Ever since waking up from his coma, Caelum had seemingly full control over his entire being. From the way his body developed down to the finer fluctuations of his emotions.
Although he almost always let his body have free reign over its functions in general, he was also quite monstrous in how he was so easily able to suddenly take hold of the reins.
This was mostly because his Serenity and Chaos have been so deeply ingrained into his very being that the place where they truly showed their true potential was unironically within his own body.
This is all to say that when Caelum feels and expresses his emotions on a daily basis, those emotions are genuine and free like any other human. And that was also precisely why the expression he was showing at this very moment was something no one had ever seen on him before, not even Erta.
Caelum's face was the very definition of cold as he walked toward the limping Reynor. His steps were steady and calm, but it carried with it a terrifying weight that none seemed to be able to resist.
The people going about their daily businesses through the now less bustling streets were forced to stop in their tracks, their entire bodies trembling with visible fear from an oppression they could not fathom.
The Chosen who were near the area all snapped their heads toward Caelum, their faces marred with apprehension and fear, not because they disliked him, but rather because they realised instinctively that he was absolutely dangerous.
And even more shocking was the fact that, let alone Reynor who was now weakened considerably, even Erta was feeling the tremendous pressure bearing down on her to the point that she could not even take a step forward to follow behind her husband.
She had already recovered much of her power since helping in the isolation of Sanctuary. She also benefitted greatly from Caelum's recent growth, gaining more divinity of her own as well. And yet she still found it impossible to move.
It was like he was an insurmountable tower that loomed menacingly over them all.
Erta always knew that Caelum had such tremendous potential. This deduction was only made certain when he created his own realm, Eden. But even then, she had never seen him leak out so much power all at once before.
It was like the calm and docile waters of a deep lake had suddenly come bursting out of a dam. The only difference was that he was not rampaging at all. In fact, he kept his calm pace from start to end. Or rather, his frightening coldness.
Whatever was going on in his mind was nothing any of them could guess. But one thing was for certain. It could not be anything but grim.
The pressure bearing down on seemingly the entire area of at least a few kilometres across was merely a blanket of his presence. He was not even doing so on purpose. Erta could only imagine just what terrifying power he would be able to unleash if he truly let go now.
And Erta was exactly right. Caelum was absolutely furious.
His eyes remained cold, but Reynor could definitely feel the sharp killing intent within them. Although it was not directed at him, just its power alone was enough to make him laugh at his own killing intent honed from years of training and duty.
Caelum had managed to actually gain absolute control over his entire body at this moment and he never allowed himself to lose grasp of it. Because he knew that the moment he did let his body gain its freedom, he would inflict a far more terrible fate upon the world than it had already suffered.
The world was not prepared for such a thing. The human called Caelum Grace was powerful, no doubt. But he paled in comparison to what he would become if he allowed all the raw powers within him to control him. He was admittedly terrified of himself. After all, there was a reason his wings were sealed.
And now as well, he sealed everything within him, his rampaging fury running laps within his system. His Serenity soaking up all the damage it would have caused to his internal organs and only let out the residual effects which manifested in this terrifying presence that enveloped the land.
But as great a control as he had over his body, Caelum's control over his mind could only be considered godly. He had already spent an eternity staring at nothing but the endless black of space.
His concept of time was already so utterly skewed that regardless of the effects of time on his body, his mind and soul were ultimately unfettered if he so wished. And with this grand shackle being lifted, his greatest strength had become his free mind.
And that was why his mind worked at speeds and capacities unimaginable, not only to humans of Earth, but to all other races of the Myriad Worlds, perhaps rivaled only by the Cephalons.
So by the time he had stopped a foot away from Reynor, Caelum's pressure over the city had already been withdrawn into his body, vanishing like bad dream.
"Where is Ceres?"
His question brought Reynor out of his stupor. He was among the only few who, although pressured by Caelum's presence, was not really affected deeply.
In fact, he only had fascination for Caelum's killing intent which not only did not lose to his own, but was of a level beyond his, all while carrying a profundity that Reynor did not have an opportunity to grasp.
He closed his eyes, calming his stifled breathing before replying to Caelum.
"The Lady is safe and is in the building, my lord. In fact, she has some news for you."
Caelum nodded while relaxing his mind. Now that he knew that his sister was safe, he did not rush to meet her anymore.
If she had been greatly injured like Reynor, this man before him would definitely have told him right away. Since that was not the case, he can focus on Reynor for now.
He owed this man a lot for his guidance and his work, not to mention being their foremost loyal vassal. He cannot allow him to remain in such a deplorable and wretched state.
Caelum looked to his side. By now, Erta had already reached him. Caelum's intent was sent clearly through their Life Covenant. He wanted to know if there were any spells she knew that could heal Reynor, but she could only shake her head.
Such spells were not only taxing to the caster, they were also very dangerous to the target itself as they usually needed to draw on the target's lifeforce to stimulate the recovery. Nothing was free in this world after all. They could not just create something new out of nothing.
Caelum did not have much expectations to begin with, but he still could not help being disappointed. For all its divine cadence, the Divine Obelisk seemed less miraculous than he thought it to be. But this did not mean he was already out of options.
Erta's spells and experience have become a great reliance to him that he naturally sought her expertise and knowledge first over many things before taking action himself.
And that was usually because he did not have a full grasp of his own abilities just yet. Especially since the power he was planning on using at this moment was something he had only recently gained. One that held too many implications and mysteries that he did not want to delve into just yet.
But how could he trade the life of a loyal retainer and friend over such a foolish thing. Even if the risk was far greater, it was a risk that he would ultimately have to come face to face with in the future regardless. There was no point in delaying it simply because of the uncertainties.
And so, he stretched his right arm forward, his hand spread open.
"Obey."
That one word seemed to echo out even to the deepest depths of space. And yet, it resonated so thoroughly within the tiny vessels of every mortal body.
Everyone in the area was forced to stop their actions again, this time for a more fundamental and intrinsic fear than they all had previously felt.
Their blood seemed to rush wildly through their veins, pulsing in an unnatural rhythm. They felt their hearts beating faster and louder than they ever had all their lives. Each and every cell in their blood seemed to have reacted to that voice and that one word.
And at that moment, everyone realised why they were suddenly gripped by fear.
It was because the moment Caelum spoke, everyone lost control over their own lives. Caelum was king. His word was law. And to his presence, all blood and life kneels in worship.
He was the Ancestor of Blood.