"All thanks to Alaric," The Ancient Sun God said simply, offering no further explanation before asking, "How do you feel now?"
Aucuses blinked, realizing the question likely referred to his humanity. He coughed lightly. "I feel great. For a moment there, my humanity was stronger than ever, completely suppressing the Primordial God Almighty."
"Told you it'd work," Alaric said with a grin.
Amon, meanwhile, interjected coolly, "My humanity isn't exactly overflowing either, Father."
The Ancient Sun God's expression betrayed a rare hint of embarrassment, but his joy for Aucuses was evident. He turned to him first. "This proves the direction is right. Sufficient humanity can indeed suppress the Primordial God Almighty."
Then he faced Amon. "I'm sorry, Amon. It may feel unfair, but I truly see Aucuses and the others as my children too."
"No worries, Father. I don't mind," Amon said with a smile, though whether he meant it was anyone's guess.
Alaric shook his head, looking at the Ancient Sun God with mock disappointment. "Grisha, I tease you about being a Batman, but you can't actually be one!"
Batman... beyond the Dark Knight, Joker's nemesis, and no-kill rule... was infamous for his tight-lipped nature and chaotic family. When a family has too many kids, a parent who doesn't communicate well, and fails to balance attention, family wars erupt. The Bat-family was a prime example: not only was the father reticent, but the kids were too, and with their high combat skills, their fights were spectacular.
Now, the Ancient Sun God was clearly on the brink of such a family war.
"And whose fault is that?" The Ancient Sun God retorted, his tone heavy with exasperation.
"Not mine. I'm just the spark. Ultimately, it's your fault for not balancing family dynamics," Alaric said, unapologetic. He patted the Ancient Sun God's shoulder solemnly. "Don't worry. Multi-kid families always fight. The sky won't fall."
The Ancient Sun God shook his head, then glanced at Aucuses and Amon, who seemed harmonious but were quietly sizing each other up. "Fighting's fine, but keep it in check," He cautioned.
To him, fighting wasn't a big deal. Back in the day, the eight Kings of Angels brawled regularly. They hadn't fought over this specific issue, but their past clashes were plenty.
His only concern was that Aucuses, now a Sequence 0, outmatched Amon, who might be at a disadvantage.
Both Aucuses and Amon nodded obediently, assuring they'd be measured, but their locked gazes crackled with tension.
Under this charged atmosphere, the group returned to the God of Steam and Machinery's divine kingdom, arriving at the site of the recent divine battle.
As Amon had said, Roselle and the God of Steam and Machinery had ceased fighting. Roselle emerged victorious, barely scratched, while the God of Steam and Machinery looked battered... clothes torn, head covered in lumps.
Yet, in a way, Roselle had lost too. His youngest son, Bornova, was carefully applying ointment to the God of Steam and Machinery's wounds, making Roselle's face darken as he paced nearby, visibly seething.
"Where'd the medicine come from?" Alaric asked, eyeing the ointment in Bornova's hands.
"The Earth Mother stopped by earlier, watched the fight for a bit, and left this," Amon explained briefly.
Alaric raised an eyebrow. "That lady's got a knack for stirring the pot."
As for how Lilith knew about the fight... obvious. The commotion was massive; anyone could sense it. Likely, the other Seven Gods were all lurking somewhere, watching. Only Aucuses and Lilith had shown up openly so far.
"Boss, you're finally back!" Roselle noticed the group's return, about to ask Alaric to reason with the God of Steam and Machinery, but froze, his gaze landing on Aucuses.
"Long time no see, Roselle," Aucuses said calmly, greeting him while curiously studying Roselle's condition.
The corruption was still there, but… suppressed by something?
"Been a while, Aucuses," Roselle replied with a huff, acknowledging him.
He knew Aucuses had killed him back then due to his corruption and didn't hold much of a grudge... it was part of his plan anyway.
But expecting Roselle to greet the Eternal Blazing Sun warmly was too much. Not retaliating was already his concession, given their shared goal of protecting Earth.
Roselle wasn't exactly a saint, after all.
"Since you two know each other, no introductions needed," Alaric said, sensing the tense air between them but making no move to mediate. He turned to the God of Steam and Machinery. "Aucuses is on board. Got anything to say, Mr. Stiano?"
The God of Steam and Machinery glanced at Aucuses, unsurprised by his choice... given the Ancient Sun God's presence and Aucuses's devotion, it was expected.
But it meant he was truly without allies.
"I do!" The God of Steam and Machinery said, weakly raising a hand. "Can I ask what you actually want from me? You didn't just beat me up over personal grudges, right?"
"Simple. I need you to advance the tech tree. Later, I might push some reforms in the mortal world, and I'll need the Church of Steam and Machinery's support," Alaric said openly, smiling.
"That's it?" The God of Steam and Machinery said, eyes widening in disbelief. "You could've just told me... I wouldn't have refused!"
Advancing technology was in his favor, something he'd eagerly pursue. As for reforms, as long as they didn't affect his anchors, he didn't care what happened in the mortal world.
So why had he been pummeled?
"Because you weren't exactly a saint back then," Alaric said seriously. "I told you already... you got beat up for your past actions. Even if you meant well, it was bad for those affected. Roselle's grudge is personal. And isn't it possible Roselle already told you, and you just didn't listen?"
"..."
Oh. That might be true!
***
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