Chapter 157

Chapter 157
A/N: Not going to lie, this arc was years in the making. I also wanted to share a TASTE of these shenanigans bc to me it is so funny. And Just. I hope you enjoy!
Isabelle
The kids weren’t paying attention, since he planned teatime so well. They played with the toys since the movie was over,.…but a lot of common tropes that I noticed between the gods themselves and all they made…are similar,… 
Certain things in this world repeat…
I sipped the cocoa he made for us, and I was almost out, but Lord Time was already making more. There was also homemade chili being made on the stove, and another cake, and cookies, were in the oven. His country cottage could be the cover of a magazine, and the Lord of Time made food like he was on Foodie Network.
I didn’t hold any worry about who or what he really is. To be honest, I haven’t been counting how many visits we’ve done, but more than enough to know that he has no ill will. Xaxas on the other hand, makes me wonder if my trust is warranted. It’s rare such an easy going god has a frown on his face, well, other than losing a fight in his game.
But I could also see the inside of his shell… He wanted out of that fake flesh. So, I figured hear him out, and see where this goes.
For Xaxas to be so humble, the Lord of Time is the Lord of All. But even that wasn’t really new or anything…. because we kind of already figured that out…
“Hey, I have a question for you two.” Asked Calaxious, looking at Samira and me. Even thinking his true name is weird, like I’m not supposed to know it. “I kind of don’t want to ask… but I also don’t want to ruin this.” He motioned his cottage. “Yet… my pride and anger have already. Even now… all the pantheon rushes here… in pure terror…. Of me…”
Because my guess is right. We already talked about this.
And the growl I heard we traveled was the Realm Eater. I was more focused on getting here with the kids and my daughter, since at most, it sounded like frustration, not aggression.
“That sounds like your heart’s heavy grandpa.” Said Samira sweetly.
“It is little one. I actually truly like it here. I know that is strange coming from someone as old as me … yet if this was all there was, I’d be satisfied. Being mortal has taught me that emotion.” He said that looking at us. On the outside, his eyes were normal, but I could see what they really looked like: two blazing purple balls…. 
I wonder What kind of dragon is he?
“Go ahead.” I said casually. “I think I already know what this is about sir.”
“I do too.” Samira said shyly, feeling put on the spot.
“Do you remember the legend I told you?” He asked. He chose not to read our minds, which honestly, I appreciated. I know it’s passive, but not doing it takes actual effort. He got up to stir the cocoa, it wasn’t quite ready yet.
“Yeah.” We both more or less said at the same time.
“We know you’re the Realm Eater.” Said Samira
“Then… How do you see me?” Time asked that sitting next to her.
The man above Those Who Share One was patient, and kind. He sat there, worried about our opinion of him… Another trope I’ve noticed with them all. Arviel was a lecher chasing the affection and attention of the humans… Zuviel flayed men in his wife’s name… Aris waged war as is his purpose, but also because of his former jealousy of Xaxas, and his rank…. Xaxas destroyed this world for his mother’s love and her freedom… Yet all found their own way, and reformed because of either love, or lamentation of their actions.
And all learned that even though they changed, it is up to those they wronged to forgive them. If that bastard that clawed my face ever begged for forgiveness and meant it, I’d still let him serve the rest of his time in hell. If he truly meant it, he’d be on Layer 1 all on his own, because I didn’t put him there. We weren’t even at his hearing, since Bryson didn’t know how to use his powers, nor did I have mine.
“…. Can I be honest?” Samira asked like he’d be mad. I get that though; my unicorn pup was shy by nature, but lately she’s been much more bold.
“I could never be upset with you little one.” He smiled gently. It was a genuine smile. He looked at us like I look at the pups.
“Me and Izzy kind of talked about this already, but nobody makes a planet for an old man…” Samira looked at her almost finished cocoa, being naturally soft spoken. “Not even a little one sir…. But I don’t sense any malice or evil… you really do feel like Grandpa Uriel.”
“I noticed that too. For me he feels like the Horned One. Neat.” I said thinking out loud. “Hey, I should text them.”
“bu-” Samira cut him off
“It’ll be fun!” beamed Samira. “Also… Xaxas looks so serious…His kids were born today. If they’re anything like shifters, they aren’t going to listen when they get here.”
That I silently agree with. Zuviel and Arviel are probably already overreacting. But how would someone react to a world ending threat nobody can defeat?
“…. I must admit I had not thought of that….” Time said looking at the table. “I expected more resistance… and shock.” He mumbled.
I didn’t have cell service. Damn.
“Don’t feel bad. We saw through the Horned One’s ‘doctor’ getup” I said with a light smile. “Hell, Harmony has caught those two posing as humans at conventions.”
“Izzy there’s statues of me at people’s church. Do you know that I offend people?” Xaxas sat up. “Mortals now are so caught up in themselves that I could literally be twelve feet tall, butt-ass naked, and there’s still be doubt unless I actually did something.”
“It’s because your world is about level 6 in technology. As things become easier, mortals rely on your kin less. Not as many are dying at birth anymore, or from small injuries. People don’t lose entire arms from a simple infection, nor do they get suffering diseases…. Like how even I feel sorry for those who contract Death Pox. Pray it never reaches your world.” Said Time “Even I heard their grieving…it spread because of space travel, so this go ‘round, I made it damn near impossible.”
“My texts aren’t going through.” Said Samira.
“My aura still resonates through the cosmos. Magic is likely disabled for a time.” He mumbled. “Ziri, Issue a ban on magic. Don’t make it instant. Make it so when people land, they make it to the ground safely.”
A small silver ball appeared, his god console, along with the more familiar clear screen to type commands.
For us, we don’t get the little orbs, but we do get the screens. Eskaal made and reformed ones for us a few years ago, but I don’t use it often. It’s nuts that I have access to such software. With ours, we can use it to quite literally make worlds, or edit them…. In Xaxas’s words, ‘creative mode’ becomes enabled. It can even be used to alter appearances, change abilities, and so on, but something like that would have to be approved by Arviel or Zuviel depending on how extreme.
The Lord of Time flexed his fingers.
I felt a wave pulse through me, like a wave of energy… and I felt my magic leave me.
\[Yes master. Alert: Magic is disabled until further notice. Magic reduction process….Complete. Loss of life: 3 mortals. Sector 1, Planet: Gurth.\]
“Good job Ziri.” He said giving his console praise.
\[^.^\]
He stopped all magic from flexing his fingers, and telling his console. I’m pretty sure The Horned One and Lord of Light can do that too. It was impressive, but the kids, me, nor Samira were too awe struck by that.
Xaxas however, had eyes filled with wonder.
He logged into his god console to probably check. The clear tablet took twice as long to load, but other than that, it worked.
\[Welcome Three: Xaxashevaal, House of Nox, God of Judgment.\] Said Alexis. I think he ignored that. Bryson has his title disabled.
“Damn I don’t even have the divine wi-fi. This blows.” He grumbled.
I saw my little ones see the Lord of Time, and they decided for themselves that they should cheer him up.
“Grandpa, why do you look so upset?” Asked Zolotos. My little gold pup didn’t get it, nor the other kids.
“Do you remember the Realm Eater story?” He asked.
They jumped up and down.
“I do!” Said Ari and Vex at the same time
The room was silent for about 5 seconds. In that time he calmed them down gently, and looked each one of us in the eyes.
When they locked with mine, all I could see was the whisper of regret, and a whiff of honest, genuine melancholy. He looked as if we were going to get up, run, and scream.
The great silver dragon that ate everything and everyone…. He gained all the power of his people, eating even his kin. The consumption though, did not go unpunished. By his own deeds, he destroyed all he loved after he ruled for a time. It’s said that the Realm Eater is still around, and I know he told us his story. How awful that sounds…. But he behaves nothing like his former self.
All he’s ever done was try to be nice to us, or help us. When we come here, there’s never an unpleasant moment. And I bring Samira, because not only does she want to go, but we both enjoy his company.
It did piss me off a little that Calaxious hid himself, but I understand why he did it. The mere mention of his name worries Arviel and Zuviel. He also eats our kind, yet does not want to that I can see. Or at least, like my son Tyson, it’s only directed at those who really deserve it.
But I also feel like there’s more to this… He killed his family for power, and after a time, he accidently killed the new family he made with his wives according to the story…. Did he grieve so badly that he wanted to be done away with it all?
Raise Arviel, Humblon, and Zuviel to rule in his stead….
“Would you worry of me If I was the Realm Eater?” He asked that while they crowded him, excited for his words.
“No.” all 4 of my little ones said at the same time. They didn’t care.
“Can we go play with your chickens?” Asked Vex. “I Promise Ari won’t eat one this time!”