Hey guys...It's been a while. Sorry about the long lapse. I had originally had in mind to post this chapter about 2 weeks ago but had some difficulties arise.

**Please Read....

As you can probably read somewhere in the comments I spoke about how lately I've been getting a lot of bad feedback in my reviews that are written and so I had kind of went out of my way to correct some discrepancies or things that people where having trouble following in the story. But I kind of got out of hand and was like...Wait this isn't Vali and he's the type of guy who would just Say...Fuck it and push it deep down and move on. Vali you can see can be easily influenced in some circumstances and his attitude/behaviors will even change a bit now that he is slowly discovering just how strong he is compared to all those on this side of the world and possibly the entire Human Kingdom. Without the threat of Balor he will also become almost more joking and kind of how he was before he was tortured but not exactly. I mean if you were practically unbreakable/immortal and almost nothing you knew of could hurt you wouldn't you adapt that behavior. (You'll see a lot of this sort of thing with some of the stronger figures in the world who hold a lot of power and find it hard to be killed. Within the game as well as this world the lower levels are very fragile and a simple dagger to the throat can end a fight. Though the Higher your level gets the harder it becomes to sever things like limbs, even things like getting stabbed in the head or heart wouldn't necessarily kill a high leveled person but it would critically wound them...And that's for people who don't study in some magic technique to forge their bones/flesh/body into something not normal. So fights for the higher leveled beings are usually very long and drawn out conflicts and the fights last much longer. You just haven't seen a lot of this because Vali's Scythe is 'the nuke in his backpocket' that is his greatest cheat/weapon.

I'll stop.... As most of this will be in the character analysis I place at the bottom of the chapter.....

While there are people who speak about the plot points in the story they enjoy the majority of readers lately say things like 'Thanks for the Chapter'. Don't get me wrong,  I'm honestly very grateful for anyone reading this story and being nice enough to show their encouragement but I'm also someone who loves hearing what people think and what they liked, why they liked or disliked within the story. If the majority of readers are posting what they disliked and 'Thanks for the Chapter' it's not as helpful. Because it honestly helps me mold this story into what I'm hoping to turn it into. I use this site to help me with that and because of many commenters I already know so much more than what I did a year ago and when I rewrite this I know what I need to do better. Most of the complaints weren't things to work on though but rather stuff they haven't been introduced or shown yet in the story. SO i decided to show a scene of a particular group that won't necessarily play a big role until later in the story but wanted to show how they are even at this moment active and this world is full of evil groups/ and conflicting parties all striving for their own goals.

The reader doesn't get all the information of things at once, you get them from multiple perspectives and opinions so don't forget this is still the beginning of the story. That last arc just set up the playing board. So info given isn't always exactly accurate but detail what that person or race may feel about a certain something. Sometimes though, overtime and due to certain points brought to my attentions i find better ways to explain certain aspects of the story later which is also another reason for that.

(*For example: With the benefits to people who first find a dungeon receiving the best possible loot from those who fall in the dungeon. There were complaints with this but Vali and the reader are going to soon find out Dungeon Mechanics and things like how when an adventurer or monster die within the dungeon all those items go to a certain place and the person who killed that adventurer/monster only gets something from their storage and it's kind of a luck of the draw thing. I never explained that but overtime came up with it and decided it explains that earlier complaint a lot better. Finding a dungeon and receiving that best loot bonus just allows them to acquire more/better loot. A reason I didn't have before but does fit well into the story structure. )

Ive acknowledged I'm not a terrific writer so I try to post chapters and introduce certain story elements and gage the readers response and mold the story accordingly but stay steered towards my original idea for where this story will go and ultimatley why I titled it what I did....Lately a lot of readers who want to send reviews more recently post things they disliked about the story and things they couldn't understand. So I felt I went overboard trying to show all that within the last few chapters and well, Idk it just didn't sit well with me so I got back on and tried to revamp the chapters a bit.

This chapter may seem shorter than normal and feel like not a lot has happened but keep in mind that I split this chapter up into two parts to try and make it a habit to have around 20-35K chapters from now on. Obviously, I messed up again and decided on where I wanted to end my chapter and then was like, Oh shit there's a lot to do between where we are and where that place is so....It got to be a little longer than I anticipated. Sorry I'm still working on this but I wanted each chapter to feel like an episode rather than a small 10K count where you only would get 1 possibly 2 POV's or scenes. However....I'm still working on it to also lower my descriptions of things as much or at least not continue to explain multiple times just so a few disgruntled readers didn't get it the first time I tried to portray/explain it.

After this chapter I will show a small character analysis of some characters and answer some discrepancies and complaints to hopefully help some of the readers see perspectives from particular characters better and explain some plot points to better explain to them hopefully.

If you have written a review, I encourage you to write an Advanced review with things you enjoyed and didn't enjoy in the story and then it gets posted on the front page of RRL and would be a great advertisement. I'd also be very thankful for it. If you haven't written a review yet I also encourage you to do an advanced one as well and as always everyone...Thank you so much for reading and helping me mold this world.

Oh I almost forgot.....Here's a teaser pick that hasn't been finished/colored/detailed yet that a reader/artist had been gracious enough to do for all of us....He did a few others and honestly this artists work is incredible and fits so well with what I wanted to do for a cover. I was blown away to be honest and can't wait to see his final products. His style is something I love and hope to get to work with him some more after this..... Lenni Ollinson thanks again your work is amazing.

Teaser Cover Art....

http://s1.postimg.org/rw5fbso1r/thumbnai...ods_04.jpg

Thanks again to my editors and all my readers.

Ladies and gents I give to you Chapter 3.....

(For the first POV try out this music when reading it definitely sets the mood....)

http://www.yourepeat.com/watch?v=6crMKpLx7r8

Book 2: Chapter 3

A Darkness Awakening....

Olüm Dal'Morne's POV:

(Unknown Location, Unknown Time)

The darkness shrouding my Master and I dissipated, revealing to us both the location to which the meeting of the Dark Masters will take place.

There is no sky. There is no earth. There are only floating rock and a single, large building hovering over the empty space surrounding this unfamiliar world.

I continued observing the landscape of this unique realm, believed to be created by the First Founder, and is somewhere in between Middle Earth and the Netherworld but still within the realm of Midgard.

A shrill voice echoed out beside me, causing my bones to twitch.

"Come my Apostle, let us proceed... Hmph, don't forget the name you shall now refer to me from now in this world until the end of time other than Master is...The Great Dark Master, Insidious  Doombringer!! Wuahahah!!!!" - Master

Master opened his skeletal jaw and a high pitched laughter echoed out from under his dark-hooded robe.

'Ugh....That's even worse than his last self-proclaimed surname. Why must my Master have to always come up with these horrendous names for himself? ....And then ask me to call him by it in front of others is just....'

I wonder if the other Apostles  have to put up with such things…

He comes up with a new alias for himself every so often at a whim and is never happy with any of them it seems.

Master never told me his real name, only told me to refer to him as Master since I came into this world. He gave me life and even named me, he says it means 'Death Bringer'.

"Yes, Master..."

We then started to proceed on the large floating rock with a walkway carved into the stone.

"The gods be damned…! I forgot how annoying that excessive laughter of yours can be. So, First has also requested the presence of the Dark Master Fifth, formerly known as Supreme Overlord Apocalypso. How lucky are we to be graced with the stench of the dead? I see you have a new Apostle now. Pity about the last one....” - Fourth

My Master and I both slowly turned our heads toward the sound above and there floating in midair where two oddly shaped figures.

Each figure wore a dark-hooded robe that covered their faces like that of Master’s and mine own. They however have no lower torso and constantly permeate black smoke from their bodies, while both having  bright flames scorching in their eyes.

The larger of the two had four arms, shiny gold plated armaments covering its body, with two long dark purple horns that curved out from its head, pointing backwards.

It was Dark Master Fourth alongside his Apostle who may have also been from the Djinn race.

Powerful users of Void based magic but like Master has told me Fourth had originally came from such a place that is a rift between worlds. They however, much like the rest of us are unable to leave this mortal world.

"If it isn't Master Fourth. How long has it been? 100? 200 years? I was hoping to at least go another millennia without having to see that ugly face your whore mother brought into this world." - Master

The floating deity-like being started to snicker while I sensed increasing blood lust coming from his Apostle.

"You dare speak such insolence in my Master's presence! A simple Lich dare speak to Master Dhul Khal so arrogantly is practically begging for my Master to reduce you into a pile of bones...." - Fourth's Apostle

"Oh?... Care to teach me some manners then, young one....?” - Master

Master gently lifted off the black hood draped over his head and casually looked upon the Apostle’s grim demeanor.

"Ugh......" - Fourth's Apostle

The dark-clouded Djínn froze upon glancing upon Master’s visage. Something any mortal and even some Deities have come to show similar reactions upon their first sight of his exquisitely unsettling appearance that bleeds a deathly odor.  

My Master, like all other Elder Lich Kings, has an oversized human skull with a bulky jawbone. Atop his head was a bright golden crown with large jeweled spikes, resembling violent flames, covering the entirety of his bulbous head. Next to his left eye was a slight crack with black piercing eyes staring back at all who gaze upon his insidious face.

Master Fourth however did not twitch at the slightest, showing off his dignified level of power. 'Master however claimed he could deal with Fourth as easily as raising his hands in the air if the need ever presented itself. ’

'I am unable to  doubt Master’s words for even a second. While his behavior doesn't sit well with many and his voice is numbing even to Undead, like me. I've seen him do things that leap over common thought. Destroy known magic theories. According to him even the Gods respected him for his powers over the Dead. I can never forget the day I saw him open up a portal to another dimension, pitch-black, alive even. He forced his enemies who obtained knowledge to who he was through it to never return again.’

After a short silence my Master again began to speak while I remained quiet and alert.

"Fourth sure has trained quite the Apostle. Bloodthirsty. Ruthless.....Stupid. Just like him. Mphaha!" - Master

""MMm!!!!" - Fourth's Apostle

A loud humming noise began to come off the Apostle’s body while Fourth just smiled to my Master's words with his four muscular arms crossed.

"SSssssyYYyyyaaaaaa AH AH AH AH AH AH AH RAH!H!!H!H!H!H!H!" - ?

A high-pitched screech then came from behind Master Fourth and his Apostle, its origin a large black serpent-like creature suddenly appearing through a tear in space.

It looked like a black serpent with large bat-like wings and has curved horns coming out from the sides of its head. This strange beast also seems to have legs but they are hunched to the sides making it appear like an Imoogi.

The black creature flew through the sky and had a lion-like mane except it’s made of dark feathers. Fluttering behind the large beast however were hundreds of skulls and bones connected to large ropes being drug behind its tail... Collections from all the fallen Champions and Heroes of many races who have fought and lost.

Riding atop of the black creature were two dark-hooded, powerful figures as I can tell even from here their powers over the darkness are profoundly deep.

"Ah, if it isn't Third....." - Fourth

Dark Master Fourth casually glanced at the emergence of another Dark Master whose presence was also requested at Master First's command.

SSYA AH AH AH HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!

The black, feather-headed serpent then landed on the same floating land mass we’re on and both figures stepped off their mount without a word. As the dragon-like beast landed, its large wings started to vanish into space. The hundreds of bones being pulled by a long roped chain behind it also made a loud racket as its drug across the ground.

From their shrouded hoods covering their faces, all I could see coming were piercing red eyes that almost rivaled my Master's insidious atmosphere.

"New pet from your time in the North? It gives off a peculiar energy...." - Fourth

As each of the large figures started to walk past us, a short whisper came from underneath Master Third’s hood.

"I advise to not look into my new pet’s eyes. From legend, The Basilisks are known to grant death to mortals with a single glance. Even to some Undead I heard...." - Third

Without saying another word Master Third and his Apostle both walked past us not looking to be in the mood to talk. With just his words, neither I nor Fourth's Apostle wished to look back at the mysterious creature behind us. While both of our Masters didn't seem to care and each peered towards the beast Third mysteriously taught to travel into this artificial realm made by our Order's First Founder.

While their faces were both covered, I could however see coming out from Master Third's hood were two large horns coming from the side of his head resembling a lamb’s.

With a notion from my Master, we too quietly followed behind them and towards the location where our presence was requested by the First and only surviving Founder of our Order.

------------------------------------------------------------

Of the ten seats aligning the large black table, only nine were filled each with figures exuding a magnificent yet deathly aura. Even this room was created by the founder of our Order and his seat is the only one left vacant.

These were the Dark Masters.

There on each and every filled seat was an absolute Master of the Dark Arts and their Apostles training under them.

According to Master, everyone seated in this room is a Dark Master and like the Apostles under them, were once all Dark Lords in their lifetime under the 'World Laws'. Something Master claims that also shackle each of them here to this mortal realm since they first touched down.  

Master has taught me how this mortal world has a Level-based system operating within it that affects all sentient life in it. Yet each of the Dark Masters present can hide such information from any prying eyes.

While others present disagreed, my Master believes Level is meaningless in this world and should only be used as a general basis of power, while increasing it does little to nothing in the long run or grand scheme of it all. Everyone here are Magic Casters, and my Master claims Magic is something that cannot be computed in such a way. Only Comprehension, Speed and Dominance are what are required when combating magic of the same system. To something that was once believed to be the work of miracles; magic is not something that can be evaluated in such a way my Master believes.

The higher the level one obtains, the harder it is to raise, even if one were to kill much higher-leveled opponents after the other. While the experience gained is surely more. Master states the line separating experience needed from experience gained towards the higher levels becomes a towering mountain with its height growing increasingly vast and unclimbable. If one were to attempt to climb such an increasing obstacle, they would forever be stuck in this world.

Time should naturally be spent into different avenues and one should only attempt to further their training and masteries and allow level to rise overtime. Unlike some of the other Masters present, he believes that the World Laws themselves work against this realm’s residents, that there is undoubtedly a limit system set in place for something as meaningless as 'Level' in this world. But it’s still all my Master's speculation.

Each Master present practices in a different form of the dark arts and come to the mutual understanding that Darkness magic is something of a precursor to our own forms of magic. While the method to advance such a class like Dark Lord to Dark Master is still a well-hidden secret within the Order, which even my Master is unwilling to tell me how just yet. His power is surely heaven-defying.

The sheer limitless potential of Master’s dark arts is a magic he was once unmatched in even compared to those from the Divine, Necromancy. While my Master's casting methods are fundamentally different than the way some of the Human necromancers use I've found, his speed, comprehension and even ability to command so many is truly extraordinary, to which he has no equal. 'Master is even able to overwrite those under my command by rewording and interfering with my spell casts.'

I've learned in my study and guidance under my Master that Necromancy is something of a combination between Dark Magic and Black Magic. A magical spell is needed to create an encasing of darkness to house a soul while my Master only needs a shred of one during the integration process. Combined with powerful curse magic the spell binds the Undead corpse under the caster’s complete control.

Master Fifth is known even within the powerful figures of the Dark Masters as one of the most powerful and possibly oldest of them all. He like a few of the beings here fought in the First War, and regardless of his rather odd behavior and rather....irksome voice, he holds absolute mastery in his control over the dead. Even I’m not sure how many are currently under Master's control.

'Master surely did the same with my own soul. I'm unsure of what sort of man I was in life. Undoubtedly a sinister one to have to endure such endless torment it took in creating me into what I am. All he did say was that I was unique. As my power grows I will soon learn how much.’

My body is of a tall human Undead with red and black tattoos seared and carved in my every bone. Where my heart used to be only lies a bright red core, matching the red piercing glow now stemming from my eyes.

Looking around the quiet room, I can tell each Dark Master present is of a different race even with their faces concealed. Just then Master Seventh raised her white and partially transparent hand up and spoke.

"Where is the First Founder? I was under the impression he called for this meeting?" - Seventh

Her face was hidden, but her long white hair reached out past her hood and a soft and gentle voice came out of it. According to Master, Seventh is a very powerful Banshee that became something unique herself in this world.

"As did I. Second, is there a reason for First's absence?" - Sixth

A red-skinned figure with dark-black lines flowing up his arms, resembling tattoos, also spoke up. While Master said he’s unsure of Master Sixth’s true form, he knows Sixth has a powerful magic to create Dopple-Gangers from his murdered victims and replace them. When our Order flourished a thousand years ago, it was said that Sixth turned an entire country into minions at his bidding and was consequently hunted down by several Human Heroes of that time after killing three of them. They however were unable to slay Sixth, only capable of forcing him to fake his own death.

Master Sixth was supposedly in charge of working within the Azure Cloud Dynasty while Master and I were tasked to infiltrate the Rose Empire.

Each of the Dark Masters present were puzzled as to the Founder's absence and I too was curious, hoping to meet such a mysterious entity this day. My Master has only stood in the Founder's presence once, but according to him, even he is unsure of what First’s true race stems from. Master is even unsure if the form he witnessed that day was even the First Founder's true form but was a face that made even my Master twitch.

His only words in describing First were 'He's like a phantom, in that he is constantly moving from place to place. Taking a different form wherever he may go. Even I am unsure of just how old First truly is. As his talent in the dark arts seem almost unreachably deep.'

Every Dark Master present here has the ability to sense the darkness that lies within all. Each of them also have the power to manipulate the darkness within almost any sentient life, and even twist their thoughts, emotions...desires. While I am unable to manipulate others, Master has taught me much.

My Master along with every Dark Master here was ordered to mask their appearance and infiltrate the large seat of power within this world’s powerful Kingdoms, spanning every Continent. Everyone now has been requested to present themselves before Master First undoubtedly to speak on such things.

Just then a rather delicate voice interrupted the silence and for some reason caused my core to start pulsating strangely.

"The Founder is currently busy at the moment and will be unable to meet at this current time. He however has instructed me to receive an assessment over each of your assigned tasks. I trust each of you understand the reasons for this meeting." - Second

A tall, thin figure stood up from the end of the long table and addressed all those present while removing its hood.

The dark shroud covering Master Second’s face dissipated, revealing a long black-haired maiden. Half of her face was covered by her long dark hair while the other reveals an alluring golden eye staring at us all, causing each of my bones to feel rigid with a deathly cold.

Although at first glance she appeared human, her skin color however was dark and ashy, not something of the Human race. She wore black makeup smeared underneath her eye in odd designs looking similar to a crying human woman, which appears to be intentional, along her lips were poorly smeared with black lipstick, streaking across the side of her dark-gray cheek.

Her long black hair’s were also adorned with bones and skulls tied crudely on its ends. Each exuded a very dangerous overwhelming aura, such that it’s hard to stand so close to after revealing herself.

“””””””"….."””””””” - Dark Masters

Judging from the expression of some those present, this may be the first time Second has shown her face to said persons as well, even a few Dark Masters. Second’s voice was always distorted so it is impossible to tell what’s behind the cloak until the hood's shrouding spell is removed. All gifts from the First Founder.

Some of the Apostles too seemed to look upon Second lustfully as her body despite being unnaturally thin and sickly, she had an unusual power leaking off her skin.  

'That alluring scent of death is practically enchanting me.....Ugh....I miss my nads...'

Each of the Dark Masters began to speak on their current tasks within the multiple races we infiltrated in this world.  

To the outside world, our Order was thought destroyed over a thousand years ago. However in truth, we were lurking in the shadows just underneath their noses, in absolute secrecy. Biding our time...

My Master spoke about his time infiltrating The Rose Empire, how he obtained a high rank within the Human Kingdom for now. He also acquired an adequate measurement of its total strength as well as describing the incredible benefits that even the land gives its troops.

He also spoke of his encounter with a spy of the Demon race that used possession magic to infiltrate into the Rose Empire just as we were. However, the rival spy is dead and now under Master’s control. We are both now remaining low as per instructions according to plan, set in motion over a thousand years ago. While many of the races in this world can extend their lifetime by increasing their levels or other means, some races live to be so old it is increasingly difficult to infiltrate some of the races within this world.

Many of the other Masters also reported their run-ins with Demons as well, including Master Seventh and Master Tenth operating in the East.

"As I am sorry to report. Infiltrating the Demon race has become increasingly strained. I am... unable to provide an adequate estimate of their total strength. I am sorry for my failure......" - Third

As Master Third's deep voice resonated, some of those seated at the table scoffed and snickered at Master Third’s silent shame. He continued to look at Master Second, appearing frustrated with his dilemma.  

"Heh! So Third is having trouble with demons eh? Expected.... Perhaps we should send my Apostle to the North. He already killed over 20 beings blessed by the Gods and his power I can vouch for...Within a year, he would have already infiltrated their strongest clans without a single notice and retrieve a proper estimate to you and Master First.” - Master Eighth

"GrRrrRRRrrrrr....Hah....That, would be ill-advised...." - Master Third

Growling with an intensity almost like that of an enraged dragon, Third exuded heat-like energy off his body, drastically increasing the room temperature to burning hot.

'I suppose I should be thankful I no longer have any sweat glands.'

Master Third's eyes then glowed a fiery crimson and the air around him became briefly chaotic just before subsiding. Third then spoke in a serious but harsh tone that only made Master Eighth snicker in disbelief.

"The Demons you all encountered were merely pets of the powers in the North. Dogs released from their masters’ leash. To this world’s inhabitants, their entire race goes by the collective term ‘Demon’ but it is false to categorize them all under the same phrase. They are too visibly diverse and varied to be categorized under one word... Within their society the term ‘Demons’ are merely labels for the lowest dregs of their culture. Mere polluted inbreeds spawned to strengthen their numbers due to their very low birth rates....While I place their entire population close to only over 110,000 in estimate, their monster horde I was unable to ascertain enough to see through its depth. Don't make the mistake of underestimating this race....You will only be met with disappointment.” - Third

"Scared of some mere demons? Pitiful. Your ferocity and power must have grown weak from age, Third, if you can't even get close enough to provide a simple scale of their power. While they’re a bit stronger than Humans at the same Level, and have a higher average of Magic Casters, their minds are no different....Easily twisted. Easier corrupted." - Master Tenth

Master Tenth’s deep voice echoed throughout the space, leaving us with a dull passing silence.  

All grew quiet until Second asked why Third started to speak of his troubles in the North.

"The Demons are far different than the other races I've met on this planet. Not quite as physically strong as the Dragons, but their durability is horrifying... Just from a mere whiff of blood, they can actually smell the bloodlines within a person. Making it very easy for them to tell who's a friend or foe. Even if someone like Sixth replaced one of them with his Dopple-Gangers, the so-called Sacred Bloods holding control over the Demon Race have power unlike anything I've ever seen. They'd see you coming from hundreds of leagues away, I've already been discovered on two separate occasions and escaped by the edge of my fangs. They even laid a trap for me. We may have to postpone our plans for another thousand years." - Master Third

Each of the words that Third had spoken as if he himself couldn't believe what he had come to find in his travels to the North. It almost as if he actually fears this race.

To Master Third’s solemn words, everyone again snickered to themselves at Master Third’s failure. Only Second, Fourth and my Master all seemed to remain quietly comtemplating the words of the Third Master.

I could even see my Master nodding his head as his request for another 1000 years seemed feasible to him even.  

Second just stood there without a word peering at Third and his Apostle leaving him unable to speak.

"Unacceptable! A thousand more years in this prison?! For a Deity you sure lack any backbone to dare request such an absurd stretch just so you can fulfill your mission....Honestly, for the offspring of a Divine to willingly lower his head in shame to some damned horned beasts. If the gods weren't merciful back in the First War their race wouldn't even exist today. How disappointing...." - Master Tenth

To Master Tenth's words some of the Dark Masters and their Apostles nodded while a very familiar shrill laughter started to envelop the room that to this day sends chills down my bones.

"Muhaha! Merciful you say? You think the gods ‘merciful’? That is why the 'weak' and 'powerless' Demons were also invited to sign such a treaty amongst all those gathered on that day after disgracing and desecrating corpses of countless fellow Divines. Even ways that would make even someone with the grand title of 'Ex Pet Reaper of Hades' cringe his pants, and you say the gods were ‘merciful’? Mmphmphahaha...." - Master Fifth

"…." - Master Tenth

"...You damned skeleton!" - Master Tenth's Apostle

An evil hum followed by a shrill laughter echoed out the Lich King's open mouth confusing all those present.

"Take it from one present the day those 'Demons' first appeared, on a world already drenched in blood. Each and every Demon had the words 'Blasphemy' carved in their faces and chests as a way to almost mock the gods they enjoyed killing so much. Violent, absurdly bloodthirsty creatures with an absolute lust for war like the Demons today. They craved for battle unlike any other races, intelligent or not, and enjoyed it even in death. If you were finally able to grant one of these sinister creatures an end, you would only be met with a space-splitting laughter in its final breaths...." - Master Fifth

My Master continued describing his experience with the parent race of the current demons here and how they carved a path of blood and death everywhere they went so many eons ago, that to this day has instilled a scent of fear within all who know of their influence on the First War.

"Truly tenacious, those ancient Demons. Something even a spoiled brat of the once 'Mistress Nyx of the Night', Thanatos should not ignore. The Demons by no means lost to the gods, they won. The fact that they are still among the realm of the living is testament to their might alone. One shouldn't be too eager and make the mistake of underestimating such insatiable beasts..." - Master Fifth

I could see both Master Third and Fourth each nodding their heads in agreement as they too seemed to be aware of this already.

Master Fifth even spoke of a now deceased Goddess in Olympus he was familiar with named Hera holding power comparable to that of the God King Zeus. The former wife of the God King had each of her limbs torn off in combat and eaten right in front of her lover on the battlefield. After this, the Demon race rammed a long rod up through the Fallen Goddess's chastity and raised her corpse up high for all to see, then continued to march forward leaving only a bloody path in their wake.

According to Master, the beings who lived back then are undoubtedly still alive and well, most likely living on this world as well. While they are obviously not stepping out and meddling in worldly affairs, their influence is still present and to ignore the fact of their existence would be outright absurd. The Demon Continent is something Master originally planned to be an incredibly difficult obstacle to climb in this task given to each of them by the Founder.

"If this Demon race truly hates the gods so. Why not try to bring them over to our cause." - Master Eighth

"Horrible idea....." - Master Third

"Heh!...Wouldn't work...." - Master Fourth

"Mphmpahahaa! Master Fourth is correct for once. It's not that they simply hate all divine, it's as if they hate all existence but themselves. They’re very antagonistic with other species for whatever reason and is probably why they were given such a grueling name as Demon. Even known to fight amongst themselves... Hilarious really as they don't seem to care if they have no allies. While the Demons tolerate the other species in this world, they absolutely despise Deities and have an almost unceasing hatred for the Divine...Revealing yourself would be the equivalent to serving yourself onto the chopping block." - Master Fifth

Master's long winded laughter and eccentric behavior came off rather twisted as he almost admired their cut-throated brutality. All of the other Masters present made subtle nods and then looked back towards Master Second before a sound came from the opposite end of the long table.

"Well if the great rotting corpse Apocalypso says so, I guess I should heed his council." - Master Tenth

"Hmmphmmph so stupid...." - Master Tenth's Apostle

Master and Apostle both began snickering to each other while I could feel an intense rage surge out at the mockery of my Master. It is one thing for another Master like Fourth or Tenth but for a mere Apostle, his punishment cannot be light!

"That's Insidious Doombringer to you Master Crybaby. Muahahah!" - Master Fifth

BOOOOM!!!!

Master Tenth's fist struck the table and a loud shockwave flew across the artificial space.

"...That was a reaction from that cursed Hex bag you sent me, you rotting pile of bones!" - Master Tenth

"Ahahahaha! Dark Master TEAR-anos, has a nice ring to it ahaha!" - Master Fifth

I shook my head at my Master's very unique, poor sense of humor.

"….Are you trying to mock my Master?!" - Master Tenth's Apostle

Just then a dark glow appeared from the hands of Tenth's Apostle and his aura grew chaotic while glaring at my Master seated beside me.

"Astral Frah Zheem!"  

I stepped forward and used a skill at Tenth's Apostle before he can react. A black vortex appeared around the targeted Apostle's body, freezing him despite his attempt to evade.  

He is trapped....

While I cannot move from here, my target will be forced to stay within the dark barrier conjured by a powerful spell I learned from an old book Master gave me. Its attack speed and ability to enshroud a target almost instantaneously is what gives this spell its charm. While Light Magic is the strongest form of Barrier/Formation magic, the properties of this ancient spell renders the target unable to use any magic to resist in any way.  

"Mphahaha! Like my new Apostle! He subdue your disciple to helplessness sir Thanatos with such minimal effort and he was born just a few decades ago mphmph.....Extraordinary, no?” - Master Fifth

"Quite...." - Master Tenth

Master Tenth then looked to his frozen Apostle at his side and casually raised his hand. A single dark purplish finger appeared and tapped onto my barrier and shattered it.  

'Su...such power.......'

"Don't forget old lich...I am still a God of Death in this world. So willing to enter that eternal rest, I shall aid you gladly." - Master Tenth

"God of Death? Bahahaha!!! Oh that's rich coming from someone who's known to grant others such a 'peaceful death' wasn't it? Such a laugh honestly...Even I holding a Title of Death, I still will not dare utter such nonsense. I doubt even Hades sitting on his throne has the gall to claim such a Godly name for himself....I sir have met Death, and you CryBaby Reaper, even in your prime....Are no Death....." - Master

The two figures showed anger towards my Master's provocations as a deathly aura started to envelop the entire room, causing the core in my chest to tremble.

Thanatos was once a Reaper of Hades and has powerful Death Magic, such that I have seen him able to bring death with a single touch of his finger.

Rumble...rumble.rumble.rumble.rumble!!!!!!!!

The entire space we’re standing in started rumbling as a powerful rising bloodlust completely overwhelmed us, crashing down on everyone present. It feels as if the entire space is about to cave itself in.  

The entire space must have dropped by dozens of degrees, making my bones rigid and almost cracked, while the dimly lit orbs lighting the room started to falter and bleed a bright red dying everything present a deep crimson. The force enveloping my entire being was more profound and powerful than even my Master’s. It was practically godlike. The force crashing down on my body felt as if the bloodlust itself wants to pull and rip each of my bones apart.

The strong bloodlust subsided, and then a cheery almost completely different tone of voice came from Master Second.

"Now, now.....This is not the time for petty quarrels. Besides...Master Third and Fifth are right. We must be cautious. Even the Humans are much more capable than they were a 1000 years ago growing more and more by the day. Finding ways to even extend their lifetimes long from the average for their speceis. Some of the races even have guardian Deities residing in their lands and forces strong enough when banned together are capable of moving even the gods or possibly eradicating each of us. Many of the races though mortal, are more than capable of threatening our plans. They are each surely to have hidden weapons lying in secret, waiting for such a possibility as to our return. We will only reveal ourselves to the world when the time is right.... When our numbers have properly grown. And right when all the pieces are aligned, we strike at even the slightest opening they and crush their skulls beneath our feet......" - Master Second

To Master Second's words everyone in the hall nodded cautiously as her killing intent was unlike anything I felt since Master brought me into this world.

Judging from Master’s expression, I'm sure the level of power she just displayed was something that may have even shocked one who once reigned as one of the Undead Legion’s most respected during their time.

"Now....If we can get on to the next subject, I would like to ask if anyone here... Felt the sudden surge of darkness awakening in the East? First is curious of this phenomenon and is hoping to hear Master Tenth and Master Seventh's take on this…" - Master Second

"Yes, I too felt it within the Dragon Tribes. Do you believe it to be a Dark Lord’s emergence?” - Master Ninth

"No, while it was similar to an awakening, this was far too unfathomable. Even I was unable to sense the depth of such darkness. It was far too deep to be something like a Dark Lord emerging. Even some of the Vampire Lords were able to perceive such a phenomenon. It came from somewhere in the southern region of the Eastern Continent, Second. That sadly is all I can tell you.” - Master Seventh

Master Tenth then nodded and agreed to Master Seventh along with their Apostles who were also in the Eastern Continent for a long time. However they were unaware as to what caused this emergence of powerful dark energy that swept all the way to the Western Continent on the other side of the world. I felt it with my Master in the Rose Empire but to think this strange occurrence even peaked the curiosity of one as mysterious as First?

Second now wishes to send a scout to investigate this phenomenon and if it happens to be the emergence of a new Dark Lord, it is possible we might invite him into our Order. However, Dark Lords are chosen by a Master only and each Master can only have one Apostle at a time in order to properly train new members of the Order. Both Seventh and Tenth have been given strict orders to only observe and report what they find and not reveal themselves under any circumstances unless authorized by the Founder.

"The Founder is serious of such words. Under no circumstance are you or your Apostles to unveil yourselves to the world for any reason or you will be punished gravely by the Order. I hope I made the words of the Founder clear....." - Master Second

Even with half her face covered, her glaring golden eye swept across the silent room with an intimidating gaze. Each of the Dark Masters nodded their heads in agreement and were instructed to further infiltrate each of this world’s societies as the beginning stages of the Order’s long-scale plan.

With that, the meeting of the Order of the Dark Masters has come to a close.

----------------------------------------------------------

Vali's POV:

…..Just kill them....They don't deserve life....You must grant them death.....

Rattle!...Rattle!..Rattle!

Rattle.rattle.

RATTLE!

'S(rattle)o lo (RAT(rattle)TLE!) ud....'

"Pu...t..Her down! Cough..cough!" - ?

…When the suffering under their hands end...So shall your pains end.....

'Dea(Rattle)th...Th(rattle)ey deserve..(RATTLE!!!)..death!'

"Ughyah...ughgcough...cough.....Ple....ase...cough..ghghg....Nn..o...." - ?

….You must...end all of their pain...You must...feast!

'I....Must....'

My mind was being overwhelmed with sounds and the rattling of my crumpled heart.

Just when I thought I was growing numb, the sounds of every rattle sent shivers down my spine reawakening my torment. My loneliness. All my fears had come back to me.

I could hardly see anything. Everything was pitch black and moving around me.

It felt as if I had lost the ability to breathe and control over my own body, I was filled with so much rage. I had almost completely forgotten the atrocious acts I had just seen. I wished only to kill the evil surrounding me. I have a splitting headache and a fury that only feels to be rising with each passing breath is only growing harder to suppress, making it almost impossible to think of anything else.

I couldn't stop myself from shaking it were as if my blood were boiling like a liquid lava beneath my skin.

I remember threatening the people of this city, I remember....Killing so many without even a passing thought but.....It wasn't me.

It were as if I was sitting in the driver seat with no control over the wheel in my hands. I was conscious but...was that still me?

'I remember turning off my Demonic Awakening before even entering the city but that disgraceful Captain's actions must have, no.... My Demonic Awakening ability had activated itself long before that. But I...Ugh I messed up. I...(Rattle) I gave that Captain too many choices. ....This....This rage!....I (Rattle) have....I h(rattle)ave to get under con(rattle)trol or...Or I'll.....what..(RATTLE!!) Ah!(RATTLE!!!)...Hjö(Rattle!)kk said...just might....happen...'

My whole body started to shutter thinking of Hjökk's explicit warnings and I tried to gain control over this boundless rage.

The surrounding noises only grew louder and shifting my thoughts, making it all more difficult. This intense heat that felt to be fueling the fires of my rage was making everything else seem so cloudy, it was hard to let go. All I can see are dark creatures surrounding me in this dark world that appeared around me. Each of them leering back at me with eyes filled with a sinister light.

An almost celestial glow started to shine from my chest distracting my eye-line, while the darkness around me started collapse. A warmth started flow through my chest and rejuvinate my entire body.

For a brief moment I felt a sense of clarity. I could see through the vast darkness that had suddenly began to encroach and wrap itself around me.  

It felt like I were given a breath of fresh air. These overwhelming emotions that were almost beginning to take control over me started to subside and the loud rattling filling my head began to cease. I could see again....

The deformed evil creatures in front and around me each turned back into frightened villagers who were looking towards me as if I were a monster straight from Hell. The pouring rain came down from the heavens and caused the surrounding pools of blood to become rivers of crimson death covering the entirety of the stone arena.

Within my grasp I was holding in the air, the same short female military officer who alongside that depraved Captain also came from the Kingdom of Myro. She showed a look of pure terror in her eyes looking back at me but didn't even dare to pinch the hand that was currently gripped firmly around her soft, fragile neck.

'She and her friends came here to kill me.... I wasn't planning on starting a killing spree when I stepped through the gates of this cursed town but the things I saw. I am unable to ever erase from my eyes.'

I kept fighting through my thoughts even trying to recall what had all happened as I started to gain control over my breathing.  

I dropped the young woman onto the ground and she started desperately breathing in the air back into her lungs. The short military officer then started frantically crawling away back towards the sides of her worn and injured comrades with pure terror in her eyes.

The Annunakes were vicious enough to see these weren't friendlies and understood if they turned out to be I could always heal them afterwards....They were supposed to have removed all weapons and items on their person if they fought back but they clearly missed that Captain's dagger. The Alpha Group ended up destroying the bones in their legs and left them in a condition where none of those from Myro would die but would be unable to fight back in the slightest.

The one's who were still alive and from Myro had  fang and claw marks covering all over their bodies with fresh blood flowing out. Most would have probably died from their injuries but the average level of each of them are in the high 100's and are still holding on.

Each of those from Myro looked at me with nothing but hopelessness as I had foolishly revealed to them I was the one whom they were seeking. While thinking over all that I was told and all that had just happened, I stared back at each of them without a hint of mercy.

Everything Hjökk warned was true, it was as if my inhibitions were lifted and all I could see was only one thing. Realizing it now it were as if it had left me with only the alternative to kill them all, and yet...I had still made such a decision almost immediately?

'Whenever that Captain gripped around the neck of that young waitress I actually remember meeting in the other city of Aldain I felt fear. With her life in that man's hands it were as if all of my previous inhibitions were severed within a heartbeat. The decision to use my Death Grip were almost instantaneous even though I had made the firm decision not to use it unless absolutely necessary in public. Even if this is a backwoods Kingdom who wouldn't see much magic if at all, judging by the looks of each of them, that is not any kind of magic that any of them had witnessed in their lifetimes. That includes those from Myro as well....'

His head just exploded when I felt his very life being shattered in my hands.  

'Whenever my understandings of Death Grip rose, so did my understandings of Death Magic itself. Using it on a single target much lower level than me was overwhelming...Addicting even. Being able to wield such a frightening power that controls something as infinite as life and death gives off an empowering emotion in oneself. Giving off the same stimulation and hormones as if I had just ate or had sex.'

It was a feeling of being high like that of a drug every time my hand passed over a person's very life force that would begin to tremble each and every time. But as my rage began to erupt I focused all of my energy and thought on making him suffer. Death Grip no longer felt like blowing out a candle with my hand like it did with the Gnolls. It felt like a dominating and crushing force of a supreme overlord that left most of the victim's inner organs, including his heart to have ruptured entirely from within.

It's not like I regret killing any of these heartless bastards....But is it possible to kill so many people and not feel something for me? Was I even capable of this in my last life or is it really all the darkness?

'I feel I can almost remember a whisper that were even speaking to me. Coaching me? Speaking for me? Is this what Balor and the Darkness meant, what Loki and Hjökk had both warned? I had already been pushed past the breaking point long ago but it's as if the weight keeps piling down on top of me more and more.'

The moment that trigger was pulled it were as if the earlier struggling on how to deal with each of the corrupt figures the Asher's had given me the details over, became utterly simple.

'...Ah! Fuck it...I don't really have time to dwell on my actions right now though even if I did almost lose it right there. I already knew the Darkness can corrupt those in this world. I just have to get a better control over it from now on.... I need to handle this situation here first though, I don't have time to think about such things.'

I looked out towards the audience in this grim show I had just displayed and each and every one of them had lost the ability to speak from what I had done. After not even batting an eye at some of the priors threats and even going as far as doing what I did, the fear has already began to eat away at any hope of them trying to resist me in any way.

Just as the rain continued to pour down I felt a soft warm sensation press down onto my shoulder. When I saw who it was I was surprised to see it was actually Bifrost. Her black wings towered higher than the other pixies. Even though she looks the most sinister of her siblings, the warmth and gentleness she shows in such black eyes are just as kind as her sisters.

Bifrost and her siblings who were held captive together have personally never done this before like the other pixies do.

The black pixie looked towards me and smiled just before turned towards her siblings who were actually surrounding everyone in the arena underneath an illusion that only those of our group can see through.

"Kai, follow me ok....

The lonely traveler walks a jagged road,

A monster appears from worlds untold....." - Bifrost

The small black pixie began to whisper a short chant to herself while gently swaying each of her long black hands similar to how a maestro would with their orchestra. When acting together each and every Pixie can include or incorporate their own illusions while providing layers of their own illusions on themselves or others.

"Oh...no..no...they're back!" - Villager

"AhH!!!!!!!!" - Villager

"Do...Somebody do..something!!!!" - Villager

"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" - Villager

"Mo..mommy!"- Villager

Each and every citizen who was shaking on the ground started to lose all the color in their faces and screamed at the top of their lungs. Every villager inside the arena started to show looks of pure terror and kept closing their eyes or trying to flee but were far too petrified.

"It's ok Vali. I made them each think that a group of Fomorians had just appeared and are currently surrounding us.” - Bifrost

When I twitched upon hearing this she smiled and told me not to worry about it. She said she was aware that I was probably regretting revealing such a skill that she and her siblings knew I had wanted to keep a secret. She could tell what I must have been struggling with and thought she could make everyone present believe it was all an illusion. 'She seemed almost aware of what was going on with me too....'

I peered over to where a small group of weak looking individuals in rags and some of those we saved from the brothel standing motionless and unaffected. Some kept their hands over their eyes but those that weren't seemed unaffected by the surrounding illusion magic.  

A few of the Annunakes were still holding some of those who had to be carried from the amount of drugs in their system or were simply too weak to come with us.

Noticing what I must have been thinking Bifrost whispered into my ear that they were seeing a different kind of illusion right now and didn't think I'd care because I was probably taking them with us. She said if I wanted she could certainly add them into the illusion array as well.

"Why would you assume I was going to take each of them with us?"

I was curious as to why she'd assume that. Bifrost just smiled while gently waving her hands alongside her siblings and didn't look back towards me as she spoke.

"You took us with you....."

I didn't have much to say and just nodded back looking at the reactions of all the surrounding villagers cowering in fear trying to shield themselves and shaking violently.

Kai and his siblings each came down and started to destroy the dead bodies that were littering the area unknown to everyone present.

They were ruthless and uncaring of their victims with every swing of their small arms and elemental magics. They would deliver a Light Hammer to the corpses of one of the guards smashing their head into the dirt, causing the body to appear to have died from something other than the magic I had just shown.

Bifrost giggled to me and started to whisper in my ear while she continued swaying her long fingers with every random scream from one of the villagers. Being able to multitask her abilities with magic seems astounding.

'According to Bifrost, sometimes I mumble to myself when I think I'm alone and there are usually a couple of Pixies with me even if I'm not aware of it, even when I was with Hökk....Hah, and since all of the Pixies talk to each other like one big family they are each all aware of me wanting to hide some of my abilities as well. Bifrost then knew that was what I was thinking of in such a moment which I'm surprised of. But I'm thankful for it....'

I nodded to her and watched the scenes unfold as some of the villagers continued to panic and look between me and the rain clouds overhead. Some of them then started to show grim faces when looking at me like I were about to attack each of them.

The military officer I had by the neck was lying next to one of her fallen comrades and shivering under the rain not taking her eyes off me. Each and every villager who was staring in our direction then started to raise their heads up in terror and looked to not believe what they were seeing.

"Im..Impossible!" - Villager

"He..He's ...he's one of those...those monsters!" - Villager

"He was wah..wah..one of those...giants too?" - Villager

"Gods please save us!" - Mayor

"No..not...ha..ppening...not..happ..ening...lie..all lie...must..home..must..go home...mu..mu must." - Female Officer

I started to hear some strange things so I looked towards Bifrost who just smirked.

"We have to make them think everything they saw was not real. Might as well give them something that will stay with them forever...Maybe if they imprint this fear they feel now, then they'll change their ways...." - Bifrost

As her voice started to grow colder she glanced back towards each of the frightened citizens who were now too scared to even remove the hands over their eyes. Many seemed to have even lost their mind to the insanity they were witnessing before their eyes and were unable to resist to the fate staring back at them. Trying to shield their eyes their fear had overtaken them to the point they couldn't move.

"Thanks....."

Bifrost just smiled and continued to look out in front of her continuing to wave her hands back and forth. I'm truly thankful for these pixies.

"Alpha...What are you doing?" - Adimar

A couple of the Annunakes behind me walked up and whispered to me unaware of the situation. When I explained it to them they didn't say much in response however. Adimar turned his head to where I could only see his eye patch and unable to see what he was thinking.

"And what of the rest of the armed humans Alderon and Grayfia's group took down?” - Akino

"….We cannot let them leave here alive. Less they gather with their allies and return.” - Bifrost

Bifrost budded in without even blinking or even looking back towards the Annunakes at our backs.

"Hah....We would be striking down unarmed opponents?” - Akino

"Hmph, what difference does it make? If we killed them before or kill them now? Adimar said this group is the same people who wanted to kill Vali. Just look at how they treat their own people. We kill them all." - Tanin

A small ball of fire came floating down from above next to his sister Aurora.

I was surprised by Tanin's words as it wasn't the same sarcastic and energetic personality I was used to. 'Perhaps the Fire element is affecting his behavior too, but then have the other pixies acted any differently?'

"Hmmm....We will follow the Alpha's command." - Adimar

Akino, Alderon and Grayfia behind me each nodded their heads after a short pause and awaited my further orders.

"Hmph, it is no matter Akino. These humans are not warriors. They are cowards who have chosen to lift up their weapons and hide. They don't deserve a warrior’s death.” - Grayfia

"Have to agree with the little fireball on this one. Wouldn't change anything and if we allow them to return it would only breed more adversity.” - Alderon

"Hmm, then perhaps we should take a few of them to learn more of this new enemy who has revealed themselves to us.” - Adimar

Each of them nodded and then looked back to me. Everyone with me has dealt in similar situations before and have much more experience than me. Killing an enemy to them isn't a trivial matter regardless if they're armed or not but I can't disagree with anything they have each said.

"I agree....Bifrost you can set down the illusion now."

She nodded and each of the Pixies started coordinating together and the illusion spell had dissipated.

Many panicked voices started to die down and all that could be heard was the loud pouring rain slamming against the puddles of dirt and blood.

'I don't regret killing a single one of them. While I did let my emotions rule me, I feel I still would have inevitably killed each of them at some point.’

In fact I've already decided in my heart that every single member of this rotten guild who are responsible for this, responsible for what could have happened to Ari....will all die alongside their newly appointed King. No exceptions.

"Ah!..It...Wait ...where? Where did those...huge creatures go?" - Villager

"Gone? They're all gone!” - Mayor

"…..." - Villagers

"H...how?" - Villager

"Illusion?...Illusion magic? Of course! How could that man be one of those giant monstrosities! It must have..it must have...all just an illusion. The giant creatures who ate our regiment. His powers! Everything?" - Myro Soldier

"...all a lie? Cough...cough.cough...." - Myro Officer  

"It...it wasn't real?...Not real?..." - Female Myro Officer

"Everything?....All of those giant beasts?" - Myro Officer

Each of the villagers started clamoring about and looking at the now dead and smoking bodies that appeared around them. Coming to the realizations so fast, Bifrost and the others must have made it all start to really feel real towards the end.

I've already made the decision on what to do now and whatever emotions that may rise from it I'll just push down from here on out and accept it. With those with me as support, I won't lose to this darkness. I won't lose to my fears.  

"You three...."

I pointed at three shivering and drenched officers huddled together on the soft dirt. While there appeared to be less than twenty troops left from the force Alderon and his group encountered. Not a single one of them was left in a condition to where they could fight. The girl I choked had a large bruise around her neck and each of them began to grow pale with my sudden action.

"You appear to be of higher rank than the others around you.... For that, you're coming with us.”

"Wha...what about our men?" - Myro officer

"Wha...what are ...gulp..you going to do with us?" - Female Officer

"Cough...cough...." - Myro Officer with glasses

I didn't like sounding like the bad guy, but they came here with the intent to hunt me down by orders of their command. They made such a choice to follow such leaders, and while I have no enmity with any of them, they each prepared to die whenever they were willing to pick up their swords and come here. 'Heh, it's weird but I'm almost thankful for the effects of the darkness element almost leaving me with an absence of guilt over what I'm going to do ....'

"You all came here to hunt me down. No doubt because I killed that chatty Horseman of yours who just so happened to try and assassinate the leader of a Kingdom I have just recently joined. You tell me, how would your superiors treat a group of foreign assassins?"

To each of my words caused their eyes to bulge as if they were being stabbed by tiny daggers thinking over every single word.

"You dare! Cough..cough." - Myro Officer with glasses

"Villain. You'd strike down unarmed men! Savages!!!" - Myro Officer

"You think your illusions can save you? You have become an enemy of King Myro! And his reach extends over the entire Eastern world! Nowhere you can hide! No sane person would invoke such a might that will come and crash down on each of you harder than you can imagine!!! Now I demand you release all of us or you'll regret it!" - Female Officer

GRrRrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

Each of the Annunakes behind me and standing within the crowd started growling towards the three in front of me.

This sudden change caused the three to shut up and unable to speak with the silver eyes of each Annunake locking in on them.

"Dare to show such bloodlust to the Alpha again human and I'll jam this spear through your skull." - Grayfia

Grayfia had jumped out from behind me and raised her spear towards the Female Officer's head.

The earlier anger on the female officer's face had instantly become erased from her face looking at the spear point only inches from her eye. I interrupted and spoke back to each of the three trembling figures.  

"Villain? So was anything I said false? You each came here with the intent to kill me and seem shocked at the treatment you'll receive in return. Like that name backing you will erase all past debts. You! Tell me....If I was to walk within your city streets and threw down my weapon would that mean your superiors wouldn't still execute me for killing some of their idiot commanding officers? Even if I was unarmed?....Yah, I thought not, so...."

Their pride was still quite heavy. Each time I mocked their commanding officers or spoke their customs back to them it were as if I had already pushed in the knife.  

Snif...Snif..snif...snif....

I couldn't help but hear a familiar sound that somehow echoed through the rain louder than everything else. As if these sounds were hardwired into my brain to bring back instincts that have been seared all the way to my soul.

Not far away were a small huddle of slaves young and old. While there were only around three I'd consider as children, two of which were human, the less than 20 individuals each varied in ages and races from one another. The majority of them however were demi-human and a couple of them even had green skin. Several of them were from the brothel we entered upon our arrival here and some who were recovered from possibly worse conditions throughout the city. Some of them were wearing nothing but rags and each of them were dirty, bruised and frail. While others were drugged or beaten to the point they couldn't flee here even if we let them go. I could still see hints of fear in each of their eyes, some gave dead looks as if they had already died inside long ago.

The sound of one of the small demi-human children somehow caught my attention through all this downpour and I started to walk towards her direction through the shaking villagers and pouring rain.  

Images of a happier time appeared in my eyes while I walked closer towards the frightened girl and saw the crying form of Kaylan holding onto her scraped knee.  

"K...kayle....It..it hurts...." - Kaylan

I could hardly even believe my eyes as this hallucination was such a familiar scene from my past and had perfectly integrated itself within this very moment.

The entire image caused me to shake slightly and I shook my head to break this hallucination that had suddenly appeared in front of me. It wasn't the first time...

The image of my crying sister had turned to ash in front of me and there standing a few feet away was a frightened slave standing in her place. She gave me a frightened look as my face must have been frowning while looking towards her.

'….I'll never get use to that.....'

The Myro officers each gave odd puzzled looks to one another and before anything else happened, I felt an intense heat coming from behind my back followed by loud horrifying screams.

A bright colorful light came pouring from behind me lighting up the surroundings and I had realized that the pixies had each jumped the gun and started shooting their fire magic at the other surviving members of Myro.

I turned back and saw now that several Annunakes and Pixies had already started killing the fallen members of the Myro besides the three officers causing loud screams of pain and agony to fill everyone's ears.

Before I was going to say anything in response to the Pixies actions Bifrost who was still quietly sitting on my shoulder had whispered again in my ear.

"Don't worry Vali. Your struggles are our struggles now. That's what family's for. You don't have to worry about us dirtying our hands...They became dirty long ago. Ugh? What? Why are you looking at me like that?" - Bifrost

'….I honestly don't know what to say. Without even thinking it, I was thinking that way. I didn't want them to have to kill for reasons that were my own. I should be the one to clean up my own messes, but I'm lucky to have made such strong bonds in such a world...They probably wouldn't even listen if I tried to argue against them either....'

"Just surprised is all...Not just by your words but even you sitting on my shoulder is kind of surprising..."  

"Oh..Um of course. And I've just seen some of my siblings do it and well, I didn't think...you'd mind...." - Bifrost

"Well...Thanks..."  

"...Of course Vali." - Bifrost

The small black pixie on my shoulder looked warmly towards me with eyes that had no pupils but were simply pitch black.  

"Ahhhh!!!! You'll pay for this!" - Female Myro Officer

"Cough..co....no.....cough.cough...cough.." - Myro Officer

".....Stop this please! I beg you!" - Myro Officer

I didn't pay much mind what was going on behind me nor the loud shouts coming from the surviving three officers who were unable to do anything.  

As I drew closer the small demi-human with a large striped puffy tail and ragged hair started to shake violently noticing I was looking at her. Her eyes kept jumping from those burning behind me to those around her and myself not knowing what to do.

When I arrived close to the small girl who couldn't have been any older than Lilly, each of the slaves around her dispersed away. She was a lot shorter than those around her but she kind of had a large head with small fuzzy ears. It was hard to tell if her face were streaming with tears or the rain. She gripped onto her tail that was practically bigger than she was and wondering what I was going to do next.

"Hey...You scared?...."

I kneeled down in the dirt and got close to her could see scratches and bruises all over her small feet and legs. There aren't many child slaves in this city as from what I'm told it's one of the last locations a slave trader would probably bring their stock. Even acquiring a slave here is probably only to those with wealth in this city. Every single one of them looks to have seen some truly horrific times in a city not bound by any law or order. Even the citizens here have been suffering in this place.

To my question the small trembling girl's eyes grew large and while holding onto her tail nodded very cautiously.

"It's ok....You don't have to be. No one's going to hurt you anymore."

I tried to use a calm voice to reassure each of them but I feel that must have been much more frightening for some reason. Her mouth grew wide but she stared back at me as if she didn't believe it. She just continued moving her eyes all over not knowing what to think of such words.

Everyone else surrounding us started to give strange looks towards me wondering what I was doing. Even if they couldn't hear what I was saying, my sudden change caused everyone to be momentarily speechless. I didn't care how I must look to anyone for this. 'For some reason this just seemed, important....'

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Yo...You promise?" - ?

The voice that came out from this rather short girl sounded almost like one of the 'chipmunks'. It almost squeaked but it was also soft. I had to hold myself from chuckling it a bit just from her voice.

"Yeah, I promise...We only hurt the bad guys...."

The small girl started to bite her lip and some of the slaves around me started to look towards one another curiously.

Each of the slaves were looking up towards me still not saying a word like everyone else here. 'Geez I feel like a terrorist right now but Fear is part of being a Dark Lord and each of those here have been affected by it. Even in my last life fear was something I was acquainted with and even used it often to stop future fights. I'm going to leave every witness here with a lasting imprint of fear that will hopefully change their lives. I don't blame the children or some of those here as they are products of a bad environment, but that doesn't mean it's all black and white and all of those here are innocent either, including some of these kids.’

"Hey! You bastard look at me! You're going to pay for this you hear me!" - Myro Officer

"AhhhHH!!!!!! You bastard!!! You murdering...sob...bastard...sob...sob..." - Female Myro Officer

Just as the sounds behind me grew loud several of the Annunakes had approached each of them and knocked them unconscious.

Those in front of me looked behind me and gulped just before slowly turning back towards me.

I looked towards each of the victims of this city and thought to myself what they'd probably wish to hear right about now. Just so happens to be the best way to heal a worn out body and heart.

I turned to each of the slaves and those who were being carried.

"Hey, who's hungry?"

To my words, light was rekindled in some of their eyes and perk up slightly but only to those who were younger. The small girl in front of me made a small gulp and continued biting her lip cautiously staring back at me with loss of breath. Kind of reminds of me of Tierra a bit cause of her ears, I'm sure this is the first time a human has spoken to her like this too.

"Yah, I thought so. Well before we came here to fight those big monsters attacking this place, we were having a large feast back home... How's about each of you come with and fill your bellies. We have more than enough for each of you."

As my words trailed off none of them said anything and looked towards each other as if not believing a single word. Everyone seemed more mesmerized by the fact that I was speaking with them instead of anyone else. I tried to look some of them in the eye but none were able to do the same.  

I could still see resentment in their eyes and even with everything around them trust isn't something they have in the world any longer.

The small terrified girl in front of me however was the first to speak up again.

"Y...you're not going...to eat us?" -?

I smirked at the scared small girl's words and felt a little guilty. 'Ah, poor thing, what is she even thinking?'

"Hmph no, who would eat such a cute little kid like you. What do you each say? Would any of you like to come back with us?...Leave this place? Forever....”

To my words the small number of slaves and victims of this town didn't say much of anything back to me. Not able to believe any of the words I said but too afraid to call bullshit.  

I decided to address everyone present and depart with a few final words and an opportunity to leave.

The several hundred villagers cowered together looking back towards me unable to guess what was going to happen next.

"To all those of the Kingdom of Aldain, with this we part ways. The vendetta I have against the Sneering Ogres and the King of this little nation is something that truly goes beyond bone deep with me. I myself have no enmity with any of you. But I can't say that means any of you aren't just as guilty as they are and could meet the same fate one day....but I've had enough killing for today. For those who tonight have lost their homes, husbands....fathers.... I'm sorry. However, to the victims of the atrocities of the powers in charge here I only wish to speak to you. To each of you....."

Thinking of something that I probably would have liked to hear in moments I were struggling I looked at each of the slaves and trafficked women who the Annunakes and Pixies had huddled together before all this started.

"If you ever prayed for a moment to change each of your destinies....Now is that time. Come back with us and you will no longer receive the same treatment you have each had to suffer here. You'll be one of us. I can't promise it'll be an easy life but you'll never grow hungry and will have a place to call home if you join us. If you wish to leave afterwards you may, no one will stop you. I'm offering you all a chance at a better life and we will take you away from this city. But you must decide that now..."

I then looked back towards the waitress and her Granny and peered over all the crouching villagers still unable to speak from fear.

Every time my eyes passed over one of them they would freeze and unable to speak. The Mayor looked back at me with bulging eyes but I could tell he was unable to want to speak. I gave him a look not to say a word in rejection or I would make him sorry. Each of these citizens know of all the deeds that have happened here and with them gaining the opportunity to leave would bring to light some of the depravity that dwells in this place.

Obviously the only reason he is in power because he is receiving large benefits from the Guilds many businesses. Knowing that I threatened all of those in power here I think he is now controlling his tongue and doesn't dare to say a word.

If no one wishes to come that's fine, I just want to be content knowing I did what I could. I'm not some justice freak looking to right out injustices. But with the power I've been given I feel I can at least help those who are around me.

'With what I've been given in this next life, this is the least I could do for those who remind me a lot of myself in a way. I wasn't strong enough when it mattered, now even if it's inconvenient for me I won't ever sit by and watch again. I'd rather die then go through that torment again. '

Just then one of the slaves who looked only a bit younger than me jumped out and walked forward. He had a dirty face and thin frame and was a couple inches shorter than me. He was also missing his left hand and was wrapped heavily into a stump. He also had green skin and two large fangs coming out from his lower jaw.  

It gave him a rather tough appearance but much like the others here he was weak and only nodded to me just before lowering his head.  

I nodded towards him and just then an older female demi-human with peach colored hair and a large dirty tail coming out from behind it. She was dressed more like a worker in one of the businesses rather than some of the slaves here clothed in rags. She had darker skin than most but even in her old age her skin was oddly smooth but like all the others around her was soaked and dirty.

One after the other, many started to walk forward and stand next to the two demi-humans looking to struggle with these thoughts but for whatever reason still came forward. The small puffy tailed little girl started to oddly waddle forward to stand next to the small group while still holding onto her tail with big astonished looking eyes. Now she was no longer looking around at the surrounding people but only at me.

The two other human slaves I considered as children since they were around Lilly and the rests ages, also walked over while some older villagers even got up and ran towards a few of the slaves.  

"Mom!" - ?

"It's ok...It's ok, sweety...Come now...come...let's leave..." - ?

"Bu..bu..." -?

"This is what we've been praying for...Come now we can't let this opportunity leave us." - ?

They hugged a few of them and by some of the slaves’ reactions it was possible some of the teenagers were even children to some of those in this town. They too came forward and stood with us.

I looked towards the waitress, who had a bruise on the side of her face, and her Granny crouching next to her. After looking me in the eye for several seconds the Granny had nodded. She stood up and tried pulling her granddaughter who seemed reluctant at first but upon further nudging started to walk forward with a surprised look on her face.

Some who were kneeling within the crowd who weren't slaves also stood up and started walking forward. Some who had lost their homes and some who even possibly came from this village. Some of the parents are even taking their children whom had more than likely lost some of their family members just now too and yet they still decided to join.

Until a group of a little over 30 stood out in front of me I looked back to the Annunakes and ushered them to grab the 3 unconscious Officers and Prince of this backwater kingdom, and prepare to leave.

None of those who decided to stay had even a word to say back in fear of obstructing any of us and remained crouching in the mud.

I nodded and all of the Pixies and Annunakes did as well and started to walk alongside me. With Bifrost on my shoulder we walked towards the group who immediately jumped out of the way from me and cleared a path. While I wanted to just use the Spatial Magic here and warp us all away this sudden action of theirs made me think I should wait till we leave the vicinity of the arena....

'That is also an ability I don't want others knowing about. The less anyone knows what we can do the better.'

As we marched out of the blood soaked arena being lit by the glow of the pixies and piercing lightning striking overhead.

The 30 plus we gathered decided to follow behind us and I had some of the Annunakes help those who had trouble walking that I'd heal each later. Most of their levels were less than 20 and some had crippling injuries I wouldn't be able to fix at my current power.  

'I'd help them, but even promises of freedom, they don't wish to be anywhere near me... Illusion or not...As a Dark Lord, this is also expected, instilling fear from even the slightest spark, though I hope it's just the effects of my new titles...'

"We have made enough distance away from the stone structure Alpha." - Adimar

Walking up beside me were some of the Alpha unit who are now cleansed of all the blood covering their fur from the constant rain.

While nodding I looked towards the former Alpha who looked troubled.

"...I'm sorry for the detour and that we couldn't find any of the Elkia tonight...."

"...Hmph. Think nothing of it Alpha. We will next time... " - Adimar  

"Mmm...."  

I felt bad we weren't able to retrieve any of the Elkia from this trip and feel I may have gotten sidetracked here. Adimar however seemed to be understanding.  

"One shouldn't ever have regrets in their actions young Alpha. Only their failures. Besides we have gained something from it, perhaps we can learn something about this foreign nation who keeps dispatching large forces to this area." - Adimar

While nodding back I walked out in front of everyone and turned around to face each of them. We haven't left the City but using my Presence Sense I can see there isn't anyone close by.

"Alpha! What of these beasts who were being mounted by the foreign army's troops?” - Alderon

I looked over and saw next to Alderon and Grayfia were roughly 10 horses that all looked to have been broken in and trained. What I couldn't take my eyes off of however were two of them had flames coming out from their mains and they looked to be an incredibly rare breed possibly?

They had to grab the reigns to pull them but the fire coming off them was pretty intense so some of the Pixies had to take over.  

"...Those are called horses but those two with flames seem pretty interesting. They're often used in battle since they're speed and stamina are higher than humans and they can help pull things."  

"Hmph, they weren't that fast..." - Grayfia

Grayfia smirked while they pulled the reigns of some of the horses they had gathered and we decided to take them as well.

Stretching out my hands all of the people we gathered started looking towards me oddly and some with looks of fear.

After a few waves of my hands I stretched over the space everyone was standing in and warped it back to a spatially marked point I placed inside the dungeon on Floor 52. I couldn't create many of these when I first learned of how to use this particular spatial marker that allows me to use spatial magic across much further distances and bring large groups with me. But now my abilities and basic comprehensions seemed to have expanded greatly making me able to create much more.

Now it was just me standing in the silent city in Aldain looking to see if my ability had successfully warped everyone away.

The once outer colony of the fallen Kingdom of Anston was later stripped and taken over by several other clans and surrounding Kingdoms after losing a war. A local guild master had collected and gathered a large force of bandits and thieves and created a fortress city within the current Kingdom of Aldain and have practically trapped its citizens from escaping to other towns and obtaining taxes from them as a form of 'protection' they claim to be providing. They may allow traveling merchants to enter but exiting the city is not something many of the citizens are even allowed to do. ' That's also probably why that red crystal was being sold at such a price in that shop. I assumed it was just because it wasn't a good alchemy ingredient and too difficult to work with as the shopkeeper had said.'

While the now deceased Guild Master who was once an Earl of fallen Kingdom was dethroned, the corruption and horrors in this town are still grimly present. The Queen had even claimed that those who the guild sex-trafficked like those from the newly decorated brothel, are the lucky ones. The intel the Queen had provided had even spoke of a deal that was made from the newly appointed King Tyrule with a surrounding Orc clan that they sell women to once every few months in return for them not attacking their citizens or traveling merchants. If I wasn't affirmed at killing this man already, his actions make me think death is far too light for him....

The Sneering Ogre guild has gotten out of control and King Asher believes the reason for this is due to no one willing to expend a large enough force to take care of them within their inner City that is built like a fortress within a small forest in the west not far from here, especially when it isn't really their concern. Things like this aren't uncommon in this side of the world and involved in their own affairs. With a Continent almost 30% larger than Asia and most of the land still unsettled for Humans, things like this just get swept under the rug. Such acts alone make me furious! Aldain is now even considered a small Human Kingdom that alongside several other neighboring Kingdoms have been absorbed within the Kingdom of Myro.

Aldain's land however is a little too close to the Dungeon entrance so....Two birds one stone....

With one final look at this city stained of evil, vowing to one day return and finish what I started in this Kingdom, I too warped away....

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Akino's POV:

'Hmm, life sure has changed following the new Alpha.’

Looking down, the short demi-human child was walking kind of funny trying to keep up with my pace.

While gripping onto my hand which was holding firmly onto hers, she suddenly looked up at me strangely. After a few seconds of awkward eye contact she smiled brightly up towards me while trotting alongside me.

She wore small scraps of cloth held together by a string and walked on her bare feet. She looked to have barely even grew in her fangs in yet.... far too young to fend for herself. 'Alpha wasn't able to let them be left to fend for themselves. I suppose I can't blame him...Such a disgusting place that was.'

I couldn't really communicate with her so I just smiled back to ease her frightened heart. I looked forward towards some of the others who decided to come alongside us who weren't able to walk quite yet.

Some we found in chains strung up on large cuts of lumber and others lying half dead in their streets. Even before Alpha arrived, the place already reeked of death.

-----------------------------------------------------------

"Anyone you find wearing this matching armor you tell them the phrase I wrote down and if any of them don't throw down their weapons, put them down!" - Vali

"As you command Alpha!" - Alpha Group

Within a breath of Alpha's command the Alpha Group and a few other strong members of the pack began sprinting through the vacant city streets.

After hopping over their city wall which was a mere fence, those who dared brandish their weapons donning the same colors as the city guards would be killed on the spot.

The image of 10 armed humans came around the side of a building brandishing their weapons and shaking.  

WHOOooooOOOOOoOOOshh!

Adimar's figure had flew past me at an astonishing speed and ripped through rain in between each of them.

Shink..

Shink...

Shink....

Each of the figures then dropped their weapons and fell to their knees with their heads now leaving their bodies. Unknowing of how they even died as they were unable to react to the once fallen Alpha's unmatchable speed.  

Even myself I can feel my legs and body feeling a power unlike anything I've ever felt before. I can run so fast the rain pouring down seemed almost stalled before us.  

AHhhhhHhhhhh!!!!!!!

Loud screams started echoing throughout the quiet city until the every citizen within the settlement had become aware to our presence.  

The new Alpha was appalled at the scenes that continued to reveal themselves at every street corner, the blood lust he was showing was only growing more and more. By his command every citizen of this city was to be gathered and brought towards the large arena like structure on a hill within their small city.  

Adimar and I both followed behind Vali as we rounded the short street corner and their appeared 5 large pieces of lumber sticking out from the ground. Each of them held the body of a brutally beaten and some disfigured demi-humans who were wrapped in chains high above the ground.

"Noooo!!!”  

Just then one of the green-skinned demi-humans we found being used as bait jump from behind us and ran towards one of the figures wrapped in chains.

The figure wrapped around the large slab of lumber also had green skin and looked to have large gashes covering it's face and body while missing it's left hand.

"Get them down...All of them!" - Vali

Immediately by the Alpha's orders several members of the Alpha Group took down each of the figures and amongst them only 2 had survived. Vali performed his healing magic on both of them but didn't say anything else before he then took back to the city streets.

"Ple..please..don't die..please don't..don't leave me...." – Green-Skinned demi-human

Several of these slaves we were also slowly gathering in the city as a number of around a dozen have each appeared wearing those same strange collars around their necks, no different than a leash.

"Akino, pay attention, keep up." - Adimar

I shook my head and noticed Adimar was quickly following behind Vali who had just entered into a large building that had lights on inside.

"Sorry...Did Alpha just enter into this place?"  

"Yes, he..." - Adimar

BOooooOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!

"AHhhhHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!" - ?

The sounds of a loud explosion shook the dust off the building and a loud scream of a female erupted through our ears.

Adimar and I both looked at each other and we both entered into the large stone building.

Upon stepping through the doors we were immediately met with the stench of blood and the sight of over 7 dead figures who were all donning the same armor.

We saw only a few frightened figures crouching in the corner but were too scared to move.  

"Ahhh!...Loo.lolloookk at..att them!" - ?

"Wh..wha...what are..are they?...." - ?

"Where did Alpha go?" - Adimar

"I'm not sure..."  

Splatttt!

A low bang came from a long corridor in the back of the building and we spoke to some of the other members of the Alpha Group to collect the survivors and bring them to the stone arena at Alpha Vali's request.

Entering into the room we saw a disgusting image that I was unsure just how so much blood could be drenched in this room with such little time.

There were only 4 figures in the room. Two female maidens one of which being fairly young, while the other two were Vali and the human male he was holding by the base of his skull.

There were 3 bodies on the ground of other human males but they weren't adorned in armor but just judging by the site of the two girls and the blood falling down their legs I can already determine the reasons for each of their deaths.

"I won't ask again, now SPEAK!" - Vali

With just the sound of Vali's voice felt like a violent force flew through me and caused my entire body to shutter. It was Vali's voice, but it wasn't Vali's voice. The echo coming off of it were almost so familiar to....B....

"Adimar...."  

"......" - Adimar

Adimar too had no words for what we had just heard coming out of Vali's echo that caused the hairs on our fur to stand on their ends.

"I..i.i.....Pl...please don't...PLease....I'll tell you..I'll tell you I swear...Just..just don't..don't kill me...." - ?

"....Tell me who's in charge of this place and responsible for kidnapping all of these women and maybe I don't kill you." - Vali

"….The...the prince..He..he's in in. The basement!!! He went to hide when reports came of monsters attacking the..the city....I.I.. ...I am just the caretaker of this...." - ?

Snap!

BOOooooM!

Splatttt!!!!

Vali in one failed motion crushed the man's skull causing a rain of blood to fly out from between his fingers and shower over the surroundings.

"...Thanks." - Vali

"AhhhhhHHHHHHHH!!!!" - ?

"Huouhhhhhh!!' - Frightened girl

The sound of a loud crushing sound following by the horrendous scream of one of the maidens cowering were staring at the same site as Adimar and I. I held out my urge to vomit like the young human girl not far away but I myself have seen much more hideous sights.

Vali dropped the lifeless corpse on the ground and turned towards the door to where we were both standing and started nonchalantly walking towards us.

His eyes were pitch black and he didn't even look to be looking at either of us anymore.

"Move...." - Vali

At Alpha's command we both took a step back and allowed Vali to walk past us and he started heading back to the back of the building.

'….....'

Both Adimar and I had frozen for a brief moment looking at the Alpha's back as we heard him tell each of us to explore each of the rooms and he would look to find the basement of this building himself.

"We shall accompany..." - Adimar

"No need.....I'll handle this myself." - Vali

After his faint voice had left his lips the sounds of loud screams continued to come in from the back of the building including the streets outside.  

Adimar looked towards the dark corridor for a brief moment then looked back at me and spoke it was time to move.

While that voice made my fur itch, I still know it's Vali.  

I looked towards the two cowering figures and smiled.  

"As the Alpha commands. I'll collect the rest of the slaves I can find and rendezvous with you back in the stadium."  

Adimar nodded and then continued searching through the rest of the building and headed upstairs.

It only took a few minutes before we had entered all the homes and buildings by force and gathered each of the citizens of the human city. While I couldn't imagine having such a fate such as this one befall me, the people here have truly made a grave mistake in inviting our new Alpha's wrath.

------------------------------------------------------------  

Recalling all that had already happened I continued alongside members of the pack and all that had come alongside Vali, heading back to our home.  

I looked over and saw Alderon who was carrying one such maiden who was unable to walk as her body was far too weak. She was collected alongside the Alpha Group that found those of the same Kingdom who attacked on our last trip out of the dungeon.

The human female continued shaking in Alderon's arms and looked terrified looking back up at him. As he looked down at her she tightly shut her eyes and turned her head in fright. The looks they gave some of us were truly that of one you'd give a monster.

'Hmph...The looks they gave Alpha were just as bad which I couldn't fathom why. Even with his merciless actions I didn't bad an eye. But for Vali he seemed, troubled almost. His whole atmosphere just....changed once again. He's nothing like Alysteir or those with the 'sickness' but... I and possibly even some of the others in the pack too sensed that something had changed in Vali. The entire aura he gave off was filled with a bloodlust unlike anything I have ever encountered before. Completely unlike that of the same person who cooked a meal for us with a small child after our most recent victory together...'

Alderon tried smiling down while his body started to contort and reshape while continually marching forward. Within a few moments his figure had slightly decreased in height and size and what remained was Alderon out of his beast form.

The maiden started to cautiously open her eyes and when she saw the face of Alderon she started to blink several times and her face began to grow red. Some of the other females here also started looking towards Alderon's sudden change like that of admirers that he's quite used to .

The small girl waddling at my side, looked up at me with eager eyes half expecting my form to change as well I assume.

"Hmph..."

Suddenly my hands started to grow fur around them and my long hair grew more bushy and wild. As the length of my hair grew longer the small child opened her mouth wide and smiling and mumbling something underneath her breath.

"...wow." - Bushy tailed slave

'Cute kid...Hmm, I do however wonder what it is Alpha is planning with gathering each of them to join us. It is not like we know any of them and is not our responsibility to aid any of them either after releasing them from their captors. How can we so willingly trust all of them to join us either?... Vali just, doesn't seem to be able to look the other way when seeing the weak harmed in front of him. After hearing him share some of his inner struggles with us before our final battle against Balor, I know now that is all because of what he lost before gaining the terrifying power he now wields. Perhaps he feels guilty for not being able to save those he lost and this is some kind of atonement for his past failures.’

As an Alpha, one must be able to make difficult decisions that could lead to the deaths of many from his own pack. The Alpha must be one who is resolute in the face of any tribulation and enemy without ever yielding nor breaking. That is why the Elders and most of the Elite Alpha Group chose to press for the other Annunakes to accept Vali. Even when given the chance to flee or join Balor he didn't falter in the slightest and chose to fight alongside us. Even facing the horrifying beast practically alone with his violent bird and wolf to keep Balor within the confines of his final move.

This is the ultimate truth that all Annunakes must always live by. If one were to simply bow before a stronger opponent, it doesn't matter the amount of power they would ever hope to obtain, they would forever bow to foes stronger than them. The Alpha must be one who yields to none...But even as an Alpha in our society, that position has never held as much weight as it once had when the Elkia were still among us.

The Elkia were our teachers, our strategists. We trusted the words of our beloved brethren race wholeheartedly and as the Annunakes our way of life was to uphold theirs. With their deaths, the Alpha position became one that included the roles the Elkia had once held.

Adimar had even once stated how the role of Alpha itself has now changed and he no longer feels him or many of the Alpha Group are even capable of leading the pack any longer.

'His eyes are different than most. They however can't seem to tolerate such sights as if it were impossible for him to look away. Vali's a lot like an Elkia in that right. They always had such a way of seeing the world with their eyes that they always enjoyed sharing with us.'

After Vali had warped us back to Floor 52 he instructed each of us to take the slaves to the Arachnee floor so they could all bathe and get out of their soaking wet clothes. Several of the Alpha Group left to speak to the Elders over everything that happened and some of the Pixies had left as well.

Vali instructed that all of the items we had obtained and give them to Pek to analyze each of them for when the races will split everything after it has all been collected and identified.

I had told Vali before we arrived on this floor about the small monster cage the Elkia had invented to keep a steady food source by allowing some of them to breed during times of low respawning seasons. He seemed impressed we had something like this but some of the other races have done this too as it's not that rare of a thing. A few of the Alpha Group took the 10 four legged monsters and took them there.

After we arrived Vali came over and a large amount of spider silk flew out of his fingertips in a spray like motion towards four unconscious figures at our feet. It covered most of each of their unconscious bodies but looked more like he was just making a mess.

"Ah, that's embarrassing. Spiderman made this look so easy....Ugh, could you guys wrap them up with that sorry....But it's Adamantine Thread so I don't know if it's any better than the Arachnee's but this should do for now. You guys checked their pockets and everything?" - Vali

"Yes Alpha....Just some odd quality material with writing on it and some hidden weapons and items, nothing else really." - Alderon

"Alright goo....Hmmm?" - Vali

Queen Nhaili of the Arachnee happened to be there alongside her guards to apparently grab more liquor they had kept away for the feast that is currently going on.

'….They're all drunk.'

"Mmmmm....If it isn't Valiiiii....Who are your frie...gup...ends....nnnn" - Queen Nhaili

The Arachnee Queen walked out from the dimly lit cave walls and strutted towards Vali while swaying back and forth. All of those who came alongside us looked towards her and the other Arachnee in fear and backed away. The small girl was now hiding behind my leg and holding even tighter onto my hand while peeking out from behind me.

"Hello Queen Nhaili. I was hoping you could help us out a bit letting each of them shower off and clean themselves up before they eat....I'll explain later. Um, and if it's possible if we can have some fresh clothes for each of...them...umm...You're standing very close to me......" - Vali

"Mmmmphmph.....What's a matter Vali? Your blushing. Mmm....I don't mind any of that we're just grabbing some more celebratory wine. You are each missing such a splendid party! And I suppose I can have some of my sisters to provide some clothes for them. We sell clothes to the races here so I'm sure we have enough lying around here somewhere...Gup...Raja can you mmm...Attend to that. But Valiiiiii......If....you could help me out with a little....ssssssomething for the favorrrr...." - Queen Nhaili

The Queen started leaning over closer and closer to Vali to where her robust cleavage was in perfect view for him and keeping her lips dangerously close to his ear.

"….And that would be?" - Vali

"Hmph, why some of that delicious blood of yours of course..... What? Not a good deal?” - Queen Nhaili

"...Hmph, fine. Go for it...." - Vali

Vali smiled oddly and tilted his neck to the side in front of the Queen who then straightened up oddly, not expecting such a straightforward response.

"Hmphmph....Oh you thought I meant here did youuuu....No, no....Mmmmm I'll wait to have my taste of you on an empty stomach. I wish to savor every. Last. Drop.....Mmm..." - Queen Nhaili

"...gulp." - Vali

'This damned promiscuous spider!......'

While Queen Nhaili started gently grazing her finger over his face, neck and body she also started walking clumsily away. 'Did she just graze down to his?! Does she have no shame? Wait is he into that? That green-haired human seemed to be into it... Do humans find the Arachnee....Appealing? Hmm...'

Queen Nhaili looked to be humming a tune only she could hear and swayed back and forth as her two guards walked out behind her.

"...Oh, what have I done? Ugh whatever...” - Vali

Alpha gave an odd look to the floor while scratching his head just before looking towards all of those who came with us and instructed everyone where the males and females could both shower. He then spoke if any of them were sick or injured to come to him now and he'd heal them.

None of them spoke out and Alpha smirked with lazy eyes and walked towards one of the demi-humans who was being held in Dogun's arms.

A familiar bright light came out from his hands and flowed onto the weak demi-human in his arms. It was a green-skinned figure with large gashes covering its back and chest where it looked to have been whipped horribly. Its arm was also bent in a way it would be crippled without the Alpha's tremendous healing powers. 'This was one of the ones we found strung up as we entered into the city and lost the ability to walk.'

Within only a few passing breaths each of the wounds covering its body and face began to wash away. 'Alpha's healing magic is even more miraculous than the Elkia's. Not just in healing, his magical abilities let's me think...No, they let me know, that our lost brethren won't be lost for much longer. Alpha has done everything he said he would so all we can do is have trust in him.'

He isn't one to go back on his word, I know he will try with all of his might to bring our Elkia back and in turn bring our pack and family back to its former glory.

After Vali's show of powerful healing each of the eyes of those who came upon his words started to grow astonished. Vali didn't wait and continued walking towards each of us and healed the injured and weak.

As Alpha walked closer to me he didn't even glance in my direction before he knelt down to the small girl next to me. She slowly backed away behind my leg and continuously shaked looking up at him.

'It's as if she doesn't even know what he's doing for each of them right now....He took each of them in without even thinking twice of it. I'm not even upset we weren't able to find our Elkia brethren tonight as I feel I've come to know a little more about the new Alpha seeing the things that make him move. It's like he doesn't even know I'm even here and only focusing on those we have just freed.'

Alpha reached out his hand towards her and she lowered her head but allowed him to place his hand between her ears. Her hands gripping onto my leg started growing even tighter. I felt a warm emotional glow enter past my skin causing my heart to race.

It was a calming touch. A warm hand in a cold world that felt the same as the last.

This touch wasn't only washing away my wounds from battle but felt like he were wiping them away by hand. It touched all the way down to my soul. It were the same and yet so different than the Elkia's healing hand. It felt as if every time he used it our souls had briefly met, even if for a moment.

As I opened my eyes I noticed Vali had already moved onto the next person without saying anything.

'Hmm, this Alpha does not even seek praise for the things he grants others. Even with all those who came to embrace and adorn him he showed a rather awkward demeanor...He even gave me back my tail and my ears....I still haven't thoroughly thanked him for such things. Would he even care to hear it though? Ugh, this Alpha is also hard to please. No one ever knows what he's thinking! How could I even show him my thanks?....'

Vali continued healing all of the others around us and told each of the Pixies and Annunakes to help some of those who are too weak to wash themselves. Without question the Pixies nodded with a smile and took some of them by hand.

The Annunakes as well agreed to their Alpha's unorthodox command that is showing more and more to be different than the Alpha's before him.

Within a moment his image disappeared and he had again used his peculiar warping ability.

Now it was only a small group of us while some of the slaves and those who came with us cautiously walked forward without saying a word to the Arachnee's bathing quarters also on this floor.

Only a few of those who came with us were still unable to walk even after Alpha's healing so a few members of the Alpha Group helped carry them.

"Hmph...Life sure is interesting since following the new Alpha." - Grayfia

"It has been rather strange....Alpha Vali is most definitely a different thinker compared to the many who have held the position." - Dogun

Dogun turned and finally released his beast form while walking by a nearby stone and sat down.

Some of the Alpha Group started walking over to surrounding yellow boulders connected to the dungeon walls and sat down.

"Yes, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing either. It is what we need." - Adimar

"...Nanu thinks Alpha has reasons for doing the things he does. He's a gentle Alpha." - Nanu

Feeling some of the other Annunakes had some of the same thoughts as I did thinking over the recent events each of the Alpha Group started to sit down together.

"Hmph, gentle...? You forget that thrashing he gave some of us so soon? I'd be willing to guess a few hundred of his kind tonight would now disagree with you. Along with that old bastard too. Gentle isn't the words I'd used to describe Alpha Vali." - Alderon

"Did you not watch him cook a meal for us all with that small one? How he was with the Pixies is the same as how he was with each of those he just brought with us. Nanu believes Alpha to be gentle to his own, but fierce to his enemies." - Nanu

"...He's someone who changes a person's destiny with no second thought. He changed ours as well. He's a little rough around the edges but his will is still unshakable. Besides, can't really argue with his results now can we?" - Grayfia

Each of the Alpha Group started to speak over the new Alpha that for the first time in our history, has not gone to an Annunake.

"I agree with you. Being allowed to gaze upon the moon and feel the touch of the blessed mother Fei reach my fur was something I waited my entire life for. Being able to move so fast I don't believe I've ever felt so wild and free." - Dogun

We each nodded towards Dogun thinking about the new power we received entering into this new world. It were as if our whole lives we were living with shackles that once broken made us what we were meant to be. I've never moved so fast and felt more free in my entire life. It had almost awakened the primal natures within us all.

"Though with the possibility of war so soon is pressing my heart. For Annunakes all we know is war. But now we have entered a realm of endless possibility, we cannot forget our sworn duty to those we lost. With Alpha...perhaps we do have a higher chance of survival and allowing us to truly leave this dungeon victoriously and alongside what we thought lost. Though his age was a concern for me, his actions sometimes are quite....peculiar. More of a brawler than a warrior but by Amarok himself that human is fucking tough...Took a shot right on the chest from that dead bastard and I thought that was the end for all of us... Very durable the new Alpha. Not like I'm not thankful for him and all he has done...His actions sometimes are just confusing to me." - Dogun

While beating his chest Dogun laughed at the abilities our new Alpha had shown that was horrifying enough to be able to survive such a shocking blow and remain fighting with us when so many had died from one swing.

"As they should.....As an Alpha it was always law to uphold the will of our Elkia. I didn't always understand the things they asked of me but it did not matter....Alpha is not like us. The things that move and drive him are different than our own. I think I've only actually seen him truly smile once and it was with that small demi-human who wound up saving each of our lives this day. Never did address her as anything but his own family. She too I'm sure was a victim of this world just like those we've found today....But like many of us he has been forged by his past failures. Vali is unwilling to break in his convictions he's set for himself and would sooner die than do so. I understand your worries, I've listened to the Elders and what's been said. But take it from me, war is inevitable. We will never escape it with this lifetime. But with the Alpha's help maybe we can eradicate it from our future. For our sons, daughters. Our pack can live on..." - Adimar

As Adimar spoke each of the Annunakes halted their words and listened to him. Adimar always let his actions speak for himself but whenever he did open his mouth they were always remnants of our lost brethren race.  

Several of the Annunakes probably wouldn't favor the idea of following a human. Many wouldn't favor the idea of lowering themselves in such a way even in the forms of his requests can be considered as so to some. However, upon hearing this many of the Elders and Alpha Group spoke out in rash contest including Adimar.

Alpha Vali has already done so much to at least ask that much from us is nothing. If it was just that alone it's one thing, but Vali himself does everything he requests us to do and doesn't find it lowering at all for himself.  

"I agree. Peace must be earned. If war is inevitable then so be it.... We were all dead the moment we were born. Just haven't determined when that time will be yet. The moment you accept that you'll never fear it when your time comes. Alpha so willing to forget our past transgressions and only looks towards the future. With such a beast who preys on creatures who lurk in the night reigning as Alpha, we will see a new future unfold for the pack." - Alderon

"Adimar and Alderon are right... We all knew Alpha was a little rough around the edges when he displayed such violent aggression to those who prey on the weak before. Like us he's suffered loss. But even with so much power he does not abuse it and only uses it to help those who can't do it themselves....Even as the once Legendary Annunakes we are no different from any of them he's reached out his hand to save. His choices he makes might be unorthodox but perhaps there is reason for each of them...Hmph, let's just be glad he isn't like our last Alpha who only cared for finding females to fill his bed.”  

With each of my words each of the Annunakes present smirked and lightly nodded.

"Hah! That's true I suppose... This Alpha doesn't quite care for such things I hear. He'd rather enjoy cooking or playing games with the Pixie race...." - Dogun

Dogun just shook his head while revealing his crystal white fangs and laughing.

"Hmph, clearly Dogun didn't see Alpha's reactions to miss Grayfia and Akino in the shower earlier or Nanu thinks he wouldn't be saying that mmphmph....Alpha is still clearly an Alpha." - Nanu

"Wait what?"  

My ears twitched hearing this and each of the Alpha Group looked back towards my puzzlement since I wasn't aware if her words spoken were just a joke.  

"Haha, so you didn't notice Akino, the Alpha's eyes flowing up and down your bare wet body? He practically bumped into me with his sword when Grayfia first approached him." - Alderon

Everyone started to look at me and Grayfia and she just started to laugh.  

"What? It's not like I was seeking skinship with our Alpha or anything. I simply wished to show him my respect. He just happened to show me his ever growing mm....admiration mphmph...He did have a nice ass though." - Grayfia

"Ahahaha!" - Adimar and Dogun

Gray's tail continued to sway back and forth while she chuckled to herself causing the others around her to laugh.

'Was he really gazing at our bodies? I too had looked at Alpha who seemed to be rather awkward with showering alongside others but I hadn't noticed him looking at me. I had noticed his well....It was impossible not to take a glance at the Alpha's strong frame and large back muscles. Under the glow from the yellow stones his skin tone underneath the water glistened alongside his frosted hair as white as our own. Even if his ass was a little too bare and white, his muscle definition and strong leg muscles wasn't far and away from those of us. It was in an odd way attractive in its own right. But he chose to stay close to the cave wall for so long... Mph...So he's a shy Alpha then...Mphmphmph....."

"Ahahaha......"  

The Alpha Group continued chuckling to themselves about our new Alpha and sat down together waiting on the group to continue showering off.  

We continuing poking fun at some of our new Alpha's behaviors until Adimar over to my side started making an odd face.

"Hey, has anyone here ever heard of the term 'demon' before? I remember hearing the phrase before just, can't seem to recall just where it came from." - Adimar

Adimar spoke out and after hearing the word of what Vali said his father was I became alert. I too have heard such a term before but I can't recall where from. The one who was to be my mate he, he used to say something like 'We all have our demons....Hmm, he always spoke of it like it was a bad thing.'

"Ah yes, it took me a while to remember that term too after Alpha had spoken of it with that Human King....Rholhorne used to love telling me about all the tales and legends from beyond the walls here, that his father told him and his father before him....It was just one of his hobbies to read some of the mysteries and stories of old he obtained from manuscripts collected from several of the ancestors of the races here...." - Grayfia

"Yes, Joslyn too had such habits." - Adimar

"And what were Demons exactly Gray...?"

Grayfia looked back towards me and shrugged her fiercely toned shoulders. She herself is the great, great-great granddaughter of the first and only female Alpha the Annunakes had ever had, even if it was for a short time.  

"All I can remember, is they weren't really on good terms with the Gods of this world or any of the other races for that matter. More like beasts than anything else from what it sounded like. Well Rholhorne spoke as if they were quite vicious which probably explains some of his, rather violent agressions hmph... Though I'm sure that's all for other reasons too......" - Grayfia

Listening to Grayfia's words I nodded back thinking to myself over this. Alpha is such a mystery we know so little about the one we have chosen to follow. It however was a decision that has ultimately changed our lives in ways we never thought possible. He doesn't ask for much either, he just continues to always look out ahead as if not even looking at us at all. Like he's planning for times far away from now and not even here with us.

Just then as we continued speaking Alpha appeared only now with two demi-humans I recognized from being the same who lived with Vali before we met him. The dark-haired brother of the fellow Annunake who was living with Vali and another demi-human he bought in that other human city who looked sort of like Vali's adoptive mother.

They each continued on towards the caves with Vali and he only glanced towards us while passing by.

We had made eye contact for a split second and in that brief moment I couldn't tell just what tugged on the Alpha's heart that seemed to be troubled behind that mask of his. He doesn't say much but I can tell by the troubled looks he gives at times, he appears to be in constant thought.

"Still, with the Elkias appearing and the possibilities of finding more...I can't help but be ultimately thankful this Alpha has such skill with magic. Amarok himself must have sent such a blessing." - Alderon

"Same here...For the first time I feel, alive again. As much as I wish to stretch my legs and run free, how can I possibly contain my excitement over anything other than bringing our beloved brethren back from the brink of extinction?" - Dogun

"True...With two of the Elkias being female we could increase their numbers much quicker too."  

The Elkia always had higher litters than Annunake girls did. While more than half are usually birthed in the same race as the mother hopefully we can gain our numbers back in time. Each of the races will be repopulating soon and it has been spoken from the Elders to all Annunakes to start thinking of finding a mating partner as a means to save our species. Our numbers have been....Heavily demolished. We still don't have a population count but it's probably less than 1000 of our race left. With the appearance of another member of our kind behind this wall, there is now a new ray of hope.

Not many of us made it to freedom but now it is almost our duty to repopulate. Even Adimar who spoke of never taking another lover again seemed as if there was no other way for our race to continue surviving. Especially if we ever hoped to take on the mantle of guarding those we were created to protect.

There were even talks about impregnating them even while they were under the same dark magic Balor has them trapped under. The arguments were quickly dispelled by the Elders and such a decision wasn't as difficult to make now that Vali has too joined us.

'He never left after saving us...While I know the reasons he chose to fight after telling us, it still does mean a lot to those of us that he stayed...'

"Hmph, hey Adimar...I think we might need to have a new ranking competition soon. Most of the pack who stayed on the higher floors this whole time even have levels higher than our own....You never know some new Alpha Candidates could make an appearance..." - Alderon

"That is true...The Alpha Group has now dropped to 12 remaining including myself. A competition would be good. Raise the spirits of the pack..." - Adimar

"Hmph, I honestly want to test my strength against some of the other races now too. The gains some of the pack received after rising over Level 300 is phenomenal. The stat gains after crossing the threshold practically doubled again and the level gains are starting to stack up. I imagine the power rankings over the whole dungeon has probably changed quite a bit.” - Alderon

"Hmph, sounds like you want to have a rematch with that Viktor fella now that he's the new race leader. If I recall he barely beat you in the pre-lims getting your health in the yellow due to the earlier match rules, just barely am I right? Hehe!...." - Dogun

"Psh...If the rules were different in the pre-lims and was like a life or death battle that fight would have gone down differently. That little fucker had some weird evasion skills and had some impressive sword talent knocking out so many critical hits after the other... Grayfia had only just barely managed to beat him. I wouldn't mind another rematch though. Honestly, I'm more excited to see the new strengths of all the races along with the pack. They may have gained a lot but with the touch of Fei....Things are going to change a bit.” - Alderon

Each of the Alpha group started to laugh until one of them grunted oddly.

"Mph, ya well...Those pixies are still pretty awesome though right? I mean not like we can forget them. Super badass now can't forget them." - Horand

An almost unnaturally deep voice came out of Horand as he spoke up. Jhakks who was seated next to him also started nodding his head while smiling strangely.

"Hmm? What's with you Horand? New fan of the practical jokers? I admit each race has their strong dragons fighting for them but as far as the strongest combat party, the Annunakes might be able to take consecutive victories like we always have....Especially at night. Not even Alysteir could keep up with us I'm sure." - Alderon

The Alpha Group started chuckling to themselves and nodded their heads. Vali said we could move fairly close to something called 'Mok 2?'...I'm not sure what measurement this is but...No one could keep up with us. While we haven't always held the number one strongest position in the Dungeon throughout the centuries, we hold the record for the strongest combat party for almost a hundred consecutive years. Other than this past competition we had received our first lost in almost a hundred years....

'The Elder's now aren't going to believe how easy it was for us to take that city down with such little numbers. We weren't even able to use this new Magic Skill we gained from Balor's castle...At night, who can be our opponents? Speed is always our strongest strength so now, with such a defensive skill like our Alpha's, could Alysteir even keep up with us let alone stand against us?'

"Haha, but does any of this speculation even compare to Alpha? Even Diaga was unable to utilize any of his techniques or combat experience against him as an opponent. I too am interested to see the new combat potential of everyone though..."  

"Haha...Alpha doesn't really correlate to common thought though does he...But I'm sure the rankings have changed a lot. But even if some of the Pack has grown to be stronger than or as fast as us, we must remain as a pillar as we always have. Constant competition breeds growth." - Adimar

"True. I wonder if the current top three positions will change for the Pack at least. With Diaga and Boro both gone it is still up to speculation...." - Dogun

"I guess the favorites would have to be Adimar, Dogun and Grayfia then for the Alpha Group...."

"Nanu agrees with Akino. Even if members of the pack are high level now the top positions shouldn't change too much.” - Nanu

While the overall ranking of the Annunakes has probably changed quite a bit over our newfound freedom, I feel the current top spots will most undoubtedly remain unmoved. With several members of the Pack rising over level 300 the gains in stats with every increase in level has started to pile up where a separation of only 10-20 levels becomes increasingly strained even with higher masteries in comparison. Other than Adimar I may also no longer be the fastest Annunake within the Pack anymore and there are possibly several members now who can outrun me.  

While Alderon is a close 4th, I'm still confident the top 3 spots after the deaths of Diaga and Boro to undoubtedly go to the three I mentioned before. Each of them can take on almost a dozen members of the Pack all at once and have been speculated by some to be some of the strongest our race has ever produced. They are each high level experts and to reach such a stage must have several sub skills already in Expert just to reach such a strong position. Each of the three also carry higher tier equipment as well that have been passed down throughout our clan that also gives them a strong edge against other members of the pack.  

Grayfia herself studies in a highly difficult heavy twin spear technique that has been passed down for thousands of years from our clan that is highly difficult to master. She however has shown incredible talent in studying in such a technique and raising it to such an extent. I myself have never been able to defeat her.

"Yah same here, but it should breed for some interesting matches...Hey speaking of...Where is Grayfia?" - Alderon

Each of us started looking around and noticed that Grayfia had at some point vanished from the spot she was sitting. We looked around and saw that other than the few of us from the Alpha Group only a small number of Pixies were in the corner of the room appearing to be playing games.

'Hmm, that's strange...'

We continued chatting about possible members to join the Alpha Group and waiting for some of those who Vali invited into our Alliance to get done bathing.

An untold amount of time had passed and as we waited for everyone so we can escort them all to the feast currently going on. With how each of these newly added members of our Alliance it is highly possible they could run in fear of something here and be attacked by monsters so Alpha has asked us each to remain close by.

BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!

A loud bang occurred and rock began to fly out and scatter around the surroundings from an opening in the cave wall.  

A bright bluish green glow came out and two figures were standing where the dust had started to settle.

"Wait....Gr..Grayfia?"

I saw the image of Grayfia appear only wearing a towel covering herself standing out in front of that loud Pixie. I think her name was Cyanin....

"Hmph you think you're fast! Then how about you try this!" - Cyanin

A large dark smoke started to appear around a bluish green bubble surrounding her and then the images of dozens of the same Pixie appeared and all flew out in the direction of Grayfia.

Large balls of fire began appear around her and fly out from her small hands, blowing past Grayfia who looked to be skipping across the yellow stoned floor.

It almost seemed effortless for her as she continued to jump back and forth narrowly escaping each powerful gust of fire magic. Grayfia kept a smug look on her face but continued to try and hide her bare body while firmly holding onto her towel covering only small portions of her now dripping wet body.

“….What now?”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

End of Chapter.

Thanks for reading and remember this chapter was meant to be a two parter. A lot more happens next chapter and after the next chapter the pacing of the story will start to change as well.

Character Analysis/Explanations: Most will still be covered in the story if it hasn't already....

Hey guys just a few words from the author about some plot points brought up in the story and different things I just wanted to talk about and explain maybe for any of those who care to listen I suppose. I'll discuss each point I can remember and answer any questions in the comments as well.

A lot of people after the last couple chapters started thinking Vali was being too overly cautious about this new world after slaying Balor and think things like the power rankings and level system don't make sense. Vali is naturally a very analytical and descriptive person and thinks about things thoroughly but once he makes a decision he doesn't hesitate. I think one reviewer claimed that killing Balor meant they shouldn't have anything to fear now or thought the logic was stupid but they seemed to have forgotten a Valkyrie from the Divine Realms was also present in that fight and helped them tremendously even in keeping Balor within that Age of Death spell.

 - While I admit it's not perfect and I'm correcting a few things. You also haven't seen much yet and only seen those from this particular region. I also kind of messed up too on this as I made Sting the Scholar look a little too weak. He however has a High Dexterity which will also come up soon and I'll change some things around and explain some of that too.

- I think another review commented how it didn't make sense for Hjokk claiming to be stronger than what Malthiel was but still almost killed by him....Well Hjokk had to hold back a bit of power. Those from the Higher Realms can unleash power that practically destroys everything and can even cause high levels or radiation from things like Hjokks higher levels of lightning..... Even the environment would become toxic. Vali at that point would have been smoked if she wen't all out and that reader probably forgot that Malthiel's initial attack had immobilized her.

That Dark Aura ability is also unique and will be brought up later but it obviously gave Hjokk some difficulties.

-Vali's Healing Magic is only in Advanced when wearing the Crown so some people have forgotten about this.

-Another review who stated this was the most disappointing on RRl said it was inconceivable how Elyria could buff so many troops at once and thought her abilities make her the strongest mage in the world and anyone of the Sage Level......Why? Elyria is a special class that specializes in large scale buffs with Earth Affiniites and Stamina gains, and her race is naturally more magically inclined than the average human. She raised the Defense of a large force of the front lines and a few VIP's around her by I think it was only 30% or something like that among a couple other things....Well to that I ask you what a bout someeone who has a Buff to increase Attack Power by 300% for a short time or any other combination of things I could describe, that argument just again was something thrown into the review that was information someone doesn't know yet and still made that complaint about the story having plot holes.....

-Some say Pixies are invincible but the reader doesn't know yet how many of theres they can have enter a fight with having that 0% yield like Kai described. 9 People when they duked it out with Alysteir was no problem but if all of their siblings are taking damage at the same time they at this point will have extreme difficulty. They can't always use the Divine Ability either considering the cooldown too so that is a final move if anything.

-Some people think the Concept of the Heroes and the abilities of their Weapons are a cop out but that hasn't even been revealed yet and how is Vali's OP Scythe in itself not a cheat that can also increase Vali's stats/abilities....

-I also haven't gone into maybe ranking orders between Divine yet, or the difference between some Deities and other entities like Valkyries compared to Gods, Reapers, and other races I haven't shown yet.

Oh also I haven't gone into things like Skill Rankings yet or even detailed how Items receive their Rankings like from Ancient-Legendary or whatever and how strong some Magic Tier Equpiment can be considered it is something that is capable of being created..... Almost all of Vali's skills he gained from monsters that are rare or have stronger than average abilities and thusly have higher potential when he raises his level as well as those skills....Some skills and Weapon masteries also need a person to raise their level to achieve as well. Most basic skills like the one Ikaros showed was something that raised the Agility by a small amount but it is better as a base amount than increasing by a % at the lower levels. A lot of Vali's skills start out by increasing his bases by 30% and up which means the ranking of these skills/techniques are obviously higher and have better potential. Later Masteries could even increase by a large base amount as well as a % and adding plenty of other affects so the room for growth is not small.....You'll see this with the Reiki soon too whenever looking through a bunch of scrolls and what not trying to learn other techniques like the one that Captain had. (PS using a scroll has to have special ink/paper/high level scribe/ and someone experienced in the skill being transfered. It basically downloads to a persons brain and that doesn't mean they immediately learn it but it does help in learning a skill. It however can only be used once after that it's just a scroll with the movements/techniques written down onto it. )

Um, what else. Oh a lot of readers seem to be perplexed a bit by Vali's current strength and what he is capable of so I'll clear up just a tiny bit of that right now. I won't reveal too much as I want to reader to see that when the opportunities come.

Vali won't use something like Abgrund unless there's no other choice just because he doesn't want the trouble especially after his conflict with the Elliots. He however will find ways to use it's power while not letting others see as you've seen already in the last chapter.

With all of Vali's skills I'm not going to say Vali isn't so OP he can take on hundreds if not thousands even if all he used was his Frost Sword....However let's say...10,000 enemies at level 200 each all having different magic/skills/classes all with different buffing abilities, ensnare skills, debuff magic Idk you get the picture...Vali would obviously have to get creative to even accomplish something like this and even then his stamina wouldn't last that long especially after his magic goes so he'd have to use his Divine Abilities or higher tier magic sparingly as not to leave him stuck without a way to warp out incase something happens.

He however cause of his High Health and other characteristics will become something like a tank for his group and there will be strategies made with this where he could even retreat to the backlines and start using Balor's Divine ability. But to explain some of Vali's skills just a bit to give you a comparison ....

- Vali's death magic will only at most without use of the Infinity Ring and the Annunakes helping him can only kill around 60 people of a similar level before his magic will be completely gone. It also has some limitations that hasn't been seen yet in the story.

-Vali's regen magic depending on the level of damage can last only roughly to around 2 minutes of continuous fire. It uses his MP even if Vali doesn't want it to which will show up later when he fights enemies with strange or unique abilities.

-Using Demonic Awakening along with Limit Break will obviously drastically lesson the amount of time he can actually stay in his let's call it 'Ultimate Form' so don't believe it's 5 Minutes quite yet.... Whenever Vali can keep a majority of his skills on 24/7 that's when you can start calling him OP because right now his MP isn't high enough to be considered Godlike either he's just fucking durable...Sages are pretty extreme especially since the costs for using their skills are heavily less and their MP pools are massive.

- Stamina is a big thing in war and Vali would have to get very creative and even with all of his skills active as he is now, he wouldn't be capable of it in my opinion currently without a few tricks and choosing to take out specific enemies first. He'd probably use his Fear statuses to also help him to kill most of them.

In this world I also wanted to convey there are plenty of ways to be thought OP and become strong.

Player A can beat Player B

Player B can beat Player C

but that doesn't necessarily mean

Player A can beat Player C.

The reader will through time see instances of this as you already have. Conditions will also play a huge role. For example...Malfius and Adimar both have Limit Break but in Adimars case his is more supierior.... Malfius' greatest ability is his defense and Adimars is his speed, with claws that can rip through anything (even barrier spells if their shallow enough) they can also tear away Mana and Stamina making Malfius at a now disadvantage during the Night time.

Then you look at someone like Alysteir who not only has the highest Level but also the Highest Mastery and a Legendary item with a 'Higher Tier' magic in it and you can start to see the separations.

In the story you'll see why a Master 2 would have extreme difficulty infront of a Master 4 and things like Master 7-9 are like the Grand Masters who are on a completely different level.

(However techniques that are studies also play a factor in growth speed/battle potential/ etc...)

Everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon of wanting an OP MC that doesn't make mistakes. I think one commenter had even said I don't understand my readers who don't want an MC with emotional problems and I was like....What?

I love the idea of an imperfect MC who has a shit load of issues. One who can get knocked down and beaten bloody but will just keep coming at you....It's so much fun to write about and you get to slowly walk alongside Vali in his teetering walk against the madness encroaching on his mind.

I'm not hating on other fictions but so many now a days have an MC who just keeps an emotionless face and obliterates anything and even doesn't feel much when doing it. I liked the Walking Dead's take on this when they have to murder. Each of the characters are so much different from the beginning to how they are now because they were torn from their everyday environments and forced to do such actions. Even killing bad guys still caused them to feel something about it.

The MC who doesn't make mistakes or just beats everyone just doesn't fit Vali's character I had for him. He is someone who will make mistakes, decisions based on emotion and do things in this story which won't sit well with some readers. Vali will slowly adapt to this new world and the reader will over time get to see that. A few readers even stopped reading this story because of Vali's forgiving nature in some places and how he was influenced by Loki or Bifrost but that's just it....This story won't follow what a lot of people will anticipate. A character will die whenever I feel it's their time and I've gotten what I could from them and won't kill them just because a few readers who msged me and said they'd drop this story because of that. Idk I just feel Vali when given the opportunity is one who tries to be the better person and because of his upbringing and his own thoughts on himself that I still.....Haven't gotten into yet....

There will be plenty of characters who embody a hero mentality more than Vali but that's just it, the things that move him and make him what he is are different than any of them. That's why even in a scene where he had just freaked out and killed a 100 people he sees some things as being more important.... That is what makes Vali different and you'll get to see more of this overtime when more about Vali starts to get revealed.

I also feel some readers forget this sometimes as not a lot of time has gone by yet in the story and there is still plenty of time for things to develop for different characters as this is all essentially just the beginning. This story will soon start going into some darker elements in some places and hopefully go to some places some other fictions might not with their MC and particular story elements.

Hope this clears up a few things as well for everyone.

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