Half a year ago...
War had already carved its scars into the world. The battlefield lay in ruins, smoke drifting through the air in slow, dying currents as the fractured ground bore the weight of destruction. Broken armor, discarded weapons, and lifeless bodies were scattered in every direction, silent reminders of a conflict that refused to end.
At the center of it all stood Valak, unfazed and focused. Before him, an Arcadian soldier knelt with his weapon dropped at his side, his breath uneven as he struggled to steady himself. He was defeated and awaiting his death.
Valak raised his hand, crimson energy gathering around his palm as the air itself seemed to tighten under the pressure. For a brief moment, everything aligned, the power, the intent and the inevitability of the strike.
Then he stopped, the realisation of what he was becoming took over. The energy flickered and faded as silence stretched between them. The soldier flinched instinctively, bracing for death, but when nothing came, confusion overtook fear.
"…Go," Valak said at last.
The soldier hesitated, stunned, before scrambling to his feet and fleeing into the wasteland without daring to look back.
Valak lowered his hand slowly, his gaze drifting across the battlefield. Destruction stretched endlessly before him, repeating itself in different forms but never truly changing. The cycle remained the same, fight, win, rebuild, and inevitably… destroy again.
"…What's the point of all this…?" he murmured.
There was no anger in his voice, no frustration, only exhaustion and the world answered him with silence. Then, without warning, reality itself shifted.
A ripple passed through the air, subtle at first, but unmistakable. The battlefield blurred, the sky fractured and in an instant everything vanished. The ground beneath his feet, the smoke and the distant horizon gone as if it had never existed.
In its place stretched an endless void of green light, vast and suffocating in its stillness. Valak's body tensed immediately, his senses sharpening as his eyes scanned the empty expanse.
"…What is this?" he said, his voice echoing unnaturally into the void. "…Who's there?"
For a moment, nothing answered him and then a presence made itself known. It did not arrive, nor did it reveal itself gradually, it simply existed as though it had always been there.
Valak turned and behind him stood a figure shrouded in dark, shifting energy, their form unstable yet controlled. The power radiating from them was unlike anything he had felt before. It wasn't overwhelming in the way brute force was, it was absolute, unquestionable and beyond resistance.
Valak narrowed his eyes. "…You're not from this world."
"Correct," the figure replied calmly.
"…Who are you?" Valak demanded.
"I observe far beyond your reality," the figure said, the darkness surrounding them shifting as something radiant stirred beneath its surface. "As the God of Destruction… it is my duty to erase what must be erased."
The words carried weight, they were not threatening or aggressive, but certain. Each word had authority behind it.
"…Then why am I still here?" Valak questioned.
A faint smile formed as the God spoke. "Because you are not something that should be erased."
The figure stepped forward, their presence distorting the space around them as they continued. "Tell me… what do you truly desire, Orion?"
Valak's gaze hardened slightly at the title. "…Is this some kind of test?"
A quiet exhale followed, almost amused. "Mortals always assume we test them. I'm not here to judge you. I'm here to help you."
Silence settled between them as Valak studied the figure carefully, measuring every word, every shift in their tone. This was an interaction where he knew his power was just a speck compared to the Gods.
"…Why should I trust you?" he asked.
"Because I can give you what you've already realized you cannot obtain on your own," the god replied without hesitation. "A peaceful life. A universe free from war… one that can finally flourish."
For a moment, Valak said nothing, but his eyes flickered as the battlefield replayed itself in his mind. The destruction, the endless cycle, the lives lost only for the same war to rise again.
"Tell me," the god continued, their voice lowering slightly, "are you not tired?"
Valak didn't answer, but the tension in his jaw spoke for him. Visible he was tired from the constant fighting, the constant pain of loss and failure.
"Every battle you fight… every enemy you defeat… and yet nothing changes." The God continued.
"…Say what you came to say," Valak muttered.
"Very well." The God said with a smile.
The void seemed to still, as if even existence itself was listening. Valak focused on the divine being before him, trying to find answers to why he is here.
"No matter how hard you fight… fate has already decided your path." The God explained.
Valak's expression tightened. "…What do you mean?"
"You will continue to fight. Again. And again. And again… until there is nothing left of you but war. The peace you seek… is unattainable." Explained the God.
The words settled heavily in the space between them, pressing down in a way no physical force could. Valak was shaken by the words spoken, thoughts of being in a constant cycle of war struck fear deep in him.
"That's not…" Valak muttered before getting cut off.
"But that only applies to those bound by fate," the god continued, cutting through his protest with ease. "And I… can change that."
Valak's focus snapped back with a glimmer of hope. Could he escape this nightmarish cycle that he was trapped in?
"You don't have to follow the path that was written for you. You can rewrite it." The God claimed.
"…Rewrite fate?" he repeated.
"Yes." Replied the God.
The single word lingered longer than anything else that had been said. Valak weighed everything he had heard so far. However, he knew there had to be some form of payment.
"You're closer to the truth than anyone else," The God exclaimed.
Valak lowered his gaze to his hand, slowly clenching it as memories surged through him. Battle after battle, the same destruction, the same outcome and the soldier he had just spared. The cycle that refused to break, the truth he had been avoiding.
"…If I follow you… what happens then?" he asked quietly.
"The cycle ends," the god replied. "The universe is remade. And you… become the one who made it possible."
Valak's breathing steadied, but his thoughts churned violently beneath the surface.
This is wrong… This is dangerous… But I could change the entire universe… be the saviour it needs…
"Take some time to think about my offer… When you are ready use this crystal to return to me with your answer," the God said with a sinister smile.
A few months later...
The stars stretched endlessly beyond the observation deck, distant and unmoving as the cruiser cut through space in absolute silence. Inside, the atmosphere was anything but calm. A holographic projection flickered at the center of the briefing room, casting a pale blue glow across the metallic walls. At its core stood the image of ruined settlement structures that had collapsed, fires spreading and scattered heat signatures marking the presence of remaining life.
The hologram quickly changed to a single figure that stood over seven foot. Scars consumed it's body like it had been fighting predators for survival. the grey skin tone matched the Arcadians, but the facial structure was monstrous and vile.
"The target is an Arcadian Berserker," the commander's voice echoed through the room. "A failed augmentation. Its body no longer regulates energy output, making it highly volatile and extremely dangerous."
The image shifted as the Berserker tore through a structure, sending debris flying in all directions. It moved with no purpose, just a destructive force created to cause chaos. Arcadian Berserkers are created from the arcane energy trials, they would inject one of their own soldiers who would gain god like powers. However, the mind and body could not hold that power.
"It will not stop," the commander continued. "It does not retreat. It does not reason... Your orders are simple."
"Eliminate the target," the commander said with certainty.
Silence followed as Renku stood with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the projection. His expression was focused, but there was something else beneath it, something quieter and thoughtful. Beside him Valak watched with far less hesitation as his crimson eyes remained steady, analyzing and calculating.
"A single target," Valak said. "Then this should be over quickly."
"It has already wiped out multiple squads," he said instead. "Do not underestimate it."
Renku exhaled slowly. "Are there survivors?"
"Minimal," the commander replied. "Any civilians remaining are at extreme risk."
Renku stepped forward slightly. "Then we don't have time to waste."
Valak smirked faintly. "Now you're thinking clearly."
Moments later, the rear hatch of the cruiser opened. Wind roared into the chamber as the planet below came into view. A burning village beneath a darkened sky, smoke spiraled upward from collapsing structures as distant explosions echoed across the land. Renku stepped to the edge first as Valak followed.
For a brief moment, they stood side by side, staring down at the chaos below. Two sides of the same coin, one filled with hope and the other with chaos. Valak stepped forward off the platform and plunged down. Renku followed him as he leaped off the edge towards the battlefield. The air screamed past them as they descended, their bodies cutting through the sky like falling stars. Flames and destruction grew clearer with every second until "BOOM!" They landed.
The ground cracked beneath the impact, debris scattering outward as both men rose instantly. Arcadian soldiers rushed toward them from all sides, weapons raised, desperation written across their faces. Valak didn't hesitate as he moved first. His body blurred forward, and in the next instant, the nearest soldier was already down. One single strike to the body was enough, but before he could look for the berserk he had to deal with the other soldiers. His movements were efficient, precise, and relentless as each strike placed exactly where it needed to be. There was no wasted motion, no hesitation, just execution as he engaged the soldiers.
Valak's fist lit up with crimson energy with red lightning flickering from his body. One brave soldier lunged at Valak swinging his sword with all his might. Valak simply blocked it with one finger. Fear took over the soldier once the reality of the situation sunk in. Before he could move Valak had already appeared behind him, the soldier felt this weird feeling coming from his stomach. He looked down to see an open palm protruding from his stomach. Blood began to run down his mouth as the life left his eyes, with a quick movement Valak removed his hand and watched the body fall.
Renku moved in the opposite direction, his focus already locked onto something else. A roar shook the ground, the Berserker had caught his attention. It stood at the center of the village, its body warped by unstable energy that pulsed violently beneath its skin. Its form shifted unnaturally, muscles tearing and reforming as it slammed into the ground, sending shockwaves through the surrounding structures.
Renku surged forward as his fist connected cleanly, snapping the creature's head back as the impact cracked the air. The Berserker staggered then roared, its body forcing itself upright again as energy surged violently through it. Renku pressed forward, striking again, then again, each blow stronger than the last. He drove the creature back, forcing it into the ruins of a nearby structure.
"Stay down!" he shouted.
The Berserker rose again, its movements slower now, but no less dangerous. Its body trembled, unstable, barely holding itself together as it continued it's destructive path. From across the battlefield, Valak's voice cut through the chaos.
"Destroy its head!" he yelled at Renku.
Renku hesitated for just a moment as the creature looked at him, its form broken, unstable… but still alive. It was still something, a being crying out for help as he fell further into insanity.
"I can subdue it," Renku stated.
"Renku," Valak said sharply, "kill it."
The Berserker moved faster than before, it's arm swung wide and sloppily. It was not targeting Renku, instead it was aiming for an area that had been untouched. The fist struck the ground with tremendous force that a nearby house collapsed instantly under that force. The sound that followed was not the sound of battle, it was something else that was truly horrifying.
Renku's eyes widened. "…No…"
Dust and smoke filled the air as the remains of the structure settled into silence. There was no movement, no more voices, just lifeless bodies covered in blood and rubble. Behind him, Valak stopped for the first time since landing, he paused for a second before he moved again.
In a single motion, he appeared beside the Berserker. His hand rose as crimson energy ignited. There was no hesitation from him, his eyes fully focused on the target as his mind was completely free. "BOOM!" The attack connected, the creature's head disintegrated instantly and the body collapsed This time it didn't get back up. Silence fell over the battlefield with Renku stood frozen, staring at the ruins of the house.
His breathing slowed then tightened. "…I…"
Valak stepped toward him. "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice calm—but cold.
Renku didn't answer at first, still trying to process what had happened before him. His mind flooded with questions and answers. Neither could connect with each other as he searched deep in thought.
"I thought..." Renku began, his voice unsteady, "I thought I could stop it without..."
"Without what?" Valak cut in.
"Without killing it?" His gaze sharpened. "And how did that work out?" Valak gestured toward the destroyed home.
"That hesitation," he said, his voice lowering, "just killed them."
The words hit harder than anything else. The thoughts became louder now. Was this all my fault? Valak is right... If I just acted and killed it they would still be alive...
Renku clenched his fists. "I didn't know it would..."
"You did," Valak said with disappointment. "You just didn't want to accept it."
Renku's jaw tightened. "There was another way..."
"No," Valak said flatly. "There wasn't."
The wind carried the scent of smoke between them as Valak stepped closer. Renku could feel the fiery aura emitting from him as he got closer with each step.
"If you hesitate," he said, his voice steady and absolute, "people die."
"Do your job," Valak continued. "Or don't stand in the way of someone who will."
For a moment, neither of them moved before Valak turned away, already walking back toward the battlefield as if the conversation had ended. Renku remained where he stood staring at the ruins, at his failure. This was the first time doubt took root, the first time Renku had experienced loss because of his own actions or lack of.
A few days later...
Valak looked over at the crystal next to his bed, remembering what the God of Destruction had spoken to him about.
"…If fate really won't change…" he said slowly, tightening his grip, "…then I will."
He lifted his head, his eyes now focused and resolved. The last mission had shown him that he needed to go down a new path to save everyone and the universe. His grip tightened around the crystal. The ruined house flashed through his mind, the deafening silence… the lifeless bodies… the destruction that was left behind. Renku's voice come to him. There was another way…
Valak's expression hardened as he whispered. "…There wasn't."
"Even if I have to become the villain, the universe needs me," he stated.
Valak grabbed the crystal, activating it with his power. The room changed in an instant to the green void he once visited. Before him the God of Destruction sat in a throne above him. For the first time, the god's smile deepened.
"I take it that you have made up your mind?" The God asked.
"I accept your offer," Valak answered.
"Shall we get started then," The God said with a sinister smile.
Valak had now accepted an offer that would not only change his fate, but the entire universe and reality would feel the effects of this decision.
End of Chapter 9