Chapter 59 - 58 : Gods and higher-ups

[Somewhere on moon. Lower God’s Palace. Bragi, Horus, and Faunus stand near a fountain shaped like a stag drinking from eternal waters.] Bragi strumming a small harp with a grin congrataled, "Faunus, my friend, I must say—word of your latest creations has traveled faster than my own songs. Kings, kingdoms, beasts... You’ve really outdone yourself." Horus spoke while adjusting his falcon-headed helm, "Indeed. It is not every day that a low-ranked god commands such grandeur. The mortal realms are buzzing. I saw a vision just this morning—your kings rallying armies beneath banners blessed by your hand." Faunus, forcing a smile, scratching the back of his neck answered,"Ah... well, you know... nature thrives when you give it a little nudge." Bragi leans in conspiratorially"A little nudge? That’s more than a nudge. That’s a shove worthy of song and legend." Horus nodding with pride spoke,"We should drink to this. It is rare for gods like us to taste the warmth of Olympus and Asgard’s approval." Faunus laughs lightly, but his eyes shift away "Approval... yes... rare indeed." Faunus internally clenches. He knows the truth—some of his "perfect" kings have already gone astray, carving their kingdoms into chaos. But he takes their praise like a man accepting gold he didn’t earn. Suddenly, the faint clang of armored boots echoes across the courtyard. Heimdall emerges, rainbow light shimmering behind him like a storm in color. Heimdall’s stern voice like a cold wind came, "Faunus." Faunus straightens up and asked, "Ah... Heimdall. What brings you here? Surely not to compliment my ’masterpieces’ as well?" Heimdall’s expression were unmoved,"Odin, Shiva, and Zeus are calling for you. Now." Bragi laughs nervously, "See? Even the high thrones notice!" Horus clapped Faunus on the shoulder"Go. Bask in the recognition. This is your moment." Faunus smiles back at them, hiding the sudden cold knot in his stomach. [As Faunus walks alongside Heimdall, the marble path stretches endlessly toward the looming halls of judgment.] Faunus asked in a casual tone, masking his nerves"So... what’s the occasion? A feast? A medal? A... divine handshake?" Heimdall said while not even looking at him,"They’re angry." Faunus tone drops slightly, "Angry...? At who?" Heimdall glances sideways, eyes sharp, and then spoke, "At you. The higher council just tore into them for allowing your... mistakes... to fester. Some of your kings have gone astray. You’ve made enemies where mistakes,they were never meant to grow and gain there own consciousness." Faunus exhales slowly, "So... not a medal, then." Heimdall spoke with a grimon his face, "Not unless you count an execution order as an award." They walk on. The golden light fades into the shadow of the great hall doors, where the voices of Odin, Shiva, and Zeus rumble like a coming storm. [Inside the Hall of Judgment] The chamber was vast, its ceiling swallowed in shadow. Colossal pillars carved with wars of old lined the hall, each one etched with the faces of gods long fallen. At the far end sat Zeus, stormlight flickering across his bronze skin; Odin, one eye like a void that swallowed courage; and Shiva, still as a blade before the strike. As Faunus entered, their voices cut through the air like hammer blows. Zeus slammed his fist onto the marble armrest, sparks leaping. "Do you have any idea the mess you’ve unleashed?" Odin’s voice was cold and deep. "Your so-called kings have gone unscripted. Wolf king got killed by that Natsuki Subaru guy. Sperm king and Giant squid king fought against each other instead of choosing a champion. The Raven King personally fought against a champion and so on." Shiva leaned forward, fingers drumming slowly on the armrest. "This task was entrusted to you. You failed." Faunus swallowed hard, then lifted his chin. "With respect, I am but a minor god of the wilds. You placed a mantle on me fit for a being of far greater power. Why not give this duty to Pan, or Demeter, or even Cernunnos? They rank above me in nature’s hierarchy." Shiva’s gaze sharpened, the faintest curl of a smile on his lips. "Because one of the higher gods asked for you... specifically." Faunus blinked. "...Asked for me? Why?" The three high gods exchanged glances. A heavy silence passed, as if the weight of the answer might crush the hall itself. Zeus leaned back, his tone quieter, almost wary. "That’s what we’ve been asking ourselves." Odin’s one eye narrowed. "It is... unusual. They rarely take notice of lower gods, much less request one by name." Shiva gave a slow nod. "But they did. And when they ask... we obey." Faunus felt a rush of relief. If the higher god had requested him, perhaps this was all just a misunderstanding. Maybe he would be spared. He even let out a small, shaky laugh. "Well... I suppose I should thank them for their trust, then." The massive doors at the back of the chamber groaned open. A figure entered — hunched, frail-looking, draped in tattered robes that whispered across the marble like dry leaves. His face was hidden beneath the shadow of a hood, his gait slow, as if each step were older than time itself. And yet — Zeus, Odin, and Shiva all rose from their thrones, their heads bowing low in unison. Faunus froze. They bow... to him? The figure stopped before the council, lifting his head just enough for two ancient eyes to glint beneath the hood. His voice was soft, but it carried the weight of oceans and the finality of a coffin lid. "Faunus." The minor god stiffened. "Y-yes... my lord?" "I have come... for you." The three great gods turned their eyes toward Faunus, and for the first time since he had entered, there was no anger in their expressions — only pity. Odin’s voice was almost a whisper. "You will not be coming back." The hooded figure extended a hand like twisted roots, and the shadows at his feet stretched, curling toward Faunus like hungry vines.