Orion The Fallen God Chapter 16: Chapter 15 - Fractured Heavens

Read chapter 16 of Orion The Fallen God by AltexTV on NovelPedia.

The Angelic Capital glowed beneath endless daylight, suspended high above oceans of white clouds like a monument carved from divine memory itself. Towering crystalline structures rose toward the heavens while rivers of luminous energy flowed between floating districts in shimmering currents of gold and silver. From a distance, the city still looked eternal. Untouched and perfect, but perfection had begun to crack. Since the destruction of Havoc, fear had spread quietly throughout the capital. Trade sectors reported instability across multiple systems. Outer worlds demanded increased military protection while rumors surrounding Valak and the demons continued spreading faster than official reports could suppress them. Entire fleets vanished near contested territories. Refugees from frontier systems arrived daily carrying stories so horrifying many citizens refused to believe them completely. Perhaps most dangerous of all, confidence in the Angelics had begun fading. The High Council had summoned every member to an emergency meeting as they discuss what will be the best option moving forward. Twelve council seats formed a perfect circle around the central platform. All twelve were occupied yet no one spoke at first. The silence filling the chamber no longer felt peaceful. It carried tension now, heavy and suffocating, as though the very air understood something irreversible was about to happen. Several councilors exchanged uncertain glances while others stared toward the center platform where High Elder Oldol stood calmly with his hands folded behind his back. Age had weakened his body long ago, but wisdom still radiated from him with undeniable presence. His silver robes flowed gently beneath the currents of light moving throughout the chamber while his expression remained composed despite the unease surrounding him. Heidel stood several steps behind him, watching the council carefully. She could already feel the fracture spreading through the room. Oldol finally broke the silence. "The situation across the outer systems continues deteriorating faster than expected," he said calmly. His voice echoed softly throughout the chamber while glowing projections materialized around them, displaying entire sectors marked by spreading regions of instability. "Demonic fleets now control multiple trade routes near Havoc's surrounding territories, and Valak's influence continues expanding across worlds we can no longer reliably monitor." Several councilors lowered their eyes toward the projections. The crimson markings continued spreading slowly across the floating maps like an infection. Oldol continued carefully. "At the same time, Arcadia continues accelerating development of the Arcane Program. Intelligence divisions confirm increased military production alongside expanded experimentation involving arcane integration." A low murmur spread quietly throughout the chamber. One elder councilor leaned forward slightly in his seat. "You believe Arcadia is preparing for war?" "They have always been preparing for war," another councilor replied coldly. Oldol nodded once. "Yes. But the scale of preparation has changed significantly since Havoc." The chamber fell quiet again, everyone understood why. What happened on Havoc had shaken the universe itself. Entire populations erased, cities emptied overnight, reality itself destabilized and at the center of it all stood Valak. The Orion of Chaos no longer felt like a rogue warrior, instead he felt like the beginning of something far worse. Oldol slowly looked around the chamber before speaking again. "We can no longer afford to divide our attention between multiple existential conflicts. If we continue exhausting resources against Arcadia while simultaneously combating demonic expansion and Valak's growing influence, eventually we will lose both wars." Odol explained. A councilor narrowed his eyes slightly. "Then what exactly are you proposing?" Oldol paused briefly before speaking, "We open negotiat