[That was Reigan Shen.]
Dross reported, filling Lindon with satisfaction. The treacherous cat had finally met his end, and Lindon couldn't help but hope it was a miserable one.
With Shen gone, the battle of six Monarchs against the Bleeding Phoenix would be more than evenly matched. Lindon pondered his strategy again as he unleashed a powerful Dragon Breath towards the Wandering Titan, trying to keep it occupied.
He had been drawing the Titan away from the other clash with the Bleeding Phoenix. Containing the interference of the Wandering Titan on that battlefield would be no easy task, especially amidst the chaotic frenzy involving six other Monarchs and another Dreadgod. He had faith in their plan and, of course, in Yerin's abilities. Therefore, his mission was clear: provide suitable support by keeping his opponent engaged, and emerge victorious in the end.
However, as the battle raged on, Lindon realized that the second part of his plan would not be as straightforward as he had initially anticipated. The Wandering Titan had evolved from a mindless brute into a shrewd and resourceful adversary.
His surroundings were currently a disorienting spectacle, with towering pillar-like mountains reaching for the sky and sandstorms engulfing the horizon. Lindon found himself bombarded from every angle by massive chunks of rock and metal at astonishing speeds. At times, it felt as if the very fabric of heaven and earth had been turned upside down.
Then, the whole terrain would shift in sync with the Titan's movements, bolstering its maneuvers and keeping its enemies inside its domain.
[Great, just what we needed,] Dross chimed in sarcastically. [A cunning Dreadgod. Mindless rampaging wouldn't have been a worthy opponent for my exceptional intelligence anyway.]
Keep your attention on the other battle too. I can hold my own ground till our chance arrives.
[I am. And I also got a decent amount of dream madra from Emriss. Hers was so delicious.]
Lindon nodded. He must trust others with their fight, and focus on his own.
Orthos and Little Blue drew from Lindon's cores, using their respective abilities to defend against the onslaught of the Titan. Little Blue skillfully created a Hollow Domain, shielding them from the raging sandstorm and deftly intercepting any projectiles aimed their way. Orthos, in his human form, unleashed beams of dark Dragon Breath from his mouth, clashing with the Titan's Striker techniques.
Meanwhile, Lindon himself ignited a test fire of his new Wavedancer, and the Weeping Dragon's breath crashed through a mountain pillar before tearing away a significant chunk of the Titan's left shoulder. However, the Wandering Titan's shiny bone of condensed metal gradually regenerated as earth crept in to cover the wound.
[Fantastic, Lindon! We just made a big scratch on its armor. I'm sure the Titan's terrified now,] Dross said brightly. [Seriously, if we disable its defense, I am sure we could deal a fatal strike.]
The Titan finally roared in fury, swinging his colossal sword at them.
Then unexpectedly, from a blind spot created by Lindon's swift evasion of the Titan's sword, a gnarled hand extended from the Titan's body, swiftly closing in on him with an insatiable hunger for his madra. Lindon's instincts kicked in as he tapped into the power of his Void Icon and countered with a devouring force of his own.
The Dreadgod was instantly lost against Lindon's authority and he consumed its endless madra with the right hand of the Slumbering Wraith. However, veins of white quickly spread out from his shoulder, infecting his body. A profound sense of infinite emptiness surged within Lindon, and chaotic waves of hunger flew into his mind. He could accept the gift, then all the land of this world would belong to him.
[Hell, no. That was nonsense, and what would you even do with so much earth madra?] Dross shouted in his mind, jolting Lindon to his sense.
Black flame condensed into claws onto Lindon’s left hand, and with a decisive strike of the Dragon Descends, he severed the extended limb of the Wandering Titan. The smoky tail of destructive aura continued its ascent into the sky as Lindon crashed into the Titan's head. The authority of the Void Icon darkened the already sand-blurred world.
[Distance yourself now.] Dross warned, urging Lindon to unleash the Void Dragon's Dance, carving a deep trench into the rocky skin of the Wandering Titan and propelling himself away from it.
The Titan retaliated with a massive punch that flickered like a mirage in Lindon's blurry vision, accompanied by a multitude of earth limbs sprouting from every direction.
Lindon activated the Hollow Domain, using it to fend off the consuming limbs while evading the main assault. Little Blue joined him, merging her Domain with his, while Orthos's Ruler Technique swirled into a defensive sphere.
The limbs kept pursuing him relentlessly, emerging unexpectedly from various corners, presenting a constant and formidable challenge. The Dreadgod no longer aimed to consume Lindon's madra but instead sought to be consumed, flooding him full of its insatiable hunger. To his dismay, Lindon's Dreadgod arm was hardly able to resist its instinct when the alluring offer came.
[That was a rather effective strategy against you. Instead of inflicting physical harm, it targeted your mentality,] Dross remarked.
Lindon agreed. While he could easily handle the Titan's physical attacks, the battle within his own mind proved to be far more grueling. It was a constant struggle to maintain his sanity.
Just then, the red portion of the sky abruptly receded. Soon after that, Lindon sensed Yerin's presence fading. His surge of worry provided a brief respite, momentarily clearing his mind from the fog of emptiness.
Lindon called out to Dross, "Are we close to the Final Ultimate Solution?"
=====
Mercy stood at the edge of the battlefield, her heart heavy with a bittersweet mix of sorrow and pride as she gazed upon the mangled and ravaged form of her mother's Remnant drifting towards her.
Mercy knew the truth—the Remnant's mind had been irreparably shattered during its clash with the Bleeding Phoenix. Its movement towards her was merely an instinctual response, seeking solace in the presence of a familiar aura.
The last fight was truly a testament to her mother's unwavering stubbornness; despite failing to prevent their confrontation with the Dreadgods, Malice's Remnant had turned the determination around, pouring every ounce of her being into securing the best possible outcome for their battle.
Mercy's attention quickly snapped back to the crimson sphere containing the ongoing standoff between Yerin, now transformed into a sword, and the Bleeding Phoenix. She witnessed the Monarchs relentlessly chipping away at the impenetrable shell while receiving no retaliation. Yet, her worry deepened as their combined efforts seemed so futile in influencing the contest inside. Victory against the Dreadgod was close at hand, but the task of slaying it remained uncertain.
Nevertheless, Mercy firmly believed that she possessed the power to tip the scales in favor of her best friend. Gripping her Dreadgod bow tightly, she fitted the Penance arrow into position. Her Icon harmonized with the finality of the arrow, blending gracefully with the symphonies of Life and Death. With resolute intent, Mercy aimed at the heart of the Bleeding Phoenix's existence, seeking to bring Joy.
Her arrow soared effortlessly into the sphere, as if invited from within. At that moment, the dormant sword sprung into motion, following the precise trajectory traced by her arrow. With a swift and decisive strike, the sphere of the Bleeding Phoenix's authority was sliced in half, accompanied by a puncturing howl of agony. Each half then disintegrated into countless fragments, torn into a myriad of pieces that scattered like fleeting embers.
The sword, too, shattered before melding into the dissipating madra. Amidst tears, Mercy's eyes lingered upon the endless crimson haze; a fleeting flicker of blue briefly caught her attention in that moment.
======
"Are we close to the Final Ultimate Solution?"
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
[Already there in terms of location. And very close in terms of time.] Dross replied.
Let's start then.
Wavedancer, Lindon's prize from the Uncrowned King tournament, started crackling with blue-and-gold power. The Weeping Dragon's breath began to take form, compelling the Titan to halt its attack and defend itself. Taking a step back, the Titan refreshed its Enforcer technique, enveloping its massive form in a flowing armor of golden light. As the sandstorm raged with increased ferocity, the mountains shifted, shielding against the impending assault.
However, instead of the Dragon Breath, it was a mental onslaught from Dross as the mind spirit drew from the Crown of the Silent King. This same technique had exhausted Dross, nearly costing him his life just to make a weakened Titan retreat before. This time though, the Wandering Titan, and the entire world, staggered in place.
Focusing his attention on the presence of his labyrinth, Lindon tapped into its influence. While the current location lacked the same potency as Sacred Valley, the labyrinth's connection in Rosegold was still sufficient for the task at hand, especially considering it was the birthplace of Ozmanthus Arelius.
Drawing upon the essence from all corners of the labyrinth, Lindon channeled the echo of the ancient Soulsmith to his side. Gradually, a black-and-gray figure materialized next to him—the ethereal form of Ozmanthus Arelius, broom still braced on his shoulder. His long yellow-blond hair now flowed with a radiant glow, complementing his striking blue eyes that shimmered with curiosity.
"So, you've called me for the final battle, huh? It's an improvement, but still not enough. And it seems your foresight has worsened over time," Ozmanthus remarked, pointing his broom at the now fully mobile Wandering Titan. "I wouldn't be able to handle this colossal mess even with my awesomeness."
"My apologies. Accidents happen. But your aid is crucial," Lindon replied earnestly.
The sandstorm started to rage fiercely again in the sky, and the mountains resumed their shifting motion.
"Always burdened with responsibility, such the price of greatness," Ozmanthus murmured, but he quickly brightened up. "I'll leave the main task to you then. Meanwhile, I'll keep the surroundings clean."
Ozmanthus's towering armor suddenly stretched towards the heavens as his Hollow King's domain enveloped the terrain. The ancient Monarch casually make a sweeping motion upward with his broom as his Hollow King's Mantle instantly quelled the raging sandstorm and cleared the sky. Multiple Hollow King’s Spears spread out, collapsing the artificial mountains. New valleys were etched onto the landscape, forming a simple script that disrupted the flow of all earth madra.
"You dare," growled the low voice of the Wandering Titan.
"Silence, beast," Ozmanthus retorted, his voice resonating with authority through the sky. He then turned to Lindon. "This will keep things clean for a while, but you must strike quickly."
"Gratitude." Lindon dipped his head before his gaze locked back on the Titan.
As Ozmanthus began to fade, the ancient Monarch signed and glanced at the top of Lindon's head. "If only you had cut your hair as I suggested, perhaps you would have had better luck ..."
But before the parting speech finished, Lindon and Little Blue were already in motion, dashing towards the Wandering Titan. Orthos remained behind with Wavedancer, now overflowing with its radiant blue-and-gold power, gleaming like a brilliant sun of madra. From the depths of the sword, burning liquid light erupted, signaling its immense power.
The Titan, recognizing the imminent danger, dedicated its attention to defense, urgently maneuvering its shell and reinforcing its golden armor, fortifying itself to withstand this lethal assault. But Lindon would not allow it.
United by a shared intent akin to that of a Herald advancement, Little Blue resonated with Lindon's pure spirit. Their hands overlapped, delivering a colossal Empty Palm that struck the Wandering Titan's entire midsection, disrupting the spirit of the Dreadgod. In perfect synchronization, they unleashed an immensely dense Hollow Domain, purging any excess energy from the Titan's armor. Lindon's Void Icon hummed a resounding hollow song, ruthlessly obliterating the Titan's strength.
The Titan roared in defiance. Desperate to escape its predicament, it struggled to claw its way free, but Dross's unyielding mental assault ensnared its consciousness, leaving it immobilized.
Then, the Weeping Dragon's breath—the technique that had left a scar upon the face of the moon—further layered with authority from the black dragon Icon as well as destruction madra emptied from Orthos and Lindon's Blackflame cores, struck.
The focused beam of energy speared at the Wandering Titan, momentarily lifting its body from the ground before ultimately piercing through.
=====
Oth'kimeth cast a sinister gaze upon Cradle. His eyes lingered on one, no, two young souls bearing the unmistakable mark of the Reaper, though their existences were on the brink between Order and Chaos. Oh, how exquisite they were, vessels brimming with untapped potential. The prospect of exacting such sweet revenge, not only plunging Orziel's home world into the Void but also perverting his own disciples into wicked beings willingly serving Oth'kimeth himself, sent a thrill of delight coursing through his very being.
His attention finally fixated on the targets, whose connection to hunger and the Void would forge the perfect conduits for his corruption. With meticulous precision, he released subtle tendrils of chaotic energy into the world, careful to remain unnoticed by the unsuspecting Abidan.
======
The Wandering Titan's colossal body collided with the ground, causing a devastating earthquake. The Titan teetered on the brink of death, its golden eyes flickering and its legs shattering like a broken statue. Lindon hovered closely above its massive form, contemplating a final strike to bring an end to its life.
[Wow, everything went more smoothly than I expected. Never been so glad to be wrong.] Dross remarked with a mixture of relief and surprise.
Yerin made it? I hadn't sensed the Bleeding Phoenix's death yet.
[Yes, but not without complications. You won't feel the Phoenix's death.] Dross responded.
Lindon landed upon the Titan's motionless body, his white arm resting upon its stonelike skin.
Well then, I suppose I can at least shift some of her burdens to mine. Inform the Monarchs to ascend.
Lindon declared inwardly to Dross as he steeled his mind. The Void Icon expanded above in the sky, emitting a chilling scream, as Lindon delved into the emptiness of his consume technique.
======
As its will waned while its power drained away, the Wandering Titan envisioned a world consumed by its immense authority, surpassing its own limitations and forever satiating its hunger.
Just then, a glimmer of boundless power pierced through the Titan's fading consciousness, illuminating it with unprecedented clarity. In that fleeting moment, the boundaries of its very being expanded beyond this world, grasping at the faint traces of incredible energy from the other side. Yet, a formidable barrier, a divide between realms, denied the Titan full access.
But the allure of this ultimate prize kept on beckoning, tempting the Titan with the promise of eternal fulfillment. Thus, the Wandering Titan let its domain spread like creeping tendrils, merging with the very essence of the continent. It became one with the earth, preparing to envelop the entire world and drag it together toward its source of existence.
It had yearned for a moment like this, for so long.
=====
Emriss sensed the world on the brink of destruction for the second time in her life.
She felt a vast network of hunger madra, or something even more sinister, seeping relentlessly beneath the earth, devouring the Rosegold continent. The network then extended across oceans and breached the barriers of space, reaching out for more till it could swallow the world.
In a frantic haste, Emriss coordinated the Monarchs' authorities to contain the encroaching expansion of the Wandering Titan. But it wasn't just hunger they faced, but a far more potent and chaotic form of corruption.
[You must ascend now!] Dross urgently shouted in her ear.
It was true. The Monarchs no longer had the power to sway this battle. But perhaps there was still time for them to traverse the Way, to escape the impending Void before it consumed everything in this world.
======
Yerin's consciousness scattered like drifting clouds in the vast sky, drowning in an overwhelming desire for power and dominion.
Now the uncontested empress of the world, she possessed the ability to command the very spirits of her countless subjects, dispersed far and wide across continents, enticed to be dominated by her will and sacrificed for her power.
Yet, Yerin grounded her mind, finding solace in the comforting blue flame nestled within a corner of her soul, unwavering in her commitment to preserve her true intentions. She remained committed to her promise, severing all connections to her spawn, liberating them from her grip and granting them the freedom they deserved.
With her focus redirected to her ultimate purpose, to vanquish the monster, her ethereal form floated towards the Wandering Titan. Manifesting flickers of her own essence like an unending stream of swords, she briefly sundered the Titan's connection to the earth, striving to contain its authority with all her might.
Exhausting her final reserves of willpower, Yerin stretched herself to the familiar figure kneeling atop the colossal corpse, yearning for the tender affection. But before she could reach him, her consciousness finally slipped away. Yerin got lost once more in the insatiable bloodlust and hunger.
======
As Lindon consumed the Wandering Titan, its impression flooded into him. The Titan had wanted to consume the entire world, plunging it into the depths of an eternal abyss. Cradle, however, was Lindon's, so he refused to let it be so. Drawing upon the power of his Void Icon, now brimming with an infinite wellspring of energy, he devoured the Titan's weakened will completely.
Amidst the fog covering his mind, Lindon heard Dross's urgent voice piercing through. [You can stop now. The Titan is dead.]
But the hunger drove him further, blurring his sense of self. The insatiable desire of the Titan to cast everything into destruction had invaded Lindon's very being. He felt himself spiraling downward, descending into an unfathomable chasm of darkness, where his emotions disappeared, leaving only an unquenchable hunger for power.
In that desolate abyss, seconds seemed to stretch into an excruciating eternity. The vast majority of Lindon yearned for the promised might of the Void. The allure of its chaotic energy beckoned, resonating deep within his soul. Yet, a flicker of resistance fought against the overwhelming pull, reminding him of his own humanity and his connection to the world beyond. The paradoxical battle raged on within him, torn between the temptation of absolute power and the threat of haunting emptiness consuming his will.
However, just as Lindon's existence teetered on the edge of oblivion, a familiar presence reached out to him. Her aura enveloped him, their souls entwined in a desperate embrace. In that moment, a glimmer of hope sparked within Lindon, and he gradually felt his emotions resurfacing. Relief washed over him, followed by a comforting warmth that spread through his being.
Side by side, they drifted away from the clutches of the all-consuming Void, their united spirits resisting its grasp. Guided by a flickering blue flame held in their hands, they found solace in their bond, transcending the twisted entity that sought to corrupt them.