Part 3 of 3Life is strange sometimes, none of us have a clear idea about why where here or how we've came to be. Yet we understand the most basic of instincts, the drive to survive, the drive to live, the drive to procreate. We go about our lives in many different ways, whether it be alone, in service to others, in service to one's self, to build and create, or harm and destroy. A world, a multitude of lives and of faces, of places, of thoughts and emotions. Everyone single one as diverse and different as the last.
In such a wide, open world one could become lost within a sea of one's reality. Always questioning one's place in it, it is as inevitable as night becoming day. While the task is truly overwhelming, there is just one thing we know, one thing to do, to make sense of it all. This is what we have come to know as purpose. Without purpose what are we really? A collection of flesh and bone capable of the most basic, and sometimes complex, thoughts? We've told ourselves or have been told that we are more special than that.
That we have something greater within ourselves, something even greater than ourselves that we must do. Destiny, fate, purpose these are words used to describe that final mission in our lives, the very thing in which we were born to do. Nothing else matters and nothing else will ever matter. Even Gods feel this intrinsic need to fulfill a greater destiny, their very own purpose in eternity. It is this drive that connects us, that binds us, that drives our very being. Tzeru's purpose is what drives him most of all, and it is the pursuit of this purpose that leads him to nearly destroying all of creation.
Young Ixtec didn't know his purpose in existence yet, for a young God such things did not matter to him. He was simply happy to be. His parents were busy not only raising their son but spreading the news to the mortals below. The great packs of Shadow and Death were all but ready to accept the new deity. A new holiday was born in honor of Ixtec's birth and the celebration was just as exuberant as their own. It seemed the Realms have reached an all time high of peace and happiness.
Yet one remained sad and alone within this sea of happiness, Melchior, leader of the Gods. The God of Light was often caught, more than once, looking down upon his fallen brother. Guilt was eating away at eldest of the Wolf Gods. While he has been told time and again that his actions were just, there was something he sensed that was quite wrong with it all. Unfortunately, he just couldn't find the missing link in this great mystery he had found himself in. A missing piece of the puzzle that could place everything in to perspective. The other Gods say he's thinking far too hard on the subject at hand. What more is there?
Tzeru walked up to Melchior who was deep in thought. "Melchior? Sir?" He spoke. "At it again are we?" He asked. Melchior made a sideways glance at his fellow deity. "Sorry...I can't help myself sometimes...it's just...," Melchior trailed off. "It's just that you miss him? Don't you?" Tzeru finished. Melchior simply nodded. "How many times must we repeat ourselves? Melchior what happened was beyond any of our powers." Tzeru spoke. "Beyond our powers! Pah! We are Gods! If our power is not good enough then what use do we have for power anyway!" Melchior barked at Tzeru. Tzeru backed off. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to snap at you back there." Melchior sighed.
"Understandable." Tzeru quietly spoke. "It is...annoying to hear some phrase repeated over and over again. Perhaps I shall leave you alone." Tzeru bowed his head as he turned to walk away. This is good, one of the most powerfulest among them and he's far too distracted with his banished brother. He will not be prepared for what he has planned and when he does react, it will be far too late. The next step was Ixtec and as he strode out of the great Hall he saw the impressionable godly Pup run up to him. "Hello, Uncle Tzeru!" He barked with cheer.
"Hello Ixtec, ready for another lesson?" Tzeru asked. "Oh yes! But....I just wish father was here to teach me as well." Ixtec spoke in a sad tone.
"Well, he does have, not only mortals to watch, but a whole Realm he must govern as well." Tzeru consoled. "I understand but he promised he would take me to the Abyss today." Tzeru nodded as he looked at the young God. "Well it's not good to make broken promises...that's it! I shall take you there myself!" Tzeru claimed. Suddenly overjoyed, Ixtec perked up. "Really!? You will!?" He excitedly asked. "But of course, when Tzeru makes a promise it's for keeps." He said with a grin. Ixtec was beside himself as he lept around like a rabbit in Spring. Soon the two were off for the Realm of Darkness, the Abyss.
The Low Realm lived up to it's name of a dark sky filled with an eerie, almost disorienting terrain as the howling winds ripped through all with a deathly chill. Ixtec shivered. "Is it ever warm here?" The God Pup asked. "It's not so bad, once you've gotten used to it child. But to answer your question...no, the Abyss is furthest from the warmth of the light. It's also why the Realm itself is quite dark but being Gods we can see all as clear as day. Come, we have much to see." Tzeru beckoned Ixtec as they traversed the Abyss.
The fools he thought to himself. There was a great hidden power in this Realm something that he will need in order to conquer the Realms. The only issue is that he cannot unleash it himself only Obsidian can, or, those like him. Tzeru looked down at Obsidian's son, he is the key and that key will soon be all but his. As they walked about the gloomy atmosphere of the Abyss Tzeru taught Ixtec a great many things. He taught him more about the Realms, the duties of the Gods, and about their powers. Suddenly Ixtec stopped dead in his tracks. "Ixtec?" Tzeru concernedly asked. "Sorry Uncle Tzeru but we can't go past this point. My father warned me not to cross the edge of this Realm." Ixtec replied.
"Oh? Really? And why might that be?" Tzeru asked. "I don't know to be honest...it's just what he said. It's a place for only him to go and no one else." The God Pup tried to explain. "It sounds like it's something your father may be keeping a secret from you. Heh, from everyone else I would go as far to suspect." He mused. "You really think so, Uncle Tzeru? But why would he want to do that?" Ixtec pondered. "Well only one way to find out. Shall we?" Tzeru spoke as he began to cross the edge. "Wait Uncle! Don't!" Tzeru stopped as he turned to look back at the Pup. "What are you afraid of what you might find?" He jest. "What!? No! Of course I'm not afraid! It's just that...well, isn't it wrong? If we do this, I mean?" Ixtec asked.
Tzeru laughed. "Hey don't laugh at me!" Tzeru then stared at the young Wolf, "Do not worry, you're with me, if anything I'll take the blame alright? Besides it's wrong for your father to keep all of this away from you, after all this Realm is your birthright." Tzeru tempted. Ixtec then nodded as he followed Tzeru. Soon the pair found themselves descending further and further into darkness as even the dim light above began to snuff out. Soon the found themselves before a large and foreboding cave. The chilling winds seem to bellow out of it's mouth as if the cave was breathing like a living thing. This was it, the source of power he had been searching for. Tzeru took a paw forward towards the cave when Ixtec spoke up.
"Wait! You're not going in there are you?" He asked. "But of course. I'm curious to see what's inside, aren't you?" He asked as he turned to Ixtec. Ixtec warily stared up at the ominous cave and shook his head. "I think we should turn back." It was then an eerie light began to radiate from inside the cave. Ixtec suddenly felt himself being coaxed by the light as if it was beckoning him to enter. "What?" Ixtec said to no one. Then on his own began to walk into the cave, Tzeru merely smiled. As the two entered they walked deeper and deeper into the cave towards the source of the glow. What they found was unexpected.
What looked like a large, glowing bubble as dark energy swirled witin it's transparent surface. It looked suspended as if floating just waiting patiently for someone to find it. Neither one knew what they had found but Tzeru could sense the power coming off of it. What they had found as the remnants of a dark power, one born of Obsidian, a secret weapon the Shadow God had spent many a eon working upon. Perfecting it's power to be used as a last resort to finally end his legendary feud once and for all. Yet time had softened Obsidian as he abandoned his doomsday project to pursue a more peaceful life. Now here it slept, never to see the light of day. The weapon reacted to Ixtec as it sensed within him the same power as his father's.
Ixtec walked closer the weapon just as Tzeru had thought he would. Of course the evil Wolf God had to reserve himself, it was far too soon to unleash total chaos upon all of reality. As Ixtec raised a paw to the weapon Tzeru shouted out. Ixtec stopped but not before releasing four, angry shadows as they darted about the weapon's chamber. Ixtec ran and cowered behind Tzeru. "Uncle what's going on! Please don't let them get me!" He cried. Tzeru watched as the shadows with red eyes charged them and then with a death stare energy was released from Tzeru's eyes as the shadows stopped in mid air. "Stop there. You are now under my control. Now reveal your true selves this instant!" He commanded. "Yyyyyyyyeeeeeeessssss....." They hissed. Soon the shadows began to transform and they took physical shape.
They took the form of monstrous Wolves, far larger than any living and all the more terrifying. With demonic eyes and vicious fangs, the demon wolves stood at attention to the one who would command them. "What is your command our lord." They spoke in unison. "For now? Nothing, but soon there will come a day that we shall return to make use of you. So, in the meantime guard this weapon, make sure none enter this cave." The Demon Wolves nodded as they stood guard. "Let's go Ixtec." Tzeru ordered as the young wolf followed closely behind. "What was that Uncle? Well!?" Ixtec barked at Tzeru. "That my young protege was something your father had made." He answered. "My father?! But, why!? Why would he create something that made those, those, monsters!?" He shouted.
"Why? For power." He spoke with finality. "Power?" Ixtec responded confused. "Listen Ixtec, I'm about to teach you the most important lesson of all...are you ready to hear it?" Tzeru asked. Ixtec slowly nodded his head. "In the whole of creation there are many paths we choose to take and despite what path we may follow there is but only one that is the right path, the true path. And that is the Path to Power, because my young nephew in all of reality power is the one and only thing that truly matters. Your father knows this, I know this, and now you know this truth as well." Tzeru lectured. Ixtec began to wrap his head around this revelation as he asked, "Is power really that important?"
Tzeru then stared Ixtec dead in his eyes and said, "It's not just important, Ixtec, it means everything to your father. Means more than the Abyss, more than your mother, and means more to him than even you." Tzeru began to walk away when he stopped and uttered one last sentence, one that would stick with Ixtec forever. "And it means everything to me." With that Tzeru walked away. Ixtec took his Uncle's words to heart, if power is everything then it must be true. From that day forward Ixtec would value power above all else.
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What seemed like moments to the Gods was ages to the now mortal Nova. Completely unaware of his previous life he lived among the Ourano Pack like a normal Wolf. Yet it soon became painfully clear that he was not normal. Years passed and while all others aged and died, he did not. Nova hadn't the faintest clue why but it troubled him greatly. He laid beside his mate, Celeste, who is now the Grand Elder of the Pack. "Oh, my Nova, why are you so down?" She asked. "You know why Celeste." He responded solemnly. "Please...stop shedding tears...I hate seeing my love from the heavens in such pain." She cooed. "Why, Celeste, why have you grown old and feeble while I remain young and strong?!" He cried. Celeste turned away as she coughed.
"I don't know how to explain it to you, my love, not in anyway that you can possibly understand." She spoke. "Do you still not remember?" She asked. "Please, not this again." Nova stopped her. Celeste merely shook her head. "My love from the heavens, how can I help you if you refuse to listen?" She argued. "I've said it before I'm no God! How can I possibly be a God!? I remember being born in this Pack to my parents Sirius and Phoebe and they raised me all on their own. I was born to no liter, a gift, a miracle from above as they said, after all they've tried many times with no luck before me!" Nova shouted. "But does that not say something about your origins my dear?" Celeste noted.
"Just because I was their only son that doesn't mean that I am a God!" He barked. "Well how about being born without our Element?" Celeste added. "I'll admit that's weird but not unheard of! I know of Wolves born in other Packs that had no Element at birth. I'm no different from them I assure you!" Nova retorted. Celeste then just sighed. "Come with me Nova...I have something to show you." The elderly She-Wolf then stood as she shakily walked out of their tent. "No, Celeste! You can't you're too weak, please don't!" Nova begged. "NO!" She barked. "You must see." She then continued to walk. Nova walked beside her as she lead them to their most sacred site.
"I've been inside the Temple before Celeste." Nova spoke up. "Yes but there is a room you have not seen before...or should I say, that you've forgotten you've seen." She replied. Celeste placed a paw on an inconspicuous brick as she pressed it in. A secret door then opened before them as she motioned for Nova to follow. As they entered the chamber what Nova saw inside surprised him. Upon the walls of the chamber there was, what looked like hieroglyphs etched into the very stone. The words and images told a story of how a God came to live among the mortals and grant them fantastic power. Though what surprised Nova most was how it was written. "Is that? My writing?" Awestruck at recognizing the penmanship identifying it as his own.
"This has been here for years, longer than you know." Celeste spoke. "But weren't these not made by the Wolf God who made our Pack over three hundred years ago?" Nova asked. Celeste nodded. Nova read the walls and then backed away when he saw Celeste's name among them. "No it can't!?" Nova looked back and forth at Celeste and the image on the wall. "Yes, dear, I am one and the same person." Nova backed away, "That can't be you would have to be hundreds of years old!" He cried. "I am, I was made that way by you and by him." She said scornfully. "Made by who?" Nova asked. Celeste then suddenly broke down in tears. "Celeste!" Nova ran to her as she collapsed.
"My love....I've been hiding a terrible truth from you." She then coughed. "Please don't speak you are not well!" "No! I must speak the truth...before I die." She coughed again. Nova held her as he licked her face. "I was not born like all other Wolves...I was created by one of the Gods...," Another cough, "...He told me to hold your attention, to get close to you like no one has ever been." "What are you saying?" Nova asked. "I'm saying our love was no accident, our life together was planned from the very start." "Planned? Who planned this? What is going on?" Nova asked. "I am so sorry my love everything that happened to you was my fault...I curse the day I was made and I curse him for making me!!" Celeste shouted to the heavens.
"Shhh, please don't speak anymore you need to conserve your energy." Nova gently caressed her as he held her head up. "Please Nova, you need to remember who you are, please! I've made so many mistakes in my life and I don't want to make another! So please just listen to me!" Nova nodded. Celeste then proceeded to tell Nova the awful truth. "That's why you are stuck on this world and why you have no powers...now all I can think about is what evil thing he must be doing...Nova he's going to destroy everything....and you're the only one who can stop him." Nova looked at the chamber and all of their history surrounding him. As fantastic as it sounds it just might be true.
"So...do you believe me?" She weakly responds. Nova looked down upon her and feeling the guilt of having ever doubt her, he slowly nods. "Good...now lets go...time to make you a God again." Celeste resolved her self as she slowly stood. "Whoa, Celeste hold on a moment." "No, Nova, we must do this now." "But you are unwell! I'm sure this can wait." Nova pleaded but the stubborn She-Wolf would not hear it. Before long the both of them were heading down the hillside towards their village. It was then a large storm suddenly erupted as the wind howled like a hundred pack of Wolves. Where lightning crashed and thunder roared like lions. "What's going on!? Where did this storm come from!?" Nova shouted. "Nova....look!" Celeste gasped horrified at the sight she had saw.
From up above them what looked like a vortex had ripped apart the sky above them. From the portal two clouds rushed for the ground and with a thunderous impact, the clouds took the form of two demonic, monstrous Wolves. "Nova!" Celeste cried. One of the Demon Wolves walked forward. "Lord Tzeru sends his regards, traitor." It spoke as it raised a paw the size of a full grown Wolf with claws even bigger than that. "I still...have strength left for this!" Celeste shouted as the monster's claw came crashing down on Celeste's barrier. "You're power cannot help you She-Wolf." The Demon hissed as it continued to rain strike after strike.
"Celeste!" Nova shouted. "Please don't do this to yourself!" As the world around him seem to grow bleaker it was as if time had slow down in that moment. Never mind that Wolves from beyond the Realm have come but he stared deep into the eyes of his love. Celeste looked at him and then smiled. "Nova...you're power is with the people...we are apart of you and if you so desire, we can give that power back to you." Celeste spoke softly. The two lovers began to glow as an aura of light surrounded both. A surge of power over came Nova as his aura grew larger and burned bright as the light of Celeste diminished and eventually disappeared.
The She-Wolf dropped to the ground as the barrier was destroyed. Nova, without thought, rushed into action as he run up to the Demons and before they could touch her their claws were held in place. "What is this!?" The Demon Wolf shouted. "You will not have her! None of you!!!" He yelled as he took command of his element. He raised the two monsters off the ground and with savage force crashed their bodies into one another. Taking the battered bodies of the Demons, he casted them far off the side of the hill as they came crashing into a thicket of trees below. "Celeste!" He ran to her side only to find her light dying out.
"Now...you know....please my love...save us....all..." Those where her last words as the ancient She-Wolf passed. "I promise Celeste...I will save us all." He stood as he heard the howls of his Pack from all around. More of those monstrosities have appeared attacking any living thing they could find. The Ourano Pack fought valiantly against the coming tide of darkness but they could not rally together, they need their leader and they needed him now. Nova walked forth, new purpose pushing his every stride and as the Demons came for him he casted them aside. "Everyone hear me now! I, Nova! Have returned but I have not the power to destroy these monsters! I need all of you now to come together and only together can we win!!!" He howled. The Ouranos finding renewed moral began to push back the onslaught.
The very gravity around them fluctuated as Earth and wood rose and flew, crashing into the the Demons with intense force. As more came together the force of Gravity grew as the Demons were being crushed by pure force alone. Yet the forces of evil seemed to be unending as more appeared from portals were being ripped from all around them. "Lord Nova! We have done what we can but the creatures...they keep coming! What are we to do? We can't fight them all!" Cried a Wolf. Nova searched for the answer but could only think of what Celeste had said to him. "The power is with my people." He said to himself. It was then he knew his power was literally with his people. "All of you come together and hear me now! If you all want to see a bright and shinning tomorrow then give yourselves to me! I want all of you to pour your Element back into me for within each and everyone of you there is a piece of me. I need all of your help to make me divine once more and only then will I have to power to stop this evil forever!" Nova cried as the Wolves listened.
The Ourano Pack gathered together as they concentrated as commanded by their God. Soon their auras as bright as the stars above grew dimmer and dimmer as Nova's own grew as bright as the Sun. The ritual was complete and a God was reborn. With all of his memories returned he realized what he must do, but first to deal with these Demons.
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The Realms where under attack. The Gods were completely unaware of the sudden invasion to all of reality but what came as the real surprise was who was behind this atrocity. It was Tzeru and Ixtec, the Son of Obsidian. Their war came swiftly and without warning and before Obsidian knew it, his son had conquered his own realm and promptly banished his own father and mother out. In the Abyss their army of Demons, known as Dire Wolves, grew exponentially in number and strength. At the command of their Dark Gods, the Dire Wolves spilled into the Mortal Realm as they appeared all over Nigerius. The Wolves of the world found themselves in a desperate struggle.
Isra was next.
"Melchior! Melchior!" Shanice ran screaming into the Hall. There in his usual spot he looked down upon the world with a melancholy stare. "Melchior! The Dire Wolves are invading Isra! We've set up a barrier to halt their advance but they'll break through at any moment! We need you, now!" The Ice Goddess cried. Melchior slowly raised his head to her and then slowly returned to gazing at the world. "It's all my fault." He wheezed. "What?!" She barked. "Everything...my brother, my world, all worlds...it's all my fault. Nova....could you ever forgive?" He spoke as tears began to roll down his face.
"Melchior! Now is not the time to give into self-pity! We need you right now!" But the God of Light was far too despondent to listen to his sister's cries. "Melchior! GRRRR!!!" Shanice stormed off, only one person can snap Melchior back to reality. As she ran to her fellow Gods Phoenix shouted, "BACK AWAY!!!" Then the barrier exploded into a burst of darkness a Dire Wolves poured out shortly followed by Tzeru and Ixtec. "The Traitors! They show themselves!" Hikaru shouted. "Tzeru! Ixtec! You will pay for your betrayal!" Phoenix shouted so boldly.
Tzeru merely laughed. "Such bark from a God who has no bite." He taunted. "NO BITE!? I'll show you my BITE!!!" Phoenix roared with such ferocity it could shake the very heavens. He charged incinerating all Dire Wolves that foolishly stood in his path. Then his advance was blocked by Ixtec whose blast of darkness flung the God of Fire into one of the many heavenly temples of Isra. Tzeru laughed again. "Fools! If you expect to stop us then I suggest not rushing in, headlong, one at a time, you will only be met with utter failure." He chuckled.
"The only one who gets to bash around Phoenix is I!" shouted Gofannon. The God of the Earth was joined side by side with Cherruvue and Hikaru. "Let's do this Gofannon!" Cherruvue called. "All at once!" Hikaru ordered. The Three charged at Tzeru only to be met with opposition by Ixtec. "He is not your only foe!!" Ixtec roared as he attacked the trio. Despite being outnumbered Ixtec's powers where strange it reminded them of Obsidian but there was something more, something more sinister. Eyes began to grow in odd places on Ixtec's body and suddenly beams of energy were expelled as they struck the Gods. "You cannot harm me...I see all around me, there is nothing you cannot hide that I will not find." Ixtec claimed. More eyes appeared as beams of energy flew like a volley of arrows as they struck precisely and mercilessly.
Tzeru howled with joy as his protege laid to waste to the Heavenly Realm of Isra. As legions of Dire Wolves were lost in an ecstasy of wanton destruction. As the Battle of Isra raged outside inside the Great Hall, Shanice had returned but this time she brought with her Obsidian. "MELCHIOR!!!" Obsidian roared. Melchior hadn't the opportunity to react when the great Shadow God pounced upon his eldest foe. "Obsidian-!?" He gasped. "Shanice has told me but I did not wish to believe it! You, my greatest enemy, turned into a spineless coward!" He growled. "I am no coward." Melchior coughed. "Oh no!? Then what do you call this then!? Hiding in here, wallowing in your own pity, while your brothers and sisters fight alone!?!?" He shouted as Obsidian placed more weight on Melchior's throat.
"I should kill you for such nonsense!!!" The God of Shadows spat. "Obsidian...please-!" Melchior gasped for air. "You...don't understand-," "NO YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND!!!" He roared. "We were all deceived by Tzeru! Not just you!!! So stop acting like it!!!!! And start acting like a true Wolf!! Up on all four paws with your head held high!!! NOW MELCHIOR!!!" He shouted as he grabbed the Light God by the nape of his scruff and threw him to his feet.
"Lets go now and end this madness!" Obsidian ordered as he started to walk away. "No." Melchior spoke. "What?" Obsidain turned around to stare at the once proud God with disdain.
"Don't you see....I deserve this Obsidian...if I had listen to Nova none of this would have happened. The Universe had judged me and this is my punishment." Melchior sighed. "Listen Melchior...you're not the only one in this whole Universe that lost a family member to Tzeru. I did too! Or did you forget that monster took away my only son!? Just like when he took away your only brother." Obsidian then turned away. "I can't force you to do anything you don't want to do, but if Nova was standing where you are then he would have fought claw and nail to do what needs to be done. I just thought, being brothers, you would be just like him but I guess I was wrong." Obsidian finished as he walked outside.
Shanice with a look of disappointment quickly followed behind the God of Shadows. Melchior stood there feeling more defeated than ever.
As Ixtec and the Dire Wolves destroyed much of Isra, Obsidian stepped out of the Great Hall and gave a strong howl. The Gods feeling battered and beaten looked up to one of the eldest among them with hope. "TZERU!!! YOU'RE CONQUEST IS OVER!!! TODAY YOU WILL FACE THE WRATH OF THE GODS!!!!" He shouted across the battlefield. Tzeru merely smirked. "Maybe Obsidian but first you have an army to contend with." He chuckled. "Attack the fool God!" He barked as the Dire Wolves diverted their attention to Obsidian. With a roar a wave of Dark Force came cascading over the Dire Wolves obliterating them in a blast of energy. "You're a strong one, that is unmistakable." Ixtec attempted to intercept his father when Tzeru waved him back.
"Ah, I wondered when you would show yourself....Melchior." He sneered. From up above, Melchior flew into rank with Obsidian. "Took you long enough Melchior, it's not like Isra is being invaded or anything." Obsidian growled. "Ah, you're sarcastic wit never ceases does it old friend?" Melchior chuckled. "Grrrr, you annoy me to no end Melchior." "Enough talking. Are you ready Obsidian?" Melchior asked. "Bah! That was my line!" Obsidian barked. "HAHAHAHA!!! You two bickering like an old married couple!" Tzeru taunted. "Master, shall I face them?" Ixtec asked. "No, leave these two to me." Tzeru responded.
The Three Gods stepped forward towards each other. The tension was thick in the air as it's weight threatened to crush all those around it. Power emanated from the Three as the utmost powerful cosmic forces moved into a rush as they charged each other. Melchior and Obsidian gave a great war howl as the megalomanical Tzeru only laughed with glee. Soon they collided as the greatest battle, the Battle for the Universe, began! Their fight shook all the Realms as the their blows were felt in all living things both great and small. Soon the whole of Nigerius realized that their Gods were locked in the greatest struggle of their lives.
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Nova looked up above as he felt the weight of their conflict upon his very being. It would seem his recent ascendance has gone unnoticed by Tzeru and his forces. Good. Still, the reborn God had his share of doubt. While Obsidian and Melchior are fearsome warriors in their own rights, Tzeru, however, was something else. While his brother and his oldest foe were fighting valiantly against Tzeru, Nova could sense his power increasing while there's was weakening. If they could not defeat Tzeru he doubts that even he could.
Still, Nova knew in his heart of hearts that he had to try, no matter how desperate the odds may be. Nova turned to his Pack as they gathered around their God, drained of their very element so that Nova could return. "I thank you all for this massive sacrifice. I could never have returned without you all." Nova praised them. "Where will you go?" Asked a Wolf. "I must return to Isra and end this madness that Tzeru has caused. He will pay for his treachery, this I will assure you." Nova promised. "Please, Lord Nova, please be careful." "Don't worry, I will save us all." With that Nova rose above the Earth as he headed for the great hole in the sky. "Don't worry Celeste...when this is all said an done you will be by my side again...in Heaven!" He then let loose a howl as he passed through the barrier between worlds.
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Melchior and Obsidian fought fiercely against the mighty Tzeru. Dark Force and Laser Lights flew at the Deceiver each with fatal intent. Yet the darkness emanating from Tzeru deflected the many blows. Tzeru flew as his jaws ripped into Melchior's wings. "GAH!" The God of Light cried as Tzeru tossed him into the Grand Hall. "MELCHIOR!" Obsidian shouted. The God of Shadows charged Tzeru. "Hah! Obsidian never would I have thought you'd be so willing to stand up for someone by the likes of Melchior. Oh, what a sad day it is the for the Universe. You've betrayed your own nature Obsidian." Tzeru lectured. "What in the darkness of the Abyss are you talking about!?" Obsidian barked as he struggled. "Of course you wouldn't know...you're far too imperceptive Obsidian. The Cosmic Order made you for a reason, a reason you've neglected but alas don't worry, I'm here to make everything better." He mocked.
"Start speaking sense!" Obsidian shouted. "If you don't understand now....then you'll never understand. So let me spell it out for you!" Tzeru then clawed deep into Obsidian's neck as the God shouted in pain. "I am your replacement Obsidian! I am here to do the job you were meant to do! But I can't do it, no, not while my predecessor still lives. The Universe doesn't need two Gods of Chaos." Tzeru then struck down Obsidian as he plummeted into the ground next to Melchior. "Obsidian." Melchior weakly called out. "HA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! The Mightiest of you has fallen before me! Give in to complete despair!!! There are none now who may challenge my rule! And with it I shall usher in a new age of chaos!!!!" He cried in victory. As the Dark God basked in his triumph his happiness was suddenly shattered when he felt a powerful presence....one he never thought would come again.
Tzeru quickly turned to see Nova back in all his godliness. "Grrr." "What's the matter Tzeru? Are you at a loss for words?" Nova quipped. "Grrrrrr, you couldn't leave well enough alone could you?!" Tzeru barked. "Well when you threaten to bring never-ending chaos into this world, well, I'm afraid people are going to take issue with it, including myself." Nova calmly responded. "Hmph! As if I should be afraid of you. I've defeated both Melchior and Obsidian, as well as the others. You are outmatched Nova...you should have remained a mere mortal, you might have lived a little longer." Tzeru mocked. "Aw but then I would never have had the pleasure of seeing your ugly face again." Nova mocked.
"Strong words." Ixtec called from behind. "But I bet you're the kind of Wolf whose bark is worse than his bite." Ixtec jeered. "Why don't you find out for yourself?" Nova called back. "You're challenging me? Then you must be a fool!" "Takes one to know one." Nova taunted. "What was that!? HOW DARE YOU!!!" Ixtec shouted as he charged. "NO WAIT!!!" Tzeru called out but it was too late. With a blast of cosmic force Ixtec was struck to the ground. "D-Dammit!!" Ixtec shouted. "Come on, Tzeru, this fight will be between the two of us. Winner takes all! Deal?" Nova said as he lifted out a paw for Tzeru to take. "You'll regret this." Tzeru said as he took it. "Not before you." It was then the two Gods distanced themselves as they stared each other down. This was it, the final fight for the soul of the Universe.
Only one of them will walk away from this fight, as one fights to destroy the Universe, while the other fights to protect it. It was then the two charged each other as they collided. They slashed and bit at one another each exchanging blows like two professional boxers. There battle soon erupted from Isra and into the stars above. The two Gods traversed the stars and planets chasing after one and another. "Come on Nova!!! Can't you keep up with me!?!?" Tzeru mocked. "I thought this was a battle, not a game!" Nova retorted. "Oh, my dear Nova, what is the Universe, if not one big game? A game in which I will be the winner!" Tzeru laughed as he sucker punched Nova sending him flying into the face of an asteroid.
Nova would admit in this instance, that Tzeru was indeed powerful...more powerful than he expected. As the Wolf God rose to his paws he saw his enemy float above him, apparently gloating. "Hah! Your exile has made you slow, made you weak, Nova. You're going to have to perform much better than this if you wish to stop me." He chuckled. Nova has grown tired of Tzeru's games but he was correct. Having only recently restored his Godhood, it has left him with waning power. He's going to need more if he is to stand a chance against this almighty foe. But how? Where else is he to find a source of power great enough for a God?
Sensing the distress of his fellow sibling deity, Melchior stood as he looked up into the stars. "Nova isn't going to win." He said somberly. "What? How could you say such a thing?" Shanice cried. "Yeah, he's as mighty as they come! Stronger than the burning might of a thousand suns!" Phoenix professed. "Hardier than any mountain that scrapes the heavens!" Gofannon boasted. "Faster than even the most blinding of lightning bolts!" Cherruvue added. "I'll admit...his power is impressive even to I, who commands death itself." Itzal spoke. "Yet Melchior is right...I can see Nova's imminent death, as is the death of us all." The God of Death echoed. The Wolf Gods hanged their heads low in defeat.
"Obsidian don't!" 'Aisha cried. The God of Darkness shakily stood as blood dripped from his neck. Yet the proud Lord of Shadows would not heed his wife's own cries. Instead he raised his paw upwards sending what little energy he had left to Nova. "Of course." It suddenly dawned on Melchior. Individually they could do nothing, but together they could take away power, or give it. "Everyone listen! We must do what we have done before to our brother but this time we shan't be taking but be giving!!!" Melchior rallied as the Wolf Gods congregated to share in a collective howl. With paws outstretched they Gods gave their blessing of might to Nova as newfound energy began to swell within him.
Tzeru looked on as he gasped in disbelief. "What is this!? What trickery is this Nova?!" Tzeru barked. Then Nova looked up to Tzeru and with a wolfish grin, "This is your end." Nova charged forth with shoulder sending the Dark God through several asteroids. "BAH!" He spat. "The only end I see is YOURS!!!" Tzeru shouted as he projected a beam of energy from his eyes. Nova countered by projecting his own beam of energy as their energies clashed sending rays of light throughout the whole of creation. The two Gods struggled for what seemed like an eternity but slowly Tzeru's beam was pushing back Nova's. "You cannot defeat me Nova! To challenge me is to challenge the Order of the Universe! Even you cannot resist it's will!!!" He roared.
"Then perhaps it is time for a new Order in the Universe! ONE WITHOUT YOU!!!!" Nova roared as his energy overflowed pushing the beam back with great speed. "No! No! NOOOOOOOO!!!! Tzeru shouted. He lost control of the struggle as Nova's beam exploded upon contact. The force of the blast sent Tzeru flying as his body slammed right into the face of a nearby moon. Tzeru coughed as he felt pain for the first time in his existence. "Impossible...it isn't possible..." He muttered to himself. Nova flew around to the other side of the moon as he pushed upon the rock moving forward. "Wait?! WHAT!?" Frantically the Dark God looked as he noticed he was moving closer and closer to a nearby planet. "WAIT!!! NO, NO, NO, NOOOOOO, STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPP!!!" He shouted
Nova with all his might pushed the moon right into the surface of the planet as the two rocks collided creating a titanic explosion that echoed throughout the Galaxy. "He did........HE DID IT!!!" Melchior cried as the other Gods cheered in victory. Nova breathed a sigh of relief, "I did it....," He then made a pained chuckle. The weakly Nova flew back down into the realm of Isra to meet with his fellow Gods. They gathered and huddled around Nova placing their paws upon him. "You did it Brother." Melchior smiled. "I couldn't have done it without you....ANY of you. Thank you." Nova spoke. "No, it is us who should thank you." Obsidian wheezed as he bowed. Following in suit the rest of the Gods bowed their heads to Nova recognizing him as the savior of the Universe. The Wolf God was brought to tears.
Despite all of the fanfare Itzal stood off to side with a pensive stare down below. "Brother? What is the matter? We have won, now is the time for revelry." 'Aisha spoke. "But sister...we haven't won." Itzal turned with horror upon his face. "I still see death." He echoed.
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Ixtec escaped back into the Abyss following Tzeru's defeat. He clamored his way back into the Cave, back to the source of power that started this war. It was there he was shocked to see his master, battered and broken, but still alive. "Tzeru!? You still live!?" Ixtec gasped. "Did you know?" Tzeru wheezed. "Know what?" Ixtec cautiously asked. "That we've only scratched the surface of what this thing can do." Tzeru crawled closer to the Weapon. "What are you talking about?" Ixtec asked. "They haven't, won yet my pupil. If, I, were to become one with the Weapon...then I could achieve power....power beyond any God." He spoke as he raised a paw out to touch it.
"No! Master don't do that! It will destroy you!!!" Ixtec cried. "That, is...a chance....I'm willing to take..." Tzeru placed his paw upon the Weapon as a sudden burst of wind filled the chamber. Tzeru shouted in agony as the Weapon began to consume him. Ixtec cried out in sheer horror as the wind suddenly pushed him out of the cave and into a nearby cliffside. He looked on in terror as to what happened next.
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The Gods suddenly turned to look beyond them as clouds of darkness formed everywhere out of the blue. "What's going on?" Melchior asked. Soon the Realms shook as if trembling in fear as a sudden pillar of energy exploded from down below, reaching all the way into the heavens.
"Yes! YES! YEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!! POWER!!! ABOSLUTE POWER!!!!" A voice roared shaking the very fabric of reality. "Tzeru?!" Nova gasped. Soon the clouds gathered to form the shape of Tzeru as he laughed.
"HAH!!! YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD WON!?!?!?!?! FOOLS!!!! I AM NOW THAT WHICH IS BEYOND ALL!!! I AM CHAOS INCARNATE!!!!! NOW WITNESS AND TREMBLE AS I TEAR THIS UNIVERSE APART!!!!" With those words existence itself began to unravel as it turned into dust and was absorbed by Tzeru's ephemeral form. "This is it...Apocalypse, The Death of All Things." Itzal somberly spoke.
"No! This cannot be the end!!! We are the Gods! We should be able to stop whatever scheme Tzeru's conjured up!" Melchior rallied. "There isn't." Itzal interjected. "Unless...Nova." Itzal turned to Nova. "Yes?" Nova listened. "I see...that your death could be the key to stopping this." Itzal proclaimed. "Wait! No! We cannot sacrifice my Brother! There has to be another way!!!" Melchior cried. "Melchior." Nova placed a paw on his shoulder. "It's alright. If I have to die to save us all...then I'll do it." "Brother..." Melchior trailed off. "What do I have to do Itzal?" Nova asked.
"Fly. Fly into the thick of this cosmic storm and your element will do the rest." Itzal explained. Nova nodded. The God turned to look at his fellow deities with a soft and caring smile. They looked up to him with reluctancy but deep inside they knew this was the only way. "I want to thank you all. The greatest pleasure in my life was living it with each and every one of you. I am so proud at what all of you have become, so please, never stop being who you are." Nova spoke. Tears fell down Melchior's cheeks as he looked to his brother. It was painful but even the God of Light knew this had to be done.
"I will miss you all but I will miss you most of all brother." Nova said as he looked upon his grieving brother. "I am so sorry for having ever doubted you." Melchior spoke up. "All is forgiven, you did what you thought was right. Now, it's my turn to do what is right." He said as he placed a paw on Melchior. "Perhaps we'll see each other again, someday." Nova reassured his brother. With that Melchior moved in for a hug as the brother's embraced each other for one last time. With that Nova flew off with the sounds of everyone's goodbyes in the background.
The Mad God, Tzeru merely laughed as Nova approached him.
"HAH! HA HA HA HA HA HA! YOU LOOK SO MEAGER NOVA!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DO TO ME!?!? I AM INVINCIBLE!!!!" Tzeru spoke with maniacal laughter. "What I do best." Nova curtly responded. He then dove straight through Tzeru as he flew towards the center of the storm and there he saw a pillar of energy. "That must be the focal point!" Nova with a deep breath rushed into the pillar and instantly he felt the energy beginning to tear him apart. It hurt like nothing he felt, all of this negative energy was overwhelming! In his final moments Nova thought back to the whole of his immortal life. From the birth of creation, to the rise of the Gods, to the wars, his time in exile, and now. It wasn't a perfect life but it was a life worth living.
As Nova's thoughts drifted to all of those he loved, all he befriended, and even thought fondly of his worst enemies. "I do this, not for me, but for all of you. What we've made is something far more precious than immortality, worship, or even power. What we've made is more important than Gods and Demons, it's even more important than either you or I. And I pity you, Tzeru, for not seeing this...maybe...one day...you'll learn this...single truth." With his final words Nova exploded into a brilliant light disrupting the pillar. Tzeru visibly shaken felt the impact as he made a strained cough.
"WHAT THE-!?" Tzeru peered to see that within him a black hole had appeared from where Nova had once stood. The Black Hole began to absorb the cosmic storm of death that was Tzeru as all his power was being swallowed whole.
"NO, NO, NO, NO, NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! DAMN YOU NOVA!!!! THIS ISN'T OVER!!! I SWEAR IT!!! I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!!!! I WILL HAVE EVERYTHING!!!!! AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!" Tzeru shouted as he disappeared into the black hole, never to be seen again. Then as quick as it began it was over. Tzeru was sealed away into a Realm of Nothingness causing this long nightmare to end.
Not only the Gods did cheer but life everywhere cheered. They were all saved from certain doom thanks to Nova's most noble sacrifice. Without Tzeru, the Dire Wolves fell to the ground, seemingly all life gone from their bodies. Ixtec was later captured and placed on trial by the surviving Gods. For his conspiracy against the Gods and existence; he was sentenced to imprisonment deep beneath the Earth's crust for all eternity.
In the aftermath of the struggle, reconstruction and rebirth began. As the Realm's wounds slowly healed everything seemed to return to normal. Yet life was never quite the same for the Gods. They grew more distant from the rest of the Universe, resolving to keep a constant vigil against threats like Tzeru. As for all of the lives on Nigerius the world kept turning as if nothing had ever happened. And so knowledge of these events passed on from memory into history and from history into legend and from legend into myth. In time these stories were lost, forgotten by those who once kept them, and those that do know them, do not believe, and those that do, are far too few.
The End