Scripture records two Enochs.
One, Cain's firstborn.
The other, who walked with God for three hundred years before being taken by Him.
Clearly, this saint was the latter. His chanted Words of Power came from his book—the Book of Enoch.
Once part of scripture, it was later excluded.
The Book of Enoch details Enoch's three hundred years with God before the Great Flood, his visions, and prophecies of the deluge.
But humanity rejected it, denying Enoch's very existence.
Unable to accept being false, he defied myth.
Death, he might have accepted gladly.
"Walking with God" meant a deep, constant bond.
Enoch's three hundred years of communion showed his unwavering, intimate faith.
It was his way of life, a testament to his devotion.
Defying myth as a Heretic God was, in a sense, betraying God's teachings.
He would never have chosen this.
But—
"What if even the grace granted by the Most High is deemed false?"
Denying himself would taint the Lord's name.
Accepting falsehood would let that stain persist.
Thus, he became a Heretic God.
"I'd rather defy the Lord's teachings to uphold His glory!"
With this resolve, Enoch used Baal, tied to scripture, as a medium to manifest.
His legend of walking with God granted him formidable strength and divine protection.
His book, depicting God's majesty, became his weapon.
When I succeed, the Lord will surely judge me, Enoch thought, clutching his discredited book.
His Authority, Book of Enoch, could recreate the divine punishments it described.
Silver chains, like serpents, surged from the earth's fissures, chasing Verethragna.
Per the Book of Enoch, those chains bound angels who betrayed God for desire, imprisoned to await judgment.
Perhaps that would be his fate too.
Using his Phoenix Authority, Verethragna deftly dodged the chains.
He knew being caught meant no escape.
They embodied the supreme will of the monotheistic God.
Even stars, straying from divine order, were bound there.
"This won't do," Verethragna said, frowning as he sliced a chain, annoyed. "Just dodging isn't my style!"
He raised his hand, chanting sacred Words of Power.
"All evil things, fear me! The unjust with power cannot fell me—I am the strongest, breaking all barriers!"
The saint, a righteous man even God acknowledged, shouldn't be evil.
Yet, by defying myth, his sin was grave.
"For victory, come to me! Undying sun, grant me a radiant steed. O spirited horse, bring your lord's halo!"
"Neigh!"
A second sun appeared in the sky.
A white steed, bearing the sun, charged down, whinnying.
"Warrior… no, unknown agricultural god, have you a counter?" Enoch asked, glancing at the descending solar wheel, then at Lucius.
His words betrayed dissatisfaction.
He knew Verethragna's instincts were sharp; Lucius had disguised himself as a harmless agricultural god.
Thus, Enoch had proposed an alliance, lacking confidence against Verethragna alone.
He also feared that, if victorious, a weakened state might leave him vulnerable to a Devil King.
An alliance with Lucius could preserve his strength for his true goal.
So, they stood together to eliminate Verethragna.
But now…
Despite their alliance, Lucius had mostly watched.
Enoch's frustration wasn't from Lucius's lack of aid but his preservation of strength.
This suggested Lucius's targets included not just Verethragna but Enoch himself.
If Enoch defeated Verethragna, he'd face a fresh foe.
"I'm but a humble agricultural god. How could I counter such an attack?" Lucius said, his face unchanging. "Merciful saint, I'm afraid it's up to you again."
"No matter. We're allies," Enoch said, nodding, holding the Book of Enoch in his left hand, raising his right. "Since you're no warrior, I'll shield you, letting you feel the Lord's mercy."
"The Lord ascends with shouts, with trumpet blasts. O radiant Lord! With a chariot of burning flame, carry me to heaven, shielding me from worldly harm!"
With his Words of Power, a fiery red shadow appeared, racing across the sky, reaching Enoch and Lucius instantly.
Per the Book of Enoch, God took Enoch to heaven in a flaming chariot.
This crimson shadow was that radiant chariot!
The sun-bearing white horse neared the ground, but the flaming chariot arrived first.
Enoch glanced at Lucius, leaping onto the chariot, his voice gentle.
"All things are the Lord's grace, not to be squandered."
With that, he drove the chariot, abandoning Lucius to escape the horse's attack range.
An ally who only spectated and plotted betrayal—had Lucius not kept his distance, Enoch might have shown him his "mercy"!
Clearly, Enoch intended to leave his so-called ally defenseless against Verethragna's solar horse!
"Couldn't hold back, huh? Good. I've been spamming Process Skipping; it's about time," Lucius said, smiling.
His figure appeared on Enoch's flaming chariot, holding a stone tablet.
Blue flames flickered from Enoch's empty left hand, retreating into the tablet.
***
If you enjoyed this story, don't forget to drop 5 stars and your power stone. And if you want to read more than 70 chapters in advance, feel free to visit: pat reon . com / KangTL