Sovereigns.

'Shadow Eye, Activate'

As Vanitas ventured into the dark valley, the absence of light didn't faze him. With the help of his Shadow Eye, he could see clearly in the dark.

After what felt like minutes upon minutes of walking through the valley, Vanitas finally approached the area where people had gone missing.

He hid, not far from the danger, observing the bloodstains and strange marks on the ground. He waited, anticipating whatever lurking danger might emerge.

Suddenly, a white-pale man dressed in a black suit appeared. He had black hair and looked like a businessman. For a moment, Vanitas thought the creature, or whatever it was, would appear. His curiosity began to wane as the figure turned out to be nothing more than a man in a black mask, brandishing a gun and attempting to rob the businessman.

"Give me all your money!" the robber demanded, pointing the gun at the businessman.

"H-here it is…" the businessman stuttered, trembling as he handed over his wallet to the robber.

Vanitas felt disappointed and was about to head back home when, suddenly, he felt an overwhelming, magical energy that made him feel weak.

"Wh-what is this feeling?" he muttered, gritting his teeth. His body seemed to slow, and he cautiously turned around. He could hear shouting in the distance. Vanitas took a step forward, peeking cautiously at the danger.

What he saw took his breath away.

Emerging from the shadows was a monstrous being, standing tall and covered in scales. It was no ordinary man—it was a creature, more beast than human. The creature had the build of a giant, and as Vanitas watched, it slaughtered the two men. It didn't just kill them; it devoured their entire bodies, its mouth widening like a crocodile's, swallowing them whole. Shadows seemed to dance around it as it savored its meal. Vanitas could see the blood splattered on its face. It was a ruthless, merciless creature. The beast's body was covered in dragon-like scales.

Vanitas, in his shock, didn't know it yet, but this was one of the Sovereigns—the Sovereign of Wyvern.

There were 10 Sovereigns in this world, and Vanitas was unaware that he was about to cross paths with one of them.

The Sovereign also known as "The Rulers Of The Worlds" once created by The King of Creation—The one who created all living beings, but one faith full day he was betrayed by his 10 creations called Sovereigns, by sealing him afar from the voids where forgottens lurks in the shadows, Sovereigns are merciless, stronger than any living beings.

---

As he watched the two men die, Vanitas felt a chill run through him. His heartbeat skipped a beat when the dragon-like creature suddenly turned its head in his direction. Vanitas quickly hid, avoiding eye contact. He could feel the creature's intense gaze, and his instincts screamed at him to run.

He took a step back and then, with all his strength, sprinted toward his apartment, trying to distance himself from the danger.

"I swear I sensed a strong energy in that direction. Maybe I was just hallucinating or something," the Sovereign of Wyvern murmured to itself as it wiped the blood from its mouth. It then turned its gaze back toward the small portal from which it had emerged, walking toward it with a strange, confident air.

Slam!

The sound of the apartment door echoed throughout the room as Vanitas stumbled inside, his chest heaving and sweat dripping from his face. His hands trembled as he leaned against the door, trying to calm his racing heart.

"Wh-what was that thing!?" he muttered, gasping for breath. His mind replayed the monstrous sight over and over again—the dragon scales, the shadowy aura, the creature's terrifying strength.

Clenching his fists, he stared at the floor, determination burning in his eyes. "If I ever encounter that dragon-like monster again... I have to be stronger. No matter what it takes."

---

[Sovereign of Wyvern's POV]

The massive portal swirled with dark energy as the Sovereign of Wyvern stepped through, returning to his domain. On the other side, chaos reigned supreme. The sky was a murky shade of crimson, and the ground was scorched and cracked. Dragons of all shapes and sizes roamed the land. Some lay in massive nests, their slumber undisturbed. Others clashed in ferocious battles, their roars echoing through the fiery landscape.

As the Sovereign of Wyvern walked through the carnage, the dragons nearby immediately stilled. One by one, they lowered their heads in reverence, bowing to their king. He was not just a ruler—he was their god, the King of all Dragons, Wyverns, and Serpents.

The Sovereign paused, his golden, slit-pupiled eyes narrowing as he recalled the strange energy he had felt earlier. He clenched his teeth, his dragon scales shifting slightly as his irritation grew.

"That magical energy I felt back then… What was it?" he growled, his voice a deep, guttural rumble that made the ground tremble beneath his feet.

A mocking chuckle echoed from behind him.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the Sovereign of Wyvern," a sly voice purred.

The Sovereign turned his head sharply. Standing a few feet away was a woman draped in a tattered black cloak. Her appearance was haunting—two skulls rested on her shoulders, their empty eye sockets glowing faintly. In her hands, she carried a staff crowned with a grotesque, grinning skull that oozed an eerie green mist.

It was her—the Sovereign of the Dead.

"What are you so worried about, oh mighty King of All Flying Things?" she teased, leaning slightly toward him with a wicked grin. Her voice dripped with mockery as she twirled her wand lazily.

The Sovereign of Wyvern growled, his sharp claws digging into the ground. "Watch your tongue, Sovereign of the Dead. Or do you wish to test your strength against me today?"

She let out a dark, melodic laugh, clearly unfazed by his threat. "Oh, don't be so serious," she said, tilting her head as her glowing green eyes met his. "I couldn't help but notice that you seem... tense. Tell me, what's troubling the Great Dragon King?"

He didn't answer immediately, his jaw tightening. Finally, he said, "I felt a presence. A magical energy I've never encountered before. It was... different."

Her smile widened, her bony fingers tracing the edge of her staff. "Interesting. Perhaps something... or someone... worth watching?"

The Sovereign of Wyvern didn't reply, his gaze fixed on the distance. He didn't know what that energy was, but he knew one thing for certain—it wasn't ordinary. And if it posed a threat to his rule, he would crush it.

No matter the cost.

**

Morning arrived with the familiar sounds of chirping birds, bustling people, roaring trucks, and the relentless beeping of Vanitas' alarm clock, flashing a bright "9" on its display. The noise jarred him awake from his deep slumber.

"What… did I fall asleep so suddenly—"

Before he could finish his sentence, the holographic notification appeared in front of him.

---

[Daily Task System]

Push-Ups: 0/100

Pull-Ups: 0/100

Planks: 0/3 minutes

Throw Punches: 0/100

Time Left: 15 hours

[Failure Results in Penalty!]

---

"Fifteen hours?!" Vanitas exclaimed, groaning as he scratched his head. "So, it's already 9 a.m., almost afternoon. Damn it, I overslept."

As he made his way to the shower, thoughts of last night crept back into his mind.

'That monster… was it really a monster or just some twisted human being?' he thought.

The chilling memory of the dragon-like figure, its bloody maw, and its imposing presence sent a shiver down his spine.

After his shower, he sat down to eat his usual breakfast—bacon and eggs.

"Three more days," he muttered, his determination burning brighter with each bite. "Three more days, and I'll show that creature what I'm capable of." he said thinking the monster who killed him and the one who is known as Sovereign of Wyvern.

He clenched his fist tightly, his resolve unwavering.

"I'm coming for both of you!"

---

End of Chapter..