With Night Cherry Tangle's pronouncement, the entire End Court came alive.
Beneath the yellowed sky, the enormous Sin Locks stretching between heaven and earth began to move, their metal grinding with a piercing screech.
"Sin? What sin have I committed? Weakness is the original sin!"
Gordongel's spectral soul roared beneath the judgment dais. He struggled to resist, unleashing the last vestiges of a Lower God's divine power in a small golden storm.
But this was the End Court.
Night Cherry Tangle's will was its only law.
"Silence."
Seated on his throne, Night Cherry Tangle did not even lift a finger.
The nearest Sin Lock suddenly accelerated. Its ashen tip shot through the golden storm like a spear and struck Gordongel's soul core dead center.
"Argh—"
Gordongel's roar cut off, replaced by a shudder that rose from his Soul Origin.
The chain brought no pain. It brought something far worse: the sensation of being stripped apart.
He could feel the insight he had gained into the Divine Authority of "Greed," the memories he had accumulated over countless years, and the very foundation of his existence as Gordongel being forcibly extracted and broken down.
Then a second Sin Lock descended, followed by a third. They bound his spectral soul tight and hoisted him high into the air.
Below the dais, the End Executors in gray-white armor advanced in lockstep, giant axes in hand. Two points of red light glowed beneath each hollow helm as they approached Gordongel.
They enforced the order of this Divine Kingdom. They were an extension of its judgment.
Through them, Night Cherry Tangle's will took form.
"No... Stay away! You soulless puppets!"
Gordongel's soul thrashed, but runes flowed across the Sin Locks, holding him fast. He could not move.
The first End Executor stopped directly beneath him and