CHAPTER 20: LIKE A MAJESTIC PHOENIX WE HAVE RISEN:Back In the ethereal realm where gods

played chess with destinies, Meco, the God of Time, reveled in the intricate dance of creation and transformation. As he meticulously wrapped a book adorned with shimmering pages—its contents a mystery even to him—the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. Jokan, the God of Creation, watched with amusement.

"Meco! What are you doing?" Jokan's voice broke the silence, curiosity sparkling in his eyes.

"I am wrapping a gift for the new God of Universal Travel. I can't wait to give it to him," Meco replied, his excitement palpable.

"Well, we still have a long way to go before he's ready to—" Jokan began, but Meco's playful spirit interrupted him.

"Jokan! Stop talking; the writer is not ready to reveal him yet." Meco winked at the reader, a sly grin spreading across his face, breaking the fourth wall without hesitation.

"Hey! Mr. Writer, why don't you check in on the other characters". Meco said addressing the writer.

The writer, taken aback, chuckled, "How are you even able to talk to me?"

"I don't know; you tell me!" Meco shrugged, unfazed by the abstraction of his existence.

Meanwhile, in the Outer Realm, a millennium had passed, and Yontin, the once-ordinary hero turned vampire, had transformed into a formidable force, honing his skills in the ancient arts of combat and wisdom. His training was relentless, driven by a desire to protect the Wolfect Family from darkness. The world had changed, but Yontin's commitment remained unyielding. His mastery of both physical and arcane disciplines positioned him as a guardian against the evils lurking in the shadows.

In contrast, Dragon Eye had embraced his new calling as a celestial warrior, journeying across planets in the Outer Realm. His tales of valor echoed through the galaxies like a symphony, inspiring hope in the hearts of those he saved. With each passing adventure, he grew stronger, wielding his powers not just to defeat enemies but to foster unity among the disparate worlds that lay under the cosmic canopy.

Back on Earth, however, ten years had slipped by, yet the changes were monumental. Maxwell, the pure blood vampire, and Tanya, the half angel half vampire, bound by love, had exchanged vows and set off to traverse the world. Their laughter echoed in every corner they visited, a melody of joy that resonated even in the darkest corners of the realm.

Kenif had shed his old identity, emerging as Jenson Wolfect, a name that resonated with the strength of his new life. He and Joss celebrated their union with the birth of their son, James—affectionately called Jay—whose boundless curiosity was destined for greatness. Lady Jamia, Kenif's mother, had embarked on a bold venture, building a new country with the help of Simon, Joss's brother. Their country, Celestian, flourished, with its capital city named Grasslands—a beacon of hope and unity.

In the hidden recesses of the assassin's guild, Trifectaus, chaos reigned after Alexi's departure. They could not decide who would be their next leader. In desperation, they summoned a demon. But this was no ordinary demon; it was Fi-six, the demon king, who took the name Alexi Centry as his own. With his dark charisma and ruthless ambition, he united the guild under his banner, preparing them for a resurgence.

Meanwhile, the Scott Family Assassins, led by the elusive Cloud-strike, concealed their secrets behind a veil of mystery. His two daughters, Isabella and Tatiana, were skilled warriors in their own right, yet little was known about their clan's alliances or intentions. Rumors whispered of a secret friendship with Trifectaus, a bond that could shift the balance of power.

Emerging from the shadows of a darkened mountain was a new clan known as Shadow-lest, led by the enigmatic Dan-porter. Their allegiance with Trifectaus and the Scott Family Assassins was known only to a select few, making their movements unpredictable and dangerous.

As the dust settled after the fall of High House, a new organization rose—The Combat Magic Core. They claimed dominion over all magic, enforcing their laws with an iron fist. Seven members formed the council, supported by hundreds of enforcers ready to crush any dissent. The power struggle had begun, and the stakes were higher than ever.

**Title: Shadows of the Combat Magic Core**

One fateful day, the Combat Magic Core summoned the leaders of the three assassin clans—Cloud-strike, Dan-porter, and Fi-six—for a meeting. Lake, the head Enforcer, welcomed them with a grin that masked his darker intentions.

"I am glad you all could make it," Lake began, his voice smooth and persuasive. "The reason we have summoned you is to take revenge on those responsible for the downfall of High House. Join us, and you will be considered allies of the Core."

Alexi, the fierce leader of the Fi-six clan, burst into laughter. "This is so foolish! What makes you think Trifectaus would ever want to be allies with you?" he asked, turning to leave.

"Stop right there, Alexi! If you leave now, you will be considered an enemy of the Core," Lake sneered, his composure cracking just enough to reveal the anger bubbling underneath.

Without turning around, Alexi shot back, "High House and Trifectaus have been enemies for years. You're just from another branch of High House, giving yourself another name. Nothing has changed," and in the blink of an eye, he vanished.

Lake's face twisted in rage. He turned to face Cloud-strike and Dan-porter. "What about the two of you? Will you join us in taking revenge, or will you become our enemies as well?"

Cloud-strike, a shadowy figure clad in dark leather, crossed his arms defiantly. "Humph! I have maintained a positive relationship with Trifectaus for years. I am not going to end it now. Besides, you are more interested in finding people to serve you as partners," he said, before disappearing into the mist.

Dan-porter, known for his quick reflexes, glared at Lake. "I know where my loyalties lie, and it's not with the Core," he said, leaving with a determined stride.

Lake's anger boiled over. "Master Lake, what should we do now? Should we go after them?" an Enforcer asked, hesitantly.

"No! Let them be for now. We shall deal with the others first, then we will deal with them after," Lake said, a smug smile creeping across his face.

"First ones I will deal with are Maxwell and Tanya. Do we have eyes on them?" Lake inquired, his tone dripping with malice.

"Yes, Sir! They're currently in the Antarctic," a foot Enforcer replied.

"Excellent! Let's move!" Lake commanded, snapping his fingers. In an instant, he and five hundred Enforcers teleported to the icy expanse of Antarctica.

Meanwhile, Maxwell and Tanya reveled in their newfound freedom, exploring the stunning icy landscapes. Their laughter echoed through the frozen air, but it was abruptly silenced as Lake and his army materialized before them.

"Maxwell and Tanya, your time is up! We are here to kill you!" Lake sneered, a wicked grin stretching across his face.

"Who the hell are you people?" Tanya shouted, her fierce gaze narrowing at the intruders.

"We are the Combat Magic Core, and we seek revenge for the downfall of High House. Kill them!" Lake commanded, his voice a sharp blade cutting through the cold.

In an instant, Maxwell and Tanya sprung into action. Years of training and their unbreakable bond fueled their resolve. As they fought, they moved like a synchronized dance, dispatching each enforcer with unrelenting ferocity. Every strike they delivered seemed to echo through the ice, a testament to their strength and skill. In less than two minutes, all five hundred of Lake's men lay lifeless on the ground, their bodies a grim testament to the couple's prowess.

Lake stood alone, trembling in fear. "Impossible! How were you able to kill all my men?" he stuttered, panic rising in his voice.

Maxwell sneered, his heart racing with adrenaline. "What's wrong? Weren't you arrogant just a moment ago? Now, it's your turn to die."

Lake's laughter turned manic. "Even if you kill me, you won't be able to save the rest of your friends—Jamia, Simon, Joss, Kenif, and their child."

Fury ignited within Maxwell. "Go to hell!" he shouted, his patience worn thin. With a swift motion, he ended Lake's life, leaving nothing but silence in the wake of their confrontation.

Breathless, Maxwell and Tanya stood over Lake's lifeless body, the weight of their victory heavy in the air. They had triumphed against the Combat Magic Core's first wave, but the threat was far from over. Their friends were still in danger, and they had to act quickly.

As they prepared to leave the icy wasteland, a sense of urgency gripped them. They needed to warn everyone before the Core struck again. The World was alive with secrets and shadows, and they were determined to uncover the truth.

Together, they activated a shimmering portal, its light flickering in the cold. With one last glance at the frozen battlefield and Lake's lifeless body, they stepped through the portal, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

To be continued…