Karnage: Here you go! Sorry for any errors, my pc is garbage and sometimes when I hit publish, all manner of things go wrong. Please forgive me, for I may always have errors no matter what :/.
V2 Chapter 7 -
Serpent's fall, within Sol's cave-
A few weeks had passed, Sol had trained endlessly to master his Poison Affinity. Not only did he make sufficient progress, but he also succeeded in mastering how to merge it with his other Affinities.
He created a few techniques he was proud of and regretted not trying to merge both his Light and Fire Affinities earlier. During this time, Zee had came and checked up on Sol a few times and then bid him a farewell with a hint of sadness in her eyes. That day she stuck around much longer than usual as if not wanting to depart at all and Sol took note of these slightest things.
During this week, Little Greenie had yet to show himself and Sol could feel he was close to emerging. The same could be said for Mitra who was still comfortably asleep.
**
Currently within the cave Sol was cross-legged and continued his arduous training and melding himself with the Poison Affinity. His body had not yet fully merged with the Poison Affinity and so continued fusing with this Affinity.
At some point in time emerald colored tattoos appeared all over his body and brought about an archaic aura. The more Sol trained in Poison, the more these tattoos appeared, the more the archaic aura increased and they were shaped like tribal fire that stretched across his body. They moved and danced as if they were alive, and responded to the archaic aura.
These tattoos resonated with the Lamia's mark on Sol's neck, it lit up a golden emerald color. Hydrian's, Hydreas', Little Greenie's Beast Marks on Sol's body also lit up in accordance. It was as if the Poison Affinity began linking it's ancestry through these rare serpent beasts who had powerful lineages.
Sol entered a dream-like state as an ancient aura emerged unknown to him directly in front of his face. It gave off an overpowering presence, the heavenly aura was of an Emerald Dragon-like Serpent that flew through the skies as if laying claim to the world. It's eyes were golden-emerald and it's body shimmered like a sea of diamonds in the sky as it covered the world in an Emerald aura of golden luster and no creature dared approach it under the heavens.
Suddenly this powerful aura erupted from the cave enveloping the entire of Serpent Falls, every creature within range could feel it's presence. It was as if their ancient God had descended, the Serpent beasts of Serpent Falls became restless.
This Archaic being appeared before Sol in it's soul-like form with it's powerful and ancient eyes peering down at him. In his marvelous jewel-like, heavenly eyes one could see a hint of expectancy reflecting in them and if they looked deep enough without being driven insane to it's powerful mesmerizing look; they would even notice a hint of pride as if it were looking at it's own kin when it faced Sol.
Astonishingly, the Fang Blades flew out of the runic ring and implanted on the floor in front of Sol gleaming with intense light flashing and giving off a sharp sound. He had no awareness of what was going on, all he knew was that he had become one with the Poison Affinity and felt some sort of change happening in his body, or more specifically the Serpent beasts within him.
The aura from within the Fang Blades connected to Hydreas, Hydrian, Little Greenie and it's aura exploded and the soul power of the Fanged Blades begun rising!
From S-Rank to S Mid-Rank, S-Peak rank....God level! Instantly the Fanged Blades shattered. Sol's eyes opened and they looked hazy as if he wasn't conscious at all of his surroundings. Suddenly he withdrew the two-handed heavy Sword from his runic ring, the very same one that rebuked him.
[IMPUDENCE!! What are you doing!!!] -Heavy Sword Beast Soul
Sol's hazy emerald-golden eyes fell fiercely on the two handed sword and looked at it almost disdainfully.
[Shut your mouth, this child doesn't need a disobedient weapon!] -Sol
This powerful angered voice thundered out from Sol's mouth completely silencing the God-Ranked Soul within the Two-handed Heavy sword; but this voice was obviously not Sol's.
[Someone as powerful as you...what have you come here for?] -Heavy Sword Beast Soul
[To give this Queen your vessel. Had you accepted this child, you would still have your soul. Now that his Light Affinity has become an abomination, you will surely reject him. That's why you will no longer exist!] -Sol
[Noooooooo!!!!!] -Heavy Sword Beast Soul
The Heavy Sword Beast Soul cried out in agony and immense fear losing all of it's past haughtiness in the presence of this being. Seeing this, the Emerald Diamond Serpent sneered and then spoke once more-
[Relax you foolish ingrate, you will enter the cycle of reincarnation as you entered the God-Rank and who knows you may one day encounter your old master and be his master in your next life.
...Or do you perhaps want to stay here yearning for your master forever rejecting every single soul that places their hands on this vessel and depriving my descendant of a proper blade? I would have no problem completely destroying your soul if that were the case] -Sol
Sol or rather the Emerald Serpent Dragon made his motives be known to put the Two-Handed Beast Soul at rest because it could potentially make the transfer hard. These words fell like heavy anvils on the Heavy Sword Beast Soul, who thought for a bit and then spoke.
[May I ask a question my Lord?] -Heavy Sword Beast Soul.
[You don't have much time anyway, ask what you will] -Sol
The Heavy Sword Beast Soul hesitated for a bit and then asked.
[You said...your descendant if I'm correct...How is that so? I'm sure that he's human..I think] -Heavy Sword Beast Soul
Hearing this the Emerald Diamond Serpent let out a loud laugh and then shifted his gaze at the Heavy Sword.
[What makes one a descendant of something? -Sol
The Two-handed Sword answered immediately-
[If one carries the blood of it's ancestors..?] -Heavy Sword Beast Soul
The Emerald Diamond Serpent laughed out loud once more and then answered his questions.
[Exactly...then is he not my descendant?] -Sol
The Heavy Sword Soul was astonished and looked at Sol's body deeply, indeed he did feel much different than the first time he saw him.
[Of all of my children alive, in all of Magnolia that descended from me. This child has the purest blood I've ever seen in who knows how long, though he may be a human and I have no idea how he acquired these traits of mine, but it's obvious he is not an ordinary human and I can feel my blood in his veins]
[The Affinities I possessed were Earth, Light and Poison. This child possesses, Fire, Light and Poison. It's good that I finally found someone who possessed a pure bloodline of mine and now I can pass on my legacy] -Sol
The Heavy Sword Soul Beast nodded as if understanding and then looked at him intently. The Emerald Serpent laughed and then looked at the Heavy Sword.
[Now why don't you ask, what you really want to ask] -Sol
The Heavy Sword became quiet for a while....
[Who...are you?] -Heavy Sword Beast Soul
The Emerald Diamond Serpent laughed out maliciously and his face was filled with evil intent that made the grass beneath him dry up and made the earth barren.
[Hmm...Well I guess you can call me "The Progenitor". The thing that came before the beginning and the thing that will remain until the end] -Sol
The Heavy Sword became quiet and didn't ask anything further, he understood he wasn't qualified to ask such a question and patiently awaited his new beginning in fear he would upset whatever was inside Sol and make it change it's mind.
[...It's time] -Sol
Suddenly Sol's eyes flashed, he made a weird hand symbol and his aura fluctuated creating rips in time and space.
[Soul Travelling!] -Sol
*Doom*
Suddenly the Heavy Sword lost it's glimmer and the silhouette of a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon appeared out of it, it cast a quick glance at Sol and then immediately flew into the heavens with a warm smile on it's face.
The Golden Dragon ascended into the heavens, drawing the eyes of all in Serpent Falls-
The ghost-like image of the Queen Basilisk immediately charged into the Two-handed Heavy Sword with delight in her eyes. The once Golden Heavy Sword that had been forgotten let out a terrifying bang!
*BANG*
The Queen Basilisk invaded the vessel of the Heavy Sword and it begun merging with the Queen Basilisk Soul! The shattered pieces of Fanged Blades immediately flew up into the air and attached themselves like a hilt and pieces of it's sharp Fanged pieces directly melded itself into the blade ends of the Heavy Sword.
It's golden color changed and now gave off a terrifying emerald color; the jewel on it's hilt became a dark green color destroying it's previous nature and a serpents eye appeared within the emerald colored gemstone.
The Golden Heavy Sword that once looked like a righteous savior of the world, became dreadful, curved and carried a heavy poisonous aura cloaked in an emerald light and seemed like nothing of it's former self. The vicious aura emanating off of the Curved Heavy Sword would make any creature shudder.
The Blade of the Heavy Sword had become extremely heavy and thick, leaking a deathly aura. If what the Heavy Sword was before was what a hero wielded, then it's current form was surely the weapon of a Death Lord.
It wasn't just the Heavy Sword that changed, if one looked at the Golden bow on his back they would notice the limbs of the bow had changed from sharp bones to a fang material. It retained it's golden color however there was an engraved pattern of an emerald serpent wrapped around the limbs which glowed lightly and the sights of the bow was styled as an open mouth of an emerald serpent.
Mitra's soul had directly been affected by Sol's abnormal nature and now his benefits were beginning to show, though it would be no where near the level of the Serpent-Type souls merged with Sol; he had still gained a few things. What they were, no one would know until he had awakened.
The Emerald Curved Heavy Sword fell on the floor and sunk into the earth standing upright, at the same time Sol lost consciousness. Finally the omnipotent aura dispersed from Serpent Falls leaving all the creatures dumbfounded, they subconsciously threw a glance at Sol's cave as they knew it came from there.
The Emerald Diamond Serpent gazed at the unconscious Sol for a bit, gave him a final farewell glance and then dissipated in the atmosphere leaving terrible ripples of power drifting around the cave.
[Return to nothingness, and nothingness shall return! Covet the world and steal the heavens! Under the "Emerald Divination" all truths shall be known and all doubts dispelled! Rise! Devour! Conquer! Under a matchless heaven, bathe in the glory of an emerald light oh sacred child!!] -Emerald Diamond Serpent
These words thundered out sending a shockwave throughout Serpent Falls frightening every creature hundreds of miles away, these words seemed to have resonated with Sol and his body greatly shook. His green tribal fire like tattoos became smaller and limited themselves to his shoulders, chest, back and arms.
The terrifying overpowering aura faded and the Soul Beasts within Sol had all received some sort of benefits from the extremely domineering aura of the Emerald Diamond Serpent. The biggest change however, was precisely the Fanged Blades and the Queen Basilisk.
**
A little while before, in Serpent Falls-
Old Black, Glowy, Little Greenie's parents and the peak S-Rank Generals were having a meeting, the expressions on their faces were incredibly unsightly and ugly to behold.
[It turns out they made an alliance with the Fire Titan Gorillas!! These pitiful and weak creatures!! To have called another Familia in this are absolutely despicable!] -Glowy
Glowy seemed to be burning with rage as her eyes gave off a chilling and terrible feeling. The peak S-Ranks remained quiet, they all knew Glowy's temperament and when she was serious, she would bathe everything in a sea of flames.
Old Black's face wasn't any better off, however she maintained her calm and spoke words to revitalize morale.
[Don't worry, though the Fire Titan Ape Familia indeed have some power; their numbers aren't that amazing. Only, their King will be a problem; but I'm not worried, though the battle will be harder than planned it's not something we can't handle. After all, we have a handsome little helper this time] -Old Black
As Old Black spoke she gave a radiant warm smile, the Peak S-Ranks couldn't help but nod in agreement. However, the fact that Old Black compared him to the King of the Fire Titan Apes showed her belief in his power and it made Glowy astonished. Glowy then threw a glance at Old Black as she pondered.
(....Hmmm...Sister..It can't be that..you?) -Glowy
Old Black seemed to feel her gaze and turned to look at her...and smirked!
(Hehe...He's master's after all...It's for the sake of morale, morale. Hehe..Still the look on Glowy's face was priceless) -Old Black
Glowy seemed to catch on and understood she had been played and became red like a tomato losing all of her previous viciousness.
Suddenly-
[GRRRAAAAAAAAAAA] -???
Old Black shifted her gaze towards the outer area of Serpent Falls, her face lost all of her previous mischievousness and became solemn as she stared far off into the distance. Glowy also turned towards the fields with a dangerous expression.
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[It seems they are here already! Let us welcome them then, into our humble abode] -Old Black
As she spoke, a powerful and immense black aura covered her and she immediately switched into her serpent form, her killing intent soared scaring every living thing awake. Glowy didn't waste words and immediately shifted to her original form in a blaze of fire. The general Peak S-Ranks quickly followed the Guardians out to the border of Serpent Falls, the two Huge God-Rank Serpents moved confidently to meet their enemies in the chosen battlefield, the beasts from Serpent Falls immediately begun to move following their presence.
From every hole in every tree, to every cave in every piece of earth, from the rivers of water and even from the skies; Serpent-type beasts, Dragon-Serpent hybrids, Variants, Hybrid Variants all answered the call and came to battle.
The army of slithering predators came out from the forests of Serpent Falls, a wild and radical killing intent burst out from within them as they made their way to the fields. The only type of serpent missing were Earth Affinity serpents, which was strange.
**
Within the fields outside of Serpent Falls-
An army of a roughly a thousand Apes stood peering into the forests of Serpent Falls. Among these apes were three prominent species. The Iron Stone Ape, Storm Wind Apes and the Fire Titan Gorillas. In front of this army of beasts stood three brazen and powerful figures that gave off a majestic aura, the aura of Kings.
[Yulivashjr and Saratava come out!! I will repay the debt for killing my son today!!] -Storm Wind Ape King
The first to speak was the Storm Wind Ape King, who was at the God-Ranked level. His voice thundered out and carried a terrifying intimidation. His steel-like muscles that had veins the size of thick vines covered his entire body, his fur was green and on top of his head was a crown made of some type of animal's skull. His eyes flashed like a powerful storm and the wind around him was unsettled as it blasted about wildly.
Unlike his son, this King possessed pale green wings that stretched out elegantly and folded neatly on his back giving him an even more imposing figure. He was obviously a variant of sorts and his power couldn't be looked down upon.
In his hands was a huge log that seemed more like a piece of earth than an actual weapon, this was an Oakberry branch. Amongst trees, Oakberry trees were quite rare and were known for their sturdiness, toughness and terrifying weight. It was tougher than steel and made the perfect blunt weapon for creatures like these who possessed astonishing strength that could pound mountains to dust.
[Today will be the day you all die! This age old enmity will come to an end today! Hahahah! I always knew the day would come when you would offend the rest of tribes! I waited and waited and it paid off! To think you could rule here in the land of Apes! How Insolent!] -Iron Stone Ape King.
The second to speak was the Iron Stone Ape King, King of the Iron Stone Apes. He was an enemy of Serpent Falls since it's beginning and wanted to drive them out, today could only be summed up as his great fortune.
The Iron Stone Ape King was also a Mid God-Ranked Beast, his fur was gray and sort of plain, but his appearance was not. His Muscles were the color of diamonds, his eyes were clear silver and gave off a powerful gleam, in terms of power, he was probably the strongest one here among the apes.
His fists were silver in color and were the size of five human heads, the hairs on his body seemed to be made of rock and steel and didn't budge an inch when the wind blew. Within his hands was a similar Oakberry branch but was much more bigger than the one wielded by the Storm Wind Ape King and it was tinged black.
[Big Brothers, there is no need to work yourselves up; they will surely die today and no one can save them. Under the watch of big brothers, how can they possibly live?] -Fire Titan Gorilla King
The two other Kings laughed arrogantly as they accepted the Fire Titan Gorilla King's flattery. As these sort of beasts were closest to humans, their ego and personality traits were much more developed than other beasts. The Fire Titan Gorilla proved to be extremely skilled with flattery and buttered up the both Kings with a smile in his eyes.
Even though he spoke volumes to the both Kings, he said absolutely nothing to the entities of Serpent Falls and calmly watched the scene as if sure of his victory. His fur was blood red and matched his eyes, flames danced off of his fur and his expression was sinister; his aura was that of an early God-Rank beast who had just broken through. He held a spear in his hands that were made of something other than Oakberry branch.
The fact that fire burned on it's tip constantly without harming the branch was proof of it's abnormality. This was a weapon made from a tree called Willow Ember Tree, a special type of tree with affinity to fire found in places where shrubbery can peacefully co-exist with fire. These sorts of environments were a natural habitat for the Fire Titan Gorilla and was the places they inhabited the most for obvious reasons.
**HISS**
Suddenly, hissing noises started coming from the forests of Serpent Falls, the beasts slowly slithered towards the fields; their eyes gleaming within the darkness of the forest. Their killing intent surged towards the sky as their predator like instincts took over and the need for battle hungered in their stomachs.
The Ape soldiers from the different tribes upon seeing this couldn't help but feel fear and a bit of unrest. They thought since the Serpent Familia had been outnumbered and outgunned that they wouldn't feel much of a threat. They had three Gods, and Serpent Falls had two; they had a greater number than the Serpent Familia, and so they believed victory would come easy.
The shocking reality was before them, the treacherous aura and murderous killing intent special only to serpent type beasts was emitted in a full blast. They could feel the bloodlust and it made their fur stand on end, hundreds of gleaming eyes pierced their will.
[Don't falter!! We greatly outnumber them and outpower them!! This is just the last ditch effort of a dying snake!] -Storm Wind Ape King
The Apes upon hearing the Storm Wind Ape King's bellow immediately calmed down and morale once more climbed back up steadily; but it would be a lie to say they were not affected in the slightest by this sharp killing intent pouring towards them.
*HISS*
Suddenly a terrifying hiss filled the air, it made one feel as though it were right behind their necks as it echoed throughout the minds of the Ape Familias.
[You really are brave.. I will give you that. Hahaha very very Brave, but very very stupid!] -Yulivashjr
A huge black silhouette slithered out from the forests. Old Black glared at the apes as she perched her neck up and stared down at them, her green murky eyes covered in layers of darkness made some of the apes fall on their knees to the floor. She continued to speak in the minds of all the apes, with every gesture of hers, a greater fear emerged in their hearts.
Her lips curved upward stiffly and forcefully, blood leaked from the sides of her mouth as her fangs cut into the skin of her mouth. She had smiled!!
Cold! Bone chilling cold! The blood in the veins of the Ape Familias froze in an instant and they forgot to breathe!
It was the first time they had seen a such a terrifying creature smile! How hideous! It was obvious snakes were never built to smile and didn't possess the biology to make it happen. That is precisely why this was so horrifying, the fact that she burst her own skin open just to smile was too frightful!!
*HISS*
[You really are foolish and arrogant, to come strolling in here...Did you not know what sort of place this is? Hahahaha, did your mother never warn you that there were some creatures you absolutely should never offend? I don't think so, because if she did; you would not call my name so casually] -Yulivashjr
The Storm Wind Ape King, looked at Old Black fiercely; he had been shaken up just now along with the other apes and felt embarrassed. Though he knew this was a trait of the Darkness trait, he still could not believe how terrifying the killing intent was. This made him furious, he pointed his Oakberry branch at Old Black and spoke arrogantly as if he were talking to dirt under his feet.
[We will see just how arrogant you are when I get my hands on you, I'll permanently make you smile. First I'll deal with you!!] -Storm Wind Ape King.
As the Storm Wind Ape King spoke he pointed at Glowy as fire burned in his eyes. Glowy seemed to not be paying attention to him and looking around confusedly, seeing this the Iron Stone Ape King also got angry.
[You...did we scare you out of sanity?] -Iron Stone Ape King
Glowy finally found what she was looking for; shifted her gaze to Old Black and smiled. As she once more ignored them, the Iron Stone Ape King became furious as he looked at her coldly. As far as he saw it, this place was already bound to be destroyed and yet this one acted as if it were a normal day. How could he not feel offended in front of all his Familia?
Finally Glowy as if remembering something, turned towards the Fire Titan Gorilla King, stared at him fixatedly and sneered. Seeing this the Fire Titan Gorilla King had his heart skip a beat in surprise, how could he not know what she was thinking?
(Kill the weakest one first!!) -Glowy
Cold sweat instantly poured over the Fire Titan Gorilla King's back, initially he had planned to let these other two Kings fight them without doing anything and reaping the rewards. However, he knew his plans had failed when Glowy set her sights on him, he knew for sure that she would definitely go straight at him.
The thing that puzzled him was that there were three Gods in his alliance, himself included; he couldn't help but wonder why Glowy had not targeted the Iron Stone Ape King or Storm Wind Ape King and instead him.
(Could it be? Do They have a God-Ranked hidden somewhere?) -Fire Titan Ape King
He instantly lost all of his previous confidence and was now filled with dread and worry, several different conspiracies started forming in his head.
(This amount of confidence..The fact that she chose to go after me..The lack of fear in their eyes...Just what are they hiding?...) -Fire Titan Ape King
The more and more he thought about it, the more he became filled with dread. The worse thing for a scheming beast like himself was an unknown variable. Glowy seemed to have caught onto his reaction and her plot succeeded, she was inwardly delighted but showed no reaction and continued to stare at the Fire Titan Ape King with no particular expression.
The Fire Titan Ape King could no longer bear it and immediately told the other Kings his suspicions.
[Another God-Ranked? You're mistaken little brother, I've been enemies with this group for quite some time and their ranks are known to me. They have quite a few Peak S-Ranks but I personally trained a group to face off against them so don't cause any more of a scene, you're affecting the morale] -Iron Stone Ape King
The Iron Stone Ape King left no room for debate and was stubborn in his beliefs, the Storm Wind Ape King had a bit of confidence in the Fire Titan Ape King's deduction but after losing his son, would he really say something to make the morale drop even more? Even if half of the apes died here, he wouldn't care, his son was a variant species and had yet to show his true power but died before doing so.
Beasts of Magnolia highly cherished their lineage and descendants, especially if they were variants or hybrids. Strength was everything in this world, and it was proven time and time again that abnormal variants and hybrids were much stronger than the usual.
The Storm Wind Ape King had a belly full of fire and wanted to vent it on the Serpent Familia, no matter what cost it came at.
Suddenly as both sides had finished sizing up one another and were about to engage in battle something terrible happened!
**ROOOAAARRRRRRRRRR**
This roar caused all living things within miles of it's radius to stop moving, some weaker creatures moving about instantly died under the power of this roar and it forcefully created a moment of peace.
(What?....It's coming from Serpent Falls..this familiarity..what is it?) -Old Black
(This..has an ancestor descended?) -Glowy
The Peak S-Ranks seemed to be paralyzed with fear and didn't know what to do, they could only keep their gazes fixated on Serpent Falls.
Old Black as well as the others cast their gazes homeward; the Ape Familia also gazed at Serpent Falls. No one dared utter a single word and now, morale was surely broken for both sides but it was even greater for the Apes as they had never felt such a sensation before.
The Serpent beasts felt as though an elder of theirs had descended from the heavens and it had a nostalgic feel which strangely gave them a sense of courage. Then it came-
[Return to nothingness, and nothingness shall return! Covet the world and steal the heavens! Under the "Emerald Divination" all truths shall be known and all doubts dispelled! Rise! Devour! Conquer! Under a matchless heaven, bathe in the glory of an emerald light oh sacred child!!] -Emerald Diamond Serpent
An ancient and omniscient voice rung out in the minds of all present scaring them all into stupidity and fear, both the Serpent Familia and the Ape alliance Familia. The God-Ranks were all scared and trembled in fear at this powerful voice. The Serpent Familia all bowed their heads to the ground in the presence of this being! A true ancestor!
For a few minutes, everything had remained silent and no one dared to move, precisely because they could not. The pressure still lingered and suppressed them to the floor.
Suddenly, an emerald fog drifted into the battlefield, the beasts could only just stare at it and not do a thing. The last thing they wanted to see, was anything to do with the color emerald.
A silhouette of a young man appeared within the fog and he seemed to be floating on top of something. His hair emerald golden in color, his serpent like double pupils shone with a dark soul like green with golden accents that made one's hair stand on end. Beside him, two golden emerald Shadows appeared coiling within the fog not showing themselves, but judging by the gleams in their eyes; they were certainly hostile towards the Apes.
When the Ape Familia saw his mount, they even held their breaths, that's because the mount was a Dark Emerald Naga and it was much much larger than they had ever seen one before. Who would be insane enough to ride one of those as a mount? It's boneless wings had grown out in full span and could be considered full grown wings.
Naturally, this was Sol and Little Greenie.