The instant I gave the order to release Veldora, a storm of energy erupted inside my Osirion's Stomach, tearing through the infinite void like a hurricane of pure destruction. It felt as though I had unchained a beast of eternal violence.
(I… HAVE RETURNED!!!)
His voice thundered within my soul corridor, reverberating like the roar of a primordial god.
"…That tone is new," I muttered, suppressing a smirk.
(Yo! Pharaoh, it has been far too long. Tell me—you've been thriving in my absence, yes?)
"Of course." I gave him a casual nod, as though he hadn't just unleashed chaos inside my body.
(What?! That's how you greet me, after I finally break free? You treat me as though I've simply returned from a stroll! Still… it's earlier than I anticipated. I assumed it would take you centuries at least. How in Ra's name did you shatter that prison?)
I chuckled lightly. "You underestimate me, Veldora. The 'Infinity Prison' was monstrous, but with my Oracle guiding me and my Unique Skills evolving into Absolute Ultimate Skills, the process was accelerated. My 'Oracle' grew into Solarys, Sovereign of Wisdom, and its analysis made the impossible inevitable."
(Hooh… You've surpassed even my expectations. So you became a Demon Lord—no, something beyond it. You move quickly, Pharaoh. An awakened sovereign is no joke. They are feared as calamities, true kings of existence. To have ascended in less than a year—! Truly, you are a genius, Atem.)
"Genius?" I laughed. "Call it destiny. Even when I first awakened in this world, I was no ordinary being. This level of growth is only natural for me."
(You reckless fool.) His laugh rumbled like distant thunder. (No wonder I often felt my magic essence siphoned away. So that's where it went—you were feeding armies, naming monsters, reshaping a nation. Hah! The only reason you survived that drain was because you leeched directly from me. Your recklessness shortened my prison and forced my revival!)
He didn't sound angry, though—more amused than anything.
"Then you should be grateful. My recklessness gave you freedom."
(Kuhahaha! True enough. But Pharaoh, do you intend to let the world know I've returned? My aura is too vast to suppress easily. Once I step outside, every fool who has been hunting me will sense it instantly.)
"Would that be a problem?" I asked with a sly grin. "If they come, you'll simply crush them. That's why I've freed you, after all."
(Hmph… Very well. Then give me a vessel. I have no intention of returning as a rampaging dragon just yet.)
"Use my Body Double."
I crafted the vessel, pouring my essence into it. It first mirrored my own form—elegant, regal—but Veldora immediately began reshaping it. His hair turned platinum-gold, his height stretched to nearly two meters, his frame grew muscular, and his face sharpened with raw battle-hunger.
He looked like a more brutal, masculine reflection of myself—still handsome, but undeniably dangerous.
"Of course you'd make yourself look like a warrior," I muttered.
(Better than a pretty boy Pharaoh. Strength must be worn like armor!) He flexed his new arms, satisfied.
At that moment, Solarys spoke in my mind.
"Report. Vessel creation successful. Current state: "Veldora, Storm Incarnation." Note: In this form, his dragon body cannot be used."
"Tch. You're nerfed," I told him with a grin.
(Do not mock me! Even sealed in a humanoid form, my power is boundless. And now that we share a Soul Corridor, I am effectively immortal. As long as you exist, Atem, so shall I. Even if I were sealed again, you could simply call me forth from your eternal dominion. In other words—we are invincible together!)
That thought brought a slow, wicked smile to my lips. "So the world may face me, thinking I stand alone… and then you'll descend upon them unexpectedly. Hah… truly, my enemies deserve pity."
(Indeed! Let us make them tremble, Pharaoh!)
Before I could laugh further, Solarys cut in again.
"Secondary Report: Countless abilities have been presented to you via Food Chain. Would you like to integrate, strengthen, and refine them into a unified form? YES/NO"
"Of course." I accepted without hesitation. To hoard meaningless scraps of power was foolish. Perfection was born from refinement.
The process took only seconds. Then came the revelation:
"Report. Integration complete. Unique Skill "Infinity Prison" has evolved into Ultimate Skill "Uriel, Lord of Vows.""
My eyes widened. "Uriel…?"
At once, I felt it—the unshakable strength of loyalty, the crystallization of every bond and pledge sworn to me, solidified into divine law. It pulsed with warmth and absolute security, as though the faith of all my comrades had been forged into armor.
Uriel, Lord of Vows granted me:
Spatial Domination – Instant travel and coordinate shifts across any space.
Defensive Barrier – Infinite layers of unbreakable defense, reality itself divided to shield me.
Eternal Prison – The evolved Infinity Prison, capable of sealing anything.
Insulation Space – Absolute control of inertia and heat; manipulation of the laws of physics.
"…Another Ultimate Skill." I let out a long breath, grinning despite myself.
"Osirion, Solarys, now Uriel… truly, I carry the authority of kings and gods alike. Perhaps it is time the world acknowledged me for what I am."
Veldora barked out laughter. (Kuhahahaha! Atem, you are unstoppable now. Let us revel in this new era together!)
"Spatial Domination, huh?" I murmured, testing it. The world blurred, and in the blink of an eye I stood on the far side of the chamber. No incantation. No delay. Simply will.
Then I flexed my aura, and immediately a radiant shell wrapped around me. My Defensive Barrier—perfectly deployed without my command. It felt like being cloaked in invisible armor, layered endlessly, yet weightless.
"As expected… flawless."
I clenched my fist and called upon Insulation Space. A flame bloomed in my palm, white-hot, swirling like a miniature sun. The heat was suffocating, yet none of it escaped to scorch the walls. Solarys guided it, containing it perfectly. With a thought, the flame vanished, absorbed into nothing.
"Tch… terrifying. I don't even grasp its full depth, but the potential is endless."
Infinity Prison—I remembered the barrier that had once bound Veldora. The realization struck me: now I held that same absolute sealing power, one even the greatest dragons could not defy.
"Teleportation. Complete defense. Absolute seal. And control over heat itself," I muttered, my lips curling into a smirk. "Doesn't that make me… untouchable?"
I stopped myself. No—I couldn't grow arrogant. I had seen the price of pride before. Even so, I couldn't deny it: Uriel added a fortress and a blade combined.
While I was savoring this, Veldora's voice rumbled in my mind, sharp and thunderous as ever.
"Kuahahaha! You've grown absurdly strong, Atem! Look at you—walking around with skills that bend the very laws of reality!"
"You're one to talk," I shot back, smirking. "Didn't Solarys say you've regained your Ultimate Skill too? Faust, Lord of Investigation, right? Show me."
"Indeed! It grants me Thought Acceleration, Analytical Appraisal, The Entire Universe, Probability Control, and Investigation of Truth!"
He listed them off with ridiculous pride, chest swelling as if anyone else could understand the madness he just described.
"…Half of that makes no sense," I said flatly.
"Hmph! That's because you lack the wisdom to comprehend it. But no matter—leave the thinking to me! You just fight."
"Fine, fine. Just don't blow up my city while you're at it."
We finished reviewing our skills, and I decided it was time to head out.
I opened the great doors of the palace and stepped into the sunlight of Eterna. The air itself seemed to tremble from the aura still spilling faintly off me.
There, kneeling at the entrance, was Gabil—his scales gleaming, his wings trembling, eyes wide with awe and fear.
"T-today is… most auspicious! T-to see you safe, Atem-sama, and—ah—V-Veldora-sama…" He bowed so low his forehead nearly scraped the stone. His voice shook like a child before a god.
I arched a brow. "You noticed him, huh? Even cloaked in a vessel, his presence bleeds through."
As a dragonewt, Gabil was kin to dragons by blood. No wonder he could sense Veldora instantly. The creatures of the Great Forest had worshipped the Storm Dragon as a god since ancient days. His revival wasn't just news—it was an earthquake that would shake the world.
I folded my arms. "Relax, Gabil. He may look overwhelming, but he's more easygoing than he seems. Isn't that right, Veldora?"
From within me, Veldora's booming laugh thundered out: "Of course! Kuahahaha! I am most merciful… to those I like."
Gabil's tail stiffened. "M-most merciful…"
I sighed. "Veldora, enough. You're scaring him half to death. For now, return to me—use the vessel and keep yourself hidden. I'll introduce you to the council later, when things are calmer."
"Hmph. Very well," he said, though I felt his amusement. "I still haven't finished reading the stories within your memories anyway. And besides—I see what you see. It's enough."
His presence slipped back fully into me, quiet and contained.
I turned to Gabil again. "There. No need to panic. He's with me now. Safe, contained."
But Gabil still trembled, lifting his head with hesitation. "Atem-sama… forgive me, but—what is your relationship with Veldora-sama? When… when did he return?"
The question hung heavy. His eyes searched mine, desperate, overwhelmed by the weight of it all.
I met his gaze calmly, my tone sharp but steady. "He is bound to me by soul and vow. His revival is no accident—it is because of my evolution. I will explain everything, but only to the council first. For now… trust me. This is not a calamity. It is one of our greatest strength."
Gabil swallowed hard, then pressed his forehead to the ground again. "As you command, Sovereign!"
I looked toward the city, Eterna shining under the sun. With Veldora at my side, Solarys in my soul, Osirion and Uriel's power in my grasp…
When I returned to Eterna from the cavern where Veldora had been sealed, the exact chaos I predicted was already in motion.
The city was buzzing with unrest. The streets trembled with fear and anticipation. The revival of the Storm Dragon was no small ripple—it was a tidal wave crashing into the hearts of all who could sense such power. Leaders, commanders, and common folk alike had gathered, voices colliding, demanding emergency measures.
The moment I appeared, a familiar voice called out.
"Atem-sama! You're safe!" Rigurd's relief was plain, his shoulders sagging as if he had been carrying a mountain of worry. "Word spread quickly… the aura of the Storm Dragon, Veldora-sama, has returned. Since we heard you entered the cavern, we feared the worst."
Before I could reply, another voice, trembling but sharp, cut in.
"Is my brother—! Is Gabil safe!?" Souka burst through the crowd, her eyes wide with panic.
I held up a hand, steady and firm. "Calm yourselves. There's no problem. Gabil is fine. Veldora's revival is under control—my control."
The weight of my words settled over them. Rigurd straightened immediately, reassured by my tone, while Souka let out a shaky breath of relief, though her eyes still searched mine desperately.
"Rigurd," I said, shifting the focus back where it needed to be. "Have preparations for the council meeting begun?"
"Yes, Atem-sama. No issues at all. However… since so many have already sensed Veldora-sama's aura, I suspect nearly every leader and commander is already making their way here."
"Good." I nodded, satisfied. "This is the perfect opportunity. I'll reveal the truth to all of them directly. They should see Veldora with their own eyes—and understand that he now stands with us."
Rigurd gave a respectful bow, his relief solidifying into trust.
I turned to Souka. "Your brother will be joining us as well. You and your squad should participate too. Go. Inform Souei at once—and summon every executive to the chamber. No one is to be absent."
"Understood!" Souka's voice was sharp, her worry instantly replaced by discipline. She vanished in the next breath, moving with such speed that even Rigurd's eyes couldn't track her departure.
I smirked faintly. "As efficient as ever."
Rigurd gave a small chuckle of agreement. "Indeed. With Souka and Souei handling communication, the executives will assemble quickly."
"Good," I said, then gestured for him to lead. "Take me to the conference room. While we walk, bring me up to speed. I want full updates on each executive's current abilities and readiness."
"As you command," Rigurd replied without hesitation. He moved at my side, his posture tall but respectful, and began his report as we strode through the corridors of Eterna.
Every step echoed with tension. Outside, I could still feel the tremors of fear and awe radiating through the city. Whispers of "Storm Dragon" rippled like wildfire among the citizens. But soon, their uncertainty would end.
Because I would show them.
Veldora's revival was not a calamity.
FLASHBACK.....^^^>>><<<<
The cave was still buzzing with the aftershocks of Veldora's release. Magicules drifted in waves, rattling pebbles and stirring the stale air into a storm.
"Fwahahaha! How marvelous! At last, I, Veldora The Storm Dragon, have returned in full glory! This form is dashing, don't you think?" He flexed, flashing a grin. "I can already hear the maidens of the world swooning!"
Atem crossed his arms, unimpressed, his piercing golden gaze sharp as ever. "Or maybe they're just running away from your laugh."
"EH?!" Veldora clutched his chest dramatically. "Such cruelty from my own comrade! You wound me, Atem!"
Atem smirked. "You'll live."
Few minutes lataaaaa...
"Wait. WAIT. That reminds me…" He jabbed a finger at Atem, his expression half-suspicious, half-incredulous. "Earlier, you said something insane. You mentioned you possess an Absolute Ultimate Skill."
Atem's smirk deepened. He didn't move, didn't blink—he simply allowed the weight of his presence to thicken around him. The magicules in the cave shifted toward him, circling lazily like stars orbiting a sun.
"Yes," he said simply.
Veldora blinked. Then blinked again. "Y-YES?! That's it?!" He stomped his foot, the ground cracking beneath him. "You can't just drop something like that! I am a True Dragon, the embodiment of storms, feared across continents, and even I have never heard of such a thing!"
Atem tilted his head, golden light flaring faintly behind his eyes. "That's because there is only one. And it belongs to me."
The cave seemed to blur for a moment. Veldora's vision split—he saw endless reflections of Atem standing in countless timelines, countless worlds, each unchanged, eternal. He saw wars fought and undone, fates shattered and rewritten, all collapsing into Atem's calm, unwavering figure.
"My Absolute Ultimate Skill is called Osirion, Absolute Sovereign of Eternity," Atem said, his voice resonating like a decree. "It is the dominion of permanence, infinity, and fate itself. Where Ultimate Skills bend the laws of the world, Osirion rewrites them. Even the flow of time holds no chains over me."
Veldora staggered back, his jaw slack. "W-WHAAAAAAT?! ETERNITY?! Do you even realize how busted that sounds?! That's not fair—that's BEYOND unfair! I just got out of a three-hundred-year prison sentence, and you're over here rewriting destiny like it's a card game rulebook!"
Atem chuckled softly. "Fitting, isn't it?"
Veldora pointed both hands at him like a prosecutor. "FIT—?! No! Absolutely not! I refuse to accept this! You can't just casually say, 'Oh yes, I'm the Sovereign of Eternity,' while I'm still trying to figure out how to tie my new robe!"
Atem arched a brow. "Sounds like a you problem."
The dragon-turned-human dropped to his knees, clutching his hair in mock despair. "Unjust! Unbelievable! I, the majestic Veldora, have been overshadowed! Again!"
Atem smirked, walking past him toward the mouth of the cave. "Get used to it."
For a moment, silence hung in the air. Then Veldora leapt up, fire blazing in his eyes. "Hah! Don't underestimate me, Atem! If you think you can hog the spotlight forever, you're mistaken! I'll surpass even your so-called Absolute Sovereignty, mark my words!"
Atem glanced back over his shoulder, his smirk widening. "Then I'll enjoy watching you try."
Their laughter echoed through the cave—Atem's sharp and composed, Veldora's booming and unrestrained—two allies bound by chaos, eternity, and the thrill of what was to come.
FLASHBACK ENDS.....^^^>>>>>