Southern Region.
Julio Zebul stood near the three gates of the underworld and looked at the massive army that flowed out of them.
“The warriors in this army can easily clash against any global powerhouse in this world. The only ones that can possibly win against them are the Asgard Empire, the Sanskrit Federation, and the Morningstar Empire.”
He said after evaluating the army’s strength.
“New Era are a mystery, but they might can clash with them as well. The real question is if the Dragna Clan can.”
Julio had to admit that he can’t properly grasp the full strength of the Dragna Clan. In fact he doubt that there was anyone that accurately gauge their strength. That was because the Dragna Clan, even though it recently became an empire, is far more ancient than any other global powerhouse in the world. So there was no telling what secrets they held.
There was also the existence of a rumored treasure vault that was said to house unbelievable treasures from the era of the gods. Only a few knew of this rumor, but none could say that it didn’t exist. After all, the clan once fought against the entire world and destroyed countless pantheons and lineages.
Another thing that made it impossible to gauge the clan’s strength was the five branch leaders and the organizations they’ve created. The five branch leaders were monsters among monsters, especially the one who stood out the most.
Nero.
Nero existence had struck fear into countless warriors hearts for a reason. He was just a damn monster.
“Nero is really going to be a problem.”
Julio said.
“That man doesn’t seem to understand what the word limits mean. I mean, when was the last time he lost a fight? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of him losing before. I mean, he’s one of the few who defeated someone like Lennox, and I heard he did it at least 5 times in this war alone. That’s insane!”
Julio felt like he was going to have a headache.
“And then there’s Miko. If there’s anyone that can change the tides of this war, it’s him. I mean the kid just doesn’t follow the rules.”
Julio sighed.
He looked at the gate that led to Tartarus. There he saw someone leaning on the metal columns of the gate, as if blocking the path. The strange thing was that everyone who wanted to leave Tartarus and come out were too afraid to approach the gate and try to come out.
“I wonder if he’s planning on fighting at all.”
Julio said as he looked at the gate.
The man was very muscular and had scars all over his arms. He was very tall as well, about 8ft to exact. He had short spiky black hair, red draconic eyes, and a pair sharp fangs peeking out of his mouth. He was dressed in a black jacket with the sleeves cut off, black leather pants and boots to match. His overall image was that of a beast in a human skin.
“Lord Typhon.”
Julio approached the man, Typhon and spoke to him.
“Nargal’s Heir, huh? What is it, boy? Just so you know, I won’t take orders from you.”
Typhon said.
“Of course. There’s no way I can control an apocalyptic monster like yourself.”
“Oh, you don’t sugarcoat your words do you?”
“I just believed that you weren’t the type to appreciate flattery.”
Julio said with a smile.
“Well, that’s true. I’m history’s greatest monster, and I love when people treat me as such.”
Typhon answered.
“I see, I’ll keep that I mind.”
Julio answered.
“I was just wondering if you’re planning on join this battle?”
“Huh? Why would I do that? I only exist to kill gods, I have no interest in the affairs of mortals. If you all decide to kill each other than do it.”
Typhon answered.
“Even if those mortals were Augustus Dragna’s descendants?”
Typhon’s eyebrow twitched when he heard Augustus’ name.
“That hateful human’s descendants are the ones your fighting against?”
Julio nodded.
“I heard that you and Augustus had a few scuffles during the war for supremacy over who would kill Zeus.”
“Hmph. That brat didn’t know he is place. Zeus is my prey and mine alone. The purpose of my birth was to kill him and destroy his dynasty. I wasn’t going to allow a snot nose brat to get in my way.”
Typhon said.
“I understand. Augustus was trying to destroy your reason for existing. It’s understandable that you hated him.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, boy. I never hated Augustus and I doubt he hated me.”
“Then why did you guys fight?”
Julio asked.
“Do you need to hate someone to fight them?”
Typhon asked back.
“The reason I fought the brat was to put him in his place. I was making it clear to him that I am the one who was going to kill Zeus and that he should know his place.”
Typhon said.
“But that stubborn brat just wouldn’t quit, that’s the reason why we fought. Thinking back on it now, Zeus must’ve been laughing his ass off when he saw us fighting.”
“So who won?”
Julio asked.
“4 wins, 3 loses, and 5 draws in my favor.”
‘He actually defeated Typhon three times, and drew with him 5 times? Augustus Dragna was more of a monster than I thought….’
Julio thought to himself.
“The last time we fought I beat him and insulted whoever taught him in the spur of the moment. At that time I didn’t know that his master was that Rias. She beat me to inch of my life and more than Zeus and the brat ever did combined and threw me back into here.”
Typhon used his thumb to point into Tartarus.
“I didn’t mind since I already knew how to bust out like I always do, but before I got the chance the war suddenly ended, and a system was created that sealed all Higher Beings strength. Fearing such a system where I would be a weakling I remained where I was. I finally decided to test if the system would affect me yesterday.”
Julio remembered when Typhon’s arm came out of the gate that led to Tartarus. The immense power he gave off was unbelievable. However, Typhon soon withdrew his hand and the pressure he gave disappeared. The next time Julio saw him, he appeared in his human form and his power was suppressed significantly.
“It seems that I was worried for nothing. The system didn’t affect me in the least. Once I figured that out I decided to take a more casual form where my power was suppressed, so that I could enter this world in peace.”
Typhon explained.
“So what are you going to do? You’re one of the few who didn’t sign the peace treaty and can use your power freely. Are you going to take over the world?”
Julio asked.
Depending on Typhon’s answer, he would destroy the gate that led to Tartarus and trap him inside.
‘It wouldn’t be permanent, but if the gate is destroyed it will take a very long time before a new natural come into existence. By that time, there should be people who can take Typhon on, that’s if the world continues down the track it is going.’
He thought while awaiting Typhon’s answer.
“World Domination, huh? That isn’t as easy as it sounds, boy. If I actually try to do such a thing, this little system would be suspended and all the Higher Beings would come to destroy me.”
Typhon answered.
“How do you know that?”
“Because it’s common sense. If most of the gods designed a system to create false peace would you think that they wouldn’t create a counter measure in case a higher being who didn’t sign the peace treaty wanted to cause trouble? Gods are wise beings despite the stupid acts they commit all the time, they definitely took my existence into consideration when implementing this system.”
Typhon explained.
Julio couldn’t find any fault in his reasoning and had to agree that what he said was possible.
“Although I say that, they should already be preparing to counter my appearance. I was planning on waiting to see how they would do that, and who I would have to fight….”
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Typhon smirked.
“But I guess I can use Augustus’ descendants as warm up while waiting.”
He said.
At the Eastern Region.
The Dragna Clan was busy rounding up every resource they had to prepare for war. Unlike the one with Lennox and alliance, this army they were building showed their full strength without reserve.
This time they didn’t have anything to protect beside their lives. Their country has long been reduced to a sea of lava. They’ve lost their home and have returned to their roots.
They’ve once again returned to being a clan of beasts willing to fight the entire world if they have to.
As it stands, backing down and surrender wasn’t an option. They can and will only destroy and destroy until there are no enemies standing in front of them.
The one who was the most prepared for war was unsurprising Miko. Because of certain situations he was the one who was backed into a corner the most. It wasn’t because he was the leader of the Dragna side; no, it was something completely different.
He had too much to lose to be defeated now. Even if he had to drag the enemy to pits of hell by going down with them, he wouldn’t hesitate to do it. That was how desperate he was to win this war. His wellbeing wasn’t important, as long as everyone else comes out alive, he didn’t care what sacrifices he had to make.
With this mind set, Miko called a general meeting right before the army marched on the enemy.
He looked at everyone in the room. They were either his flesh and blood or people who were irreplaceable in his heart. Seeing them gather together made him unknowingly smile.
When everyone saw this smile they got a strange feeling. Even though it was supposed to be a happy smile, they could feel a strong sense melancholy behind it.
“14 years huh? It’s been a long time.”
He rested his head on his hand and said.
His words made the atmosphere gloomy and depressing. When he realized what he said he laughed.
“Sorry, sorry. I was lost in my thoughts. Pay it no mind.”
He said.
“Um, Miko. What is it that you wanted to talk about?”
Momo broke the ice.
“Ah, yes.”
Miko looked like he was in daze when Momo spoke to him. His behavior made her worry. Not only her, but everyone around them.
“I want to talk to you about who’s going to succeed me.”
“?!”
When Miko said that everyone was visibly shocked.
“S-Successor? What do you mean Miko?”
Sasha asked.
“I mean what the title entails. I want to decide who succeeds me when I’m gone.”
“Wait, what do you mean by that?”
Luka stood and asked.
It was obvious that her voice had panic in it.
“You all should know what we’re about to face.”
Miko shook his head.
“No, you guys don’t know. But I do.”
He said.
“We’re about to face the ones from the golden era of gods, and several Higher Beings as well. As Augustus I faced these people, even though my memory of them are almost nonexistent, my very soul is telling me one thing.”
He paused for a bit before saying.
“As you are you will lose. There’s zero chance of you winning. You’re only chance is to sacrifice everyone and survive.”
When they heard Miko’s slow but blunt words, they felt a incredible pressure on their hearts.
“However, I refuse to accept that. That’s why I said we must surpass the old era here and now, and I believe that we can do that.”
“Then-”
Miko lifted his hand to stop Momo from speaking.
“We can surpass the old era, but only a few of us. Most of us will die a dog’s death.”
His words felt absolute, as if he had already seen it; the scenes of his love ones falling one by one. The corpses piling up in front of his eyes. The screams of agony echoing in his mind.
At this moment, Miko looked incredibly fragile. He was like a vase with cracks in it, something that only needed a small push to completely shatter. But this vase refused to shatter that easily. It had used the adhesive known as anger to keep itself together.
Miko was angry. He was angry at his enemies for coming at him, he was angry at his previous actions that led to this, he was angry at the world itself for standing in his way, he was angry at everything.
His anger was both logical and illogical, but he didn’t care. Anger was the only thing that kept him going at this point, it was the sole thing keeping him alive.
That’s why Miko knew, when he finally get to release all the anger he’s stored up, the him who was like a cracked vase would finally lose it adhesive and fall to pieces.
“I’ll be honest with you all. I’m a selfish hypocrite of a person. I kill but don’t want to be killed. I take away others love ones but don’t want anyone to take mine away. I try to come off as a deep person but throw a fit when nothing goes my way. I purposely hurt others and distance myself from them, but get depressed when I’m alone.”
He showed a bitter smile.
“I’m a mess, a failure of a person.”
No one said anything to comfort him. They all felt that if they interrupted him, that they would greatly wrong him. Miko didn’t wish for sympathy, he was simply pouring his heart out to everyone he cares about. They didn’t have the courage to stop him.
Miko sat back in his seat and looked up at the ceiling.
“I’ll be honest with you all, there isn’t anyone in this room who I didn’t try to use when I first met them. I saw you all as tools to reach my goal and nothing more. I couldn’t help it, was just my nature as a person. Even when I was born I looked down on my parents as nothing more that livestock for me to devour and grow. When I was 2 and my mother who was pregnant at the time was in danger, I felt nothing and only tried to save her because her death would be inconvenient. That’s type of person I am.”
Despite him saying some awful things, there was no one who was upset with him.
“Thinking about it, how many times have I wondered why I am the way I am? Is it because of the tragic lives I’ve lived? Is because the world hates me?”
At this point, it was as if he was talking to himself.
“No, that isn’t it. It’s just my nature, but my nature as what? Just what the hell am I?”
He clenched his teeth and eyes became extremely bloodshot.
“That’s right. In the end, I’m just an abomination. Something that shouldn’t have existed. But you know what, I don’t care anymore. I have already existed, I am currently existing. Doesn’t that make it my win?”
He ramblings became more and more chaotic. It was as if a dam had burst inside him. It was apparent to everyone in the room.
Miko broke. There’s no façade left. Everything in front of them was his true face. Everything he said was his true thoughts.
“It seems that I’ve sidetracked a bit.”
He looked back at them.
“My apologies.”
He said with a smile.
“Let’s get back to the main topic. As it stands, most of you will die. As such I’ve come up with a solution.”
He lifted a finger.
“I alone will die and take the enemy with me.”
“?!”
Everyone flew up when they heard that. Before they could speak he stopped them.
“That was my first idea, but after thinking about it I was just being emotional and decided against it.”
Everyone sighed in relief when they heard that.
“This is the idea I’ve came up with after thinking from a logical stand point.”
He looked at Bloom and the others.
“All the members of my team will not join this war and instead become the core of the clan.”
“Wha?!”
Miko was immediately faced with objections.
“What do you mean, Miko?! We’re fighting too!”
Momo shouted.
“No. If you guys come along you will die. A clan that has lost its elders may have fallen from grace, but a clan that has lost its youth has no future. You guys are the future of not only this clan but the world, we can’t afford to lose you.”
“But you’re saying that it’s alright for you to go?!”
Hina shouted.
“That’s right, because I’m different from you all.”
Miko replied.
“Are we a liability, Miko?”
Kaido asked.
“Yes.”
Miko’s blunt answer caused everyone to get extremely frustrated, especially since they knew it is the truth.
Miko looked at the branch leaders.
“Old heads, do you mind joining me in a battle with absolute death?”
He asked with a smile. It was as if he was asking them to accompany him to a stroll.
“What do we get from it?”
Nero asked with a smile.
“What indeed…”
Miko smiled and rested his head on his hand in a relax manner.
“Well, if you survive you’ll be stronger than you was before. Hell, maybe you’ll be one step closer to me.”
Miko answered. From the way he answered, it was obvious that the one who answered was Augustus.
Nero and the others smiled when they heard that.
“Hahahaha! That sure does sound tempting.”
Said Andreas.
“I was getting bored anyway, so why not?”
Said Rouge.
“Let’s show them the true power of our family!”
Said Echo.
“As long as I get to test my toys I have no problem.”
Said Alexus.
“Miko, I have a request.”
Nero stepped out and said.
“I want you to excluded Kimiko and my siblings.”
“Wait, Gamiko!”
Kimiko shouted.
“There’s nothing to discuss. Your power still haven’t returned and my siblings aren’t as strong either.”
Nero said with a strong tone. It was obvious that he wasn’t going to back down.
“You want me to cower while my husband and grandson march to their deaths!”
Kimiko argued.
Nero didn’t argued. His body flickered and the next thing everyone knew Kimiko, Ravel, and Falcon were out cold.
“I took out my siblings too because knowing them, they would try to follow us in secret. They’ll only be out for a few hours though, we should move before that.”
Miko nodded.
He then spoke with a serious face.
“I will now name my successor.”
He looked across everyone’s face before speaking-
“My successor will be Alec.”
“I refuse.”
Alec said immediately.
“Refusal is impossible. You’re the most capable among the youths as such will be the emperor and clan leader. However, that is only if none of us return. If everyone returns, Nero will be the emperor. If he doesn’t return then it will be you.”
Miko smiled.
“You better hope that we return.”
Alec immediately kneeled before Nero.
“Oh great cousin, Nero. Please do your best to survive. I can’t afford to lose my precious freedom.”
He said while kowtowing a couple times.
Miko laughed when he saw that.
“Alright. Those that will go into war are the branch leaders, Nova, and myself. The guardians will remain with their proxies. Other elders are remaining as well to ensure the clan stability in case the worst happens.”
“Huh? I’m going to die too?”
Nova asked.
“Idiot. We’re going to evolve not die.”
Nero wrapped his arm around Nova’s neck and said.
“That’s right. Even though the odds are against us, we aren’t marching to our deaths. We’re going with the intention of surviving. If we still die, then so be it. But ensure you release all of frustrations in your attacks first, I don’t want to hear your complaining in hell.”
Miko said with a laugh.
He got off his seat and started walking towards the exit.
“Wait.”
But before he could, he was grabbed by Bloom.
“Don’t go.”
Her head was down and her body was trembling.
“Please don’t leave me again, Logan!”
She looked at him with watery eyes.
Miko’s eyes widened when he heard her calling him by his old name.
“Ah, I see. So you were Katrine?”
Bloom nodded.
“What’s this? What kind of drama is going on?”
Echo and Nero circled around the two as if wanting to watch a good show.
“Apparently, Bloom is a reincarnation of my lover from my life before this.”
Miko said.
Everyone was shocked to hear this.
“How? Ah, Tia.”
Bloom nodded.
“You’re doing it again, Logan. You’re disregarding your own safety and happiness….I can’t watch you repeat the same cycle.”
Bloom said as tears ran down her cheeks.
Miko wiped away her tears with his finger. He smiled at her, and then-
He poked her forehead and she lost consciousness. He held her in his arms and brushed the hair from her face before placing a kiss on her lips.
“I owed you so much, Katrine. There’s many things I wanted to say to if I had the chance too.”
He spoke to her gently caressing her cheek.
“It looks like the world doesn’t hate me as much I thought it did, since I was able to love you in two different lives.”
After he said that, he gave her to Jin, who looked like he wanted to say something but couldn’t in the end.
Miko once again moved towards the exit, but he stopped after two steps.
“Could you please move?”
He said to those in front of him.
The ones who blocked him were Hina, Luka, Momo, Sasha, Tessa, Ace and Sora. Those who knew him the longest.
“We refuse. You think that we’ll just let you march to your death like that?”
Said Sasha.
“Sigh. Gramps.”
An instant later, as if they were hit by a gust of wind everyone was blown away losing consciousness. They fell on into the arms of the others in the room.
“L-Let me go!”
The only ones who were still conscious were Momo and Sasha.
They struggled from those holding them and walked unsteadily towards Miko.
“Y-You think…I-I’ll just sit back and let my son die? Call me a parasite if you wish, but I can’t deny that I am your mother!”
Sasha walked a few more steps before being mercilessly put down by Nero.
“Princess, forgive me.”
She held on to his clothes.
“D-Daddy….I can’t lose you, brother, and Miko all at once…Ple…ase..”
She finally passed out.
“I’ve already lost my parents and my brothers…and you’re just going leave me as well? Screw that!”
Momo reached Momo and held his shoulders.
“You heartless bastard!”
Miko said nothing and simply punched her in the stomach.
“So….cruel.”
He caught the unconscious Momo and gave her to Raven.
“When you return to the Primus world make it so that none of them can come out until the war is won.”
Raven nodded.
“Good luck.”
“Luck?”
Miko laughed and started walking towards the exit, this time there was no one to stop him.
Nero and the others silently followed behind him, loosing up their joints.
Miko reached the two sides door and placed his hands on it.
“I don’t believe in luck.”
He pushed the door open and walked out with eyes burning with fighting spirit. His will to live was still there even in the face of death. He won’t back down, he won’t give up. He’ll fight until he can’t fight anymore. Whether he wins or loses, he plans on showing this world just how terrifying his desire for victory was.
“I only believe in my own anger and madness!”