“Brat. You’re lucky the brute saved you, consider it the last time you'll get that lucky. He’s mine.” Ichiro angrily remarked to Momo.

“Now that is what I wanted to hear! If I can’t kill that father of yours, I’ll drag your corpse to him, you little wretch!” Hjalmarr yelled, being overcome by Spectral Lightning.

Hjalmarr rushed toward Ichiro, slamming him away with his axe, as he rushed toward him again and again, slamming him away. Ichiro pointed a finger gun at Hjalmarr, blasting him multiple times with his telekinetic attacks, to little effect other than angering him.

That Spectral Lightning… It is so potent. It’s blocking my telekinetic attacks on its own. Ichiro thought, scowling as he drew his bow.

“Look out.” Ichiro slyly warned, as thousands of Spectral Arrows rained down on Hjalmarr. Hjalmarr's Spectral Lightning instantly started dissipating most of the arrows, with a few arrows beginning to leave deep wounds across Hjalmarr’s skin, to which he beamed his axe into Ichiro’s shoulder, teleporting to him immediately, as he palmed his face, cutting off his right arm, laughing as Ichiro cried in pain.

“How’s that you annoying vermin!” Hjalmarr cackled, blasting him with Spectral Lightning as they separated.

“You insolent brute! You’re lucky my techniques are drained from my Dominion! I’ll be back for you!” Ichiro yelled, regenerating his arm as he flew away, to Hjalmarr’s enjoyment, his bellows of laughter reaching far into the air.

Momo clashed with Amirah, his scimitar blocking her spear attacks as he backflipped away.

She’s more skilled than me, but I have the physical advantages, I’ll have to beat her before she can use her techniques again. Momo planned, entering Black Form.

Momo disarmed Amirah, sending Spectral Slashes across her body instantly as he tripped her, holding his sword to her neck.

As Momo prepared to talk to her, Rancour appeared next to him. He was immediately pulled toward Raúl, as their auras began to clash.

“Now now King, I haven’t come to fight quite yet, I just need the girl. Soon, we shall fight once more.” Rancour commented, holding a genuine smile at him, as he disappeared in an instant.

“Did he teleport just now?” Momo remarked.

“No. Our power simply makes it seem to you that we are teleporting with our speed, as we do not abide by the bounds of space or time, to demonstrate how we can defy space and time, it'd just be best to show you.” Raúl commented, ripping into the fabric of reality.

“What are you doing?!” Momo exclaimed, seeing the tear in space and time.

“Well, as you are currently seeing, myself and Rancour can physically rip apart space and time, we could rip the timeline in half if we so pleased. Of course, we couldn't do widespread destruction when I use the seal to protect existence from our clashes, but yes, we are physically superior to space and time in all ways, since our power exceeds both. The Void Master put it best, we are of a higher plane than space and time entirely. He called it ‘the next world.’ But humans will come to know it as the fifth dimension. We currently inhabit this world, and I have the feeling we are some of the only beings that ever have, or ever will; inhabit such power individually.” Raúl explained.

“What do we do now, Raúl?” Takahiro asked.

“For now, do whatever you want, train, rest, kill stray fell beasts. Do whatever you want for now, I am going to return to the castle, and I would like Momo to join me. It has been a long time since I have trained him personally.” Raúl noted, dismissing everyone.

Raúl and Momo returned to the castle, descending into the training chamber as they both changed into regal training garments, as Raúl prepared to train Momo.

“Now, Momo. I have no problems with the way you are progressing so far in terms of how powerful you’re becoming, you’re an effective warrior, and an incredible force in battle. Your willpower and sheer determination are incredible, but they will not be enough without refinement, do you follow so far?” Raúl asked.

“I do.” Momo replied.

“Good. You have a few techniques I want to develop, and some new ones I want to teach you.” Raúl noted, placing his hand on Momo’s shoulder.

“Spectral Dominion: Axis of the Beyond.” Raúl recited, as his Dominion opened around the two.

“What do you know about Spectral Dominions, Momo?” Raúl queried.

“They’re supposed to be the greatest extensions of your being, right? They give special powers and conditions in the Dominion.” Momo recalled, scratching his head.

“Good grief, that’s all? Let me make it simple. This is my Dominion. It reflects and expands my inner essence and draws upon vast quantities of my Spectral Energy to use it, whilst draining away my essence. Of course, this comes with its perks, the first being, you can create a separate realm in which you get to mould to your desires, creating multiple different effects within it. Such effects would be a guaranteed hit function; however, some Dominions sacrifice this for a different effect, or are simply incomplete. Most Dominions also come with some form of omission of power for their enemy, making it easier to beat them. No matter what, Dominions increase the power of their users. All of them have the basic effect of replicating the bonus of an Ardour’s Spark, so around a quarter increase in power, in the case of myself and Rancour, it is double that. Some people choose to sacrifice their guaranteed hit for a larger power increase, making it permanent, which can be effective, but that’s kind of bland without something cooler behind it!” Raúl illustrated, closing his Dominion.

“Why is this important again King?” Momo inquired.

“Why of course Momo, I want to help you achieve Spectral Dominion! After teaching you about your other techniques of course.” Raúl responded.

“Huh? Me? Spectral Dominion? I’m not that strong!” Momo exclaimed.

“Come now Momo, look at how fast you’ve developed! I’m sure I can reach into your essence somehow.” Raúl replied.

“Well, what do you want to teach me first, then?” Momo queried.

“Well, your impact technique, I’ve noticed you haven’t used it in a while, however, if I were to merge it with one of my techniques, I think it would allow your strikes to become significantly more powerful. Observe.” Raúl commanded, as he punched Momo’s shoulder, the attack being increased to 125% as it tore Momo apart.

“Don’t worry, I was holding back, you won’t be destroyed, but don’t get close or you’ll be erased, my aura does that too. Now come on, replicate the technique!” Raúl explained.

“How do you expect me to do that?!” Momo yelled angrily.

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Raúl exhaled, slamming Momo with another amplified attack.

“What is hitting me with the attack repeatedly going to accomplish?” Momo inquired, annoyed.

“Well, I’m seeing if your evolutions can replicate the technique. Now try.” Raúl ordered.

Momo threw a punch into Raúl’s Sanctuary, its potency increased with the usage of both techniques, yet failing to do anything whatsoever.

“I told you it would work. It also brought out the weakness technique, exactly like I planned for it to.” Raúl gloated, as Momo sighed, knowing he’d never hear the end of it.

“Now, crafting a Dominion shouldn’t be the hardest task on Earth, since you have so much power, you just need to anchor yourself into an ultimate technique.” Raúl commented.

Raúl launched himself at Momo, beating him repeatedly, as he continued to burn through his Spectral Energy regenerating himself.

“I know you get stronger as you get closer to death, so let’s hope I don’t kill you before your Dominion is realised!” Raúl remarked, throwing Momo across the room violently.

Momo’s thoughts scrambled, every hit Raúl dished out destroyed entire portions of his body, and was burning into his reserves of Spectral Energy. Momo instinctively entered Black Form, attempting to match Raúl, but it made no difference.

Raúl continued to pummel Momo, ragdolling him again and again, as he began reaching his limit.

“Spectral Dominion: Locus of the Fallen Star!” Momo yelled.

Nothing seemed to happen, however an icy aura surrounded Momo.

Is this an open Dominion? There’s no centrepiece, could it be incomplete? Raúl thought to himself, realising his Sanctuary technique was shut off.

Momo began punching away at Raúl, duplicating himself twice as all three began throwing Raúl around, as two disappeared, the original Momo appeared next to Raúl being coated in a familiar icy glow.

“Ardour’s Spark!” Momo yelled, as he shut off his Dominion, watching Raúl crash around the room with a smile.

So he is the centrepiece, how interesting, he's the first user of Spectral Dominion I have ever seen to become their Dominion. His Dominion seems to double his statistics and nullify defences when it is active. I didn't detect a guaranteed hit... Could it be? Could he be able to control the Ardour's Spark? Raúl thought, sitting up with an expression of shock.

“Your failures are most disappointing. I suppose some things require a firmer hand. There is little time until I find the ring. It has been stashed within the timeline, but it will not avail me for long. You all shall prove yourselves to me, or I will dispose of you.” Rancour remarked.

"I would disagree father. We were successful in destroying the beast and forcing Raúl to draw out his true power." Ichiro retorted.

"You are only alive because you disposed of the beast. As for Raúl, he knew you would tell me of his abilities. He is no fool, and he knew exactly what he was doing. He was taunting me for your failures. You will not be awarded my mercy again, do you understand me Ichiro Okumura?" Rancour chastised, as his son bowed his head in obedience and fear.

"I understand, father." Ichiro responded, a slight shakiness of fear in his words.

Marzen stood within the rain-soaked shore of Hyrnan, peering out onto the ocean’s waves, which gently rocked in the night’s breeze.

“Hey! Marzen, right?” A voice called.

“Huh? Who are you? And why do you look exactly like me?” Marzen asked as he turned around, a disturbed and curious look falling upon his face.

“Sorry, I don’t really have a ‘form’ as you humans call it. I just take the ‘form’ of the one I’m talking to.” The spirit commented.

“Why are you talking to me? You here to fight?” Marzen inquired, gripping his Scimitar.

“Now that’s exactly why I’m talking to you! You’re always ready to fight, it’s so inspiring!” The spirit responded, a smile on its enthusiastic face.

“Heh?” Marzen blurted out, pointing to himself.

“Is there anyone else here? Of course not! I’m talking to you. Oh right, where are my manners, I’m the Spirit of Battle, I also go by the name Aayanoru, meaning 'Just Fighter.' it’s great to finally meet you Marzen!” Aayanoru remarked, as the air seemed to brighten around him.

“How can one who is the Spirit of Battle be such a bright character, shouldn’t you be some gloomy nobody?” Marzen queried, to the Spirit’s distaste.

“Hey! I have feelings too you know! How inconsiderate! I am also the Spirit of Justice, and I love interacting with others, wraiths are so dark and sad all the time.” Aayanoru replied.

“So why are you here to talk to me then?” Marzen asked.

“I want you to become my host! You’re big and strong and you don’t come with any of that stupid baggage like those weird sorcerers, you’re just a really strong fighter! Here, to show you what you can get from me.” Aayanoru paused, grabbing onto Marzen’s scimitar, as it glowed vibrantly.

“Now, your scimitar has reached its full power! It can now destroy the life force of those who attempt to live indefinitely, revive, or deny death itself, it also can break down resistances at their most fundamental levels!” Aayanoru remarked, to the shock of Marzen.

“That’s… Very impressive.” Marzen observed, lost for words.

“What do you say Mazen? I come with a lot more powers than that too! I can make you super strong through any form of battling, or perfect your body at its most fundamental level to make you the most efficient fighter to ever walk the Earth, being in your prime for as long as you want, or I can instantaneously react to all phenomena and purify anything that enters or weakens your body!” Aayanoru listed.

“Alright, I’ll do it.” Marzen responded, as Aayanoru entered his body, becoming one with him.

“So this is where the disturbance originated. The beings with the power to challenge me seem to have originated from the planet forcing this moon into orbit, the classification for this one is a terrestrial planet, and it is the only habitable planet within this, rather small galaxy. Its inhabitants are varied but the ones of note are humans, it seems they are the ones who birthed the two who can challenge me.” The man noted, peering out from the moon onto England.

“It seems they are, Emperor David.” Adonis observed.

“Adonis, Grimbjor, Gio, Nathaniel, Ariane." find out who they are, and then return.” David ordered, as his servants flew down to the planet to carry out his orders.

Soon, I shall be the only voice of power in existence. Soon, the whims of these meaningless humans will be nothing but that which I command. David though to himself, staring out onto Earth with a menacing glare.