Chapter 5: The Betrayer Among Gods
The void was calm, almost peaceful, but Hayden knew better. Every calm hides a storm and the storm was coming.
From the edges of his newly formed realms, a figure approached. Not an enemy, but a being of pure light and shadow his own creation from the battle against the Void Legion. It bowed, voice echoing like distant thunder:
"Master, I have brought reinforcements."
Hayden's eyes narrowed. "Reinforcements? Who?"
From behind the minion emerged three more beings, each glowing with power that rivaled even Hayden's own. Warriors of creation, born from the remnants of fallen worlds, loyal only to him or so he thought.
The first spoke, voice calm yet commanding: "We are the Guardians of the Void. We've watched, waited, and now… we serve you."
Hayden felt a thrill. Allies at last. For the first time, he sensed the possibility of an unstoppable army.
But trust is a fragile thing in the void.
As they pledged themselves, a sudden eruption tore through Hayden's city-world. The ground shook. Lightning split the sky. One of the Guardians turned, eyes flashing red not in anger, but recognition.
"The Hunter," the Guardian whispered, trembling. "It's alive… and it seeks revenge."
Before Hayden could react, the Guardian lunged not at the Hunter, but at him. His own minion, the one he created first, screamed in alarm as the attack struck with precision.
Hayden staggered. "Why what ?"
The Guardian's eyes burned with a terrifying resolve. "I serve not you… but the void itself. You are not the last god they lied to you. You are a pawn in a war far larger than your petty creation."
Golden flames erupted around Hayden. Black lightning arced uncontrollably. His minions rushed to protect him, but the traitor's power was immense enough to tear through his defenses.
The Hunter's shards, long thought destroyed, appeared behind the traitor. They merged into a colossal force, amplifying the betrayal. Hayden realized the horrifying truth: he was surrounded, even among those he thought were loyal.
"You would betray the last god?" Hayden's voice was low, dangerous. "I create worlds, yet you choose death?"
The Guardian smirked. "Creation means nothing if you cannot survive the void. Power is fleeting, godling. I will take it… and rule what remains."
Hayden's chest heaved. Pain lanced through him not from power, but from betrayal. And yet, his eyes blazed brighter than ever.
"You'll regret this," he whispered. With a thought, the void around him ignited. Mountains shattered, oceans boiled, and cities of golden flame rose again forming weapons, shields, armies.
The battle had shifted. No longer was it just survival against the void it was survival against friends turned enemies, against a betrayal that cut deeper than any cosmic weapon.
And Hayden smiled, teeth glinting in the golden light. "Then let us see… who truly deserves to stand as god."
The first clash of betrayals began, and the multiverse shook in response.