The proclamation arrived like thunder.
Across every realm—mortal lands, infernal territories, celestial dominions, and even the ancient neutral sanctuaries—the sky rippled with waves of golden light. The clouds parted as if pulled aside by invisible hands, revealing vast symbols of celestial authority burning across the heavens.
Every being who looked upward heard the same voice.
Cold.
Ancient.
Unquestionably divine.
"By decree of the Celestial Court, guardians of divine order and keepers of heavenly law…"
The voice echoed through mountains, forests, cities, and hidden realms alike.
Inside Lucien's palace, the proclamation vibrated through the stone walls.
Naamah leaned against the balcony rail with a bored expression.
"Well," she muttered, "this should be entertaining."
Celestia stood beside her, calm but watchful.
Lucien remained slightly behind them, his golden eyes fixed on the glowing sky.
The celestial voice continued.
"Let it be known that a threat to the sacred balance of creation has emerged."
Naamah snorted quietly.
"Oh, the irony."
The voice did not pause.
"Celestia, claimant to the ancient title of Balance, has unlawfully interfered with divine records and sacred relics protected by celestial decree."
Celestia's expression did not change.
Lucien's jaw tightened.
"Unlawfully," he repeated softly.
Naamah rolled her eyes.
"Apparently discovering the truth counts as theft now."
The voice continued to spread across the realms.
"Her alliance with Lucien, prince of the infernal dominion, has further destabilized the harmony between Heaven and the lower realms."
Lucien crossed his arms.
"That part at least is accurate."
Naamah glanced sideways at him.
"You're taking this surprisingly well."
Lucien smirked faintly.
"They're panicking."
Celestia nodded.
"Yes."
Above them, the proclamation continued.
"The Celestial Court therefore declares Celestia a destabilizing force whose actions threaten divine order."
Across distant lands, whispers began immediately.
Mortals looked at the sky with confusion.
Angels watched silently.
Demons laughed.
And in hidden neutral realms, ancient beings observed carefully.
The proclamation reached its final decree.
"Until further judgment is rendered, Celestia and those who stand with her will be considered enemies of the Celestial Court."
The sky flashed once more.
Then the light slowly faded.
Silence returned.
Naamah stretched her arms.
"Well. That was dramatic."
Lucien looked toward Celestia.
"You expected this."
"Yes."
She turned slowly from the balcony.
"But it changes things."
Naamah followed her inside.
"Because now everyone knows?"
Celestia nodded.
"The realms will begin choosing sides."
Lucien walked beside her.
"And Heaven just ensured that they don't control the narrative anymore."
The Spirit Guide appeared quietly near the chamber entrance.
"They acted sooner than expected."
Celestia looked at her.
"They're afraid."
"Yes."
Naamah leaned against the table.
"Of you or the scroll?"
The Spirit Guide answered calmly.
"Both."
Far away in Hell, Lucifer watched the proclamation from his throne room balcony.
The golden light of Heaven's decree reflected in his dark wine glass.
Beelzebub stood beside him.
"Well," the demon lord said, "they finally did it."
Lucifer smiled slowly.
"Yes."
Beelzebub tilted his head.
"And your reaction?"
Lucifer took a slow sip of wine.
"Exactly what I hoped for."
Azael stepped out of the shadows.
"You wanted them to declare her an enemy?"
Lucifer nodded.
"Of course."
Beelzebub frowned.
"That accelerates the conflict."
Lucifer's eyes gleamed.
"Precisely."
He placed the glass down.
"Now every realm will begin asking the same question."
Azael folded his arms.
"Which is?"
Lucifer smiled.
"Why is Heaven afraid of the heir of Balance?"
Meanwhile, in a distant chamber hidden deep beneath the earth, Lilith stood before a circle of witches and vampires.
They had also heard the proclamation.
One of the witches spoke nervously.
"Heaven has declared her an enemy."
Lilith smiled slowly.
"Yes."
The vampire beside her frowned.
"Doesn't that complicate your plans?"
Lilith shook her head.
"No."
Her crimson eyes gleamed.
"It perfects them."
She turned toward the dark doorway behind her.
"Because now the realms are watching."
One of the witches whispered,
"What happens next?"
Lilith's smile widened slightly.
"Now…"
Her voice lowered with quiet satisfaction.
"…Heaven will try to eliminate her."
Meanwhile, back in Lucien's palace, Celestia had returned to the chamber where the Petition Scroll rested.
She placed her hand gently on the ancient parchment.
Lucien entered behind her.
"You're thinking about revealing it."
Celestia didn't answer immediately.
After a moment, she spoke quietly.
"If Heaven continues like this, I may not have a choice."
Lucien stepped closer.
"Once the truth comes out, there's no going back."
Celestia looked up at him.
"I know."
He placed a hand gently over hers.
"Then we make sure the moment is right."
Celestia nodded slowly.
Outside the palace windows, the sky remained strangely calm again.
But far beyond the visible heavens—
the ancient beings known only as the Architects continued observing the unfolding events.
And for the first time in ages—
even they were beginning to wonder
if the heir of Balance might truly succeed in changing the fate of creation itself.