God of Restoration

Chapter Fourteen

Alloy jerks back to attention when the shadow comes over them. How could he be so inattentive? The Omniverse is probably the most dangerous place for his friends to be, and he got distracted as soon as he got a little fatigued! Fate has had enough. She won't stand for this nonsense anymore. That young Deity was nothing when she did away with him! Balance messes with her own Multiverses much more than she will allow. She's made sure every single Balance before him has faded, and preventing this one from doing his duty works just as well. Balance made it too easy by cornering himself in a Multiverse! All this is now is a shell.

One of Fate's massive feet is coming down on all four Monsters. She intends to crush them all, and prove Balance to be gone. None of the Deities care for the lives of the three others, but one of them has always been a little off. Alloy felt more even before he gained his Multiverse. It gave Ancient hope that this one would stick around, but that hope was dashed. The Multiverse needs Balance.

"You won't hurt them anymore!" Alloy roars, full of rage at what Fate is trying to do. He rarely gets angry. He shoves himself out of Reaper's arms and lands harshly on his feet. An audible and chilling crack splits the air as Alloy's bones come completely undone. Broomie clatters to the ground. Phinigan makes metallic pinging sounds as it settles.

Fate is nearly knocked to the ground when a force slams into her lower leg. She stumbles back a few steps away from the Monsters. Dream, for once, doesn't feel the slightest bit of alarm when another leg comes down to stand protectively in front of them. His eyes trail up.

Balance is a bestial Deity, though his form is wispy and foggy. It becomes more solid by the second. His massive head resembles a Gaster Blaster, and his entire body is skeletal. His soul is even visible between his massive ribs. A darkness similar to the void fills the space between the bones of his wings. Balance's tail flicks angrily from side to side as he stares Fate down. Then he cutely curls his neck to peer between his front legs to check on the others. His eye lights are still the same. His emotions are still off like all the Deities, but both Dream and Nightmare can sense a familiar warmth.

"Balance," Ancient breathes out. The bestial Deity's head flicks up to look at them. A deep rumble resonates in Balance's chest. His figure has obvious sighs of fading, but he's nearly the size of Soul! Deities who last that long don't fade. While Alloy was split into Ink and Error, he really did come to the brink of fading forever. He may have been gone for good.

"It's good to see you again, my friend," Destiny smiles widely now. She never had any doubt in him. She vividly remembers how excited Balance had always been to receive his Multiverse. His love and determination alone is fierce enough to persist. Destiny looks to Fate. The other Deity is tuck staring at Balance.

"It is clear now, if nothing else, that Fate lied about Balance's absence," Ancient booms out, regaining control of the trial. The entire council is angered by this. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Fate doesn't know what to say. She's been caught red handed. She can't believe that Balance stuck around for so long after she ripped him apart. Her rage begins to grow hotter and hotter. How dare Balance get in her way! She's about to do something drastic when a weight drags down her left arm. She hisses as the massive chain holds her in place on the stage.

"Fate's punishment will now be decided. Anyone uninvolved in the case will now leave," Time racks his gaze over the younger Deities in the audience. They quickly scatter and teleport out.

"Balance, you can take those mortals back to your Multiverse if you'd like. Fate's punishment will need careful planning," Destiny explains. The named Deity grumbles and tugs at her chain, but there's no use in it. Balance lets out a kind of chirp in appreciation. It's clear that the other Deities can understand him, but the Monsters cannot.

"Alloy- umm- Balance? Oh wow! You're just....... amazing......" Dream says in wonder. A Deity's magical aura is more than just magic. It seems depthless and all powerful to a mortal. It's clear that Old Ones are more powerful, but Balance is a Deity that will fight for them. Getting to know Alloy in the goofy, awkward, and loving way he is just proves how Balance cares. Dream gently lays one hand on his strong leg. Balance hums at the praise, shifting on his feet a little in embarrassment.

"Between you and me, I think you're the only Deity I like. They seem like a bunch of sad sacks to me. So serious," Reaper chuckles. Balance huffs at that, rolling his eyes. Destiny and Feelings aren't so bad......

"I thought you were done with surprises!?" Nightmare squawks, "But you're a fucking dragon? That would've been nice to know! I swear, I can't take you anywhere without some crazy shit going down." He's laughing a little by the end.

Balance then carefully picks up his feet and moves so that no one is below him. The Deity lays down on his belly and fans out one wing so the three can climb on. Dream nearly squeals in excitement. Nightmare groans in annoyance at his brother, but climbs up with Reaper following. Balance's spine has jagged protrusions that make great handholds. He only stands up once the three are settled.

The Bestial Deity pauses to nod to the council and hiss a few choice insults at Fate before rushing towards the door. It feels good to curse her now that the other Old Ones won't defend her. It's also funny that Nightmare can't chew him out for it. Balance runs smoothly down the walkway and quickly out of the cathedral. He had forgotten how powerfully this body moves. He feels invincible! Balance pushes himself to race faster and faster towards home. He can't wait to see the others and let them know that Fate will never be a problem again.

The journey through the Omniverse is much quicker this time. Their Multiverse quickly comes into view in all its glory. Balance wants nothing more now than to go home and leave the Omniverse to itself, but as they near, his eyes widen. Balance drops his butt down and skids on the smooth ground, screeching in alarm. He nearly throws his passengers off. Balance stumbles and flops hard onto his stomach before finally stopping just short of his Multiverse.

"Are you okay?" Dream is quick to ask, thinking Balance had clumsily tripped. The Deity whimpers and shuffles his front paws a bit before spreading one wing for them to get off.

"You're not coming with us?" Nightmare asks in alarm.

"I don't think it's that he doesn't want to....." Reaper starts in horrified realization, "But he can't. Deities can't enter Multiverses." Balance looks to him and wines, his eye lights dull.

"We came all this way to protect our Multiverse, but we're loosing Alloy!?" Nightmare shouts in shock. "No, I won't have that!"