Chapter 53: Fractures of the Divine
Aeronthal did not sleep.
The stars above the obsidian cliffs dimmed one by one, not because of passing clouds but from the sheer concentration of divine energy gathering within the Council chamber. Each throne hummed with its own rhythm—moonlight, starlight, ember, frost—and from their convergence bloomed an eerie stillness, a silence before the storm that threatened to unravel the world.
In the center of the Council chamber, the image of Kael flickered again—his form no longer just a glow of fire and ocean. Now, faint outlines of limbs, eyes, and wings formed, vanishing and reappearing like echoes across time.
"He's forming," Elvathra murmured, her opalescent gaze narrowing. "His soul is already tethered to all three planes—mortal, divine, and shadow."
"This cannot be allowed!" bellowed Oravon, God of the Rift Realms. "He is not merely a child—he is convergence incarnate. If he chooses incorrectly, all realms may merge... or collapse!"
"Then destroy him," hissed Saryndil of the Hollow Flame. "Before choice becomes impossible."
But not all agreed.
"I have seen what he becomes," said a new voice—unexpected, low, cutting through the chamber like winter air.
Heads turned. From the mist of the upper hall, a forgotten throne illuminated: Judicara, the exiled Warden of Balance, stepped forward. His cloak trailed galaxies. His eyes burned like twin eclipses.
"You called me back to vote, and I will," he said. "But make no mistake: Kael is not your end. He is your reflection."
---
In the mortal realm – Thalor Estate
Mira awoke gasping. Her hands glowed gold, the sheets singed at the corners. Kael had stirred again.
She staggered to the balcony, wind whipping around her, her thoughts unraveling like tangled threads of memory and myth.
Kael was speaking to her more often now. But today—something changed.
"There's another," he whispered. "In the dark. Watching us. Smiling."
"What do you mean?" Mira asked aloud, trembling.
Jaxon ran into the room seconds later, sword drawn—not because of her cries, but because the house itself had shifted. The corridors twisted, paintings bled shadows, and the fire in the hearth crackled out messages in forgotten tongues.
A figure stepped through the door without opening it.
"Who are you?" Jaxon roared.
"Not enemy. Not yet," came the calm reply. "I'm here for the child."
Mira's flame surged. "You're from the Council?"
"Not quite. I'm from beneath the Council."
The figure removed their hood. It was a woman with mirrored eyes, skin like parchment inked with glowing runes.
"I am Varalyth, servant of the Sealed Archive. I was imprisoned when the Councils deemed my prophecies too dangerous. But Kael—your son—freed me before his birth."
"Impossible," Mira whispered.
"Is it?" Varalyth smiled. "Then how do I know he calls you by your ancient name, Valeria-Kai? Or that he dreams of the fracture-point?"
Jaxon stood in front of Mira protectively. "What do you want?"
"To help you win the war… and lose the gods."
---
Back in Aeronthal – the Council Vote Begins
Thirteen voices. Thirteen thrones. Thirteen fates.
One by one, the Council voted:
Elvathra: "Protect. He is the keystone."
Kaithon: "Exile. The realms are not ready."
Oravon: "Destroy. Now."
Judicara: "Witness. Let him choose."
And so it continued.
Until the final vote.
The empty throne of Vaeryn, God of Hidden Time, who hadn't appeared in centuries—suddenly blazed with violet fire.
From it stepped… a child.
Small, barefoot, eyes of starlight. He tilted his head at the Council and smiled.
"I am Kael."
Gasps shattered the silence.
"This is not possible," Saryndil spat. "He is unborn!"
"He is everything," Judicara murmured.
Kael stepped forward, his form glowing with fire and wave, but also—something else. A third power no one could name.
"I came early," he said softly, "because you were going to kill me."
And then, he vanished.
---
Meanwhile – The Real Kael, in the Womb
Mira screamed as energy coursed through her.
Her body hovered above the ground, hair aflame, eyes glowing silver.
"He's crossed the veil!" Varalyth shouted. "He's shown himself to the gods!"
Jaxon caught Mira as she collapsed, and for the first time, he heard the voice inside her belly:
"Father... They know now. The war begins."
---
Far Away – In the forgotten realm of Khaeryon
A monstrous gate groaned open.
From its depths, a voice whispered, "He has awakened. Release the Unforged."
A thousand chained beings stirred.
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End of Chapter 53