fan story based on shuumatsu
Before starting I want to clarify that this is an introduction to a possible story that I'm doing with my brother, inspired (very strongly) by shuumatsu or tenkaichi, we accept any criticism or advice on how to advance it, I hope it is to your liking
Apocalypse: The Fifth Sunset
The air in the Great Celestial Hall vibrated with a mix of solemnity and power. Domes of gold and silver, columns covered in runes, dancing lights that looked like stars contained within sacred lamps. At the center, a massive throne carved from fine wood. On it, Yahweh, the ancient Canaanite storm god, observed calmly.
At his side, reclining with a confident air and a relaxed smile, was his brother, Baal, lord of rain and thunder, his hair falling like a tamed storm. Both gazed upon a divine mirror floating before them: it reflected the Earth and the worship that humans offered them.
Baal: (chuckling) “Brother… do you see them? They’ve built temples, books, songs… they separated you from every pantheon and made you the center of their faith. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.”
Yahweh: (resting his chin on his hand) “Yes, yes, I notice. I’m flattered… though I must admit, I never expected it to become this big.”
A shadow moved behind the throne, an elegant figure dressed in black and silver. It was Samael, the bodyguard, angel of judgment and flaming sword, Yahweh’s left hand.
Samael: “My lord, Luci won’t be happy when he finds out about this.”
Yahweh: (turning slightly) “Lucifer? Why do you say that?”
Samael: “Because humans depict him as a demon, and you know someone as upright as Luci would be offended by such a portrayal.”
Baal: (nodding with a faint sigh) “He’s right. It would wound his pride.”
Yahweh: “I know. Poor thing, it will hurt him deeply.”
Before the silence could stretch too long, a sharp sound echoed through the hall: CLACK!
A figure at the far end of the chamber had struck her closed fan against the table. Her voice, warm but firm as dawn itself, broke the tension.
Amaterasu: “May I ask if you’re done chatting about trivialities? This is an official meeting, not a family tea.”
The three turned toward her: the Japanese sun goddess glowed with her own light, her kimono radiant, her gaze severe. Around her, an assembly of gods watched.
Zeus: (relaxed expression, drinking) “She’s right, you’re getting off track.”
Odin: (stroking his spear, Gungnir) “What a bother.”
Nuada: “Don’t be so harsh, Lady Amaterasu, it was only a small detour.”
Ra: (with an irritated glare) “Don’t waste our time.”
Isis: (calm, her beautiful face shining) “Please, Yahweh, resume the meeting where it left off.”
Vidar sat drinking with the Valkyries in complete silence.
El, the oldest of the Canaanite gods, looked on calmly.
Hades, bored, twirled his cup of mead.
Céphyros: thinking “Will they resume the meeting already? Thank you, lovely Amaterasu.”
Everyone fixed their gaze on the chatting trio.
Yahweh: (rising slightly, with a diplomatic smile) “My apologies, brothers, sisters. Sometimes memory outweighs duty. Let’s continue. Amaterasu, where were we?”
Amaterasu: “Good. As you all know, the cycle advances. The ages change. And as dictated by the laws of the Council of the Eternals, when a divine regent announces their retirement, a successor must be chosen.”
Odin: (striking his spear on the ground) “So it has been since the beginning. So it shall be until the end.”
Céphyros: (raising a brow) “Though I still find it absurd that last time it was decided by… a card game.”
Yahweh: (shrugging) “What can I say… it was a fair bet. I won cleanly.”
Amaterasu: “Enough. What matters now is defining the type of competition. The next era is about to begin, and we must decide: shall it be a trial of strength? Of mind? Of faith? Or perhaps… of creativity?”
The echo of Amaterasu’s words lingered in the air, like the last glow of a sunrise. All the gods glanced at one another, crossing arms, tapping fingers against the table as silence began to crack with their first opinions.
Zeus: (with his classic confident smile) “How about repeating the card game? This time I have a strategy that can’t fail.”
A few gods scoffed. Hades rolled his eyes, Ra sighed deeply, and Odin let out a deep laugh, amused and skeptical.
Dionysus: (raising his cup) “I say… a food contest. What better way to decide the future than with wine?”
Isis: (elegantly lifting a hand) “Ridiculous. Let it be an arm-wrestling tournament.”
Céphyros: (smiling calmly) “But in arm wrestling, the strongest always win.”
Isis: (firmly) “That’s the point, dear.”
Odin: (lightly striking Gungnir on the ground) “A hunt would be better. Let each god prove their cunning.”
Yu Huang: (thoughtful) “What about a strategy game? A chess match could be fun, no?”
El: (snorting) “Another board game? No, thank you. I’ve had enough of boards and dice.”
The murmurs grew. An ordered chaos. Crossing voices, colliding proposals, gods arguing through laughter and playful provocations. Until suddenly…
A soft voice, yet filled with serpentine confidence, broke through the noise.
“What about a tournament of combat?”
Silence.
The entire hall froze. One second, two… and then a collective burst of laughter erupted like thunder.
Zeus: (laughing heartily) “Combat among gods? Please! That would be a disaster.”
Odin: “It would cause tension between pantheons.”
Amaterasu: (covering her mouth with her fan) “And it would take far too much effort to prepare.”
Then, the gaze turned toward the one who spoke.
From the shadows emerged a slender figure, skin pale as moonlight on water, eyes gleaming and smile sharp. Elegant, wrapped in green and gold robes.
The Serpent of Eden.
Serpent: (laughing ironically) “What’s wrong? Are you afraid? Or unwilling to risk your pride? Or do you think you can’t defeat the great ones?” he said, looking at figures like Zeus, Odin, Savitr, etc.
The gods listened, intrigued.
Serpent: (raising a hand, calm) “But relax, I didn’t mean you should fight. No. I propose something more… fair. More… interesting.”
(leaning forward, eyes gleaming)
“Use the humans.”
The gods stared in disbelief. Humans? Those fragile beings?
Serpent: (serious, with a seductive tone) “Not all are like that. There are exceptional humans. Some are even here, turned into gods or demigods. Don’t underestimate them. Besides…”
(raising a finger, a mischievous spark in his eyes)
“As gods, we have access to all human souls. Past, present, and future. An infinite catalog. An army of possibilities.”
Hades frowned at those last words.
The murmurs returned, now curious. The idea wasn’t so absurd…
But suddenly, a firm voice, sharp as a blade of light, cut through the air:
Lucifer: “With you, it always ends up being about humans, doesn’t it, Najash?”
(Najash referring to the serpent, his true name.)
The hall turned toward him. The Prosecutor of the Gods, The Satan, walked with steady, elegant steps, his black and red mantle trailing sparks of celestial light. His eyes, serious and bright, were fixed on the serpent.
Lucifer: “You… were the one who freed them from Eden without permission. Because of you, the gods now bear more responsibilities, the foolishness of humankind.”
Najash smiled, with that look of one who delights in provocation.
Najash: “Oh, look who’s here… Satan.”
Lucifer tensed.
Lucifer: (firm voice) “That’s not my name. ‘Satan’? It’s The Satan, a title, not a name.”
Najash: (shrugging) “Call yourself what you will, I’ve paid my debt. I served my sentence in Tartarus. Before divine law, I’m redeemed.”
(bowing with a mocking smile)
“And let’s be honest… don’t be hypocrites. I’ve seen how much you enjoy humans praising you. How they shower you with offerings, temples, devotion.”
For a few eternal seconds, Najash’s words hung like a spark in a sea of tension.
No one moved. No one breathed.
Until, slowly, one by one… the gods began to laugh.
First Zeus, with a thunderous laugh that shook the columns. Then Odin, with a deep rumble. Ra let out a hearty laugh, Isis covered her lips with elegance, and even Amaterasu allowed a discreet smile hidden behind her fan.
And among them, Yahweh laughed too. Not a cynical or cruel laugh, but one of genuine amusement, as if he had just heard the oldest divine joke.
Yahweh: (leaning back in his throne, amused) “Oh, Najash… I know you too well. I know you’re scheming something.”
(pauses for a moment, gazing at the serpent)
“But honestly, I don’t care. Because what you’ve said… is too good to ignore!”
Najash: (raising a brow, smiling with cunning) “You flatter me, my lord.”
Yahweh: (raising his voice, solemn yet joyful) “Then it is decided! To choose the god who will reign in the new era, a Tournament of Human Champions shall be held. Each god will select their representative, a remarkable soul, and they will fight in our name.”
The entire hall roared. Some clashed cups, others struck their weapons on the ground, and others simply smiled.
Céphyros: “This will be magnificent.”
Iktomi: “Well, looks like it’s been decided, hehehe.”
Amaterasu: (bowing her head) “Then… the cycle is fulfilled. With the tournament… the Fifth Sunset begins.”
A golden light crossed the ceiling, as if the very firmament marked the start of a new prophecy.
In the air, a tremor could be felt: the Apocalypse.
The Fifth Sunset, the final dusk before the new dawn.
The gods exchanged excited glances. But among them, two figures stood out.
Lucifer, standing, arms crossed, frowned at the architect of this madness. His eyes, full of judgment and restrained anger, seemed to pierce through the serpent.
Najash, meanwhile, looked at him with absolute calm.
His lips curved into a fine, triumphant smile, one that said “it’s done,” one that knew the pieces were in motion and that no one could stop them.
Posted Sep 30, 2025, 3:44 AM UTC