The Irony of Love : The Culmination of the Gods Pt. 3

Authoress: An3maePhreek

A/N: Sorry about the delay, but I did warn you about my hectic schedule… I hope this is up to par.

As Gabriel vanished, the crowd's whisperings are carried to the ears of the Council, the slight mutterings loud in the stretched time.

"No one's been able to open the Gateway with voice, much less demolish it…-"

"Aye… but then again… he's dead…-"

"Isn't that the least of our worries? The new Life has been tainte-"

"No… that doesn't mean anythi-"

As thunderous the comments were, it went out just as loudly, silence deafening. The Council is taut with anticipation, waiting for the final cue. From each faction of the crowd, a representative steps forward. Each proclaimed their decision.

"Treize Khushrenada of the Seraphims," slight pause, "…accepts the new Council."

More murmurings.

"Une of the Cherubs accepts the new Council."

With this, a steady stream of approvals were voiced, giving call the final decision. As the last voice was heard, the people dropped to their knees, showing the Council just how much they approved of their new Gods. With that, the other candidates were given the assent to sit on the now, emptied thrones, thus ending the choosing, and beginning the Final test… Bloodletting.

As they wait in the waiting room, the remaining Council members busy themselves with preparations for the Bloodletting Ritual. The walls of the room are white and oppressive, the feeling of emptiness and nothingness overwhelming the senses. However, the tension is felt crackling and the occupants can only look at each other. In their minds, there is suspicion, hesitation, and wariness. Eyes darting from person to person, mind processing the information for later usage. They stay silent as they contemplate what has happened and what will. Then a soothing tone starts to play; Death breaks the respite by singing softly, a haunting melody.

"A day without night

on a windless atmosphere

I'll tell you about the mystery that is me…

Will you listen and hear

The telling of a sad story

About love, betrayal and eternity?"

His voice drifts off on the last note, leaving his makeshift audience with different emotions that seemed to well up inside them. Chaos with understanding, Peace with sadness, Justice with pity, and Life with guilt. Death broke into a grin.

"So... now I will introduce myself. I don't have a name, but people call me Imak. What's your name? No need to introduce yourself, Lucifer, I already know yours."

Chaos spoke.

"I don't have one either, but I suppose Mada is appropriate," Mada spoke, chagrined.

"Forgive my rudeness, my name is Eve," Peace apologized.

"And I am Diov."

As Justice reluctantly replied, silence filled the room once more. But before anything else could be said, the door bursted open and a white-robed cherub stumbled in. It bowed low with respect before stating its purpose.

"Excuse my interruption, sires, but the Bloodletting has begun."

And with that, all of the Gods bolted out.

As they neared the Great Hall, their legs were starting to wear out. Their footsteps echoed down the pathway as they rushed to the grounds of the ritual. With Lucifer in the lead, the other followed closely, intent on keeping up. They breezed into mazelike passageways and winding stairs. Finally, they came to a stop at a dead end or what could be said as a myriad of choice ends. There were five doors, and after a moment's glance at each other, each went through a different door…

Lucifer

… only to find stairs spiraling downwards. Seeing no alternative, he started going down the dizzying staircase. Before long, he came to the end of the stairwell, only to find another door. He turned the doorknob and walked inside the pitch-black interior. Suddenly, the door slams shut behind him, and all that's left is darkness. He reached out, fumbling around blindly, trying to find a holding when he felt something to his right. It is a switch and he flips it. Blinding white light forces him to close his eyes, trying to adjust. Giving time to adjust, he slowly opens his eyes, taking in his surroundings. Books, chairs, and a fireplace filled with cobwebs. The mantle above the fireplace is covered with dust and more cobwebs, giving the entire room an eerie feel. As his eyes finally adjusted to the room, and the floating colors stopped appearing, irises focusing and realizing the existence of someone else. It appeared that he had company.

Mada

...and found himself facing a dark, winding tunnel. Not that he minded, but it was a little disconcerting to suddenly face such pitch black. A little curious and more than a little reluctant, he began walking down the path, keeping his eyes and ears open for anything out of the ordinary. A little caution never hurt anyone. God knows how many times that extra bit of attention kept him alive. Maybe it was the darkness, but something told him that being just that bit more careful was the right thing to do. Slowly ambling along the tunnel, hands touching the sides of the tunnel, he couldn't help but feel wary. The air seemed too tangible, and the hairs on the back of his nape pricked up at this sensation. He was getting goosebumps and- wait... was that a breeze just then? Maybe there was an end to this tunnel afterall.

Eve

... and stepped into an elevator. It seemed to be an automatic one, because after he completely stepped into it, it started working on its own. Perhaps this was all part of the Bloodletting. However, it was still enough to pique the curiousity of its current occuppant. The lights flashed on and off, as the elevator rose; or was it descended? Well, it didn't matter much now. Then the elevator stopped, and the doors opened. He stepped through the elevator door, and found himself in a room. There was a light on, but it didn't help much. He could barely make out the furniture... and wait... There was a figure sitting on the red, velvet armchair.

"Welcome to the Bloodletting."

Diov

... and found another door. He opened it, and found another... and another... and another... another... What was with all these doors? Slightly irritated, he began to open the consecutive doors rapidly. Feeling his anger rising, he began to rush even more... and more... and more...and- no more doors?

'Figures... those idiots are trying to mess with my brain...'

There was nothing but a big slab of rock and a door to his right.

'Wait... a door to my right? Shimatta, more doors.'

He turned the door knob, but it wouldn't budge. He pushed with his shoulder, but to no avail. The door wouldn't budge. Frustrated, he let go of the door knob. It opened.

'What the... who knew pulling was on the agenda?'

Imak

... and walked right into a hallway. It seemed fairly straightforward, as at the end of this hallway, there was a door. Tentatively, he ambled forward, stopping once he was within arm's reach of the door. He cautiously reached for the door knob, and slowly turned it. It didn't budge.

'... There's only one door. It has to be this one."

He pushed harder. Still, the door didn't move.

'When there are no exits...'

He took a step back,

'... make one.'

and kicked through the door. It broke into splinters and the wood filled the air with dust. As soon as it cleared up, he stepped through with one hand covering his eyes. After a couple of seconds, he removed that hand and smiled when he saw what was behind the now splintered door.

"Wasn't that a complete waste of a door?"

A/N

Sorry for the delay. Was completely going to give up story But then... I guess... I dunno. My writing will be sporadic at best... Hope it doesn't discourage fans XD hehe.