Chapter 22 - Chaos/ Power of God of War.
And far away, in space.
PLANEY - CHAOS.
And far away, in the cold void of space, on the barren molten world known as Planet Chaos, the fifth planet of the solar system, situated where the asteroid belt should have been, a planet stood like a mobile fortress of fire and shadow.
Empty space now cradled this scarred sphere of volcanoes and jagged mountains, its surface alive with rivers of lava. At its heart glowed a colossal Omega sign, vast enough to be seen from orbit, covering a quarter of the planet. In the center of that symbol rose a massive castle, and beneath it thrummed a colossal machine, hybrid and hungry, glowing molten red and gold. It was mine, a power station, and weapon all in one, drawing energy from the planet itself to fuel the Omega. Like a death star, yet far more dangerous.
Above the machine the castle stood a towering war fortress, and before it gathered a vast army of many races and monsters, orcs, half-dead warriors, legions from hell, flying dragons, gorgons, cyclops, minotaurs, and towering giant beasts. Inside the war fortress, obsidian floors pulsed with veins of flowing lava that served as light. Bat-like creatures flitted through the silent halls, their wings stirring faint echoes. Footsteps rang softly amid the noise.
Those footsteps belonged to Loki, dressed in her fitted purple attire, one hand idly twirling a long strand of ash-blonde hair while the other held a golden glass of wine.
She entered the throne room where a single grand throne dominated the space, flanked by four pedestals bearing war trophies: a red cape with a broken helmet, a shattered chariot wheel with a burned flag, a broken pair angel wing, and a fractured sword and shield marked with Omega. Loki barely glanced at them. On the throne sat Ares, his figure armored in black, his silver eyes glowing the same cold hue. In front of him a centaur reported the war situation, head bowed low.
And by the posture of centaur, things were not looking good.
" The Aryan front had grown quiet, backing down after the last battle. Lord Kartik had sent word of peace talks, while angels poured in reinforcements. Lord Zeus's army under lady Athena's command fought fiercely with no sign of retreat from both sides, although the sources say they are having little trouble back at heaven. The Æsir and Vanir resisted valiantly; voices grew loud despite your stalemate with Thor my Lord."
" News had it, Lord Balder and Lord Tyr appearing on the field spread quickly."
" And my Lord, many are questioning the presence of Planet Chaos in the solar system, a move even…even lady Athena seems to question it as well." And in those words, even Loki felt it, temperature seems to drop even in this lava hell.
The centaur, even though trembling, continued his report.
" Lord Kartik insisted you think about Planet Chaos positioning. Lord Kartik claimed it endangered Mother Gaia, who had grown tense. The number of nature spirits, the Vikritas, swelled. If this continued, the war would drag on."
Ares stopped eating, his glowing silver eyes fixing on the centaur.
"Isn't Vanahime supposed to be under Athena's jurisdiction?" His voice carried a thick German accent, heavier than usual. The centaur lowered his head further.
" Lady Athena is busy fighting the angels, my Lord. She believes if you are free on the Aryan side, you could spare time there." Ares did not like it. He questioned her capabilities and declared it a trick to exhaust his army.
"And what are those flying wingmen? Nothing but prideful morons." He added that he preferred fighting equals, not those who could not withstand a single blow. Vanahime were merely magic-loving creatures.
At that moment Loki entered fully, her Swedish accent smooth and cool.
"Indeed, Vanahime is nothing but magic-loving creatures. And you know what's fun about magic-loving creatures? They know how to run away." The centaur bowed to her as well. Ares did not argue. Instead he asked,
"Any advice?" Loki tilted her head, twirling her hair.
"Me? Don't you think it unwise to ask me this, I used to be one of them."
Ares replied, "Used to be. And you want to see the Aesir fall more than anyone." Loki nodded.
"True. And Vanahime is their key partner of Æsir. Taking them out would surely be good."
She waved her hand, drawing fire from the torches to create a small glowing replica of a planet, similar to Earth yet greener, more alive.
"Vanahime home. Vanir." She moved the planet closer to Ares, revealing a huge scar on his cheekbone, vertical and crossed by a horizontal line, as if from a blunt weapon. Loki whistled softly.
"That scar suits you well, Ares. Looks like my nephew did a number on you." Ares raised his fist and gently closed his fingers around the replica planet. Loki continued.
"You know, in Vanahime there is a creature called Gulon, a cheetah-like being that spends days waiting in front of its prey's door. You know why?" Ares gripped the planet tighter, fingers wrapping around it. He finished her words.
"To make sure either he runs out or comes in, he won't escape."
The narrator's voice rang.
There are moments in history when wars are not decided by armies, nor by kings, nor by treaties written with careful hands. There are moments when a single choice becomes heavier than fate itself. Like the spear of Odin cast into the first battle, like the conch of Kurukshetra sounding before the slaughter, like the breaking of the final seal before judgment. Such moments do not arrive quietly. They fall. And Vanahime was about to learn that truth.
Vanahime -
Home of Vanir.
The nebula system of Vanahime glowed peacefully beneath countless colors of distant stars. Vast grasslands stretched beyond the horizon like oceans of emerald silk. Rivers shimmered beneath silver sunlight. Strange birds with crystal feathers glided through the skies, their calls echoing across the valleys. Deep forests covered entire continents, ancient trees standing taller than castles, their roots drinking from glowing streams filled with life.
Near one such forest, a Gulon rested silently beside a burrow entrance. Half lion. Half cheetah with all the patience in the world. Its golden eyes never left the small hole beneath it. It did not move. Did not blink. It simply waited for the prey to make a mistake.
The forests of Vanahime understood waiting. The Gulon understood certainty. Its prey would come eventually.
Far above the peaceful world, space rippled. A black vessel emerged from the void. No stealth. No disguise. None needed, not because it was strong, but because it was a vessel for someone far stronger.
Its obsidian hull reflected the stars like polished glass. Along its rear burned a massive Omega symbol glowing crimson against the darkness.
People below remained oblivious from the impending doom.
The ship hovered openly above the world. Then its rear gate slowly opened.
Standing inside were two figures. Ares. And Loki.
Loki leaned casually against the doorway, one hand holding her golden glass while the other holding the ship's hull. She watched the planet below.
"Are ye sure about this?" she asked in her soft Swedish accent. The usual amusement in her voice was gone.
"This is going to be a very big move." She took a sip
"The war already feels like it is ending."
Ares stood motionless beside her. Silver armor. Silver eyes. The scar across his face visible beneath the ship's crimson lights
"The first War of Gods lasted three days." His deep German-accented voice echoed through the chamber.
"This one has lasted three years." His glowing eyes remained fixed on the world below.
" Let's end it."
Loki laughed softly. Not mocking. Not amused. Merely knowing. "It won't end." She swirled the wine in her glass.
"There is no end." Ares finally looked at her.
"There is." A small smile appeared on his scarred face.
"You just have to make one." Then he stepped forward. And jumped.
No hesitation. No dramatic speech. No battle cry, he simply fell. Loki walked to the edge and looked down. Ares descended through space.
Faster. And faster. And faster. His body began growing, Hundreds of feet, Thousands. His form expanded with every passing second. By the time he reached the upper atmosphere he looked less like a god and more like a falling mountain.
Fire engulfed him. The skies of Vanahime turned red. Clouds evaporated. Birds scattered in terror. People below noticed it immediately. Farmers stopped working. Hunters lowered their bows. Children pointed toward the sky. Even the forest seemed quieter. The lone Gulon who was waiting for his prey looked up at the changing sky. Not caring about the prey he was waiting for.
People looked upward and saw a second sun descending from heaven. A burning god. A living meteor. Then he struck, the impact shook continents. The explosion swallowed forests. Mountains shattered. Rivers reversed their course. A shockwave raced across the planet faster than sound itself, flattening everything in its path.
Millions screamed. Millions more never got the chance. A crater hundreds of miles wide appeared upon the world. At its center stood Ares the God of War.
Towering above mountains. Towering above cities. Towering above everything. His silver eyes gazed down at the world beneath him. Unmoved. Unimpressed. Unmerciful to it's core.
Far above, Loki watched from the ship. And she saw something beginning. The planet was changing. Cracks spread through the crust. Thin at first. Then wider. Then wider still. Molten rivers erupted from beneath the surface. Entire mountain ranges split apart. Forests disappeared beneath oceans of fire. The beautiful green world began breaking apart like glass dropped upon stone.
Loki sighed.
"And that's…" She looked at the bright sun.
" The end of Vanahime." She took another sip.
Behind her the destruction continued. From space, glowing red scars spread across the entire planet.
Yet suddenly, she frowned. Something tugged at her senses. A faint feeling. Small. Distant. Wrong like something insignificant yet crucial happened.
Loki lowered her glass. For the first time since arriving, genuine curiosity appeared in her eyes.
"Dhira…" She slowly rolled the name across her tongue. The flames reflecting within her orange eyes danced slightly brighter. A few moments passed. Then a smile appeared. Not a mocking smile. Not a cruel one. An interested one.
"Now isn't that interesting…"