>The Family of the Son of Stars<<
Time had passed quickly for Zodiark, the young heir to the cosmos. Over the years, he had been shaped and guided by three deities: Alexander, the imposing master of arms; Zeus, the impetuous and charismatic god of divine energy; and Yatma, the wise goddess of balance and compassion. Together they had forged a relationship that transcended that of teacher and pupil: they were their chosen family.
Yet the echoes of their antics and training had reached the confines of the Twelve Heavens and the Twelve Hells. Some monuments had been accidentally destroyed, sacred areas altered, and rumors of instability began to worry the major deities.
In response to these concerns, the Supreme Council of Deities was convened. Voices were raised demanding that the prince's training be suspended until the responsibilities of his mentors were reconsidered. The heavens were filled with uncertainty, and the training of Zodiark was stopped.
>>Mother's warning<<
In the chambers of the great goddess Mithrilas, mother of Zodiark, tension was palpable. His figure, ethereal and majestic, looked at the young man with a mixture of love and concern.
—My son, do not meddle in matters of the Council. Divine politics can devour even the purest hearts, he warned with a calm but firm voice.
—I know, Mother... I'm still young, and there are decisions that escape my judgment. But I also know that my mentors deserve no punishment for teaching me to be strong.
The seven-year-old Zodiark was dressed in a blue and gold armor, adorned with elemental gems that radiated power. His diadem shone with the light of the constellations, and his gaze, though young, showed determination.
He knew that his relationship with his father, the Creator, was distant. The overwhelming power of Nexus made even direct eye contact impossible. The majesty of the Creator was as unfathomable as the Primordial Void.
Zodiark wanted, more than power or duty, to feel the warmth of a family, a home where he could grow up without the constant burden of fate. With an agitated heart, he left his quarters for the meeting of the Supreme Council.
>>A child among titans<<
The Great Hall of the Council was a work of cosmic art: columns of gold and quartz supported a transparent dome from which one could see galaxies spinning in harmony. The air vibrated with the energy of the present deities: the 17 supreme gods, plus the guardians of various domains of the universe.
In the middle of the room, a vast universal map floated on a celestial glass table. It represented the Twelve Heavens, the Twelve Hells, and all mortal kingdoms.
>>Mentors on trial<<
Zodiark's mentors were already being questioned.
—¡For destroying some ancient forgotten pillars and visiting certain hells in search of... social interactions... does not make me an unworthy tutor! - Bramava Zeus, crossed arms, defying the council.
-It is not only discipline, but the example we give -replied Lods, the god of duality, whose calm voice hid an unmovable judgment.
Yatma, firm as a moonbeam in storms, raised her voice.
—Separating the prince from those who have guided him with love and honor will not bring wisdom, but coldness. Many of you don't even know how a noble soul is forged.
A goddess with short hair and sharp eyes, Fedas, number eleven of the pantheon, replied sarcastically:
-Oh, please... Yatma, have they forgotten your games of seduction? Certain gods still do not recover from your... entertainment.
Yatma frowned, and a divine spark ran through his body.
-Watch your words, Ugly. Do not confuse charm with deceit. We can't all take refuge in bitterness to feel superior.
Tension grew to the brink of chaos until Inton, god number four, struck the judgment stick on the ground. His voice resounded like a thunder between worlds:
-Order in this room! This is not a dispute of vanities, but a judgment of universal consequences.
At that moment, the doors of the Great Hall opened and everyone was silent. The figure of Zodiark moved slowly, wrapped in a halo of light and wonder. The deities knelt before him out of respect, or perhaps in fear of his lineage.
-My prince... whispered one of the guardians.
Zodiark approached firmly, climbed into a chair disproportionate to his small body, and laid his hands on the council table.
-I'm here to speak for my mentors.
A murmur ran through the room.
-Speak for them? - asked Lods.
—Yes. I do not come to ask for forgiveness or clemency. I come to demand justice. They have taught me courage, humility, honor and truth. If I am punished for learning, then I have not been trained as an heir... but as a prisoner.
His voice, though young, resonated with the strength of a destiny sealed by the stars.
From afar, Alexander watched the scene. His normally impassive gaze showed a glimpse of pride.
-He's growing up... maybe this time... listen to us.
But his face also showed a shadow of concern. He knew that Aetherios, the most mysterious and feared of the supreme gods, had not yet spoken. And when he did, everything could change.
The silence became thick as Aetherios, wrapped in a robe of stellar shadow, rose. His face was covered by a veil of cosmic fog, and his mere presence seemed to slow the flow of time.
-The son of destiny has spoken, he said, and his voice was like a stream that crossed centuries-But there are still unrevealed truths.
All listened to him in reverent tension.
—Long before the first world was born, when Nexus weaved Creation and Chaos spread Nothingness, there was a battle that tore apart the foundations of the All. Chaos's body was sealed in the Rift of the Eternal Veil, beyond linear time. It still sleeps there... guarded by the Threshold Eternals.
A shiver ran through the room.
—Zodiark is not only heir. It is key and lock. Light and shadow. His soul is intertwined with the echo of that ancient power. If his formation is unbalanced, if he falls to the extreme of power or emotion... the seal may be weakened.
-Are you saying that Chaos could come back? - Inton asked, alarmed.
-He couldn't. He'll come back. The only question is when.
The atmosphere was now denser than ever. Even the proudest gods were silent.
Aetherios slowly turned his gaze to Zodiark.
-The time of your innocence will end sooner than you wish. Remember this, young prince: balance is not taught, it is lived.
Thus the first session of the council was closed, not with a verdict, but with a new fear: that the fate of the universe would rest, from now on, on the shoulders of a seven-year-old boy.