Time's

betrayal hadn't just fractured the Supreme God's authority—it had shattered the

fragile illusion of divine invulnerability. The sky wept with streaks of golden fire as

the Supreme God's light recoiled against her temporal energy.

For a moment, I could only watch, the weight of centuries pressing on my chest.

Everything I thought I knew about Aethelis—her cold loyalty, her blind faith—

crumbled with each word she spoke.

"This wasn't part of the plan… or maybe it was," I muttered, my voice lost in the

chaos. My flames danced higher, hungrier, but for once, I let them simmer. There

was no need to rush—not when the truth was unraveling so beautifully.

The Supreme God stepped forward, his radiance dimmed but far from extinguished.

His voice, sharp and cold as a blade, cut through the din.

"Aethelis... why?"

Her silver hair glinted in the fractured light, her face unreadable yet strangely calm.

She raised her hand, her power pulsing in waves that rippled across the battlefield.

When she finally spoke, her voice carried the finality of a clock striking midnight.

"Why? Because your justice is flawed. Because your truth is a lie."

I tilted my head, a bitter smirk tugging at my lips. "So, the puppet cuts her strings.

Interesting. But don't expect me to applaud your timing, Aethelis."

Her gaze shifted to me, softer than I expected but still distant, as if I were merely

a piece of the puzzle she'd finally solved.

"This isn't for you," she said simply. "This is for what was stolen—for the truth you

and I both deserve. But I owe you nothing."

The words stung more than I cared to admit. My smirk widened, but the bitterness

remained, burning just beneath the surface.

"Of course you don't," I said, my voice a low growl. "No one owes me anything anymore."

I turned back to the Supreme God, my flames darkening, thick with wrath. "But I'll

take everything from him anyway."

The Supreme God's staff slammed into the ground, sending a shockwave of divine

light that rippled outward. He straightened, his wounds sealing themselves in a

blinding glow. His voice thundered, the weight of his authority bearing down on all of

us.

"You would side with this monster?" His golden eyes locked onto Aethelis, his

contempt palpable. "After all I've done to preserve the balance, to keep this world

from falling into chaos, you betray me for him?"

Her reply came without hesitation, her words slicing through his accusation like a

blade.

"No, I betray you because you betrayed us first. He wasn't the monster—you were.

You condemned him, framed him, all to secure your own power. I stood by, silent, but

I won't anymore."

Her words struck like thunder. I felt the weight of them ripple through me, igniting

something raw and visceral. I had suspected it, of course, but to hear it confirmed—

to hear it from her—was something else entirely.

I laughed, a low, bitter sound that echoed across the battlefield. My flames surged

higher, their heat warping the air around me.

"So, it's true," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "The great Supreme God, savior

of mortals and architect of order, is nothing but a coward hiding behind his lies."

The Supreme God's light flared, his divine fury reaching its peak. "Silence, wretch!"

he roared, his staff glowing with blinding intensity.

The light exploded outward, a wave of divine power meant to obliterate everything

in its path. But Aethelis moved before it could reach me. With a flick of her wrist,

time itself bent to her will, freezing the blast mid-air.

"Still relying on brute force, I see," she said, her voice calm but cutting.

I didn't waste the opening. My flames surged forward, crashing into the Supreme

God's shield with a force that cracked the earth beneath us. He grunted, his golden

aura dimming under the weight of my power.

And then the battle truly began.

Aethelis's temporal energy twisted the battlefield, slowing and accelerating time at

will. The Supreme God's light clashed against my darkness, each blow shaking the

heavens. Mortals and immortals alike watched from the edges of the carnage, too

afraid to intervene.

But as the fight dragged on, I couldn't ignore the truth: even together, we were

barely holding our own. The Supreme God was weakening, yes, but so were we.

Aethelis's power was immense, but it wasn't limitless. And I… I was running out of

rage.

For the first time, a flicker of doubt crept into my mind. Could we win?

Or was this battle just another cruel joke in the gods' endless game?

The battlefield was a cacophony of roaring flames, shattered earth, and blinding

light, yet all I could focus on was her voice. The Goddess of Time—Aethelis—spoke

with a conviction that cut through the chaos like a blade, her words as sharp as they

were damning.

She turned her back to me as though she didn't fear me, didn't care for the fires

that licked at my skin, eager to consume. Instead, her eyes remained fixed on the

Supreme God, who loomed above us, his presence as overwhelming as ever.

"You've hidden behind your lies for far too long, brother," Aethelis said, her tone

measured, like the ticking of a clock. "It's time the truth came to light."

The Supreme God's golden eyes burned with fury. "You speak of truth as if you

understand it," he growled. "You've been blinded by sentiment—by weakness. You

would throw away the balance of existence for the sake of this traitor?"

I snarled at the word, my flames roaring to life around me. "Call me what you want,

but don't pretend you're any better. You betrayed your own kin, condemned your

family to rot, and for what? Power?"

The Supreme God didn't flinch. His gaze bore into mine, unyielding. "You forfeited

your place among us the moment you embraced chaos. Don't speak to me of betrayal,

monster. You don't even understand the word."

"I understand it intimately," I spat back, my voice laced with venom. "I've lived it,

thanks to you."

Aethelis stepped between us, her hand raised as though to silence us both. "Enough.

This isn't about words—it's about justice." She turned to me, her silver hair glinting

in the fractured light. "Thanarion, I can't undo the past. But I can give you the truth

you've been denied."

I froze at the sound of my name—my true name. It had been centuries since anyone

had dared to speak it. My flames dimmed, the weight of her words pressing down on

me.

"Why now?" I asked, my voice low. "Why after all this time?"

Her eyes softened, and for the first time, I saw something genuine—regret.

"Because I was afraid," she admitted. "I knew the truth, but I couldn't face it. Not

until I saw what his lies had turned you into. You deserved better, Thanarion. We all

did."

Her words struck deeper than any blade. For a fleeting moment, I felt something I

hadn't in centuries—hope. But it was quickly extinguished by the cold, unforgiving

voice of the Supreme God.

"Sentiment will be your undoing, Aethelis," he said, his divine aura flaring. "You've

chosen your side. Now, face the consequences."

Before either of us could react, he unleashed a torrent of light. It roared toward us

with the force of a thousand suns, obliterating everything in its path.

Aethelis moved first. With a flick of her wrist, time itself bent to her will, slowing

the blast until it crawled forward, inch by inch. The strain was visible on her face,

but she held firm, her power keeping us from being consumed.

"Thanarion," she said, her voice tight with effort. "We have to end this. Together."

I hesitated, my mind racing. Could I trust her? Could I risk believing in someone

again?

The light inched closer, and I realized I didn't have a choice.

"For now," I said, my flames surging forward to meet hers. "But don't think this

makes us allies, Aethelis. You're just as much a part of this as he is."

Her lips quirked in a faint smile. "Fair enough."

We turned to face the Supreme God together, his golden light clashing against our

combined powers. The battlefield erupted into chaos once more, but this time, I

fought with something more than rage.

I fought with the truth.

The air between us vibrated with energy, the clash of power creating a rift in the

skies above. The Supreme God's light surged like an unending tide, relentless and

consuming, while my flames burned hotter, fueled by centuries of anger and betrayal.

Beside me, Aethelis moved with an unnatural grace, weaving time and space into a

weapon. Her hands traced patterns in the air, threads of silver light spinning outward

to counter the Supreme God's golden blasts. Despite her skill, I could see the strain

taking its toll—each second we held our ground was another second she inched closer

to collapse.

"You can't keep this up," I growled, dodging a burst of divine energy that seared the

ground where I'd stood. "If you're going to betray him, do it properly and take him

down."

She spared me a glance, her expression unreadable. "And here I thought you'd be

more grateful for the help."

"I didn't ask for it," I snapped back, summoning a wall of fire to deflect another

strike. "If you think this is some grand redemption arc, save it. I don't need saving."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't argue. Instead, she focused on the

Supreme God, her voice cutting through the chaos.

"You've always seen yourself as a savior," Aethelis called out, her tone laced with

scorn. "But look at what your 'order' has brought—destruction, despair, and a world

teetering on the edge of oblivion. Is that what you call protection?"

The Supreme God's laughter was cold, echoing across the battlefield. "Do not lecture

me on the cost of order, sister. The world must have rules, and those who defy them

must be punished. You, above all, should understand that."

"I understand more than you think," she replied, her voice steady despite the strain.

"And that's why I won't let you continue this madness."

The Supreme God raised his hand, a blinding orb of light forming above his palm.

"Then you'll fall with him, just as she did."

At the mention of "her," my flames flared uncontrollably, a guttural growl escaping

my lips. "Don't you dare speak of her!" I roared, my power surging outward in an

inferno that turned the ground to molten glass.

The orb in his hand grew brighter, and I knew he was preparing to end this. The

energy radiating from him was overwhelming, and for the first time in centuries, I

felt a sliver of doubt.

Aethelis stepped forward, her gaze locked on the Supreme God. "Thanarion, trust

me."

I shot her a sharp look. "Trust you? After everything?"

"Yes," she said simply. "Because I know what you're capable of. And I know you'll make

the right choice when it matters."

Her words hung in the air, a challenge and a promise all at once. Before I could

respond, she surged ahead, her silver light colliding with the Supreme God's golden

brilliance.

The impact was cataclysmic. The ground split open, shockwaves rippling outward as

the forces clashed. Aethelis moved like a dancer, weaving through the light with

precision, but she was slowing. The Supreme God's power was too great, even for her.

I hesitated, torn between the desire for vengeance and the reality of the moment.

She was fighting for me—for the truth—and if I let her fall, I would be no better

than the one who betrayed us both.

Clenching my fists, I stepped forward, my flames roaring back to life.

"This doesn't mean I forgive you," I muttered, more to myself than her. "But if we're

going to take him down, we do it together."

Summoning every ounce of power I had, I joined the fray, my fire intertwining with

her light. For the first time in centuries, I wasn't fighting alone.

And for the first time, I felt the faintest glimmer of something I hadn't dared to

hope for.

Not redemption.

Not forgiveness.

Purpose.

The Supreme God's attack tore through the battlefield, a golden wave of energy so

immense it seemed to ripple through the fabric of existence itself. I knew it was

aimed at me—a final blow meant to obliterate not just my body, but everything I

represented.

And yet, as the energy surged closer, something inside me stirred. A primal instinct,

older than reason, older than rage. Before I could even think, my flames erupted,

forming a barrier between the attack and Aethelis.

The blast struck.

Agony exploded through me as my shield of fire shattered. The force of the attack

sent me hurtling backward, my body colliding with the earth with such violence that

the ground split beneath me. The pain was immeasurable—a searing heat that burned

through every fiber of my being.

I could barely see, the edges of my vision blurring as golden light danced above me.

I coughed, blood spilling from my lips, and heard her voice cut through the chaos.

Aethelis desperately

"You fool! Why did you do that?"

I tried to answer, but all that came out was a weak rasp. My flames sputtered around

me, fading as my strength ebbed. The Supreme God loomed above, his golden aura

blazing brighter than the sun, but my eyes were fixed on her—on the faint silver

glow now surrounding her hands.

And then it hit me.

"No," I croaked, forcing the word out through sheer will. I tried to push myself up,

but my body refused to move. "Don't… Aethelis, stop. If you use your power on me…"

Her hands hovered over my chest, her light seeping into me. I felt a rush of energy,

my wounds slowly beginning to knit themselves together, but it wasn't healing—it was

something more, something deeper.

Aethelis: (softly)

"You've always been so stubborn, brother. This is the only way."

"No!" I growled, my voice gaining strength even as my body failed me. "You'll die.

Don't you understand? If you use your power to rewind this… to undo this… you'll—"

She silenced me with a look, her expression calm yet resolute.

"And if I don't? You'll die. Then what? How am I supposed to stop him? You're the

one who can fight him, Thanarion. I can't. I never could."

Her words hit me harder than the Supreme God's attack. She wasn't just healing

me—she was rewinding me, restoring me to a state before the battle had drained

me. I could feel it happening, my power surging back to its peak, stronger than it had

been in centuries. But I also knew the cost.

"Aethelis," I said, my voice raw with desperation. I reached for her wrist, but my

grip was weak, useless. "Stop. Don't do this."

She didn't stop. The silver light around her grew brighter, her form beginning to

fade into the glow.

Aethelis with a faint smile

"Don't waste this, brother. And maybe… forgive me for taking so long."

"No," I growled again, trying to rise, but my body wouldn't obey. I could only watch

as the glow consumed her, leaving nothing but empty air where she had stood.

But then—

A sudden roar tore through the battlefield, shaking the very earth. I turned, my

body still trembling from the remnants of her power, to see the Supreme God

charging at me, his divine weapon raised high. His face was twisted with fury, his

golden aura blazing like a second sun.

There was no time to react.

But before the blow could land, I moved—not consciously, but instinctively. My

flames erupted, crashing into him with a force that lit up the battlefield like a

volcanic eruption. The impact sent him staggering, his aura flickering as he stumbled

back.

The light from my flames faded, leaving the Supreme God visibly weakened, his divine

form now trembling under the weight of his injuries. I stood, my body fully restored,

the remnants of Aethelis's power still humming within me.

I turned my gaze to where she had stood, where she had given everything for this

moment. My chest felt heavy, my flames burning hotter than ever, fueled not by rage

but by grief.

I looked back at the Supreme God, my voice low and dangerous.

"You took everything from me," I said, each word carrying the weight of centuries

of pain. "But now? Now, you'll lose everything."

My flames roared to life, brighter and hotter than ever before. And for the first

time, the Supreme God took a step back.

The air crackled with tension as I stepped forward, the ground beneath me scorched

with every step. My flames burned hotter than ever, fueled by the sacrifice of my

sister and the searing hatred that now coursed through my veins. Across from me

stood the Supreme God, his golden aura flickering, a shadow of the divine force he

once wielded.

His injuries were evident—my flames had torn through him, leaving cracks in his

radiant armor. But his gaze remained defiant, his towering presence still enough to

make the world tremble.

Supreme God: (spitting with venom)

"You think you've won, Thanarion? You're nothing but a beast, consumed by your own

rage. This world will not bow to a demon."

I didn't respond with words. Words were meaningless now. Instead, I raised my hand,

summoning a storm of black and crimson flames that swirled around me like a living

inferno.

And then, I struck.

Our clash shook the heavens. My flames collided with his divine light, creating a

blinding explosion that tore through the battlefield. The earth cracked and split

beneath our feet, molten rock spilling forth as the land itself seemed to recoil from

the power we unleashed.

He fought fiercely, every swing of his weapon radiating with divine energy that

scorched the sky. But he was faltering. His blows lacked the precision and force they

once carried. Each strike he landed grew weaker, each step he took heavier.

Supreme God snarling desperately

"You… will… fall!"

With a roar, he unleashed a massive wave of energy, a last-ditch effort to end me.

But I met it head-on, my flames surging forward and swallowing his light. The force

of the collision sent him sprawling, his weapon falling from his grasp as he crumpled

to his knees.

I approached slowly, my flames still dancing around me, the heat searing the air. He

looked up at me, his golden eyes dimming but still burning with defiance.

"You think this is victory? Foolish child. You'll inherit nothing but ashes. Everything

you've fought for… it will leave you alone in the darkness."

I stopped a mere step away from him, staring down at the being who had torn my

life apart, who had taken everything from me. His words were meant to cut, to sow

doubt, but they only fueled the fire within me.

"Then so be it."

Without hesitation, I raised my hand and unleashed a torrent of flames, engulfing

him completely. His screams echoed across the battlefield, a sound that

reverberated through the very fabric of existence. And then, silence.

When the fire subsided, nothing remained of the Supreme God but a smoldering

crater. His golden light was extinguished, his divine presence erased from the world.

I stood there for a moment, the weight of the battle settling over me. The sky above

was dark, the stars obscured by the ash and smoke that now hung in the air. Around

me, the battlefield was silent—no cheers of victory, no cries of anguish. Only the

hollow stillness of a world forever changed.

I looked down at my hands, still wreathed in flames, and clenched them into fists.

"Is this what victory feels like?"

The silence answered me.