Severeno: Roar.
He fired a very powerful black dragon cannon into the sky.
Agarez: Roar.
Agarez countered Severeno's dragon cannon with a silver dragon cannon aimed directly at Severeno's strike.
Boom!
A huge explosion erupted from the collision of such destructive attacks, reducing everything in the surrounding area to ash and turning the earth into molten red lava.
Severeno and Agarez were training in this location.
Farther away, Yalzar sat like a mountain on a distant cliff, leaning forward as he devoured a colossal rex dinosaur beast, watching the battle raging on the horizon.
Kargaren: Roar.
Suddenly, Kargaren roared, and the earth trembled as if struck by an earthquake.
Chrovix, Lanfer, and Leonor stood atop Kargaren's massive head.
Chrovix was no longer just a piece of crystal metal. He had evolved into a humanoid metallic lifeform — a kingly figure, fully armored in regal black, crimson-blue, and red, crowned with golden horns.
Leonor and Lanfer now had humanoid bodies as well, standing side by side like twin queens of light and darkness. Their insect origins were no longer visible, though Lanfer still bore her red-golden slender horn, and Leonor bore two black-gold slender horns, now more pronounced and regal in appearance.
Upon conceptualizing, the two gained the ability to possess an independent realm that only they could access — both a manifestation of their mother swarm body and their personal space.
Behind Kargaren stretched an army of hundreds of thousands of gold-white and black-gold armored insectman angelus knights — the swarm created by Lanfer and Leonor. Beside them marched thousands of metallic-armored centaurus knights, an army of golem-like machines forged by Chrovix with Lanfer's and Vigil's aid, along with Lyrus' assistance. These were five times larger than the humanoid swarm of Lanfer and Leonor.
Lanfer: Are you sure about it?
Sky General Desha: Yes, my queen. We found the Dehedra at the edge of the continent, currently at the seaside of the Black Sea. But it's far bigger than you previously described, and from the memories we inherited from you. It is now colossal in size compared to before, and no longer serpentine in form — it has become a true dragon with twelve heads.
Leonor: Interesting… but this has also become a big problem. With the promotion of the Dehedra, defeating it will be much harder now.
Lanfer: From what Severeno said earlier, he and Agarez could defeat it with their newfound power and strength. But things have changed.
Leonor: Melevia, return to Avalon. Inform the master and the others that the Dehedra has been found. Also, tell them about the Dehedra's breakthrough.
Crimson General Melevia: As you command, my queen.
Melevia departed with a hundred black-gold insectman angelus knights.
On the horizon, Severeno and Agarez ceased their duel and joined the others.
Severeno: What is it? Have you found that serpent?
Agarez descended onto Kargaren's back. Even though Agarez was colossal, compared to Kargaren he was like a moth — and Severeno was only one-fourth Kargaren's size. Both had grown massively in size.
Lanfer: We did.
Leonor: But now that serpent has reached mythical rank. It has twelve heads and has become fully draconic.
Severeno: Then this will be more interesting. Roar! Hahaha! Let's go. What are we waiting for?
Kargaren: Yawn.
Kargaren began to move, and Severeno followed.
In the distance, Yalzar charged forward, catching up quickly. When he neared Kargaren, he leapt high into the sky and landed on Kargaren's back. Despite his behemoth size, he was fast and nimble. Compared to Agarez, Yalzar was one-eighth his size. But Agarez was bigger, Severeno was colossal, and Kargaren was continental. Lanfer, Leonor, Chrovix, and their legions were like dust compared to them — such was the difference in their scale.
---
Meanwhile, Archeidis had been taken by Sedestro and Xukhar and arrived at Horus. Horus was deep inside a mineral vein beneath a lake, encased in a cocoon of black and crimson-red energy.
Archeidis: What kind of existence is inside that?
The presence alone was enough to suffocate any life in the area. Even as a soul, Archeidis felt his existence threatened with extinction by that sheer pressure.
Sedestro: Hmm… (He noticed a change in Horus.) Hahaha.
Xukhar: Seems like Brother Horus has succeeded in conceptualizing as well.
Sedestro: Congratulations, Brother Horus.
Xukhar: Congratulations, brother.
Suddenly, the cocoon of black-crimson energy vanished, and a beautiful, muscular, regal-looking humanoid demon emerged.
Horus: What brings you here?
Sedestro: We need help forging a body for this guy.
He handed Horus a black orb containing Archeidis' soul.
Archeidis: Another Ancient Demon…
Horus: Hmm… only that new guy can do it. You're here for Razor.
Sedestro: Yes. Master has entrusted him to you for training. He's skilled in blood arts and in creating independent blood clones. His ability will be useful for forging this guy's new body.
Xukhar: Paired with mine and Sedestro's abilities, we can create a forged demonic body for him.
Horus: But this one is human. Why are you making a body of demonic nature? Seek Lanfer and Leonor — this guy could serve as an additional general for their legions.
Xukhar: Brother Horus, that's the point. Lanfer, Leonor, and Chrovix have their own legions now. Titus is tasked with recruiting more believers and choosing humans to join his army. We demons should also have our own legions.
Sedestro: We discussed this with Master, and he agreed. He gave me this.
(An orb the size of the Orb of Faith and Favor materialized.)
This orb contains demonic bloodlines Master has forged and collected throughout the years. It can grant those bloodlines to demonic lineage beasts and evolve them. Not only will they become our loyal minions, they'll also be part of our own genealogy, as Master intended. All we need to do is refine this orb and use it to create our own army.
(Two more black orbs materialized, and Sedestro handed them to Horus.)
Sedestro: Give the other one to Razor.
Horus: Hmm… follow me.
(One of the orbs vanished from Horus' hand, stored in his independent space.)
Archeidis: Hey, can you forge a body that's not demonic?
Xukhar: No way. You're the current refiner of this continent. If we forge you a human body, your alignment won't change. Once you recover, those powerful entities might locate you and cause us trouble. It's better you become a demon — it will mask your location from them.
Archeidis: Fuck.
Horus: Here we are.
(They arrived at another cave. This one contained a lake of blood, and from the ceiling hung thousands of demonic draconic bats.)
Razor slowly emerged from the pool of blood — a beautiful, elf-like man with red-and-black hair and crimson-red draconic bat wings. He was naked from head to toe, but the blood from the lake surrounded him, forming a regal, battle-ready attire.
Archeidis: Another one…
Razor: Greetings, brothers.
(He bowed like a nobleman, arm across his chest.)
Sedestro explained their purpose, and Horus handed him the other black orb.
Razor: Oh… an army of my own? Ha! Perfect for us high-ranking demons.
Sedestro gave him the orb containing Archeidis' soul.
Razor: Hmm… but even with my ability, creating a body for him would be impossible without a foundation, even with your help, Brother Sedestro and Xukhar.
Xukhar: Don't worry about that. Master already created a vessel for him.
(A devil-child body materialized.)
This is an experimental vessel Master made. He said it's more than enough for this guy, since he only has one percent of his current soul — the vessel is more than capable.
Razor: Oh… such a genuine craft. Then let's begin.
Some of the blood from the pool materialized and entered the vessel.
Razor then threw Archeidis' soul into the body.
Archeidis: Wait—
The blood slowly seeped into the vessel's body.
Then Xukhar and Sedestro's powers of purple and black joined together, refining the body. The demonic child's body grew and grew until it became that of a teenage demonic boy. When it was filled with an orb of blood, Razor placed it inside the blood lake.
Sedestro: Then we'll leave it to you to take care of, youngest brother.
Razor: No problem, brother.
Sedestro and Xukhar turned black and purple and vanished.
Horus: My seclusion here is done. I will return to the surface. You are already strong enough for me to train, so now you can choose the path you'll take. Don't disappoint master.
Razor: Yes, brother.
Horus turned crimson-black-red and vanished as well.
Razor: All of them have conceptualized. I'll do my best to catch up. Now...
He turned to the black orb given to him.
Razor: This is a priceless gift from master.
The blood from the lake began refining it.
Razor: Hahaha... Ohhh... Ecstasy... This power...
Then he turned his gaze to the thousands of Arkanus—Blood Demonic Draconic Bats—hanging from the ceiling of the blood lake cave.
He was originally one of them. When Horus secluded himself months ago in this deep underground pit cave, he discovered these blood-storing, blood-sucking beasts and introduced one of the strongest, rarest variants to Lyrus—now the demon known as Razor.
The orb was successfully refined and turned red.
Razor: Come, my brethren—evolve and become my demonic legion! Hahaha!
The orb glowed red and integrated all Arkanus. Those that successfully integrated fell into slumber inside blood orbs, then submerged into the blood lake. In the cave, countless young Arkanus also existed, and Razor included all of them, sparing no one.
---
Meanwhile, Vigil and Zakhar arrived at the forest behind the sect.
Everyone was already gathered in this place, except for a few others.
Ishvel, Maverick, Edeo, Achilles, Homer, Dester, Teros, Magnus, Langres, Rester, August, Valor, Remus, Tyron, Murus, Nuxar, Ormis, Maxel, Desmir, Nigel, Rion, Cersie, Divana, and Misery were present.
Ishvel: What's with the sudden meeting?
Vigil: Greetings, brothers and sisters. I had a conversation with master a while ago, and he handed me a number of things that some of you may find interesting. But they're not for everyone—only a handful of you have been chosen to bear this responsibility.
Different colored orbs materialized, levitating toward Ishvel, Maverick, Edeo, Achilles, Homer, Dester, Magnus, Langres, Valor, Ormis, Maxel, and Desmir.
Vigil: All of you are tasked with forging your own legions. This orb has the power to integrate and evolve beasts of the same race you were before master bound you. Once integrated, those beasts will become part of your own genealogy and your loyal forces. They will also be bound to master through you, and you will have complete power over them. Master said you're free to do whatever you want with your forces, but you can seek advice from time to time.
This orb does not only have the power of integration but also reproduction. You can produce your own race by giving it your reproductive essence. Through this process, however, you must feed the orb an immense amount of food and resources.
Vigil: As for the rest—Zakhar, Teros, August, Tyron, Murus, Nigel, Nuxar, Rion, Divana, Rester, Remus, and Misery—all of you are tasked with gathering this list of beasts and delivering it to master.
She handed them a list with illustrations.
Vigil: Master also said to be ready to take on the Dehedra. It seems Lanfer and the others already have news about it. But for now, without confirmation, all of you will focus on this task while conserving strength for the serpent.
Vigil: Furthermore, once your forces evolve and gain intelligence, you must make them believe in the Avalon Pantheon, with master as our Almighty God. That is all. Thank you for gathering today.
Everyone dispersed, especially those assigned to search for beasts. Those with orbs departed in different directions.
Ishvel: Why was I also chosen to forge my own legions?
Vigil: Master said you are already half a step away from conceptualization. You need to create your own offspring before that happens, because your race is rare and Ceblars in other continents are already endangered. Even though you're a high species deviated from your original race, master tasked you to leave offspring for yourself.
Ishvel: But the process... (embarrassed)
Vigil: What's there to be embarrassed about? It's not like you'll be having sex in broad daylight with an audience...
Ishvel: Fuck. Okay, okay, stop.
Ishvel turned blue and vanished.
Vigil: By the way, the size of the legion you produce in one reproduction depends on the number of sperm cells in the essence you drop into it. …Fuck, he didn't listen.
Zakhar: Hahaha! Isn't that better? If you told him that, he might only drop a few. I'm expecting millions of young Ishvels. Hahaha! I'm off to get this list of beasts.
Zakhar turned into light and vanished into the horizon.
Vigil: Sigh... Well, it's his responsibility.
A black void opened behind her, and six hands with eyes emerged, guiding her body into the void.
Vigil arrived at her own independent realm.
Vigil: Now, what do I do with this?
In her independent realm—created with master's help—millions of humanoid cocoons covered the ground.
Vigil: Well, I made the same mistake...
Before Sedestro and Xukhar went to Lyrus to create their legions, Vigil had already consulted Lyrus about it. Lyrus created a male version of Vigil, extracted from herself, and mass-produced sperm for her legions.
Neon: My Queen.
Neon greeted her—the male version of Vigil extracted from herself. He was only a fragment of consciousness without a soul, and once a month he would merge back into Vigil. It was already that time.
Neon took Vigil's hand, kissed it, then turned into a black mass and rejoined her.
Among the millions of cocoons in this independent space, created from the Purple Black Orb she got from Lyrus, twelve were colored black—these were the general types meant to lead her unhatched legion.
Meanwhile, Titus and Metria were busy sending statues from the void along with millions of Metria Abyssal Centipede Dragons. Volderon was responsible for guarding them and pinpointing the exact locations where the statues would be placed in the physical world.
Meanwhile, the three dragons had been given the mission to capture the new humanoid races that had arrived in Tevera through the schemes of the Council of Eighth—a horned humanoid tribe called the Tesmanian. Their power varied in affinity, with most of them ranked from Legendary to Mythical. Dragon-blooded as they were, the three would be more than enough to capture them. And with Volderon's assistance, they could pull them into the void without issue.