The Descent from Peace to Pandemonium

Heaveny beings naturally have more discipline and restraint than mortals. But at this moment, a frenzy ensued that was pure chaos!

"Can this be true?!"

"A goddess consorting with a mortal? And princess Zemyna no less?!"

"There's simply no way in heaven or earth that could happen!"

"But why would the prince lie? Could jealousy truly bring him to do such a foolish a thing?"

All manner of protests, outbursts, and discord filled the chamber. But as quickly as it arose, it ceased. Because suddenly, everyone in the chamber could feel Chief Archon begin to emit a dangerous energy that clearly meant that he would start shattering souls if this madness continued.

The council members instantly got a grip and chose to be silent until Chief Archon Zariah spoke.

A moment that felt like an eternity for Mordecai and the Council of Nine passed before the immense pressure coming from the Chief Archon subsided. If it were not for the Head Priestess placing her hand on his, he would not have reigned in his wrath so rapidly.

Once Chief Archon Zariah's expression relaxed, he spoke. " Prince Mordecai, Zemyna is my first-born, heir to the Sun-Throne upon which I now sit, and the pride of my seed." The more he addressed his son, the more the thought of Zemyna's character being challenged in this way infuriated him. He still managed to control his anger, but his presence was still a bit stifling and his next words stung Mordecai's heart even more.

"I am not incapable of shattering the soul of my own son in order to preserve peace! But given that Hermes, my father's creation, let you in here, he must have had a reason. So, I will give you one chance to continue existing. Go. Bring Zemyna here. I trust her word over any other of you my wife was gracious enough to give birth to. Her testimony will decide your fate."

Prince Mordecai left the council chamber with a sense of urgency that reflected the degree to which the core of his being was trembling. But none of this was unexpected. In fact, it went better than he thought. Worst case, Mordecai thought he might be obliterated right then and there. And the way his father's scepter glowed red with intense power, he could tell the Chief Archon had considered doing exactly that. Perhaps his mother's presence afforded him this moment of mercy.

But no one would breathe easy for a long time. Because no matter what Zemyna said in the council, the royal family was now in a sensitive situation. However, no energy could be spared to consider that now. Damage control would have to wait until the damge was done. Mordecai had to get to Zemyna's domain as quickly as possible. And since she had powerful wards around her domain that prevented uninvited guests from teleporting there, he had to fly.

Now if this were a normal situation, no one else would know of what had just transpired and Mordecai would have been able to fly to retrieve Zemyna without anyone even noticing. But his other siblings had sensed what happened through their divine tether.

All gods and goddesses of the nine heavens were capable of strong spiritual connections called divine tethers with their loved ones and most trusted allies. These tethers transmitted thoughts, images, emotions, and more at will. It served as the preferred means of communication to many. And when the tether was made strong enough through deepened trust and the growth of the bond between the souls involved, another ability manifested. The divine tether became capable of letting one know when the other was in state of severe distress or agony. Furthermore, this happened without the sender being aware because the tether was able to act on subconscious level. So the events that just took place in the council chamber, which shook the foundations of Mordecai's state of mind, triggered this function and alerted his siblings who were now beginning to appear next to him.

"Oh, how simply wonderful this is, dear brother!" Zara exclaimed as she appeared beside him.

*Mmmwuah!* Lilianna kissed her brother on the cheek and joined the conversation. "To think you finally found proof of what we've known all along. That Zemyna is far from the perfect creature Father thinks she is." Lilianna said in a stuck up tone.

"Yes, but will she admit to it?" Lyra posed this question when she arrived.

"That is indeed our main concern." Micheal chimed in as he appeared.

"Zemyna? Lie?? And to Father no less?! There's not a chance of that happening, Lyra." Zara said with confidence.

"Ahhh, that's what you're counting on isn't it, Mordecai? That Zemyna's nature will be her own undoing." Micheal realized.

"Yes, though for now, I would settle for keeping my soul in tact a while longer." Mordecai said in a grim tone.

None of his siblings had anything else to say once they were reminded of the gravity of the situation. Death works differently for gods and goddesses. The stronger their soul is, the longer they live. However, their death is simply a transition to a state of oneness with the Creator. A blissful existence that though everyone looks forward to, no one rushes.

Mordecai deliberately chose this somber note to silence his siblings and distract them from the bigger picture for a little while longer. Because soon there would be no peaceful days for anyone. He knew that Zemyna was bound to speak the truth and that her position as heir would be called into question. And of course, neither he or any of his sisters or brother, would make a more fit heir. Which could lead to other families making a claim for their position and removing them from the ruling class. Things were dire. But he knew it would be even worse had someone else learned of Zemyna's secret and used it to blind side them after gaining support from other rival families. That's why he did what he did. Mordecai excelled at playing the long game. Though he was not sure how this would all end. He wondered if even his mother or grandfather knew.

All he could do was focus on the problem in front of him for now. And that was bringing Zemyna to the council chamber before his father's patience withered. Mordecai felt an intense tremor in his heart as Mount Everatha, the largest peak in the nine heavens, and the center point of Zemyna's domain, came into view. After all, Chief Archon Zariah had the most authority in the nine heavens, but Zemyna had the most power. She could shatter his soul and the souls of his siblings before they even realized she made a move against them. All Mordecai and the others could do was pray that Zemyna's merciful nature and her reverence for the law would keep her from doing so.

"I really have the worst luck." Mordecai sighed and then steeled his heart once more as he began to approach Zemyna's territory.