The ruined star
(The Cosmos God is the primordial source of existence itself, an emotionless architect who values order and balance above love, freedom, or mercy.In the beginning, when existence was formed, the
universe believed it had perfected creation.)
"What's a king? I've asked myself that question longer than the stars have burned." A man walked alone talking to himself through an endless dark garden He wore flowing white cloth that brushed against the flowers as he moved, The garden stretched farther than the eye could perceive, an expanse without beginning or end, with Black flowers bloomed in ceaseless repetition. " A king is not a figure elevated by worship, nor softened by admiration He does not depend Dependence is a weakness" the man kept walking slowly with an eyes fills with regrets" A king stands alone, because the weight of all things rests only on him. A king stands, even when nothing remains beside him." the man's eyes became more distant but his face was
sharp and composed. " what's a Kings power, he's has that power for a reason because he uses his power as the
ability to act without hesitation and to endure what follows without seeking forgiveness. A king does not ask the world to accept his decisions. He carries them alone.." The man stopped. "And yet… he does not understand this."The flowers leaned closer. The man looked up to the dark skies and he continued" He holds everything Power Glory, Authority.... That's
older than causality itself And still... And still" the man grasped his hands angrily " why doesn't he understand!.... This world needs a concept of a ruler, a god a king Still, he allows disorder to flourish and calls it balance!" he yelled with all his strength then he looked down staring at the flower " those creatures, those beings" he chuckles. " they are the reason He's getting soft, those two creatures has blind his way of vision and now he's intending to create more" he
spreads his hands " pathetic, a god shouldn't get so low in creating weaklings, so called humans, yet he kept calling them beautiful He calls them a gift. But I call them mistakes, curses, weaklings " the man kept walking " Look at them I can feel it: the endless cycle of desire, suffering, and regret that will follow them like a shadow. But yet he still love them He, the so-called sovereign, will cradle them in mercy while I watch the decay of potential he refuses to shape, I see only weakness. I see only what must be corrected. This is not kingship This is cowardice dressed in eternity". " Lucifer" The man stopped walking then he turned around sharply, his eyes widening in surprise. In a distance, another man in similar white cloth and a white long hair holding a golden staff approaches his post. " Lucifer Why are you walking in the forbidden paradise? You well know that this garden is not to be crossed lightly." the second man speaks up. Lucifer ( The first man) paused, tilting his head as though considering the very essence of the accusation "My bad," he said. "I got carried away by thought. I never realized I'd crossed the garden."
"Say it plainly," the second man with a staff at his hands said. "You didn't wander here by accident." Lucifer's gaze drifted across the garden " Raziel Do you know how long I've listened to silence?" he asked. Raziel frowned slightly. "This place exists beyond decision. That is why it is forbidden." Lucifer chuckles " forbidden? Nothing is forbidden everything is useful in my sight, then-" before Lucifer could continue, in a blink of an eye Raziel stretched his staff to Lucifer's neck. "Be careful with your next words." "I do," Lucifer said slowly, Raziel lowered
his staff " Lucifer, don't get too cocky about yourself, know your place" Raziel said . Lucifer smiled faintly " I do know my place and where I belong, I wasn't named the Morning Star for no reason I illuminated what others refused to see am the strength of my own soul" Lucifer said. Raziel's tone hardened. "And now you believe that gives you the right to act without consent?"
"Consent," Lucifer repeated. "From whom? The cosmos? The Entity that birthed everything and then abandoned it to self-correct? Or you, Raziel, whose duty is to record, not to rule?"
"That duty exists for a reason," Raziel snapped. "Because if everything is left unchecked it will destroys everything it touches." Lucifer stepped closer. The distance between them closed slowly, deliberately. "Tell me something, Raziel," he said. "Do you believe the cosmos is just?"
"Yes," Raziel answered without hesitation.Lucifer nodded slowly, as if he had expected no other response "And do you believe it is wise?" Raziel hesitated a little "The cosmos sees farther than we do."Lucifer's lips curved faintly. "That's faith speaking Not observation."
"The two are not separate," Raziel said. "Not when the source of existence itself is the object of that faith." Lucifer stepped closer, lowering his voice "Then answer me this," he said " when the first human opened his eyesbreathed for the first time… what did you feel?" Raziel's gaze hardened " why are you questioning the universe creation, are you trying to say they are imperfect" Lucifer smirk " I was just asking a question, I wasn't trying to blasphemy our god" Raziel stared at Lucifer" those two creatures are perfect and holy" Lucifer watched him carefully. "Nothing else?". "They were new," Raziel continued." The cosmos does nothing without purpose."Lucifer tilted his head. "Purpose does not guarantee success." Raziel met his gaze. "As much as the cycle allows Everything is a success." "You trust the cosmos absolutely," Lucifer said. "Tell me why." Raziel stared at him " why so many questions Lucifer?" Raziel raised his staff again towards Lucifer " what are you up to?" Lucifer raised his hands as if he surrender " nothing, I got nothing on my mind". Raziel hesitated ""Because it birthed us," Raziel said. " the cosmos sustains all things. Because existence itself flows from its will." Lucifer's voice softened, "And when a parent creates a child and refuses to guide it… what do you call that?" Raziel's expression faltered, just slightly. "I call it freedom," he said.Lucifer shook his head slowly. "You call it freedom because you fear responsibility." "That's a lie," Raziel snapped. "You twist definitions until they serve your impatience."Lucifer stepped closer again, Do you truly believe," he asked quietly, "that the cosmos loves those Human creatures ?"
"Yes," Raziel said. "Unconditionally."Lucifer held his gaze. "Then why are they left alone?"
"They are not alone," Raziel said at last "The cosmos eyes are everywhere, and he will be with them " Lucifer's eyes darkened. Instead, he asked one final question."If the humans destroy themselves," he said, "and the cosmos does nothing… will you still call that wisdom?"Raziel answered without hesitation."Yes."Lucifer looked at him for a long time.Then he nodded."Then we are finished here."He turned away, with his white cloth brushing the black flowers once more."Remain faithful," Lucifer said over his shoulder. "Remain loyal When the cycle turns, your faith will be tested." Raziel stood there and stared at him " I Know what you're up to, Lucifer." Lucifer stopped Slowly, he turned his head. Raziel stood behind him"You're trying to unleash the Tree of Cycles," Raziel said. "Aren't you?"For the first time in a long while, Lucifer was genuinely surprised. "Raziel," he said softly."So you've been keeping an eye on me." Raziel smiled " I never trusted
you" Lucifer turned fully to face him now "So," Lucifer said, "you knew about my plan."
"You've gone beyond the law," Raziel said. "You're not just observing anymore. You're
positioning yourself as a cosmic authority.". "The Tree doesn't grant power," Raziel continued. "It maintains balance. Life and death Order and chaos You don't command it And you're tampering with forces that could erase entire cycles."Lucifer listened patiently, head slightly tilted, as if indulging a lecture he had heard too many times before."Have you told anyone else?" Lucifer asked.Raziel shook his head"No. But does the Entity know?"Lucifer did not answer.He turned away instead and began to walk, Then Raziel snapped his fingers.Mist exploded outward, and in an instant, he was standing directly in front of Lucifer, blocking his path."Lucifer," Raziel said lightly, though his eyes were sharp now. "Are your plans proceeding as intended?"Lucifer stopped again. He did not look annoyedHe looked intrigued. "I need a sacrifice," Lucifer said. "A meaningful one. The gate will not open without it." Raziel leaned closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "Then why haven't you done it yet?"Lucifer's gaze darkened. "Because it cannot be just any soul," he replied. "It must be something…tied to the cycles themselves." Raziel frowned " something like what? " Lucifer stood there and raised his face up " I don't know, but it requires something really tasteful " Raziel raised his staff without hesitation Light gathered along its length, dense and absolute, and he brought it down on Lucifer with the full weight The staff dissolved into mist the instant it touched Lucifer's body, fading like a cloud struck by sunlight. The force collapsed inward, leaving nothing but empty air. Raziel froze "A clone," he realized He immediately turned. Lucifer was already behind him. The
first punch snapped Raziel's head sideways. The second drove him backward. Then another. Each blow was precise, merciless, stripping balance, rhythm, thought. Raziel staggered, trying to recover, trying to raise his staff again.Lucifer did not allow it He stepped in and struck Raziel square in the chest Raziel's body locked as the rhythm within him stopped. Lucifer leaned close, voice low "You fell for my trap, Raziel," he said. "You were the perfect being. you were Bound to the cycles aways, aways and still Loyal to the cosmos." A circle formed where they stood, lines etching themselves into existence, ancient symbols aligning into a ritual pattern"I needed your heart," Lucifer continued calmly. "Only that could unlock the Tree of Cycles."The circle completed itself Lucifer looked down at it, then smiled. "Perfect."
"Dad! Dad!"
"Dad!"....
"What… was that?".
"Was it all a dream? Am I sick? Lucifer Raziel Who were those two beings?
"Dad!"
"was all This part of the vision?
No…Was it a warning? A memory? A punishment? Or a dream "
" Dad"
The voice was closer now Then something warm pressed down on him
He decided, slowly, carefully, to open his eyes. The first thing he saw was a little girl sitting proudly on his chest, her knees tucked close to his chest Around her waist was a simple wrap of broad green leaves and thin vines . Before he could speak, he turned his head A little boy stood beside him perhaps two years old, leaning forward slightly, hands resting on his knees, studying him with open curiosity For a long moment, he only stared.
"My children"
"You're awake!" the girl said "You were making funny noises when you were sleeping " The boy stepped closer. "Are you okay, Dad? You looked… far away."
The man 'Lucas' cracked a smile He reached up and gently cupped the girl's cheek, then extended his other arm to draw the boy in."I'm more than okay," he murmured. "I'm home."They collapsed onto him The girl tugged at his beard (which had grown longer than he remembered), declaring it " scratchy like lion fur." The boy pretended to wrestle his father's arm, grunting dramatically while Lucas let himself be "defeated," rolling sideways with exaggerated groans until all three were laughing together, the man Lucas stared at his kids and he was melted into a deep thought "Since the day I was formed,"the Most High Cosmos has been… kind to me, He gave me breath when there was none Gave me sight so I could see His work. When I asked, He listened. When I wondered, He answered."
His fingers curled slightly. Then he murmured, and looked at his kids "You know," he said softly after the giggles subsided, "every morning I wake up and I still can't believe you're here. Both of you. The cosmos could have given me a thousand gardens, a thousand rivers, a thousand stars… and I would still ask only for this. For you. For mornings like this one."
The girl traced lazy circles on his chest with one finger. "Did the Most High really make us?" Lucas turned to her "He did," Lucas answered. "He shaped your mother then He shaped you two from the best parts of both of us. When I asked for companionship, He didn't just give me a helper he gave me a beast within myself " his kids stares at him as he continues speaking "every day since, I've thanked Him. Not because I have to… but because gratitude is the only honest response to a gift this vast." The boy looked up, "Will we always be like this?" Lucas kissed the top of his head. "As long as the universe allows breath in our lungs… yes. We will."
After a while Lucas asked, voice gentle, "Where's your mother?"
"She went to pick fruits," the girl answered brightly. "She said she wanted the sweetest ones for you"
Lucas smiled,"Then we'd better wait for her. She always finds the best."
Deep in the garden, we were moved to Lucas wife ( Joab) She stood alone among the trees, her body wrapped modestly in branches that covered her waist and chest. Her hair fell freely down her back as she reached for a cluster of fruit, examining each one carefully.A mango tree with a lot of fruits on it she lifted it, turned it in her palm. Would Lucas like this one? she wondered." He always smiles when the fruit is this color"She placed it in the woven basket at her hip and kept walking.Another tree offered clusters of deep-purple berries. She tasted one sweet The children will fight over these. Good. She gathered a handful ones. She wandered farther, she kept working observing each tree then suddenly she heard a baby voice crying, Joab paused and she looked around then she thought it was her head playing tricks on her she kept moving forward but she kept hearing The loud baby voice crying .
Joab knew that Her children were not infants So whose child…?. But the sound echoed again,She straightened, scanning the garden "Hello?" she called. There were no response then She followed the sound. She got deeper into the garden Before her stood a single, enormous tree. No companions No grass around the tree No stream nearby.Yet its branches produces beautiful fruits. Joab was surprised then she remembered Her husband's warning about The one place he had always told her to avoid. The tree at the center. The place the Cosmos God Himself had forbidden. Joab decided to take a quick glance on it then she noticed a golden blade moving fast on both sides of the tree then she heard the voice again "Come… help me… help me… help me…" she decided to step forward but the blade cut off her one of her finger she felt the pain , but the voice kept calling her "No," she whispered She cradled her bleeding finger, The voice wailed louder. "Please… I'm dying… help…" she decided to ignore the voice She turned to leave.then A cold hand closed around her wrist. As soon she turned back to see who it was, she herself in an entire different place She stood in a river filled with blood she got scared and she looked around and Before her sat a man, pale, bound to a chair formed from roots and bark. "Free me," he rasped. "The tree is dying. The blades are killing it. I am the tree… and the tree is me. If I perish, everything beautiful here will wither. You can save us." Joab shook her head. "I—I can't. There's no way. Who are you? How are you here?"
"I have always been here," he whispered. "Waiting for someone kind enough to listen."
"How can I help?" she asked, her voice was trembling. The man smiled and then he raised his finger, suddenly Something invaded her ( Joab). It poured into her veins like fire Her body started jerking she couldn't understand what was going on, soon shes Standing before the tree then Her body moved without her permission.She reached for the blade. It cut her, but she did not stop. With a strength that was not hers, she tore it free. She stepped closer to the tree then Lifted her hand toward the fruit.
"JOAB!"
Lucas was running towards her desperately "Joab no!"He lunged, grabbing her shoulders, spinning her away from the tree. then She seized his throat in one hand impossibly strong and slammed him back against the trunk.
Then she She plucked one of fruit from the tree He tried to shout again She forced his jaw open then He struggled, and tried to use his arm to push her away. But the tree branches snapped out like whips wrapping his wrists, pinning him. Joab pushed the fruit between his lip "Eat" Lucas tried to spit it out but A thin branch lashed forward, slicing his tongue Lucas yelled in pain Blood filled his mouth.Joab bit into the other half of the fruit. Then suddenly Joab realized what she has done, her eyes were opened "Lucas…?"She stumbled toward him, hands shaking."What… what did I do?"
Before she could reach him A being stepped straight through the tree as though it were mist.It passed through Lucas's chest. Within a second Lucas looked at Joab and smiled then His body collapsed and turned into sand Joab fell to her knees.The fruit rolled from her hand. Tears came from her face , Joab was on her knees she couldn't move she shut of words She looked up slowly.The being who had passed through Lucas stood before her now His face was beautiful beyond words, he stood boldly like a god, The man turned to Joab and it was Lucifer, He smiled down at her, "Woman," he said, "I thank you. Very much. You have been… exquisitely useful."
Joab's lips trembled. She could not look away from the place where Lucas had fallen.she Could not speak.Lucifer tilted his head, studying her silence then he burst into laughter "Is this what the universe dares to call blessing?" he asked, . "This fragile, trembling thing called human? This curse you foolish creatures wear so proudly?" he continued laughing "I invaded your paradise," he continued"with nothing more than the same creature you were so proud of. Your own image. Your own heart. I turned your greatest gift against you… and you handed me the key with open hands."
Lucifer threw his hair back, Joab finally moved.She took a step back Lucifer turned to her "You are all so predictable," he whispered. "So eager to help So desperate to be good." Then he walked up to her He reached out, almost tenderly, and brushed a strand of hair from her face. Then, with sudden violence, he seized her by the throat and hurled her backward. Her body struck the trunk of the forbidden tree Her scream froze in her throat as her flesh hardened, suddenly she saw a change on her body, she started turning into a wooden statue and Within moments she was no longer Joab.m she became a statue Part of the tree Lucifer rose, brushed his hands together ridding himself of dust, and turned to leave. Then he stopped, then he sense a little presence of a creature staring at him He turned his head slowly He slowly turned his head toward another tree nearby. There were Two small figures stood there, it was Lucas and Joab two kids Tears streamed down their faces. They clutched each other, their bodies shaking as they stared at the remains of their parents The boy's mouth trembled, but he did not cry out. He only stared at the statue that had been his mother. Fear poured off them in waves so raw it almost amused Lucifer. Lucifer lips curved "So," he murmured, "these creatures were able to bear young after all. Amazing. The Cosmos truly intended to multiply His little experiment."
"The garden was never meant to stay empty. He wanted more.....More hearts and more Toys" He laughed again The children shrank back in fear Lucifer took one step toward them. Suddenly the skies opened with a ripping open gold portals A thousand bolts of whitegold lightning tore open the firmament. Thunder rolled as golden horses descended from the rift They descended in perfect formation, encircling Lucifer. One of them stepped forward, his voice echoing with authority."Lord Lucifer," he intoned,"you will surrender You were a god once now you have have broken the rules of the Almighty." Lucifer spread his arms"You Seraphim never cease to amuse me," he said. "Do you truly believe I would kneel?"The riders drew weapons swords of pure light. Lucifer's smile sharpened "Why do you still follow a law that promises no freedom? We are all bound by the same hand you worship so blindly. He does not love you. He uses you. As He used them." One of the youngest seraph snarled, "Enough! You have crossed the final boundary!" Lucifer smirk "You think you can take me? All at once?" the seraph prepared thier weapons for attack .
But soon in a blink of an eye A golden-yellow lightning spear brighter than that of a sun fell from above and pierced Lucifer's chest He staggered and fell to one knee, From above descended a figure whose very presence is like a king
Eyes were like twin suns. The serah bowed low, Lucifer coughed once and blood came from his mouth Then he looked up "I knew you would come," he rasped, smiling . "Gabriel." Gabriel landed softly The spear dissolved into light that returned to his hand "Why are you doing this?" he asked quietly. Lucifer pushed himself upright, his wounds were already closing "I simply woke up to the truth," he answered. "And I am trying very hard to set everyone else free from the same beautiful lie." Gabriel looked at him for a long moment "You were given dominion Responsibility Love without limit And you have chosen instead to become the architect of ruin That is not freedom, Lucifer. That is betrayal of the highest order." Lucifer smiled faintly "Call it what you like Or maybe," he whispered, "I understood it better than all of you."" Gabriel raised his hand Chains of golden light erupted from above wrapping Lucifer's wrists, ankles. "You will be bound," Gabriel said. "Until the council decides your fate." Lucifer only laughed.
Then we were moved to the golden palace High above the dying garden, the Palace of Eternal Dawn floated among clouds there were Servants and lesser divinities moved through the halls and there were ethereal attendants clad in robes of shifting light, and winged messengers darting between chambers of the palace, inside the palace there was, a circular chamber held a floating table surrounded by the council of gods, in the center floated a massive round table made of condensed cosmic energy.
Ọ̀rúnmìlà, keeper of fate and knowledge, sat with his eyes half-closed, fingers resting on her chest
Shango, thunder god, leaned back in his seat with lightning faintly cracking along his shoulder.
Amadioha, sat quietly watching everything with her eyes holding judgment. The rest of the gods looked at each other waiting for who to break the silence "He was one of us," Hera said at last, her breaking the silence. "Lucifer sat at this table He spoke our laws"
"And now he mocks them," Shango growled. "He corrupted sacred ground He turned creation against itself." Ọ̀rúnmìlà opened his eyes slowly "This was not chaos," he said calmly. "This was intention." Nyx smiled faintly "That is what frightens me."Amadioha leaned forward. " I don't know but I feel like Lucifer did not simply rebel He planned all this event The garden was not his target maybe a doorway to his plans."
Shango slammed his fist on the table. Thunder boomed through the chamber.
"Then banish him," he snapped. "Erase him from the order of things."
"No," Hera replied sharply. "Banishment isn't suitable for a being like him." there was a A low murmur spread through the council Nyx's voice rose, soft . "Lock him away Somewhere even time avoids."
"The Lake of the Pit," Amadioha said
Ọ̀rúnmìlà nodded once. " I agree the lake of pit is perfect for Lucifer A prison without worship Without memory."
"But what of the Cosmos?" Hera asked. "If He learns one of His gods betrayed creation"
"He will not," Nyx interrupted."This stays here. No records." The gods exchanged uneasy lookss
Soon A figure stumbled into the chamber, collapsing to one knee. His armor was cracked, scorched, soaked in blood. His breathing was frantic
"Something is wrong," he gasped. "The garden… after Lucifer was seized—"
Nyx's expression shifted "The tree changed," the messenger continued, voice breaking. "It Cracked. And formed a creatures. Thousands of them." The chamber erupted "Impossible," Hera snapped "They're slaughtering everything," he cried. "Guardians, Spirit, the Entire sanctuaries." this caused a great shock in the entire hall, Esu He sat relaxed, one leg crossed over the other, chin resting on his knuckles. He was smiling
"Lucifer," Esu murmured, amused. "You clever bastard." The others turned toward him. "You knew," Shango said, eyes narrowing. Esu chuckled softly. "Of course Lucifer knew this would happen, he planned all this That was never a rebellion." He leaned back "It was a trigger."
Deep below, in chains of black water and iron, Lucifer hung suspended He threw his head back and laughed wild, unhinged, joyous. "Can you see it now?" he shouted into the dark. "This is your real world! The one you hid behind pretty gardens! This is the freedom you feared!"
His laughter swelled and he was smiling
"This is just the beginning. More games are coming. More are coming."
Far beyond beyond palace, beyond universe a hairline crack split the multiverse.
This is the beginning
I was Reincarnated into the wrong world