At the Same Time
Elven Kingdom — Virelyndor
Within the Elven Kingdom of Virelyndor, deep inside the Royal Palace of Nature, stood the sacred hall known as the Court of Truth.
At its heart rose the living throne of the Goddess of Nature, Cedar Puregreen. Vines coiled lovingly around the seat, leaves whispering with divine breath. Beside her throne rested a smaller one, crafted of pale wood and blooming flowers, reserved for her younger sister, Celia Puregreen.
The Court of Truth was revered across all realms.
It was said that beneath the shadow of the World Tree, falsehoods could not survive. No lie could be spoken. No deceit could take root. Even gods measured their words carefully within this domain.
Virelyndor was one of the few kingdoms untouched by human rule. While elves formed the majority of its people, the realm bore no hatred toward other races. In a land where lies were impossible, disputes were resolved swiftly and justly. Thus, the Elven Kingdom was known across the world for its peace, kindness, and fairness reflections of its ruler herself.
Following the marriage alliance between the Kingdom of Preservation and Virelyndor, relations between the two nations had grown even warmer. Yet such unions were rare.
From the ancient age onward, it was forbidden for two divine deities to marry. The gods feared that the union of divine essences could give birth to a being more powerful and more disastrous than either parent. Such fear was one of the many sparks that ignited the Chaotic Era.
Thus, this law was born.
Even so, exceptions existed. Gods and goddesses were permitted to wed the relatives of other deities, though such cases were exceedingly rare.
Cedar Puregreen was one of them.
Long ago, after meeting Raka Frozenlight, she declared her love openly and without shame. She had asked for his hand in marriage. After posing a single question and receiving her answer Raka had agreed.
A distortion rippled through the air.
Alexander Frozenlight emerged from a portal without delay, carrying the will of his lord. The guards of the Court of Truth noticed him instantly. After he presented the royal decree of North Frozenlight, they hurried to announce his arrival.
Moments later, Alexander was escorted into the court.
Without lifting his gaze, he knelt.
Only after Cedar granted permission did he speak.
"Oh! Goddess of Green,
Mother of Nature and Kindness,
Her Lordship Cedar Puregreen…"
His voice echoed through the silent hall.
"I come bearing the command of Lord North Frozenlight, God of Preservation."
A subtle shift passed through Cedar's expression.
Alexander continued.
"The Demonic God of Sloth and his believers attacked Slumber Pit Village, massacring its people in an attempt on our lord's life."
Murmurs stirred, quickly silenced by the World Tree itself.
"Though the Devourer's awakening and the interference of other divine powers spared our lord from grave injury…Raka Frozenlight, Angel of Ice, was gravely afflicted."
The air grew heavy.
"He has been corrupted by demonic divinity."
Alexander bowed lower.
«"We beg you, Her Lordship
Please save Raka Frozenlight.
This debt will never be forgotten."
Alexander remained kneeling.
A divine pressure filled the court, preventing anyone from rising. Even the elders and saints held their breath.
Then
A small, trembling voice broke the silence.
"Sister…?"
Celia Puregreen stood from her seat, clutching the edge of her dress.
"What happened to Brother Raka?"
"Is he… is he going to die?"
"Why do you look so sad… and so angry?"
For a moment, Cedar did not respond.
Then her expression softened instantly.
She turned toward Celia, her voice gentle, warm and unmistakably possessive.
"No, my little leaf," she said softly.
"Your brother Raka will not die."
A faint, dangerous smile curved her lips.
"He will stay with us."
The court shuddered.
"Because I am going to him."
She rose from her throne.
"I will bring him back to our palace," she continued, brushing Celia's hair affectionately.
"You'll be able to see him every day. You can play with him again."
Celia's eyes sparkled with relief.
"Then go, Sister," she said eagerly. "I'll ask Mother to take care of the court!"
Cedar nodded.
"Tell Mother I'll be gone for a few days."
Celia hurried from the hall.
Cedar turned back to the court, her demeanor calm yet resolute.
"Saint Louis. Archangel Ligniel."
Two figures rose in unison.
"Assist my mother in governing the court."
"As your command, My Eternal Lady," they replied together.
"For the rest of you," Cedar continued,
"complete the tasks assigned before my return. If further matters arise, consult my mother, Saint Louis, or Archangel Ligniel."
She stepped forward, emerald divinity gathering around her like a storm barely restrained.
"I shall take my leave."
Her voice softened once more.
"May you all remain healthy."
"May you all be happy."
And then
She vanished.
Not with the dignified pace of a goddess,
but with the urgency of a bride rushing to her wounded beloved.
---
Departure
As Alexander rose and left the Court of Truth, the assembled elves bowed deeply.
"May Her Lordship return safely."
"May Lord Raka Frozenlight be fully healed."
Their prayers followed Cedar Puregreen across realms.
For love had moved a goddess!
...
Sanctum of Ice
Angels and saints stood in silent ranks along the frost-lined hall. General Noxelle watched from near the divine steps, her expression sharp, wings folded tight. Saint Samuel stood with his head lowered, hands clasped in prayer. Even the ancient runes embedded in the walls glowed faintly, holding their breath.
At the center of it all lay Raka Frozenlight, unmoving upon the bed of sacred frost.
Where his corruption was sealed.
Beside him stood North Frozenlight, God of Preservation.
Time itself seemed to pause around North. Layer upon layer of divine seals hovered in the air, binding the corruption festering within Raka. Greed and Lust churned beneath the frost like chained beasts, snarling, waiting.
At the far edge of the hall stood Yuria.
She was silent, seated beside the lesser saints, her vision returned but her heart uneasy. Though she did not activate her system, it screamed within her, a pressure behind her eyes, as if something vast was approaching.
And then
The frost howled!!
Emerald light tore through the sanctum, shattering the outer divine wards as though they were glass. Nature's authority collided violently with Ice, sending a shockwave through the court.
Several angels staggered.
Noxelle's wings snapped open.
Saint Samuel looked up in alarm.
Yuria gasped, her breath catching painfully in her chest.
The portal did not open!!
It exploded!!
Vines woven with golden light burst forth, blooming and decaying in the same instant. From within stepped Cedar Puregreen, Goddess of Nature, her emerald hair flowing like a living forest, her eyes burning with something far too intense to be called love alone.
She did not look at North.
She did not acknowledge the court.
Her gaze locked onto Raka.
"Raka…"
Her voice broke the stillness like a fracture in ice.
She took one step.
A wall of absolute ice formed instantly between her and the frostbed.
"Enough," North said, his voice calm but edged. "You will not touch him yet."
For the first time since Yuria had seen him.
North Frozenlight's composure cracked.
The pressure of his divinity wavered.
Cedar lifted her gaze slowly.
"Move," she said softly.
It was not a request.
The vines beneath her feet crept forward, cracking the ice floor. Nature answered her obsession eagerly.
"If your emotions destabilize him " North began.
"If I do nothing," Cedar interrupted, her voice trembling with love sharpened into fury, "he will die sealed inside your mercy."
" He won't",North answered while looking at Yuria.
" The corruption maybe harmful but not enough to take his life."
The court felt it then.
Not anger!
But possession!
Yuria's head throbbed violently.
Her system flickered for a heartbeat before shutting itself down on its own.
North turned his gaze away.
The ice wall dissolved.
Cedar was already at Raka's side.