Shock and excitement was currently what consumed Roy's entire mind at this moment. He had been following the group of four from the moment they entered the Core realm; the members that made up said team was a surprise even to him which made his once thought to be bland mission a source of entertainment now.
The days before crossing into the middle region left him numb with shock at their immense luck, even he was starting to feel jealous of all the resource and treasures that were sitting in each of their storage items, 'aside from that, they're a lot stronger than I expected which isn't really a shocker for those three but him,' lost in his thoughts he continued to follow after them.
"We have no time to waste as this is a race, let's wipe them out quickly and move on."
The carnage and display of power that followed those words made Roy's blood boil, 'he's quite strong already but from what I'm sensing he's still a bit lacking compared to the other three.'
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Roy looked down on the devastated area that seemed to have been trampled by a rampaging monster, ' the hell did I just see happen, he killed someone just by crashing into them, even more, that person was an Orc from a named Tribe.'
A sinister grin spread across Roy's face as he watched the boy cancel his transformation, 'great, great, with a body that strong, he should be able to take quite the beating. I look forward to seeing what else you have hidden.
_____
Thirio shivered just as he crossed into the Inner region, 'did you sense that Vadne, did some beast make me its target.'
'Not that I can sense but if it's as you said, the beast is either good at concealment or too high above your current strength. Either case isn't good so don't let your guard down.'
Nodding Thirio refocused at what was before him, " not what I expected after passing through a desert and a forest," a small chuckle escaped his lips as he looked at the grassy plain covered in grass with spects of starlight floating from them; further back a hazy city wall could be seen.
"We're finally at the real starting line, Thirio, how much do you know about Attribute Imprinting," came Amore's voice.
Glancing at the woman, " Attribute Imprinting is a rare encounter in which a person might be able to grasp the process by which different energy types are made and interact with the world we live in, though as for its other benefit I have no clue."
"Hmm, all true though the greatest benefit is the change it brings to the body, by going through Attribute Imprinting it leaves a unique mark on the body that will increase one's sensitivity, perception and control of Origin energy regardless of type. Take these grasses, they have gone through the process and thought they can't actively use it; they still attract the astral energy in the air."
Having noticed the unique aspect of his surroundings long ago, Thirio gave a nod, " I can see why it's appealing to everyone now. I'm sure you have noticed by now what's going on in our surroundings."
"Just some small fries, no need to worry about them, Amore for this information you have so generously supplied my brother, how about I pay you back with this body of mine," a dirty smile plastered on Vasilias face, his eyes not once raising above Amare's waist even as he said those words.
Tuning out the antics of his friends, Thirio sensed the Astral energy within his surrounds trying to gain a deeper grasp on the energy he controlled, 'the astral energy in this place seems to have a touch of vitality that mine lacks, is it because it has been mixed with different energies. No I don't think that's it, all the energies I've absorbed so far seem to lack this vitality.'
Three days passed as they walked towards the city in the distance but, the closer they got the more people arrived within their senses, which had led to quite a bit of killing and pillaging.
"Damm, these people are annoying, Amore comfort me with your sweet embrace."
A side glare from said woman was all it took to shut Vasilias's mouth, " I honestly don't know how someone like you is from a family that noble, well atleast your strength doesn't do the name shame."
_____
Amore sat while gazing at their leader. She honestly didn't expect him to perform as well as he did and the strength he displayed peaked her interest even more.
It wasn't unheard of for people like him to raise especially with the special circumstances surrounding this planet, it would have been weird for him not to rise; plus although Vasilias might look casual and foolish, it wasn't easy to gain his friendship nor approval.
'He's worth making a friend with after this training period ends, I see him raising quite far especially if he can take the next step, by then even I will have to seriously consider my attitude towards him from a standpoint of my family.'
Smiling softly, Amore refocused on recuperating her strength, she could sense quite a few people that would cause her a lot of trouble some distance away.
_____
Black eyes stared at the pile of dead beasts and people before him with a smile, 'all that time wasn't wasted indeed,' he thought.
A wicked grin stretched across his face as he took a black pearl from his storage equipment before tossing it into the plie of death.
The effects were instantaneous, black smoke surged out from the pearl as it came into contact with the first body, dissolving it and all the others into an inky black liquid.
"Let your presence be felt from worlds away, let death and destruction rain on this day, for it is our strength, our purpose, our grace. Let the 'Gate of Chaos' open; SO WE CAN DEVOUR OUR PREY!!"
The inky liquid squirmed and twisted into strange glyphs that shone with a blackish gray light that vanished with the last of his words.
"Now let the real party begin," a twisted smile on his face and eyes that glowed with endless malice, the black hair teen vanished without a trace.
____
"Fuck, I knew those fuckers wouldn't be able to keep out of this," cursed Reva but all the people watching her saw the clear excitement hidden within her eyes.
'I've heard about her battle lust but isn't this a little over the top; I've never heard of anyone happy to see this damn Race of savages,' thought the crowd of people.
Reva paid no attention to people around her that she had dubbed as weaklings in her mind, no her attention was fully focused on the inky black doors hovering above the planet.
'So that's their game, I hope they send a strong one, as for the kids in the Core realm, well let's leave that for after the battle,' with her priorities sorted in her mind, Reva rushed out of the planet to meet the slowly opening doors.
"Well, well, isn't this the dignified General of the Blood Moon Legion, what's got you playing babysitter in such a remote place like this away from all the fighting," a playful voice sounded as a youthful, gray haired man appeared before the doors.
*Boom..Crash*
"Don't be a sissy and try to bore me to death with all that talking and let's just try to rip each other apart, don't tell me I was excited for nothing," fist still out stretched from the punch she threw; Reva growled at the man indented into the door behind him, her aura flaring wantonly in the surrounding vacuum of space.
*Crack*
An aura just as vast clashed with it seconds later.
"That's what I'm talking about," closing the distance between them with a step, Reva's fist blazed with a blood red flame.
Eyes dulled for a split second as the flames on Reva's hand came into being, the man was a beat too late to prevent the fist driving itself into his stomach, nor could he prevent the following three hits.
Reva dodged the claw made of blue-black smoke that aimed to remove her head from her shoulders, "hahahahaha."
As the man opened his mouth to speak; he had to close it again to block the barrage of attacks.
____
*Boom, Boom,BOOM!!*
Watching the battle happening in space, the people below could only marvel at the power displayed, while others shivered in fear of the Blood General and the crazed smile plastered on her face.
"Shouldn't we take this chance to rush in, now that she's distracte," the voice stopped abruptly.
*Thud*
The sound struck the heart of those around like a hammer as they all stared at the headless corpse that fell to the ground and the head in the air with clear horror in its eyes.
*Thud…..Thud*
Colorful lights burst from the bodies of all present, forming a protective film around their bodies, while they glanced around with warry eyes scanning their surroundings.
*Clap Clap*
"Well done, although it's a shame we only got three of you," standing before the gateway to the Core Realm two men stood.
Black smoke formed two skeletal figures behind them, eyes shining with the distinct hunger for carnage and destruction that they were well known for; smiles plastered on their face, the blood covered hands. Zorack and Zoreke stood proudly before the group of warriors.
"You guys are awfully weak, I wonder where you all got the confidence to act so mighty while all being just 'Knights'."
"That's a very rude thing to say to our meals Zorack; although they aren't strong the powers behind some of them are so we should show proper etiquette don't you think."
"Right you are Zoreke, we should send a thank you note to their factions for sending such a good meal our way, don't you think."
"That we should."
With smiles and twinkle in their eyes, the two rushed into the crowd of people.
All hell broke loose after that.
____
"Hey Amore, I've been meaning to ask, I can see how precious of a chance this is but considering the power your family has in the outside world, the stakes in this should be higher than just the attribute imprinting."
"Ho, why do you think that is?"
Vasilias and Rian listened quietly, both quite interested in the conversation taking place within their little group.
"For one, some of the aura's I'm picking up even make me feel the presence of death, another point is that some of the people we have crossed paths with look no less affluent than both you and Vasilias."
"Quite the sharp senses you have but, once again nothing really out of place, all families of a certain standing usually send out their young to fend for themselves. No one with formidable strength has been raised by being locked inside."
Silence descended while the rest waited patiently for Thirio to continue with his findings.
'Amore is being more talkative than usual, It seems that she has noticed his potential,' thought Vasilias.
"I can agree with that, but let's just dispense with the roundabout test, what's with the unusual vitality of the energy in the air. It feels like the energy is actually alive, I've felt it actively resist the influence of my area of control and being absorbed into my body."
"Ding Ding, that what I've been waiting to hear from you Thirio, the fact that you can sense it means, you have a chance to step into the stage beyond this, but to call it a stage would be an injustice, it's a realm and also a path that will carry you on a journey of power wholly your own."
"We have all come looking for that last bit of insight needed to cross onto that path. We need to grant vitality to the energy that we cultivate; once this is done the rest is up to each person on how they should go forward hence, this is also a path."
A strange distortion of the space in front of the group brought the conversion to an abort stop, for the city that should have been far away was not just a small distance before them, yet neither them or any of the other present dare take a step towards it.
Bright golden fur that sparked with black lighting, piercing red eyes, a mouth gleaming with black fangs, the oppressive aura released left the arena silent and then it opened its powerful jaws.
"All who step forward will be killed, none will stop the progression of my home planet," it roared.
A Rank 5 beast stood as the guard before the city gates.