5th Day of the 1st Fire Cycle,[1] 2000 g.c.
It had only been two hours since we first walked into the masquerade of the Panty Raiders, and already we had burned through six heavy battles. Sweat and mana clung to our skin like a second set of clothes, yet none of our noise reached the upper levels. On Floor Sixty-Eight, where the true party raged, there was no war to be found—only celebration and bitches. The grand ballroom throbbed with light and sound, fashioned with the flare of a medieval indie concert. The wide amberwood floor was bare of furniture save for scattered wine tables, giving the crowd all the space it needed to lose itself under flashing-colored Mana Crystals suspended above like an artificial aurora.
Imps with crimson eyes, dusky-skinned Dark Elves, and a scattering of humans filled the chamber shoulder to shoulder, bouncing and raving with wild abandon. A popular Arcadian band, The Whitest Girl Alive, belted out intoxicating melodies from a raised stage that glowed amber in the crystal light. The air was soured sweet with liquor and lust, sharp with the sting of spilled tequila, and sweet with the musk of wine splashing down naked torsos. Beer foamed and streamed as throats swallowed and bodies tangled. There was no hint of aggression, no blades or spells—just music and the kind of enjoyment that came from pretending the world was nothing but the next drink and the next body.
On the far right side of the room, however, the mood shifted. A familiar Umdori leaned back in her chair, platinum hair glinting in the colored light as she shared a slow-burning cigarette with the ebony-skinned Erinyes across from her. Luvina Puff and Danni Thicc looked a world apart from the crowd, dressed in silk-laced robes and impossibly high stiletto heels, their lips soft from the haze of Elysian Trees. Each drag of the Gaian strain calmed the nerves and sank their faces into relaxation.
Danni coughed, smoke spilling from her lips. "Wooo girl, that's stronger than your last batch."
"This is from my special jar." Luvina exhaled in a long plume, curling grey smoke around her like a veil. "I only smoke this during extremely stressful times."
"Stress? During a kick-ass party like this? Must be the Devil you're talking about."
"Correct as always, girl. If I can't convince him to fight the Angels for us, then tonight's going to get very difficult when Taurus comes to collect the special crate of pills in a few hours."
"I thought we weren't giving him that crate."
"Oh, we aren't." A sly smirk tugged at Luvina's lips. "We'll never let him walk away with it—it's nothing but a lure. I needed Orion to send an Angel, not Padre Drip."
Danni took another drag, smoke dancing from her nostrils before she chuckled. "Well, since I'm not about to fight the Devil personally, do you think he'd listen to me if I asked?"
"I don't know about that. Kiranna did kill one of their clan members and tried to kill his mother, remember? He might not like any of us for real."
"Awww, shit, girl, I forgot about that just that quick. Yeah, I ain't finna fight this guy. That's why I'm not heading back to my floor. Zawa's crazy for thinking she could beat him with that lil mirror."
"He's already beaten her." Luvina's smoky eyes flicked to the crowd, bored. "Last I checked, he was on the eleventh floor, fighting one of the mercs who came to pick up that weird crystal gem."
Danni swirled her wine glass, the spade tip of her tail swaying as it lifted the back of her robe with lazy mischief. "I'm surprised you even found somebody to buy that thing. When that Beau guy tried using it for payment, I couldn't take him seriously."
"He said it was called a Mnemonic something." Luvina tapped ash into a silver dish. "But when I mentioned it to that priest from Babylonia, Dr. Kai, he became severely interested. Offered me more gold than I expected, all because someone made it from the Devil's hometown."
"So it had real value? How much did he pay?"
She took one last drag, lips pressed around the Elysian joint before exhaling a warm, thick fog. Crushing the butt into the tray, she answered without ceremony. "Fifty thousand gold coins."
"Dayum!"
"Yeah. That's the full bank of five noble families in one payment. I hate that Zawa couldn't reproduce it. She's supposed to be the Gem Witch."
Danni laughed, a husky note in her throat. "If I'd known that, I would've kept it instead of handing it to Jack. We could've flipped it in the Underground Manarail and charged double."
"Those assholes never returned my message. I tried to reach out to them first."
"Speaking of them, have you tried the new hype among the upper class?"
"You mean the one they're calling Molli?"
A grin spread across Danni's face as she slipped a hand into her robe, producing a small pouch. She dangled it with a playful wiggle, colored pills clinking inside.
Luvina eyed the bag. "Reminds me of a drug from my original world. Personally, I stick with Elysian Trees, but I've heard stories. Heightened sex drive, sharper senses, mana boost, constant orgasms."
"Guurrl, I popped one earlier and it has me sweating. Might need some company later." Danni fanned herself with her hand.
The approach of the fox-masked man cut their laughter, his silver beard spilling beneath the edges. Hassan Alamut carried himself with his usual composed arrogance, but what caught their attention was the woman at his side. Her violet hair spilled in heavy curls over one shoulder, framing a face painted with khaki skin and sharp beauty. The black gown she wore clung to her curvy frame, silver stilettos catching the light. She looked soft, almost timid, but the mana pulsing from her was anything but.
"Ladies," Hassan greeted, his tone velvet, "seems I've caught you at an excellent time."
"Well, look who made it," Danni smirked. "Ol' man Alamut."
Luvina tilted her head. "And who's this with you, Lord Hassan?"
"Hope you don't mind, but I brought a new friend. Her name is Ms. Lynnette Judas."
"Why does that sound familiar?"
"She's one of the top five Sword Singers from the Kingdom of Madness."
The Erinyes narrowed her gaze, searching memory until it hit. "Oh yeah. The Divine Beast Slayer. Been hearing your name in tavern gossip."
Lynnette's smile didn't reach her eyes. It was formal, warm, and carefully crafted. "Flattering. You make me sound mystical. I'm just a simple Godwalker good with swords."
"A pleasure," Luvina replied smoothly. "I'm Madam Luvina Puff, and this here is Ms. Danni Thicc. I hope you're enjoying our little masquerade."
"The Primal Witch and the Ebony Witch, respectfully," Hassan added with a chuckle.
"Oooouu, girl," Danni leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with curiosity, "how many Divine Beasts have you fought? Is the nickname all hype?"
The smile on Lynnette's face faltered. Her eyes shifted, glowing emerald for the briefest instant. A pressure slammed into the room, dense as iron, heavy enough that both witches braced themselves with hands on the table. The air trembled. Their lungs seized. Then—gone. The weight vanished as quickly as it came, and Lynnette was smiling again, posture casual and charming as if nothing had happened.
"I've beaten six so far. Even stalemated with the Dragon Lord, Ryujin."
"What the hell was that?" Danni gasped.
Luvina swallowed hard, her mind racing. "Huh? Was that her mana signature? Incredible."
"You ladies alright?" Hassan's eyes glittered from behind his mask. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
They both forced composure, shaking it off with half-hearted excuses. Both of their ears were ringing as they temporarily drowned out the music in the background.
"No, I'm good," Danni said quickly. "Felt like this Molli kicked in or something."
"So you've fought the Dragon Lord?" Luvina leaned in. "That's impressive."
"Everywhere that dude pops up ends in ruins," Danni muttered.
Inside, Luvina was rattled. Her [Dominus Luxuriae] slid right off the woman like water on steel. She'd never seen a rejection that subtle, yet clean.
"You're too kind," Lynnette said gently. "But I'd appreciate it if you stopped aiming that psychokinetic skill at me. Thanks."
A bead of sweat traced Luvina's temple, but she forced a casual chuckle. "Sorry. Old habits."
Hassan laughed, the sound thick and knowing. "Lady Judas is the real deal. Since quitting the Army of Madness, she's been making her own way—working with kingdoms, even Monster Nations."
"If you're vouching for her," Danni said, "then you must want a finder's fee."
"No need. Already been paid by a mutual friend. He's the one who sent her."
"We only had business with Orion," Danni snapped. "Wouldn't call him a friend."
"I'll keep that in memory," Hassan said smoothly.
"This is my first time partying with Demihumans," Lynnette remarked, her eyes drifting across the crowd. "So wild and free."
"That's my doing," Luvina replied, sipping her wine. "Freeing them from shells of judgment. All I want to see is lust and pleasure."
"What a wickedly fun ability," Lynnette mused. "Impressive to bend so many minds."
"The Primal Witch is famous for killing men with their own desires," Hassan added. "You'd think she was a Succubus."
"Only if you mix it with a space cat," Luvina quipped, and the group laughed, tension loosening.
A Dark Elf bartender approached, bare save for chains through her pierced nipples, delivering two more glasses of wine. Luvina passed them to Hassan and Lynnette, her expression sharpening.
"I have a question. Do you know a Godwalker called the Devil of Velonica?"
Both took their wine glasses. Behind their masks, she caught twin flickers—ignorance in one, hesitation in the other.
"I've heard of a few devils," Lynnette said lightly, "but can't say I know that one."
"The alias has popped up in Babylonia within the ghettos," Hassan admitted. "Children play at being him, sometimes."
A smile crawled across Luvina's face, slow and sinister. In her mind, she was certain. "He can't ignore the word of another Demon Lord. At best, the Devil will be baited into killing another pain in my ass. At worst, I'll see how he fares against a grandmaster assassin."
She brushed her platinum hair back, smoky grey eyes settling on the pair. "He's the new Southern Demon Lord. And he's here tonight as a party crasher."
"Security seems lax if he's here unwanted," Lynnette remarked.
"He's not the type you can command," Danni muttered.
"So he killed the former Demon Lord, Lady Vericka Mikazuki, and took her throne?" Hassan's voice dipped.
"I wouldn't say that," Luvina replied coolly. "He's her son."
That was all it took. She saw the interest flash in both of them. Even through their masks, the hunger was there. Hassan tried to read her, but the weight of the revelation was too tempting. The child of Vericka—alive, rising, dangerous. That kind of news could tilt nations.
"If you'd like," she purred, "I'll tell you everything I know about him. For a bargain, of course, if you find the information worth your while."
The night was no longer one game of chess—it became dozens, boards stacked on boards, pieces shifting without ever touching. And Luvina had no idea which one she was actually playing.
Meanwhile, down on the eleventh floor, the Wolfpak and I were wrapping up the celebration of Alex's new acquisition of his Guardian Armament. The Sycamore Tree had removed the spatial dojo, leaving us back in the modest hallway with its steeple-like arches and velvet-dark glow. The air lost its bite of fire and ozone, returning to that rich incense tone that always clung to that tree.
I couldn't help but marvel at the divine boost radiating from Alex's aura. His reserves of mana churned like a restless flame, vast and active. My lil cousin was truly stepping into himself, and I was glad I got to witness the journey.
"Yo, my nigga," I said, grin wide, "you feel almost as strong as I was when I evolved into a Midnight Oni."
Alex flexed his arm, the muscle bulging as he clenched and unclenched his fist, sparks of magick crackling faintly across his knuckles. "Nice. And was? Wait, Xi, wasn't that just yesterday?"
"Yeah, but that was a long time ago. We're both different people now."
Omnia chuckled softly, hiding her lips behind her hand as if she didn't want anyone to see. Dream Flower clapped with both hands, her energy high, almost bouncing in place. The glow of her collar had her mood turned up to eight.
"Congrats on the new weapon, Alex," she said brightly. "And thanks for the show."
Nicole's tone was smoother, more formal. "Congratulations, Lord Alex. Impressive, indeed."
Ameera hesitated before finally turning her head. Her tail swished once as she spoke, voice steady but carrying a weight. "Congrats, Lord Alex. May your new partner serve you well in your future."
The Vulpin's ears drooped as she attempted to hide her true feelings, shifting her gaze back away from Alex.
There was sorrow in her words, bitter and quiet, like a woman drowning while everyone else cheered. I felt it. I wasn't sure Alex did. He was too caught up in the high of the moment to notice the low right in front of him. Even if he did, the chance to ask her would have to wait, because Omnia's curiosity cut through the room.
"Alex, do you have enough MP to summon your Dawn Goddess now?"
He blinked. "Huh? I think I can."
The Tengu Warlord stretched his hand out. Spiritons gathered, Astra Mana swirling into a luminous spiral. They spun tighter, shaping into a cylinder until the quarterstaff revealed itself in full. Its new frame gleamed metallic blue, layered with crimson and gold designs that shimmered in the light.
"Wow," Alex breathed. "It's so beautiful now. And I feel it pulsing... like a heartbeat."
"Thanks, new Master. That's so cute of you."
The voice rang out clear and warm.
Everyone froze. Even Alex, who knew Guardian Armaments could speak, looked rattled. His scarlet eyes widened, and his fingers twitched around the staff.
"Whoa! It talked. Is that really you, Danica?"
"Of course. We're a team now, Master Alex."
"I was hoping for the full summon, but this works as well," Omnia voiced from the background.
I couldn't stop the chuckle that bubbled out. It was my first time seeing it from the opposite side, and it was just as awkward-looking as I'd always believed.
But my laughter was cut short when a sharp tug pulled at the [Crest Link]. A signal.
[Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi]'s voice filled my mind like silk over steel. "Master Xi, you have a requesting [Telepathy] connection from Luda Braye."
"Excuse me for a second, y'all."
I stepped back, closing my eyes as I focused inward on the Crest within my Soul Core. Omnia wouldn't let me wander far, and sure enough, my dark blue Pussy Fairy of Death flitted after me, wings fluttering in silence.
"Okay, let's connect to the Star Lion. Yoooo, what up, fool?"
Luda's voice snapped into my head, sharp and serious. "No time to explain right now. Some events happened, and I need you to drop a portal on me for a quick escape."
"What the hell? You running from the police?"
"Xiro, stop fucking playing around."
[Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] hummed within. "Luda's coordinates have been found and locked in. Ready when you are."
I lifted my arm, folding space with Spatial Mana. Cerulean light split reality apart, tearing open into a clean-edged portal. Whatever had Luda running was serious enough that I didn't argue; I was too intrigued.
He came flipping through the doorway like a streak of emerald lightning. Behind him, arrows and fireballs of mana sliced through, missing their target and crashing into the hallway wall in bursts of heat and splinters. The Wolfpak whipped around at the sudden chaos. Dream Flower gasped, Nicole's composure cracked for a moment, and Ameera froze wide-eyed. Alex, though, knew exactly who had arrived.
"Oh shit. Luda! Welcome back."
The Prince of Braye stood up from his landing, long navy-blue trench coat billowing behind him like a cape. He dusted his shoulders and arms off with a calm that didn't match the trail of fire he'd just escaped.
"Thank you, my brother. I didn't want to escalate that situation." He glanced around, emerald hair shifting over his face. "Wait, where the hell are we?"
"You caught a nigga in the middle of spinning the block on the Panty Raiders," I said. "Also rescuing a few people while I'm at it."
"Sounds fun. Count me in. I need to burn some frustration anyway."
The women drew in close, curiosity plain on their faces.
"Who's the new cute guy?" Dream whispered.
Nicole's eyes glittered. "Lord Xiro has very attractive friends."
Ameera, quieter, shook her head in awe. "He feels even stronger than Lord Alex."
Luda gave them a polite bow before looking to Alex, then Omnia, then back to me. "A pleasure to meet you, ladies. Good to see you again, Alex. Xi, I remember the Twilight Goddess, but I'm unfamiliar with your new entourage."
"You know one of their fathers, actually," I said. "But this is Nicole Kanra, Dream Flower, and Ameera Una."
While I caught him up, Dream leaned into Alex, whispering behind her hand. "Pssst. Why does he give off this royal vibe? I can't explain it."
Alex chuckled. "Hahaha. Well, that's because he's the future King of Braye."
That blew through the women like a shockwave. Their eyes widened, jaws parted. The Kingdom of Braye was famous—military might unmatched, the strongest Monster Nation in Arcadia.
"Oh freaks, that's Prince Luda Braye?!" Dream's voice cracked high. "Should we bow?"
Luda lifted a hand, shaking his head with an easy smile. "No need to be formal. You seem pretty relaxed around a Demon Lord. Treat me the same."
"I'm confused," Alex asked Dream, brow furrowed. "What was that all about?"
"I mean, you just said that was Prince Luda Braye. Son of arguably the most famous family in Arcadia."
Nicole folded her arms, nodding. "Everyone knows how strong Braye's army is. It's why the Humans required them in the Peace Treaty of 1736."
Ameera's voice softened, but her words held weight. "He's even more popular than Lord Xiro among Sociovores."
I threw my hands up. "Looks like I need to fire my PR team."
Only Omnia giggled, light and melodic, but it was worth the awkward silence that followed.
As the seven of us gathered in the dim hallway, I caught Luda up on everything since he'd left Grandma Fann's house for Braye—our party crashing, the fights, and meeting Black Plague. He listened carefully, emerald eyes flicking between me and Alex, a slow grin tugging his mouth when I told him we were standing in the heart of Endora. Still, he urged us to keep the adventure as clandestine as possible.
One by one, I pulled off the shimmering mana collars that bound them. The cold mana cracked like glass under my hand, releasing faint bursts of Astra Mana as each one dissolved into nothing. The last to go was the cat-shaped clamped around Luda's neck. When it fell away, he rolled his shoulders, stretching, but his gaze was already shifting toward Nicole, Dream, and Ameera. His thoughts pressed into me through [Telepathy].
"Xi, how much do you trust those women with national secrets between leaders?"
"They don't know everything," I told him silently. "But if we need privacy, I can fix that."
I clapped my hands together, the sharp crack echoing down the corridor and drawing every eye.
"Ladies, I gotta talk king secrets for a moment. Relax a bit, I'll be right back with you."
Before they could ask, I snapped my fingers. A vast indigo portal bloomed beneath their feet like liquid night, swallowing the three of them whole. Their faces twisted in shock as they dropped into my [Midnight World], but then they were gone, leaving only the faint scent of crushed roses and ozone. Alex scratched the back of his head, still trying to piece together what he'd just seen.
"Where did you just send them?"
"In my pocket dimension. They're fine—comfortable, time moves more slowly in there. They won't even notice they were gone."
Luda nodded, relieved. "I appreciate that, Xi. Couldn't risk civilians overhearing what I'm about to share with you two... err, three."
Omnia drifted closer, tails curling lazily around my arm as she gave Luda a sly wave. "Sweet of you to consider me, Sonata Uno: Allegretto. But it's my master who calls the shots."
"Yeah," I said. "We're sticking with Luda for his name. And technically, four—if you count Alex's Guardian Armament."
Luda's eyes widened slightly. "So that's why he feels stronger. He's gained one, too."
"Nice to meet you, Syn of Greed," Danica purred from the quarterstaff in Alex's grip. "Ooouuu, you smell just like Roxy."
"Yes," Omnia said, her eyes half-lidded as her aura shimmered. "I can feel Roxy within his Soul Core. She has found herself an owner."
Luda's brow arched at the name. "You two are familiar with my Meridian Goddess?"
"One thing at a time," I cut in. "We'll get to the sisters' reunion in a bit. Focus, my nigga. What were you about to say?"
He sighed, then tugged the glove from his right hand. "Sisters? ...But, are any of you familiar with this?"
The back of it glowed faintly—three tomoes circling the heart of a sun, pulsing with sealed energy that hummed just beneath the skin. Alex and I stared dumbfounded, but [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] was already analyzing the glyph in my Soul Core.
"That looks like the side effect of [Mark of the Beast]," Omnia murmured.
"That's correct, Twilight Goddess," Luda said. "I'm impressed you know that."
"Interesting that you have it, of all people," She replied.
"From what my V-Skill's feeding me," I said, "the Mark of the Beast was mentioned in the prophecy left by your great-grandpa. Something about being slain by The One."
Luda's tone dropped solemnly. "The prophecy goes: When devils sleep, and the gods grow weak, the world will burn as the angels return. As a new star rises to command the endless skies, the Chosen's blade will leave the Heavens divided. When Gaia teeters on the brink of destruction, the eyes of The Supreme will guide us to peace. The Watchers of Heaven will cry out in despair, as The One slays The Mark of the Beast."
Alex and I were left stunned for a moment, both of our mouths partly open in shock.
Alex tilted his head toward me. "Sounds like they were talking about you in there, Xi."
"Couldn't be, my nigga. I don't sleep."
"Garland left that cryptic warning to his children before dying," Luda explained. "My family's spent centuries trying to decode it. We think it points to the Angels being behind some kind of divine war."
That's when memory hit me like a blade. Back in Jerrica's Labyrinth, Destini had warned me that completing the trials would start the timer on something she called The Rapture. The puzzle pieces clicked.
"The Rapture," I muttered. "That's what it's warning about. The war between the Heavens and the Hells, right here on Gaia."
Omnia's smile was sharp. "Ah, you mean Destini's little factory reset for this world's humanities. That's the timer I warned you about back in Eden, papi."
"Yeah, I guessed that much when I learned about it. Hard to stop something I was the cause of starting." My arms folded tight against my chest.
"Hehehehe," Omnia laughed. "It's why I asked you to destroy existence instead. Sounded easier."
Alex groaned. "Both of those still sound like they end the same, bro."
"Mom and Big Sis tend to destroy things that belong to the other," Danica chimed in matter-of-factly.
Luda frowned. "Wait, Xiro, you knew about the prophecy? And what do you mean you're the cause of it?"
"I'll explain in a minute—it'll make more sense then. First, tell me how you ended up with [Mark of the Beast]."
He gave me a scolding glare before shaking his head, weary. Pulling his glove back on, he exhaled. "...Anyway. Once I completed my Trial of the Bad, I was given the spirit of my Guardian Armament, a bonus skill, and an alteration of one of my old ones. It used to be called [The Fated Hero]."
Alex groaned. "Wait, it gave you the Anima as a reward? Lucky son of a… All I got was the Bible."
"So Alex and Luda were gifted ownership ofOmnia's sisters," I thought. "Interesting. I think I know who's behind all of this."
Omnia's tails snapped in unison, her eyes lighting with sudden revelation. "It was Destini!"
Luda blinked. "Who is Destini?"
"The Archon of Fate," I said.
"Mom to Omnia, Roxy, and me," Danica added.
Luda stared at me. "An Outer Goddess? Xi, what the hell is going on? What are we involved in?"
"Some next-level bullshit," I said flatly. "But like I said, I'll explain in a minute."
"If you were born with [The Fated Hero]," Omnia said, "then Destini was the one who stole Sonata Uno's Soul Core after it was complete. It proves my theory, she placed all of the Sonatas here on Gaia."
Alex scratched his head. "Yo, I got a question. What does [Mark of the Beast] even do?"
Luda hesitated, then finally answered. "It causes followers of my family's faith to see me as an adversary, forcing them to attack in blind rage. Like they're trapped in an illusion."
"So if they're Braye followers, they attack you on sight?"
"I can't walk in my own city without being hunted by my people. My own men, my own blood." Luda admitted as he tightened his fist, turning his knuckles white under the gloves.
Omnia's voice sharpened. "The [Mark of the Beast] produces pulses of Nihility and Dark Energy that drive weaker spirits mad. Its perks let the user land critical, devastating strikes with little effort."
"So it's a crit booster with a downside? Then why's it a key in a prophecy?"
Danica's tone was sing-song, casual. "Because during the Rapture, he'll become the Beast of Destruction."
"Correct, Danica," Omnia said. "Destini chose him to become one of her avatars of destruction. A mindless creature of overwhelming power, helping to end the worlds."
The weight of their words stunned the three of us. My thoughts ran wild, threading connections into places I never thought I'd find answers. Destini had been playing her game since the beginning, using Omnia's actions as gears to turn her own clockwork. That big-titted bitch had been orchestrating all of it.
"She positioned the Sonatas to all go active at the same time. She seeded my decisions to make sure I was everywhere she needed me to be. She wrote the damn prophecy that Garland got hold of. Every move we've made, she's been pulling strings from behind the curtain."
Heat rose in me, white-hot and unshakable. My vision swam violet as ultraviolet light glowed from my eyes, smoke curling out with my fury.
"Destini, you mothafucker," I growled. "That bitch set this all up from the jump."
Omnia's voice lowered, venomous. "Now you understand why I hate her."
Alex threw his hands up. "Yo, what the hell is going on? I don't remember being asked to be one of these Sonata Chosen."
"Yeah, Xi," Luda said firmly. "What is going on? Start from the beginning, brother. Don't skip a damn thing."
With Luda back in the fold, I realized Gaia's future wasn't just my battlefield to manage. Destini was still out there, weaving fate's strings. And most believed fate couldn't be defeated.
Good thing I didn't follow other people's beliefs.
[End of Chapter]
[1] April on Earth