Ancestor Origin displayed speed unbefitting of an Elemental, covering several hundreds of meters in less than a second. But it wasn't without cost. Cracks appeared on the surface of his skin as Edict leaked out furiously like a dysfunctional pipe. His energy was stable yet unstable. For it felt as though the Origin King was sacrificing this body to achieve his goal: getting another, better body!
Crystal's eyes were as red as the blood that run through her veins. The Chaos she controlled had grown so thin that the Chaos Shield that she was drawing her power from was flickering unstably around her. But beyond the redness that coated her pupils and the darkness that threatened to drown her in was a steely resolve that was unreflective of a mere servant. Her dedication could be seen in her heart, revealed by the emotions in her eyes. For the window to her soul had illuminated the path so clear that even the crimson of blood couldn't hide the truth beneath.
And it was this dedication that led to the birth of an anger so great that the secret power of Elementals was roused. The power that endued Eternals with strength capable of destroying multitudes of worlds immediately filled the Origin King with dread, and his facial expression changed.
"Oh ancient power that allows us the strength of a thousand suns; imperious authority that brings dread to a million worlds; glorious heritage of Eternals that make us worthy of the counsel of Supremes and feared by the god clans; come down and bless me with your light!"
"Eternal Damnation!"
*Vroom*
A loud drowning sound that shook the ears of the living and the non-living alike deafened the planet. A light so blinding that the sun covered its eyes with the clouds in the sky fell upon Crystal's figure and tore through the planet, carving a hole in its atmosphere. And everyone who knew what power was could feel the vast authority that was descending upon the World of the Three Great Races.
"What power is this?" Within the camp of the Ancients, an old woman with a Lionhead walking stick gazed into the sky with a grave expression on her face. Her eyes found the pillar of light that gladdened the empty sky without much work, for it was itching to be found. And the power that was contained within that pillar shook her heart in its resting place. A dread she hadn't felt in the longest time dominated her sense, and she was confounded. For she had never felt power like this before. This energy signature was rare to her. It was fresh. It was new. And it was dangerous.
"Matriarch," a tall young man stood behind the old woman with his sword in hand. The large sword was held stably within the man's palms, its blade trembling lightly in caution as it expressed the emotions of its wielder.
"That light is close to Amalgamation," the Matriarch frowned as she lightly tapped her cane to the ground, allowing it to kiss the earth it shared a closely knit bond with.
"That makes things a bit tricky," the Matriarch furrowed her brows in contemplation.
While what was happening intrigued her and her boggled curious mind, she was also aware that the three Great Races had a mutual understanding concerning their territories. Amalgamation and its vicinities were a no go area for any Ancient. And though with the power that Ancients commanded they didn't need to obey the treaty to the letter, recent circumstances suggested that they had to. Pazuzu was a greater threat to themselves than they themselves. However, every problem had a solution and every solution was nothing but a secret waiting to be uncovered. Luckily, the secret to this problem was standing right next to her.
"Find out what is going on there and report to me," the Matriarch of the Ancients gave the sky another lasting look before turning away. Her aide was the best person to send for this kind of job. Not only was he discrete, he was a light skinned Ancient. And though this meant that he was still darker than the average elemental or barbarian, it meant it would be easier for him to pass of as a half-breed than anyone else. She would miss his company, but she could do without him for a few days. Honestly, the Matriarch would have preferred to journey to the site herself, but there were some pressing issues that commanded her attention.
"Who said that becoming more powerful rids you of your tethers? It only strengthens those dastardly cords of slavery." The Matriarch mumbled as she made her way out, bemoaning the fate of everyone who had strength in this world.
Several kilometers away, one of the people the Matriarch was bemoaning had his eyes glued to the sky as well. Countless lights flashed past his pupils as he accepted the information being transmitted from his eyes to his brain.
"This is Chaos?" Ananse was slightly surprised by the energy that was wafting so dominantly through the atmosphere. Even before the pillar of light ascended into the sky he sensed the dominant energy he himself was familiar with being manipulated by another. But he didn't bother too much about it. However, that pillar of light was a different matter. For it had somehow enhanced the power of Chaos by several folds. And now even he was intrigued.
"Can you feel that?" Ananse looked to his side and spotted the beautiful woman he had been travelling with for the past few years. This woman – his sister – may not be as talented as him when it came to manipulating the sworn enemy of Order, but her eyes were every bit as good as his.
"Yes," Mane's grandmother nodded her head with a serious expression on her face.
"You know what that light is, don't you?' Ananse frowned when he heard his sister's response.
This was the woman who had shared the same womb he had grown in –only that they didn't have to share at the same time. They had grown up together and had a closely knit bond. Surely, he could read her as easily as he could read a book meant for children. He knew her well enough to understand that those lovely eyes told more than a simple verse. They held an entire story. She knew what that power was, but her answer forced him into a stunned silence.
"That power belongs to Eternals."
"How can you be so sure?" Ananse asked after a while. Eternals didn't belong to this plane; they never had. Surely to conclude that this was the work of an Eternal warranted something more – not just his sister's words.
"Eternal Damnation is the name of that skill. By tapping into the latent power of Eternals, an Eternal can draw upon this power and increase their strength by multiple folds. It is similar to the ability multiplication powers of the major god clans. But this one is much more powerful – and dangerous"
"For using Eternal Damnation is just what it sounds like – it is a surrender of your soul"
Ananse's expression changed as the words of his sister sank into his brilliant mind. And a dread he could not drive away inhabited the depths of his heavy soul. For the soul was the most important part of a man. To give it up was worse than death. What would cause a person to do that so willingly?
"But this is where it gets interesting. Only the first Eternals can use this power. Whoever it is out there, he or she is an Eternal much older than any of us."
Ananse didn't care about that part. It was the part concerning the soul that still bothered him. And the reason was simple.
"Eternals are known for their unswerving loyalty to the Supreme. Even when they were cornered after the death of the 1st Supreme, no one resorted to using this power. If they had, I would have known of it. Which means they were preserving themselves."
Ananse stated as the power around him coalesced into a beast of death that sought nothing but destruction. His sister was puzzled by his reaction. For Ananse to enter such a state indicated that he was vastly worried – and angry. But Eternals were not a people to worry about. So why did he display such a reaction?
"I don't know where you got this knowledge from. But if you are right – and I reckon that you are – then this Eternal has found a reason not to preserve himself or herself any longer. He or she has found a reason to suffer in eternal torment. And Eternals only have one reason to do anything."
Mane's Grandmother had a fearful expression on her face at this point. She finally understood what her brother was getting at. And she finally got why his aura had grown so turbulent in such a short while. Her eyes flashed with rage as her own aura ballooned into an unholy power that threatened to suck in the souls of all who could eat and breathe.
"My grandson!"
Back in Intersection, the Barbarian Primogenitor sat upon the roof of a tall building and stared in the direction of Amalgamation with trepidation. Her beautiful eyes were filled with countless complex thoughts, suggesting that her usual clueless exterior was far from what she actually was. The figure of Ancestor Origin flashed through her mind as her lips parted to reveal her pearly white teeth.
"Old Devil. I have always known that you were much stronger than you showed yourself to be. But even I wonder if you will be able to handle this power."
"Will you survive? Or will you be fed to the fishes?!"