Who Betrayed the Ancient Sun God in the Donghua Lord of the Mysteries?

“Lord of the Mysteries” is a Chinese donghua adaptation based on the renowned web novel written by Cuttlefish That Loves Diving. Known for its blend of mystery, steampunk, and Lovecraftian horror, the series has captivated audiences worldwide with its intricate plot and deeply interconnected characters. One of the most enigmatic and pivotal elements in the lore is the ancient betrayal of the Sun God, an event that has left lasting impacts on the divine hierarchy and the fate of the world. But who exactly betrayed the ancient Sun God, and why?

In this article, we explore the layers of deception and ancient power struggles that define this mysterious betrayal.

The Role of the Sun God in Lord of the Mysteries

The Sun God, often referred to as the Ancient Sun God, holds a central role in the mythos of the Lord of the Mysteries universe. He was once considered the most powerful deity among the ancient gods, symbolizing order, light, and unchallengeable authority. The Sun God was the leader of the deific pantheon, and his influence extended across multiple epochs.

However, in the present age of the story, the Sun God is no longer present, and his legacy is fragmented across various religions and factions. This absence raises one of the central mysteries: what happened to him, and who orchestrated his fall?

The Betrayal: A Historical and Mythological Overview

The betrayal of the Sun God is not described directly in one scene but is instead revealed piece by piece through ancient texts, divine revelations, and fragmented memories experienced by key characters, especially the protagonist Klein Moretti.

According to the mythos, the betrayal happened during the cataclysmic end of the Second Epoch. The gods, once bound by a fragile alliance, fell into conflict over power, belief, and survival. The Sun God, despite his power, was outmaneuvered through deceit and strategic betrayal.

Key Suspects in the Betrayal

1. The God of Combat

The God of Combat, one of the ancient deities, is considered a potential betrayer. Known for his martial prowess and rigid code of strength, this god might have seen the Sun God’s dominance as a threat to his own ascendancy. Some interpretations of ancient records hint at a secret alliance formed to overthrow the Sun God.

2. The Hanged Man/Fool Pathway Entities

Entities associated with the Fool Pathway, including ancient beings that predate Klein, are also potential suspects. Their motivations are often shrouded in mystery, and they are known for manipulating fate and playing long games of deception.

Some theorists suggest that members of this pathway, possibly aligned with the Outer Gods or entities from the Forsaken Land of the Gods, orchestrated the betrayal to disrupt the divine balance and weaken the power of order represented by the Sun.

3. The Twilight Hermit Order

The Twilight Hermit Order, one of the most enigmatic organizations in the LoTM universe, has deep ties to the spiritual and mystical undercurrents that permeate the world. Their records and agendas suggest they may have played a role in the fall of the Sun God, or at least benefited from it.

This secretive group often acts from the shadows, and their founder is suspected to have known—or even facilitated—the divine betrayal. Their goal seems to revolve around controlling or reshaping the divine hierarchy for their own purposes.

Motives Behind the Betrayal

The motives behind the betrayal are complex and multifaceted. They include:

• Power Struggle: The Sun God’s dominance might have bred resentment among other gods who sought their own followers and influence.
• Fear of Unity: A united pantheon under the Sun God could limit individual deities’ ambitions. By dividing divine power, betrayers ensured a more chaotic and manipulable world.
• Prophecy and Destiny: Some divine prophecies foretold the rise of a being who would inherit the Sun God’s power and potentially change the world. Eliminating the Sun God early could have been an attempt to prevent this future.
• Corruption from the Outer Cosmos: Entities beyond comprehension, often hinted at in Lovecraftian tones, may have influenced or possessed key figures to orchestrate the betrayal for their own unknowable ends.

The Aftermath: Consequences of the Betrayal

Following the betrayal, the divine world plunged into chaos. The pantheon fractured, and the world entered the Third Epoch marked by human-centric development, the rise of secret organizations, and the obscuring of divine truths.

Fragments of the Sun God’s power were scattered, leading to the emergence of artifacts and rituals attempting to rekindle his legacy. These fragments also became keys to unlocking hidden powers or paths to godhood, a central theme in Klein Moretti’s journey.

Klein Moretti and the Legacy of the Sun God

As the protagonist, Klein’s path gradually leads him to uncover secrets related to the Sun God and the betrayal. Through his experiences with tarot rituals, Sequences, and interactions with historical remnants, Klein begins to piece together the lost history of the gods.

One of the biggest revelations is that the Sun God’s essence may still linger and is intrinsically tied to the greater cosmic struggle between Order and Chaos, between Reality and the Outer Cosmos.

Klein’s own progression through the Fool Pathway suggests that he might become a figure of restoration or reckoning, potentially uncovering the full truth of the betrayal and confronting those responsible.

Symbolism and Philosophical Implications

The betrayal of the Sun God in Lord of the Mysteries serves not only as a plot device but also as a philosophical allegory:

• The Fall of Absolute Power: Even the mightiest can fall to betrayal when they isolate themselves or ignore the ambitions of others.
• The Fragility of Divine Order: The balance of power is delicate. A single betrayal can shatter eons of stability.
• Search for Truth: Much like Klein’s journey, the betrayal story reflects humanity’s pursuit of truth in a world filled with illusion, manipulation, and forgotten history.

Conclusion: Who Truly Betrayed the Sun God?

The identity of the betrayer is deliberately obscured, creating a narrative that encourages readers and viewers to think critically and analyze clues. Rather than a single betrayer, it’s likely that multiple parties—gods, humans, and cosmic entities—played roles in the Sun God’s fall.

The betrayal was not just an event, but a convergence of ambition, fear, prophecy, and manipulation. As Klein delves deeper into the mysteries of the world, the truth behind this ancient treachery may finally come to light.

Until then, the question remains open, inviting fans of Lord of the Mysteries to theorize, discuss, and unravel the grand cosmic mystery that lies at the heart of the series.