Divinity: Against the Godly System

The room was filled with more and more gods as they kept appearing here one after another. It seemed to be a mass gathering. 

The newly arrived people didn't forget to greet the Lord of Time and the Lord of Space as they had come out of their seclusion after a long time. 

Most of them were still confused as to what the Lord of Time was doing in this world. And why had he stopped the time of this world?

The only thing that they found special about this world was that the sons of gods were in this world going through their trials. 

A few of them noticed the bracelet and understood everything. The others, however, had to resort to asking to find the truth. 

*****

Other than the Gods, there were a few more youngsters that were free of the restriction in time. 

The Lord of Time wanted to stop the time of only this house, but he had subconsciously stopped the time of this world. Fortunately, his power was still in his control up to some extent despite using it after centuries. 

Because the Lord of Time didn't intend it, the Sons of Gods weren't affected. 

It was similar to why Ryder wasn't affected. It wasn't because of the bracelet of immortality that he was free of restriction from time. It was because of his inner strength that no one knew about. The Bracelet of Immortality didn't even have to activate to keep him free. 

Unfortunately, despite all that, Ryder still failed to stay conscious against the abilities of Janus. He was lying unconscious, unaware of the conversation that was taking place between others. He had no control over his destiny and what was about to happen. 

All it depended on was what the Lord of Time did and how the bracelet reacted to it.

*****

"I'm sure some of you may know why I came out of my seclusion. It's because of too much disturbance in time. I just couldn't stop myself," the Lord of Time explained to others.

"When I came out, I found out the source of that distortion, and it led me to this place. To make sure that the time wasn't affected too much because of the distortion, I used my abilities in this house, only to later realize that I had affected this world," he continued as he smiled wryly. 

"In any case, what happened next is me finding the distortion to be coming from this boy who was able to move even after being affected by my abilities," he added as he pointed towards the Lord of Time.

"And you all can understand why he wasn't affected like I did. It's because of the bracelet," he said as he squinted his eyes. 

Most of the Gods had already noticed the bracelet. There were still some who hadn't noticed the bracelet yet. Even those people noticed it after the Lord of Time pointed towards him. 

A wave of gasps filled the room.

"That bracelet!"

"After so long, it appeared again!"

"I can't believe it was found again. How was it able to protect him, though? Wasn't the bracelet sealed by all of us? It shouldn't have any abilities left?"

Along with the shocked gasps, a few questions were also raised. 

The Lord of Time gazed at Janus as he smiled amusingly. 

"Janus, would you like to answer them or should I?" he asked vaguely.

Janus squinted his eyes as he wondered if the Lord of Time was actually asking him to answer or implying something. 

He kept his head calm as he answered, "I think he found some keys that you all used to seal the bracelet. We can only conclude that his luck was too good," Janus told everyone as he glanced back at Ryder. 

His tone was as calm as always.

"I knew something like this would happen. That's why it's better to keep dangerous things with us instead of throwing them away randomly!"

"That's right. We made a mistake last time. Instead of being scared of the bracelet and trying to throw it away, we should have found methods to control it. In any case, it's a miraculous item that was created by him."

"Exactly. We have another opportunity to correct our past mistakes. The bracelet has returned to us. Let's just take it this time."

Some of the gods started chiming in with their opinions. Their opinions went against the suggestion of Janus. 

There were some that opposed this as well, giving Janus some boost. 

"The problem still remains! Which one of us can keep the bracelet in control? It's a dark power that might have the Demon God's vengeance and his wrath. He was killed while wearing this thing, after all. It would be risky for us." The Lord of Wind said in a heavy tone.

"That's right. The last time was the same. This bracelet is a double-edged sword that is more dangerous to keep with us than it is to throw away!" The Lord of Lakes chimed in.

"Exactly! Moreover, which one of us can keep it? Will others agree to that? Can any of us be allowed to keep it? It's too strong. If I keep it, you'll be suspicious of me, and you'll try to kill me. Others might do the same if one of you gets to keep it!" The God of Rage supported the notion. 

"That's right. We're all equally strong, mostly. But the bracelet will give an undue advantage to whoever keeps it. Even though it's sealed, it's still not good. It will only end up in a war amongst ourselves," Janus chimed in, trying to make the balance tilt towards his side. 

"That's why I opposed keeping it last time. And this is also why I'll suggest the same thing," he further added. 

"It was an unfortunate event that a mortal managed to find the bracelet and get its fragments. But this still proves it. That this was a better option; if a god had kept it, we might have had many civil wars. But a mortal got it." 

Janus walked towards Ryder slowly. He kicked Ryder's arms lightly as he continued, "And what's the worse a mortal can do? Even with the bracelet, there can be no irreversible damage that can be created by a Mortal."

Janus's gaze moved through everyone who was present inside this place. 

"We're here to decide what to do with the bracelet. There are two suggestions. One is to keep the bracelet with one of us, and the other is to do the same as we did last time. You can all decide what to do."

"But just remember... Choosing the first option means setting up the foundation of a civil war. You thought the last great war was bad? Going against one powerful God was bad."

"Just imagine the chaos when we all go against each other. None can survive. It's for you to decide. Do you support leaving, or you support a civil war," Janus finished before he folded his arms. 

"That's right. I don't want a civil war!" The Lord of Wing voiced loudly. 

"There won't be a war. It's just fear-mongering of Janus like last time. I support keeping the bracelet by one of us. And I also nominate me to be the person who keeps the bracelet!" The God of War declared proudly. 

"I support keeping it as well. And I nominate myself to be the one who keeps it," the Goddess of Destiny chimed in. 

"Hey, why do you get to keep it? You're the worst person to keep it. I should be the one who keeps it!" the God of War retorted. 

"Just shut up. I'm the best person to keep it!" the God of Thunder let out arrogantly as he threw his nomination into the mix. 

After the three of them started asking for the bracelet, more gods started doing the same. The voices that were supporting throwing away the bracelet were drowned in the voices that supported keeping the bracelet for themselves. 

It seemed less like a nominal and more like a vocal fight. 

"Sigh, I guess you were right. I can see them going to war for this bracelet if one of them is allowed to keep it," the Lord of Time muttered as he gazed at Janus. 

" I would never suggest the things that are bad for us. Of course, I was only thinking for ourselves," Janus muttered vaguely, not signifying what he meant by, "Us."

He made it feel like he was talking about the gods, but only he knew what he truly meant. 

"Silence!" the Lord of Space yelled. His single yell was enough to shake the entire space of this universe. Fortunately, he had controlled himself, or he would have caused spatial storms to appear everywhere. 

" Is this the etiquette you show when all of us gather at one place? Why do you fight like mortals? Stop showing me something so unsightly. Janus is right. If we keep it, the only thing we'll receive is devastation. I support losing the bracelet!" he declared.