Mundane Lives: Ferocity

[Outer-Sector: Outskirts of Corzox]

Akelus observed the ferocious battle between the dragons and the [Incarnations] from the gray arena. His heart thumping rapidly, his eyes widened and his pupils constrained as he saw Hermes tearing down at Varcielle. Their battle was bloody and gruesome. But what truly scared Akelus was Varcielle's tenacity. No matter how many times Hermes ripped Varcielle apart, tearing his limbs, impaling his heart, disemboweling him. No matter how devastating an attack was Varcielle recovered at a terrifying rate, and every-time a piece of his body got torn apart a new clone emerged from it.

Akelus quickly used his claws and burrowed a hole inside the arena and hid himself there.

"[Hermes] of all people... Shit!, the invasion has begun.", he thought.

He was not the only one to witness this gruesome battle. There were many eyes hidden across the vast stretches of the [Outer-Sector], gazing intently, contemplating their next move. Their actions relied heavily on the outcome of this battle.

"An Olympian.", mused a mysterious entity, he was feeling very giddy and ecstatic. He had an extremely succulent and bloated voice. An utter monstrosity. A bulging stomach, a mutated face, a body riddled with disease. This creature had many mouths. Every-time he spoke, he spoke from a single mouth. It is an unnerving sight.

He is the [Demon of Pestilence], Aerico.

"||Situation is very tricky.||", many whispers echoed around Aerico, in a hollow and eerie tone. "||The rift-borne are putting up quite the fight. But... they won't last long enough. Not Long enough to withstand us.||"

Several demons hovered around him. But these demons had a singular conscious. These demons collectively formed the [Demon of Famine], Gaki.

These demonic entities had hollow bones that rattled, were extremely thin, with their dry and pale cyan skin tightly clinging on to their hollow bones. Their stomachs caved in, spine hunched and their ribs protruding. They drifted around Aerico listlessly.

"A shame.", responded Aerico. "Look at this realm, so much life, so much land. Just begging and asking to be plagued, to be consumed. Don't you feel envious Gaki, envious of their abundance. Their banished god built a realm of great magnitude spanning across [Yggdrasil] like a layer of succulent bark around a tree. Mhmhmhm... So tantalizing,.. so delicious. "

"||Stay vigilant. [The Purge] is yet to make it's appearance.||", spoke Gaki.

"Bah!, don't worry about it. Soon we shall possess it as well.", replied Aerico with disdain. "It's a shame that [Vulkon] left us for [MYRIAD], but we have another weapon to trap [The Purge]. Makes me wonder why didn't we bring it along with us?"

"||Have you seen the madness locked within that creature you call a weapon!?!, it's beyond our control.||", reprimanded Gaki. "||Focus... we are here to possess the [Source], to control this woven realm, reshape it.||"

"Bah!", Aerico grunted, shifting his gaze back to the battle between Varcielle and [Hermes].

Meanwhile, at the far reaches of the [Outer-Sector] were the [Jotuns]. These were giants from [Jotunheim], the last surviving victims of the Gigantomachy. Victims who had joined in the rebellion against the Gods of [MYRIAD], led by [Gaia's] prime offspring with [Tartarus], Typheous [The Appalling].

After losing that gruesome war with the Gods, the [Jotuns] were left without a leader and without a realm capable of providing for them. They kept wandering across the vast expanse of [Yggdrasil], breaking into several nameless factions, drifting apart in numbers. Now they have a chance to conquer the entirety of [Outer-Sector] for themself as their home by claiming the [Source].

A giant named Lothaar led this final battalion of giants. He wielded a longsword and a sledgehammer. Towering in size, rippling with bulk and muscle. He had a rather sooty complexion, gray as ash. A magnificent mane of white hair. A chiseled and resolute face with a pair of pearly white eyes gazing across the vast expanse of the [Outer-Sector].

It was under his leadership that every scattered faction of [Jotunheim] had united under one banner.

The giants were camped at the outskirts of the [Outer-Sector]. Their armies were accommodated within a cluster of debris, surrounded by a fleet of huge ships. One ship stood out from the rest, [Naglafar- The ship of nails], an extremely powerful artefact.

It is a peculiar ship, but immensely powerful. Commandeered by Loki himself, when he sailed it to [Asgard] during every [Ragnarok]. The ship was rumored to be built from the nails of every existence in [Yggdrasil], sentients, demons, angels, giants, so on and so forth. It is said to have the capability to get anywhere it's captain desired to be. The ship had a faint green hue shrouding around it. It was huge in size with it's mast towering high.

Here Lothaar convened his council. Leaders of every remnant faction of [Jotunheim] were present, along with an Oracle. Five leaders in total including the Oracle. Their names were, Goro, Nerjil, Phion, Junmei and Halibaard. There was another Giant, but he stood away from the group. His name was Mubong, the captain of [Naglafar].

"The time has come, my brethren. The time for our race to have a home once again.", Lothaar addressed his council, with a grim and deep tone. "The beginning of a new era for our kind. With a realm as potent as the [Outer-Sector], it is possible. If anyone has a reason to object, make your intentions known now."

"Just one.", spoke the distant and lone giant Mubong, he had an aged voice. "How are we splitting our bounty?"

"That has already been agreed upon by all of us, Mubong.", replied Lothaar, with a grim look in his eyes. "We split the [Outer-Sector] into seven parts, each for one member in this council."

"But isn't that a bit unfair?.. Lothaar. I am contributing more than any of you for this endeavor.", Mubong mused. "I have a preposition."

"Why are we putting up with this pirate!?!", questioned Nerjil, slightly annoyed and enraged. "Let's usurp him and take possession of [Naglafar] for ourselves!!!"

"I am only presenting preposition, all I am asking is for you to listen.", Mubong meekly responded.

"Fine, What do you have to say?", questioned Lothaar.

"I want possession of the [Ancestral Planes].", declared Mubong.

"Preposterous!!!", Nerjil was outraged by his demands.

"Explain yourself Mubong, for I have to agree with Nerjil. Your demand is rather outrageous.", spoke Lothaar.

"I have no interest in the [Outer-Sector], Lothaar, this council can have my share.", replied Mubong, with a nonchalant smile. "What interests me is how the [Ancestral Plane] functions, it is such a mystery. Is it realm of afterlife for the rift-borne, or is it a place for them to shield their souls?.. All I ask is for the [Ancestral planes]. None of you know how to use it anyway and with the [Source] in your hand you will not have much need for it. At least I will experiment on it, research for answers."

"Nonsense!!!", Nerjil yelled, wielding a mace and charging towards Mubong, but the very next moment two blades were pointed at him. One was sheathed while the other was not. The sheathed blade was pointed at his neck, while the unsheathed one was pointing at his back.

"You will have to bequeath a portion of your fleet to this council.", Lothaar told Mubong.

"And Nerjil... behave yourself.", He reprimanded Nerjil as he sheathed his longsword.

"That... is an acceptable compromise.", responded Mubong, as he withdrew his blade as well. Mubong's weapon was a bit peculiar, it had an extreme shade of black, as if it were devouring the very light around it.

"Now that is past us.", continued Lothaar. "We shall go through our plan. According to our Grand Oracle Halibaard, the [Source] will reveal itself soon. We are in no position to engage any faction in war, especially not [MYRIAD]. Once an all-out war breaks out, we make a break towards the [Ancestral Plane]. Nerjil, Junmei and I will act as the first line of defense. Mubong's fleet will be at the center of the formation, protected by Phion and Halibaard. Goro will reinforce us by helping anyone who is falling behind. Be sure to not lose too many of your soldiers."

He took a breathe, looking at everyone he made sure everyone understood his strategy,

He continued-

"Remember this, once we start charging towards the [Ancestral Planes], we are not stopping for anyone. Even if I were to fall in battle,.. Do Not Stop. And once we reach the Inner City of [Corzox], everyone will encircle around [Naglafar]. And by that I mean all of us. Then Mubong, Halibaard and I will board [Naglafar] and break into the [Ancestral Plane]. The rest of you have to hold out long enough for us to claim the [Source]. Retreat is not an option. Do You Understand.", he spoke with a chill and grave voice.

All the leaders nodded in affirmation.

"Under no circumstance will any of you engage any member from any of the Supreme Factions, unless it's absolutely necessary. We are not ready for another Gigantomachy.", Lothaar warned his comrades.

"Salvation awaits us.", proclaimed Lothaar as he dismissed the council.

And lo,.. the giants prepared for their invasion. Their fleets were mobilized, armies were rallied. The soldiers bantering, armor and weapons clanking, the priests chanting.

And they were not the only ones, across the far reaches of the [Outer-Sector] several factions prepared themselves, armed themselves. Monsters, elves, dwarves, Fire Giants and several other sentient species rallying their armies for their invasion against [Corzox].

A grand conquest for the [Source].

******** ******** ********

[Outer-Sector: Outskirts of Corzox]

"Calm down... Calm down... Huu...", Akelus took in a deep breathe. He held his palm over his heaving chest.

Akelus was scurried inside the gray arena, contemplating his next move. Staring at the glowing figure of Hermes.

"How high profile is this job?..", Akelus thought. "I knew [MYRIAD] would be sending [Incarnations], but to deploy an Olympian... Isn't that a bit excessive?"

"And if [MYRIAD] has already begun their invasion, it means more factions have gathered. But why have they not attacked yet?", he pondered. "The rift-borne won't last for long. If they fall, [MYRIAD] will have a greater advantage than the rest. They will have a head-start in the conquest for the [Source]. Especially with [Hermes], one of the fastest entities in [Yggdrasil]. I don't think anyone would be able to keep up with him if he starts charging towards the [Source]. And I have reason to believe he is strong enough to breach the [Ancestral Planes] by himself. Triggering all-out war would be beneficial for every invader, as it would serve to slow down [Hermes]."

Glaring at Hermes, Akelus continued contemplating-

"[Hermes]... he is the reason, his presence deterring every faction from blowing this into an all-out war between every invader.", Akelus sighed in frustration. "I cannot retreat, the rift-borne are waiting for me inside [Corzox], and if I stay confronting [Hermes] would become inevitable. I have to maintain a low profile. This makes me wonder, why did the rift-borne recklessly divide their forces instead of protecting their frontlines with all their might?"

Akelus burrowed his way away from the battle between Hermes and Dragon King Varcielle.

"What if?.. the rift-borne were betting on an all-out war between the invading factions.", mused Akelus. "Confronting the factions with a portion of the rift-borne army on the frontlines, then luring them in. And after successfully luring the invaders, turning the whole situation into a race for the [Source]. When the situation escalates into a race for the [Source], then the invaders would have no other choice but to drag each other down, they would be forced to fight each other. There is just one hiccup in their plans, [Hermes]."

Looking at his zapped robes.

"I still need to fix my tampered robes.", he sighed.

"Shou", Akelus summoned [Bangshou], his spirit assistant. "Project my conscious."

[Bangshou] happily obliged as projected Akelus' conscious inside his golden ring.

Inside that warping space of the ring filled with golden constructs Akelus made his way towards the octahedron prison that Xylus was contained in. He tapped the prison opening it. Then he grabbed Xylus and pulled him out. He was still whimpering, avoiding Akelus' piercing gaze.

"Shou, give me the status of my robe.", he instructed [Bangshou].

"The runes and the sigils are zapped, master.", said [Bangshou]. "Communication is down, but the robes can partially hide your presence."

Turning to Xylus, Akelus spoke-

"Kid... Xylus, look at me. I need your help."

Xylus refused to look at Akelus, timidly turning his head away.

Akelus sighed in defeat, but then he put on a grim frown.

"We do not have much time Xylus.", he told Xylus, as he showed projections of what was happening outside. He showed Xylus the battle between Dragon King Varcielle and Hermes.

Xylus' face became pale with horror, as he saw his king get torn apart, bathed in his own blood, heavily bruised and scarred. He witnessed their fight with terror rapturing his heart. He saw how his king and sentinels desperately fought the two [Incarnations] from [MYRIAD].

Xylus stared back at Akelus, his innocent face overwhelmed with fear.

Akelus knelt and placed his palm over Xylus' shoulder and with an assuring smile he spoke-

"Don't worry Xylus, for I am here. There might be way that your home... that [Corzox] could survive, but I need your help. Your king has made a marvelous strategy to defend his home, but they won't last long enough to see it through. Help me and I can help all of you survive."

Xylus gulped down his fear, and rubbed off his tears.

"Xylus, we don't have time for you to think about my offer. Hide my presence with the same barrier that you used to hide Adanis' cottage. Please, both of us are on the same side. I am Akelus, and I vow to keep you safe. Please Xylus, please trust me."

Xylus didn't say anything, he drew an arcane formation that raised a translucent barrier around Akelus, significantly hiding his presence.

"What else should I do, Akelus?", Xylus asked timidly.

Akelus sighed in relief, he instructed [Bangshou]-

"Shou, give him the combination of runes needed to re-establish communication with the [Covenant]. Help him restore my robes. Xylus listen to Shou, he will help you fix my robes."

[Bangshou] produced a schematics of the robe, and then procured the required combination of runes to re-establish communication with the [Covenant] from it. He displayed the combination to Xylus.

"Okay...", Xylus replied.

"Now follow, Shou.", Akelus instructed.

[Bangshou] conjured an interface that displayed a projection of the robe.

"Seep your energy into the sigils and runes that [Bangshou] highlights.", Akelus told Xylus.

"Wait, you could have fixed your robes by using your own energy. Why did come to us to fix it?", Xylus questioned Akelus.

"I was looking for you, since the beginning. Your help will be crucial in saving your home. And... my people from [MYRIAD] are not supposed to know that I am here.", Akelus curtly answered, as he disappeared from the ring's domain.

Akelus burrowed his way to the surface of the arena. 

"Xylus, can you hear me.", Akelus communicated telepathically.

"Y-yes.", replied Xylus.

"Good, this is how we will communicate from now on. Okay.", Akelus said.

"Okay... what will you do now?", Xylus asked.

Akelus put on devious smirk and dug his arms into the gray arena. He then lifted off a huge chunk of the arena and held it over his shoulder.

RRRAAARRRGGH!!!

With the deafening roar, he sent the chunk over his shoulder straight towards [Hermes].

Grinning madly, he summoned the Stygian blade.

"Buying us all some time kid.", Akelus answered, lunging towards [Hermes].

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