The Power of the Thunder Titan.
In truth, it was a variant of the thunder system, gifted by the Eternal God. Since Sam did not yet understand the intricacies of cultivation, he was granted only the most rudimentary methods. Crude though they were, the power itself was astonishing.
Sam gazed at the twelve colossal bolts of lightning descending from the heavens, his heart leaping with ecstasy. These—these divine thunders—were his to command.
The Thunder of Nirvana.
The Thunder of Golden Light.
The Thunder of Desolation.
One after another, these forces poured into his body.
His once-thin frame expanded and swelled, layer upon layer of power reshaping him until he loomed one hundred meters tall. His very skin gleamed like living thunder, etched with hundreds of glowing lightning runes.
Sam's voice boomed across the altar:
"Thank You, Eternal God, for this gift! I, Sam, swear to devote myself forever, to walk through fire and storm, to burn my life in Your service!"
But the moment he spoke, his words resonated with the heavens. The sound of his declaration carried more terror than the thunder itself. For thousands of miles, lightning flickered, thunder roared, and countless mortals felt their breath cut short, their chests locked in suffocating awe.
And in that searing radiance, Sam finally saw Him.
The God of Eternity, Liu Che, appeared within a shaft of divine light, gazing down upon this universe with infinite compassion.
"You now understand," His voice intoned softly. "Those who believe in Me will find their merits complete. When death comes, they shall ascend and be reborn among the gods."
Then His figure dissolved into the cosmos, for if He lingered even a moment longer, the universe itself would collapse beneath His weight.
Yet even as His body vanished, His blessing remained.
Petals of light descended as rain, showering the Earth. Hospitals erupted in cries of disbelief as terminally ill patients sat up from their beds, completely healed. Lovers who had been cruelly separated felt the warmth of divine grace—promises were whispered across realms, vows that they would meet again in the next life.
Miracle upon miracle unfolded before humanity's eyes.
The entire world wept.
Heaven and earth shone with clarity once more. People knew—the Eternal God had departed.
On live broadcast, Sam still towered as a thunder giant. His voice thundered:
"Bow to send my God away!!"
"Bow to send my God away!!"
Followers knelt, foreheads pressed to the ground, knocking their heads three times before rising.
At last, the giant body shrank back into Sam's ordinary human form. He turned to Kemira, who stood frozen in awe, and gave her a gentle smile.
"The ceremony is complete. Tell the officials to reach out to the other nations. The time has come—we must unite Earth's power and launch an offensive in accordance with the law of the cosmos."
"Yes, High Priest," Kemira replied breathlessly.
Around them, the crowd was still drowning in awe and terror at what they had witnessed.
Skeptics were silenced. Politicians who once schemed like flies now hid their faces in shame. Against the presence of a true God, their petty ambitions meant nothing. Those who refused belief—perhaps they would not even be granted a place in hell.
Optimus Prime and the Autobots approached, lowering their massive heads before Sam.
"My Master," Optimus asked reverently, "what would You have us do?"
"Gather alien metals," Sam commanded. "Build a greater technology. The Eternal God has just given you a cultivation system. Your future is blessed beyond measure."
"Ah… thank the Lord God," Optimus said, his deep voice almost awkward. "Forgive me—I was so overwhelmed I hardly knew what to say."
Bumblebee gave a sheepish chuckle at his leader's clumsiness, clearly just as overwhelmed.
The live broadcast ended, but Sam had more instructions. He did not hide them.
"Send word to Starscream," he ordered. "Tell him to use his cunning well. If necessary, suggest to him that the Decepticons return to Cybertron to recruit more manpower."
Kemira hesitated. "Understood… but High Priest, wouldn't that risk being too hasty?"
Sam waved a hand. "Do not worry. Without a space bridge, any round trip is a colossal undertaking. We have time."
She bowed. "Then I will deliver the message."
…
The World of Night Legends
Lucian, King of the Werewolves, lived now as a hunted animal, a rat chased through every street. Ever since Catherine had defeated him, his days were nothing but flight.
Everywhere he ran, the vampires struck him down. Even ordinary young vampires had grown powerful enough to slaughter his men with ease.
Lucian's reflection glared back at him from a rain-streaked window, his fanged face twisted in fury.
"Damn it… if this continues, we'll be finished."
The door slammed open. His men dragged in a prisoner and threw him to the ground.
"Chief! We've found the heir of that bloodline. His name is Michael, a doctor. If we take his blood, we can gain the trait of resisting silver weapons!"
Lucian's expression hardened. "How did you find him? We've searched for centuries and never found a trace. Why now, so suddenly?"
His lieutenant answered in a hushed voice: "The information was sent by a monk in white. He said… Selene of the Eternal God Cult has abandoned the vampire coven."
Lucian's lips curled slowly. So… the Holy See is suffering, and has begun to act in secret.
"Very well," Lucian chuckled darkly. "If the Holy See wishes to aid me quietly, I'll gladly accept."
He looked down at Michael with predatory hunger.
"Perhaps you'll be the key to curing our weakness."
"Boss," his deputy asked, "should we… ally with the old vampire clans? The situation is grim. Alone, we cannot last."
Lucian considered. His claws tapped the armrest of his chair.
"…Yes. Let's see what remains. We are both creatures of darkness—there must be some common ground."
In truth, Selene's sect had defeated the Holy See because they brought benefits to humanity. The old order—where dark creatures fed on humans—was over. That went against mankind's survival. The elder vampires would never accept it.
So Lucian prepared to seek them out.
That night, under sheets of rain, convoys of werewolf vehicles rumbled to the abandoned vampire mansion. Lucian stepped out, his senses stretched. No figures lurked within. The place was indeed deserted.
"Enter," he commanded.
Within the mansion, the seals still pulsed faintly. Vampire elders ruled in rotation: one awake, two in slumber. Amelia, the weakest, had already been slain by Selene. But the true powers remained—Victor, and Marcus, the ancient progenitor.
Lucian's eyes blazed. "Release Marcus's seal first!"
The others gasped. "Not Victor?"
They did not know Lucian's hatred. Victor had murdered his wife, his beloved. For centuries, Lucian had dreamed of tearing Victor apart piece by piece.
Stored vampire blood was poured onto the seal.
The chamber was silent. Only the drip of rain echoed.
Then—
Two crimson eyes blazed open in the dark.
"The stench of a werewolf…"
A massive fist struck before Lucian could respond, hurling him through the stone wall. The werewolves roared, but Marcus's onslaught was merciless. One by one, he sent them flying with casual blows.
"Wait!" Lucian coughed blood but forced a smile. "Ancestor Marcus! This is not the world you once knew. Look around! The vampire house is empty. Your descendants are gone."
Heavy footsteps shook the chamber. From the shadows, Marcus emerged, terrifying visage revealed. His very presence crushed the air.
Lucian, broken and bleeding, still smiled grimly. Yes. This is the power of an ancestor.
"Speak," Marcus said coldly.
"In your line, a terrible one has risen. She slew Amelia, banished all aliens—even the Holy See itself. They now prepare to rule this world, leaving us forgotten relics! Look at this house—it has been abandoned! If we unite, I will help you kill Victor. In exchange, I swear loyalty to you!"
Marcus's eyes flickered. Could a mere descendant truly wield such power? Yet Lucian's sincerity was undeniable. After all, what fool would awaken his enemy for no reason?
"What grudge do you bear Victor?" Marcus asked.
"He murdered my wife. Is that reason enough?!"
Marcus's grim mouth curved into a rare grin. "So, the King of Werewolves is a man of passion. Very well."
He disappeared briefly into the inner chamber. When he returned, he tossed something at Lucian's feet.
Victor's severed head.
"Wolf cub, the choice is yours. Attack me if you dare… or kneel and offer treasure."
Lucian exhaled sharply. The chance was real.
Marcus's gaze drifted to Michael, unconscious nearby. "That one… his blood is strange."
Lucian nodded. "He is unique. If we fuse werewolf and vampire blood, his line could evolve into something never seen before. Or, we can drain him entirely and experiment."
Marcus's eyes narrowed. "No need. I could simply destroy him."
Lucian leaned forward. "But can you walk in sunlight?"
That stopped him.
"What?"
"Those who join the Eternal Cult," Lucian whispered, "ignore the sun. Holy silver weapons cannot harm them."
For the first time, Marcus's eyes widened with genuine intrigue.
"…So that is how it is."
A dark smile spread across his face. "But before that… let us awaken your werewolf ancestor. True terror awaits the world."
Long ago, Marcus had conspired to protect his brother. Now, with this strange human Michael, he believed it was time to test awakening him once again.
…
Meanwhile
Selene was unaware of the storm gathering. She prepared her next grand sacrifice. The altar rose higher each day, its carvings inlaid with blood and bone.
This time, her chosen sacrifice was a girl she had captured days prior. A small blonde child, no older than twelve, rumored to be a saint of the Holy See. She could summon faint spells of holy light.
The perfect offering.
Holy, pure, untouched by the stains of mortal dust.
"You'd better release me," the little saint glared at Catherine, body trembling despite her words. "Or my Lord will never forgive you!"
Her bravado was thin. Beneath her threats, fear shone plainly in her young eyes.
Catherine, Death Dealer of the Eternal Cult, leaned close with a mocking smile.
"Then why does your Lord never answer you, little saint… while my God shines upon all beings?"
Her laughter echoed across the dark altar.