Chapter 110: The Corruption of Order
The air remained heavy long after Chaos and Order vanished.
The Vanguard stood in uneasy silence, the flames of their campfire casting long shadows across the stone ruins. The knowledge that Order had fallen weighed heavier than any battle wound.
Kael finally broke the silence.
His voice was calm, measured—but there was an edge to it.
"How did it happen?"
Life and Death turned toward him.
Kael met their gazes head-on. "How did Chaos corrupt Order?"
Life sighed, stepping closer to the fire, golden light flickering in her eyes. "It was not an easy thing to do. But then again… Order was always the most vulnerable."
Lucian frowned. "She was supposed to be the one who upheld balance. How does someone like that break?"
Death answered this time, his voice soft, yet absolute. "Because Order was always bound by rules. And Chaos… is the one thing that refuses to be bound."
The flames flickered as he continued.
"Long ago, before we were sealed, the four of us existed in harmony. Life gave existence, I ensured all things ended as they should, Order maintained the balance between, and Chaos…"
His red eyes darkened.
"Chaos sought to break it all."
Evelyne crossed her arms. "Typical villain story."
"No." Death shook his head. "Chaos does not destroy simply for destruction's sake. He believes existence is a game—one meant to be played without rules. And Order, who spent eons ensuring the world remained structured, unchanging, predictable…"
Life finished his sentence, her voice barely a whisper.
"She was the easiest one to break."
Kael exhaled, trying to piece it together. "What exactly did he do to her?"
Death closed his eyes. "He did not attack her. He did not force his will upon her."
He opened them again, the crimson glow brighter than before.
"He simply spoke."
Mira tensed. "Spoke?"
Life nodded. "Order's flaw has always been her need for logic. For a purpose. She finds comfort in rules, in absolutes."
She swallowed. "And Chaos gave her a question she could not answer."
Selene's silver eyes flickered. "What question?"
Death's voice was hollow.
"If everything must be in balance… then isn't Chaos also necessary?"
The fire crackled.
No one spoke.
Because they understood.
Order had spent eons ensuring stability, maintaining law, keeping the world aligned.
But Chaos was part of the world too.
And if all things needed balance—
Then why was Chaos the only one cast aside?
Lucian narrowed his eyes. "That's ridiculous."
"Is it?" Death murmured.
Lucian's jaw tightened. "She should have seen through that. It's manipulation."
Life sighed. "It is. But Order does not see things as we do. She does not feel emotion the same way mortals do."
Kael frowned. "Then what does she feel?"
Death exhaled. "Obligation."
Life nodded. "Duty."
"She seeks only what is logical. What makes sense. And Chaos… made himself make sense to her."
Evelyne let out a frustrated groan. "So what does this mean? That Order is just… his now?"
Death shook his head. "No. She has not fully fallen. But she is close."
Selene's expression darkened. "Then what happens when she does?"
Life's golden gaze met hers.
"If Order truly falls to Chaos, then the world itself will lose balance."
Mira clenched her fists. "Meaning?"
Death's voice was cold.
"It means reality itself will begin to collapse."
The words sent a cold chill through the group.
Cassian rubbed his temples. "Great. So, we're not just fighting Xelthar anymore. We're fighting literal gods."
Rael smirked. "Sounds about right for us."
Kael's Decision
Kael inhaled deeply, pushing away the rising frustration.
"So we have two problems," he said. "Xelthar is still a threat, and now we have to figure out how to stop Order from completely falling to Chaos."
Life nodded. "Yes."
Kael turned to her and Death.
"Can we save her?"
The divine siblings hesitated.
Life spoke first. "If she has not fully fallen, then yes. But only if she chooses to come back."
Kael clenched his jaw. "And if she doesn't?"
Death didn't answer immediately.
Then, he spoke.
"Then we must destroy her."
Silence.
No one looked away.
Because deep down—they knew he was right.
Kael exhaled sharply. "Then we have no choice."
He turned to the Vanguard.
"First, we deal with Xelthar." His crimson eyes burned. "Then, we find a way to bring Order back."
Lucian smirked. "For once, I agree."
Mira cracked her knuckles. "I was getting tired of waiting anyway."
Selene's voice was calm. "Then let's move before things get worse."
Kael turned to Life and Death. "Will you fight with us?"
Life grinned. "Of course."
Death simply nodded.
Kael took a breath.
They weren't just fighting a war anymore.
They were fighting for the fate of the world.
And the final battle against Xelthar was about to begin.