Chapter 4: The Link
The moment the Sage spoke of the "young man," every gaze in that chamber snapped toward Noah.
For an instant, he felt stripped bare — their eyes weren't merely looking at him, they were piercing through him, like claws raking across his very soul.
Almost in unison, the Demon, the Angel, and the Dragon let out a scoff.
"A human?" the three voices overlapped, dripping with disdain.
The Sage only stroked his long beard, amusement glinting in his ancient eyes. "Oh-ho… so the mighty Supremes are united in something, at last. Dislike for humans?"
The Demon leaned forward, his grin sharp as a blade. "Dislike? No. Hatred? Not quite. These worms simply crawl too high above their station. That arrogance irritates me."
The Angel let out a cold click of his tongue. "Tch. Even if I despise agreeing with this abyssal filth, I must. Humans are insects—weak, blind, and break at the slightest touch." His radiant spear thrummed faintly in his hand, as if echoing his contempt.
Even the Dragon inclined his head in agreement, though his golden eyes narrowed with curiosity. His gaze lingered on Noah's trembling figure, who was pale, breath ragged, and swaying as if he could collapse any moment.
The Dragon exhaled, a low rumble like thunder in a distant mountain. Then he raised one clawed hand and released a pulse of power. A shimmering cocoon of scales and runes wrapped around Noah, halting his collapse.
"No, no, little one…" The Dragon's deep voice rolled across the chamber, equal parts command and amusement. "You're not allowed to die this early. I can feel it. All of us are gathered here because of you." His slit pupils narrowed, molten-gold fire burning behind them.
The words hung heavy. The moment they reached the others, each Supreme stiffened — then narrowed their eyes as well. A strange thread, invisible yet undeniable, tugged at them. The connection was real.
The Angel's lip curled in disgust. "Impossible… my soul linked to this mongrel?" He glanced at the others, face twisting further. "Not only to him — but to all of you as well." His hand clenched around his spear. After a pause, he added, spitting the word like venom, "…even this abomination."
The Demon barked a laugh. "Keh! Now that's interesting."
Meanwhile, Noah's mind was spiraling. Sweat streamed down his temple, his heart hammering against his ribs like a caged beast.
What… what the actual fuck?!
Are these… my other selves? The ones I'm supposed to assimilate with?! His pulse spiked. Fuck, fuck, fuck! No… this can't be real. They'll take over my body. I've read about this — assimilation means fighting for dominance. How the hell am I supposed to fight them?! They call themselves… fucking Supremes!
The Dragon tilted his head, gaze sharp as a blade. "He knows something…" His voice was soft, but it carried, filling the air like a growl of an oncoming storm. "Speak."
Noah opened his mouth — but nothing came out. His throat locked tight, as if invisible chains bound his voice.
"Tch. Spineless." The Dragon muttered, more amused than disappointed. "At this rate, we'll be here forever." He extended his claw once again, weaving runes through the air. Energy spiraled and wrapped around Noah, sinking into his skin. Then it recoiled, carrying something back into the Dragon's waiting palm.
The great beast's eyes gleamed. "Ahh… so that's how it is." His grin split wide, a low chuckle turning into booming laughter. "Interesting… very interesting. Hahahaha! Delightful!"
The Demon's crimson eyes narrowed, sharp enough to cut. "Oi… that ability. Memory extraction, is it? And safe, too? Hah! Convenient. I've no desire to tear the boy apart just yet. Share it."
The Dragon chuckled, scales glimmering like molten gold. "Hah! Greedy bastard. But fine, fine. Take it. Better you all take it — after all, you're my other selves. Hahaha!"
With a sweep of his claw, he cast Noah's memories into the chamber like sparks from a forge. Threads of thought, visions, and knowledge unfurled into the minds of every Supreme present.
One by one, their expressions shifted. Brows arched in amusement. Eyes sharpened with hunger. Smiles spread — feral, eager, dangerous.
The Demon was the first to burst into laughter, a booming, gleeful sound that rattled the air. "Kekekeke! A new world, ripe and unclaimed… hahahaha! Perfect. I was rotting in boredom in my old one. This… this is delicious."
The Angel, though his mouth was set in a scowl, couldn't entirely hide the gleam in his eyes. "New world… which means new angels, stronger ones to conquer, perhaps even higher planes to breach…" His lips curved, though his words came out like a hiss. "Yes… this could prove amusing."
And Noah, standing in their midst, could only tremble harder. His thoughts screamed, spiraling into panic.
What have I dragged myself into?
But then a deathly pale figure stirred. His flesh clung to his bones, his armor was forged from skull and marrow, and his eyes glowed like twin voids. When he spoke, the air chilled, every syllable scraping against Noah's spine.
"From this boy's memory, it is clear… we are not strangers. Different personalities, yes, but at the end… we are one." His voice deepened, like a tomb sealing shut. "Which means… only one of us will inherit this vessel. Heheheh… only one leaves."
The words slithered through the chamber like poison. Instantly, every Supreme's posture tightened. The Dragon's scales hummed, the Angel's spear flared, the Demon's grin widened to a snarl.
Tension crackled, sharp enough to split the air.
Then the Sage raised a hand, his voice smooth, ageless. "Now, now… must we bare fangs so quickly? Not even introductions, and already blood in the air?" His eyes glittered like constellations. "Let us begin properly. I am Orivandus, the Oracle of Eternity."
The heaviness in the room loosened — if only slightly. The Supremes exchanged wary glances, and one by one, they spoke.
---
"Veytharion, the Eternal Sovereign." The Dragon's voice was a rolling quake, his scales shimmering with every hue of creation. "Dominion is my nature, my right, my breath."
"Seraphael, the Radiant Seraph." Wings of living flame unfurled, filling the chamber with light so pure it burned. "Mercy or judgment, salvation or annihilation — I am all."
"Samael, the Abyssal Overlord." Black fire curled from his horns as his grin split wider. "Kingdoms fall, courage unravels, and yet I remain."
"Kronexus, the Infinite Construct." Gears turned, stars flickered in his chest, and his voice was the hum of eternity. "Flesh is a limit. I am beyond."
"Kaelith, the Blade Saint." His words were quiet, but the air itself shivered as if cut. "The blade is not held in the hand, but in the soul."
"Arvannon, the Primal Emperor." His growl shook the ground, flocks of spectral beasts flickering at his back. "The wild bows to me, as will you."
"Nyxar, the Umbral Monarch." The shadows deepened, silence swallowing sound. "I do not kill. I claim."
"Zoryth, the Origin Warden." Sparks of every element — flame, storm, stone, tide, even time and void — surged across his form. "I am the first dawn and the last dusk. All power begins and ends with me."
"Sanguor, the Crimson Tyrant." The chamber reeked of iron as blood mist coiled at his feet. "Every heart beats to my will. Empires are veins — and I am their heart."
---
Noah's chest tightened as their names echoed, one after another, each heavier than the last. His mind screamed, but his body refused to move.
Finally, the Demon chuckled, breaking the silence. "Well then…" Samael licked his lips, obsidian horns gleaming. "Introductions done. When do we fight?"
The words slammed into the chamber like a challenge, and every Supreme's aura surged in response — fire, light, shadow, steel, blood, storm, and more clashing in invisible waves.
Noah, standing at the center, could only choke back a breath.
If they fight here… I won't even leave ashes behind.