Transition

|Kezess Indrath|

I despised the concept of change. The notion of transformation, of things evolving and becoming different, was abhorrent to me. For lesser beings, change may be an inherent part of their existence, but as an Asura who had lived for thousands of years, it was an irksome prospect.

Instead of change, I sought absolute certainty. I yearned for unwavering control and unchallenged dominion. As the heir to the Indraths and the leader of the mighty Asura race, I ensured that my rule over them was unyielding. Even the most powerful among the Asuras dared not step out of line in my presence.

That was the natural order. That was how it should be.

This mindset led me to eliminate Saphira, even if it required collaboration with Agrona. She was an anomaly, an agent of change threatening to disrupt the established order of Epheotus.

However, change was insidiously seeping into our world. It began with seven insignificant buds sprouting in Dicathen. At first, I dismissed them as inconsequential nuisances. But to my dismay, these buds swiftly blossomed into formidable flowers that surpassed even my own might.

In less than two decades, these anomalies had grown into forces to be reckoned with. They possessed powers that exceeded my own, wielding potential that could bring about even more profound change.

A new shift in the world had occurred, one that puzzled me greatly.

Epheotus, despite being separated from the planet where Dicathen and Alacarya resided, remained intrinsically connected to it.

I could sense the influx of mana originating from that planet, causing the mana density in Epheotus to rise as well.

This surge in mana bolstered the strength of the Asuras, empowering them beyond their previous limits. However, it had a similar effect on the Paladins and Legacies as well.

What was Agrona's intention behind orchestrating such a phenomenon?

Understanding his motives eluded me.

Ever since the day I first laid eyes on the audacious young Vritra, determined to challenge the established order and elevate his race, I found him perplexing. It amused me, so I allowed his endeavors to unfold. Even when he clandestinely pursued Sylvia, I permitted it to transpire.

Yet, I never anticipated that everything would escalate to its current state. Who could have foreseen that a Vritra, hailing from one of the weakest Asura races, would one day amass enough power to pose a threat to Epheotus? Who could have predicted that he would dare to take the life of my daughter, who was essentially the princess of the Asuras?

Resting my head against my throne, my eyes shimmered with lavender brilliance.

I had been foolish.

Our staunch rejection of change had led the Asuras to stagnate.

'Is this why the Djinns sought to withhold knowledge of aether from us?' I pondered, observing the ethereal motes swirling around my fingertips. My understanding of aether paled in comparison to the heights achieved by the Djinns.

A profound regret washed over me.

"I never intended for matters to escalate to this extent," I murmured, "I did not envision the destruction of an entire planet. But in order to safeguard Epheotus, I am left with no choice."

The endgame had arrived.

|Agrona Vritra|

A deep exhalation escaped my lips as my gaze fell upon the figure before me.

"How are we progressing?" I inquired of Cristys, the lead scientist overseeing this crucial experiment. He was not only my most trusted aid but also an indispensable member of our team.

"The progress is proceeding admirably, My Lord," Cristys replied, bowing respectfully. "The integration of the dragon heart with the body is proceeding smoothly. However, we anticipate some challenges due to the introduction of the phoenix's mana core."

"No need for concern," I assured him, shaking my head slightly before turning my attention to Cecilia, whose expertise in mana manipulation was unmatched. "Cecilia will harness her extraordinary abilities to manage any potential surge of uncontrollable mana and restore harmony."

Cristys nodded, issuing a signal to the other assistants, prompting them to carefully introduce the orange mana core into the body. Instantly, a surge of vibrant orange and brilliant blue mana erupted, entwined in a fierce clash, their energies vying for dominance.

"Cecilia!" I called out, urgency tinging my voice as the elegant onyx-haired woman stepped forward. Raising her hand, she deftly seized control of the unruly mana, skillfully soothing its tumultuous nature before deftly channeling it back into the body.

My eyes widened, a smile slowly spreading across my face.

"We have achieved success."

With each milestone reached, I drew nearer to the culmination of my grand vision.

|Third POV|

A sense of urgency gripped the air as the woman's anxious words filled the room, her voice tinged with worry and desperation. She bit her lip, her sapphire-like hair cascading down her back, reaching past her hips. Clad in a flowing blue dress that perfectly matched her hair and eyes, she stood as a striking figure of both beauty and captivity.

Yet, what truly captivated attention were the golden chains that bound her, encircling her wrists and ankles. They shimmered with an otherworldly glow, serving as a stark reminder of her restrained existence.

As she gazed upon the intricate patterns adorning the floor, the woman's voice trembled, echoing her inner turmoil. "Time is slipping away, inching ever closer to failure," she whispered, her worry etched deeply into her features. "How much longer can I endure? How much longer can I hold on?"

She struggled against her chains, each futile attempt chipping away at her resolve. The weight of her burden threatened to consume her consciousness once more, as if teetering on the precipice of surrender.

"Please, let this be the moment of triumph," she implored, her voice carrying a plea laced with both hope and desperation.

"Children of Fate, may you succeed where others have faltered. May your actions forge a path toward salvation."

|Kevin|

As I strode down the dimly lit hallway, the echoes of my footsteps mingled with the weight of my purpose. My gaze swept over the vacant cell that once held the magnificent phoenix Cecilia had drained to reach the integration stage. The sight elicited only a fleeting glance from me before my strides carried me towards the prison that housed the traitor.

Within the confines of her cell, a young woman, disheveled and clad in tattered rags, awaited my arrival. Despite her unkempt appearance, her intrinsic beauty could not be concealed. A cascade of navy blue hair framed her delicate features, while her figure, though obscured by her unflattering attire, hinted at allure.

"Caera," I called out, my voice reverberating within the prison walls. As her soulless scarlet eyes met mine, a deep-seated hatred flickered within them.

"Why are you here, Kevin?" she growled, her voice tinged with defiance.

"You still retain your bite," I jested, lowering myself to her eye level. "Just surrender already. You can find happiness by becoming one of my companions."

Her head hung low, as if contemplating the offer, before she abruptly spat on my face. My mana deflected the vile assault.

"You overestimate yourself," I uttered with growing anger. "Perhaps I should feed you to the other prisoners, so they may savour the taste of your body beneath them."

Caera's unwavering resolve pierced through her disheveled state as she retorted, "I will always stand by Grey's side. Your words hold no power over me."

A sigh escaped my lips as frustration mingled with my anger. "If only we had captured Seris instead of you. Breaking her would have been far more worthwhile. Breaking you seems like an exercise in futility."

A defiant spark ignited in Caera's eyes as she taunted, "And yet, you've failed to break this so-called 'worthless' girl."

"Restraint is the only reason I haven't forced you," I hissed, my voice laced with a dangerous edge. "Do not push the boundaries of my moral compass. Even if I were to take you forcibly, no one would dare intervene. Or do you believe that Highblood Denoir could save you?"

"No," she shook her head, unwavering. "But Seris and Grey will."

A chilling smile curved my lips as I uttered, "I will sever Grey's head from his body, and derive pleasure from both you and Seris."

Caera's question hung in the air, her voice laden with confusion. "You already have Cecilia, why do this?" she asked, searching for an explanation.

A nonchalant shrug escaped my shoulders as I turned to face her. "It's fun," I replied, a sly smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Reluctant girls are the most thrilling, as their defenses slowly crumble, giving way to the sweet melodies of pleasure."

A hint of defiance flashed in Caera's eyes as she spoke, her voice filled with unwavering determination. "Grey will kill you, Kevin," she declared, her words carrying a weight of conviction. "He will be the one to end your reign."

Under my breath, I muttered something she couldn't discern, leaving her with a lingering sense of unease. It was time for me to indulge in releasing some pent-up stress with Cecilia, the one who had willingly submitted to my desires.

|Gary|

"Let's go," I declared, my gaze sweeping over Rachel, Alistair, Lancelot, and Arthur, all standing steadfastly behind me. Their resolute nods mirrored my determination as we prepared for the final confrontation in Epheotus.

With a swift motion, Arthur activated his artifact, summoning a portal that would lead us deep into a Relictomb where we would make our daring infiltration.

The time had come to bring everything to a close.