Chapter 109: Arrival at the Edge of Power
Above the Earth's curvature, hidden from satellites and invisible to unawakened eyes, floated a structure born of cosmic paradox and divine intent.
They called it The Locus.
Anchored between fractured dimensions, it neither obeyed gravity nor time. Its presence shimmered like heat on water, visible only to the Awakened, and tangible only to those who had stepped beyond the veil of mortality. A citadel carved from Celestial Stone, its shape shifted constantly, adapting to the minds and resonances of those within. For the unprepared, even stepping through its boundaries could drive them mad. A relic of the past long before when earth was part of the origin plane.
Here, reality bent to the weight of Will.
And here, the Conclave of World Powers convened.
At its center stood a raised amphitheater an arena of cosmic diplomacy. Ten great thrones floated in a perfect circle. Each forged from a different alloy of reality: starlight-infused obsidian, phoenix-forged bronze, crystalized gravity, a throne of roots still growing, and one that bled mist from a long-dead god's breath. The Throne where Nine last time they met but one was added today.
These were the seats of the Demigods.
Only ten were ever allowed to sit.
Nine were already filled.
Around them in concentric circles stood the mystical-level beings Domain wielders, ancient mages, awakened tyrants, philosopher-kings, and warlords. These beings commanded countries, oceans, cities, and minds.
Further back, seated in the marble rows of the amphitheater were the legendary beings: dragons in mortal form, time-touched monks, and forgotten spirits resurrected by faith and the various legendary rank beings around the world. They had no say, but they watched.
Then, without a ripple or a burst of light, Philip arrived.
A clean rupture opened in the middle of the hall so silent, so precise that only the most sensitive among them noticed.
Space itself yielded to his passage.
He stepped through, clad in a simple black tunic and matching trousers no embroidery, no crest, no house emblem. The air shimmered as the cloth subtly altered its texture and design, responding to his subconscious will. Yet it wasn't the clothing that drew every gaze.
It was presence.
Even among the Demigods, his aura was different. It wasn't overwhelming like a tidal wave or crushing like a mountain.
It was quiet and felt incomplete, yet powerful.
His power didn't demand attention. It commanded reverence.
One by one, the others turned to face him.
The Vampire Demigod, cloaked in a dress woven from midnight and starlight, smiled with slow, predatory curiosity. "Mmm. You Have grown stronger ," she whispered.
The Wolf Demigod, broad-shouldered and shirtless, fur-covered pauldrons twitching, released a low growl not in threat, but recognition. The scent of a fellow apex predator filled the air.
The Chinese Demigod, floating cross-legged mid-air, did not flinch. Windless calm swirled around him. His robes moved as if caught in a personal storm, held in place only by perfect stillness.
The Russian Demigod, whose beard was carved from permafrost and whose eyes glowed like buried nuclear cores, narrowed his gaze in silence.
The North American Demigod, a woman with skin like burnished gold, opened one eye from her slumber. Then closed it again, satisfied.
The Two South American Demigods one wrapped in vines that pulsed with mana, the other tattooed in spiraling, blood-red ink that constantly moved observed without blinking. Together, they represented the Forest and the Blood.
The Wayward Pritchard, a demigod with no nation and no allegiance, leaned back in his cracked obsidian throne and laughed. "Well now… this is my kind of tension. Who brought the war god?"
And then there was the tenth:
The European King.
He wore a ceremonial crown embedded with Law-binding Runes, passed down through generations. It was a relic from an ancestor who had once communed with a fallen god. He sat stiffly, knowing full well that his demigodhood was not from personal might but inheritance. He was the nominal leader of the Conclave, a necessary hinge for the world's machinery, but one whose authority came from alliances and symbols, not raw strength.
The crown pulsed softly, reacting to Philip's arrival.
The air grew still. Even the mystical-level beings some older than nations leaned forward.
Then the question came, spoken in perfect Mandarin, resonating across the amphitheater:
"Do you claim representation of your continent?" asked the Chinese Demigod, his voice a ripple in still water.
Silence fell again.
All eyes turned to Philip.
His reply was soft. But it carried. Everywhere.
"No," Philip said. "I claim myself. If that aligns with Africa, so be it."
A sound rippled through the chamber a murmur of respect, of curiosity, of careful calculation.
He had not declared dominion over Africa.
He had not postured, begged, or asked.
He had claimed a seat by force of will alone.
He now stood among them the tenth Demigod.
Not because anyone had granted it.
But because no one could deny it.
The Vampire Demigod laughed, delighted. "I like him," she said. The Wolf said nothing, but his growl had turned thoughtful.
The European King swallowed and gave a stiff nod. "Then it is agreed. The tenth seat is taken."
The celestial thrones reconfigured. Runes shifted. The tenth throne brightened and floated toward Philip.
He didn't hesitate.
He sat.
As he did, the Locus trembled.
Lines of ley-energy across the Earth flickered momentarily. The mana web bent, subtly acknowledging a new center of mass. The gem on his forehead gave a sublte pulse and a panel appeared in his sight.Philip glanced at it but dismissed it when nobody around reacted.
The mystical beings bowed their head in acknowledgement
The legendary beings looked away for even they, in all their ancient wisdom, didn't know what had just happened.
A new pillar of reality had risen.
Philip didn't smile. Didn't speak further. He simply crossed one leg over the other, fingers folded, gaze neutral.
But inside, he was thinking.
This was also related to the emperor which he left to stabilize the planet and he realized though the European king had control he could wrest that control any time he wanted