2 Unholy Punishment

The nuns lined up in front of the statues representing the Eight Great Gods. The Great Goddess of light, Great Goddess of nature, Great Goddess of wealth, Great God of Life, Great God of Death, Great God of Darkness, Great God of Beasts, and finally The Great God of Magic.

The statues though made of mundane materials held a deep connection with the beings they were representing.

Every prayer, every wail cursed, every blessing asked in front of the statues reached the gods' ears definitely, hence the humans' belief over them. Two centuries ago when the country of Lena perished there was a time when mortals lost their beliefs over the gods but as time passed the deaths and the horrors were just words written under historians' pens.

The memory remained vivid, no one completely forgot the tragedy, yet the emotions connected to it no longer mattered. Years have passed and humans have evolved and also slowly, the gods were once again worshipped, their power once again sung about and talked about.

So it was mandatory for nuns to place offerings on the Gods' alters, a tribute showing the gratitude the humans felt.

Eight maiden nuns who worshipped the eight gods stepped out from the rest kneeling before the statues paying their respects.

Men and mingled in the back staying silent as the ceremony carried on their backs straight hands clasped together, hoping all their wishes would be granted.

That was when the nuns who were standing at the very back started moving restlessly. Their bodies heating up with sudden warmth an unfamiliar urge rising within them as they shifted trying to make them more comfortable.

Another started dozing off, her mind shutting down too lazy to carry on. The once next to her acting the same lethargy plaguing their minds and bodies.

But the real disgrace started when the temple doors opened when the gifts the gods have bestowed were showed.

The nuns who have sworn to preserve their purity, souls light as the day, maidens who devoted themselves to the gods started fighting over the rewards, the ones feeling hot ripping at their clothes to find some relief and the others completely falling down on the street having the uncanny urge to sleep.

Seeing the nuns' behavior the people started murmuring, the skies darkening due to the gods' rage. Humiliation, it was humiliation, a direct cut towards them. Disgracing their presence, a grave sin.

As soon as it started it ended, everyone within the immediate vicinity falling unconscious leaving only seven immaculately dressed teenagers behind.

Confused they eyed each other unable to comprehend what was going on but soon when thunder struck, and light flashed they had their answer, for the mighty god of Life and god of death were standing in front of them strict glares marring their faces.

"Busted." The boy with raven hair and green eyes whispered, a look of annoyance flashing past his face as he looked at the gods standing in front of him while the rest of them held the same sentiment.

Col always hated when the two made holes in their fun, specially Zohar with his wild fantasies of finding them redemption when everyone from the celestial heaven to the fiery hells knew that there was none to be found. He just wanted to enjoy the sweet delicacies the earth has to offer.

Before he could voice his displeasure Pride stepped forward, as always taking charge. The slick dark golden-haired boy was the only one who could be even remotely associated with control among them.

"Zohar, Emidio, long time no see." Nicholos greeted coming stand directly in front of the heavenly beings, his blue orbs probing the two.

"Indeed, but the pleasure of the visit has been drained leaving only plain disappointment." Emidio was the first to speak his wise eyes judging. For some unexplainable reason, his words made the hearts of the seven drop slightly, yet as usual, they brushed it off not giving into the pathetic emotions.

While the Nicholos and Emidio engaged in a silent war of staring Zohar observed the others.

Col stood to the side as always his hands casual tucked inside his pockets a look of disinterest marring his face as he waited to get away from their presence as soon as possible. Probably planning the next restaurant he wants to visit already. The evolved civilization of humans had done him good, Gluttony using every moment to indulge in his favorite sin.

Then it was Envy, the quiet one. Damien with his brown hair and grey eyes did not seek attention like the other six but still joined with them in wreaking havoc, sometimes doing the most of the damage.

Greed had already taken his phone out checking on his next business adventure, the richest of them all. Graced with violet eyes and red hair the boy held himself grandly. Though each one of them loathes being associated with emotions or feelings Lucien cared most for his siblings, though not blood-related.

Amara and her seductive lust-inducing ways never changed her messy ways ensued throughout the days having even a small part to do with great wars or simple quarrels. Thick midnight blue hair caressed her cheeks as she watched her dark eyes shining in amusement waiting for the inevitable lecture from us.

Then there were the twins having dame silver hair and ruby eyes, Lilith's much darker than Aaro's. They both already showed impatience arms crossed against their chests, perfect copies of each other yet so different.

"So, are we all going to stare at each other the whole evening or is there any reason behind this visit. The last time you graced us with your presence you banned us from stepping into half of the countries in the world." Amara questioned her hand resting in her hip as she cocked an eyebrow waiting for his answer.

"It was only two, darling, well that was after all those times he banned us from various others, so I guess you are correct in a way." Lilith murmured a cute frown on her loving face as she counted how many countries they've been banned from over the centuries.

"That was cruel, we only set some hair on fire that day. We did not even use our powers." Lilith continued sending a glare at Zohar mad at him for ruining all the fun.

But what she forgot to mention was the number of hair they set fire on, an entire council of minor gods and demons subjugated to endure the searing pain of fire licking at their skulls was no minor matter.

If it had not been for the Great Gods, the country in which they've held the meeting would have been completely abolished and ruined due to the gods' ire. Great or not, the minor gods were still gods, they were to be respected.

Aaro patted his sister's head in comfort seeing her upset before sighing. There was no more entertainment, why were they still standing here?

When he directed the question he was only met with silence.

"Has he gone mute?" Envy in one of his rare moments of humor whispered close to Lucien making the other snicker in amusement happy he talked.

Getting Damien to talk was one of the hardest tasks in the world and when he did it was enough to make everyone's day. But this time the joy did not last long for Zohar as always found a way to dampen it.

"You will all be attending Teras." Zohar finally opened his mouth, the words leaving his lips settling gravely on their shoulders making them stand stunned even Nicholos pulled away from his silent battle with the God of Death.

"What?"

"You cannot be serious!"

"Cease with your jokes Zohar."

"Nonsense!"

"Insanity!"

"He's finally lost his damned mind!"

"Bloody hell!"

All at once, the seven started protesting suppressing the urge to shudder at the mere thought of the place they set their vicious eyes on the two gods ready to fight. Anything was acceptable but attending Teras was out of the question, the place reeked of pompous, righteous men and women.

"Silence!" Zohar roared having enough of their insolence.

"My tolerance to your impudence does not mean I will abide by your disrespectful behavior. Enough with your childish quibbles, hurry along you have one week to get ready." His voice thundered in power before he vanished in a wake of thunder and light reminding them why he was the most feared God.

The Great God of Life held all the power.

Emidio hid his smirk amused at his friend's display before he turned towards the insolent little harpies before him.

"I might hurry. He has been in a bad mood, I would think twice before provoking his ire." He warned before he too vanished this time it was shadows and rain which engulfed the earth.

The seven fumed mad, soaking wet in the unnecessary rain, brought upon just for a display of little power they scoffed in annoyance before vanishing away. Knowing there was no way out of the impending doom.

'A child's tantrum far cruel than any grown adult's anger.'

~~<<>>~~<<>>~~<<>>~~

"What prompted this anger and the itch for punishment?" Emidio questioned as soon as they landed back on the Celestial Heavens, looking inquiringly at the mad god.

"I've finally lost my patience. They need to stop acting like children. It is no more the first century." Zohar answered before storming away leaving behind a resigned God of Death.

Shaking his head in helplessness Emidio slowly walked to his domain chuckling at the cruel punishment the seven has received. If there was any place they loathed it the Teras, the Academy for the Gifted, the safe haven to the virtues, Chastity, Abstinence, Liberality, Diligence, Patience, Kindness, and Humility the exact opposite of the seven.

The Six Deadly Sins and The Seven Heavenly Virtues never got along their disdain for each other clear as the sunny sky. And with one extra virtue, the sins raved madly at the oddity.

Haides fancied his rule over hell, but his responsibility for the sins was never fulfilled, hence Zohar's attention over the mischievous seven. But the others have always been properly looked after Elektra fulfilling her role very thoroughly.

Unlike the sins the virtues were steadfast, and people admired them which included everyone who resided in Teras. The publicly displayed love towards whom they preserve to be the enemy was not well-liked by the sins, hence their heavy reluctance.

Zohar may have really lost his patience this time, but Emidio looked forward to the coming years. The heavens have been with less entertainment these days but it seems the fates really favored him, despite being death and all. And if his instincts were anywhere near accurate he was sure Zohar's dreams would be fulfilled sooner than he expected.

The sins and their lives were always so entertaining.

The thought rushed around his mind but the only indication of his elation was the happy tune he hummed as he neared his domain, acting so unlike his godly status.

'One should not wish so easily for they would not like it when they are finally not so wistful.'