Chapter 191: Solaris' Verdict!

Chapter 191: Solaris' Verdict!

"AS PUNISHMENT FOR YOUR ACTIONS, YOU SHALL BE DEMOTED FROM YOUR THRONE AS KING, AND I WILL PLACE A SEAL UPON YOU FOR A MILLENNIUM. IF YOU TURN A NEW LEAF WITHIN THAT TIME, YOU WILL BE SPARED," Solaris declared, his voice resonating with unyielding authority. The pronouncement carried the weight of the sun itself, silencing the murmurs of the crowd gathered before the Sun Temple.

The atmosphere was thick with tension. The one who had brought the allegations now faced the judgment of the highest deity. The paradox was not lost on the assembled nobles and lesser gods. Beneath their carefully crafted expressions of sympathy, many felt an unrestrained joy. King Rhopgin's downfall was a long-awaited reckoning.

None was more elated than Prince Derek. His dark eyes gleamed with barely concealed triumph. Finally, he thought, the throne is within my grasp. But he remained silent, his elation buried beneath a facade of solemnity. To show his glee now would be folly.

Solaris raised his hand, and from his palm emerged a radiant mark, golden and intricate, glowing with divine authority. It spiraled toward King Rhopgin like a streak of sunlight breaking through the darkest storm. Rhopgin did not resist. His survival, even under these terms, was a gift he dared not refuse. He had witnessed Solaris's might before; defiance was not an option.

The mark collided with Rhopgin's divine body, searing into his essence. His cry of pain echoed through the temple grounds as the golden seal etched itself into his very being. The agony was beyond comprehension, an endless torrent of fire coursing through his veins. Tears welled in his eyes, yet he remained upright, enduring the punishment. No one offered him solace—not the nobles, not his children, and certainly not the gods he had oppressed.

King Rhopgin had ruled with cruelty, amassing a legion of silent enemies. Now, those who once cowered before him reveled in his suffering, their hearts alight with vindication. Prince Derek clenched his fists to suppress a cheer. 'What a glorious day to be alive', he thought, fighting the urge to smirk.

The mark flared brightly, and in an instant, King Rhopgin vanished, banished to an unknown prison known only to Solaris. The air seemed lighter in his absence, as though the world itself sighed in relief.

A few in the crowd nearly erupted in celebration but quickly suppressed their joy. They dared not disrupt the solemnity of the moment while Solaris remained. The deity's gaze swept over them, silencing even their unspoken thoughts.

Solaris turned his attention to Tessa, his hardened expression softening. In her, he saw not just a warrior but a fragment of himself—a connection that stirred emotions he thought long buried. He allowed himself a moment to marvel at the unexpected blessing amidst the chaos of judgment.

Solaris's gaze fell upon Dzek, the temple priest, who now stood trembling yet resolute before the deity. The man had awakened from the stupor of witnessing divinity in its purest form. His knees threatened to buckle under the weight of Solaris's attention, but he held his ground, his breath shallow as the deity extended a glowing hand toward him.

Dzek made no move to resist. Resistance would have been futile. More than that, he had no desire to oppose the will of Solaris. His actions—though born of duty—had been fraught with fear. Now, as Solaris's hand descended, Dzek closed his eyes, bracing for judgment.

When Solaris's palm touched his shoulder, a surge of energy coursed through Dzek's body. It was as if the very sun had ignited within him, its brilliance expanding into every fiber of his being. The power was overwhelming, both searing and invigorating, burning away his doubts and fears. Dzek gasped, his body trembling under the divine infusion.

When he opened his eyes, they glowed faintly with a golden hue, a testament to the transformation he had undergone. He felt renewed, his power enhanced beyond anything he had ever imagined.

"ThIS IS A REWARD FOR YOUR WISDOM AND COURAGE," Solaris boomed, his voice echoing like rolling thunder across the temple grounds. "YOU HAVE JUDGED ARIGHT AND SUMMONED ME AT A TIME WORTHY OF MY INTERVENTION. LET THIS GIFT REMIND YOU AND OTHERS OF THE GRAVITY OF YOUR ROLE."

The audience stood spellbound. Few had ever witnessed such an event—a deity bestowing favor in person. Even among gods, Solaris's appearance was rare, a tale whispered across ages. To see him now, to watch him grant a mortal priest a fragment of his power, was an honor that left the onlookers awestruck. To see him and live was even rarer.

Dzek knelt, his voice trembling with reverence. "Thank you, my lord. I will use this power wisely, as you will it."

Solaris inclined his head slightly, a rare gesture of acknowledgment. Then, his attention turned to Tessa and Bandel Blue. His golden eyes softened as they rested on Tessa, a mixture of curiosity and paternal pride flickering within them.

"AS FOR YOU!" Solaris's voice rang out, echoing like a celestial command, yet carrying an undercurrent of something softer, almost protective. "AND YOU, BANDEL BLUE, WHO HAS STOOD AS HER GUARDIAN THIS DAY—BOTH OF YOU WILL COME WITH ME. THERE IS MUCH TO DISCUSS, AND MUCH YOU MUST KNOW."

Tessa felt her heart thunder against her ribcage. Fear, anticipation, and a strange flicker of hope coursed through her all at once. She clenched her fists, trying to steady her breath, but the weight of Solaris's words hung heavily in the air. This was no ordinary summons—this was destiny unfolding.

Beside her, Bandel Blue remained steadfast, though a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes. Relief? Perhaps. But more than that, there was an unshakable resolve. His hand tightened briefly at his side, as if anchoring himself to the moment. At least Solaris had been convinced—partially, if not entirely.

The crisis on Earth... Bandel Blue's thoughts churned. What's happening now? How much time do we have left? The clock was ticking, and the fate of Earth remained uncertain. Bandel wasn't one to don the hero's mantle easily, yet something deep within him stirred—a connection to the fragile blue planet he had come to care for, a hope that it might endure. He wasn't sure what awaited them in Solaris's realm, but he knew every decision from this point forward would shape the future.

Tessa glanced up at Bandel. Despite his calm demeanor, she could sense the storm of thoughts behind his composed gaze. She wanted to say something—perhaps to thank him, to offer reassurance—but words failed her. All she could do was stand firm and face whatever was to come.

Before either could respond, a radiant light engulfed them. The temple grounds were bathed in blinding brilliance, and when the light receded, the trio had vanished, leaving behind a crowd of onlookers still frozen in awe.

For a moment, silence reigned. Then, murmurs began to ripple through the gathering, voices filled with a mixture of fear, wonder, and unrestrained excitement. Solaris's presence had reshaped the course of their world, and none among them would ever forget what they had witnessed that day.