★241
Moments before Antares's encounter with the Void Emperor.
THIRD POV
Morke Helvade, a Domain of eternal darkness, a living hell in paradise. There is not a single ray of light visible from it. Although the environment was gloomy, it was slightly brighter for the stronger creatures. This is the home of the darkest creature in the Pond, the Curse Lord, Alnath.
Up in the black skies, where there was no moon, sun, or other light source, a huge vertical gash dripping violet aura ripped through the sky.
From the gateway, two individuals emerged. It was Aka Ryu, the Hollow Prince of Vhaegon, next to him was his master, the Usurper of Abyssal Calamity, Violet Vortex.
The Violet Vortex had changed. The earlier incident had left its mark; his black wings now bore several eyes, each one opening and closing with a life of its own, black pupils set in violet irises, watching, waiting. It was not just a transformation, it was a statement. He was ready.
"Come."
Aka Ryu's voice came low, almost a whisper, yet it carried across the space without effort.
At once, the rift responded. The Void Dragon-kin of Vhaegon poured out, both humanoid and draconic forms emerging in waves, their presence flooding the sky as they surged forward.
"Destroy everything."
The command was given without hesitation. The creatures did not even glance at the floating palace ahead. Instead, they descended straight towards the Nests, their focus absolute, their intent clear.
Meanwhile, in Morke Helvede, Emperor Alnath sat upon his throne, eyes closed, completely at ease as if the chaos beyond his domain did not concern him. Four of his Shadows knelt before him in silence, Atlas absent, leaving the rest to await his command.
One of them broke the stillness.
"My Shade, the Void Dragons are advancing towards the Hyperworlds. If they break through, the Superworlds and the Stars beneath will not survive."
"Who gave you permission to speak?"
Umbra's gaze snapped towards Ash, sharp enough to kill, but the intent never reached him. Alnath suppressed it without effort. His eyes opened slowly, calm and unreadable.
"He is right, Umbra."
Alnath said.
"However, Ash, this conflict will decide more than the fate of this Pond. It will shape the future of the multiverses beyond."
He rose from his pitch-black throne, his presence shifting the very air around him.
"At all costs, do not allow those lizards to pass through the Hyperworlds. Inform the Supergods that, together with Morven and Velric, they will serve as the final line of defence. Dismiss."
At once, the Shadows bowed deeper, obeying without hesitation.
"My Shade… allow me to fight at your side."
Umbra, the strongest among them, spoke with restraint, but Alnath did not entertain it.
"I will not repeat myself."
That was enough. Umbra lowered his head and fell back into line, bound by words he could not defy.
'Where are you, Atlas?'
The thought lingered as Alnath vanished from the throne and appeared mid-air, facing the Violet Vortex and Aka Ryu.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Achernar."
He said, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.
The one before him clenched his jaw.
"That name does not exist. I am Diavolos, the Violet Vortex."
"I do not know who that is."
Alnath replied flatly.
"Let us finish this, shall we?"
"Still impatient."
Diavolos said, pointing at him.
"That has not changed. Nor has the rest of you. You are still a lonely brat."
Alnath said nothing. He simply stood there, unmoved, his silence heavier than any response.
"If you believe those four Shadows will pose a problem, you are seriously underestimating the Vhaegons."
"Are we fighting or not?"
Once again, he asked, leaping to a conclusion.
"I will wrap this up quickly. Aka, go ahead and demolish everything."
Following his command, Aka Ryu extended his wings in preparation to descend as quickly as possible. Then...
A huge sound reverberated, black birds appearing out of nowhere, snuggling up together. The birds dispersed, revealing a man with long black hair. His attire was charred and shredded, and it appears that he tore his garments to cover his eyes. A blindfold.
"Forgive me, Master. I am late."
Alnath recognised who it was right away since there was only one person in existence who called him that. It was Atlas.
He survived Spectre's illusion erasure, making his first appearance ever since.
"Allow me to take care of the red-haired lizard."
He just came back and he's willing to contribute without hesitation. Even though his opponent a True Descendent and a Nebula Tier threat, Atlas had an unwavering confidence that he's beyond them now.
Aka Ryu did not hesitate. He surged forward, his fist wrapped in a dense veil of aura that rippled with restrained force. The air tightened around the strike as he drove it towards Atlas, intent clear in the violence of the motion.
Atlas shifted with ease, stepping aside at the last moment. The blow skimmed past him, and in the same breath he answered with a casual backhand that cracked across Aka's body and sent him skidding away.
"Is that all you've got?"
Atlas asked, his voice level, almost bored.
Aka forced himself upright, anger burning through the shock of the hit. His breath came heavier now, his aura flickering unevenly as frustration took hold.
Atlas was already moving.
Before Aka could react, a hand closed around his head. The grip was firm, absolute, fingers pressing in with a strength that made resistance meaningless. Speed alone had decided it; there had been no gap to defend, no moment to escape.
"I've got this."
Atlas said, glancing briefly towards his Master, his tone steady with quiet assurance.
He dropped into the Nest, Aka's head held fast in his grasp. The descent was swift, the wind rushing past as the distance vanished in seconds. Aka struggled, hands clawing at Atlas's wrist, but the hold did not shift even a fraction.
'His confidence and strength have increased. I wonder which Tier he belongs to. He has surpassed the Supergod Tier and is now expected to surpass the Hypergod Tier. Just what in the hell happened in the Cardinal World?'
"The small fries are gone. We shall begin."
Diavolos lifted his palm, launching black flames at Alnath, who made no move to defend himself.
The explosion was followed by black smoke that masked the area. The smoke began to swirl, and a child's voice resonated throughout the space.
"Such feeble strikes do not even tickle."
A young Star in a black-and-white outfit emerged when the smoke cleared.
In addition to his grey wings and two long black horns growing from his sides, he possessed elven ears. His clothing appears to have dark embellishments on it.
[[IMAGE]]
[[IMAGE]]
Diavolos's face instantly darkened upon witnessing Alnath's True Body metamorphosis.
"Are you mocking me?!"
He roared, sending an azure ray at the Alnath.
He prepared for the collision by shielding himself with his wings. Everything in sight was burned when a pale blue explosion engulfed the existing area. No smoke or debris remained despite the combustion. Although his wings were unharmed, smoke was coming out of them.
He unfurled his wings and turned to face the remnants of his palace. His black throne sat in the midst of nothingness, and just a tenth of this palace remained.
'The durability of this Palace is greater than that of all the Nests in Morke Helvede put together. I expected nothing less from an Azure Art. Wait... Azure?'
"I thought you lost..."
A fist connected with his jaw, knocking him away, followed by a kick, then a blast from the eye of a wing erasing Alnath's small body.
"Divine Arts are not the same as self-created Art. I am unable to lose them because they are etched into me."
Absorbing what was left for his palace, he used the energy to regenerate himself.
"I... you talk too much."
"I'm not here for jokes, get serious or die!"
Using one of his feathers, Diavolos struck with unparalleled speed, penetrating Alnath's body. As it exploded, it blasted a mixture of black flames and violet lightning, utterly erasing Alnath's presence once more.
"You ought to have pursued Mega Arts after that day, but you chose not to. I had higher expectations of you."
He scoffed.
"The rest is up to Aka to take care of."
He whirled around, flying back to the portal. Halfway through the portal, he was pulled out by a white chain. The chain glowed white before exploding.
"This battle is only getting started."
Alnath was standing there looking quite different.
There was a tall, attractive man with white hair, two long horns, and a black crown floating in between them. Though they were grey, his wings were brighter than black. His fingers were intertwined and he was dressed in black and white. Black creatures with white wings were soaring around behind him.
[[IMAGE]]
[[IMAGE]]
Diavolos' body was scorching and not quickly healing. He held his somewhat charred face. Although half of it was closed, his eyes showed his feelings.
"Finally, the Devil Lord has awakened! I will be happy to return the favour!"
He let forth a yell, his black aura piercing the heavens.
He enveloped his little figure in his ominous presence, which grew larger and larger until it reached an incredibly vast size.
"Head down and assist the others."
Gazing at the black aura that ceased to grow, Alnath gave orders to the Fallen Angels behind him. Amidst the ominous atmosphere, two enormous violet eyes were visible, and it spoke in a world-quaking voice.
"Time to put an end to this!"
..
..
..
To be continued...