The once tumultuous halls of the Residence of the Children of Pride now lay in an unsettling hush. The Eternal Eclipse Body, birthed from the melding of Thomas's hearts, cast an enigmatic radiance that absorbed all light and energy. The emperors, momentarily robbed of their demonic luminosity, stumbled in a bewildering darkness.
Thomas, fully cognizant of the advantage granted by his merged hearts, glided through the shadows with meticulous grace.
In their struggle to adapt to this sudden abyss, the emperors relied on their demonic instincts and formidable physical forms. The first emperor, stripped of his golden sin force, swung wildly in an attempt to strike the elusive Eternal Eclipse Body. Yet, Thomas, a manifestation of shadows, effortlessly danced through the blind onslaught.
Aware that their chances were slim with only their weapons at hand, the seven emperors braced themselves. However, before they could react, Thomas launched a series of swift and precise attacks, hitting each emperor with astonishing speed.
As his attacks connected, Thomas's eyes gleamed with an ethereal light. In a moment of profound insight, he delved into the memories, hearts, and souls of the emperors. The information gleaned served as a judgment of their characters and deeds. In a fluid motion, Thomas dispatched each emperor with a snap of their necks, extinguishing their corrupted existence.
The seven emperors, whose souls were steeped in vileness and corruption, had spread turmoil and despair among demons and other races. The vacuum left by their departure was hardly mourned.
Thomas, extended his senses to their subordinates and descendants. Seeing from their memories they have not having fallen as low as their emperors, Thomas decided to give them a chance.
Fixing his gaze upon them, he approached and absorbed the demonic energy that tainted their beings.
The sin force, once a source of malevolence that turns any being into demons, now flowed back to Thomas.
Once shrouded in darkness, the demons found themselves embraced by a luminous radiance as the process of purification unfolded. A palpable sense of relief and liberation washed over these beings, replacing the twisted echoes of the emperors' orders and teachings with a serene resonance.
Undergoing this purifying transformation, the demons underwent a metamorphosis, each turning into majestic golden lions of varying ages. The golden lions, descendants of an ancient and malevolent demon, once tarnished by the sins of the past, now bore an ethereal glow. Their eyes, once reflecting shadows, sparkled with newfound purity.
Due to the impurity in their bloodline, some of the lions exhibited peculiar characteristics such as lizard tails, wings, feathers, and more. Despite these variations, the lions stood in radiant, untainted forms, regarding Thomas not with fear or trepidation but with profound gratitude.
As the luminous eyes of the lions turned towards Thomas, whose current form shone like the sun, the smaller lions felt not fear but a sense of familiarity and authority, akin to standing before a parental figure.
Starting with the younger ones, all the former demons of the House of Pride approached Thomas, sniffing and nuzzling close to him. The older lions and lionesses exhibited more caution but still held Thomas in deep admiration.
Guided by the radiant lions, he navigated through the labyrinthine corridors until they reached the entrance to the underground vault. Positioned near the Great Elder's chamber, it had miraculously escaped damage during the fierce confrontation.
Unlocking the vault, Thomas was greeted by a hundred square meters of meticulously organized shelves and cabinets. The room was a treasure trove of natural wonders, ancient artifacts, and historical relics. Illuminated by a soft, ambient glow, the chamber seemed to hum with the wisdom of countless ages.
On one side, rare botanical specimens adorned the shelves, their vibrant colors and exotic shapes a testament to the richness of the universe. The air was perfumed with the scent of otherworldly flowers, creating a serene oasis within the subterranean sanctuary.
Display cases held artifacts of immense power weapons forged in the fires of distant stars, amulets with the essence of forgotten gods, and crystals pulsating with untold energy. Each item seemed to resonate with its own history, whispering tales of epochs long past.
Ancient manuscripts and tomes lined the walls, containing detailed accounts of the myriad races inhabiting the Milky Way.
Thomas discovered records chronicling the rise and fall of civilizations, the intricacies of interstellar politics, and the mysterious entities that lurked in the cosmic shadows.
Strangely enough, there was little about the gods in these manuscripts, some only talked about the former gods as part of the natural laws of the universe and how all of them mysterious vanished one day.
As Thomas delved into the trove of knowledge within the ornate chest, he discovered more than just ancient manuscripts. Nestled among the parchments were a couple of demon blood plaques, their surfaces pulsating with a contemporary energy. Although newer than the weathered tomes surrounding them, the information they contained proved to be just as expansive.
The first plaque unveiled the secrets of modern Sin Force manipulation techniques, a treasure trove of contemporary insights into harnessing the demonic energy that coursed through the veins of the Children of Pride. Mysterious arts, alchemy, and pill recipes for the herbs and plants endemic to the demon domain were meticulously detailed, offering a glimpse into the advanced practices that had evolved over the ages.
The second plaque held the intriguing exchanges and deals between the Children of Pride and factions from other galaxies. It documented their annual information exchange through the dimensional rifts, shedding light on the intricate web of alliances and transactions that spanned the cosmic tapestry.
Amidst the wealth of information, Thomas's eyes widened as he stumbled upon a particularly captivating document, a conversation between the Great Elder and a mysterious expert from the higher realms. The conversation unraveled some of the secrets of the dimensional rifts.
As Thomas read, the voices of the Great Elder and the unnamed expert echoed in his mind:
Great Elder: Our master's orders are clear the dimensional rifts must be maintained at all costs. The nexus is the key to our survival.
Mysterious Expert: Indeed, the nexus was created by exploiting the weakening space-time laws of two universes situated closely. By manipulating these laws, breaches were opened between all dimensional spaces and planes, connecting the two universes.
Great Elder: But what purpose does this connection serve?
Mysterious Expert: You only need to know that is the culmination of our master's grand plan. As for what happens after, you will see it for yourself.
As Thomas absorbed the profound implications of the dialogue, he felt closer to the reason he was given the system and the mission he would take.
As Thomas prepared to leave the vault, a realization struck him, the dozens of majestic golden lions were still following him, their eyes reflecting a mix of respect and expectation. Perplexed, he turned to the magnificent beasts, and an air of fear swept through the assembly as they took a step back.
"Why are you all following me?" Thomas inquired, his voice gentle.
In response, the oldest and wisest of the lions, a former demon king, stepped forward. With a regal bearing, he knelt before Thomas, front paws pressed to the ground. "We, the Children of Pride, wish to follow the true ruler," he declared.
Observing the expectant expressions on the faces of the lion kin, Thomas sighed. Understanding the weight of their loyalty, he nodded and, with a wave of his hand, opened a dimensional passage leading back to the infernal city.
Upon returning to the city, Thomas led the majestic lions through the bustling streets until they reached the towering Babel Tower at its center. There, he found Lulu, the overseer of the infernal city, overseeing various activities.
Thomas approached Lulu and explained the events that had unfolded. As he shared the tale of the battle, the transformation of the demons into golden lions, and the subsequent loyalty of the lion kin, Lulu listened attentively.
Given her affinity with the lion-type beasts, Lulu smiled with understanding. "We have enough space and resources. I can find a suitable place for them within the city," she assured.
With gratitude, Thomas nodded. "They've chosen to follow me, and I believe they can contribute positively to our community."
Lulu, always resourceful and open-minded, agreed to accommodate the lion kin within the infernal city. As Thomas watched her take charge of the arrangements, he couldn't help but marvel at the twists and turns of destiny.
In the heart of the infernal city, within a colossal workshop resonating with the hum of arcane energy, Thomas dedicated himself to enhancing his Luminous Ark.
Recognizing the limitations of his physical form within the chaotic space of the nexus, Thomas decided to fortify his connection with the Luminous Ark. With determination etched across his features, he began the intricate process of integrating the Pathfinder device's function onto the artifact.
Days passed as Thomas studied the runic patterns and circuits on the Pathfinder, unraveling its principles for navigating through the convoluted dimensional nexus. The Pride Lions, displaying an uncanny intelligence, offered their assistance, their ancient wisdom complementing Thomas's efforts.
Having grasped the basic concept, Thomas seamlessly integrated the Pathfinder function into the Luminous Ark.
Thomas channeled his energies into the mirrors, each resonating with its unique essence. The Luminous Ark morphed into a set of intricate battle armor, encasing Thomas in a radiant sheath. The mirrors interlocked with precision, creating a protective ensemble that resonated with the celestial power coursing through the artifact.
Thomas felt the enhanced energy coursing through his veins, a testament to the symbiotic connection he shared with the Luminous Ark. With a thought, the mirrors coalesced into a sleek shuttle. But the artifact's transformations didn't stop there. With a gesture from Thomas, the mirrors rearranged themselves into a colossal interstellar cannon.
Satisfied with the upgrade, he left the infernal city. There was still things he wanted to do here in the domain, but saving earth comes first. Well, with the changes he did on Lumine, he could always come back later.
Thomas boarded the Luminous Shuttle and upon setting the coordinates to Earth, Thomas navigated the dimensional rifts with the precision granted by the integrated Pathfinder function.