"Something feels off..."
A voice murmurs quietly, noticing the seemingly normal but subtly altered world outside.
"Brother... something has happened..."
Suddenly awakening, the two girls immediately start speaking in a way that's hard to understand.
"What?"
Their serious demeanor suddenly casts a weighty atmosphere, raising my suspicions too.
"Could it be..."
A thought flashes through my mind - the rebellion of time, the final ordeal that was destined to happen.
But Tempest had said we still had plenty of time before it arrived...
However, nothing else but this seemed to explain the current situation.
"How about we go out and see?"
Resigned to the fact that we have to check ourselves, I quickly get ready and head outside with them.
"What's going on?"
"Just came back from visiting my patron deity... didn't seem in the best of spirits."
"Same here..."
Stepping outside, the mood in the inn is uneasy as if everyone is perplexed by the sudden change.
The growing certainty from the initial doubt... Could it really be the final event unfolding?
But for something that was supposed to give us ample time, it hardly feels like we've had a day... The more I think about it, the more puzzling it becomes.
"Brother... I don't know about the rest of the town, but there's a solemnity in the air... something different from usual."
"I agree, it's as if one thing after another is exploding in sequence... something unusual is happening."
Outside the inn, the atmosphere on the streets is similarly ominous, as if a state of emergency had been declared. It reminds me of the day when the night of the apocalypse happened.
The streets are too quiet for this time of day, with fewer people around than usual, and several shops are closed, their doors bearing signs reading 'Closed for Today'. "Something is wrong..."
In a world that seems normal but feels different, a voice quietly reflects.
"Brother... what has happened...?"
Suddenly waking up, the two girls sit up in bed and start uttering incomprehensible words.
"What?"
Their serious demeanor changes the atmosphere abruptly, making me question the situation too.
"Could it be..."
At the same time, a thought crosses my mind - the rebellion of time, the final challenge that was destined to occur.
But Tempest had said it would take a while for that time to come...
Yet, nothing else but this seemed to explain the current situation.
"Should we go out and check?"
Seeing no other option, I decide to go out and investigate, preparing quickly and heading out with the girls.
"Is something happening?"
"I just came back from visiting my deity... The mood didn't seem very cheerful."
"Same here..."
Once outside, the atmosphere in the inn also seems troubled, as if everyone is confused by the sudden change.
The suspicion turns into certainty... Could it really be the final event happening?
But it's been hardly a day since the prediction of 'plenty of time' was made...
The more I think about it, the more baffling it becomes.
"Brother... I don’t know the whole city's state, but the air feels more solemn than usual... Something different is flowing through."
"I agree, it’s like a chain of unusual events exploding one after another."
The streets outside the inn seem to be in an emergency state, reminiscent of the day the apocalypse happened.
The population is sparse for this time of day, and the streets are eerily quiet, with several shops displaying 'Closed for Today' signs.
"Compared to that day, there are still people around, but the royal city's streets look deserted compared to yesterday."
"Yuriel, Luceria... I think we need to go somewhere immediately, somewhere our allies might be."
Now, on these streets... The scene is eerily similar to the aftermath of the Time God's disruption in the game, solidifying my certainty.
Tempest is coming...
This means... the kingdom is about to face the most significant and challenging event in its history, becoming the stage for this event.
Every minute, every second is precious now.
"I think it would be best to go to Morione, husband. In this uncertain situation, she might have some information."
Not a bad choice. As the Goddess of Fate, Morione might have some information, and in these confusing times, whoever understands the situation first will have a significant advantage.
Although I knew the story well... now the plot has twisted beyond recognition, and I can no longer trust my memory.
"Alright, let's head to the temple of Morione."
The game's path has long since deviated... I couldn't be sure what would happen next, making Luceria’s suggestion seem all the more convincing.
"Harold... I've been waiting for you."
Approaching Morione's temple, I notice her attire is different from usual.
She is clad in sacred armor, holding her massive axe, seemingly prepared for a great battle... Has Morione also sensed the situation?
As we enter the audience chamber, she greets us with a somber expression.
"Harold... You must have sensed the atmosphere in the streets on your way here. A terrible event is about to unfold, I fear. I expect many beings will rise, creating chaos."
"Beings similar to me but with different motives will rise to settle their long-held grudges."
Her words hint at the impending rebellion of time, seeming all but confirmed now.
"Yes... It seems like something terrible is about to happen."
Accepting her words, I look up at her with a grave expression, and she nods heavily in response. "Everything will become chaotic. Mortals won't know who to ally with or who to aim their weapons at."
This scene was also depicted in the game, so I had a rough idea of what was being referred to.
Once the rebellion truly starts and most of the gods are unshackled, the kingdom will become a large yet small battlefield.
Many gods in this kingdom will lead their followers to kill those they’ve resented for so long.
Hatred born from losing honor to beings too similar to themselves or from grievances that existed before rules were set - these grudges have been held onto until now, waiting for an opportunity.
For various reasons, the gods will view each other as enemies.
But it is us, the mortals, who will suffer from the gods' wrath.
Although different, the bonds within divine orders weren't so heavy a subject that they couldn't share unity.
Just like in our world, where different religions are respected and people build friendships regardless of their faith.
Before the rebellion, the freedom within the divine orders was extensive.
But... all that breaks apart during the rebellion of time.
Depending on where one belongs, someone you shared meals and friendship with yesterday could be the person whose life you must take today.
What if a deity harbored hidden vengeance against another divine order, and a friend happened to be in that group?
One would have no choice but to strike them down.
Of course, each person’s internal scales may lean differently... but most would find it easier and wiser to sacrifice a friend to carve a path in life set by their deity.
As regrettable as it might be, betraying one's faith would seem more justifiable than betraying a deity.
"This is an unfortunate situation..."
Sensing my troubled expression, Morione offers a faint smile as consolation.
"But don't worry, we have no intention of being hostile towards Abrune."
Although it wasn't the sole reason for my grimace, knowing that the people I knew wouldn't be pitted against each other provided some relief.
"Thank you."
"By the way, brother... what are we talking about now? What's happening?"
Yuriel, unaware of the conversation's content, tugs at my sleeve and whispers questioningly. The atmosphere was solemn and serious, and Yuriel's face showed discomfort from being hesitant to interrupt.
"Do you remember what I said yesterday? It's happening now."
"But you said we had time to prepare, didn't you?" she asked, seemingly bewildered.
Honestly, I had no good answer... Was Tempus's reassurance just a deception to put us at ease?
"Yes, but it seems to be happening now..."
Her expression turned from disbelief to reluctant acceptance.
"Harold, there's something I need to tell you," Morione suddenly said, changing the atmosphere.
Her expression was puzzling. What could she mean?
As I was about to respond, she said, "You'll understand later, but I apologize in advance—"
Before she could finish, a thunderous sound interrupted everything, and the ground shook as if an earthquake had struck.
"Uh!"
The tension I had only experienced through a screen now enveloped me, and I could hear terrible noises from outside.
"Screams of agony and panic filled the air."
"It seems to have started..." Luceria commented calmly amidst the chaos.
"Harold, we need to regroup with the others," Morione said, picking up her axe, her demeanor contrasting with the frantic situation outside.
Others, she must mean those not currently here...
Following her gaze, I looked outside.
The chaos outside was as I had imagined. The entire sky was distorted, and natural disasters like thunderstorms, earthquakes, and typhoons ravaged the kingdom.
In the sky, gods unleashed their full power against each other, while mortals below fought and killed yesterday's friends in their own ways.
The once-peaceful capital had turned into a living hell, as if a storm had followed a quiet night. Finally, the final story has begun... The rebellion of time...
Current Time, Abne's Audience Hall:
"The situation outside doesn't look good... Will Harold be alright?" Eriana, who had hurriedly responded to a summon from Abne, her superior in rank, asked the question amidst the crisis, trying to maintain composure.
"Harold will surely be fine... The real concern should be how we're going to join him," Abne replied, knowing that the outside world was not safe even for gods. Aware of the potential threats, she had her followers and other deities stationed in and around the temple in a defensive stance.
Abne, commanding a large following in the capital, seemed safe due to the scale of her support, but she was also a target for many hidden enemies. Gods obscured by her influence, united against her, posed a serious threat to her survival.
With spies likely within her ranks, Abne's worries were not minor. Yet, by her side stood a human with power fearsome enough to intimidate her, and thinking of Harold, who might eventually join her with other allies, offered some solace. However, they too would be embroiled in their battles...
Contemplating seriously whether to push through the enemies to reach Harold, Abne finally decides to step outside.
"Eriana, could you accompany me for a while?" Abne asks, determined to face the outside world.
"Is it alright to leave the other followers?" Eriana queries.
With a slow nod, Abne sighs, "Yes, the enemies are after me, not the mortals. The followers will be safer without me. After I'm gone, they might want to preserve them to assimilate them later."
Resolute, Abne steps out of the temple. At the entrance, her followers are armed, confronting suspicious figures that have appeared.
The situation unravels with Abne stepping into the brewing storm, prepared for what lies ahead. "Ugh... We're surrounded by really unfavorable matchups..." Abne mused, noting the gathering of gods who were similar yet antagonistic to her, harboring jealousy and resentment for the recognition they couldn't gain in her shadow.
Despite their lesser individual strength, the collective force of four gods and their followers outnumbered Abne's, illustrating a significant threat.
"The peace has been long for you, hasn't it, Goddess Abne?" taunted a male deity, stepping forward to confront her, embodying the dissatisfaction and grudge of the group.
"Indeed, as much as you've been forgotten," Abne retorted nonchalantly, provoking their anger further.
"Irritating as always... Without you, all those followers would have been ours," the group of four gods, each brandishing their divine powers, threatened Abne.
Despite their hostility, Abne's presence wasn't dwarfed. She remained unflinching under their combined murderous intent, causing them to sweat in tension despite their numerical advantage.
"Come at me if you dare. I won't stoop to calling you out one by one," Abne's continued taunts finally shattered their restraint, igniting the war.
In a situation where even gods sought to kill each other, where could the least safe place be? Regrettably, it would be anywhere devoid of a deity's presence. With gods targeting only their equals, neutral zones or godless areas might ironically offer safety.
For instance, the Academy, primarily inhabited by students, could be a safe haven. As Abne had suggested, the gods planned to spare mortals to later claim them, making a place like the Academy, bustling with young students, a relatively safe zone.
"Aris, aren't you going to check on your own sect?" someone asked.
"Well, I'm only formally a member of that sect... Unlike you, a principal, but as a student council president, I feel I should try to lead the students gathered here," the response came, underlining a sense of duty amidst the strange, tense atmosphere. Although they tried to maintain a facade of calmness, their poorly disguised anxiety betrayed them, making their conversation awkward and strained.
"Anyway, no gods should be coming here, right?" one of them pondered aloud.
"Probably not... This place is gathered with people who are either weak, dislike conflict, or maintain a neutral stance. Although I'm a demigod, I don't belong to any sect, so it should be safe here," the other rationalized, keeping an eye on the distant chaos.
Both shared the same plan – to hide the students and then go in search of Harold when things calmed down.
"Even though I'm the one usually protected... I can't just sit still and do nothing. I'm worried," the concern in their voices was palpable.
As the two women, both longing for the same man, talkd, a sinister shadow loomed over the athletic field.
The most dangerous place, it seemed, would be where the resentment of the gods was directed. While gods typically harbored no ill will towards humans, there was one place universally despised...
"Knights, to battle positions!" The royal palace, the seat of the highest power in the kingdom, was in peril. Among those bound to serve the nation were gods who held grudges related to politics. In the current situation where power's significance was diminishing, the royals, powerless yet objects of divine wrath, were in grave danger.
"Ensure the citizens are unharmed! If divine entities approach, defend as best as you can. In an emergency, abandon this place to save lives!" A young princess, prioritizing her people over herself, commanded her forces with assured confidence.
Religion was secondary, and only the elite, devoted to the nation, remained. The palace seemed more expansive than usual due to the absence of regular staff and courtiers.
"We can do this! Stay strong!" she encouraged her troops bravely, though she was trembling with fear more than anyone else inside.
Marika, trying to mask her own fears, silently groaned inwardly. It was inevitable for at least one deity to harbor resentment against the privileged class like herself... Currently, several devotees of these gods were besieging the city gates, leading to a fierce struggle.
"Please... come soon..." In the midst of the escalating crisis, she clung to her only source of mental strength, stubbornly enduring the siege.
"Harold..." She murmured the name of the man she loved and saw as her savior, mustering her strength to continue issuing commands.
"Today, we'll eliminate all the royals."
Suddenly, right in front of her, as if a comet had descended, a massive explosion erupted.