THE MOMENT
"I am God of All. The Great Before, and the Empty After," the human-shaped deity chuckled from his throne and his worshippers in the great hall also joined in to laugh at the stranger. "Yet, you- a mortal man- claim you've come to 'kill' me?" he leaned forward with a broad smile on his face and he stared at the man in a white suit below him. He had bright red hair, a crimson tie, and a smug, resting smile on his face. "How exactly do you plan to do that?"
"I'd love to explain it," the man nodded, then gestured at the gathered citizens. "But, since we have so many guests, maybe you should introduce me to them?"
"My children, I present to you my murderer," the god waved a dismissive gesture with the introduction.
"Oh, you don't know my name?" the stranger asked amidst the cheerful laughter. "It's Phoenix," he said.
"I knew that!" he was quick to reply.
"Of course you did, you're God, right?" Phoenix chuckled.
"I am God of All," he repeated from the throne. "I did know but did not feel it necessary to sully my tongue with your wretched name. You, however, may address me as Apollo."
"Alright, that's reasonable," Phoenix nodded with a half-shrug.
"Please enlighten us as to how you intend to murder me," the god quickly changed the subject.
"Huh? Oh yeah, about that; why don't you tell us? If you can tell me my plan, I'll become a full believer and drop the whole thing right now. It's not like it'll work if you know it's coming, right? God?"
"It would be too easy, I welcome the attempt. It's been so long, it might be fun," Apollo deflected the suggestion and his followers cheered.
"Oh, you want a challenge?" Phoenix grinned. "Well, I do have multiple options here; why don't you tell me one or two of them so I know not to use those? Make it extra challenging for yourself."
"I tire of your presence," the god made another gesture and a black portal appeared under Phoenix; but, he remained in place.
"What?" Apollo looked surprised enough that a murmur ran through the crowd.
"Oh, sorry, was I supposed to fall in?" Phoenix shook his head and let himself fall through the portal. Then, he stepped out from behind the throne and gave Apollo a friendly punch on the shoulder.
"It's a good thing stabbing you from behind wasn't one of my plans, right?" he chuckled. The murmuring grew louder in the hall.
"What do you want here!?" Apollo asked. He didn't know how it worked exactly; but, he willed the crowd to calm down and they did.
"You mean you don't know?" Phoenix asked. He walked back to where he was, below the god, then turned and faced him again.
"You're here to kill me! Proceed with your attempt so that I may be done with you!" His portal may not have worked on Phoenix; but, Apollo could still use it on himself. If Phoenix's attempt was actually threatening, and he was starting to think it might be, he could remove himself from the situation and return to his followers within a few days claiming to be 'reborn'.
"The thing about that is, I lied. I'm not here to kill you," Phoenix shook his head. "I just wanted to say hi to you, Apollo. Hi," he waved. "I'm surprised God didn't know that."
"OF COURSE I KNEW!" Apollo was simultaneously relieved and angry. And, unfortunately, his anger clouded his Aura. His followers were no longer as relaxed as he tried to keep them. "It's why I played along!"
While the imposter God tried to defend himself, Phoenix received Whispers on his wrist.
[Ms. Sharp called a big meeting. - Helios]
[Like, Council of Courts big. Get here fast. - Helios]
"Awwww, dangit," Phoenix sighed and shook his head. Then, he looked up at Apollo.
"It turns out I have to leave, so I'll make this quick."
"No need, you may leave," Apollo tried to dismiss him.
"No, the thing is, the real God called me to a meeting," Phoenix embellished for the mission. As he gave the explanation crimson-feathered wings unfurled behind him. "I'm an angel, see?" he lied but the sight was enough to get the attention of the crowd.
"You'd know what I was if you were who you claim. The REAL God doesn't appreciate impostors," he said. Loud murmurs grew from the crowd again. Several citizens began leaving. "You haven't known a single thing about me since I got here. But, I know something about you," Phoenix grinned. He turned and walked over to a nearby woman who was still undecided about the whole thing. And, he gave her a slip of paper. Then, Phoenix turned to Apollo.
"What's your favorite number!?" he asked.
"46!" Apollo answered instantly. Then, the woman gasped. She held up the note with the number 46 on it, then she handed it to someone else on her way out. The happening repeated as more and more followers saw the number and lost their faith.
"Alright, that should do it," Phoenix nodded to himself and made a gesture to open his own portal. The few remaining followers were amazed that someone else could do what Apollo could.
"By the way," Phoenix looked up at Apollo. "We don't care if you claim to be A god; but, calling yourself the 'One true God of All' is taking it too far," he stepped one foot into the vertical portal and paused. "If you keep it up, I'll come back to kill you. That's your one warning; you won't get another if I show up again."