103(1) – Paradise!
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PART 1 – Paradise!
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Let's tell you an ancient story, a very ancient story!
Paradise, one of the first worlds to be created. Where the first god was born and from him originated what is now Paradise.
From the first god was born the concept of the Sacred. Which spread and covered the whole world, creating Paradise.
Through the Sacred, several worlds were influenced, a power capable of expelling darkness, death, demons. Everything instinctively categorized as evil. Automatically, everything related to the Sacred is “good.”
And for the ego of beings who are naturally above mortals, this only served as fuel.
More gods emerged, wars broke out, and dominion over what is Sacred, its concepts, and more, was structured and modified by these conflicts, because at that time there was no common enemy, and in order to progress, conflicts are necessary.
The strongest faction, calling themselves Gods of Light, divine individuals drowned in their own ego, seeing themselves as justice, the pinnacle of goodness and what is right.
The Sacred became what they desired. Then the Demonic Realm emerged, a common enemy, followed by another dimension, containing the dead, then another and another.
Several common enemies, where Paradise became a bastion, the place where different worlds ask for help, and proud with their inflated egos, the Gods of Light will support them in exchange for an immense payment, the faith of the mortals of this world being the least of their problems.
For millions of years it was like this. The main faction that called themselves Gods of Light conquered all of Paradise, assimilating or expelling those who did not follow the same ideals.
Then this faction took over Paradise, where all the Gods of Paradise call themselves Gods of Light. They have their own factions and domains with all kinds of crude and extravagant names.
Paradise is not a place for souls to simply rest; that is not how dimensions work. There is indeed life after death, but if you do not have a contract with a god, your soul will follow the correct procedure for reincarnation.
If you refuse to move on, you may end up in the World of the Dead, where you will become an undead full of resentment.
Souls who make a contract with Paradise become slaves to the god they served. They do not simply accept any soul under their command, only those who please them most, or who stand out the most.
To be accepted alongside your god, you must reach the rank of Legend (21+) at a minimum. Your soul is then modified, allowing you to transform into a new being, such as Angels, Valkyries, or other mystical beings recognized for their absolute faith in the gods.
And it goes without saying that because of their massive faith, the power of most Gods of Light tends to be ridiculously high, as this faith was not developed through their own efforts. It can be said that it fell into their laps for free.
All they had to do was show worlds affected by evil that they exist, and they would automatically be associated with good, with hope. People would kneel, pray, and give their all.
Perhaps that is why Paradise is so hated. Their gods get everything handed to them on a silver platter, just for being associated with the Gods of Light, while others need constant effort to gather followers.
So for those who know the truth, Paradise is nothing special, just the home of the greatest hypocrites in the universe who live doing whatever they want, things even worse than demons, and are not penalized for it, because they are the ones who decide the rules.
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PART 2 – Attack!
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In Murim, the Gods of Light put all their followers on alert. Skarla instantly became public enemy number one, and chaos ensued.
Neutral Gods simply observed the outcome, waiting for their opportunity, as the result of this conflict would open up opportunities for other churches to grow, while reducing the power and influence of the Churches related to the Gods of Light.
But it was very quiet.
Even other Gods of Light who did not have a foothold in Murim watched curiously. What could an abnormal mortal do to them? Would she dare to provoke them? The great Paradise?
As for the culprit of this conflict? He sits on his throne with his beautiful childlike angels, many of whom have lived for centuries or millennia but are forbidden to grow up, remaining in this form forever. And many of them no longer receive the “touch” of the one seated on the throne, for he quickly tires of his childlike angels.
And is there anyone who blames him? Many.
But the Gods of Light would rather make the strongest mortal in the world their enemy than admit that one of them made a mistake.
Time passed, and they thought Skarla would soon give up, so... all the churches that felt a strong connection to their gods who had focused their attention on Murim suddenly felt that connection disappearing.
Everyone was confused. What is happening?
They tried to get answers, but none came. The Neutral Gods also focused their attention on Paradise, and the Demon Realm suddenly launched a large-scale invasion.
But the interesting thing is that it wasn't just them. Other dimensions with strong ties to the Demon Realm, almost like copies of it, also launched invasions.
Even the World of the Dead, with its endless hordes of undead, set foot in Paradise. A large-scale battle suddenly began, and no one could understand the cause.
The Demon Realm is still licking its wounds, discovering new ones and treating them, since Skarla's visit.
Why would they start this suicidal attack when they are being corrupted by the Void?
Why did the World of the Dead ally with the demons for this sudden attack?
So many questions, the gazes focused on Skarla and Murim, disappeared in an instant.
And in a separate dimension, which resides between the Demon Realm and Murim, that key to an isolated dimension that Skarla received from one of the Deadly Sins.
Here she opened the portal, undetectable by the Demon Realm, Paradise, and no one else.
A small dimension without consciousness. Of course, in normal situations, they would notice, but in the midst of such a sudden conflict, it's obvious why they would bother with a Demigoddess when Gods of Death and Demons are attacking Paradise and invading with legions.
The portal was successfully opened. Without irregularities or limitations. Skarla got the coordinates she wanted and felt the immense sacred power, which has a strong connection to her Order Element, only very impure.
Yes, in her eyes, the Sacred Energy contains several impurities... it would be more accurate to say that it has been corrupted and distorted by those who use it.
Skarla stepped into Paradise and felt the world, its consciousness... it was said that it had not communicated with any other world for a long time, but that it sometimes showed signs of life.
Upon stepping here, Skarla frowned, because... she did not feel the world. Even when she stepped into the Demon Realm, she felt something, a helpless, even mocking gaze that later became full of hatred and despair.
But here, a world that should be aware of everything... is not feeling, observing, or recognizing her. It makes no sense to focus only on the invasion; we are talking about one of the oldest dimensions.
“What did they do to you?” Skarla felt sorry for her.
The Sacred Energy that is so disgusting, containing so much malice... “It's not malice, it's hypocrisy? I didn't even know such a concept could affect energies.” Skarla laughed.
Paradise is not what she thought it would be, it's so weird. It looks beautiful and perfect, providing a mystical feeling, the vegetation is rich, and she has already sensed several precious resources abundant here.
But she doesn't just see the surface, she sees details. She feels as if the world has given up, as if it were tired. “Maybe hibernating?” Skarla was unsure.
She wanted to do research; it could help her understand the universe better. But now she must fulfill her part of the agreement.
...
Skarla ascended to the heavens. The Gods of Light went to the front lines, the Demonic Gods and Gods of Death are fighting to buy time, which is easy. They don't want to kill, they just defend themselves to buy time.
She can sense the fluctuations of conflict.
Skarla, in the skies, observed a temple ahead and noticed children, many children... thousands of them. She shuddered at the sight, vowing that when she becomes a deity and that bastard is still alive, she will personally kill him in the most brutal way possible.
Then, opening her arms, she manifested the 8 Hearts of the World and, performing her technique, she grabbed space itself, then moved her arms in opposite directions in a circular motion.
The space-time fabric that protects the dimension was torn, and yet the dimension itself paid no attention.
Skarla felt no resistance. It is natural that when you are cut and continue to be cut, your muscles contract and try to resist.
But not Paradise. Skarla could tear it apart, lacerate it, and it did not resist, making it very easy.
She created a Heart of the World, continuing to use more and more fabric. The gods began to notice something abnormal, the older ones sensed that something was wrong and awoke, so more Demon Gods and Gods of Death interfered, appearing in the right places and protecting Skarla.
The Demon Gods hate Skarla, but between a mortal less than 50 years old and hypocrites who have harmed them since the beginning of the wars of creation, it is obvious that they have a deeper hatred for the Gods of Light.
In 1/5 of the time it took Skarla to tear through the Demon Realm's protection, she did the same to Paradise. But having time, she opened the tear even further, creating a Heart of the World much larger and more powerful than she had imagined.
When it was about three times larger, it reached its limit. Skarla couldn't handle any more than that, especially since she still wants to take it back and... the Void paid attention to her, they are reacting faster than she thought.
Soon the eight Hearts of the World went ahead, acting as a beacon, even if it is unnecessary in the current situation. But they still served to prevent them from closing the rift so soon.
She didn't attack, she didn't kill anyone, her former enemies did all the work.
With the new Heart of the World in her hands, she shot towards her still open portal, crossing it and closing it.