In an unknown location, a nihilistic portal manifested, and Scott stepped through, his form emerging from the swirling shadows. Almost immediately, a system message materialized before the voidweaver.
You are invading a territory under the banner of the Lord of Mad Throne! Conquer or be vanquished!
Scott ignored the system’s message. His gaze swept over the expansive, dimly lit hall. Flaming torches mounted on blackened stone walls provided the only light, their flickering flames casting elongated shadows across the cold tiles.
In the center of the room, a gigantic monkey with snow-white fur prostrated itself on the ground. Two sickle-like horns jutted from its forehead, crackling with crimson flames, while radiant armor shielded its form, leaving its face and knuckles exposed.
Scott’s gaze lingered on the creature only briefly before wandering to the statues that lined the hall. Gigantic decorative sculptures, crafted with painstaking detail, stood as silent sentinels. Each one bore unmistakable artistic liberties, but there was no doubt: they were statues of him.
The statues’ eyes glinted with otherworldly yellow gemstones, each engraved with a single sigil of madness. Every figure carried a depiction of the War Hammer of the Mad God and the Chains of the Abyss. Despite the statues’ splendor, Scott regarded them with little more than a flicker of interest.
At the end of the hall stood a massive throne, its imposing presence commanding the space. Constructed from lustrous black stone and cloaked in blackened flames, it exuded a terrifying, oppressive aura that seemed to pulsate in tandem with the flickering torches.
“You’ve been busy,” Scott finally broke the silence, his cold voice cutting through the stillness. His gaze returned to the prostrating monkey. “What should I call you?”
“My lord,” the monkey began, its voice trembling with reverence. “I welcome you. I was called White before my punishment, but you may call me whatever you please.”
White, huh? Scott mused, noting the name’s obvious connection to the creature’s brilliant fur. He nodded slightly, his gaze steady.
“Did you receive my message?” Scott asked, his tone clipped and direct.
White trembled slightly; its forehead pressed firmly against the cold tiles. “I received your orders, my lord,” it declared with fervor.
Scott’s eyes narrowed. “Can you do it?”
“I will fulfill your commands,” White replied without hesitation, “even if it means the extermination of my soul!”
Scott’s features softened slightly, his gaze shifting from the prostrating creature back to the room. “How many territories are under your control now?” he asked, his tone nonchalant.
“Twenty, my lord,” White responded.
Scott’s brows arched slightly in surprise, and he turned back to regard the champion.
Twenty territories? He had parted ways with White long ago, but it seemed the creature had been relentlessly expanding its influence ever since.
“What about your current rank?” Scott continued.
“I am ranked 800th, my lord,” White answered promptly.
Scott’s gaze hardened slightly, his thoughts racing. The difference between our rankings is just 400 places, yet the disparity in territories is sixteen. He’s been working harder than I anticipated.
A stray thought crossed his mind, prompting another question. “How many subordinates do you have?”
For the first time, White hesitated.
Scott frowned. “Is there a problem?”
White immediately began slamming his head against the tiles, his voice frantic. “Forgive me, my lord! Our numbers have grown rapidly in recent days—I am ashamed to admit that I do not know the exact total under my banner.”
Scott’s frown eased as he listened. So, that’s why he hesitated. I only asked out of curiosity, but if he doesn’t know, it’s not an issue.
Still, White mistook Scott’s silence for disapproval. “Please, my lord, grant me but a moment, and I will provide the exact—”
“No need,” Scott interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. “I’m not interested. I asked out of curiosity, but not anymore. Instead, let’s focus on what matters.”
White’s trembling stilled as he listened intently.
“From now on, offer all your territories to me,” Scott commanded, his voice calm but unyielding. “Until I say otherwise, you and your subordinates shall wage endless wars. Your goals are simple: conquer more territories and do not be defeated.”
White’s head snapped up slightly, his eyes burning with determination. “I’ve heard your orders, my lord. Consider it done!”
At his declaration, a new system notification appeared before Scott.
Your devotee has conferred twenty territories to you! Current number of territories in your control: 24!
Congratulations! Your ranking has improved! Current Rank: 1000th
Congratulations! You have attained the right to remotely adapt your territories! Do you wish to commence transformation? Yes! No!
Scott scanned the notifications, his gaze lingering on his rank. It seems the number of territories isn’t the sole criteria for ranking improvement, he thought. I should ask Toi about this later.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Ignoring the prompt to adapt his territories, Scott returned his attention to White.
The monkey remained prostrated, awaiting further orders. Its flaming horns crackled softly in the dimly lit hall as Scott’s cold gaze bore into it.
“I’ll be sending summons to each of the territories you previously controlled. They should suffice to defend them from invaders,” Scott declared.
“I anticipate their arrival, my lord,” White replied, his head still bowed.
“You’ve done well,” Scott continued, his tone firm yet approving. “I look forward to your next performance. It’s up to your discretion whether to spare those who surrender their territories. But for those who choose war—show them no mercy.”
As his voice echoed through the hall, a portal appeared beneath his feet. Without another word, Scott disappeared into the swirling shadows.
----------------------------------------
Scott emerged moments later in Rashka’s former territory, the nihilistic portal depositing him a few feet away from Orion and the massive tubes containing his companions.
“That was fast,” Orion remarked without looking up. He was hunched over his equipment, his attention focused on the glowing screen of a digital device. “I thought you’d be gone much longer. How did it go?”
Scott’s gaze shifted briefly between the tubes before settling on the mage. “He was doing better than I expected,” he replied evenly. “With our combined forces, it shouldn’t be difficult to add more territories.”
“What’s the situation here?” Scott asked, folding his arms.
Electrodes were strapped to the tubes, their wires extending into a handheld device Orion manipulated with practiced ease. A series of incomprehensible readings flashed across the screen; their meaning lost on Scott.
Orion finally turned toward him, a wide grin spreading across his face. Black goggles had replaced his glasses, and a brass rod jutted from the side of his right ear.
“You’re not going to believe this, but my variant has been busy,” Orion began, his grin growing wider. He gestured toward the screen. “He prepared all of this,” he explained, pointing to the streams of data. “And he left three encrypted messages. I’ve finally deciphered them. So, which would you like to hear first?”
Orion paused, his grin taking on a more delirious edge. “The bad news, the worse news, or the utterly ridiculous news? Your pick.”
Scott sighed softly. “Before we get into that, how are they doing?” he asked, nodding toward the tubes.
“Oh, uh, great, great,” Orion muttered sheepishly, turning back to his screen. “Didn’t I mention that already? My bad.” He glanced toward the tubes, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “They’re banged up, sure, but their lives aren’t in any danger. The fluids in the tubes have remarkable therapeutic properties. They’ll be back to their best condition soon.”
“How long are we talking?” Scott pressed.
“Tricky to say,” Orion admitted, his brow furrowing. He was silent for a moment, calculating. “Based on my estimates, they should be out for at least a month.”
A month, huh? Scott thought, nodding faintly. It wasn’t too long, at least within the Endless Bridge’s distorted flow of time. He turned his attention back to Orion. “Now, what messages did your variant leave behind?”
Orion’s grin returned; his eyes gleaming. “Since you didn’t pick, I’ll start with the bad news,” he said, pausing dramatically for effect.
Scott simply stared at him; his expression impassive as he waited for the mage to continue.
Finally, Orion spoke, his tone lighter than the weight of his words. “First, multiple Calamities have been dispatched—personally tasked with apprehending us. The Calamities are divided into two groups. One is responsible for retrieving Ember’s soul. The other?” He chuckled softly. “The other is responsible for eliminating us.”
Scott’s brows furrowed slightly. “That means the group we encountered before was part of the first group.”
“Exactly,” Orion confirmed, nodding. “That’s why the Calamities of Envy and Thunder were willing to negotiate. If they’d been part of the second group, they wouldn’t have left so quietly.”
“Go on,” Scott urged, his arms still folded as he braced for whatever was coming next.
Orion giggled softly, as if savoring the reveal. “Second, prisoners from every maximum-security prison across the timelines have been given a choice: reduced sentences or outright clemency if they eliminate us.”
Scott’s eyes narrowed.
“And,” Orion continued, his grin widening again, “some of these prisoners are even more powerful than the Calamities.”
“What’s the last piece of news?” Scott asked, his voice steady, his expression unflinching.
“Oh, I’m not done with the second one yet,” Orion replied with a wry smile. His tone was light, but a sudden stiffness overtook his features as he continued. “The part about the prisoners? That’s just half of it.”
Scott said nothing, waiting for the mage to elaborate.
Orion’s smile faded entirely, his gaze sharpening. “The timeline we originally escaped from is now embroiled in war. Champions, Calamities, mercenaries, monsters, and prisoners have all been tasked with eliminating Carcosa’s forces. And it’s all under the Administrator’s approval.”
Scott’s brows furrowed slightly, though his expression remained largely impassive.
“Finally,” Orion added, his voice lowering, “the gods are aware of your rise to being a candidate for the throne. They’ve learned of your baptism—though it happened in the one place beyond their influence.”
Orion’s brass rod emitted a faint crackle as he adjusted it absently, his tone darkening further. “It seems Kana—or one of your other competitors for the throne—may have ratted out your location. Because of this, the gods are preparing to invade the Endless Bridge with their combined forces.”
Scott’s gaze hardened, though he didn’t interrupt.
Orion leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with Scott. “The data my variant sent over is clear. All the gods’ forces entering the Endless Bridge will have multiple objectives. But one mission supersedes them all.”
Orion paused dramatically, his tone taking on an ominous weight.
“No matter what happens, no matter the cost, no matter the sacrifices made—they’ve been ordered to stop you from crossing the Point of No Return.”
Scott’s gaze was unwavering. “Anything else?” he asked coolly, his tone betraying no emotion.
Orion blinked, unstartled by Scott’s composure. “No, that should be—oh,” he said, his smile returning, though it lacked its usual brightness. “Actually, there is one more thing.”
Scott’s eyes narrowed slightly, waiting.
“There’s no confirmation yet,” Orion admitted, “but according to the data, the 11th, 12th, and 17th Orders of the Mad Throne seem to be planning to ally with the gods’ forces.”
Scott didn’t flinch. “Anything else?” he repeated, his tone as flat as before.
“No. That’s everything,” Orion said, his usual grin resurfacing. “So, what’s the plan?”
“The same as it’s always been,” Scott replied, his voice calm but laced with finality. “Survive while eliminating anyone who comes after us.”
Scott turned toward the tubes, his gaze briefly lingering on his companions before shifting back to Orion. “Keep watching over them. Let me know if there are any changes to their condition.”
Orion nodded, slipping the brass rod back into place. “Understood.”
Scott continued, his tone unchanging. “If that many forces are coming after us, I need to speed things up.”
Without another word, Scott turned and stepped toward a newly opened nihilistic portal, its swirling shadows swallowing him as it closed behind him.