Revy Gray Warped World Reflections

  [ Aertos - central imperial city ]

 The city was a sprawling testament to power and opulence, a maze of gleaming spires and grand palaces that stretched out to the horizon like fingers of a giant hand, reaching for the heavens. At the center of this bastion of human ambition stood the Six Summits, a towering structure that was both a symbol of unity and a stark reminder of the gods' dominion over the land.

Within the grand chamber, the air was thick with incense and the murmur of hushed conversations. The room was vast, its ceiling lost in the shadows, supported by six mighty pillars that stretched upwards like the necks of ancient titans. Upon thrones atop each pillar sat the gods themselves—or rather, the mortals who had been granted their power.

Edmir, the god of water, his eyes a deep blue that mirrored the vast oceans of Aerthos, nodded solemnly as Aria took her place. His robes, a flowing cascade of liquid silk, rippled around him with the grace of waves upon the shore. Fayir, the god of earth, was a stoic presence, his eyes as green as the lush forests that carpeted the land, his skin a living embodiment of the soil itself. He regarded Aria with a curiosity that seemed to hint at the secrets buried within the very fabric of the world.

Gabyy, the god of air, her eyes as clear as a cloudless sky, fluttered her wings with an excitement that seemed to stir the very breezes of the chamber. Her smile was like the warm kiss of the sun upon one's skin, and her gaze spoke of adventures untold. Hena, the god of fire, her eyes a fiery red, watched Aria with a burning intensity, her fingers tracing patterns in the air as if playing with the very flames of creation.

Malir, the god of darkness, his eyes as black as the abyss, sat in the shadows, a silent sentinel whose very presence seemed to cast a chill over the room. His power was not to be underestimated, a force that could swallow the world whole if he so desired.

Aria took her place before the six gods, her eyes gleaming with the promise of power. She felt a thrumming beneath her feet, a pulse that seemed to resonate with the very essence of time itself. It was a heady feeling, one that made her blood race with excitement and ambition.

Edmir, the god of water, spoke first; His voice was a deep rumble, as if echoing in the room. "Welcome, Aria," he said, unblinking as he examined her. "You appear before us with the weight of fate on your shoulders. Until now, no one had been fired from the six seats. For the first time in history, someone was fired and you replaced him."

Fayir, the earth god, whose gaze was as stubborn as the mountains he shaped, added: "Your journey here has been swift, and your ascent to the top even swifter. Tell us, what moves you?" His words were a challenge, a demand for truth disguised as a question.

Aria stepped forward, her eyes shining with the promise of victory. "I am driven by the desire to see this world become more beautiful," she said, her voice resonating with the power of time. "The former owner of the time seat was a cowardly old man who corrupted his abilities for fear of disrupting the flow of time. But I see potential in every moment, every second. With my power, I can bend time to my will, to prevent the decay of beauty and bring prosperity to the empire."

The gods stared at him, their faces a picture of suspicion and curiosity. Only Hena, the god of fire, leaned forward with interest, her eyes shining like embers in the night. "The king's salvation was no small feat," he said, his tone measured.

"It was the least I could do," Aria replied, her confidence unshaken. "The king's death would have plunged the empire into chaos. The flow of time is delicate, and I knew that preventing his demise was a necessary step to maintain balance."

The gods exchanged glances, their expressions a tapestry of doubt and intrigue. "Your ability to manipulate time is indeed a powerful gift," Edmir said, his words carrying the weight of an ancient tide. "But with great power comes great responsibility. The fate of the world lies in the hands of those who wield it. Use it wisely, lest you become the very chaos you seek to prevent."

Aria nodded solemnly, her eyes never leaving the assembly. "I understand, my lord," she said, her voice steady. "My intentions are pure. I seek only to protect and serve the realm."

Fayir leaned on his throne, his gaze unyielding. "The king's salvation was indeed a great success," he said, his voice like the rustle of leaves in an ancient grove. "But the passage of time is not to be trifled with, young god. This is a river that should not be cursed."

Aria returned his gaze without blinking. "I know the risks," he said firmly. "But I did not change the outcome. I simply observed, learned, and acted within the limits of fate. The king was not supposed to die, but to be poisoned. I only learned what poison was. It was a test of my determination and the strength of my beliefs."

The gods remained silent, weighing her words like a delicate balance. Finally, Hena spoke again, her voice like the crackling of a roaring bonfire. "You have proven your worth, Aria," she said, a fiery smile playing on her lips. "But beware of the price of power. Time is not a toy to be played with lightly."

Aria felt the weight of her words, but she was undeterred. "I am aware, my lady," she replied, her voice steady. "I seek to enhance the lives of the people of Aerthos, not to control or manipulate them."

The gods examined him; His immortal eyes pierced the veil of her intent. It was clear they weren't easily impressed, but Aria's confidence remained unwavering. "The power of time is a delicate dance," he continued, "but before that, I want to talk about a danger that awaits us in the future."