In the depths of the cosmic starry sky.
This was a desolate star region, where not a single planet could be seen within hundreds of thousands of light-years.
Suddenly, a slight spatial ripple spread, and Lin Yuan's figure appeared out of thin air.
"Where is this?"
"Starry Sky Alliance territory?"
Using the position of his true body as a "coordinate," Lin Yuan quickly deduced his current location.
"I didn't expect Senior 'White Paper' to send me here," Lin Yuan shook his head slightly. Before leaving this universe, the half-meter-tall old man had conveniently tossed Lin Yuan out.
Naturally, Lin Yuan had asked to be sent as far away as possible. After all, there had been dozens of ultimate beings surrounding the "White Paper" at that time.
If he had been thrown too close, one of the ultimate beings skilled in spatial techniques might have detected something unusual, which could have been troublesome.
"I wonder if I'll ever see Senior 'White Paper' again," Lin Yuan mused as he fused with the deeper layers of space, gazing into the far distance, where a massive spatial rift was slowly closing.
His journey through the lower-dimensional space had left a deep impression on Lin Yuan, and it had also given him new insights into the Gate of the Myriad Realms.
The so-called lower-dimensional space was merely a creation of those near-perfect time beings, designed to explore other dimensional worlds.
In other words, even beings as powerful as near-perfect time beings could not break the constraints of dimensions and freely travel between them.
But the Gate of the Myriad Realms? It seemed to accomplish this easily.
"Could the Gate of the Myriad Realms be a treasure on the level of a perfect time being?"
Lin Yuan speculated. From the half-meter-tall old man, he had learned how terrifying perfect time beings were—nearly omnipotent, able to easily overturn timelines if they wished.
"Enough of that."
"Thinking about this is too far off for now."
Lin Yuan collected his thoughts.
He wasn't even a supreme being yet, so pondering perfect time beings was meaningless.
In any case, the Gate of the Myriad Realms had already recognized him as its master. When his strength reached the appropriate level, everything would become clear.
"I need to return quickly."
Lin Yuan scanned his surroundings and, after confirming there were no powerful beings from the Starry Sky Alliance nearby, immediately prepared to return to human civilization's territory.
The Starry Sky Alliance had vast territory, but it was a classic case of "vast land, sparse population."
After all, the Starry Sky Alliance was mainly composed of special lifeforms.
And special lifeforms... did not reproduce nearly as quickly as human civilization. Even the most ordinary special lifeform had a reproductive cycle that could take decades or even centuries.
Of course, the most prolific race was still the Insect Race.
However, the Insect Race's method of creating warrior drones didn't really count as reproduction. The drones were fully controlled by the queen and lacked independent will, so they weren't truly considered lifeforms.
As for true Insect Race members reproducing? That process was even slower than that of most special lifeforms.
"Let's go."
With a single step, Lin Yuan disappeared, reappearing a million light-years away.
After comprehending the time-space fusion rule, Lin Yuan's speed of travel had increased drastically. A step of a million light-years was already the result of him restraining himself, to avoid causing too much spatial ripple that might attract the attention of powerful special lifeforms in the region.
If Lin Yuan exerted his full power, he could easily step across tens or even hundreds of millions of light-years at once. In short, after comprehending the time-space fusion rule, distance no longer had much meaning to him.
If he could raise his mastery of the time-space fusion rule to the second or third level, his speed would only increase.
"If I combined it with the 'Nine Steps of Time and Space' technique…" Lin Yuan shook his head, deciding that he would test his maximum speed when the opportunity arose.
Milky Way Main Star.
Sitting cross-legged, Lin Yuan had a smile on his face.
His experience in the two-dimensional world had been dangerous, with the risk of losing his Yang Primordial Spirit completely, which would have affected his martial foundation.
But, at the same time, coming out of it successfully had brought enormous rewards.
First, he had gained everything from the myriad race powerhouses—their bodies, souls, and many mystical aspects, as well as their insights into the rules. It had all fallen into Lin Yuan's hands.
Although, according to the half-meter-tall old man, aside from the insights into the time-space fusion rule, none of the other aspects had been "refined" or "purified."
Lin Yuan would need to study them with caution, but they were still far beyond his expectations—at least exponentially easier than gaining such insights from scratch.
Then there were the "artifacts."
Over the ten thousand years, Lin Yuan had traveled to every corner of the two-dimensional world, naturally collecting many treasures.
While these artifacts hadn't been very useful in the two-dimensional world—at least for Lin Yuan, who had been nearly invincible there—once brought into the main universe, they became incredibly rare twelve-star treasures.
"If I had known there could only be one victor, I would have extorted the peak races a bit more," Lin Yuan chuckled to himself.
During the second opening of the Heavenly Gate, after Lin Yuan had pushed it open, the other myriad race powerhouses had assumed they too could pass through, so they hadn't bothered to demand that Lin Yuan leave the artifacts behind.
"Hmm?"
"Actually, there's no need for my Yang Primordial Spirit to travel."
A thought occurred to Lin Yuan.
He suddenly remembered his other identity—the master of the Mysterious Emperor's Secret Realm.
The Mysterious Emperor's Secret Realm, established by the Mysterious Sovereign, was rooted in this universe. As its master, Lin Yuan could, through the Mysterious Emperor's Mark, directly enter the secret realm as long as he was within the universe.
From there, he could use it as a "transfer point" to return to the Milky Way Star Domain.
Starry Sky Alliance Territory.
Lin Yuan, who had been on the move, stopped, activated the Mysterious Emperor's Mark within his soul, and his body quickly disappeared, drawn into the Mysterious Emperor's Secret Realm.
"Master." The six-armed figure greeted him respectfully, bowing to Lin Yuan.
As the spirit of the Mysterious Emperor's Secret Realm, it was aware of everything that happened within the secret realm, so it naturally sensed Lin Yuan's arrival.
"Alright."
"You can leave now."
Lin Yuan gave the six-armed figure a glance and commanded.
"Understood."
The six-armed figure respectfully retreated.
"Now I'm safe."
Lin Yuan relaxed. Carrying so many valuable artifacts made him feel uneasy, even on the Milky Way Main Star. But within the Mysterious Emperor's Secret Realm, there was no danger whatsoever.
"Let's take a look at this silver mirror."
Lin Yuan took out the silver mirror.
Buzz.
Now free from the constraints of the two-dimensional world, the silver mirror seemed to come alive, radiating vast spatial ripples as if it were a small universe being born.
However, as the master of the Mysterious Emperor's Secret Realm, Lin Yuan could draw on the power of the entire realm, so he felt no pressure.
"Do I need to refine it to open the space inside?"
Lin Yuan pondered. Now that he was in the main universe, the power of this supreme weapon—the silver mirror—was reawakening. Only by refining it could he begin to utilize its internal space.
Refining the silver mirror wasn't particularly difficult for Lin Yuan.
Back in the two-dimensional world, he had already infused a large amount of mental energy into it, essentially completing half of the refinement.
Now, continuing the refinement was just a matter of course, something that would take at most a month or two.
Of course, this would only allow him to refine the mirror. Fully activating its power would still be beyond his current capability. He would need to reach Rank Eleven and undergo another significant boost in strength before that became possible.
Throughout human civilization's history, there had been instances of powerful evolvers wielding supreme weapons on mid- or small-sized alien battlefields, tearing permanent spatial rifts.
In reality, the supreme weapon was being powered by a supreme being. A typical Rank Eleven evolver, even if drained of all their energy, couldn't unleash a strike at the level of Rank Twelve using a supreme weapon.
While refining the silver mirror…
Lin Yuan brought out the five crystalline balls of light.
These were his rewards for being the victor. The artifacts he had collected in the two-dimensional world didn't count as rewards; they were treasures he had personally found.
Among the five crystalline balls, one radiated pure energy, representing the combined insights of the myriad race powerhouses into the time-space rule.
The other four crystalline balls, however, were slightly "murkier."
"Let's take a look at this one."
Lin Yuan randomly selected one of the murkier balls and carefully sent his consciousness into it.
In an instant.
Lin Yuan's mind began to roar.
"What is this?" Lin Yuan was startled.
He had become a giant of fire—an immense figure, millions of kilometers tall, lying dormant in a vast sea of lava.
"Is this the Scorched Flame King? A Rank Eleven legendary perfect lifeform?" Based on the features of the fire giant, Lin Yuan immediately recognized the entity.
The Scorched Flame King was the emaciated old man who had joined four other Rank Eleven legendary powerhouses to besiege the Divine Kings during the first opening of the Heavenly Gate.
In the two-dimensional world, the Scorched Flame King had been gaunt, but in the main universe, he was a unique special lifeform. Only the Divine King and the Mother of the Tree World surpassed him in power; otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to attempt the siege.
"This is incredible," Lin Yuan marveled, clearly sensing every part of the fire giant's body—its subtle physical structure, its various innate abilities. Even the simple act of the fire giant breathing involved profound rules that left Lin Yuan in awe.
"So this is what a unique special lifeform is like?"
Lin Yuan withdrew his consciousness from the ball, his eyes filled with wonder.
Compared to humans, special lifeforms were immensely powerful. Unique special lifeforms like the fire giant were born at Rank Six. Even taking a few naps would bring them to Rank Nine or Ten, and reaching Rank Eleven was easy.
Among the myriad races, even peak bloodlines like the Star Sea Kun were only Rank Six upon adulthood. Reaching Rank Seven or Eight required effort.
Most Star Sea Kuns never reached Rank Eight.
But unique special lifeforms? They were the "darlings" of the universe, requiring little effort to reach the pinnacle of power.
Of course, this smooth path was the reason unique special lifeforms had a low chance of becoming supreme beings. Talent alone wasn't enough to become a supreme being.
In the current universe, the majority of supreme beings were those who had grown from weakness.
"Let's continue."
Lin Yuan contemplated for a moment, then sent his consciousness into another ball.
Rumble.
This time, Lin Yuan transformed into a silver-armored, golden-horned alien, locked in combat with a powerful being.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Space was collapsing all around them.
During the fierce battle, the silver-armored, golden-horned alien displayed numerous rule comprehension techniques, all of which surged into Lin Yuan's mind.
"The material rule… this silver-armored alien has a deep mastery of the rule of great destruction," Lin Yuan mused. "And its body, while not as unique as the Scorched Flame King's, is still remarkable in some ways."
As Lin Yuan delved deeper into his comprehension, countless flashes of inspiration filled his mind.
The four crystalline balls the old man had given him weren't refined or purified, unlike the ball containing insights into the time-space fusion rule, which had brought direct comprehension.
But it didn't matter to Lin Yuan. With his unrivaled insight, he quickly began to grasp countless new ideas.
"I've found the direction for the Martial Path Rank Ten manual."
By studying the myriad race powerhouses' various aspects, Lin Yuan had developed a concrete plan for the creation of the Martial Path Rank Ten manual.
"Body!"
"Soul!"
Lin Yuan's eyes gleamed with excitement.
The body and soul were the foundation of martial evolution. Starting from the Rank Four and Five manuals, Lin Yuan's martial evolution path had focused on rule comprehension and the internal world.
But now, with the Rank Ten manual, Lin Yuan was once again focusing on the body and soul.
With the numerous unique special lifeforms from the myriad races as references, Lin Yuan had gained fresh insights into the subtle structures of the body and the essence of the soul.
In terms of foundational knowledge, human civilization was indeed far behind those ancient special lifeforms.
But just because they had started behind didn't mean they would remain behind. Lin Yuan was now rapidly absorbing the strengths of these special lifeforms in creating the Martial Path Rank Ten manual.
Theoretically, the martial evolution path Lin Yuan was creating would allow future practitioners to be on par with those special lifeforms in every aspect.
Lin Yuan's study of the myriad race powerhouses—their bodies, souls, rule comprehension, and even memories—wasn't just helping him perfect the Martial Path Rank Ten manual.
It was also greatly benefiting himself.
Lin Yuan's body was gradually evolving toward its most perfect form. His comprehension of numerous rules, especially pillar-level fusion rules, was also advancing rapidly.
Time passed.
In the blink of an eye, two months had gone by.
Lin Yuan's gaze shifted toward the floating silver mirror.
"I've finally completed the initial refinement," Lin Yuan nodded.
The silver mirror, being a supreme weapon, had no master. Additionally, Lin Yuan had infused it with large amounts of mental energy while in the two-dimensional world.
Thus, from the start of the refinement process until its initial completion, he had encountered no setbacks.
Swish.
Now that Lin Yuan had completed the initial refinement of the silver mirror, his consciousness entered the internal world it contained.
Rumble.
Within the two-dimensional world, the internal space of the silver mirror had been nothing more than a cramped ten-meter space.
But now.
As Lin Yuan's consciousness merged with it, he was stunned.
An unimaginably vast world stretched out before him.
"This space is at least ten thousand light-years in diameter," Lin Yuan murmured. Judging by its size, this was comparable to the internal universe of a supreme being.
"Such a massive world… if fully activated, it would be no less powerful than a supreme being's full-force strike," Lin Yuan thought to himself.
However, fully activating the silver mirror would require a supreme being's strength. Even if Lin Yuan reached Rank Eleven, he would only be able to barely activate it. Full activation was far beyond his current capability.
"Let's take a look at the other artifacts."
Following his senses, Lin Yuan arrived at a large stone platform.
Various artifacts were laid out on it. A quick count revealed over a hundred items.
As the silver mirror revived upon leaving the two-dimensional world, these artifacts were also gradually awakening.
If these artifacts had been in the main universe, instead of within the silver mirror's internal world, the combined energy they emitted would likely affect tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of light-years.
"Eleven of these are from human civilization."
From the more than a hundred artifacts, Lin Yuan picked out eleven.
During the ten thousand years in the two-dimensional world, Xuanyuan Duo and other human civilization evolvers had been diligently searching for artifacts, delivering a total of twenty-two to Lin Yuan.
According to Lin Yuan's agreement with Xia Qin, he was allowed to keep fifty percent of the artifacts he brought out.
"So many artifacts…"
Looking at the nearly one hundred remaining items, Lin Yuan was filled with excitement.
Even ultimate beings would likely be envious of such a large collection of artifacts.
"Calm down, calm down."
Lin Yuan steadied himself. Although these artifacts were incredibly valuable, they weren't immediately useful to him due to his current relatively low life level.
"Take it slow."
Lin Yuan carefully transferred the eleven artifacts belonging to human civilization into his internal world.
"No problems here."
Lin Yuan nodded slightly. The eleven artifacts—eleven twelve-star treasures or weapons—remained completely restrained, quietly floating within his internal world.
"I'll hand these artifacts over to Xia Qin."
Lin Yuan set aside the eleven artifacts for Xia Qin, while the silver mirror and the remaining artifacts were stored in the Mysterious Emperor's Secret Realm.
With that done, his Yang Primordial Spirit left the Mysterious Emperor's Secret Realm.
Milky Way Main Star.
Lin Yuan sat cross-legged, and a figure silently appeared before him.
It was his Yang Primordial Spirit.
"Back already?"
A smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
"The strongest Yu Die has been waiting for me for some time," Lin Yuan thought as his Yang Primordial Spirit left the Milky Way Main Star, arriving in a patch of starry sky.
A few days earlier, an avatar of the strongest Yu Die had appeared outside the Milky Way Main Star to ensure that Lin Yuan remained safe.
After all, Lin Yuan was the sole survivor of the myriad race powerhouses within the "White Paper." Although this fact was unknown to the alien races, human civilization had to remain vigilant.
"Thank you, strongest Yu Die."
Lin Yuan's Yang Primordial Spirit flew over and bowed slightly toward the ethereal figure in the starry sky.
"No need to thank me."
Yu Die smiled softly. "I'll take you to the human civilization's third stronghold. The other strongest beings wish to meet you."
"The strongest beings?" Lin Yuan was puzzled.
"Indeed. Xia Qin and the other all want to meet you," Yu Die said as she looked at Lin Yuan.
"Eight strongest beings?" Lin Yuan held his breath. If Yu Die was included, that made nine strongest beings.
For all nine of human civilization's strongest beings to gather just to meet him?
Such a gathering was almost unheard of, only occurring in times of life and death for human civilization. Normally, each supreme being had their own responsibilities and rarely convened together.
...
Do I want to marry Viviane? I mean, my whole interaction with her started as a joke, but now it's serious and...I guess I don't mind?
The moment he completed the thought, Raguel mentally recoiled in self-disgust. Images of his past life, of him just going with the flow, getting married because it was the expected thing to happen. Because he didn't mind, he didn't dislike the woman ended up marrying.
No, this isn't like that! Raguel forced any thoughts on his past life to the far dark side of his mind, never to think about again. I actually like Viviane. I actually like spending time with her. I'm hesitating because...it's a big step. It is a big deal. That's what commitment is. Images of a possible future came to mind. Of a peaceful life with a war over, with him and his wife living in a simple house, surrounded my their children. ...and I could mess it up.
Raguel looked back at the nervous Viviane.
And I'm afraid of hurting her. Of getting hurt. He concluded.
"I think..." Raguel started, only to realize he was still sitting on Gabriel's lap. "Excuse me," he floated up, and left his seat, moving to Viviane, and grabbing a seat to sit close and facing her.
"Raguel?" Viviane looked at uncertain at the Archangel's quietness.
"Viviane, I..." Raguel began to formulate his answer again.
"You...don't want to?" Viviane's glamour acted neutral, but he could hear the worry in her real voice.
"I actually do," Raguel finally faced her, an odd relaxed smile on his face. "Not right this moment, but I actually don't mind it in the future. Like the very soon future. It's just..."
Viviane let out a breath, and cast a glamour to make herself focus, and actually think on his words, and on Raguel and what he is saying. Her anxiety was still there, but she was easily able to push it down now.
"You're afraid." She noted.
"Yeah, I mean...what if I mess up?" Raguel looked down, and just let the floodgate on his worries open. "What if things break down between us, because I misunderstood something? Or I couldn't have this relationship as a priority, because the war demanded precedence. Or in the future, if we have a child--"
"C-Child!?" Viviane's face was ablaze once more.
"And we drift apart, or they just get detached and we can no longer connect." He looked up to face her again. "I am fine with dying for Father and Heaven if it's to fulfill my duty, but with a family my life isn't just mine alone. I have to live to fulfill all my duties. To Father, Heaven and you. I can't afford to die and that...is a surprisingly heavy responsibility."
Thing were quiet as everyone took in Raguel's words. Viviane extended a hand, and took one of Raguel's that was laying on his lap, and held his hand with her own. There were too many things she wanted to say, yet couldn't voice them all out, she just felt happy at Raguel's acceptance. At him placing such importance on her and their relationship.
"I'm..." Viviane began. "Actually kinda glad that you're afraid."
"Huh?" Raguel looked back stupefied.
"I mean," Viviane giggled. "I'm glad that this is so important to you, that you thought about it to that extent." She said. "But you know, you're not alone in this. I also have duties to uphold, and I will not fail them or you." They locked hands together. "So even if it's scary, I want to face those challenges with you. Your fear mean you'll do your best not succeed, and so I will do the same." Viviane and Raguel smiled at one another.
"So Raguel, you heard her answer." Raziel spoke. "You don't want to get married now, but do want to in the future, after being sure of this match."
"Um, yeah." Raguel was startled, as he forgot his sisters were there for a second. Remiel chuckled, while Gabriel frowned, before sighing in resignation. Raziel continue to smile warmly.
"Then you're in luck. The marriage vow won't be exchanged until Lady Viviane's blade is delivered. So till then, you'll both just be betrothed, promised to each other." Raziel explained. "How does that sound?"
Viviane looked back at Raguel with a smile. "I suppose marriage would be too quick. Very well, I accept this betrothment, till I finish the dowry for my Raguel."
"And I accept it as well." Raguel smiled back, squeezing Viviane's hand with his own, and feeling her response back.
It was a peaceful fulfilling moment that would shape relations between angels and fae going forward.
Then the whole lake shook with a tremor of an earthquake.
The defenders of Heaven struggled with all their might. For the most part the devils all but retreated, allowing the angels to focus their efforts on the dragon.
The forces of Heaven were holding out, but slowly, bit by bit their numbers were dwindling.
Ddraig roared as he slammed into the Holy barrier made by four Archangels. Raphael, Metatron, Sandalphon and Uriel maintained the barrier, while Sariel attacked.
"Bright Nova!" A sphere of condensed Holy magic was shot from Sariel into Ddraig's face at point blank after the Dragon hit the barrier.
The Red Dragon roared in rage rather than agony. The spell while powerful was slowly and limited in the area it affected due to it's focused strength. Had it been a devil or a fallen, they would have been crushed and shredded. For a normal dragon it would be enough to fell them from the sky. For Ddraig it annoyed him and made him more eager to fight.
The Dragon flew back a bit, recovering from the attack too quickly.
"He's going to breath fire again!" Alerted Metatron.
"Barriers once more!" Shouted Sariel.
"BOOSTED FLAME!" Ddraig cried out, forming and launching his breath attack, much faster then the Archangels anticipated.
The Seraphs knew they won't make it in time, yet called on their Holy Power anyways. To fend their weaker siblings if nothing else.
"GLORY ONTO GOD!" Shouted Uriel, calling on his flames with every ounce of his being as he flew past everyone.
"URIEL!" Raphael and the others called after him, Uriel didn't stop.
Uriel's flame grew till they enveloped him. All of the Light within him was pushed outward, as he drew deeper onto the essence of what his Father made him with. Not just Light but Fire, thing matter the produced light, heat and pushed forth life, or destroyed it.
What Uriel called upon was the Divine Essence, God had given each of his creations. The spark of Light that was unique to each individual. What one would call the light of their soul manifested outward. For many they would search their whole lives to unlock it.
For a Human it would simply be known as Touki.
For an Angel they can already access a small portion of it as the Holy Light.
And for an Archangel...
"CHOKHMAH INCANDESCENCE." The Flame of God set himself alight as he let loose the Divine Essence within without any control, only focusing it outwardly as his fires burned brighter than ever before.
The blazing Archangel drove into the sea of fire, yet his shine was still visible.
Ddraig realized too late that Uriel was aiming to stop the dragon fire at the source, and pushed out more flames. Only for Uriel to shout out in determination, and burn brighter.
The Archangel slammed into the Dragon's mouth, causing an explosion whose shockwave extended out through all the battlefield.
"Impressive." The Red Dragon Emperor admitted, showing a slight respect for his opponent. "Yet pitiful." As now Uriel was caught within the dragon's maw.
Ddraig crushed his jaws together...to feel and taste nothing. His prey was no longer there.
"It seems I arrived just in time." A figure more radiant than any other stood in the skies of Heaven, holding onto His son in His arms. "You really have been quite noisy, Y Ddraig Goch." God spoke, as His aura extended outward, healing all his angels of all injuries no matter how severe, then to the rage and despair of the watching devils from afar, revived the few killed angels back to life.
"Hmmm." For the first time since the battle began, Ddraig grew quiet, acting more cautious, and observed his opponent. "So you're the 'Almighty God', huh?" The Red Dragon grinned, his teeth resembling rows of towers of death. "A bit small for someone supposedly so strong."
"F-Father." Uriel looked around, then at his Father in surprise at being alive. He quickly flew from his Father's arms, to fly under his own power, so as to not inconvenience the Creator too much.
"You did a good job, Uriel, but it's still too soon for you to call upon the Holy Spirit within you. Yours and your Archangel siblings were made a bit more volatile than your other Angelic brethren. You need more enlightenment to use it correctly." The Creator said.
"Yes, Father." Uriel answered with full focus on his Father's words.
"OI!" Shouted Ddraig.
"I have not forgotten you, Red Dragon." God said turning their glowing divine eyes to the dragon once more. Feeling that gaze, even Ddraig felt a shiver run through him, before he broke it with prideful rage. With a gesture from his Father, Uriel flew behind to join his siblings, knowing this battle was as good as over. "I know that you won't listen to words, but I will tell you this anyways. I and my angels do not lie. We simply do not do it." The force within those words forced Ddraig to acknowledge them as true, even if he refused to accept that truth, or rather he didn't care as much anymore, as he found an opponent that annoyed and excited him.
"You think that will save you from my wrath." Ddraig growled out, still grinning.
God chuckled, seeing the Dragon's challenge as cute. "Simply clarifying a few things. We do not have a angel named 'Raquel', although there is one with a similar name, and he does not have the ability to summon dragons, or your rival. That was simply a rumor that got out of hand. And finally," God shifted their stance, making the Dragon tense, and prepared for the attack. "Before we do this, I have one question for you."
"A last request is it?" Ddraig bellowed out in laughter, enraging the angels present. God just smiled.
"What do you think of Lucha Libre?" God asked.
"Huh? What's that? Sounds dumb."
God jumped high above the Red Dragon, arms extended upward in a v-shape and glow brilliantly.
"Tu cara!"
And then God body slammed the Red Dragon Emperor into the earth where he stayed unmoving.
Ddraig wasn't dead.
He just couldn't move from the sudden consistent pain that suffused every muscle, bone, nerve in all of his body. The Red Dragon didn't know that Holy Light could hurt like this. He already experienced it from the Archangels and it wasn't like that.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..."
The great dragon let out a wheeze.
Then God dropped a mountain on top of Ddraig
"Father is amazing! To think you could defeat and seal that vicious dragon so quickly!" Shouted Metatron in excitement.
"Seal?"
The next day, Ddraig who was still in a world of pain had the minor pleasure of seeing his fated enemy slammed into the earth next to him.
Albion had heard about the battle of his rival waged against Heaven in search for him, and so the White Dragon went to face the forces of Heaven and demand that tell him where Ddraig is, as well as fight him to prove he could slaughter a greater amount of them then Ddraig.
God arrived and elbow dropped the White Dragon on his neck, before grabbing him by the wing, flipping both of them till they are facing the ground, and then spun and flew toward it at great speeds.
When Raguel would hear of this, he will shout in dismay at missing God preforming an Initial Lotus drop on Albion.
Then God dropped a mountain on both Ddraig and Albion, after the first one broke from Albion's fall. After that, God dropped another mountain on top, fused both mountains, then shrunk and condensed them making them look like a hill. Thus the region of Snowdonia, in northwest Wales gained a very dense hill.
Seeing his rival, all thoughts about his loss to God were pushed back into the recess of Ddraig's mind, and he could only focus on battling Albion. Even with all the pain wrecking him Ddraig gathered up all his strength, all his will...and moved a finger.
Albion could only do the same.
And so the two dragons, Red and White, battled each other under the earth...
...By trying to poke each other.
A gentle light seemed to fall down, or come into being and chime, around the Archangels.
It was right after the verbal agreement between Raguel and Viviane had been amended. Raguel felt the debt binding him fall away, and a new bond take its place, one equally held by him and Viviane. The contract this time was the most flexible one Viviane had engaged in.
Viviane would be loaned Durandal for a year and a day, during such period she could study it as much as she wanted or needed, and upon completing her Holy Sword, she and Raguel could form a marriage contract if they wished. During that time Raguel was mainly free to spend as much time with Viviane as both wanted, except for when Raguel was called away by God.
It was as frightening as it was exhilarating to have such a contract, because despite allowing so much leeway, she felt reassured as it was with Raguel.
The light then was there, and the Archangels were given a new task. Intent, rather than words or images alone, were transmitted to them.
"Go help Michael return to Heaven, and deliver the item he went to find."
The Archangels understood immediately what they must do, where they must go, as well as who this mission applied to.
"What's going on?" Viviane asked appearing calm, taking the new development and show of God's power in stride.
The light only appeared for a few seconds, holding the Archangels' attention, then lessened into the normal light of the cottage.
"A mission from Father." Gabriel noted with seriousness.
"Gabriel, Remiel and I will have to go find our brother. Raguel will stay with you, as he wasn't called upon. Your company was quite enjoyable, but we must be on our way." Raziel said with a smile, as she and her sisters were about to leave.
"Um..." Raguel's noise got their attention. He looked from Durandal to Viviane to his sisters, appearing conflicted for a moment, before just giving an encouraging smile. "Good luck."
Raziel noticed, but didn't say anything just smiling. "Of course, and may God be with you too, brother."
"Good bye for now, brother." Said Gabriel with a gentle look.
"Try to focus on the work, and not on each other too much." Remiel said with grin, leaving Raguel to give her a dry look, and Viviane a huff, while actually blushing under her glamour.
Viviane saw Raguel's troubled look, and understood his concern at all three of his sisters being needed to retrieve the Archangel Michael. That meant their mission was likely a dangerous one.
"Wait," Viviane said, stopping them. "If your mission requires all three of you, it would be wise to assume it's dangerous to go alone empty handed. Take this with you." She said, presenting Durandal to the female Archangels.
Raguel snorted, before covering his mouth. All four women looked at him in confusion, only to be met Raguel shaking his head, gesturing for them to go on.
"Are, are you sure?" Asked Gabriel as she went to accept the Holy Sword back.
"Yes, a cursory look was enough to sate my curiosity." Viviane then huffed nonchalantly. "Besides, I plan on making the Perfect Holy Sword, basing it on an existing one would tarnish my skills, with critics thinking I can't make something wholly original."
"But, we promised--" Gabriel felt bad that even if they followed the letter of the agreement--even if it's only verbal--they weren't following the spirit.
"Gabriel," Remiel interjected. "If she wants to help us then she's free to do so. Don't put down her charity." Said the Archangel of Hope. "Besides, we can always return the blade once we get back from our mission."
"Didn't you hear me?" Viviane interjected with a confident stride. "I said I didn't need it anymore. You don't have to bother with such needlessness."
"Eh? But--"
"Time of the essence. Go on now." Viviane almost made a shooing notion.
"She is right," Raziel said with a smile, trying not to laugh, having figured out the fae just didn't want others to intrude on her with Raguel any longer. "We must be on our way."
Speaking of said young Archangel, he was currently smiling brightly at Viviane for her action, who was trying to not appear affected by his actions. That she was above the need for such praise. Under her glamour, she was preening.
The Archangels said their good byes, and in a flash of light they vanished and a ball of light was left in their place. Then the light ball flew into the ceiling disappeared through it, and from the house and lake completely.
"S-So..." Viviane turned to Raguel, smiling that they were finally alone. "Shall we get to work?"
"Can we rest a bit before that? I feel way too full to do anything right now."
"Ah, right!"
On the shores of a small Saxon occupied sea village name Iken, in the East Anglia region, ships and boats were dropping another group travelers. Both Saxons and Anglos.
"So, you still haven't changed your mind?" An old Saxon boat captain told the young boy he just dropped of.
"Still the same," said a young boy who only recently came ten years of age.
"Medraut, I know you don't have anyone, but you would if you stuck around, talked to people. Going at it alone like you plan, you're not gonna last the week. And that's if none of the damn Britons don't kill you on sight." The old man warned once more, knowing his words will fall on deaf ear, but he had to try one last time, since he felt some sympathy for the kid.
"Enough already." Medraut waved him off. "New land, new people, I'll figure something out. What's the point of a new start, if I'm going to live the same way everyone else, had been doing."
The old man shook his head in exasperation. Medraut's idea of starting a new life, was literally walk into the forest, live there for a while, then find a Briton village that would accept him, and just start a new life there.
A plan that pure, idealistic and above all, dumb, could only come from the mind of a child. The old man wasn't going to stop him, he wasn't Medraut's father, and compassion only goes so far. If the kid gets himself killed, then that's that, and if he succeeded, well guess the gods favored him.
The old man was about to say something when the sky, lit up and all the people, Medraut included, looked up to see in the far distance a large object falling to the Earth.
Medraut's eyes widened, as he saw a colossal white dragon and a divine figure grappling and dive bombing it from the sky to the Earth. The two distant figure kept falling till they disappeared from view, then a loud rumbling was heard, and the ground all of Britanna shook slightly.
There was panic and shouts for a few moments, with some mentioning that same thing happened the day before.
"You still wanna go at it on your own?" The old man asked, wide-eyed from what he just witness.
"By Freya's massive tits, yes!" Medraut couldn't stop his grin if he tried. A new start, a new adventure, carving his own path in a life worth living. What more could he ask for.
"PRAISE GOD! WOOOOOOOAAHH!" Shouted a squire as he jumped up and down the training field.
"Hey Ector, did Arty hit his head or something? Since when is he so pious?" Asked Sir Kay.
"Since he saw God punch a red dragon into the Earth." Said the old knight. Kay looked at him incredulously. "That's what he told me."
"I mean, I did see a dragon falling in the distance, but I'm pretty sure I didn't see the Lord or anything else." Sir Kay said slowly.
"Well, at least he's enthusiastic about training now." Sir Ector shrugged but couldn't help smiling as he watched over his young charge.
"I'M GONNA TRAIN TILL I CAN BEAT DRAGONS WITH MY BARE HANDS LIKE JESUS CHRIST!" Shouted the young Arty as he swung his practice sword with enough energy to disrupt the winds around him.
"I don't remember reading that in bible class." Said Kay.
"If they had, Father Elliot's lessons would have been way more engaging." Ector nodded in agreement.
"Michael~ Come out, come out, where ever you are?" A malicious voice rang out in the forest near the Montone river.
Archangel Michael was hiding in one of the caves in the area, trying to catch his breath, hide his presence, while keeping the Holy Light circling through his body.
In a normal confrontation with the devils, Michael's victory would be unquestionable. When Lucifer enters the field, seemingly out of nowhere--as he is never consistent on where his location when he appears in the many battles between Heaven and Hell, around the "known world"--Michael would be able to match him blow for blow. Their strengths and abilities were complete opposites to one another, making nearly all their matches end in stalemate.
This time however, the mission his Father had sent him on, was taxing his ability to focus His Light, as at any moment, he has to choose whether to fight Lucifer, or keep his mind from falling to the object he was told to retrieve.
"Come on, Michael. Just give me the box. It's only been a few days, and I can already see you're barely holding on." Lucifer's voice rang out, not giving his location away.
As if you would do any better. Even with your evil, you would succumb all the same. Michael made sure to keep the thought in this time, rather than voice it out loud.
The box pulse with a colorless energy, calling out to the Archangel, promising victory and relief if he would just open it. If he would release Hope. Michael could feel the Goodness emanating from the Greek Pantheon Item. Calling out to give Hope to the work, and return the Light--
Michael shut down that thought, sweat falling down his brow. His Father warned him. He knew the truth of what lied in the bottom of Pandora's Box. He didn't need Light to return to the world, for it was already here, by His Grace.
The rumbling and a loud flash of heat and sound went overhead. When Michael looked up, the whole cave was burned out, and Lucifer was visible flying in the sky.
"Found you~." He said with a smirk. "It really is the tough to fight, isn't it?" Lucifer said rhetorically, as he began to slowly descend. "Quite fascinating that it is potent, don't you think?" With a flash of Light, Lucifer held a sword that at first look, appeared real and metallic, but in truth was made wholly of Light.
"You will not have it, Lucifer." Michael glowed with Holy Light, engulfing his being, as he made a blade of Light to match his Fallen elder sibling. While Lucifer's blade gave off no light beyond a shine from it's metallic surface, Michael's was a dense concentration of Light that would burn any demonic being that looked at it.
"Brother, I really don't want to kill you." Lucifer sighed with sympathy. "Can't you see? Father gave you an unreasonably heavy task. One that even you would fail. Another bit of this, and you could even Fall. While I would rejoice your freedom, I know it would kill your heart if that were to happen." The Satan said his sweet words. "Let me take the burden."
"Ah yes, because it wasn't you and your Legion of the Damned that was chasing me for the past weeks." Michael didn't roll his eyes, as he doesn't underestimate the Adversary enough to take them off him, but the sentiment was there. "Clearly I need to check my eyesight, if the numerous devils I'm been slaying over the centuries are starting to overlay everyday objects in my vision. It must have been trees I was cutting the past weeks then."
"Huh, sarcasm." Lucifer noted. "It must be affecting you more than I thought, for you to lose your ever present politeness."
A small Archangel facing Fallen and Devils with sharp words came to Michael's mind. He chuckled. I wonder if Raguel is being a bad influence on me. Michael thought with amusement.
Lucifer tilted his head at the Archangel's reaction.
"...Michael, you do realize this whole thing wouldn't have happened, if you could just return to Heaven, right?"
The Leader of the Archangels stilled, he already knew in his gut, but thought there might have been another reason.
"If you just opened a portal, teleported, or found a gate in one of the many consecrated ground you could have returned by now." Lucifer said with a smirk. "But you can't can you. You can't open a portal, it just feels difficult. Teleporting is out of the question, your power just doesn't seem to work right, sending you to places with demonic presences, and you almost can't seem to find a holy ground no matter how far you look. ...Surely you noticed by now?"
Michael felt the box pulse in his arm, as he glared at his sibling. His gut feeling confirmed. His control seemed to fracture just enough for a portal not to work correctly. Teleport would send him to places were devils or demons--beings filled with unholy energy or powers, such as vampires--and they would all instinctively chase after him. Instinctively want Pandora's Box.
And I can't find a sacred ground because it's obscuring my sense of direction. Michael finished the thought.
Far in the distance, Michael noted thousands of black spots heading toward him. Devils, demons of all kinds, all manner of dark beings that were chasing him for the past few days were circling toward his and Lucifer's location.
"So come on, Michael." Lucifer floated lower, extending his hand. "Please don't make me a kin-slayer today." He said kindly.
Michael huffed for a moment and closed his eyes.
Damn you, Lucifer.
And send a blazing wave of Holy Light from his whole body as he glared hatefully at the Satan. All 12 of his wings unfurled, shining with divine Light.
Lucifer had already flown back, a grin on his face and a laugh at his belly.
"Aaaah, there is that look. Honestly, will you ever not react like that?" Lucifer let the laugh flow out of him.
Michael knew Lucifer. He knew what his brother was really like. Lucifer understood how important and precious family bonds were to his angelic siblings, and had no qualms of using them in which ever way to his advantage. Always appearing kind, sweet and sympathetic. Saying the right words, and drawing on the familial bonds and emotions the angels had toward him.
And that's how he makes them Fall before killing them.
"Yeah, we all do." Michael sighed, his power rising with furious pace, as the Light shined out from him. Far away, the first wave of demonic beings fell, by the Archangel's initial release of his power. "Because the difference between us is we're not failure as loyal sons or siblings."
"And that is what makes this so much fun for me." Said Lucifer smirking in return, releasing his 12 black wings. "All of you have that small useless bit that wants to redeem me. And it's so easy to use it against you, to rile you up even when you know better. It never stops being so fucking hilarious." He laughed out loud. "And now were here, right where it all ends. Because even if Father," he said the words in a mocking disgust-filled tone. "Were to send you help, you'll still all die, because of that box fucking with you, if nothing else. It would take a miracle to--"
Lucifer noticed a soft gently falling feather between him and Michael. He looked around and there were hundreds of them.
"REMIEL!" Lucifer bellowed, slashing with his sword as tiny hyper focused and dense needles of Light flew in a wave, each aimed at a single feather.
Some hit, destroying them. Others failed, and the feathers shot electricity that connected each feather, growing in strength and forming a cage around the Satan, before showering him with Holy Lightning.
Lucifer made an armor of Light to absorb the blast, before flying straight at Michael.
The feather in front of Michael glowed, and a blue great sword appeared in it's place.
Michael flew, grabbing the blade as it shined with an aura of divine Light that could cut through anything.
"WHAT!?" Lucifer shouted, as the blades clashed, and his sword broke. He had already dashed back with supernatural boosted speed, as he knew this would be a result of a clash with Durandal.
A blade whose aura could even push back Pandora's Box seductive whispers.
"So brother, shall we try this again?" Michael glared.
"Why the hell is that sword here?" Lucifer ignored the threatening tone and complained. "I knew it wasn't taken to support you or be brought here," he looked up at the arriving female Archangels with a sneer. "So why is it here!? Don't expect me to believe it's the Almighty's 'omniscience' again." He said in a mocking tone.
"You are correct that the blade wasn't taken to reinforce any battlefield." Gabriel spoke with focus and harshness. "It was to be given to Raguel for his mission."
"But he decided we should have it instead, since Father called on all of us to come join Michael." Remiel said with a wide grin.
"I see," Michael smiled as he was side by side with his sisters. Even with an army of the damned and wicked soon to surround them, now he was sure of victory. "I'll have to thank him when we all return to Heaven."
"I'm sorry, did you say 'Raguel'?" The Satan asked with incredulity. "Okay, seriously, who the fuck is he? This is the second time this shit happens!"