The doors to the golden throne room opened. Yellow light flooded through vast stained glass windows and overhead, miniature suns added to the illumination, dancing like revolving chandeliers. “Your highness! The next crusade into the hells is far from now. You did wish to be informed, correct? Oh great Sunfather.” An angel announced entering the throne room. Seemingly leothien in appearance with yellow wings, rings of gold revolving around her, crossing in front and behind her.

“Indeed. Though I question whether it was worth asking.” A prideful, echoing voice mused. “Every century, on the dot, I send my legions down to that vile plane and make our usual performance.” The Sunfather was seated in a throne of pure gold, decorated with elaborate patterns and relief imagery. He wore golden armor, glowing runes and patterns emblazoned upon his chestplate, with imagery of a newborn sun at its center. His face was golden and in the shape of a leothien’s with a mane of golden flames and a halo above his head that resembled a wreath of light. He stood up from his throne, walking over to one of his windows, looking outward. His head slightly tilted back with a hand over his hip.

“Is something bothering you, Sunfather?” the angel asked.

“Pay it no mind. It was nothing more than the musings of a King tiring of a usual chore. Having to clean up a place of eternal filth… endlessly…”

A new angel entered the doorway, carrying a golden, bladed spear. He wore decorated golden armor, wings of flame mounted to his back, and a halo like a ring of swords of light hovered over a circle of five faces.

“Permission to enter, my king?” the angel asked.

“Ah! My Aspect of Valor, Kothaiel! Yes, permission to enter.” the Sunfather invited him.

Kothaiel entered the throne room, stepping over to the Sunfather’s side. “You seem troubled. Care to share?” Kothaiel pressed.

The Sunfather sighed. “The next crusade will be upon us soon, as you know. It just feels somewhat boring anymore though. It’s always the same thing, every one hundred years, I send our legions down to that filth pit, mop it up, have the legions return, rinse and repeat.”

Kothaiel chuckled. “If I may say something, I kind of agree with your lover that it’s excessive to enact this every century. Perhaps just for one century, you could ease yourself and spend more time with her.” he pressed.

“My wife is naive, Kothaiel, she does not understand the ramifications of forgoing my duty, even once.” The Sunfather scoffed. “I have more important duties: creating new suns, addressing prayers and of course this… If I don’t do this, that means that the hellspawn population would be left unchecked and could wreak untold destruction. I just feel like doing something different for the crusade this time.”

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“Perhaps, you would like to do more than just giving orders, especially since it looks like the demons have been getting bold recently with their recent attempts at invading Sphereus. Perhaps you could utilize a more personal approach.” Kothaiel suggested.

“Yes… Yes!!!” The Sunfather’s sun-like eyes brightened. “I would certainly enjoy that!”

“Enjoy what, great Sunfather?” the messenger angel inquired.

“Perhaps it’s about time I went down there myself to see how well my legions perform. Sure some of the devils are capable of taking some of my archangels out of commission, but none would stand a chance against myself of all things. And the rest of the pantheon could use a reminder of who’s the greatest of the gods.” The Sunfather announced, boldly.

“You in battle? In… the hells of all places?” the messenger inquired. “Your highness, with all due respect, is this wise?”

The Sunfather laughed “Do you forget that you address a god? Not only that, but the greatest of the gods. Now, please pass on my insistence to Aeleth that she remain here during the crusade. I can’t have her steal the show, now. You are dismissed.” The messenger took note of the Sunfather’s request before leaving. The Sunfather turned to Kothaiel. “Pass the word to the legions that I shall be with them on this crusade. Do I have your loyalty?”

Kothaiel nodded his five faces. “Until your end, my lord. I will be sure they will be honored.” Kothaiel exited the throne room, the large doors closing behind him as he left.

The Sunfather then returned to the seat of his golden throne, He outstretched the palm of his hand. An image flickered into view like a figurine. of a robust leothien with a red, flame-like mane and cream-yellow fur, dressed in armor of gold and yellow and a cape of yellow and pink hues, proudly bearing his greatsword.

“Zelotes Nemean. Not everyday a freshly anointed paladin calls upon more of my power than what his piety grants him.” The Sunfather noted. “Perhaps this one is worth keeping a vigil on.” He looked to his shoulder. Golden yellow light condensed and took the form of an eagle. “Watch.” The Sunfather commanded. The eagle spread its wings, taking flight with a window opening as it left.