Arc - Rise of the Dawn Arc
Chapter - The Beginning
A dense canopy of overarching trees blocked out the sun rays, serving as an impenetrable barrier for the sunlight. Shrouded in darkness, sunlight was completely forbidden from entering the depths of this forest. Deep within the forest laid a lake whose clear water allowed even the lakebed to be visible. This clear and pure water resembled a deep blue crystal in richness.
A lone man stood beside the lake. He wore a standard black robe and looked to be in his forties. A strand of golden hair hung down from his forehead to rest alongside his right cheek, accentuating his handsome and resolute appearance. He simply stood there, lifeless, an aura of listlessness radiating off him.
A short distance away from him stood several people of varying heights and sizes. They had all sorts of appearances, but one common trait among them was their gloomy expression - an expression full of gloom.
"Beast Lord," a woman in a green jade robe had quietly arrived at the black robed man's side, a respectful tone lacing her voice when she spoke up. The black robed man addressed as the Beast Lord began trembling, a tint of agony gracing the corners of his mouth. "Beast Lord? I fear that we are all that is left of the soul beasts. Who am I supposed to be the Lord of?"
The green robed woman went silent for a moment before softly saying, "Many years have already gone by since Yorichi Fukasaku established the Azure Village. The Azure Village has turned into ashes, but ... we are also nearing extinction. The Spirit Pagoda established by Huo Yuhao is still present."
The Beast Lord bitterly remarked, "Although, the Azure Village was indeed destroyed from the map of Valesthia, but Humanity ... they have already grown too powerful for us to contend with. Star Dou Forest is the sole place left for us soul beasts."
"That's right ..." The green robed woman trailed off in silence.
The Beast Lord raised his head, two golden blazes of rich light emitting from his eyes. In that moment, a terrifying aura broke out, causing all the other soul beasts to shudder. Hmm ... The ground beneath their feet shook for a moment before increasing in intensity. The lake water was still as clear as before, but bubbles were now rapidly rising from its surface. After another moment, the quivering of the earth intensified even further, becoming even more violent.
"What's going on? Have the humans come?" The green robed woman cried out in alarm.
"Let's fight to the death then!!!" A powerful, burly man bellowed out as his entire body underwent a sudden transformation. He transformed into a ferocious bear over thirty meters in height, his entire body covered in a dark gold lustre.
"Bear Lord, calm down. It isn't the humans!" Beast Lord shouted out. His formerly grim face was now overcome with an indescribable euphoria.
The water within the lake was sent spraying upwards, and a giant claw of a glorious silver colour covered in numerous silver hexagonal scales, each one refracting light to create an astonishing splendor heavily smacked on the shore. That pounding brought with it an incomparable oppressive aura that made all those soul beasts kneel reverently.
The Beast Lord's gaze grew even brighter as he took a step forward and kneeled down on one knee. He respectfully proclaimed,
"I welcome the Beast King!"
A gigantic figure over three hundred meters in length suddenly soared out from the lake before landing heavily. The nearby towering trees that had once stood tall were now replaced by the giant beast.
"It died, but I still live!" A deep voice roared with sorrow. "Those despicable humans want to exterminate us!? Since I have awakened, their day of destruction has arrived at last!"
A resplendent silver light blinded all the soul beasts. They could only kneel, head lowered, as their bodies trembled with ecstasy.
The Beast Lord eagerly said, "Lord! Humanity has already grown too powerful! Even I'm unable to contend for very long against their best soul mechas! Humanity has managed to thoroughly suppress us with their science and technology!"
The silver figure slowly lowered its head and spoke, but this time, its voice didn't resonate throughout the forest. "In order to destroy them, you must first understand them! Follow me! Since our world is already on the brink of destruction, then we will go and conquer their world!"
A single ray of light broke through and illuminated its tremendous form. The silver colossus slowly began to shrink in size. Just as its figure disappeared into the distance, it had taken on the form of a human being.
Some distance away from them, a figure in a black cloak was standing on the branch of a tree silently. A white ferocious demonic mask was hiding his facial features. The cloak and the mask were completely obscuring him. Thus making him an anomaly as well as an anonymous entity. The most creepy thing about this mask was its disturbing happy smile and its hollow rectangular eyes. Its eyes were like two endless pits of the abyss. Two long white horns were protruding out from the sides of its forehead, further enhancing the evilness of its wearer. He was watching the whole event from the start like a hidden spectator.
The person snorted behind the mask and said in an even tone,
"So, It has begun ... no matter whatever you do ... All of you will always remain in the palm of my hand ... Everything was going just as I expected. "
Surprisingly, no one was able to detect the mysterious person. Even Beast Lord and Beast King were unable to sense his presence.
In the next instant, he disappeared from his position without a trace in a swirling whirlpool of thin air.