Before everyone could even react, yet another earth-shattering earthquake shook the entirety of Ergo, shattering the ground and toppling buildings as though they were nothing but dust in the wind.
This disaster was also the same for the other sanctuaries, which had no choice but to brace as they held on under the intense shaking. However, the tremor was by no means normal. Although no one spoke about it, they all felt a form of fear they had never felt before, as though something had stared at them.
Some of the sanctuaries went into lockdown as they shut down their gates, their guards gathering on the gates and flooding the streets, watching out for possible invasions, while some of the sanctuaries near the frontlines blew their sirens as their armies began to prepare for the worst.
Unfortunately, what they believed was wrong, for even the beasts residing in the land, sea, and sky had also cowered in horror as they awaited what was to come. They did not know what it was, but something had stirred in its slumber. Something is way beyond them.
All the high table members had their guards up as they all wondered just what was happening, but this was even more so for Icarius and Aphemis, who had just taken care of another wave of beasts.
Their faces darkened as they felt fear, unlike ever before. A form of cold wind caressing their spine that they had never felt in their entire careers as monster hunters.
Subconsciously, their gazes all shot in one direction.
Samael.
Just what had he done?
As the chains binding him had shattered, so did the restrictions of those that had kept him hidden for so long. That which has protected him. Although brief, it was still enough to lure the attention of creatures that dwell well beyond the darkness of the sky. That which extends beyond the summits and highest mountains of Ergo.
Sensing the odd power travelling in the vast emptiness of the cosmos, hundreds, if not thousands, of creatures all glanced in the direction of Ergo. Their bodies were glowing gold, emitting all forms of light as they floated in deep space. Their appearances differed greatly, as did their powers. But even they could not determine where such power could come from.
On the other hand, an army of dark beings with nearly the same number on the opposite side did the same, as their eyes were filled with greed and curiosity. Just what could emit such delicious cries? Where was it? They could never know that something had blocked them.
But these creatures were but the tip as more and more beings began to spare an outward look at the direction of the power, their eyes narrowing down as they all thought one thing.
What was this familiar sensation?
Creatures that exist way beyond the understanding of mundane humans are creatures that hold power unlike any others. Beings that hold dominion over the very concepts reality holds firm. They all noticed. Yet, as they peered at the darkness, it peered back.
But near the occupying spaces of Ergo, a few hundred thousand light years in the space, a figure floated in the icy cold air, wandering without any specific destination, when he shot a look at the sudden spike of power unlike any he had felt.
Looking in the direction of Ergo, his eyes narrowed, and a mischievous smile was present in his face.
"Interesting."
***
As Samael's voice echoed, he felt his spirit and his body gain power. However, he knew it was different—far different than what Hyperdrive gives. For a brief moment, he felt as though he could see everything. It was as though he could see the truth, the lies, and the power that governs this world.
As he clasped his hands together, shattering the orb he mustered, a violent gush of black matter escaped from his body, swarming the air and the very ground they stood on.
Unable to react, Azerel could only stare at the unending sea of darkness approaching him, swallowing everything it touched. It was so dark that no light could pierce it.
As his body was engulfed in the violent waves, Icarius felt himself drown yet burn. His body felt ablaze, as though his flesh were melting. It was melting.
His flesh had begun to leave his bones, separating and vanishing without a trace, like dust being blown by the wind. But even then, he could not struggle as the Void matter felt like the waves of the sea under a storm, sweeping him back and forth and dragging him to the depths like a sinking ship.
No matter what he does, it does not work. As his hands reached the surface, they were merely dragged back by hundreds of black hands, keeping him in the raging onslaught without mercy.
It was a fitting name.
Dying Light.
Even his subzone could not do anything against Samael's. There was nothing he could do.
Samael's hands slowly let go as the constant stream of Void matter halted, the dome slowly draining.
When everything had gone, what was left was a deep crater along with Azerel's remains.
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In the middle kneeled his skeleton, parts of his armour intact, along with his corroded weapon that had lost its shine. Even his bones had begun to wither.
Looking at this, Samael clenched his teeth as he wiped the trickling blood off his lips. The battle was not over yet.
Looking over the distance, Samael could feel something in the heart of the city. It was a familiar feeling. Yet unpleasant nonetheless. Oddly enough, he could feel the void inside him react violently against it.
Without sparing Azerel another glance, his figure vanished.
Back at Icarius and Aphemis, they had no choice but to focus back on the fight as the swarms of monsters began to overwhelm them.
"How much longer?!" Aphemis asked as she blasted two approaching beasts.
"Now!" Icarius roared as he raised his hands, a blue lightning orb hovering in his palms as he threw it on the ground.
Without warning, a blinding light engulfed the area as a loud, ear-shattering explosion erupted, eating through the earth.
When the light died out, it revealed something they had never seen before.
"What is that?" Aphemis asked.
"I don't know," Icarius replied.
In the centre of the city stood a giant crimson flower. It was made of flesh and soaked in blood. Its roots extended through the walls, pulsing. It's petals had teeths and in the middle were multiple squirming eyes and tentacles.
"What form of atrocity is this?" Icarius asked.
Without another word, he spoke.
"Pillar of Thunder."
Raising his hands, a titanic blue beam broke through the clouds, striking the flower as a large explosion once again erupted. However, they were left in shock, as they noticed the attack did not even dent the barrier surrounding the entity.
"What the fuck?" Icarius muttered as he chanted again.
"Piercing spear."
Manifesting a steel spear and coating it in lightning, Icarius threw it at the beast, causing another mild earthquake and completely shattering the centre of the city. Yet he failed again, for his attack only left a small scratch at the barrier.
"Impossible," Aphemis whispered, her eyes wide in disbelief. "What do we do now?" She asked as she watched more and more portals tear rifts in space. Soon, creatures of the same rank as them would begin to occupy the land, and they would be unable to fight back.
However, when it seemed all hope was lost, a figure appeared before them.
"Samael?" Icarius asked. "What are you doing here?"
"No time to explain," Samael said. "I'm about to do something. Do you trust me?"
"What are you...?" Icarius asked.
Not answering his questions, Samael marched forward towards the barrier, alerting Icarius as he stopped the kid.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Icarius asked. But his words halted when he saw Samael's gaze. In his pupils was a glint, a resolute one.
Without noticing it, he let go of the kid.
"Will you listen to what I'm about to say?" Samael asked.
Icarius, hesitant, asked. "What do you need?"
Samael shifted his gaze to the flower as he spoke. "Use everything you can when I say so."
Icarius's eyes widened as Samael went ahead without fear, unfaltering rage present in his eyes—the likes that even his rampage in the serenity ball could not compare.
Just what changed?
As Samael approached the flower, he flinched, fragments of what seemed to be memory flashing in his eyes.
An empty darkness.
A tear in space.
Blinding light.
They did not make sense, but he felt rage boil within him as they went on.
Approaching the flower, he looked at it, the eye in his forehead widening ever so little as the flower trembled violently.
Raising his hand, a small sphere appeared in his palm as Samael spoke.
"Sub zone: Dying Light."
Without uttering another word, a wave of unfaltering darkness burst out, swiftly slamming against the barrier as a loud screech thundered in the air.
The flower was screaming. Not of pain but of fear.
Watching this, Icarius and the rest couldn't help but wonder.
Just what did it fear for it to scream in such a way?
However, their astonishment widened even more upon realising Samael had manifested a sub-zone before reaching sainthood. But they were in for more as visible cracks appeared on the barrier. The very thing they could not scratch.
"This is nuts," Icarius said as he laughed wryly.
Under the onslaught of the subzone, the barrier began to creak as the scream of the flower intensified. But as it did, multiple portals opened at the same time.
"Better get moving!" Icarius roared as his figure blasted towards the creatures.
Blocking their path, he spoke. "This is as far as you go."
Without another word, he tore through them, ripping their flesh and bisecting the beast. Aphemis did the same, as multiple explosions filled the sky black.
Lilith and the other students arrived as they saw the new portals, where a sea of abominations escaped, some low in rank and some high.
"Hold your ground!" Lilith roared as she led the charge, followed by the students.
Like in the tales of heroes, the two groups collided as spells and blood rained down from the sky, littering the earth with dead bodies and forming small mountains.
Meanwhile, Samael remained focused as he maximised the output of Void matter escaping his body. Unable to stop it, he coughed out blood as he steadfastly tanked the aftereffects.
Feeling his skin slowly burn away under the intense amount of Void matter, Samael gritted his teeth.
Little by little, the barrier cracked as its surface was laced with lines, connecting and spreading like a plague.
Feeling his feet slide off the floor, Samael marched forward, one step at a time, as he roared. "ARGHHH!!!"
Watching this scene, Icarius muttered.
"Shatter it."
With one final push, Samael slammed his fist at the shield, shattering it to pieces in one massive explosion, raining down like pieces of shattered glass.
"NOW!" Samael roared, his voice enhanced.
Receiving his signal, Icarius raised his hand along with Aphemis as they spoke.
"Sub zone: Thunder grounds."
"Sub zone: Infernal Sanctuary."
As the two sub zones formed, the world was painted white and black for a moment as lightning and hellfire rained down on the flower, causing destruction this world has yet to see as everything—may it be houses, pillars, earth, or even the clouds in the sky—was blown back.
However, it wasn't enough, as the flower stood still, enduring the effects of their sub zones. But not for long, as a voice echoed.
"Sub zone: Shadow Nexus."
Joining the battle, Ajax's shadow domain slammed violently against the beast, causing yet another sizable explosion as the flower screamed violently.
Gritting his teeth, Samael's bloodshot eyes shot at the creature, his anger fuelling him as he struggled to stand up.
As though by instinct, a single ability formed in his mind. Something that wasn't his. But given to him, bestowed on him. An ability meant for this specific line of creatures. One created for them.
Walking towards the creature, he spoke. "First punishment: Abyssal grave."
"Go back to whence you came."
Upon casting, the all-seeing eye in Samael's forehead opened fully for but a fraction of a second as multiple large onyx black pillars fell from the sky, slamming down the earth and impaling the beast down, hindering its movements as multiple dark hands burst from below, grabbing the creature and mercilessly clawing and dragging it to the depths of the Void.
Never to be seen again.