[Child]
The word rang through her head as visions flashed behind her eyes. Visions of legions marching in front of a being taller than even the highest of peaks. Their forms mangled and misshapen, a gift received by throwing their own humanity away.
Before them stood a much smaller army. Injured, fatigued, and low on resources. Yet still, they stood in defense against the impossible enemy that sought their destruction. Orders rang out, sending an array of High Explosive Aether Mortars into the air and brought down on the legions of their enemy. It was then that the enemy began their charge on their base, their home, the last bastion of Humanity.
[Wake up, child.]
The voice rang loud, yet it seemed so far away among the distant explosions and cries of war. Now, all attention was focused on the God before them. Many had fallen to Humanity's hands, but none held such power as the Diety dubbed Pride. As the name suggested, as more of His legion fell, the stronger He became. While the thralls were separated from their master, now was the time to strike.
With the AI guiding their flight, the vanguard finally descended onto the battlefield. Far above the Majiks of the legion, eye level to Pride at a distance of 1000 meters away. Surrounding her were 47 soldiers suited in Airiel-Combat Aether Suits, the last of the assault battalion created over 70 years ago.
The various colored wings carrying the soldiers filled her with both relief, and regret. However, those feelings were quickly forgotten as the implemented AI in each helm began to divvy out their roles in this fight. On her order, this battle would either end in their deaths, or a final victory.
[My child, please, wake up!]
The faraway voice was hardly heard as she gave the order to start the operation. No sooner had the soldiers began their mission, Pride also began His attack. Spears of molten lava rose from His body, targeting each soldier with an array of attacks while they moved in.
Her head was flooded with the information of who died and who was on track. Another order from the AI had each soldier firing powerful Aether rounds at the titan and the weaponry He spawned. The plan was simple. The second unit targets the weapons, the third the legs, and her unit fights head on. Perhaps if they has another squad, this last battle would have been easier.
Wave after wave of spears flooded the skies, picking her soldiers off one by one like moths to a flame. No time could be spent grieving the souls that were currently plummeting to the ground. All she could do was charge at the enemy and pray for the other unit's success.
At 300 meters distance, the first unit succeeded in breaking Pride's stance. Just as the God began to stumble back, powerful High Explosive Anti-Aether rounds flew through their formation to strike the God's chest. A loud cry of pain enveloped the battlefield, signaling that their plan was working.
[Child, please!]
The faraway voice was drowned out by the screams and reports of her comrades as the battle reached its peak. A few more HEAA rounds found their mark at the God's chest. However, given how many were shot, it seemed the Legion had breached the First Line.
With time running out, she slung her rifle to her back while evading a few spears and one of Pride's wild swings at her unit. While most remained unscathed, one soldier was caught and immediately crushed in the God's molten fist. As Aether flowed to the spear she grabbed from its holster, she rose to the sky to get a better angle at the God's core.
Just as her AI charted the angle of attack, reports of the Second Line being breached reached everyone's ears. It was now or never. All those years of struggle and preparation led to this moment. With gritting teeth, she launched herself at Pride the moment the HEAA rounds exposed His core.
The remaining soldiers formed a line of assault in the attempt to try and stall Pride's movements. By now, the world seemed to slow all around her. Behind her, the last remaining forces were now to busy with the Legion to assist with bombardment as the Third Line was breached. Below, her comrades were struggling against the rising heat of the dying God.
143 meters, another soldier was grabbed by Pride and burned alive in their A-suit.
103 meters, her best friend was caught by a molten spear, halting his movements just enough to be impaled by several more.
83 meters, the soldiers were ordered to fall back and prepare to defend their homes.
47 meters, the AI counted only 5 remaining besides herself.
23 meters, she felt this would be her last, making her sigh and close her eyes.
5 meters, the AI bid farewell to the others.
[Child!]
The voice that had been calling out had finally reached her. It was quite surprising how calmly she woke up from such a horrific nightmare. Instead of the usual jolt and shouting, she simply opened her eyes and calmly took in her surroundings.
Gone were the metal walls, the whirring of the industrial fans pushing fresh air through the vents. The cot she chose to sleep in instead of her bed, the hum of electricity as it pulsed through the walls to each outlet. All of it was now replaced by a beautiful pure white temple. Its stained glass windows depicted mothers of various races watching their children was easily seen by the starlight that shone through them.
Pillars stood at impossible heights holding what seemed to be a galaxy in place of the roof. Never before had she seen such beauty, yet it all seemed so out of place compared to what she was used to. Against these pillars hung pitch black pillars with a single white symbol on them, shining as if they were the Moon itself. Each banner held a different symbol, yet all held the same meaning.
[You seem rather calm, my Child.] The soothing voice entered her mind once more, making her chuckle and look down at her now naked, semi translucent body.
"I had already accepted my death, all that I can do is pray it wasn't in vain." The woman sighed as she observed the many scars on her fading flesh. The deep gash at her thigh from the Third War, the cut across her chest from the Fourth just under her breasts. Even the brandings she was given during the Catalysm remained on her wrists and ankles, ever reminding her of her place.
[Fret not, my child. That last blow did indeed destroy Selvinesh's Core. Its pieces were absorbed as I retrieved you.] The voice belonged to a woman of impossible beauty.
Snow white flesh, supple hips and breasts barely hidden by a see-through silk robe draped under a startling black head of hair that melted to her waist. Her eyes held no iris, instead she seemed to look through a cluster of stars that seemed to match her glittering black lips quite well.
Normally, she would be angry at being within reach of a God. However, the white marbled temple that was tended to with such love and grace belonged to no Diety she could despise. In fact, memories of stories long past seemed to well up in her mind as she stared into the Goddess' eyes.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mother." The woman could not help but give a warm smile and a small bow to the Goddess. How could she ever come to hate this Diety? After all, She was the only one to attempt to help Humanity.
[Oh, my child. How I have longed for this moment. You have done so well.] The Goddess sobbed through a proud smile as She suddenly wrapped her arms around the woman and hugged her close.
She could feel her God's tears drip on her neck and race to her legs, like her own mother would when she came back from a dangerous hunt as a child. Oh, how she missed this feeling, this warmth.
[I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am, my child. I should have never let you absorb those Cores, but there was no other option. If you hadn't-]
"I know, Mother. We all witnessed first hand what happened when we left them alone." The woman sighed as she pulled away from the Goddess. Holding the Mother's arms, she gave them a rub while giving her best, loving smile. "I did what needed to be done. All I ask is to know that it was worth it."
The Mother huffed a laugh as she wiped the starlit tears from her eyes. Nodding, she swallowed and gasped a shuddering breath. [Yes child, your world is safe. Your people have found Balance and have now begun their recovery. However...]
The Goddess sighed as she turned away from the woman and walked towards a window. [Unfortunately, because you've absorbed so many types of Cores, you are in a rather precarious state.]
"I know. My soul is collapsing." The woman sighed as she placed a hand on her stomach. Within her circled 6 small spheres, rotating around one larger sphere like a small solar system.
[Well, yes and no. Currently, your soul is in a state We of the Sacred Order call 'Divine Stabilization'. Because Selvinesh was a higher being, the other cores have submitted to it and began circulating like Aether would, thus stabilizing your soul.] The Goddess explained as she gestured to one of the many galaxies out the window.
"If that is the case, why is it precarious?" The woman asked with her hand held in gesture.
[It is due to the damage beforehand. Think of your solar system. It all started with the Sun, then the planets being created and forming their own paths around it. However, if you begin with the planets first, then, well, I'm sure you can feel the results yourself.]
The woman looked down as Mother gestured to her body. It was just as she described, albeit much more vicious. Because the Lower Dieties were absorbed first, they went wild in her soul with no path to correct them. Even with the larger Core guiding their paths, she still felt like a candle in the wind.
"I suppose you have a way to fix this?" She asked as she folded her arms over her chest.
Given the life Her child lived, the Mother ignored this gesture and nodded. Any other God would have done the same, even if she seemed rude. After all, They all lead armies Themselves.
[There is only one. To live again and raise your soul's rank by gaining a new title. With that, We wish to give you a new Mission.] The Goddess steeled herself, holding her hands over her stomach.
"Let me guess, another Catalysm?" The woman clicked her tongue as images of the one she lived through flashed behind her eyes.
[Worse, a rebellion against the Sacred Order. These young Dieties have forgotten why they were Created and have been tempted by other evils.]
"Other evils?"
[Yes. I cannot explain this in detail, but rest assured that you will not be facing Them. Instead, your sole focus is the destruction of this 'False Order' and bring the world back under Our banner.]
The woman sighed as she fell in thought. If this 'False Order' was prepared by Gods similar to Mother Moon, then they were nothing like the ones she had slain. However, the fact remained that they were still 'tempted' by another force. Given the wording, they had decided it was best to create a new Order instead of joining this 'other evil.'
After a while, the woman sighed and shook her head. "I doubt I can spare many."
[There are a few who remain loyal, but We have lost all contact with the world. Even I have almost lost all influence, and it is quickly fading. Everything will be done at your own discretion. Even Order can agree that you are a more meticulous leader than most Gods, so We agreed to let you do as you please.]
The woman huffed a chuckle at the comment. All she could do was smirk and shake her head as she imagined such a scenario the Mother mentioned. "I'll need base, as well as my equipment."
[We figured. After trading in all of the Titles your soul has accumulated, We are able to gift you many things you are accustomed to. The drawback being how much weaker you will be compared to your world.]
"As long as I am allowed a basic Printer, I can manage."
The Mother nodded with a proud smile. Watching her child from afar was so much different compared to seeing her up close. The other Gods wanted to be here when she woke, but her soul was to weak to handle such strain. Even then, the Mother could not help but be intimidated by the commanding presence her child exuded given her weakened state.
If her soul was complete, what kind of Diety would she become?
[Now then, my child. Allow me to tell you the details of your new mission.]