Etherail, the realm of countless miracles, home of mystical objects known as soul orbs – crystallized essences of the beasts, containing the purest energy gathered over their whole lives.
Humans harness these orbs for strengthening themselves by absorbing the energy and fusing them all into their own inner power for chasing the divinity. Soul orbs are currently classified into many categories for many purposes based on the element, rarity, attribute and soul age – the number of years they were crystallized within the beasts.
In Etherail, humans who choose the path of cultivation must pass through three foundational stages before attaining godhood. The first stage is called Veyline, including first 30 levels, commonly referred to as The Departure, symbolizing the journey out of trivial mortality.
The next stage is known as Terrine, covering the next 30 levels. Cultivators who reach this point are no longer considered humans, they are the beings known by their half immortality, Etherns. This stage is also called The Ascent to the Summit.
The final stage is Caeline, the final apex of cultivation. Here, they are no longer the seekers, they are reborn as Sages – the beings that surpassed over the mortality and even the immortality. This part is called The Final Trial.
Beyond Caeline lies a hidden fourth stage: Lynks – The Divine Path, containing the ten final levels. It is the path lead to the godlike being. The sages who have mastered all the three previous stages may enter this final domain. It is the ultimate test for sages to prove themselves before the the World's Volition.
Those who succeed are compelled to ascend into the higher dimensional plane, known as Divine Realm or Realm of Gods. Where all the highest existences concentrate and form a divine society, charged with guarding and maintaining the balance of Etherail against threats beyond the unknown universe.
But it doesn't matter, Etherail is still just a small world within the universe, which means there are other forces and realms powerful enough to erase it instantly. The sky above is too immense, isn't it?
First and foremost, allow me to extend my warmest greetings to you all. You may call me Daria – the one who govern the outer space. I am well aware of what it is you seek, but before we go any further, permit me to share with you a myth – one I believe may prove the enlightening at the end.
I was a fool – blinded by overconfidence – until the day he entered my life. I didn't even know his name. The only thing I was permitted to remember was the alias passed down by my ancestor: "God Slayer."
I was the strongest entity in Etherail – God of Dragons – In my arrogance, I thought myself untouchable, I believed that no one could be stronger than me. Blindness, arrogance and ignorance brought me closer to the death than ever before.
That was the first time I realized even gods can be killed. To be honest, I had never dared to imagine that death might look like through god's eyes. Despair and regret – those were all I could feel while the death was parading in front of my eyes, step by step, unhurried and inevitable.
Don't you see? It's greatness cannot be expressed clearly – nor fully understood. My very existence felt like nothing at all while comparing to it. And The God of Dragons, never once did he seems small in my eyes.
It's called Chaos, including countless realities, destinies and fates, all arranged, all established, even hopes or futures, nothing is exactly random under that volition.
I saw myself die in thunderous cataclysm, I saw myself die beneath the fangs of beasts. I witnessed countless versions of "Daria" fall – each to impermanent and inevitable reasons. Seems like Daria's death was a canon event, but the anomaly was me.
I was there, I was alive, I didn't die. Wasn't I Daria or was Daria not me?
I didn't even twig it thoroughly, but thanks to creation and destiny, they were there, they stood on my side.
So, do you know what lies between Chaos? Allow me to interpret the creatures of that dimension. Most are called Akaos – the lowest, weakest beings of that realm. And yet, despite being considered the weakest, all their attributes, potential even their baseline power utterly dwarfed everything I possessed.
And those entities reigning throughout Chaos – the first nine primitive beings born beyond the space and time – are known as Monarchs, The Primordial Monarchs of Chaos.
Ironically, they were nothing compared to the power of my two ancestors. A million years – for ten thousand centuries – we chased them through multiverse and layers of reality. Quite a journey, wasn't it?
That endless gave me boundless knowledge. Don't believe it? Allow me to lead it furthermore. Chaos, in essence, is a realm composed of countless realities, forming its own multiverse system. And Chaos was a masterpiece of a God – The Allfather, Amexk – also known as God of Creation through Genesis.
All of Chaos was created by Amexk with a single hand, so his sudden disappearance was as strange as it was unsettling. No one knew how it happened. No one knew where Amexk had gone.
Then, abruptly and unnaturally, after the vanishing of Amexk, Chaos revealed its true nature – an age of terror. It was this shift led the nine Monarchs to launch their invasion across the multiverse. By absorbing essence and matter, they believed they could reach the higher form of evolution.
By now, I trust you have realized it. There was no reason for that sudden disappearance of Amexk. And the Monarchs' hunger for expansion? It was nothing more than a calculated, superficial scheme.
As it turned out, it was all part of a grand design. The one known as God Slayer revealed a truth to me. There were other entities equal in stature to Amexk – and such beings could not be killed. They were immortal.
That revelation brought clarity to this affair. The were only two possibilities:
Amexk had ascended to that dimension.
Amexk had been erased by other entities of higher level.
And beyond those, all other explanations crumbled into dust. One undeniable truth merged from it all – the dimension higher than Chaos must exist.
Forgive me for interrupting you all. What I have shared is merely a fragment – what I wish to transmit. Yet, it is far from the complete tapestry of that forsaken era.
Would grant me the honor of revealing the rest? About that legend and the entire final arc of the forgotten age.
I'm truly glad you have remained. From now on, I shall not speak – but guide you through it all. The next path, I invite you to witness the whole picture for yourself.
Plane number 8: The previous era.
God Slayer: "There are more than one Amexk's level entity. Otherwise there's no way to explain it thoroughly."
Kah: "So those nine Monarchs dealt with them? Don't you think we can really solve all the threats?"
God Slayer: "That's a possibility. Time's up."
Kah: "Hey! At least make a plan first!"
God Slayer: "Don't worry, they will be here soon."
Kah: "Isn't that the worst situation?"
God Slayer: "All planned."
Kah doesn't believe it. All the process takes totally ten minutes, he can't accept that superficial demeanor. The one known as God Slayer doesn't consider it a matter should be focused on.
God Slayer: "Bring Kang – In here, we need to re-enter that dimension."
Kah: "That dimension?! Hey, you want to die, don't you?"
God Slayer: "Say less. There's no time to waste. It's our key. If it wasn't this time, then when the hell it'd be?"
Kah: "Alright, alright, alright."
Daria doesn't get it at all. He can't understand anything about that dialogue. Who is Kang – In? What is the key? And what is planned? But he knows that there is no choice for him except obeying the excogitation. He knows that standing by their side never be the wrong decision.
God Slayer: "Daria."
Daria: "Yes?"
God Slayer: "It's time for you to open the new world."
Daria: "The new world?"
No reply, he flicks off, the spacetime surrounding Daria is suddenly torn to pieces. Over the multiverse level, vision after transcendence.
God Slayer: "This is the last thing you need to surpass before that day." Daria: "Can I? And what is 'that day'?" God Slayer: "You better ask yourself instead of me."
Etherail, at Kah's domain.
Kah: "So the key you mentioned is in Nihility?"
God Slayer: "However, I'm not sure about it."
Kang – In: "Are you scared?"
Kah: "Shut up Kang – In. Say something useful."
Kang – In: "I always do, don't I? Shut up old man."
God Slayer: "Say less. I give you a day, do everything you want."
Kang – In: *Aw* "So sweet."
God Slayer: "Shut up!"
Annals of Chaos: the first thousand years of the era of terror.
At the edge of Chaos – North, suddenly over thousand undefined objects were found and erased immediately after that.
Annals of Chaos: the next thousand years of the era of terror.
Over ten thousand undefined objects were found at the same location. Nothing special, all were deleted out of the reality immediately after identifying.
Annals of Chaos: the first ten thousand year of the era of terror.
Totally ten invasion were recorded and prevented successfully.
Annals of Chaos: the next thousand years after the 10th invasion of outer realm unknown forces.
With the same activity cycle, the amount of invasions raised tenfold. Which means the protection of Chaos' Volition had been weaker.
Annals of Chaos: two hundred thousand years of the worst era.
The one who always known as God Slayer revealed himself again to the world.
A contract was signed by him. Turning out the shield for Chaos, with the support of the Volition. God Slayer now had to face the outer threats.
Annals of Chaos: hundred thousand years after the contract event.
God Slayer stood strong at the edge. Nothing could surpass him and successfully invaded Chaos. Chaos' Volition was very satisfied with that performance.
Annals of Chaos: the next ten thousand years.
The Core of Chaos was damaged by the unknown force. The protection at the edge also cracked by itself.
Annals of Chaos: the next ten thousand years.
The Core was damaged again by the same unknown force. The protection at the edge cracked again, God Slayer was forced to reveal a part of his true power.
Annals of Chaos: the next ten thousand years.
A precious peaceful period of time that disappeared very long ago. But it doesn't mean that the shield of Chaos can rest, he was always in his zone. Always stand strong at the first and only space crack on the edge.
Annals of Chaos: the last ten thousand years.
The Core was damaged again, this time was different, it reached the boundary. The Core shattered, corresponding to it was the collapse of the edge.
The contract officially ended. However, the God Slayer still stood strong at the line used to be the edge of Chaos. He was waiting for the last piece.
God Slayer: "Kah, where's Daira?"
Kah: "Nevermind, he is reaching the boundary."
God Slayer: "I see, stay back, they've come."
Kah (arrogant): "What are you worrying about? If they arrive, then we send them back to their motherland, don't we?"
God Slayer: "That's stupid. We can't reveal everything we have to them right now."
Kah (disappointed): "Aight, aight, aight. You're always right."
Kah disappears shortly thereafter, leaves everything for that champion. At there, where used to be the edge of Chaos, remaining the one and only one, who still guards that gate as the unbreakable mountain, God Slayer.
God Slayer: "Come here, all of you."
The battlefield stretches around the remained edge, the countless undefined objects has arrived, the endless war has started, this is the first wave.
God Slayer: "Superficial. If you really want to absorb Chaos, at least bring something more useful than these wastes."
This is the declaration from God Slayer to those entities, he knows that the war is coming. They want it, so does he.
After another ten thousand of years, the third wave is cleared easily. There still remains that one who is known as God Slayer, he still guards that gate, without any intruder has successfully invaded.
Post apocalypse: The 21000th year, at the center of multiverse, he has comeback.
The transcendence one – Daria – who found the true path and started stepping on it to pursuit the peak of creation.
Daria (awkward): *Uh* "Ancestor Kah, are you here?"
Kah: "Oh, that's faster than what I forecasted."
Daria: "But it took over a billion of years for this small step."
Kah: "It's not that long Daria. You had the chance to stay in that high dimension. Due to the difference between them, the time systems are different too."
Daria: "That means I didn't waste our time, did I?"
Kah: "Don't worry. All good. You need to meet Yujin now."
Daria: "Oh, would you please lead me? And who is Yujin?"
Kah: "Of course, despite being the transcendence, you're not that powerful to reach that dimension."
Daria: "Sorry for being hasty. Forgive me, ancestor."
Kah laughes as large as possible he can. It's been a while that he missed that manners.
Kah: *Ah* "Good old days, aren't they?"
Daria: "I think so, ancestor."
Kah: "Just call me Kah, I don't want a formal atmosphere. We are all at the transcendence level, it's time to throw the honorifics aside."
Daria: "Understood, Kah ancestor."
The atmosphere suddenly turns to silence, *pock* – Daria gets hit on the head.
Kah: "I just told you to put them all aside."
Daria (awkward): *Umh, uh, um* "Alright, Kah."
Kah: "That's right, just make it casual."
At the end of the dialogue, they've approached the gate. Kah suddenly stops, he turns back and looks at Daria.
Kah: "Daria, this is how we go beyond the boundaries and reach that dimension."
As soon as he finished speaking, Kah disappeared after putting his hand out and tearing the spacetime with the limitless power. Daria isn't a newbie, he understands it clearly with just a glance.
Daria: "Tear them like this, right?"
*Crack* – After the sound of something falling apart, Daria has reached that side, the dimension existing outside Chaos – where everything was created.
Daria (shocked): "Wo, what is this place?"
Kah: "The dimension outside Chaos, we call it Ogroderion."
Kang – In: "Welcome, welcome. Let's see what we do have here."
Kah: "Shut up Kang – In. Get to work."
God Slayer: "Alright, I see. Congratulation, Daria. You got it."
Daria: "Thanks, ancestor."
God Slayer: "Actually I'm not your ancestor, just call me Yujin."
Daria: "Got it."
But suddenly the fifth wave has come, Yujin didn't predict this one. But it's just being useful in this situation. Yujin takes out his blood sword and tells Daria to try defending them all. They will stand back and cover him whenever he needs helps.
Daria (awkward): "Can I really do it?"
Yujin: "As usual, do your best."
Kah: "Destroy or being destroyed. Choose one option."
Daria (taking a breath): "Alright, I'll do my best."
Kang – In: "Ye, send them to hell."
There was nothing could record that great war, except two things: that unknown entity and the volition of Nihility.
Daria: "Yujin, what are we doing next?"
Yujin: "This match, you let three objects into Chaos."
Daria: "So I need to clear the next wave by myself without any mistake to get to the next step?" Yujin: "Of course. You only have three chances."
Daria: "Got it."
As soon as Yujin finished talking, he immediately entered back into Chaos. Kah and Kang – In also had nothing to say, they both left everything to Daria – the new hope.
Daria (taking a breathe): *Phew* "The sixth wave. And you are the General?"
Taluke – Marshal: "Keep in mind. I'm the tenth marshal of Althysk."
Daria: "You may call me Daria. What is Althysk?"
Taluke: "The key is only found after you successfully eliminate all of us."
Daria: "Alright, that suits me."
The sixth wave: cleared, all eliminated.
Daria: "So it's just you and me."
Taluke: "And the one, who still stand strong at the end, won't be you."
Daria: "I don't think so."
Taluke: "Then prove it to me."
Daria: "Sure."
He has a crystal great sword on his back, a platinum amor and a half galactic cape on his left shoulder. All make him look like a true chevalier, but not a horse, this chevalier is actually a dragon rider.
*Grr* – That low growl is from that dragon – the massive dragon that there is no word to describe it clearly – the true threat is coming.
Daria: "That's a lot of aura farming."
Daria is the opposite side of every champion, it's not about his material style. I mean his fashion style, there's nothing colorful used. Only black clothes and a same color belt.
Taluke: "Your fashion style is boring as hell." Daria: "Nah, it's still good."
Taluke is the initiator, he shrinks himself and his dragon to the same size of his rival – Daria – for the most intense battle that he's been waiting for.
The first sound of the battle echoes when that fist and the great sword collide each other. After that, Daria changes his style for the most effective result.
Taluke leaves his dragon and rushes into Daria with a strong slash. He dodges to the left and counter with a fast strike by using the palm on right hand, aiming to Taluke's face for one and the last blow of this battle.
However he has a lucky charm, the dragon instantly turned into the unknown force in order to block that fatal strike. Nevertheless, Daria has already made a countermeasure especially for this situation.
Daria: "Nice try."
He steps his right foot ahead, strains his left leg muscles, retracts his right arm then changes the strike to an elbow slash. That slash instantly breaks the shield and knocks out Taluke.
At this level, Daria has enough authority to erase the presence of any entity lower than himself. So there's no way out for Taluke to survive under Daria's hand.
Daria: "Nice try, but not enough. You are the last one." Taluke: "Are you the strongest?" Daria: "Nah, isn't that obvious?"
Taluke immediately is recalled by that unknown entity, Daria knows that there's no reason to sacrifice a marshal of the empire except probing enemies. For this basic strategy, Daria used it countless time before ascending to this level.
Daria: "Boring."
He takes the great sword as a spoil, this is the action for the second declaration to them.
Loreng: "I see."
Maxtha: "How dare those insects blaspheme like that!?"
Loreng: "That's fine Maxtha. The blindness and arrogance will lead them to destruction."
Maxtha: "I was rude, my Sovereign."
He doesn't reply, with that maestro demeanor, Loreng signals Maxtha to step back.
Loreng: "Haste makes waste, Maxtha."
Maxtha: "I understand, my Sovereign."
Loreng: "Pankli."
A warrior immediately strides in and drops down a knee, she bows his head before the throne.
Loreng: "Do your work, my sword."
Pankli: "Understood, your Majesty."
The seventh wave instantly comes, Daria knows that the opponent has fell to this trap.
Daria: "I'm Daria and you?"
Pankli – Marshal: "Pankli. Three Marshal. Athysk's loyalty."
Daria (awkward): *Uh* "You mean that you are the third marshal, the loyalty to Athysk, don't you?" Pankli: "Shut (up). Fight."
Daria: "Alright, dysarthria girl."
As what Taluke did, the initiator this time is Pankli. She rushes ahead with the great axe, it's huge two times herself.
*Clash* – That's the sound of the collapse between the blood axe and Taluke's great sword. Daria steps ahead, swings that sword blade to her neck after deflecting that cumbrous tool.
But live isn't that easy. *Clang* – Pankli instantly pulls out a dagger to block that deadly slash, buy her time to recall the great axe and jump back to keep the distance.
However, Daria doesn't let her get that precious chance, it just takes him a small step to dash to the left side – where Pankli can't freely prevent him moving. A deadly spinning slash is presently released, aiming to cut her into half.
*Clang* – A heavy black steel armor just now appear in order to save her life once. That great axe is swinged again to cut Daria's head down. Counter, he instantly changes the pose to block that top down strike. *Clang* – That sound repeats and Daria successfully cuts down a hand from that berserker.
Daria (excited): "You are strong."
Pankli (constrained): "Shut (your) mouth (up)!"
Daria: "Alright, alright, alright. Angry lady."
Pankli angrily dashes forward with a heavy strike. Daria also enters his zone, he puts the sword aside and focuses on blocking that axe.
He knows that if he does it wrong, Chaos will be cut into half by the aftershock of the strike. He puts his hands up, catches the axe blade, move it out of the trajectory.
Within a second, Daria had enough time to take out all the force in that axe to his hands. Instantly, a palm strike is released to her face on direct. All the force was transferred into his hand by the special technique, and now all of them are smashing to Pankli's head.
Loreng: "My shield."
*Snap* – That strike was blocked by the third guy, who suddenly had entered the battle within the permission from their lord, Ankesh.
Ankesh: "You're too hurry, aren't you?"
Daria: *Hm* "Don't you know the rules?"
Ankesh (mocking): "Who cares?"
Daria take a glance on Pankli, he realizes that from beginning to end, the only one respecting this battle is him. Daria takes a deep breath, those eyes shine as the signal of death.
Daria (self-mocking): "What are you expecting for Daria?"
A fist, it took Daria a fist to end that massacre. He returns to the gate and keeps waiting until the next wave.
Daria: "Boring."
Another hundred thousand years have passed, Daria now reaches his limit. In other word, he is standing on the top of creation. The authority accumulated by slaughtering at the endless war up to this moment is unable to see through. He is truely the unfallen one.
Yujin: "You've surpassed it."
Daria (smiling): "Thanks to you all, for leading me to this far."
Yujin: "No need to obey those bland honorifics. They won't start the next wave during this time."
Daria: "Got it. So we are moving to the next step, aren't we?"
Yujin: "Obviously, not yet."
Daria has thought a lot, however he can't find out what he didn't complete.
Yujin: "You did well, Daria."
Daria: "Oh, thanks and what do I...?"
Yujin: "No need to be confused, the last test for you isn't in the plan."
Daria: "So what do I need to do?"
No reply, Yujin gently takes out his gloves and coat. He strongly steps forward, approaches to Daria side.
Yujin: "Your last test is surviving beneath my claws." Daria (afraid): *Wey wey* "Isn't it that serious?" Yujin: "Instead of complaining…"
He rushes toward Daria, instantly releases a high kick aiming to his head. *Snap* – Daria has shown that he isn't a chick in this element, rapidly defending and counter Yujin as fast as he can.
It takes Yujin a small step to counter that movement with a palm strike directly to Daria's face. Non-stop, he releases another slash with the elbow to the same target.
Yujin: "You better push yourself to surpass that boundary."
Metaphysical space – the realm beyond Chaos, Ogroderion – where the cataclysm is over.
Yujin: "At least not too bad."
Daria (dying): "So… what's the… next step?"
Yujin: "Surviving in that dimension."
Daria (dizzy): "What do you mean?"
*Bap* – A clap instantly brings Daria and Yujin to an indefinite realm, it's covered by darkness and silence – the embodiment of death.
Daria (suprised): "Yujin?"
Yujin: "The next path…"
Daria: "Excuse me?"
Yujin: "is all up to you."
Ogroderion, the 18th wave: cleared, all eliminated.
Kah: "Yo, what's going on?"
Yujin: "Daria has entered that place."
Kah: "I see."
Kang – In (mocking): "Don't you worry about his safty?"
Kah: "Shut up Kang – In. He's a monster."
Kang – In (ignoring): "Bah, bah."
Kah: "Shut up."
The spacetime suddenly be broken, after that is a powerful pressure directly crushes everything in its range. But it's just a small greeting from Loreng to all his roadblocks.
Loreng: "Aren't you all too weak?"
Kah: "Still enough to kick your ass out of Chaos."
Loreng (maestro): "Hope you all are able to keep those arrogance that day."
Yujin: "Thanks but you better prepare your own funeral first."
No response, Loreng returns to his empire, waiting for the final war.
Yujin: "For those next waves, show them that we're not that strong."
Kah (smirking): "Oh ho, sound like we're going to the good part."
Ogroderion, 19th wave: cleared, all eliminated.
Ogroderion, 20th wave: cleared, all eliminated.
Ogroderion, 21st wave: cleared, all eliminated.
Ogroderion, 22nd wave: cleared, all eliminated.
Kah (pretending): "Hah, hah, hah. They're being strong unusually."
Yujin (heavy breathing): "Say less. Save your energy."
Kah: "Boo."
Kang – In: "Boo."
Yujin (looking forward): "Again?"
Ogroderion, 23rd wave: cleared, all eliminated.
Ogroderion, 24th wave: cleared, all eliminated.
Ogroderion, 25th wave: cleared, all eliminated.
Ogroderion, 26th wave: cleared, all eliminated.
Maxtha: "My Sovereign, can I have that honor?"
Loreng: "Not this time Maxtha."
Maxtha (urgent): "But, they're just a bunch of insects."
Loreng: "I know. Because of their inferiority, they are going to the destruction by themselves. You don't need to be hurry, my spear."
Maxtha (calming down): "Please forgive my temper, my Sovereign."
It's still that maestro demeanor, Loreng signals Maxtha to keep waiting for the true final scene.
Loreng: "Seems like they are at the same level as those nine Monarchs of Chaos."
Maxtha: "Permit me to say more, my Sovereign."
He raises his hand, gently but not arbitrarily, which Maxtha has worshiped for her whole life.
Maxtha: "My senses are warning me about them. However, it's not about their power. It seems hasty, but I doubt they're hidding that secret."
Loreng (excited): "I see what you mean. Go on."
Maxtha: "I consider the fourth of them are holding that key."
Loreng: "So you are telling me to eliminate them all?"
Maxtha: "That's what I mean, my…"
As realizing that she has gone so far, Maxtha instantly downs her knees to the floor, bowing her head beneath that emperor's authority. Her voice raises up two tones – somewhat flustered.
Maxtha (worried): "Please forgive me, my Sovereign. I didn't mean that. Please mercy this inferior servant."
His lips curve into a slight smile – likes an old day silhouette in Maxtha's memory – so gently and purely.
Loreng (reminiscing): "I like you Maxtha, like the old days. I can still see the silhouette of that affined warrior in you."
Maxtha (smiling slightly): "That's my honor, my Sovereign."
Loreng: "Stay back Maxtha. I'll carry everything left."
Suddenly everything is fading, it's the warning for Loreng. If he doesn't hurry up, all his precious memories will be faded, everything will be erased.
Loreng (self-appeasing): "Don't worry, don't worry, Maxtha. Wait me."
Loreng (self-appeasing): "Everying will be fine, right? Wait me Maxtha."
He hugs that fading body tighter and tighter as gripping his most precious thing.
Loreng (determining): "I won't let you evaporate, Maxtha. I won't let you have that chance."
Loreng (plighting): "I promise you… with all my glory, my honor and my soul."
And now, he is standing on the battlefield – in the fateful battle.
Loreng: (With my whole being.)
Loreng (glancing): "It's time for the last destiny to be done."
On the other side, *shing* — Yujin unsheathes his blood blade which exterminated countless creatures through that endless time.
Yujin: "That suits me."
Kah: "Why are you so alone?"
Loreng arrogantly glances all. He needs to be hurry, for everything he wants to keep.
Loreng (ruthless): "The true emperor is the one and only one steps in the battle without any aid."
Kang – In (mocking): "Wo wo? What do we have here? A cool guy with a spear?"
Kah: "We'll make you regret for this superficial choice."
Loreng: "Regret? Me?"
Instantly an endless rain appears, it's not a normal rain. It's a myriad of lightning spears falling on them. This is the first declaration of Loreng – The Grand Monarch of Althysk – to Yujin, Kah, Kang – In and the last one missing.
Loreng (declaring): "You don't have that chance."
The war has started, so there's no reason for Daria to keep being absent.
*Crack*— sound of broken space signals for the return of the unfallen one – Daria, the return of the new hope.
He instantly drop a falcon kick on Loreng head, *boom*— obviously it's an explosion. But seems like that Grand Monarch hasn't taken any damage.
Loreng: "Time for execution."
Daria: "Not for us."
Kang – In: "Of course."
He starts with an infinite lightning spear storm, it brutally destroy everything in range. However it doesn't matter, Yujin also swings his sword – Sky Breaking – and stab it rapidly forward the tornado, breaking it instantly.
Loreng: "Pretending to be weak to deceive me? Unfortunately, I'm not subjective for those small low tricks."
Daria: "So what are you going to do next? Bring it all on. I'll smash it all to dust."
Loreng (maestro): "I accept that provocation."
Loreng swings the spear at high speed, also Yujin does. He rapidly dashes forward with an unstoppable slash, *clash* — that attack is prevented easily within a small movement.
But life isn't that easy, Loreng instantly releases his aura outside, as an explosion, it inevitably knocks Yujin back.
It's now too favorable, Loreng stabs his spear into Yujin's heart. However, that's too superficial, *clash* — he recalls the sword for an instant counter. *Ring* that sharp sound is the signal for Loreng to better dodge the next slash.
*Shing* that cut could successfully end this war but unfortunately, Loreng wasn't that slow.
*Whoosh* the swirling spear mercilessly stabs through that God Slayer. It remains a huge hole at Yujin's chest.
He heavily vomits that red blood and falls down. *Bap* — It's a sound of a clap, unpredictably Kang – In switches his locus with Yujin then send his fist to Loreng's face.
Kah doesn't choose to stay back, he rushes forward and raises his hands carrying the hammer. *Thud* — That heavy tool directly hit Loreng at his left arm, preventing a possible counter in that situation.
They drag Yujin back, buying him time to recover. Yet, Loreng doesn't give them that chance.
Loreng: "As I said. You don't have that chance."
Daria rapidly jumps up, instantly entering the drop kick position, aiming directly to Loreng's face.
Loreng (yawning): "Boring."
Instantly dodging that bland attack, countering with the high speed kick to Daria's face. Loreng successfully dominates this battle.
Loreng: "I give you all another chance."
He swiftly releases those deadly aura. Showing that this is the last warning and the final mercy from the Grand Monarch to those inferior creatures.
Loreng: "You will yield that secret. I won't say it again."
Yujin: "Then take it by yourself. I'd like to see how far you get."
Dragon: Thunder of Destruction, Loreng swivels the golden spear, releasing the dragon form thunder strike dropping on Yujin's head.
Loreng: "You don't have that blessing."
This time, the hero is Kah. He raises that hammer. *Crash* — He successfully blew away that spear, but not the lightning strike.
Kang – In: "Belphamorph."
An undefined darkness instantly releasing in order to absorb everything.
Kang – In: "Move!"
Daria rushes forward, releasing the massive energy to push him faster and faster. All of them are both for this punch. Daria blows a strong strike but Loreng immediately counters it with an instant slash.
Daria: "Superficial."
He pressed his left hand to the spear while it's slashing. Imperiously changing its trajectory and somersaulting over Loreng's head. Instantly releasing a left to right kick.
Loreng: "That's too cumbrous."
*Bap* — That familiar clap sound brings Kang – In to that position.
Kang – In: "Apharoph."
The beast releasing suddenly suprised Loreng. However it just took him a movement to stab that spear, destroying all efforts of Kang – In easily as crushing an ant.
Kang – In: "Sh*t."
Daria dashes forward, over and over, he's trying to buy time for others withdrawing. Suddenly the undefined force came out from nowhere, knocking back Loreng in his shock.
Loreng (excited): "Nihility, give me that."
Daria: "Surpass me first, Monarch."
Loreng (joyful): "Alright, real quick."
Dragon: Thunder Storm – a savage wrath dropping upon Daria – destroying everything by its rage.
Daria surely can't stand by and witness that cataclysm devastate all like that. He rapidly enters his zone, instantly executing a powerful attack using the power of Nihility.
*Crunch* one of his fingers on the right hand suddenly is broken by the pressure. It's surely the bad signal, even though successfully breaking the storm, however the price is sacrificing a finger, which means he only has nine more chances.
Daria: (Think. Think! What'll be the best for next choice? Think, Daria!)
At the next attack, Loreng used the familiar thunder strike, as usual, Daria needed to sacrifice one more finger to save everything from destruction. But the matter is the less fingers he has, the more pressure he carries. That means there'd be a situation that Daria would fall down before using up eight more chances.
Loreng: "Why are you all trying to oppose me? I only need that key."
Daria (determined): "We have something to protect."
Loreng (smiling slightly): "So do I."
Phoenix: Flame of Inferno. The matter never be the heat, the true danger is the massive authority of that blazing fire. It can bring everything to destruction. Daria knows that if that flame released completely, the true cataclysm will send all to indefiniteness.
Loreng raises his right hand holding the blazing spear to the same height as his head. Instantly entering the standard position for throwing, surely being ready for releasing it.
Daria knows that he can't directly block that spear if he's searching for the best result. But he has an idea, the craziest one.
Daria enters his zone, releasing the authority of Nihility and aiming for absorbing that flame. This is a gamble.
As the spear is threw into Daria, he instantly opens the gate to Nihility, sending that cataclysm to that indefinite dimension, successfully preventing the apocalypse.
Loreng (exultant): "I see that."
Loreng instantly rushes into Daria. A jump kick was released in order to knock Daria back to Chaos – where the key leading to Nihility exists.
Loreng: "Thanks for that action. Now I know where it is."
Daria: "It makes no difference. Whenever we're here, you'll never get it easily."
Loreng: "Then prove it to me. You are the strongest, aren't you?"
Daria (smirking): "Who told you that?"
Both of them have entered Chaos via the gate. This is what Yujin aimed for, trapping and killing. Now, the true battle begins.
A slash takes down Loreng's right arm immediately. Then Kah does an uppercut to maintain the distance. While Loreng was dizzy, the bounds of Chaos had limited him to the lower level. Authority of Amexk, the last trump card he left in Chaos to find out the true winner, which Yujin stole from nine Monarchs.
Loreng: "Amexk's Authority?"
Yujin: "You fell for it, Grand Monarch."
Kah dashes forward, instantly swinging the hammer to Loreng's face. He immediately realizes it and intends do a counter. However Yujin has landed over hundred slices on Loreng's back and arms, instantly destroying his plan.
*Crash* – Loreng was hit by that heavy strike and blown away as a bullet. Kang – In immediately claps his hands, switching him and Daria – who has closed to the Grand Monarch by rushing toward him.
He stabs his hand through Loreng's heart, then pulling it out like a cruel execution. There's no reason for getting beaten, Loreng releases his aura in order to ingurgitate the nearest prey – Kang – In.
Kang – In: "Gotchu homie."
*Bap* – Switching himself and Daria – who keeps dashing forward. Then switching again with Yujin – who's holding the charged blade – in order to jump out of the battle. And finally switching both of them for the true planned attacks.
*Smack* – An uppercut was thrown directly to Loreng's chin, nevertheless he was still able to block the blade approaching to his neck.
Loreng: "Before you all weren't born, I'd dominated everything. If you want to beat me, then bring something more interesting here."
Kang – In: "Alright, as you wish."
*Bap* – Loreng swiftly surveyed the battlefield, imprinting every enemy's position into memory. Then he pivoted, driving a decisive strike at the rear – where one would soon shift – intend on eliminating at least one opponent early to ease the pressure was to come directly.
However no one is there, that surprises him. *Smack* - Daria came out of nowhere then throws a strong blow to his face.
Loreng: (Isn't it switching?)
*Bap* – Yujin instantly cuts down Loreng's right arm – while he is intending on assailing back Daria – that surprises him again.
Loreng: "Porting."
*Bap*; *whirr* – He stabs his sword through Loreng's heart, clutching his hands tightly then drawing a deep blood line almost dividing that Grand Monarch's body to two pieces.
*Clash* – While Yujin was intending to land more hits, Loreng suddenly summoned a sword to parry that slice. It has blonde and turquoise as main colors. It's shiny but not gaudy – the true sword of glory and honor, Aurelia.
As the one mastering path of sword, Yujin knows how precious that treasure is to Loreng. The reflection in his eyes and in that sword never be the rascality.
Yujin: "I see."
It's unnecessary to take a hesitation, both of them start keep a distance, preparing for the true battle of sword, glory and even the pride.
Kang – In and others witnessed and knew what they need to do – staying away and let them finish their fate.
Loreng: "I'm Loreng Lancelot.
I bind my soul, my will and my name to this sword of glory."
Yujin: "I'm Yujin.
I pledge my soul, my fire and my final breath to this blade of curses."
Now the new battlefield starts – the battle of fate.
In Daria's vision, he only sees they both leisurely approach each other while holding their swords on hands.
Kah: "Daria."
Daria (startled): "Ha, yes?"
Kah (smiling slightly): "Expand your vision, you'll get it."
Daria (confused): "Let me take a look."
Daria follows the direction of Kah. He enlarges his senses more and more, invading to other dimensions. He feels it, he feels the new world.
Don't stop at that, Daria keeps expanding it until he's shocked by witnessing the true scene of that battle.
Seemingly they're both walking, however the zone surrounding them is being devastated by their aura and collisions. All their movements and actions flash as lights and blaze as fires. All colliding each other then blooming and fading like fireworks.
Daria: "What's this level?"
Kah: "Which you'll reach to soon."
Daria: "What can I do now?"
Kah: "Accumulating everything."
Daria is confused, he did everything and surpassed them all to reach this high, he doesn't know what he need to do.
Daria: "Is there anything that I've never surpass?"
Kah: "You need to realize it by yourself."
When those ultimate creatures have a war, nothing can interrupt them. And if you're looking for the reason, then witness their peak performances.
Loreng instantly swings his sword, it almost cuts down Yujin's head. However he parries it easily and takes the advantage, rapidly evading to the right side in order to aim for a slash to Loreng's left ribs.
Loreng: "Too cumbrous."
Yujin: "Superficial."
They both parry each other and start keeping distance, all the previous actions aiming to probe the opponent. And at the same time, both of them also decide to focus on the direct fight instead of cumbrous movements and complex techniques. They are unnecessary at this ultimate level battle – where the reaper always be ready to take their lives by just a small mistake.
Loreng: "Let's end it fast."
To show that this is not a requirement but a declaration, Loreng holds his sword tightly, then releasing the shiny blonde aura.
Amantha: Sword of Heaven – Loreng tears the space apart, openning a gate to his realm directly.
Domain Expansion is the technique materializing their own inner worlds to the main dimension via the core – themselves – and the special zone called edge.
However, the technique Loreng uses is Domain Encroachment, it absorbs space and time surrounding him and coercively brings itself to reality without any edge or limit.
Breaking Chaos inside is what Loreng aiming for, in order to negate the bonds which Authority of Amexk applied to him.
Yujin quickly surveys the battlefield, it takes him under a second to carve every detail into his mind.
Authority of Amexk: Reality Rewind.
Almost unconsciously, Yujin begins conducting this melody – the rhythm formed by undefined notes. Out of nothing, in the silence, that symphony rises – born of forsaken isolation.
Yujin (almighty): "I dedicate this requiem to you."
Suddenly all Loreng's efforts are reset by the unknown force, but he understands it thoroughly. Loreng knows what did that reality reenactment, he hates it to his core.
Loreng (scowling): "A.M.E.X.K!"
Yujin (humming): "Let them bloom like there's no future.
Follow my rhythm then ignite that fire."
Now the Domain Encroachment is negated due to the authority of manipulating reality held in Yujin's hand, Loreng knows that he's lost the advantage – which means he must keep stepping on this battle while carrying all these curses.
Nevertheless, for his honor, for his glory, for his previous pledge, and above all of them, he must fight for everything he's taking on his back.
Loreng: (Hum that paean Maxtha, wait for me, wait for this victory.)
"Don't, my Sovereign, don't. It's unnecessary, please, come back to me, please, my Sovereign." The unknown voice keeps repeating over and over.
Maxtha tries to hold on that silhouette but it's just in vain. Her voice can't reach to the emperor. This is fate, there's no dissonance permitted to interrupt the constituted destiny.
Yujin (declaring): "I see it."
Loreng: "What are you talking about?"
Yujin: "I see the notes which you can't hear."
Yujin suddenly stops his action and starts humming a strange rhythm. He moves his hands as the true conductor in the stage, rising up the melody coming from silence. He is leading these notes to dance in this song – the dance of the unfortunate, Infelixious.
Yujin (calm): "You have something to protect. So do I."
Loreng replies nothing, the battle turns to the deadly silence. Loreng doesn't want to keep this situation continue. However if he makes a mistake, he'll lose everything.
Yujin: "Immerse in this requiem or jettison that rascality. You only have a chance, what will you choose?"
Loreng (observing silence): …
Loreng (raging): "I brought you destruction."
Yujin (glancing): "So break my harmony first, Grand Monarch."
Loreng steps toward Yujin closer and closer, *shing* – Aurelia reflects the pure light which is perfectly hiding the deadly hysteria.
On the other side, Yujin is also coming closer to his fateful enemy. The blood blade is being spookier than ever. It's time to let everything end.
Sword of the magical realm – Etherail: Cruel World. Yujin pries his sword toward the sky above, even though there's nothing like that does exist – he releases a vertical slash, a cataclysm on the opponent.
Naturally Loreng can't stand still and let it happen, he responds it with a storm of thunder.
Suddenly it is cut to half, the blood blade has stayed to fit at his neck. *Clash* – That's a perfect block. Loreng just barely parried it in time, seems like lady luck had stood on his side, how fortunate he is.
Loreng seems like getting awakened incidentally on that life and death string. He is in a panic, like trying to find out what did happen previously in hopeless.
Yujin: "You better focus on me."
Sword of the forsaken realm – Roana: Echo of Oblivion. This time, Yujin only enters his zone, using the standard position for unsheathing a katana then standing still.
As getting looked down upon, Loreng scowls and releases his deadly aura. He couldn't imagine that Yujin would use a worthless technique to kill him in this half-life half-death situation. This is the blatant defiance.
Loreng: "Why did you use that superficial pose? Using the worthless technique in this battlefield?"
Loreng (resenting): "Are you the * looking down upon me?"
Being too kind then losing them all. Loreng has always been carrying those wounds in heart and carving them all into his mind. It's too rare for him to be brave at facing the situation where he might lose everything again.
Yet, Yujin acted like if he didn't care at all – using that technique with such a nonchallenge. It drove him mad.
Loreng: "Now who is the superficial one here?"
He rushes forward with the infinite rage, Aurelia shines itself as his reflection. Loreng unleashes a powerful sword strike while stabbing his sword forward, aiming directly to Yujin's heart.
Yujin: "Superficial? No I'm not."
Instantly countering Loreng's strike, Yujin responded him with a ghost parry movement. Don't look at that simple technique and doubt about its efficiency, Yujin has been training it since he stepped on his own path.
The reason for it to be called ghost parry bases on how Yujin activate it – it's faster than everything can be in this physical universe – the true one-hit strike.
Yujin: "This is the end."
He raises the blood sword with the right arm, he lets its spine lie down on his left hand. This technique obviously shows all his purpose.
However at this time, Loreng doesn't feel as getting looked down upon, he knows this is the last blade sending him to death.
Loreng (determining): "Bring it on."
Yujin: "As you wish."
That requiem rises again, the undefined notes are dancing through the rhythm, this is the last chorus of Infelixious – Serenity.
It's a stab, Yujin pushes himself forward, using all his own power and authority to land a strike on Loreng's heart. The true serenity is only gotten by leaving everything behind – in Yujin's notion, they both assamble at the heart as the iron chains– this sword will cut them all in one time and forever.
Yujin: "I won." Loreng (smiling): …
That silhouette finally reaches to Loreng, she is Maxtha, his glorious spear. She just wants to hold his hands tightly and be his companion until they both disintegrate at the end.
However that action is the strong strike blowing directly to Loreng. He hesitates between holding that hand or picking up the sword and fighting until the last breath. He's forced to choose following his mind or heart.
Loreng: "Sorry Maxtha, it isn't the end yet."
Maxtha (screaming): "Don't!"
Then everything turns to silence, Loreng left Maxtha behind for chasing the future – the far future where they can meet each other again.
Loreng: "I'm your Sovereign, Maxtha. I won't lose."
*Crack* – The spear has returned to its emperor and become more powerful.
Kah (shocked): "Hey! Yujin, this is unplanned."
Yujin: "I see."
Kah summons his hammer, he doesn't want to let his soulmate face this apocalypse alone. Kang – In is the real maniac, he cares nothing about death and fear, he comes here to devastate them all. Daria also doesn't want to stay still and witness this cataclysm. They are both ready to bully that old man again.
Loreng: "Sorry, Yujin, I don't accept the end like that."
Yujin: "Then chase your future."
Loreng: "I always do."
Loreng holds that spear, spinning it around to destroy all Chaos inside by Nihility's Authority. This is the worst situation that Yujin didn't tell his soulmates, he wants to face it by himself in order to reduce the damage.
However when everything is destroyed, there's nothing else to lose.
Kah: "So why I need to stay behind you?"
Kang – In: "You are so greedy Yujin. Let me tear him to pieces, you've fought too much."
Yujin: "You guys are annoying."
Then he looks at Daria as asking for the declaration. He wants to keep in mind these voices, it'll be his precious memory. He can't predict this future, also he can't promise to stay at the end. He doesn't want to disintegrate while missing those sounds, after all, the reason for him to spend over twenty million year was to get back this place and meet them again.
Daria (determining): "I'll help you until the last breath."
Yujin: "I accept that volition."
This is the second phase of the final battle.
Kah: "Are you ready?"
Daria: "Yes I'm."
Loreng summons all his items for this fateful fight. He holds Aurelia in his right hand, the opposite side is his familiar spear – Axthone. The halo accumulating all the unfortunate and curses is spinning over his head, you may call it Balaphratap. And the final relic is the divine armor made by hopes and lights – Olyne. Loreng is now more similar to the true emperor than ever.
He is known by the name: Loreng – The King of Hopes – who led that realm surpass those endless apocalypse by his single self.
Loreng: "Spear."
Axthone spins itself as a drill, its purpose is too obvious.
Kang – In: "Too hurry man."
He points to that spear, instantly locking it to an isolated dimension. This is his domain expansion technique, however he didn't evolve it as usual – he made it as a trap attaching and catching every kind of beings existing. Nevertheless, it is only useful absolutely while coping a single target.
Kang – In: "Welcome to your new home, spear."
Loreng: "I'm not here to play."
As soon as finishing talking, Loreng immediately recalls his spear only to realize it's just in vain.
Loreng: "I see."
He knows that he needs a breakthrough in this situation. Aurelia is what he chooses to use, it unleashes a white flame of destruction, signaling about the death.
Birds of a feather flock together, Loreng has a sword, so does Yujin. There's no reason for hesitation, he launches himself toward Loreng in order to unleashes a slash directly to Aurelia.
Loreng responds it with another slash, it's powerful enough to knock back Yujin by the aftershock of colliding. Non-stop, he offenses by stabbing forward and gets blocked by that blood sword.
Daria suddenly interrupts this high level battle. However Loreng does feel disgusting with that action, he lands a heavy strike on Daria's chest, aiming straight to the lungs.
*Smack – Crunch* – Even though he successfully parried it, his arms were smashed to debris beneath that power. This is the difference of level.
Daria (scowling): "Kuh."
Loreng: "Stay away, there's no permission for you to stand here."
Kah: "How rude you are."
As old days, Kah always prefers the cumbrous but flashy movements and techniques just for fun – in short, they're ridiculous. Jumping up then somersaulting in the air and ending up with a heavy strike.
Loreng (confused): "What are you doing?"
*Bap* – Kang – In claps his hands to shift Kah to the open space behind the Grand Monarch. Even though missing the downslam, however the inertia saves it instantly. With that weird situation, Kah still be able to land that strike directly to Loreng's nape.
As realizing this is the golden chance, Yujin dash toward Loreng, aiming for a slash to his neck obviously. Kang – In instantly shifts himself forward in order to prevent the parry chance of Grand Monarch by taking down his right arm.
Loreng: "Nice try."
He still has the left arm.
*Smack* – Daria immediately figures out what Loreng's aiming for, that's why he's here. Another elbow slash obstructs the Grand Monarch from parrying, all planned previously.
All the elements have assembled, Yujin and Kah successfully end this fate.
Loreng has been eliminated after all. The string of fate has evaporated, everything is all good, this is the peace which they've been chasing since that day.
Daria (relaxing): *Phew* "We won."
Kah: "Nice."
Kang – In: "Without me you guys are nothing."
Kah: "Shut up. You worth nothing, I can beat ten of you with just a single finger."
Kang – In (mocking): *Heh* "I can beat ten of you with just a single hand~"
Daria takes a sit and enjoys this atmosphere, it's too ideal after every efforts they've spent. However he realizes that there's one voice hasn't been spoken up. He looks at Yujin and reminds him that they've won, but there's no reply except a smile for the one who's known as God Slayer.
Daria: "Hey? What are you doing? We've won."
As noticing that Yujin's not said anything, Kah turns back and looks to his soulmate to ask for a explanation. However everything all gets a smile for the feedback.
Kah holds tightly Yujin's shoulders and shacks them, he want an answer for everything.
Nevertheless, they can't even feel it, the truth of the reality. Loreng silently witnesses they enjoy the rascality in a slight smile. He's won at the beginning – he brought them destruction as he said – through out the beginning and the end, Loreng's still the manipulator of this reality.
Loreng (whispering): "How ridiculous it is. Enjoy that peaceful rascality and do nothing."
As usual, they can't hear that voice. They are still asking Yujin for the situation without realizing everything.
Loreng: "This is the difference about level."