Humanoid monsters of all shapes and sizes stood around. Some had skin that looked like a gray rock, with glowing red cracks, as if magma flowed through its veins.
Some creatures crouched low to the ground. Their arms were longer than their entire body, and their claws scrapped the floor. The rest had pale, slimy skin stretched tight over their bones.
But they all had one thing in common. The malicious grin plastered all over their faces.
They all cheered and laughed, their eyes pinned on the man bound by chains made by Gaia. Even the primordial knights couldn't break the chains with all their might combined.
At the far end, a skeletal figure sat on the throne made of blackened stone with faint glowing embers.
Flames engulfed the skeleton, its bones hissing and popping like wood in a fire. Ashes of the enemies he had slain swirled around him like a cloak, and a crown of molten rock rested on its skull.
The skeleton was one of the primordial grunts, a primordial god known as Ignarath.
As the crowd went berserk, Ignarath raised his bony arms. Instantly, everyone went silent, their heads bowed in respect and fear. The only sounds left were the crackling of the flames and the clinking of Gaia's chains.
Ignarath leaned forward, his hollow sockets glowing brighter as he stared at the captive.
"Drop your mortal appearance, general," Ignarath spoke in his hoarse voice. "Those wounds of yours can fool these runts, but not someone like me."
A smile appeared on the captive's face as he shed his skin. The metallic shine of his body blinded the monsters. They cursed the automaton, but Ignarath couldn't care about it.
"The great general Talos," Ignarath mumbled, getting off his throne. "It's an honor to meet you at last."
"I'm afraid I can't say the same," Talos replied.
Ignarath laughed as he walked towards Talos.
"You have a loud mouth for a general who struggled against a primordial grunt," Ignarath scoffed. "Have you already forgotten the devastation when one of us descended upon your feeble universe?"
Talos sighed. How could he forget that battle? The battle that almost ended earth and their universe. It required countless sacrifices to win their first battle against a primordial. But in the end, they won. That's what mattered.
"I have a robust memory, but it seems you might not remember who won the battle," Talos replied in his usual sarcastic tone.
The primordials had a hivemind connecting them, but it was their biggest weakness. The hivemind didn't allow them to communicate or read each other's minds. It solely existed to share their pain.
When [The One Above All] killed the invader, all twenty-seven ranked primordials felt the pain of being torn to shreds. They felt the fear and despair of dying and being unable to do anything about it.
The reminder of that pain stung as Ignarath grabbed Talos by his neck. Even then, Talos wasn't scared of the primordial.
"Be glad I can't kill you," Ignarath snarled. "You're too important to die—"
"Even my master can't kill me, and he is the strongest being in the universe," Talos laughed. "You think clowns like you can do anything to hurt me?"
"I can't hurt you... but I can dangle you as bait. Your master will come chasing after you and when he does, he'll die."
Upon hearing those words, Talos couldn't help but laugh. The monsters were stunned at the automaton's blatant disregard for their lord. Ignarath, however, appeared worried.
"My master won't come to save me," Talos went on.
"You're not fooling anyone, General," Ignarath said. "He values you too much not to come running—"
"Why would he run," Talos said, twisting Ignarath's bony arm, "when he is already here?"
Talos shoved the primordial grunt away and ducked. Ignarath's eyes widened, but it was too late to do anything.
BANG!
A deafening gunshot echoed in the air. That was the last thing Ignarath heard as his torso blew apart.
Far away, on a jagged cliff overlooking Ignarath's castle, a man lay prone with a massive sniper rifle.
"Bullseye," Arnold smiled, casually tossing the still-smoking sniper rifle into his inventory.
He stood up, dusting off his hands. His black hair got tousled by the wind as he stood up. He wore a black battle suit that hugged his muscular body.
Simultaneously, dozens of swirling portals appeared behind him. Thousands of creatures walked out, ready for battle.
First came towering golems, their bodies glowing with countless runes embedded in them. Then came squads of automatons carrying weapons capable of slaying the strongest foes.
Following them, an endless wave of undead warriors poured out. Above them, the sky darkened as massive dragons emerged from the largest portal. Such an enormous army stood against a few pitiful monsters.
It wasn't even an overkill anymore. A plain massacre.
"What's this stinky place?"
Hercules barked as soon as he stepped out of the portal. He wore a lion's pelt draped over his shoulders, its mane forming a rugged cape. He yawned loudly, stretching his massive arms over his head, making his biceps bulge.
The giant red minotaur beside him nodded in agreement. Unlike Hercules, who seemed relaxed, Asterios carried an enormous double-headed axe slung over one shoulder, ready for battle.
The two of them had become Arnold's brutes. No matter the situation, Asterios and Hercules could burst through any wall, banging their heads as they do.
"Looks like we're just in time!" Hercules grinned as he rolled his shoulders.
"Smashing time!"
Hercules began stretching his legs while Asterios smiled, swinging his war hammer in the air.
"Ahem."
Arnold's voice interrupted their plans. Slowly, the two brutes turned around like kids caught raiding the cookie jar. Arnold was standing behind them, his arms crossed.
"Did I ask for you two to tag along?" Arnold asked, raising an eyebrow.
Hercules scratched the back of his head sheepishly. Asterios mimicked the gesture.
"Uh, well, you know... we figured you could use some backup?" Hercules mumbled.
"Yeah! Backup," Asterios said, puffing up his chest.
Arnold sighed. These warmongers were always craving violence. No matter what he did, they wouldn't listen to him either way. Only one guy could control them. Thankfully, he was already there.
"Talos, deal with the brutes," Arnold smirked.
After hearing Talos's name, Hercules and Asterios ran towards the portal, but Arnold closed it in time.
"Why run now? You're here for backup, right?" Arnold said, patting Hercules's shoulder. "Go help Talos."
"...you're one cruel master," Hercules mumbled, turning around.
"You deserve this," Arnold shrugged before kicking Hercules towards the battlefield. "Go make me proud."