In the deepest chamber of the Destroyer Dominion, the atmosphere was suffocating.
Not from lack of air.
From the sheer density of killing intent.
A massive obsidian table stood in the center of the war hall, carved from the core of a collapsed star. Around it stood the five beings that had once helped seal Light a thousand years ago—the rulers of destruction itself.
Nullivar.
Demetrius.
Mephisto.
Doom.
Urus.
The hall trembled faintly as distant armies mobilized across countless realms.
Nullivar stood at the head of the table, his expression darker than usual.
"The upper realms…" he muttered.
His eyes glowed with irritation.
"We can't go there yet."
Demetrius crossed his arms, his massive frame radiating restrained violence.
"That much was obvious the moment we discussed it."
Doom's voice was calm but cold.
"Even if we managed to cross into the upper dimensional layers, we wouldn't survive long enough to request help."
Urus growled.
"We're not weak."
Doom looked at him.
"No."
Then he added flatly,
"But we are not them."
Silence filled the hall.
Everyone here understood.
The Upper Realms were a different existence entirely.
Even beings like the Monarchs and Destroyer Leaders would be considered prey there.
Mephisto leaned casually against the table, his smile faint.
"So that leaves us with only one option."
Nullivar's patience snapped.
His fist slammed down onto the table with explosive force.
The starstone cracked under the impact.
"We're going to war."
The hall vibrated as his authority spread outward.
The other Destroyers did not object.
They expected this.
Demetrius smirked.
"I was wondering when you'd finally say it."
Urus cracked his neck.
"About time."
Mephisto chuckled quietly.
"Well then… let's see if the Abyss enjoys war as much as we do."
Outside the chamber—
Entire galaxies trembled as armies began to move.
Destroyer legions.
World-ending beasts.
Conceptual war constructs.
Billions of soldiers began mobilizing across realms.
War had begun.
Averis — Isola Krein
The air around the mansion was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Rayon sat on the veranda while watching Lucifer wobble around the garden while Azelar held his tea cup calmly.
The breeze rolled across the island softly.
But Rayon's eyes lifted slightly toward the sky.
"I bet they're planning war right now."
Azelar took a slow sip of tea.
"I would be disappointed if they weren't."
Luminous stood nearby, arms folded.
"They can't go to the upper realms," she said calmly.
"They'd be nothing but fodder there."
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly.
"But they also can't wait too long."
Nyk leaned against the railing.
"I wouldn't mind a little action though."
He casually pulled out a cigarette and lit it.
The flame flickered in the wind.
Christine immediately punched him in the shoulder.
"Can you not smoke right beside everyone?!"
Nyk shrugged while exhaling smoke.
"What? It's relaxing."
Christine rolled her eyes.
"Idiot."
Nexus stood nearby holding Esdeath gently while watching Lucifer run around the yard.
"They can't reach Lucifer and Esdeath," she said calmly.
"So it's fine."
Rayon looked at his children for a moment before nodding slightly.
"It's settled then."
But suddenly—
His eyes shifted.
A presence had just entered the star system.
Azelar paused mid-sip.
"…Another Monarch?"
Rayon closed his eyes briefly before reopening them.
"It's Kratos."
Everyone relaxed slightly.
"Don't worry," Rayon continued.
"If he wanted to attack he would've come with Axel and Ivis."
He smirked slightly.
"He warned them before… they just didn't listen."
Rayon released a tiny portion of his aura.
Just enough.
Across the atmosphere of Averis—
Kratos immediately felt it.
Above Isola Krein -
Space distorted as a figure appeared above the island.
Kratos floated silently in the sky above the mansion.
His golden slit eyes scanned the land below.
The gravity of Azelar's presence pressed against him like an invisible ocean.
Below him—
Azelar calmly sipped his tea.
Without even looking up he spoke.
"If you don't want me to kill you…"
He placed the cup down gently.
"Enter through the gate."
Silence.
Kratos stared down for a moment.
Then slowly descended.
He landed outside the gate and walked inside without speaking.
When he entered the courtyard, everyone was already watching him.
Rayon leaned back slightly.
"What are you doing on this planet, Kratos?"
Kratos grinned slightly.
"Come on, Abyss."
"Don't be like that."
"Aren't we acquainted?"
Rayon snorted.
"In your dreams."
Kratos chuckled before suddenly stopping.
His gaze shifted.
Toward Azelar.
For the first time since arriving—
Kratos walked toward him slowly.
His expression changed slightly.
"Are you…"
He stopped a few steps away.
"The man who once entered the Upper Realms and came back to tell the tale?"
Azelar placed his cup down slowly.
"It's all in the past now."
Kratos suddenly dropped to one knee.
Everyone blinked in surprise.
"That day… in that life… I was only a child."
His voice was calm but sincere.
"You stood up for me."
"I wanted to repay you somehow."
"But I couldn't find you."
Azelar stared at him quietly for a moment.
Then his eyes narrowed.
"…Oh."
Realization hit him.
He leaned forward slightly.
"So you're that stinky brat?"
Kratos blinked.
Azelar laughed quietly.
"I guess fate is a funny thing."
Kratos smiled faintly.
Luminous crossed her arms.
"Just so you know…"
"I don't like you."
Kratos sighed dramatically.
"Light, I didn't even say anything."
He suddenly paused.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Hmm."
He slowly turned his head.
"Something doesn't feel right."
"It's here…"
He frowned.
"But also not here."
Kratos began walking slowly across the yard.
Then he stopped in front of Nexus.
More specifically—
Esdeath.
The baby looked back at him curiously.
Kratos crouched slightly.
His golden slit eyes began glowing faintly.
"A demi-god…"
He studied her carefully.
Then his voice lowered.
"The child of conceptual displacement…"
His eyes shifted slightly.
"And the child of fate and the end."
Everyone went silent.
Kratos slowly looked back at Rayon.
"…Darkness."
He shook his head slightly.
"How are you this lucky all the time?"
Rayon shrugged casually.
"It's me."
"Of course I'm lucky."
Kratos burst out laughing.
Far Away — Destroyer Territory
Massive dimensional gates opened across countless realms.
Endless legions marched.
Planet-sized war beasts roared.
Destroyer generals rallied their forces.
In the war hall—
Nullivar stood before a colossal army.
His voice echoed across dimensions.
"Prepare yourselves."
Millions of soldiers roared in response.
"This war…"
His eyes burned with hatred.
"…will decide the fate of existence."
Behind him—
Demetrius smiled.
Mephisto chuckled.
Urus cracked his knuckles.
And Doom simply watched.
The armies of destruction had begun moving.
Toward Averis.
Toward the Abyss.
Toward war.