Do you believe in fate?
Most people would answer with a resounding, "Yes!"
Of course, that answer is expected. Life, love, meeting, parting, and death are all said to be part of fate.
Yet many people are burdened with tragic fates—being born with defects, trapped in poverty, chained by ignorance, and so on.
If asked who is responsible for all that, most would loudly answer: the gods!
They are the ones who hold power over fate, yet they cruelly bestow such cursed destinies upon people.
Well, that's no surprise. After all, the gods are nothing but… shit.
...
"Hahaha! Splendid! Truly marvelous! I never thought you'd survive this far, Ishtar Ardenis! Your strength surpasses that of any living being in this world. Given more time, I swear you might have become one of the gods!"
High above the sky, a man with a hideous appearance grinned coldly.
He was bald, with two crimson eyes and scaly black skin. Strange ancient patterns covered his body, making him look utterly terrifying.
His frame was tall, his chest and abdomen packed with powerful muscles. Even while hovering, he exuded an overwhelming aura.
For a hundred kilometers around, the air grew so dense that anyone would struggle to breathe.
About two hundred meters from him floated a strikingly handsome man. Tall and well-built, his two blue eyes were as beautiful as the ocean.
His hair was black like the night sky, and he wore a spotless white robe over a tight black shirt that highlighted his toned muscles.
Despite the praise, his face showed no ripple of emotion—only indifference and coldness.
"Your words don't please me, Vorgrath. On the contrary, they disgust me. Don't ever compare me to those wretched gods," he said coldly.
"Hahaha! Still so damn arrogant, Ishtar—but that's what makes you interesting," Vorgrath laughed, a faint grin curling his lips. Suddenly, his expression twisted into anger and hatred as he continued, "But it's not just you—I hate them too! Both of us are nothing but toys they created and discarded whenever they pleased! I won't accept it! Surely you feel the same, Ishtar."
Unfortunately, Ishtar wasn't swayed by his words. His expression stayed cold and indifferent as he glared at her with murderous intent.
"Don't lump me together with you, trash god. I refuse to be compared to the likes of you!"
The insult ignited Vorgrath's fury. He clenched his palms, and a terrifying black aura burst violently from his body.
"Ishtar!" he roared. "You've insulted me countless times, and today I will kill you! Be it this world or the heavens—everything will fall into my hands!"
With that, he slammed his palms together, summoning a massive sphere of black energy above his head.
He thrust both hands forward, shouting, "Die!"
Whoosh!
The energy sphere shot forward at incredible speed. Wherever it passed, the air rippled and expanded, while the temperature soared wildly.
Facing the attack, Ishtar calmly lifted his right hand. A pitch-black staff instantly appeared in his grasp.
The staff was long, topped with a deep purple crystal. Ishtar spun it swiftly before drawing it forward.
"Stop," he said coldly.
At once, the black sphere froze in place. A heartbeat later, it shrank rapidly into a tiny speck—before vanishing completely.
As if he had expected this, Vorgrath didn't falter. Raising both hands high, he conjured fifty black portals across the sky.
From the vortex of the portals, giant monsters with terrifying forms emerged and charged toward him.
Isthar didn't flinch. He spun his magic staff, summoning dozens of fire dragons that instantly lunged at the beasts.
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted, followed by a shockwave that shook the air.
In the blink of an eye, Isthar vanished from sight and reappeared right in front of Vorgrath. With a swift twist of his staff, he struck at his neck.
Kring!
The moment the staff's tip touched his scales, a magic circle flared to life, unleashing a blazing orb of fire that detonated instantly.
Boom!
Vorgrath's body was blasted far downward. But Isthar didn't stop there.
He hurled his staff upward, then pressed his palms together.
"Time to end this, Vorgrath!"
Whoosh!
Vorgrath's body suddenly froze in midair. On both his sides, five space vortices opened, releasing massive silver chains that shot out and coiled tightly around him.
Vorgrath's eyes widened in horror. He roared in disbelief, "How is this possible!? How can you wield the power of rules!? This isn't right! I don't believe it!"
But his cries were useless. Isthar, sweating yet composed, only sneered mockingly.
"Nothing is impossible in this world, damn you! Today, I'll seal you away forever!"
He formed a strange hand seal, and a black gate tore open behind Vorgrath, pulling the struggling god toward it.
Vorgrath glared at Isthar with pure hatred. "Isthar! Don't think you've won! I swear I will return! And when that day comes, this world will be reduced to ash! I swear it on my name!"
His furious voice echoed as his body vanished into the gate.
Moments later, the gate dissolved, leaving behind only an eerie silence.
"Finally… we won. It's all over," Ishtar muttered weakly.
His face grew pale, and his hair turned white in the blink of an eye.
Pufft!
A sharp pain tore through his throat as blood spilled from his mouth. He pressed his right palm to it, staring at the dark red stain.
"My time… is finally up," he whispered, shaking his head feebly.
He lifted his gaze to the ruined landscape around him. The ground was lifeless, countless lives reduced to ashes, creating a scene of eerie desolation.
The ocean was blackened, and the sky burned red, as if the apocalypse had just passed.
Isthar opened his palms, and a red ball of light materialized.
Inside, a small red dragon slept, curled up peacefully.
"My dear," he murmured softly. "I'm sorry for breaking my promise. But it's over now. This world… has peace, even if only for a while. I—"
Before he could finish speaking, blood spurted from his mouth, and his heart raced.
Ignoring the pain, Ishtar extended his index finger toward the little dragon and whispered, "Don't worry. One day, a man will rise in my place. He will be the one to end the disasters that plague this world. When that time comes… please help him, okay?"
Buzz!
The ball of light glowed brilliantly before slowly rising and disappearing into the sky.
Ishtar let out a quiet sigh as he gazed into the distance. His eyes suddenly widened in surprise, as if he had seen something astonishing.
But the shock was fleeting, replaced quickly by relief and a radiant smile.
He murmured softly, "Thank you…"