24.) Strife Gathering, Part 1.

While Amiyama and her forces take on Haydes and his forces. The signal of Death grew higher and higher as his revival approached. His companions and the members of Strife were all reading the signal loud and clear. People from all across the clans of Colossaverse 1 were gathering. All headed for one location, and that location was the reviving place of their leader. The time for Death's second coming is here! And with the gathering being mentioned. We find ourselves following the moves of a Beast clan member mentioned once before. Prince Thermias was busy disposing of a militant group that threatened the central figure of the beast clan, their Capitol. 

Thermias: "Tch! You little bitches thought yall could pose a threat to my home? Really!? And y'all supposed to be Beastmen. You're nothing but trash. And trash need be taken out promptly. Wouldn't you agree, Captain Alec?"

Alec: "N-no sir… I mean. YES SIR… uh… I-i don't know sir!"

Thermias: "Hahahahaaaa. Scared are we? Ah don't worry, I'm no evil scumbag bent on torture."

Alec: "Ah… then you'll spare me and my me-" *SLIP*

Thermias: "Nah… I'll spare just you. No one said… I was merciful." *Glare*

Alec: "Prince Thermias, NO!!"

Thermias: "Captain Alec…. YES!!!"

Alec: "NOOOOOO!!!"

Thermias: "Pfft! HaaaaHAHAHAAA!!! Man you're hysterical Alec."

Alec: "Wait what!?"

Thermias: "Man all you fucks are going to prison for just a lil bit. My father assigned me the task of making yall pull a 180. Best you comply."

Alec: "S-so they won't have to die??"

Thermias: "Naw man. I know they're actually your dear friends. We're working to make sure we're all prospering within our great clan, Beastian-Mora. Our lovely home… they remain unconscious, but that's as far as I go when it comes to punishing them."

Alec: "A-ah. A-ah… a-are you serious!?"

Thermias: "Of course I am. Who do you take me for!?" *Grin*

Alec: (Seems we were all wrong… the palace does care about us.) "We-We're truly sorry sir. Thankyou for such kindness. We will definitely repay our debts."

Thermias: "Hmph. That's great to hear, my boy. I teleported your crew to the Capitol. I want to talk to you while we fly there. Come on Alec." *Fwimp*

Alec: "Huh!? O-Oh… wait up sir!!!"

Thermias begins flying back home with Alec by his side. They pass plenty of run down places, abandoned planets and even… tattered and battered solar systems, galaxies and universes alike. 

Thermias: "You see all this? This garbage that looks nothing like the places that flourish with life and wealth?"

Alec: "Yes… due to having to see it everyday for more than a millennium. My mind became clouded with resentment towards you, your father and your system. To me… it seemed as though you guys didn't even care."

Thermias: "Ah… I can understand that with ease. My grandfather spent more than one hundred-thousand years failing to fix these travesties. Focusing on the wrong shit… which eventually led to ruin like this. Too much neglect."

Alec: "Far too much."

Thermias: "Indeed, but I asked you to fly with me due to the fact that there's a favor I'd like to ask of you."

Alec: "Oh? What were you hoping to ask?"

Thermias: "Join my father and I. Help us right the bullshit our predecessor caused. And return this Clan back to its former glory."

Alec: "Ah… (Well then… this was totally unexpected. They truly aren't what I thought.) Why me Sir Thermias!?"

Thermias: "Easy. You're exactly what it means to love and cherish your Clan. You actually have passion for every corner of this place, especially the more struggling places. How could I not ask you."

Alec: "Wow… its truly an honour sir."

Thermias: "Yeah Alec, we've been watching you for awhile now. It's the reason you guys could do as much as you did. We wanted to see exactly what it was you wanted. And once we saw it… we couldn't help but want you for our missions. Your crew as well."

Alec: "I-I'm speechless Sir Thermias. I didn't know you guys were on to such a grand scheme for the better of our home. I thought- we all thought… I'll gladly help you with such a mission."

Thermias: "Good… cause you'll be leading it."

Alec: "Wait what!? Why not yourself Sir? I could've sworn you were already assigned to lead."

Thermias: "I was, but… it seems I'll need to leave for a bit."

Alec: "Wait, why is that!? If you don't mind my asking."

Thermias: "It's simple really… Death is coming back. And I… NEED to be there. I mean… shit man I can feel him calling already."

Alec: "D-death!? You know Lord Death II!?"

Thermias: "Haha, yeah man. I lost to 'em in a fight and now I'm part of his crew. The guy's strong… but also a true leader with a goal I can't help but crave to see it be achieved."

Alec: "Guess that makes sense. Crazy though… maybe I can one day meet the guy."

Thermias: "Of course! The guy's real cool… just a total dick sometimes."

Alec: "Hahahaaa as to be expected. So when will you be leaving?"

Thermias: "Soon after we return. Recruiting you was my last task before I could leave. I could've left before then, but I really wanted to meet you personally."

Alec: "Hehe! Who would've thought that I'd grab the attention of our next King so much. Its quite amazing."

Thermias: "Indeed. I'll teleport us there from here, but… My eldest brother is next in line. FYI."

Alec: "Oh… my bad Prince Therm. But… time to go?"

Thermias: "Yeah. I'll be back soon though. Guessing he'll want to visit and see my pops again. Oh… and don't call me Therm bruh."

Alec: "Hmph! Nice, I'll be waiting Prince… my bad too."

Thermias: "Heh. Right, I'll make sure to be back fast then." *FWIP* 

The two of them find themselves in the middle of the Grand Palace Central Room, the King's Keep. Where Thermias' father lies in wait. 

"I've returned with Alec, father. And with this I'll be heading out. Death will be reviving soon and I can't miss a second of it."

Beast King: "Indeed my prince. I'm pleased with you doing this for me. Please go gather with your group and return to me before long."

Thermias: "Without a doubt father. I'll be back soon Alec. Take care!"

Alec: "Good luck out there sir. Be well."

Thermias: *Wink* "Gotcha!" *FWIP*

Alec: "So King Jonn… are you ready for the revival of Lord Death?"

Jonn: "Heh! Damn right I am young Alec. It's been more than one thousand years since I've seen the guy whk beat my son in battle. Quite the outstanding fellow. You'll see."

Alec: "I hope to."

And with Thermias having taken off to go to universe 9. We take a look at a clan that's been hinted at quite a few times. 2 of its members just recently joined strife and another member has been a member for more than 5,000 years. The Light clan and it's current Head of the Council, Dante. A man who once fought by Death's side in order to free the light clan from corrupted rule. Hes currently in a meeting with his leaders.

Dante: "Divina and Katrina. Whats been going on in the southern quadrant?"

Divina: "Eh ehm! It seems as though rebels who represent the first rulers are still at large. And doing guerilla war tactics to drag some of our elites out there."

Katrina: "And to add on. It would seem that there's a living King of the former rulers that's alive and well. He's been the one sending these attacks."

Dante: "Former… wait a sec, Ro'Kanthir!?"

Katrina: "Yes. We'll have to down him if we really want to spread our way around the clan and erase this corrupted flow we're taking. It'll be all for naught if he's left alone."

???: "What does the bastard want?"

Dante: "Mhm that's simple Sir Markiis. He wants to get his hands on my book."

Markiis: "What!? I thought only the ones that are part of your family tree could do that?"

Dante: "Well he is. He's my uncle, he was King before leaving us to be a part of the higher King order. The Luminarities. Giving my dad the right to take the place. He changed to be a wicked ruler when he got… promoted. It was quite the surprising change."

Markiis: "That must've been due to the weird corruption particles found in all of the Former Kings of this south quadrant. My family has some explaining to do. Why would they let one of their four quadrants get corrupted? How did they turn a blimd eye to this!?"

Katrina: "Mhm."

Divina: "The three families that run our clan have me fairly puzzled with their recent behaviour. What's going on up there Murdicc?"

Markiis: "That's what I want to know."

Markiis, as you just heard. He's from the same family as Beeso and Dwayne, their elder brother to be exact. Their family is the second highest in the clan and helps run it. Katrina and Davina are twins and come from the Lyster family. They run the North Quadrant with the help of a few lower families. The light clan runs through a peculiar system. The top three families rum everything while the next five families that are right below them run the five quadrants. Then the 25 families below them run the five sectors found in each quadrant. With the grunt families running and living in the slums. 

Dante: "Tch! Seems the light clan might've been taken over from the inside."

Markiis: "Do you really think so? I wouldn't think the house of Lumieress would be taken over so easily. Especially with my family and the Lanthermines being there to assure something like that doesn't happen. What you speak is blashpemous Sir Dante!"

Dante: "I know it may be hard to accept. But the possibility that your people and the other houses got corrupted, isn't impossible. Face facts… They're no longer the families that had this clan prospering, mate."

Markiis: "Your assumptions are preposterous. You watch your tongue until I investigate things for myself Dante!"

Divina: "Do I really need to point out what he's getting at?"

Markiis: "You too!?"

Katrina: "I guess we do… you see Markiis. Throughout time, the light clan has always been able to remain a central figure of complete prosperity. We all were at the top within the light clan. We all lived boundless and wonderful lives!"

Divina: "All three of us were born at that time. We can easily agree how blissful it was back then."

Katrina: "Yeah."

Markiis: "Yeah. I have no arguments there."

Divina: "Alright then. But around the time Dante's generation started being born. A certain turn of events happened and before we knew it. There were actual parts of our clan that began to lose light and grow scummish. There wasn't even an attempt to stop the process there. Just learn to prevent it from spreading to more "important" areas. It was a tragedy from the get go."

Markiis: *Gulp*

Katrina: "Yeah, and with the constant fall over the years. We were left with what we have now. I just can't accept it. Neither could YOU and neither could Dante! You mean to tell me all the sudden change after millions of years doing the same shit! And its not strange to you? Hmph, just a bling fool!"

Markiis: (Damn she's right! That is far too strange. But they're the heads of the clan, who could possibly be strong enough to get into their minds!?) "M-mhhm!"

Dante: "Thank you girls. But they're completely right. We have to face the facts! There's someone pulling strings from behind the scenes. And we probably won't know until its either, too late or we take charge and beat those being controlled and help them break it, mate."

Markiis: "Hmm!"

Katrina: "I agree. If we let it keep going like this then we'll just be taken over and our clan used for whatever and whoever knows what! We won't let that happen!"

Markiis: "Yes… I've brought myself back from that idiocy I just showed. And I do hear what you're saying Dante, apologies."

Dante: "Mhm."

Markiis: "But… I'm now fearful of what may be doing this. Just think about it. Clans are able to go against the Grand council in terms of a full scale war. With that much might within every clan ever made. You'd have to be a damn super juiced being to be able to go into a clan and cause this much damage. You'd also have to be real bold or borderline nuts… To go through with it."

Dante: "Ngh!" *Glare*

Divina: "Th-that is true. That would mean…"

Katrina: "That we're dealing with a true monster here."

Dante: "If it is someone on that scale then we'll need much more than we got in order to win."

Divina: "I could easily grab some members of the other sectors that would help us."

Katrina: "But that would only do so much. We'd need more. The person was able to get into the heads of some of our strongest members. We need a someone who can cause some real dama- Dante?"

Dante: "Yes? …"

Katrina: "You can't feel it?"

Divina: "Feel what?"

Markiis: "Hmm?"

Katrina: "I can feel a disgusting presence. Whenever I try and relax, this eerie feeling creeps up on me."

Dante: "Hmph! Seems I've caught on."

Markiis: "Huh!?"

Divina: "Dante… does she mean?"

Dante: "Yeah I can feel 'em too. It's Death. He's almost back. Seems I'll have to go soon, mates. To the foreground of Death's revival!!"

Markiis: "Death!? He's bac- Uh! Oh, I see. That's what that feeling was." 

Katrina: "So if you're going to see his revival as a member of Strife. Do you think you can convince him to help us again!?"

Dante: "One can only hope. But i feel as though I'll find Beeso and Dwayne if I go. Can't let that gut feeling go to waste. I'll make sure he comes back. Cause if not… we're done for."

Markiis: "Right!"

Divina: "Hmph! Seems so. Then will you be leaving immediately, Dante?"

Dante: "Yeah. We'll call the meeting for today. It seems Amiyama is getting close to doing her part."

Katrina: "Ha! Seems so. Can't wait! Things will begin to change around this omniverse once it's personification of Death returns."

Dante: "Hehe, yeah. I'm going to pack my bag and then I'll be off. Hold it down until I return and… be careful."

Divina: "You got it!"

Katrina: "We'll be waiting for you."

Markiis: "Be safe out there! (Hmph! Its coo to be safe and all, but I'm a damn 40 on the power scale. I'll go investigate my people myself!)" *Stare*

Divina: "… *Glare* Hmm."

And just like that. Dante was reminded of Death's upcoming revival and hurries off to see it all unfold. And when he's off. Markiis decides to do some digging within the central palace of the clan. To see what's truly going on within the leaders' circle. He still doesn't believe someone that powerful could be behind this. And while events unfold within the clans of Colossaverse 1, Universe 9 began to explode with clashes of energy busting at the seems.

Amiyama: "HAAAAA!!!" *PRCH* *TCH* *PSH*  

Haydes: "Ngh! *CRASH* Hmph! (Dumb bitch!) *SWISH* *FWIP* Contract: Burst Blessing."

Amiyama: "Hmmph! Phoenix Burst: Comet Comari."

Amiyama was able to shoot off more than 39 comets at once. All raining down on Haydes from above the broken Ceridian 9. But Haydes counters with the ability to burst what he aims at.

Haydes: "Damn you're annoying!"

Amiyama: "Likewise prick!"

Aiyama and HellBlazer continue their blitz upon each other. Releasing relentless barrages of blows on the other. Hit after hit, counter after counter. Blast after blast, technique after technique. But back on Sedus 9, things were looking grim for the Dual Siblings. 

Kimichi: "It seems you just aren't all that skilled. You've let me keep the high ground since we started fighting seriously. Just what do you think this is? You life is in my hands."

Sonya: "D-damn! What's going on!? (I've been throwing blow after blow at her and using my most absurd blades. None of it's working!!)"

Kimichi: "Hmph! You Gods always have a second wind somewhere, so I'll be a dumbass and wait for it."

Sonya: "Damn… y-youuu! (She's so confident in her ability to win this! I'll show her… somehowwww!!)"

Kaguro: "Heh! Seems your sister can dish out the same damage but can't take a beating like you. You're also slightly more skilled! Though it all means nothing in the face of me, your counters are your only good quality right now."

Joe: "Hehe…he. You're underestimating me, Demi-God. I've been marking you with every counter man. I'll blitz you soon enough."

Kaguro: "Huh!? Oh! These?? Chh, man you're seriously under the wrong impression here." *Sizzle*

Joe: "What the!? He's beginning to turn red and my marks are burning!"

Kaguro: "Eh, with low potency like this and your lack of pow-WER. I can easily burn these things. You may be slightly better than your sista, butsister,

 still done for. Even after you get that second wind."

Joe: "Tch!"

The members of Strife begin to gather from around Colossaverse 1. As the battle continues, Death's signal grows stronger as the time of his Revival draws closer. Events begin to unfold at the seams!!!

Next Chapter: Strife Gathering Part 2