After Gian had rewound time on the continent to make it return to how it was before the war, the spell that was separating the continent from the rest of the world was deactivated, and all those who evacuated came back.
Dragna Empire, Imperial Capital.
“Hurry up! Come on, move them faster!”
There was a state of panic in the city. Ten persons were rushed into the palace on stretchers. These person was obviously those who fought against Typhon and other higher beings that came from hell.
“I told you that you don’t need to worry about me. Treat the others first.”
Joesph said to the servants that were giving him medical aid.
“No can do, Lord Joesph. We’ve been ordered to make sure that all of you receive immediate treatment.”
A servant replied.
“I’m tougher than you all think. I won’t die if I’m not treated.”
Joesph argued back, but the servant and others who were attending to him ignored him and did their jobs. He sighed when he saw that.
“Bring them to the throne room! We’ve set up all the equipment we need to operate!"
Gizmo shouted.
Since Alexus was out of commission and Alexis had left the clan, he was the one who held the most medical knowledge, as such is the one in charged of treating everyone.
Although he too betrayed the clan, he didn’t have a choice but to work his hardest to make sure everyone survives. This was because of the Rule that Miko placed on him. Of course no one other than Miko knew this.
“Sir, everything is ready!”
A servant came up to Gizmo and said.
“Great! Place everyone expect Rouge, Alexus, and Miko in the medical capsules! Prepare the operation tables for Rouge and Alexus, they’ve taken too much damage and need to be operated upon as soon as possible!”
“Roger!”
The servants spread out and carried out Gizmo’s instructions.
The other members of Miko’s team as well as the rest of the Dragna and flameheart clan watched on with worried looks.
They watched as everyone expect the three Gizmo excluded were placed into huge metal capsules. Once they were put inside, vapor was released inside to lower the temperature inside. Several lights then scanned over their bodies making sure to do every inch.
Soon, countless miniature robotic hands holding various tools started to patch up the wounds all while cleaning them and injecting all kinds of things into the bodies. It was a complicated process, but it was painful for the love ones of those inside to watch.
“Gamiko, Junior.”
Kimiko had grimaced as she saw how bent up her husband and son were.
As for Rouge and Alexus, they were laid out on two separate tables and had giant machine hovering over them. The machine had countless tools which it operated at a high speed to operate on the two.
The machine cut, stitched, drilled, slashed, and did all kinds of stuff to their bodies over and over again. It was painful for even a stranger to watch much less those who love the two men.
“Old man….”
In rare show of affections, Alec clenched his hands tightly while he watched his grandfather being operated on. It wasn’t him, everyone from the secundus and Tertitus branches clenched their fist in frustration or cursed their own weakness for not being able to fight beside them, and lessened the burdens that they had to carry.
Rin and Ren watched their respective grandfathers with a resolute in their eyes. They clenched their fists and spoke in unison.
“I must get stronger. Much much much more stronger than I am now! Strong enough to not let this happen again!”
The two who spoke the same words looked at each other and saw the determination in their eyes and gave the other a nod as if they came to an understanding.
As for Miko.
“What do you mean you can’t do anything to help him?!”
Sasha shouted at Gizmo at the top of her voice.
“It means what I said. Physically speaking Miko is in perfect condition.”
Gizmo replied.
“Then why won’t he wake up?!”
“That’s because his life force is depleted.”
At that moment, Gamion and Gian walked into the room and drew everyone’s attention.
“Yo, it’s been a long time.”
Said Gamion.
“There sure are a lot of faces in don’t recognized. Some of them aren’t even related to us.”
Said Gian as he looked around.
“B-Brothers.”
“Uncles.”
Seeing them, Sasha walked up to them along with Momo while the others watched on.
“Oh, Sasha and Momo.”
Gamion smiled when he saw his sister and niece.
“You’ve grown. Well, Momo is the same I guess.”
Said Gian.
“What do you mean that Miko’s life force is depleted?”
Momo asked.
“It’s means that his soul is all burnt out.”
Gian answered.
“My powers can’t affect anything spiritual, so although I returned his body to a time he’s in top shape, I can’t return the life energy he burnt during the battle.”
Gian said.
“To fully understand what’s going on, I made Gian watch his timeline.”
Gamion said.
“Timeline?”
“Everything that we do or experience is stored in a intangible strip called Timeline. Gian is able to see a person’s past by rewinding their timeline like rewind a movie.”
Gamion said.
“T-That’s a broken ability….”
Ace mumbled.
“Anyway, after watching his timeline we discovered that in order to win the war he had to exchange his life for power time and time again. He also was possessed by something which shortened his life the longer he was possessed. Add what I’ve told you with his ability to trade his lifespan for instantly regeneration, and this is the result.”
Gamion explained.
“Then are you saying that Miko will die?”
Sasha asked.
“I heard that he’s your son so I’ll be honest, he won’t live to see next year. That’s how little life force he has left.”
“?!”
Everyone was shocked to hear that. If what Gamion said was true, then Miko only has a few months to live. Just the thought plunged everyone into despair.
“Why all the long faces? Is it someone’s funeral?”
It was at this moment that someone else walked in.
“Rihan?”
“It is I.”
Rihan walked in and gave a bow.
“Rihan, where were you? We need someone of your strength during the war but you were missing.”
Kimiko spoke with an unhappy tone.
“Forgive me, Mother. I was outside the continent dealing with some personal business. I heard about the war but I believed that you guys could handle it on your own. I only heard about Typhon after you already sealed off the space, so I couldn’t join the battle.”
Rihan said. Of course, no one believed a word he said but they couldn’t just accuse him of lying.
“Yo, Rihan.”
Gian and Gamion walked up to Rihan with all smiles.
“Brothers, it’s been so long.”
Rihan also smiled at them. And then-
*Boom!*
They attacked each other at the same time. Rihan stopped Gamion’s and Gian’s punches by punching out with both arms at once.
“I see that you’re still that cheeky brat that always trying to pick a fight with his brothers.”
Said Gian.
“I was only defending myself. I wouldn’t dare attack my brothers out of nowhere.”
Rihan replied.
“Liar, didn’t you just try to attack us?”
Said Gamion.
“Enough, the three of you. This isn’t the time.”
Kimiko said.
“As mother wishes.”
The three answered in unison and stepped back from each.
For some reason the others couldn’t help but think that this has happened countless times already.
“Rihan, this is a delicate time. If you came to cause trouble I will have to discipline you in your father’s place.”
Kimiko glared at him and said.
“You’ve misunderstood my intentions, Mother. I didn’t come bringing trouble, but a solution. A way to make Miko live longer.”
“Really?!”
Everyone was shocked to here what Rihan said.
“What’s the catch?”
Kimiko asked.
“No catch at all. I just don’t want Miko to die as all. He is my nephew after all.”
Rihan placed his hand over his heart and showed a sincere smile. Kimiko still looked at him bit strangely because she knew his character. Even though Rihan was one who loved his family, he and Miko had a closed doors antagonistic relationship with each other. She couldn’t believe that he would help Miko out without him receiving some form of benefit.
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“I’ll state from now though, I can only grant him 5 years of life. You’ll have to figure something out before then.”
“5 more years is enough!”
“We’ll figure something out, just help Miko!”
Momo and Sasha pleaded with Rihan.
“There’s no need to beg. If I say I’m gonna do it, I’m gonna do it.”
Rihan smiled at them and said.
“So? How are you going to do it?”
Gamion asked.
“Since I am our father’s most talented child, I’ve already made preparations in case I end up in a state similar to Miko’s and sought a solution a long time ago.”
Gian and Gamion frowned when they heard Rihan hail himself as the most talent of the siblings, but decided to let it go considering the situation.
“I am a Demon God, meaning that I have demonized my soul, discarded my humanity, and have walked down the evil path just like my father. And as a Demon God I too have developed my own Devil Arts.”
Rihan walked towards Miko who was laid out on the table.
“Our father’s Devil Art is designed to kill the unkillable aka immortals. Mine is different. It’s a bit more sinister.”
He stood in front of Miko.
“For every person I directly or indirectly plunged into total despair, I can absorb their despair, harvest it and turn it into life energy.”
Everyone was surprised to hear Rihan reveal that he possessed such an ability. It was truly a wicked ability to have.
“I can use that life energy and lengthen my life….”
He placed his hands on the top of Miko’s head.
“Or I can transfer that life energy to someone else.”
A dark energy suddenly covered Miko and caused his limbs to fling about. When they saw that everyone panicked.
“Wait.”
However, Tia appeared and stopped.
“He’s really trying to restore Miko’s life.”
When they heard that, they looked at Miko. After a while he started to calm down and look like he was sleeping. Some time passed and Rihan lifted his hand off Miko’s head.
“I gave him five years worth of life energy. Whether he wastes it or you all find a way to extend his life is up to you and no longer my problem.”
Rihan turned his back and said.
Gizmo checked Miko’s body and saw that his life force had really increased.
“He really did increase his life….Amazing. It’s almost like Mad Sorceress Victoria’s Infected Ability.”
He said.
“Brother, thank you!”
“Thank you, Uncle!”
Sasha and Tessa thanked Rihan as he walked away.
“Thank you!”
“Thanks!”
“Thank you very much!”
Everyone started showing their gratitude towards him. Rihan simply waved at them and continued to walk out.
“How does it feel to be thanked for a change?”
Gamion asked when Rihan walked past him.
“I’m not used to it, so it makes me nauseous.”
“But it still feels good right?”
Gian asked.
Rihan smiled and walked out of the room.
“Just a little.”
Time continued to flow and the world reacted to the war on the Silver Continent in many different ways, but one thing was certain the Dragna Empire had now occupied the entire continent. This and the impressive power that they showed in the war made them into a Global Powerhouse. In other words, one of the few that reigned over the world.
Another thing that became clear was Miko’s existence. Every Powerhouse or influential person or organization became wary of his existence and admit that they were even afraid of what he will become. However, no one even thought about attacking the empire to get rid of him. That would be suicide.
Just think about it, several famous Powerhouse turned against the empire and tried to destroy it, but none were successful. Even gods and Buddhas were slain by their leaders. Most importantly, Typhon who was a terrifying monster, was in the end defeated by them as well. So picking a fight with the Dragna clan was suicide.
No, it wasn’t just the Dragna clan. The existence of the Flamehearts struck fear in their hearts as well. Think about it, three members of the clan became true god slayers. In this era, such a title was far more prestigious than a Tyrant’s or a Proxy.
What made people tremble the most was the existence of Joesph Flameheart. Anyone who watched the war could tell, Joesph was the strongest fighter for the Dragna side outside of Miko. No matter how many times he and the others got wrecked, he would always stand back up and surpass his past achievements.
His weapon was especially terrifying the way it was able to suppress Typhon more than once. There was no one who was born in this peaceful era, who could say with certainty that they could defeat him.
So the 10 who fought against millions became living legends and stood on top of the food chain, until someone appears who can knock them off.
Southern Region, the coast off the tip of the continent.
Something was seen floating in the sea waters. It allowed the waves to bring it ashore like it was a dead log. This was a person. This person was covered in blood and had some signs that they had suffered some severe wounds, that had yet to fully heal.
This person was Julio Zebul.
“Oh, you finally got washed ashore. That’s good, I was tired of waiting.”
Julio heard a familiar voice and opened his eyes and looked up. He saw a friendly smile over him.
“Yo, Julio. It’s been a while.”
Said Rihan as he looked down upon Julio.
“I was wondering where you were, and here you are; appearing at the end when everything has concluded.”
“Doesn’t it fit my style?”
Rihan asked.
“I guess so.”
Julio replied.
“But I gotta say Julio, you sure caused quite the mess. This war was only supposed to be a squabble between the Eastern and Northern Regions, but you turned it into a world-ending duel which even destroyed my home and endangered my family.”
Rihan looked at Julio with a sharp gaze causing tension to form between the two.
And then-
Rihan stretched his hand out towards Julio.
“Good job.”
Julio took the hand and Rihan pulled him up. Rihan patted his shoulder.
“You did a job worthy of the Juggernauts, Black Ace.”
“Thanks for the praise, Boss.”
Julio Zebul. Third Scripture of the Black Scriptures of Beelzebub, world renowned strategist, Zara Zebul’s Apostle, and finally a core member of the Juggernauts with the position of Black Ace.
“I told you already. Julian is your boss. He’s the one who defeated you, so you fall under his Black Order.”
Rihan said.
Julio shook his head.
“I consider both of you my bosses. The order I belong to doesn’t change that I respect you both from when Juggernaut consisted of only the three of us.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m tried of trying to change your mind; so you can do as you like.”
Rihan said.
“Anyway, you really put yourself in hot water this time. Was it because you were hired by that king? Speaking of which, where is he?”
“I made him and everyone who was in the Southern Region evacuated before the last battle. Only monsters from hell were left. They all should return in time.”
Julio answered.
“I see. But this is the first time I’ve seen you failed a mission. I guess you crossed the wrong opponent.”
Rihan said with a smile.
“What? Are you boasting about your blood?”
“No, not at all.”
Julio sighed.
“I admit that I bit off more than I could chew with this war. Not only with Miko, but with Typhon too. That bastard destroyed the continent while I was still on it. He’s the one who gave me all these injuries.”
Julio complained.
“Well, at least I killed, Miko. That’s a feat.”
“He’s not dead.”
“Yet. From the way he fought it obvious that he won’t have that much time to live, a few months or a year tops. Whether he dies now or then doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, I who opened the gates of hell in this world and made him fight and until he destroyed himself, will be ultimately responsible for his death. So in a way, it’s my win.”
Julio said.
“So you were aiming for that. That’s pretty incredible. Instead of killing him directly, you chose to kill him indirectly. Considering how little you knew about what he had up his sleeves, it’s impressive.”
Julio shook his head.
“I didn’t planned everything through, it’s just one of the countless endings to this war that I thought of. For it to end like this is a stroke of good luck on my part.”
“I see. But I’m sorry to say, Miko won’t die. Well, not for another few years away.”
Julio was surprised to hear Rihan say that, but after thinking for a while he figured out what he did.
“Don’t tell me, you extended his life?”
Rihan nodded.
“Come on, Boss. You can’t just interfere now. That’s unfair.”
“Sorry, but Miko and I made an agreement. I need him to stay alive to fulfill his part of the deal.”
Rihan replied.
“Fine, fine.”
Julio sighed.
“So, how many years did you give him?”
“Five.”
“Five? You could’ve given him 100 years easy right? So why 5?”
Julio asked.
“I told everyone that my limit was 5. I’m only giving him a hand, whether he lives past those 5 years is up to him. Also don’t humans tend to shine their brightest when they’re close to their ends. I want to see just how Miko will shine.”
Rihan said.
Julio shook his head.
“You never cease to amaze me, Boss.”
“Forget about me. What are you going to do about Zara? After using Nargal’s inheritance, he should be questioning your identity. Won’t he be pissed?”
“I’ll figure out something out.”
Julio replied.
“Oh, by the way I heard that we have a new mission. What is it?”
Somewhere in the world.
Lennox, Ringo, and Alexis Dragna, three of the five leaders of the New Era stood on the top of the roof of a huge metallic building. They were looking down on the sea of people who were entering the building.
They wore all kinds of clothes like Buddhist robes to ancient armors. There were some who were nothing but pure darkness in a human shape.
“I gotta say though, who would’ve expected that we would be the ones who benefited the most from the Dragna war?”
Said Lennox as he looked the crowd. He spotted some famous faces in the crowd.
“Thanks to Julio Zebul opening the gates of hell, famous warriors who had died in the last era are able to walk the earth again. The strongest and the most experienced ones didn’t choose to fight in a senseless war, and instead left to seek out a way to return to life.”
Said Alexis.
“And their search pointed at us, huh?”
Ringo laughed in amusement.
“Not all of them came to us though. The ones that came from the Wakoku Nation all went back to their country. Thus significantly strengthening it, especially now that the fallen Heaven’s Imperial Force members are back as well. Even their leader that fell in the final war, a man who was said to equal Augustus or even surpass him and his generals, had returned. There’s no stopping the Nation’s rise now.”
Said Alexis.
“Is that how you see it?”
Lennox said from the side.
“In my eyes, the fallen Wakoku warriors returning will only plunge the country into chaos. The old will want back what is originally theirs, and the new will try to defend their era. It will be a clash of ideals, old vs young, ancestor vs descendant, a clash of eras. I don’t know how the country will shape out in the future, but I can say this, a dark period will begin.”
He said with a laugh.
“A dark period huh?”
Ringo smiled.
“The Wakoku nation won’t be the only ones to experience this dark period. The whole world will devoured by darkness.”
He looked at the two Buddhas who were leading the monks, as well as the Titan Hyperion, the final Dark God, and the Final Centimane; each leading an army of warriors while marching into the enormous building.
“Things are about to get dark for us too. An organization getting a boost in strength from having new members join isn’t always a good thing.”
He smiled.
“Even this New Era will be devoured by the darkness soon. I honestly feel sorry for the world when it does.”
The Buddhist Alliance led by the great Buddhas Guan Yin and Amitābha aka Amida, an army of famous Greek warriors and monsters led by the Titan of heavenly light Hyperion and the last Centimane Briareos, and finally an army of dark warriors from Yomi led by a Dark God who forgotten its true name after death; all of these parties have decided to join the new era.
Their reemergence on the world stage has signaled the prelude to darkest period in the current era.
Dragna Empire, Imperial Capital.
It is now 3 weeks after the war against Typhon. Other than Joesph Flameheart, everyone who fought in the war were still recuperating from their injuries and was in a coma.
Well, that’s how it should have been, but without anyone knowing in his room Miko sat up on his bed. There was a look of tranquility in his eyes. He looked down and saw Ravel sleeping at the end of his bed.
“Oh, you’re finally awake.”
At that moment Tia appeared with Regis and Ishma.
“I heard. Apparently I only have a few years left to live. I could hear everything while I was out cold.”
He said.
“I see.”
That was all Tia said to him. Miko looked out the window near his bed and looked at the city that he created and smile.
“Tia, lets go.”
He looked at her and others and showed a bright smile.
“I’m leaving the clan.”
“I know.”
Tia responded.
“So where you wanna go?”
“I don’t know, but I can’t stay here any longer.”
He responded.
“If I stay here I’ll definitely drag this place into war again. I don’t want to destroy this beautiful country and its people again, so I’ll leave.”
He said while watching some children play in the distance.
“Well, no matter where you go we’ll naturally follow you.”
Regis said.
“We’re life partners after all.”
Ishma said.
“I see. I guess you’re right.”
“I’m coming too.”
Miko looked down and saw Ravel looking at him.
“If Miko’s leaving then I’m leaving with you. You promised to show me around the world, didn’t you?”
She looked at him with a sharp gaze indicating that she wasn’t going to back down. Tia laughed when she saw that.
“Why not? She’ll just throw a tantrum if we leave her here. Besides, she’s been locked away for thousands of years, she deserves to see the world don’t you think?”
Miko looked down at Ravel. When he looked in her eyes he couldn’t help but to be moved by her innocence.
‘I guess having someone as pure and innocent as her will soothe my mind when things get rough. Besides, she need to learn to control her powers and experience the world.’
He sighed.
“I can tell Momo will be really mad that I went adventuring and left her behind. Not just her, I’m pretty sure everyone will be furious and try to hunt me down.”
He then showed a playful smile.
“But I wonder if they can find me? This is suddenly getting fun. Is it because I don’t have long to live and want to enjoy life?”
Miko mumbled to himself.
A few hours later five people were outside the capital all covered in the cloaks. They were natural Miko and the girls. They all were inside a cemetery and was standing in front of some graves. All the graves had flowers on them.
They read Yota Taurus, Sola Azalea, and Edward Akabe. They were surrounded by the graves of the rest of Exsul, who also had flowers on them.
Miko bowed in front of the graves and the girls imitated him in silence. After holding their heads for a while they stood up straight. Miko then took a bottle of rum and placed it on Edward’s grave. He took one last look at the names on the grave and smiled.
“Thanks for everything, all of you. Let’s do it again in the afterlife once I join you all. When that happens I’ll tell you all about my adventures, the people I met and scenes I saw. I’m sure you all will enjoy them. After that, it will be my turn to listen to your tales.”
After he said that, he turned his back to the graves.
“Goodbye, my friends.”
He left the cemetery and walked towards the giant bike, the Silver Chariot that was parked outside.
As he walked Miko’s body grew and his skin darken, his eyes turned green, and his hair turned black. The current him looked like Logan Cross.
“So what are we going to do now, Logan?”
Tia asked.
“Where do you all want to go?”
Miko asked back as he took out a white mask and wore it.
“I want to go somewhere with lots of food!”
“I want somewhere with a beach!”
“I want food too!”
Ishma, Regis, and Ravel all spoke at the same time.
“Alright, a beach with lots of food then.”
Miko got on the bike along with the rest of the girls. He took hold of the handles.
“I only have 5 years left to live, Primordial Recreation takes up 25 years with every use, so I can’t instantly regenerate anymore. I’m also leaving behind the Guardian Beasts so I can’t borrow their powers to protect myself. My current body can’t support Augustus’ power either, so I can only use my own strength to survive. Not mention I didn’t carry any weapons and is leaving the continent so I can’t borrow the Will’s power either.”
Miko showed a bitter smile.
“Taking all this in consideration, keeping a low profile and live in peace is my only choice right?”
The girls looked at each, and suddenly started laughing.
“You live peacefully? Hahahaha!”
“That’s a good one!”
“That’s like saying that Ishma is smart!”
“Hahahaha! That’s righ- Wait. Did you just call me stupid?”
They all had their own reactions.
Miko shook his head after hearing their reactions.
“I guess you’re right. Who am I fooling?”
Miko then showed a savage grin.
“Me living in peace? Hahahaha! No way! I’m gonna be the same old me! In fact I’ve never felt more alive. For the first time in a long time, I only have one life! Just the thought of fighting with my own strength again with the chance of death excites me. The only reason why I hid my identity is because if people knew who I was, they would be afraid to look for trouble and what’s fun about that?!”
The girls nodded behind him.
“And what is this, ‘he only have a few years to live’ setting? Fuck that! I’ll show you all! I’ll only die on my accord and not anyone else’s! Five years? I’ll live for 5 million years if I want!”
He started the bike.
“Let’s go!”
The bike sped off like a bolt of lightning.
“My story has only began!”
Dragna Empire Arc End!!!!
Poker Face Arc Start!!!!!!