[The Outer Sector: Kingdom of Corzox]
" And tread beyond our humble creation... At the edge, within the bark of [Yggdrasil]...", Akeus mumbled with intrigue. "That's obviously referring to the [Outer Sector], that's where your Sovereign was buried?, Why do we need his tomb, I thought that the package was inside the [Source], which is inside the [Ancestral Planes]."
"Our sovereign wasn't buried at all, but his legacy, his inheritance remains there.", Adrian answered. "The phrase, Hope lies within the Horizon of Oblivion... , that tells us the location of the [Source]. It's the point where [Yggdrasil] ends and meets [Oblivion] an utter void, pure emptiness. The [Source] is located at very end of Creation. And, we believe our Sovereign's tomb is the key to reach the [Source], since he deliberately mentions it's location as well, along with the [Source]."
"Let me get this straight. You already had a fair idea of where the [Source] was as well as the location of your Sovereign's tomb, yet you couldn't excavate them out yourself?", Akelus enquired.
"We tried to send expeditions to the [Outer Sector] before, but failed miserably.", Adrian sighed in dejection. "For the past three cycles of [Ragnarok], we have struggled to find both these locations. But, to no avail."
"What's different now?", Akelus questioned.
"You are the closest we have gotten to the [Source] as well as the tomb.", replied Adrian, as he got emotional. "Once my glory fades from [MYRIAD]..., we ignored this line in our previous ventures. [The Covenant] was strong back then, three cycles ago. We fell when our Sovereign was lost, now a mere husk of our former Glory. All hope seemed lost, our rivals suppressing us politically, and our weight over [Yggdrasil] became insignificant."
"There shall be a Grand Insurgence...", he continued, overwhelmed with emotions. "It was in the current cycle, the ninth cycle, that we realized that it was impossible to accomplish our Sovereign's prophecy by ourselves. That was until those with the name of [Walpurjis] arrived. [MYRIAD] called them the [Fragments of Insurgence]. We realized one of you could help us with our endeavor."
Adrian paused for a bit, to control his emotions. Akelus comfortably arched his back against the edge of the island, gently nodding his head. While, Xylus intently listened to Adrian, his autumn-orange eyes sparkling with innocent curiosity.
"Haaa... Grasp the Hand of Miracle.", Adrian sighed. "We were then approached by Agathos, who said he had a [Fragment] currently working with him. This young upstart named Akelus, a guy that refused [Hypnos], passing his offer. Agathos vouched for you, and we trusted him. Now, here we are trying to find a lost tomb and the elusive [Source]."
"O bastion, there you shall find my tomb...", mused Akelus. "Now, I would drink to that."
"Heh,.. damn right. ", Adrian gently smirked. "Anyway, my plan just involves finding the tomb. Then we will use the tomb to secure a passage to the [Source]. No need to involve [The Pioneer], we dip in and then dip out."
"Seems like we have got a plan then.", Akelus said, gazing at the mural projected in their minds. "Better get moving now, we can figure the rest along the way."
Xylus pondered in the background, trying to remember everything that Adanis had taught him. He was trying to remember whether Adanis had ever said anything regarding a tomb.
More invaders had begun breaching into the [Kingdom of Corzox], following behind them was the grotesque [Demon of Pestilence] Aerico, laughing in madness and delight.
Akelus casually stood on the branch, observing the new battalion of invaders.
"When Fate and Afterlife quench my Vengeance...", Akelus declared. "Such a fine line, You never said what that meant."
"Ha!, that's a wild story.", Adrian laughed. "Maybe someday we can talk about that over drinks."
"Drinks on me then.", Akelus smiled with satisfaction, as he jumped off the branch and began flying away from the conflict. "Really looking forward to it man."
******** ******** ********
[The Outer-Sector: Kingdom of Corzox]
Moments ago, aboard [Naglafar]...
"...What should I do?.. What should I do?..", Hrimulfr frantically paced around the arcane circuit within Mubong's cabin.
"...The circuit has been hijacked by a foreign entity...", he muttered nervously, chipping at his nails in anxiety. He was in shock, mindlessly glaring at the infinity sigil softly pulsing at the center of the arcane circuit.
"HaHa!!! You've done fucked up, Ha!", Mubong laughed in his gruff voice with amusement.
"[Halibaard's] going to bust your balls when he finds out."
Even the Jade monkey laughed at Hrimulfr, screeching and hollering as he rattled his cage.
"Shut up!", Mubong banged the monkey cage.
"Kreeee!!!", the Jade Monkey screeched, trying to gouge out Mubong's eyes with his middle finger.
Hrimulfr nervously turned his pale, bony face towards Mubong, his eyes wide and his mouth quivering, his pale white bony fingers desperately clawing at the invisible barrier. He was about to cry.
"What are you doing?..", Mubong asked, the monkey silently observed Hrimulfr as well. He was sniffling, tears forming in his eyes.
"No... No! Come on you are better than this. Don't cry now.", Mubong spoke with an apologetic smile. Even the Jade Monkey felt awkward.
"See, the circuit is working just fine. Maybe [Halibaard] won't even notice it.", Mubong meekly pointed at the circuit, which was still functioning as intended. Even the Jade Monkey held his palm against his chest nodding his head vigorously, assuring Hrimulfr.
"But that makes it even worse...", Hrimulfr said with a heavy voice, his eyes welling up. "Someone has hijacked the ritual."
"Now.. Now.. let's not make any assumptions.", Mubong spoke cheerfully. "Crying won't fix your situation. What you need right now, is strong emotional support and a damn good solution."
"Luckily for you, ...?", he continued.
"Hrimulfr.", Hrimulfr answered.
"Ah, yes Hrimulfr. Luckily for you, you are looking at the guy who can help you with both.", Mubong said pointing at himself.
Hrimulfr wiped his tears off, looking at his savior with bedazzling hope.
"Huuu... It's getting stuffy in here, isn't it?", Mubong avoided Hrimulfr's gaze, as he stretched the collar of his shirt. "You know what?, let's go far a walk on the deck, to clear our heads. Might be helpful♫..."
Mubong got up picking up the Monkey Cage and hanging it by his belt. With an aged, calm and soothing smile, he gently held Hrimulfr's hand, walking him out of the cabin to the deck of [Naglafar].
It was utter chaos outside, [Lothaar's] armada was being brutally beaten by the Rift-borne army augmented with the ominous spectral aura. The Rift-Borne had already battered the outer-perimeter of the armada's formation, and were currently battling the Giant Admiral [Phion] and his blockade of soldiers. The blazing arcane of the Rift-borne, was consuming the frost fury of [The Jotuns].
Hrimulfr was shocked and bedazzled by the carnage. His breathing got heavy as fear crept into his heart.
"Now.. Now.. don't be afraid.", said Mubong, gently nudging Hrimulfr's chin.
Mubong firmly clasped Hrimulfr's palm as he elegantly guided him down the deck towards the bow of the ship. Like a father guiding his daughter down the aisle at her wedding.
"Life is full of wonder and adventure, Hrimulfr.", Mubong continued in his gruff voice, but with an elegant tone. The ship of [Naglafar] was well protected by Mubong's fleet and [Phion's] blockade.
Oh wait, the rift-borne just breached the blockade. But did the bold [Jotuns] falter? not at all. They continued their charge towards the inner city of [Corzox].
Unbothered by the carnage and slaughter around him, Mubong spoke:
"You should cherish every moment of it. For life is beautiful", Mubong delicately guided Hrimulfr towards the edge of the bow. "Even when everything seems hopeless and lost, don't lose heart Hrimulfr, fight. Fight against the tides, realize your dreams. And, hold your head high."
At that very moment, several decapitated heads of different giants fell and rolled over the deck of [Naglafar].
The Jade Monkey was shocked, his mouth agape as he clutched the bars of his cage. He couldn't believe that his master was such a romantic.
Mubong gently placed Hrimulfr's palm on the bow of [Naglafar]. He gently nudged Hrimulfr, who was dazed and confused, but still hopeful.
"Don't worry, no matter how harsh your life gets. I am there for you.", Mubong assured with a broad smile, as he pushed Hrimulfr off the ship.
"There problem solved, my good friend. If I just say that you heroically died in battle, defending your honor. I am damn sure that [Halibaard] won't bust your balls for screwing the ritual, as there would nothing to bust.", Mubong said with a proud, snarky smile
Hrimulfr blankly stared at Mubong, as he kept falling down. His eyes tearing up from the betrayal.
The Jade Monkey just glared at his obnoxious master, his eyes wide open and his mouth agape.
"What!?", Mubong snapped back, his fleet was ferociously fighting against the Rift-Borne. "Look around you, you dumb ape. Everything is falling apart. At least this way, we can make a clean escape at the right moment. So long as his ritual is working just fine, [Halibaard] won't bother me. I doubt if he has actually noticed anything amiss. Hrimulfr had a problem and I solved it."
The monkey just grunted in disdain.
"I prefer not having [Halibaard's] oracles spy on me.", Mubong muttered under his breath.
[Lothaar's] armada was facing a brutal onslaught, with several ships being destroyed, getting blasted off the sky. Giants were getting picked up and ripped apart by the Rift-borne. Admirals [Nerjil] and [Junmei] had lost a substantial amount of their fleet. [Phion] was getting pincered. [Goro's] fleet could barely hold on. Only, Mubong's fleet was putting up somewhat of a decent fight.
[Lothaar] was currently fighting a Dragon Sentinel name Meliath. And, Meliath was blasting him with fire and magic, flying above in the form of a Dragon. [Lothaar] was holding his ground, but was being pressured back.
"[Halibaard] does fate still grace us with her benevolence!?!", He roared.
"Of course she does, My lord!!!", [Halibaard] roared back with a maddening smile. Firmly believing his prophecy that one [Jotun] will make it to the [Ancestral Planes].
Meanwhile, Hrimulfr was still falling. He flailed his arms around, yelling and screeching in desperation. His mind overwhelmed with fear.
He was suddenly caught by a flying rift-borne. In a panic, Hrimulfr lashed out at the Rift-borne clawing his face, slobbering him with spit.
The Rift-borne lost control and flew erratically as he was dazed, ramming head-first into a [Jotun] ship that was flying at immense speed.
Right then, more invaders breached into the [Kingdom of Corzox], along with Aerico. The Rift-borne army split into four battalions. The first two engaging the new batch of invaders that just arrived and the remaining two still impeding the advancing and relentless [Jotun] armada.
Hrimulfr was sent flying away from the conflict, where he was grabbed by another stranger. This man was built like a lion, wearing a Jester mask, draped in pitch black robes, glaring at him with piercing gold eyes.
Akelus had intercepted and grabbed Hrimulfr by the nape of his neck.
"Curious... I wonder how you would help me...", he pondered with his eyes gleaming gold, casually gazing at Hrimulfr, who was whimpering in silence with a splendid white sigil hovering over his head.
******** ******** ********
[The Outer Sector: Outskirts of Corzox]
Out on the desolate gray arena, two entities were locked in a ferocious battle. [Hermes] was leisurely waiting for [Phobos] to recover, while [Gaki] was desperately trying to contain him.
"I believe I can aide you for a while, O mighty Psychopomp", a cold, raspy voice spoke telepathically.
"That would be terrific, Thanatos.", [Hermes] responded as he rapidly repulsed [Gaki's] hollow, malnourished, rattling bodies.
"For now, the most resolute ones are the [Jotuns]. Tailing them might help.", Thanatos promptly informed. [Hermes] nodded in appreciation.
Meanwhile, the invaders below had already crossed into the [Kingdom of Corzox] while being chased by [Aerico-The Demon of Pestilence].
Dragon King Varcielle was still cooped up inside the burrow he had dug for himself, recuperating and multiplying in numbers.
[Gaki] dispersed his hollow bodies across the gray arena, effectively surrounding [Hermes].
Charging at [Hermes] from all directions, [Gaki] invoked his innate nature [Atrophy]:
His hollow bodies spiraled around [Hermes], draining on his environment. The realm around him began sputtering, disintegrating and collapsing, as [Gaki's] hollow bodies started filling up, becoming plump and satiated.
[Voyage]
[Hermes] casually slipped into the realm between frames, freezing everything around him into a canvas. Picking a convenient timeline from the chronological sequence, he smudged off [Gaki's] bodies within his line of sight.
[Gaki's] bodies were warped and destroyed in real time, forming a breach in his Domain of [Atrophy]. The destroyed bodies dissolved into pale gray strands. [Gaki] quickly inhaled the strands using his remaining bodies.
[Hermes] promptly flew through the breach, with a trail of pale gray strands loosely latched onto him. This trail of strands was emanating from [Gaki's] hollow yet plump bodies.
Grabbing the loosely fluttering trail of pale gray strands [Gaki's] bodies fused into one, immediately warping behind [Hermes] firmly latching onto his back.
Firmly grasping onto [Hermes'] physique, [Gaki] dispersed his bodies again, but this time in the form of a hemispherical dome occupying [Hermes] blind-spot. He unleashed [Atrophy], linearly shooting out beams of gray strands, focused on [Hermes], who simply phased through the beams.
Few of [Gaki's] bodies crawled over the Gray Arena below.
Smugly glancing at [Gaki's] rattling bodies, [Hermes] laughed heartily:
"Did [HELL] really think sending two retainers would be enough, where's your [Sin] demon?", he grinned with mockery, as he began spinning in motion.
Still holding onto [Hermes] back, [Gaki's] hollow bodies whispered in unision:
"|| You never know Olympian, no one ever truly comprehends the intentions of a devil, especially those of the [Sins] ||", [Gaki] replied with snark, as he commanded his bodies to stretch a wall in front of [Hermes]. "|| And, above me is the [Sin of Gluttony-Beelzebub], you don't command his presence, sentient. Don't get too eager to meet him. ||"
[Gaki] focused the beams of [Atrophy] on the wall of bodies stretched in front of them. The beams bounced off, and were reflected back at [Hermes]. The bodies simultaneously puked a mist of pale gray strands obscuring their presence, while voraciously consuming the realm around them.
The gray arena was sputtering viciously, unveiling loose spectral strands pulsing in a bundle. The pale gray strands meticulously avoided the spectral ones.
Meanwhile, Varcielle and his clones had burrowed across the gray arena below laying in wait.
"Oh!.. The arrogance!..", [Hermes] grinned with apathy, as he abruptly stopped spinning shrugging [Gaki] off his back. "You demons sure are getting too bold with your status. Let's take it down notch."
Connecting a clean blow to [Gaki's] chin, [Hermes] eviscerated the body with a single strike. The hollow bodies continued their voracious consumption, as [Hermes] rapidly demolished them one after another. [Hermes] conjured and flung some orange disc shaped constructs.
The constructs multiplied and displaced into the mist of [Atrophy], randomly spiraling within it's periphery.
The battle had turned into a swirling typhoon of pale gray strands, hollow rattling bodies and at the center of it all was a golden beacon of light sporting a pair of mighty wings.
[Hermes] kept dipping in and out of the realm between frames by virtue of his nature [Voyage], as he bypassed the gray beams and mists of [Atrophy], picking off [Gaki's] bodies one by one. It was a purge, a wave of dissolution and destruction. [Gaki] was getting wiped out by [Hermes] with quick precision, his bodies rapidly dissolving into pale gray strands.
The mist of Gray strands became heavier and thicker, obstructing movement within. A thin layer of it gently settled on [Hermes], who was busy slaughtering [Gaki] and conjuring orange disc like constructs. The realm around him had nearly dissolved into a circuit pulsing spectral strands.
The thin layer of pale gray strands had gently solidified over [Hermes'] physique locking him in place. [Gaki] materialized from the mist of [Atrophy] fusing most his remnant bodies into a singular entity, unleashing a ferocious pulse of decay and corruption.
The solidified casing of Gray Strands trapping [Hermes] began rapidly corroding, as an orange disc faintly hovered behind [Gaki].
[Voyage]
[Hermes] dropped into the realm between frames, but this time he peered through the orange disc behind [Gaki].
The orange disc split open in real time and [Hermes] shot out from it. Grabbing [Gaki] by the nape of his neck, [Hermes] spun into an arching motion before plunging down to the arena below.
BOOM!!! Whoosh...
[Gaki] was crashed flat on his back over the gray arena with [Hermes] grabbing him by his neck. His remnant bodies dropped down to the surface below surrounding [Hermes]. This unleashed a fury of shockwaves across the corroding realm.
The impact had dispersed the bodies that were fused together flinging them across the gray arena.
The arena began fissuring and cracking, slowly crumbling apart. A few bundles of dangling spectral strands loosely holding them together. The cracks ruptured, ripping the arena apart as a vast horde of Dragon clones erupted from the fissures. Viciously and erratically flying around [Hermes].
At the center of the horde, Varcielle smugly grinned at [Hermes] clenching his fists.
The body that [Hermes] held dissolved into gray strands, assimilating back into the Remnant bodies of [Gaki].
There was a tacit understanding between [Gaki] and Varcielle.
And, as they effectively surrounded [Hermes], he just sported a smug, malevolent smile. Raising his hand in a grand gesture, while completely unfurling his wings, he declared:
"Come..."
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