Deadmeat Saga

Intermission – Taboo weapon: Otherworlder Summoning.

Drolum Theocracy.

It is one of the three superpowers in the Griqix Mega-Continent alongside the Kerus Dynasty and the Atasheborg Magocracy and the center of the human pantheon belief system.

Among the three powers, they are the newest ones, having only several thousand years of history as a superpower compared to the ancient hundreds of thousands-year-old Kerus Dynasty and tens-of-thousands-year-old Atasheborg Magorcracy. Nevertheless, they are also the most powerful of the three thanks to the rising belief in the human gods and innate weaknesses of the Kerus Dynasty and Atasheborg Magocracy stemming from declining resources.

However, just because they are a superpower doesn't mean they are at war with others. On the contrary, they are very passive militarily. Although they have the inquisitorial and templar orders with their holy army, that is only for deterrence of violence. Their expansion stemmed solely from the inability of their neighbors to control their massive territories.

However, talents in the three superpowers got assassinated, and the ones who suffered the most were the already declining Kerus Dynasty, threatening to extinguish its fabled bloodline and end it. That is an ill omen. Someone is targeting the human race, seeking to weaken it as if to soften it from the inside by gnawing at its roots. Also, early signs of war emerged in the smaller kingdoms, about to engulf the Griqix Mega-Continent in an age of war that would further weaken it.

It took them several dozen years to realize it, but the Theocracy slowly understood that something significant was about to happen. Ancient enemies were targeting the human race, and a sword was hanging from above, threatening to fall on their necks. The Kerus Dynasty was too weakened and paranoid to realize it, and the Atasheborg Magocracy was too busy with their magic studies and disinterest in secular affairs.

Meanwhile, the Theocracy, militarily passive and unwilling to engage in the struggles of the lesser kingdoms, didn't want to use and weaken their armies, seeing them as a trump card against a bigger foe.

And that was why they gathered to discuss their next course of action, to use a taboo weapon not used for a thousand years.

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Fluhmond, the Holy Capital of the Drolum Theocracy. A megacity with over a million residents.

Inside the central temple castle-

Thirteen stone thrones lay around a massive round table, light cascading from stained glass windows. Sitting on ten were magnetic figures, male or female, old or young, each emitting power. They were the Chosen of their respective gods, the council of thirteen, representing the thirteen principal gods of humanity, above the lesser gods such as Brigva, Taelia, and Kaggyn.

The difference between lesser and greater gods was the power they wielded. Lesser gods had to cede part of their power to their superior gods. Only the principal gods had true Chosen.

At the seat of Xumis, the God of Light, Order, and Authority, sat an aged figure with two balls of light for eyes. He was Jeraco Lightbringer, the recognized leader who lived for several hundred years. Scanning the seats with his eyes, he nodded.

"Ten of us have gathered, with the seats of Life and Time remaining vacant, and the Magic Seat is in the Magocracy as always. The meeting shall commence." Jeraco said. "We are gathered here to decide on using the taboo weapon: Otherworlder Summoning."

"Must we use it? You should know the consequences and risks. They are not a force you can leash like a dog. They are a natural disaster in their own right, promising change and chaos." A giant woman easily 3m tall asked. She was the Earth Seat.

"Yes. It isn't something to consider lightly. The ones summoned bring- things along with them. If lucky, they are suitable vessels that can accept the rule powers from our gods in the form of so-called Cheats, but if worse, they carry unpredictable and corruptive powers from foreign entities. And it doesn't succeed all the time. Don't forget the Great Labyrinth of Terror incident where the summoning failed, resulting in a disaster-class dungeon forming on the other continent." A slender man with a long face and spiky hair frowned. He was the Wind Seat.

"That incident wasn't related to us, though. That was the experimenting of those demi-humans on the other continent with the forbidden divine spell they stole from us. They had to sacrifice an SSS-rank heroic party to destroy it." A bountiful woman with ocean-blue hair with seashells and conches on her hair said. She was the Water Seat.

"Either way, they are highly irresponsible and volatile, using their powers to try and force their otherworlder ideals and culture on our world, or worse, go crazy with it. And worse of all, the gods cannot extract the gifts once given, meaning we must deal with the aftermath." A muscular man with crimson hair that almost seemed to go on fire added. He was the Fire Seat.

"That doesn't always happen, though, and sometimes develop fantastic innovations! All those magitech products that make our life better came from them. they even invented pudding!" A young girl in her late teens, dressed like a craftsman, enthusiastically said. She was the Creation Seat.

"Hahahahaha! Inexperienced little girl! You forget the tools of war they brought on our lands! They tried making that explosive powder thing and tried popularizing guns and bombs and their electric devices. Luckily, those things are not as effective in our world, or it might spell huge trouble!" A bald man with a huge beard and dressed like a general loudly laughed. He was the Destruction Seat.

"Anyways, do we have a choice? We face an ancient and much-hated foe. In the ancient past, while we were still a small domain, the Kerus Dynasty and Atasheborg Magocracy held the forefront, paving the path for humans to thrive on this continent. Now that they are declining, it is our turn to protect humanity." A scholarly man said. He was the Space seat.

"Death comes to all of us, and a time when our world and even gods wither and die is inevitable. However, to outlive our enemy, we must summon the otherworlders, even if it means bringing death upon ourselves." A beautiful but pale woman with tattered robes said. She was the Death Seat.

"I agree. In our darkest of times, we must take these drastic measures. An era is about to end, and if we wish to survive, we must adapt." Another aged man, but with eyes as dark as ink, said. He was the Darkness Seat.

"Enough. We shall call a vote. All in favor, raise hands." Jeraco said.

After his voice fell, the Water, Creation, Space, Death, and Darkness seats raised their hands.

"Those against, raise hands," Jeraco said.

The Earth, Wind, Fire, and Destruction raised their hands. Jeraco remained neutral.

"The vote has passed five to four. We shall proceed with the summoning. Praise the pantheon and humanity."