SHK CH 765 (Patreon)

The birth of a god was no small matter.

Even if the one ascending had once worn divinity before, sparing her the struggles others might have endured, such details meant little to the masses.

A goddess was a goddess.

An existence beyond mortal measure, one who could twist the laws of the world itself, who could decide life and death with but a thought.

Her proclamation of a new age thundered in every ear, driving mortals to their knees. Some prayed out of awe, others out of terror, and a few out of true devotion.

Love and Hatred.

Two primal forces that dwelled in the heart of every thinking being. So long as even a single soul remained, Euphoria would endure.

This was the rule. The absolute law of existence.

But as with all laws, there was always one exception. And the one who embodied that exception was not pleased at this very moment.

***

In Lustburg, Sol lifted his gaze to the sky in the direction of Gluttony Foss, eyes calm, almost indifferent.

Yet everyone near him felt it, the vast, oppressive wave of cold and silent anger.

Today was supposed to be a beautiful day.

A day where he would show his love to the world and finally be one with his dearest one.

Just for this, he restrained himself. He even decided to not make blood flow on this day, no matter how stupid the enemy might be.

He wanted it to be a day to be remembered.

“I guess in a way it will be.” Perhaps the most memorable day of them all.

Sol adjusted his glove, a cold smile forming on his face.

“What will you do?” Sol spoke to the void.

He was furious. Truly so. If things were as usual, he would have already flown to Gluttony Foss and would have raised hell. God be damned.

But right now, he knew one thing for certain. He was not the angriest here.

“I am going to teach her good manners.” Thus Ambrosia spoke.

Then, her figure flickered and vanished, teleporting without hesitation. Sol watched her go, then turned his eyes to the others.

“What about you?”

“I need to go! Now! This is the greatest chance to witness the birth of a god!” Echidna’s voice shook with feverish hunger.

He could somewhat understand her. He knew how obsessed Echidna was about this particular topic.

The simple fact that she could still wait here was a testament of a personal growth from her. The Echidna he first met would have broken out long ago.

‘I guess even someone as hopeless as her can change.’

Sol studied her coolly. “I released all your restrictions and shared my mana with you. That should let you fight at your peak for seven minutes at most. No more.”

It was all he could spare without crippling himself. Even so, Echidna’s expression twisted into a grin, her eyes gleaming like those of a starving wolf.

“Seven minutes is more than enough!” she barked before vanishing in a blur, chasing after Ambrosia.

That left only Anubis. The handsome necromancer king stretched lazily, rolling his shoulders.

“So, you’re not coming?” He asked.

“I can’t use Deus right now. I’d only hold you back. More importantly, the groom cannot leave the stage.” Sol shrugged

Anubis snorted. “You’re underselling yourself.” With a flick of his hand, he rose into the air.

“Will you guys be able to handle it? She’s still a goddess, after all.”

Sol asked, but despite showing worries in his words, his expression was serene.

He knew they were strong and he knew that they would not die from something like this.

Still, not dying and winning were vastly different.

“A goddess, huh?” Anubis smirked, teeth bared. “I’ve fought one before. Let me share a truth with you, Dragon Emperor—”

“At my level, a mere new goddess is nothing to fear.”

And with that, Anubis vanished, following the other two into the storm.

For a moment, Sol simply stood there, gaze lingering on the empty air they had left behind. Then slowly, he turned back to Medea.

The witch had remained silent through it all. Her earlier smile of happiness was now gone, replaced by a steadfast light shining in her eyes.

There was no shame nor fear in them. Much less guilt or self doubt.

Sol was momentarily surprised. Knowing Medea, he had expected her to be filled with guilt.

After all, Euphoria had clearly used them to succeed in her goal.

In a way they were accomplice in this situation. Albeit unwilling ones.

The surprise melted away, replaced by something softer. A quiet smile curved his lips as he raised his hands and cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing against her veil.

“Do you wish to continue?” he asked, voice low, his eyes filled with nothing but love and tenderness.

Medea held his gaze. Then, slowly, her lips curved into a smile.

“I would not stop,” she whispered, “even if the world were to end at this very moment.”

Sol laughed out loud. All while this was happening, he had been keeping the entire room and even the entire capital under his protection.

One of the noble, greatly agitated, raised a hand timidly and asked.

“Shouldnt we… do something?”

He didn’t know what he was saying or what they were even supposed to do. But, wasn’t this a legendary moment? Why were they still here?

To this genuine question, Sol’s answer was all the more simpler.

“Not even the birth of a goddess is more important than my wedding. That is all.”

“Oh…”

The bewildered noble could only sit down, completely lost but strangely convinced.

Camelia, amused, held a hand and continued the ceremony.

“I will ask once again. Is there anyone who opposes this marriage?”

No one answered. How could anyone even dare to do so in this current atmosphere.

“Then, since that's the case, it’s my pleasure to call the two of you, husband and wife. You can now share a kiss.”

Sol turned fully toward Medea. His hand slid gently to lift her veil, and for the first time that day, her face was revealed to all.

Sol smiled, unshaken by the storm that raged beyond these walls. Then he leaned forward, closing the distance.

Their lips met and soon the two of them shared a kiss filled with so many complex feelings they could hardly be explained.

As their lips separated, the two gazed into each other's eyes.

“I love you, Sol.”

“I love you, Medea.”

The wedding was still being projected through the world and so, the entire world witnessed the completion of the wedding while completely lost about what they should feel.

But this image was engraved in their mind.

They would forever remember this day.

Not just as the day where a new goddess was born.

But also the day where a mortal rose in defiance and continued his wedding despite the situation.

And the day was far from ending.

In fact, It was just starting.