The Jura Forest was quiet once more. The sky, painted in soft hues of dawn, cast a golden glow over Eterna, illuminating the city-nation that now thrived under Atem's guidance.
Birdsong filled the air, mingling with the occasional clang of hammer on metal from the forges, and the cheerful shouts of goblins and lizardmen racing through the streets. For the first time in weeks, there were no roars of monsters, no chaotic magic explosions—only the calm hum of life rebuilding.
Atem floated above the central square, his eyes sharp and observant, taking in the scene. He noted the Kijin training goblin warriors with precision, Shion and Shuna orchestrating domestic and logistical affairs, Hakuro instructing recruits in swordsmanship, and the orcs and other allied races working diligently in the fields.
<
A faint, familiar rumble of energy caught his attention.
"Commander Atem! Over here!"
He turned to see Milim Nava bounding across the square, her pink hair bouncing like fire, and her massive hammer slung casually over one shoulder. Despite the previous battles, her energy seemed inexhaustible, a living storm wrapped in a small frame.
"The city looks… peaceful!" she chirped, eyes sparkling. "I was worried you'd be bored without monsters to crush!"
Atem descended, landing lightly on the cobblestones. "Peace does not mean weakness," he said calmly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Everyone is safe, and Eterna stands firm."
Milim pouted, folding her arms. "Safe? Hah! That's boring. Where's the fun in peace?"
Before Atem could respond, a goblin courier skidded up, panting heavily. "Lord Atem! Guildmaster Fuze's delegation has arrived for trade negotiations, and Dwargon has sent word of additional resources they're willing to share!"
Atem's eyes narrowed slightly, already calculating the logistics. "Very well. Prepare the meeting area. Shion, coordinate the arrangements. I want all allies briefed beforehand."
Milim tilted her head, curiosity flickering. "So… more humans coming to talk instead of fight?"
"Exactly," Atem replied, voice steady. "Eterna must not only protect itself, but also assert its place in the wider world."
As the citizens continued their routines, Atem observed the Kijin supervising a training session with the goblins. The young warriors moved with confidence, their strikes precise, the coordination flawless. Even the timid goblins now wielded weapons with courage, their fear replaced by respect and loyalty.
Shuna and Shion were busy orchestrating repairs to homes damaged in the last battles. Shuna's gentle guidance and Shion's strict efficiency had already created a rhythm in the city, a flow that made the entire place hum like a well-oiled machine.
Meanwhile, Milim, never content to sit idle, chased orcs through the training grounds, pretending to spar. Each feigned blow made the orcs flinch, stagger, or dodge in exaggerated fashion. Children laughed at the antics, and even the stoic Kijin occasionally cracked a smile.
<
Atem's gaze swept the horizon, calm yet commanding. "Let them watch. Let them come. Eterna will endure."
Beyond the city, trade routes were surveyed, forests explored for resources, and alliances nurtured. The calm allowed him to plan, to anticipate threats, and, perhaps quietly, to enjoy the rare moments of peace.
And somewhere deep in his mind, he noted the stirrings of the outside world—fear, envy, curiosity—all drawn by the growth of Eterna and the strength of its Pharaoh.
A sigh escaped Atem's lips as he descended once more into the square. The city thrived around him—a living testament to the bonds forged between monsters, humans, and allies alike.
"And yet," he said quietly, voice carrying over the bustling streets, "peace is only the beginning."
Milim's laughter rang out, wild and unrestrained, echoing through the square. "Don't get too comfortable, Pharaoh! I'll make sure you're never bored!"
<
Atem's eyes gleamed. "Then let it come. We are ready."
The city shone in the early light, alive and vibrant. And in that moment, Eterna was more than a city—it was a testament to his strength, his leadership, and the promise of the future he would forge.
Atem stood on the balcony of his chamber, gazing over Eterna. The city had returned to life after the chaos of recent battles, but his mind remained sharp, already considering the future.
<
"Go ahead. Tell me everything," Atem replied, his tone calm yet commanding.
<
Atem frowned slightly. "Not ready… so even with all the battles we fought, they still haven't unlocked anything new?"
<
Atem tilted his head, considering this. "So they're stronger now, but they won't improve unless they're pushed?"
<
Atem's eyes narrowed. "I see. So my evolution was a step forward, not just for me, but for the entire nation. They have the tools to grow… now they just need the proper crucible to forge themselves."
<
Flashback — Return to Eterna.....
The gates of Eterna opened slowly, and a hush fell over the city. The usual clamor of the market, the laughter of children, and the clang of the forges faded into silence. Everyone turned as Atem appeared, stepping into the sunlight.
But it wasn't the Atem they knew.
He was taller, his frame more sculpted, shoulders broader, posture commanding yet graceful. His face was sharper, more handsome, radiating authority and confidence. His aura… it was unlike anything they had felt before—majestic, powerful, and overwhelming, like the weight of the sun itself pressing down on the city. Magicules shimmered faintly around him, barely contained, yet radiating pure strength.
The citizens froze, jaws dropping.
Benimaru's eyes went wide, and he instinctively took a step back. "Master… w-what happened to you? Your aura… it's…"
Shion, normally composed, tilted her head, her hands tightening at her sides. "You… you're different, Master. Your presence… it feels like the air itself is bowing to you."
Atem stopped in the center of the square, looking around at everyone. His voice carried easily, calm and measured, yet full of authority.
"I've evolved," he said simply. "I've become the first of the Pharaoh-Dragon species."
The words landed like a thunderclap. Gasps, whispers, and stunned silence spread through the crowd.
Gabil's jaw dropped. "Pharaoh… Dragon? That's… impossible…"
Rigurd, Gobta, and even Geld and Hakuro exchanged stunned glances. The aura alone was enough to make their knees weak.
And then, standing slightly behind him, Milim puffed out her tiny chest, her expression radiating pride and mischief.
"Hehe… my bestie is the strongest now! He even beat me!"
The statement caused a collective shockwave through everyone. Eyes widened, mouths gaping. The idea that Atem—already overwhelmingly strong—had evolved further and even surpassed Milim, one of the most feared beings in the world, seemed almost unbelievable.
Benimaru's hand went to his sword hilt, though he didn't draw it. "T-this… he's serious… Master, you… you beat Milim? And you've changed… like this?"
Shion's eyes shimmered, a mixture of awe and worry. "Your aura, your presence… it's overwhelming. Master… what exactly happened to you in that cave?"
Atem's gaze swept over all of them, calm, steady, yet carrying the weight of absolute power. "The evolution reshaped me—body, soul, and essence. I've grown stronger, not just to protect Eterna, but to lead it. The Pharaoh-Dragon is a new species. My power, my presence… it's something none have seen before. But I'm still here for all of you. Eterna's strength will grow alongside mine."
Milim bounced slightly on her toes, beaming. "And now that he's stronger, we can fight properly next time! Hehe… maybe I'll finally have a real challenge!"
Everyone else looked from Atem to Milim, utterly dumbfounded. It was one thing to hear that Atem had evolved, another entirely to hear Milim, the Demon Lord, calling him her bestie and acknowledging that he had beaten her.
<
"I know," Atem replied quietly, scanning the faces of his friends and soldiers. "They'll understand soon enough… and they'll grow stronger too."
Benimaru stepped closer, bowing slightly, his voice firm but filled with awe. "Master… the Pharaoh-Dragon… it's incredible. Eterna is lucky to have you leading us."
Shion's expression softened, and she nodded. "We'll follow you, Master. Wherever this power takes us… we'll be ready."
Atem nodded once, a subtle but confident smile on his lips. "Then let's move forward. Eterna's future… starts here."
And as the sun cast its golden light across the city, Atem—the first Pharaoh-Dragon—stood tall, his aura rippling like waves of power, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that the strongest being in the world now walked among them, and Eterna had just entered a new era.