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The energy around it sizzled and crackled with the promise of destruction.

She was not alone.

Behind her, a contingent of her generals flanked her sides, their celestial presence warping the fabric of the heavens with every step they took.

Beside her was Soledad, the Warlock and General of Divine Justice. She was pure magnificence, cloaked in starlit silver robes, and a floating halo of pure cosmic flame hovered just above her head.

Her aura exuded a quiet but absolute authority, her ethereal blade hovering at her side without her even needing to touch it.

At Somayeh’s left strode Silaha, The Warlord of Shattered Realms, Keeper of the Forbidden Tomes, Weaver of the Ten Thousand Curses.

His skin was a deep shade of obsidian, and runes of fluctuating gold and sapphire light rippled across his chest like drifting constellations.

His majestic spikes curled over his head, their duality denoting he was neither good nor evil, only the executor of divine order.

Then came Sa’Kiel, the Warliege of the Void.

His features were a canvas of blurring motion, never quite settling into one form.

What appeared like shifting sands flowed around him, whispering through the chamber like the winds of forgotten ages. He, too, sported a set of magnificent horns.

At the rear followed Suyin, the Warlass of the Heavens.

Her glowing white eyes were devoid of pupils, her movements soundless, epitomizing the beauty of youth and the wisdom of age.

They advanced as one, unstoppable, their power undeniable.

‘Ki’Remi, brow arched, leaned into his woman and whispered. ‘Who thefokkare these, and why are some of them horned?’

‘They are the generals of war who fought with Ssigard. Those without the curled antennae are pure deities; those with glorious appendages are demigods. Their promontories symbolize the dualistic union of the divine and the mortal, war and peace, light and dark, night and day, and summer and winter. Some call them the horns of a dilemma.’

The Sableman shook his head. ‘Ye Sacrans are chaotic.’

‘You don’t say,’ his woman whispered as the menacing contingent bore down on the throne. ‘I served with them in past wars, and while diabolic, they are also the most prudent of the high immortals as they are exposed to the meaninglessness of conflict and strife, which gives them sagacity.’

‘What is this?’ the Divine Immortal bristled, his golden eyes narrowing, his mouth curled in disdain.

Without hesitation, Somayeh approached Sulfiqar and reached forward, plucking the Sanopic Jar from his hands.

‘Tis what it looks like. A coup, a takeover,’ she snarled

The War Goddess turned, passing the ancient relic to a waiting faceless Celestial Keeper.

‘Return it to the Repository of Souls,’ Somayeh commanded, her voice ringing through the chamber like a death knell.

Her attendant bowed and disappeared into the corridor beyond.

Sulfiqar’s jaw tightened, flexing his chest. His imposing figure returned, and his power surged once more with every breath.

In the shadows, Zavei floated, still caught in the Witchmen’s lock, the tension in his body coiling like a predator about to strike.

‘Zavei,’ Sulfiqar rasped, his gaze seeking his most trusted general. ‘You will defend my honor, will you not?’

For a moment, there was only silence.

With a wave, the Divine Immortal released his Saatifa Commander from Ki’Remi’s hold. ‘Stop them, all of them, lest I whisper, and this plane of reality ceases to exist.’

Zavei stumbled toward the throne, glanced first at Sulfiqar, then at Somayeh, and finally back at his King.