Chapter 12: The Council of Celestials

After arriving in Paradise, the Crusadia team was greeted by the Celestial Knights. They were handcuffed and being led to the Temple of Horux, the Celestial citizens looking shocked and surprised when they first saw ordinary people walking into Paradise. Elastor said:

"Well, we look like real criminals."

Grim replied:

"Hehe except me, there's no way to handcuff me without my left arm."

Elastor said:

"Yeah, so shackles are best."

Except for everyone else, only Grim was shackled and had to drag a big weight. Grim sighed and said:

"Oh damn it."

Lamalia said:

"I thought this place would be more intimate. They were like the first creations of the God Horux, they had to be as kind as He."

Julia replied:

"Well, life is unpredictable."

Alata said:

"Where are they taking us?"

Belle replied:

"Maybe it's that giant building."

Eva said:

"If the Council is there, we can ask them to fight the Kraton Empire."

Elastor said with suspicion:

"Well, let's hope so."

They were taken away. Meanwhile below ground, the Kraton Empire's fleet was approaching the snowy mountains. Xanuguis turned on the hologram screen covering that area and said:

"This place has a lot of narrow ravines, it will be difficult for us to get inside. There is also no life on the ground, a few small bacteria. Is this the right place to go, my Emperor? "

Everest replied:

"If this is where the blue light is leading us. Then this is the right place. Xanuguis, you go find a way to get inside."

Xanuguis said:

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xanuguis ordered two small zeppelins to fly close to the snowy mountains to explore. But as soon as they entered, they were destroyed by an avalanche. Xanuguis checked to the top of the mountain and discovered a statue that shook the mountain to cause an avalanche. Xanuguis said:

"Oh, that's interesting."

Then the whole fleet stopped in front of the snowy mountains to find a way in. Back to the Crusadia team, they were standing in front of the golden gate with two diamond giants in the middle. A knight blew a green horn and activated a spell on the gate to open it on its own. They then continued to walk inside the Temple of Horux and the gate closed automatically. Inside the Temple was a vast library with Celestial intellectuals and scholars flying around and contemplating the ancient poems and legends of the God Horux. The library had many bookshelves floating in the air thanks to special magic. Those who finished reading the book, it would fly back to the right old place by itself. Seeing the Crusadia team, the scholars flew down and looked very curious about them. One person touched Alata's hand and checked his eyes, he said:

"This kid looks so weird, his limbs, teeth, eyes are all perfect. He's as beautiful as an angel."

Alata showed a satisfied smile and raised eyebrows with friends like he was really pretty. The Crusadia team looked a bit surprised by the curiosity of the scholars when they entered the most important place of the Temple, the Chamber of the Council. It was both a chamber and a shrine. There was a blue flame in the middle of the room and around it were six diamond thrones floating in midair in a semicircle. They were the Council, the six Elder Celestials, men of infinite wisdom, the living history books of the world, and the most incomparable beings. The Elder Celestials were very old when their beards were so long that even though the throne was six meters high, it could still touch the floor. They have white glowing eyes that symbolize their sharing in the power of the God Horux. They wore magnificent and aristocratic golden armors that showed their absolute power. The Elder Celestials were Mondu-Celestial of Wise, the one sitting on the left, Saturtu-Celestial of Faith, the one sitting on the right, Tuesu-Celestial of Peace, the one sitting in the middle left, Frigu-Celestial of Brave, the one sitting in the middle right, Wensdu-Celestial of Destiny and Thurstu-Celestial of History, the two in the center. Behind them was another statue of the god Horux with his arms outstretched to create the universe. The columns in the chamber were their statues and on the walls were engravings of the history of the universe. The Celestial Knights knelt before them and forced the Crusadia team to bow, so they had to. The Elder Celestials nodded and let them stand. The Elder Celestials looked at the Crusadia team and Wensdu spoke with curiosity:

"Who are you?"

Eva stepped out and replied calmly:

"My name is Eva Gloria, we are the Crusadia team from the Highland Continent, we came here to meet the Council and the God Horux."

Thurstu said:

"How did you get here?"

Eva replied:

"We followed the instructions of the four pieces of God Horux, which led us here."

Frigu said:

"It's rare that in more than ten thousand years, no mortal has ever stepped foot here. Or our time has flown by so quickly."

Tuesu continued:

"So what's your purpose in coming here? To follow the legend to become the next god?"

Eva said:

"No, to warn you. A few years ago, you expelled a Celestial named Everest Ixan. Now he has created a mighty empire to come here to destroy Paradise and steal power of God Horux. He has destroyed many kingdoms, including our home. We ask for your help to destroy Everest and the Kraton Empire once and for all."

The Elder Celestials looked surprised when Eva mentioned Everest. They discussed it for a while, and then Wensdu said:

"This matter, we already know it will happen, let Lord Vahalla Omen decide."

The Elder Celestials took their staff and knocked on the air creating an echo. The echoes have merged to create an even louder echo on the roof. And on the top of the chamber, a Celestial statue moved, it slowly moved and transformed into a Celestial. That Celestial had four wings and wore an armor with the blue color of the universe. He slowly descended and hovered in the air with his four wings spread out. The back of his head was a halo of golden halo shining everywhere. The Elder Celestials bowed to him and said in unison:

"Lord Vahalla Omen has descended."

Vahalla Omen nodded slightly, he looked like Everest because they were both the first two Celestials of the God Horux, the first and only two Celestial Masters. Vahalla helped God create the world, after He disappeared, he and Everest became Celestial of Legends and Celestial of Fates. He was also the creator of the Council of Celestials when instead of keeping power for himself, he shared power with the six most knowledgeable people. After banishing Everest from Paradise, he decided to sleep forever and leave power and governance of Paradise to the Council. Vahalla was only awakened with the six staffs of the six Elder Celestials and only when the situation in Paradise was extremely dangerous. Vahalla Omen looked at the Crusadia team and calmly said:

"I've heard it all. You need our help to defeat Everest and the Kraton Empire."

Eva replied:

"That's right, Lord Vahalla Omen. The situation is very dangerous in Paradise, if we don't defeat Everest now the Old World will be over. We need to it quick."

Although it sounded very serious, Vahalla only replied coldly:

"We won't help you."

Crusadia team was dumbfounded at Vahalla's words. Elastor said with surprise:

"What do you mean? Won't you help us fight our common enemy now? They will destroy Paradise with no mercy."

Vahalla replied:

"Not if I give them the Soul of Horux."

Eva said:

"Wait, what does that mean? Your mission is to protect Paradise and the Soul of Horux from all enemies."

Vahalla replied:

"We've seen it all. And in part, I thought Everest was right. He was right from the start and we're just blind to the legacy of Horux."

Vahalla recounts to the Crusadia team the day of Everest betrayal in their anxiety and surprise. That day, when Everest was still a Celestial Master, he angrily pushed open the door to the Chamber of the Council. The Elder Celestials were surprised to see Everest leaving the position of observing people and controlling their fate. Everest pointed his finger at the Council and said:

"I cannot accept this position anymore. We have wronged the will of God Horux, He wants us to observe and protect mankind, not change their decision.

The Book of Fates is a prison, not something good."

Wensdu replied:

"Silent! You and Vahalla have agreed to give power to the six of us to build the world and watch mankind.

We have given you the mission to observe and change the fates of humans as the Book of Fates was written."

Everest said:

"I do not accept that, more than a thousand years of changing fates. I have seen people who could have changed their fate to overcome difficulties, but I have seen people who used their own fate to rule and exploit the weak. God Horux never wanted a world where the strong and the weak clashed like that, He wanted balance, you call it balance? The Book of Fates destroyed that balance."

Thurstu replied:

"Don't forget your place on this Council Everest. Now what are your intentions? Betraying the Council, Paradise and the God Horux?"

Everest summoned his sword and pointed it at the blue flame in the middle of the chamber and said strongly:

"That's right, legend has it that someone will become the next God Horux, one is to keep the Old World alive, the other is to activate The Rebirth of The World, create the New World. I choose option two. "

Everest flew to take over the Soul of Horux, Vahalla jumped from nowhere and pushed Everest hard against the wall. Vahalla said angrily:

"Stop it Everest, you're going crazy. We Celestials must follow God Horux's orders, you can't take the Soul of Horux."

Everest replied angrily:

"And I don't want to listen to him anymore!"

Everest pushed Vahalla away and continued to charge to take the Soul of Horux. Vahalla had no other choice. When Everest was about to touch the Soul of Horux, Vahalla lunged forward and slashed at Everest's four wings, instantly losing all of his power. Everest lay on the floor, he looked behind him and realized his wing had been cut off. Vahalla said:

"This is the price for betraying the God Horux. Council, decide his fate."

Mondu summoned the Book of Fates, he opened it and found the correct name of Everest, he said:

"The Council has decided, your new fate is to become a mortal. This will be your punishment and you will never return to Paradise again."

Everest became so angry, he raised his sword high and said angrily:

"I am the Celestial of Fates and you decide my fate of your own accord. Then you will understand, when your fates are written therein as destined and forever so, there will be no freedom or a way to change your destiny. You are so blind to the truth."

The Celestial Knights flew to take Everest but he resisted and attacked back. Everest quickly killed a knight and got his hands on the blue flame and took away some of its power. The Elder Celestials were all surprised by that and Everest ran away from it. Vahalla said:

"Go after him!"

But Everest was able to run away from the Temple, he ran out of Paradise because it had no walls and jumped down into the human world. Everest used a cloud to help him land safely. And then it was when Everest began to create the Kraton Empire, preparing the most powerful army and Grand Generals to invade Paradise. Vahalla continued:

"And then, despite my doubts, I still heard the words of Everest and watched mankind like him for a hundred years. And indeed, I was too blinded by the command of God Horux. Humans are killing each other and nothing can stop this conflict. Even if it is exchanged for peace, how long will that peace last until the kingdom is corrupt and the killing continues and cannot be stopped. Humans were always a greedy, cruel, violent, unable to change themselves, sinful species. The God Horux was wrong to order us to protect them. Book of Fates, will be destroyed forever."

Vahalla's harsh words about the evil of humans were like Everest Zed's words not miss a single word. The Crusadia team was surprised and shocked at their last thought to defeat the forever lost Kraton Empire and even agreed to the enemy's idea. Especially Eva when her thoughts and ideals of peace seemed to be shattered when even pure beings like Celestials could think about destroying humanity and its good in order to destroy only the evil. Crusadia team's final quests and journey were completely failed. Valhalla continued:

"I will send a messenger down there to invite Everest up here. As for you, go home."

After hearing Vahalla's words, the Crusadia team was taken out of the Chamber of Council by the knights. Eve turned to look at Vahalla and the six Elder Celestials as they witnessed their indifference to the threat of the Kraton Empire. A Celestial was sent and flew down to the human world to meet Everest. Vahalla took out the Book of Fates, which he held up and said strongly:

"Let the balance be destroyed, let the world burn so that the Old World can be reborn as a New World!"

Vahalla slowly crushed the Book of Fates, its destruction would cause chaos throughout the universe, the dead would come back to life, time was just a common definition, age would mean nothing and choice of the people would really mean but will they be responsible for that. Suddenly Grim and Alata transform into smoky bodies and ghosts to break free from their chains. They sped forward and Grim kicked Vahalla back causing him to drop the Book of Fates and Alata caught it. Alata said:

"We need to retreat now!"

Alata quickly flew out of the Temple using his ghost body and the Book of Fates. Grim released smoke that made everyone invisible but Vahalla could see him, he grabbed him easily and said:

"Insolent, you think we can't see through smoke?"

Grim replied sarcastically:

"No, but this."

Grim turned into smoke and escaped from Vahalla's hand, he rushed to break the chain for Crusadia team and they quickly ran away. Eve and Lamalia summoned The Riser and The Rhino. The Riser had the body of leaves and vines and the horn replaced with a rose hat. The Rhino had a black body and a lightning bolt-shaped horn. Eva took Julia and Lamalia took Elastor and Belle out of the temple. Vahalla shouted:

"Catch them!"

The knights flew over and attacked the Crusadia team, but The Star and The Predator stopped them. The Rhino rammed the gate and they ran into the city. The knights also quickly chased after them. The members of the Crusadia team spread out into the streets of Paradise to protect the Book of Fates. At the same time, the messenger of Paradise flew to the ground, and he was shocked at the scene before him. The zeppelins of the Kraton Empire continuously fired cannons and destroyed mountains to create access. A place that used to be high mountains like an impregnable wall was now just an empty field. But he still managed to calm himself and flew down closer to the fleet. But he didn't notice a gun barrel was pointed at him and Bang! That celestial fell on the emperor's zeppelin and Zilan raised his gun and said proudly:

"The first bird was taken down by me."

That Celestial was carried inside by the soldiers before Everest. Everest looked at him and said:

"The wing is just hurt, well done Zilan. Wake him up for me."

A soldier poured a bucket of water on the messenger, who woke up in a panic and said:

"What? What just happened?"

Everest replied:

"I am Emperor Everest Ixan, who are you?"

The messenger knelt before Everest and said:

"Yes, Emperor, knowing you are coming, Celestial Master Vahalla Omen invites you to Paradise in peace. You may bring a few people there but please don't make war."

Everest nodded and replied:

"So Vahalla agreed with me instead of fighting with us? Maybe it's a trap. Oh anyways, all the fleets go up through the clouds, we'll head to the teleport circle."

The messenger was a bit surprised, he said:

"But this whole fleet? Is that too many soldiers, Your Majesty?"

Everest replied:

"No, then you'll understand."

Suddenly Bahamat punched the messenger's head, Everest wearily said:

"Oh, Bahamat. I don't want to kill him, you always make people lose interest."

Bahamat replied:

"Sorry Emperor, I think he's useless so there's no need to be here."

Everest said:

"It's too easy to kill him, you have to make him watch Paradise destroyed, that's real murder."

Sanuguis discovered the Crusadia team's zeppelin, and she informed Everest:

"Your Majesty, the Crusadia team has reached Paradise first."

Everest replied:

"Just ignore them, we don't need time to care about them."

The Emperor's zeppelin lands on the teleport magic circle, which slowly teleports it and several small zeppelins up to Paradise. And the rest of the fleet flew up high, crossed the clouds to reach Paradise. Everest looked up at the approaching Paradise and said:

"I'm back, and I bring destruction."

The last day of Paradise had come.