Right around the same time that Gale and Caotan were making their grand return, other nations large and small around the world were visited by other former members of the Zeus and Hera familias. Each and every one of them were either borderline a Grand Spirit, or were one. With them and the aid of the local warriors dealing with the rabble, there was finally a breath of collective hope upon the surface.
One such place was the new homeland of the werewolf race, where she descended like a royal wolf ready to slay, she was a queen in her own right. When she appeared, she ate everything that even looked vaguely like a dragon. To her, it was like shooting fish in a barrel… Too easy.
"Who is that?" A blue haired werewolf with a scar across her bare chest, asked while sniffing to see if she could pick up the scent.
"I don't know… But she smells kinda like the Origin Wolf." A green haired werewolf asked breathing with heavy, gasping wheezes. He dropped an ogre's head he recently tore off, it plopping to the ground turning to dust from the impact.
"You think she could be like the others that have been showing up?"
"She must be. But who is she?"
"You think we should ask her?" Someone pointed out to a blonde werewolf going on a one woman bloodrage against the monster horde.
"MY IDOL'S RETURNED!" The werewolf in question howled out in ecstasy, then went right back to ripping and tearing through monsters without a care in the world for her stamina.
""Idol?"" The others all blinked, looking at each other and then… They remembered exactly who it was… However, there would soon no longer be any question about it.
"I am Lyca, the Lycan! I refuse to sit idly by while my precious blood nephew fights a battle I can not… Instead I'll make damn sure nothing dares to interfere!" It was Lyca, she'd returned as a Grand Spirit as well, one of the hunt… her howl invigorated werewolves worldwide… Surprising her, and everyone else too since Origin Wolf already did that. In short it would have cascading effects.
…
Inside the dome Asta had constructed, Bete felt his blood boil, and… He released, his inner beast finally unbound. The dome could no longer withstand the pressure and crumbled. Instantly weakening the remaining dragons once more thanks to a fresh wave of moonlight. Allowing the Astraea familia to mop the rest of them up.
"Well, that was unexpected. What happened to Bete?" Alise asked, raising a brow, scanning the surroundings for any other dragons.
"He just started radiating a powerful red glow and an intense heat… And now he's gone…" Asta said, with a sigh.
"Alright, let's… Kaguya, please tell me you're seeing what I'm seeing too?" Alise's eyes went wide with so many different emotions it was hard to tell which one she was feeling, though her lips told the story clearly, hopeful happiness.
"Is that… Hey Celty, check that booklet you have."
Celty was already in a trance. "That's Maxim… No doubt about it."
"And beside him, the woman… it must be the Empress from Hera familia." Ryuu stated in shock.
"Hey, why are you all just standing around? I told you the others would come back soon too, remember?" Alraj said as he jumped to the scene.
"B-b-b-but you said it was just them… Who is the one that's moving that way at, and he's gone…" Alise asked, unable to contain the potential excitement she was feeling.
"Oh, him… He is the most terrifying training instructor ever. Well, right behind Zald. His name is, the Hero Albert. And it looks like he's going to get his wife back. Damn he's fast, I wonder if he can catch up with Shurry? Maybe, maybe not."
"No, there's no way he can match a werewolf of the Alpha's caliber, not under this moonlight." Bete said, reappearing, no longer glowing.
"And why's that?"
"Origin Wolf is holding back until the battle field is cleared of allies. Or he pulls that makeshift eye out."
"And what makes you so sure about that?"
"I can feel it. If Albert is worth even half of what his legend says, he'd have sensed it too."
"Alright, no more waiting, let us go and defend the people from these monsters!" Alise commanded with her sword raised high.
…
Citizens in Orario were cheering as they watched the many battle fronts continue. Some places were obviously fairing better than others. But thanks to the overwhelming destructive nature of the Ball… No one even remotely dared to lift a complaint… or, they did and were quickly beaten senseless for their impudence.
"Hey, what do you think that ball feels like?"
"I have no idea, and would much rather not know considering just how terrified people look on the screens…"
Then it happened, the chill… Origin Wolf, and the OEBD were close enough now that every citizen in Orario could feel it… Then Ouranos felt it, and finally the dungeon felt it…
Above ground the people cheered for their hero to fight on, ever harder, ever longer. To endure, overcome, and win.
Below ground, the dungeon created a symphony of stampedes in support of her most powerful creature outside of the dungeon. However, like the promise said, she did not awaken the true final, and strongest monster she'd ever created. No, for that would have been too easy.
"Idiot, I told you not to ask. My spine is revolting. The only thing keeping it with me is that it's too scared to move…" Said one person who just had the ball pass their field of view. To which they promptly tucked and rolled up into a ball, rocking back and forth. "Only a hero could possibly stand against that." He gulped.
"Huh? Well, at least that ball is far away again… I'd hate to be in the middle of it myself."
"Don't joke about that, you wouldn't be recognizable in a single second."
"Alright, alright, I get it."
While things were going somewhat decent above ground, the below ground situation was about to heat up, and fast.