Salvation always came at a price. That was the way of things. L Red knew that as well as any other member of the Comet Clan. For the Light Binder's dreams, he was prepared to face whatever consequences he had to. Even the might of a false god.

"It would be in your best interest to comply," the Lady's voice came from above. "Your body won't last much longer."

Despite his protests, he could feel the truth in her words. Even the shackles on his wrists seem to crack under the weight pressed against him. And she showed no hints of stopping anytime soon.

How fast things had turned. It was a shock how fast the AIC descended. So many of his comrades were taken out one by one, even after that one brave smuggler had played distraction. Was he doomed to the same fate? The last he'd seen of him was on the ship minutes before they'd both been sent to the holding cells. For a man who'd so fearlessly charged into battle, his final words seemed oddly subdued. Calm even.

"Guess it's time to get the book thrown at us. Assuming Elisia doesn't step in."

At the time, he had only the briefest knowledge of who Elisia was. And as he lay crushed under her gravity field, he knew that wouldn't change anytime soon.

"I will ask you one last time," she said. "Where is the Light Binder?"

He bit back his response as the weight increased, his nose pressing into stone. Fear was almost as powerful as loyalty at that moment. But any inclination he had to speak was cast aside the moment he thought of his face. The man who would reshape the cosmos. Who even the White Legion of old bowed to. The true god.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"Glory to the Light Binder."

The words came from somewhere so deep, that they gave him strength. Made the weight on his back light as a feather. The Goddess nothing but an apparition.

"Glory to the Light Binder," he repeated. "Glory to the Comet Clan. You are...weak. Unworthy. You all are unworthy!"

The words echoed in his heart. He'd seen it with his own eyes. The power to make even a god wither away to nothingness. Power her and her kind could do nothing to stop. Nothing to overcome. It was why so many chose to follow. Why the planets fell at his feet one by one. The light of his comet would keep shining even as the universe became a smoldering pit of righteous fire!

"Glory to the Light Binder!" he screamed. "Glory to the worthy ones!"

The Goddess in front of him was unmoved by the declaration. Hers were ears he knew they'd never reach. Not without more worlds under their control.

"You truly are a lost soul," she said. "I almost pity you. Almost."

As the weight increased, he wondered to himself if he'd see the Light Binder in the next life. Perhaps he'd shower him with praise for his loyalty. The thought brought a smile to his face even under the crushing gravity.

"Know this before you depart o lost soul," she said. "Your Light Binder is no god. He is merely a man. And he'll fail like all the ones before him. I'll make sure of that."

He felt her hand on his head, her face hovering in front of his. Through her intense gaze, he couldn't help but wonder why she looked so afraid. It was the last thing he thought before the weight increased tenfold.