Various roars of both mechanical and mystical creatures alike filled Jack’s ears and momentarily overwhelmed his senses as he weaved through the torrent of attacks that followed. Fortunately, Val was able to keep her thoughts together, and had previously pulled Jenny into one of the deeper craters in the ground to hide them from any stray ranged attacks. However, this would only act as a temporary barrier against the oncoming horde.

(Use magic!)

‘Obviously…’

Jack released a tense breath, turning away from the two huddled figures that he could now protect, and directed a menacing glare towards the monsters that would dare harm them. Power flowed easily through his newly acquired veins of magic, dancing like fire as he brought the blood-red energy to bear in his right hand, and shaped it to form a crimson whip.

Jack glanced around in search of any hidden foes, but there was nothing except a few scattered pieces of debris between him and his new targets. One or two creatures he didn’t recognize had used magic to hide themselves, but the dark-eyed demigod was able to sense them easily, rendering their current “surprise attack” completely ineffective.

‘Good, nowhere for them to run.’

Figuring it would be pointless to wait for something else to strike first, especially since the war had already begun, Jack launched from his idle position to join the fray. Behind, a dense gathering of stagnant magic hung in his wake with intention to slow or stop anything that might be a threat to his friends’ safety, whether it was alive or not.

A dark red streak collided with a particularly fast ghoul, the first in a long line which rapidly fell prey to the dark-eyed attacker’s powerful magic. Fire lashed out, instantly consuming three of the larger humanoid creatures who were just barely able to follow Jack’s movements with their eyes. At the same time, the boy threw an intimidating bolt of crimson lightning that struck a wide-eyed ogre square in the chest... then another... then another… then one more before finally meeting a rather large, and very displeased serpent’s scales.

‘What the hell is that? How did I miss something so big?’

(Whoa… it’s a leviathan... Despite being only a second-evolution monster, it’s stronger than most third-evolution ones, and a few can even speak clearly when they want to. The only reason it can be classified so low is because they evolve into dragons, which have been known to surpass the size of mountains, so killing it would probably damage morale on both sides… shoot him again! Harder this time!)

Jack’s eyes rested on the massive snake-like creature that had somehow buried itself in the sea monsters, estimating the sapphire body’s length to be several hundred feet long. While infinitely more dangerous than those surrounding it, the stone-faced combatant could tell this foe was just barely weaker than Charles White, confirming Ellis’s statement. Although, it wasn't simply the creature's strength he was after, but its ability to speak.

‘Hang on… I have an idea.’

(Yeah, cut it down the middle! Then you can let both halves fly past you in a big, badass, bloody scene!)

Ignoring the gruesome suggestion of his other personality, Jack arced left, pulling his torso back as both feet slammed into the ground. The roar of earth, and wake of dirt brought him to a dramatic halt directly in front of the blue-scaled beast, creating a scene that very few could ignore. Obviously, he challenged it.

The two froze as their eyes met, and everything else paused to watch in fear, or greedily await the inevitable spill of magic that would soon follow. However, the Leviathan didn’t lash out immediately, but watched Jack with two dark yellow eyes and an undeniably threatening sneer. However, the boy simply stood in place, patiently waiting for the appropriate time to speak his mind.

“Fool. Child. Abomination. Back down. Human, cower among humans. Monster, submit like monsters.”

The Leviathan spoke its command in a calm voice, though each word plowed through the stagnant air, and recaptured the sea of onlookers with a direct response to the challenge. Jack continued in silence as the creature rose to a more intimidating height, casting a fluid shadow across the wafting smoke as if to expand its presence. The morning sun disappeared behind the sapphire serpent’s back, leaving a darkened space between the opposing forces void of any life.

Perfect.

Jack inhaled, pausing for a brief moment to gather his thoughts before offering a reply.

“I need your voice. Speak for me.”

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The phrase came clearly, Jack’s unwavering voice nearly mute in comparison, though not a word failed to reach the intended target. An eerie silence hung in the air, fortunately aiding the boy’s effort. Although, while his thoughts might have been accurately conveyed, the sapphire leviathan seemed to have some trouble understanding. Its head retracted slightly, and the slit pupils that were centered on its scintillating irises narrowed suspiciously.

“Human, cower among humans. Monster, submit like mons-.”

The demand was issued once more, wearing at the dark-haired boy’s patience for the last time. Before the final statement had completed, Jack disappeared from the Leviathan’s vision, and caused the creature to waver as it began to understand the weight of this situation. The audience -most of which were unable to see the boy in the first place- glanced around nervously as the towering creature turned its eyes to the massive horde of bodies in search of the assumed-to-be escaping prey.

“Where?”

“I said…”

Jack brought his heel down right between the creature’s eyes, bearing its head to the ground with a resounding thud. The only being left unfazed at such a jaw-dropping spectacle landed softly, carried to the ground in a wraith-like fashion.

“...’speak for me’, my voice is too quiet.”

The humans watched in silence despite their palpable impatience, save for a few stray shots from some terrified grunts. Jack, one who was barely considered an adult by society, speak with a hint of frustration to a now obedient Leviathan, and not one soul considered it wise to interrupt.

No monster roared in defiance of the boy, not even their defeated King. Charles White stood in place as a slight smile began edging its way across his smooth cheek, and genuine hope ignited his eyes for the first time in many years. Unlike so many others -in their right mind that is-, the wraith waited with excitement.

The inaudible flow of words ended abruptly, and Jack stepped away from the stirring sapphire Leviathan.

“This… is Master; Jack.”

The creature lifted its head almost thoughtfully, speaking in a clear, but unshakably powerful voice that did not disappoint the audience.

“He claims... Earth. Any who oppose, fight Master. Others... may go home.”

Nothing moved. The declaration was met with a sheet of dumbfounded expressions layered on the ocean of statue-like frames. Well, at least on the humans' side.

Monsters of various sizes and builds seemed to become excited at the thought of a one-on-one duel for the world, and were looking expectantly at their idolized leaders. However, none of these intimidating figures stepped forward to accept such an impossible challenge. Fortunately for the disappointed underclass, the human leaders were far less wise in their next actions.

"Jack, was it?!"

A demeaning way to address the dark-haired dominator of this world sounded, though it didn't come off as intended through the device the speaker used. Rather, it was more awkward than anything else.

"Don't forget, we have a… "clean up" option at our disposal! This world belongs to us, not them, and definitely not y-auk!?"

Deep red flames danced across the textured field, bringing Jack's dark frame mere inches away from the challenger. Naturally,the wind that would normally accompany such a rapid approach was negated by the towering boy's magic, leaving the shorter man wondering if the creature before him was even real. This question went unanswered... for about half a second.

"Do you oppose?"

Jack's presence overwhelmed the human, who began to shiver and glance around nervously at the gradually retreating soldiers that were supposed to protect him.

"I'm not going to ask again. Do you oppose?"

Two nearly frantic eyes caught a brief glimpse of some distant object reflecting the sun, and calmed. His victory had finally arrived. Turning to face Jack with unearned confidence, the short man spoke.

"You think some...thing like you could possibly take on EVERYONE?! A nuclear strike might snap you back to reality! If you kill me, or do anything I don't like, I'll end you and everyone else! So yes- yes I DO oppose you! What do you think of th-"

His voice consumed in crimson fire, the shorter man was instantly reduced to dust. However, the nearby soldiers felt absolutely no heat, and the grass where the short man's remains fell was left undisturbed. Jack turned, looking toward the barely perceivable glint on the horizon, narrowing his gaze in frustration.

(How predictable. Blow'em up with magic!)

'No, I don't think so. Let's try something else.'

A slight smile appeared on the boy's otherwise serious face at the excitable goddess, and her insatiable desire for action. Jack turned, sending a sideways glance toward the distant Leviathan, then faced the oncoming aircraft. Just as he'd hoped, the looming figure understood the implied command, and obeyed without question or delay.

Opening its maw, the sapphire serpent spat a streak of deep blue fire. All eyes watched the flames collide with and evaporate the jet and its terrifying cargo almost instantly, though not without sound. The heat could be felt by all the humans below this time, prompting several surprised shouts and an almost uniform retraction from the flame-split sky.

'Human, cower among humans.'

Jack remembered the beast's words, and looked away. No need to press such a thought any further.

(Aw, no explosion… still badass though.)

The light faded, and the late morning sky returned to normal. The Earth, however, could never be the same again. Jack had just dominated the world almost on a whim, and not a single creature dared to challenge him after witnessing the power he wields.

"This world… belongs to Master! Step forward… and feel his wrath!"