Beyond the Apocalypse

Chapter 1153: Loki

The moment the golden orbs appeared, the eyes of the entire group widened in astonishment, though none reacted as intensely as Vlad, Overlord, and the White Death. Their perception of the Laws and the nature of the soul far surpassed that of the others, allowing them to grasp the extraordinary essence contained within those radiant spheres.

A heavy silence filled the chamber as their senses reached out, brushing against the power contained within the orbs. It was not merely energy, nor was it a simple manifestation of Divine Power. There was something far deeper, far more fundamental.

"It is... like fragments of the Laws themselves," Vlad said slowly, his voice carrying both awe and disbelief.

The moment those words left his mouth, shock spread across the faces of the others. As Lords, each of them possessed a profound connection to the Laws of reality. They could interact with them, shape them, and even engrave their understanding into their souls, their flesh, and their very existence. At their level, they no longer simply used power—they embodied it.

Yet there was a fundamental distinction.

What they wielded was their interpretation of the Laws, their personal comprehension refined through countless battles and insights. These golden orbs, however, were different. They were not interpretations. They were not reflections. They were fragments of the Laws themselves, raw and unfiltered, pieces of the very structure that forged reality.

To take control of such power was something that lay far beyond the reach of Lords. Even Paragons, beings who stood at the pinnacle of the Higher Dimension, could not achieve such a feat.

Odinvaldr nodded slowly, his eyes glowing faintly with approval as he looked at Vlad.

"Your perception is truly remarkable," he said. "What you sense is correct."

He raised his hand slightly, and the golden orbs drifted forward, hovering closer to the group, allowing them to examine their nature more clearly.

"The reason Gods of the Divine Realm differ so greatly from those of the Higher Dimension," Odinvaldr continued, "is because they are not bound by the Laws in the same way. Instead of merely understanding or channeling them, they seal a fragment of the Laws within themselves, forming what we call a Divine Domain. This domain becomes their core, the foundation of their power."

His voice carried both authority and a trace of solemn respect, as if speaking of something sacred.

"Of course," he added, "this is not something that can be achieved alone. Only with the guidance and assistance of a Primordial God can such a process be completed. Even then, it requires extraordinary talent and immense effort. Not every being is capable of succeeding."

The group listened intently, their gazes fixed on the orbs as they drifted before them.

"Although the bodies and souls of my former champions were shattered," Odinvaldr continued, his tone growing heavier, "their Divine Domains remained largely intact. They required only minor restoration. Since those champions will not be able to wield them again... these domains can now serve a new purpose."

He paused briefly, ensuring that his words were fully understood before continuing.

"They can allow you to take part in the Tournament of Gods."

A subtle tension filled the air.

"The process of becoming a God of the Divine Realm is long and arduous," Odinvaldr said. "However, you do not need to walk that path from the beginning. By assimilating these Divine Domains, you can bypass that journey and directly ascend to the status required for participation."

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"The best part is that this evolution will not interfere with your existing paths of power. Your current abilities, your Laws, your identities as Lords or True Depravitas—none of that will be compromised."

Interest flickered in the eyes of every member of the group. The power contained within the Divine Domains was undeniable, and the opportunity to access such strength without sacrificing their current path was extraordinarily tempting.

However, none of them were reckless. They were seasoned warriors, individuals who had survived countless battles against overwhelming odds. They did not blindly accept even the most promising offer without careful consideration.

Vlad’s gaze shifted slightly as he glanced toward Overlord. The True Depravita of Pride immediately understood the unspoken request. His eyes narrowed as he focused entirely on the golden orbs, his mind already moving at incredible speed.

Among all of them, Overlord possessed the greatest analytical capabilities. His origin as an A.I. Chip clone, combined with his evolution and mastery of countless Laws, allowed him to simulate and predict outcomes with terrifying precision. His computational power was capable of analyzing even phenomena approaching the Empyrean level with near-perfect accuracy.

Without hesitation, he created a virtual replica of the Divine Domains within his mind and began running simulations, examining every possible interaction, every potential risk, and every outcome that could arise from assimilation.

Vlad did not truly believe that Odinvaldr intended to deceive them. The Primordial God had shown nothing but sincerity and support since their meeting. However, trust was not something granted lightly, especially in matters involving power of such magnitude. Even if Odinvaldr believed there was no danger, unforeseen variables could exist. It was better to be certain.

Odinvaldr observed the process quietly and did not take offense. On the contrary, there was a hint of approval in his gaze. Trust, he knew, was something that had to be earned.

Time passed in silence as the group waited.

Half an hour later, Overlord’s eyes suddenly glowed with a sharp, meaningful light. He turned toward the others, and for once, his usually composed expression broke into a wide, unmistakable smile filled with excitement and anticipation.

That alone was enough to draw everyone’s attention.

Overlord was not one to show emotion easily. If he reacted this way, then the results of his analysis could only mean one thing.

"There are no hidden dangers," he said calmly, though the thrill in his voice was impossible to miss. "Not only that, but the potential gains are... extraordinary."

A subtle shift passed through the group as tension gave way to determination.

"Now that you understand there is no risk," Odinvaldr said, his voice turning firm and authoritative, "I expect you to devote yourselves fully to the assimilation process."

His expression grew stern, carrying the weight of his next words.

"Each of these Divine Domains is an invaluable treasure. Although partial assimilation will be enough to grant you the status of Gods and allow you to participate in the tournament, it would be a great waste to stop there. These domains were forged through immense effort and sacrifice. My champions devoted their lives to creating them."

The atmosphere grew heavier as the implication settled in.

"To use them without fully embracing their potential," Odinvaldr continued, "would be an insult to those who created them."

The warriors of the Higher Dimension straightened instinctively, their expressions turning solemn. One by one, they nodded deeply, acknowledging both the responsibility and the honor being placed upon them.

They understood.

By taking these Divine Domains, they were inheriting the legacy of fallen champions. To treat them lightly would be unacceptable.

Seeing the resolve in their eyes, Odinvaldr gave a satisfied nod.

"The power contained within these Divine Domains is similar in magnitude," he explained, "but the Laws and cosmic forces they embody differ greatly. You must choose carefully. Select the one that aligns best with your current abilities and nature. Doing so will not only accelerate the assimilation process but also maximize the growth of your strength."

The group nodded again, fully aware of the importance of that decision. It was far better to deepen their mastery of a single path than to divide their power across incompatible forces.

Slowly and carefully, the seven warriors extended their consciousness toward the floating orbs.

Their senses spread outward, touching each Divine Domain, feeling the Laws within them, the cosmic forces they carried, and the potential they offered.

Each orb pulsed with a different essence—some resonated with destruction, others with creation, some with time, space, or more obscure and ancient principles that defied simple understanding.

One by one, they began to search.

Not for the strongest.

But for the one that belonged to them.

It took time for the group to determine which Divine Domain suited each of them, as the decision could not be rushed. For nearly an hour, they immersed their senses into the orbs, carefully analyzing their nature, attempting to resonate with the Laws within them, and relying on Overlord’s precise and objective calculations to guide their choices. In the end, each of them found the domain that aligned most closely with their power and essence.

"There are chambers prepared for each of you throughout my Sacred Kingdom," Odinvaldr said, his voice calm yet commanding. "The Divine Power within them has been raised to its maximum density, allowing you to train and assimilate at an astonishing pace."

Vlad and the others bowed deeply, expressing their gratitude for the Primordial God’s guidance before leaving the hall and heading toward their assigned residences. The vast Sacred Kingdom seemed to shift subtly as they moved, as if the very Laws were guiding them to their destinations.

It only took Vlad a few minutes to reach his residence, but the moment he arrived, a profound expression appeared on his face.

At first glance, his residence seemed simple—a towering waterfall of dark gray liquid cascading endlessly into a silent basin. However, the deeper he looked, the more he realized that it was not water at all. There was no matter within it. What flowed before him was pure space itself, folding, stretching, and collapsing in an eternal current.

And that was only the beginning.

The entire environment was a living embodiment of the Law of Space. Every detail, every movement, every subtle distortion reflected its principles. Simply standing there and observing the scene caused Vlad’s understanding and control over space to deepen at a remarkable pace.

Under normal circumstances, he would have lost himself in that wondrous sight for days.

But now, something else demanded his full attention.

Without hesitation, he sat beneath a towering tree, adopting a meditative posture as he brought forth the Divine Domain he had chosen. As his gaze settled upon it, a faint whisper echoed within his mind—the name of the God to whom it once belonged.

"Loki."