The team steps into the seventh level, their eyes widening as they take in the breathtaking expanse of the Garden of Eden. It feels untouched by time, a place where every blade of grass seems to hum with life, vibrant yet tranquil. The air is unlike anything they’ve breathed before – pure, crisp, and tinged with the faintest scent of blossoms they cannot name.

  Towering trees, laden with unfamiliar fruits, stretch their branches toward the sky. Flowers of every imaginable hue carpet the ground, their petals opening and closing rhythmically. The River of Life cuts through the heart of the garden, its crystalline waters glowing faintly as it flows with a soothing sound. Tiny motes of light drift lazily above the river's surface, like fireflies that carry the essence of the garden itself.

  And yet, something feels incomplete. Among the splendor, the Tree of Life – the legendary centerpiece of Eden – is conspicuously absent. There’s no towering silhouette, no radiant presence to mark its place.

  “Why is there a wall behind us?” Wyn asks.

  “Oh yeah, thought each level here was supposed to loop,” Yu adds.

  “This is where it all began,” Dark Force says. “It was once just a black void, until earth was successfully created and humans began to sprawl earth. The early one hundred forty-four thousand souls often got lost, so we placed a wall to let them know where they were.”

  Before the Heaven-Hell split, a specific number of souls were brought into the void as a test to see how they would behave. The limit was later relaxed and eventually lifted. Back then, the Garden of Eden existed purely for these souls to feel more like home.

  “I haven’t been here for quite some time. All I know is to follow the river,” Dark Force says.

  Following the sinuous river, the team notices a lack of creatures or souls.

  “Is it supposed to be this empty?” Wyn asks, to which Dark Force shrugs with the most neutral expression, a look that irritates Wyn a great deal.

  As they patiently continue their journey, they eventually reach the entrance of a large golden city. The boundary between the garden and the city is seamless. There are no walls, no gates to signal the shift; it’s as though the city has sprouted naturally from the garden, its structures rising organically from the earth like an extension of the landscape.

  The buildings, crafted from a glowing gold that seems to catch the light from every angle, shimmer with an otherworldly luster. Tall spires reach into the sky, their surfaces adorned with intricate patterns that seem to pulse with energy. The streets, lined with smooth, radiant stones, stretch before them in a wide, welcoming path, leading deeper into the heart of the city.

  High above, floating islands drift lazily in the sky, suspended by unseen forces. They hover just out of reach, each one a miniature world unto itself, complete with verdant greenery, trees, and buildings. The islands seem to accommodate the growing number of residents, as though the city itself is adapting, expanding upward rather than outward, ensuring there’s always space for those who arrive.

  The city feels alive with movement and purpose, its openness a stark contrast to the peaceful, serene isolation of the garden surrounding it. And yet, there’s not a single soul or creature in sight. All that remains are discarded remnants that evoke the feel of a party: leftover food, empty bottles of booze, and confetti scattered across the streets and buildings.

  “Strange. He’s up to something,” Dark Force ponders.

  “Mister Creator, or Hell God, or Big D...what should I call you?” Lisa asks.

  “Big D is fine. You don’t need the mister part.”

  “Mister Big D, how strong are you and your friend? Should we be worried?”

  “I know you’re very strong, but our powers are unmatched. We’re each worth more than all the moderators and guardians combined. You’ll need me to win, and vice versa. So, don’t just stand behind – support me.”

  “He heard what I said…,” Wyn mumbles to his friends. “By the way, how does rebirth work in Heaven?”

  Dark Force smiles before explaining that, according to his knowledge, which may very well be outdated, Heaven sends all souls for rebirth – excluding those in the army – only if they’re on the seventh level. The rest is up to the guardians of each level, should they choose to send someone for rebirth.

  Still following the river of life, the team passes through yet another seamless transition between the city and the garden. This time, the Tree of Life comes into view, though it looms far off in the distance.

  “We’re getting closer, I feel,” Dark Force says.

  On this side of the garden, the team has yet to lay eyes on a single living being, much like the other side. They continue walking, the air thick with anticipation. Every step they take brings them closer to the Heaven King.

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  On one hand, Wyn feels some relief knowing the team won’t face this fight alone. But on the other hand, he’s acutely aware of why Dark Force is joining them – because of how formidable their final opponent is. He recalls how effortlessly his team had taken down Harambe, and a deep fear gnaws at him: what if Light Force can eliminate them just as easily?

  Wyn’s gaze flicks to each of his teammates. Yu walks with his eyes fixed on the ground, lost in his thoughts. Mira’s face is resolute as she stares ahead, pressing one hand to her chest, the other gripping Lisa’s tightly. Lisa, unshakable, holds onto Mira’s hand with both of hers, as though refusing to let go no matter what. Finally, David catches Wyn’s glance and smiles, offering a silent reassurance.

  “We’ll stick to your plan,” David says gently. Wyn responds with a dry smile, though the unease in his chest refuses to subside.

  At last, the river comes to a halt, forming a pond. In the center, the Tree of Life stands, its colossal trunk adorned with golden-hued bark, while its luminous leaves shimmer with an ethereal glow, stretching toward the sky. Before it, on a stone pillar, rests the Book of Life – unprotected. Yet, beyond that, another wall stands, its purpose unclear.

  “What now?” Wyn asks, his voice laced with nervousness.

  Dark Force smiles, then steps into the water, approaching the Book of Life as the team watches anxiously from the land. As his hand makes contact with the closed book, it vanishes, and the pillar holding it begins to descend into the ground. Soon, the roots of the Tree of Life stretch out, crawling toward the wall. They twine around it, growing into a large, intricate door.

  Dark Force turns to rejoin the team, leading them to the newly-formed entrance. As his hand touches the door, the roots begin to wither and fall away, revealing a doorway into what appears to be the throne room.

  “Should you tell us what to look out for in the fight?” David asks.

  “There’s nothing to tell. We’re both life forces. Do well to remember that we can assume any form we want, which means our offense strategy is endless,” Dark Force replies and the team gulps in response.

  The room stands as a vast chamber, its space seemingly stretching endlessly in all directions. The walls are of pure, radiant light, shimmering like the surface of a calm sea at dawn, reflecting the divine glow of an unseen source. The ceiling, impossibly high, is a swirling cascade of golden light, converging in the center. There is no sharp boundary between the sky and the room – it feels as though the room is part of something much larger, something beyond comprehension.

  At the heart of the room is the throne itself – an imposing seat made of a material that seems to shift between gold, crystal, and light. It radiates an ethereal warmth, pulsing with divine power. The throne is elevated on a platform, surrounded by intricate patterns carved into the floor, patterns that seem to move with the passage of time, fluid and ever-changing.

  There are no guards, no statues, no adornments – just a gleaming figure in white sitting on the throne.

  “Strong souls you have there,” the figure speaks in a gentle voice, face resting on a hand. “Stronger than Damien.”

  “He’s alive?” Dark Force responds.

  “Was. Ask your souls.”

  “That’s for another time…it’s a long story,” David says.

  The figure stands then steps down from the throne. Light Force is a figure of serene wisdom and quiet strength. His age is evident, though not in the frailty of the flesh, but in the deep-set lines of his face. His long, flowing white hair cascades down to his shoulders, its soft strands glowing faintly in the divine light. A thick, well-groomed beard frames his kind, weathered face, softening the solemnity of his expression. His eyes, though ancient, are warm, filled with compassion.

  He wears a robe of pure, immaculate white that shimmers with celestial radiance. The fabric flows with effortless grace, without a wrinkle or crease in sight. It drapes over his form like a soft cloud, a faint glow surrounding his head.

  As Light Force takes the last step down, Dark Force suddenly transforms into all black – his form exactly the same as before, but now entirely black, including his skin. There are no clothes, no facial features – just a mass-like silhouette.

  “David, is it? You lost your wife and children.” Light Force turns to him. “Then we have Wyn, correct? I’ve read your note.” He glances at Wyn. “Now, you’re Yu, a former idol-to-be, and you two – Mira and Lisa, the sisters.” His gaze sweeps over the rest.

  “How do you know so much about us?” David starts, his curiosity mirrored by the others.

  “My note…? That one?” Wyn says.

  “I know all of you. I’ve looked up your lives when you were alive. Too bad you’re not in my Book of Life. It seems we have much to discuss.”

  “Don’t be fooled. Of course, he knows nothing about you as souls, only your past lives,” Dark Force cuts in, his tone remaining neutral despite the situation.

  “All of them?” Yu asks.

  “Yes, but so do I. David and Mira, this isn’t your first time in the afterlife. The rest of you, you’re new,” Dark Force answers.

  “What? I existed before this…without my sister?” Mira asks, her voice tinged with disbelief.

  Dark Force prepares to unleash a powerful attack, but Light Force raises a single hand, signaling him to pause.

  “There’s no point in fighting,” Light Force says, his voice remaining gentle. “I recently expended much of my energy creating Luce, and I’m not at my full strength. With these strong souls on your side, I have no chance of winning.”

  The team mutters in confusion, exchanging glances. But Dark Force, undeterred, unleashes a black energy ball. Light Force shifts into a line of energy to evade it. The attack strikes his throne, erupting in a dome of darkness before vanishing, revealing the throne completely demolished.

  “If your ruler won’t listen, then let’s talk in private,” Light Force says, reverting to his human form.

  With both hands raised, portals tear open around the team and Dark Force. Souls from all levels of Heaven – children, archangels, dogs, and various creatures – pour out, swarming them in an overwhelming tide.

  Dark Force swiftly eliminates everything in sight, shifting into an energy wave form that causes each body to implode upon contact. He holds back a blast attack, maintaining his energy wave form to avoid striking the Hell souls. Twisting and turning through the pile, he navigates from the outside in. But the moment the throne room is cleared of obstacles, Light Force, along with his Hell souls, has vanished.