Beyond the Apocalypse

Chapter 1156: A new enemy?

Odinvaldr did not attempt to conceal their presence. The moment they entered the Sacred Kingdom, their arrival rippled across the realm, drawing attention from every direction. Countless eyes turned toward them, and among the inhabitants, expressions of awe and reverence immediately appeared as they recognized the Primordial God of Bloodshed and Battle.

However, when their gazes shifted beyond him—toward Vlad and the others—those expressions changed.

Confusion replaced certainty.

The divine aura radiating from Vlad, the White Death, and the rest was unmistakable. They carried the presence of Paragon Gods, their power refined and immense. Yet no one recognized them.

In the Divine Realm, even though Gods did not rely on faith to grow stronger, fame and recognition still followed power. Truly mighty beings left traces of their existence everywhere.

And yet, these figures were unknown.

There was no recollection of the True Depravitas or the royals of the Graecia Empire within this realm, and that only deepened the curiosity of the onlookers. Where had such powerful entities come from?

Of course, Vlad and the others had no intention of stopping to explain their origins. They moved forward in silence, following Odinvaldr as he led them deeper into the Sacred Kingdom.

Eventually, they arrived before a structure that left even them in awe.

A massive pyramid rose before them, its scale beyond comprehension. Every single stone that formed its body glowed with pure Divine Power, infused with cosmic force so refined that it felt almost sacred. Yet what made it truly extraordinary was not just its size or its energy—but the fact that the entire pyramid was encased within a blazing orb of fire.

It was as if the structure existed inside a miniature sun.

The flames did not burn destructively. Instead, they radiated warmth and authority, giving the impression that the pyramid itself was the heart of that radiant sphere.

"Why is your grand hall not as impressive as this?"

An amused silence followed the question.

Ouroboros spoke without malice, his tone filled with genuine curiosity rather than mockery as he glanced toward Odinvaldr.

"Is AmonRa more powerful than you, Lord Odin?"

Odinvaldr simply smiled, unfazed by the comparison.

"I cannot say," he replied calmly. "But he is certainly more... flamboyant than I am."

With that, he stepped forward, leading the group directly into the blazing sphere. The flames parted without resistance, allowing them to pass through unharmed until they stood before the entrance of the pyramid itself.

Odinvaldr’s expression sharpened.

He placed a hand against the massive gate, and in the next instant, his power surged. With a single, forceful motion, he pushed forward—blasting the entrance open in a display of overwhelming strength.

For a brief moment, Vlad’s eyes widened.

The act was crude compared to the subtlety expected at such a level, yet it did not take him long to understand its purpose. This was not recklessness—it was a declaration. A display meant to announce not only Odinvaldr’s arrival, but also the power he carried.

It was a message.

And it would not go unanswered.

Without hesitation, Vlad glanced at the others. No words were needed. They understood immediately.

Their Divine Domains flared to life.

Power surged from each of them, their auras expanding outward like tidal waves. The surrounding space trembled under their combined presence, their strength radiating with undeniable intensity.

Odinvaldr smiled faintly as he sensed their response.

Then, together, they stepped inside.

The interior of the pyramid was no less magnificent than its exterior. Instead of confined corridors, it housed an entire world within. A radiant sky stretched above them, while massive trees, rivers, and open land formed a vast inner domain. The space was large enough to accommodate thousands—perhaps tens of thousands—yet only a small number of individuals were present.

As they advanced along the main path, the inhabitants they encountered differed greatly from those outside.

These were not beings whose Divine Power merely projected animal traits.

Their forms themselves embodied those features.

Some resembled humanoid jackals, others bore the likeness of mighty hippos or other beasts, yet none of them appeared crude or savage. On the contrary, they carried an elegance and dignity that complemented their immense power.

Each one stepped aside as Odinvaldr approached, bowing respectfully to the Primordial God of Bloodshed and Battle.

The journey continued for nearly half an hour before they reached their destination.

An oasis.

It shimmered with radiant energy, its presence alone enough to fill Vlad and the others with awe. Yet that feeling lasted only a moment. Their expressions sharpened almost instantly as their focus shifted to the figures gathered within.

There were eight of them.

Each radiated an incredibly potent aura, their presence alone enough to command respect. But among them, one figure stood above the rest—both literally and figuratively.

He was taller, his form resembling that of a humanoid bird. His eyes were sharp, piercing like blades that could see through all illusions. Every feather on his body was etched with intricate runic patterns, each one carrying fragments of profound truths. His ceremonial robes flowed with quiet majesty, reinforcing the overwhelming authority he exuded.

Odinvaldr stepped forward slightly, clasping his hands together as he gave a respectful nod.

Vlad and the others followed his lead without hesitation, performing a deep bow.

"We humbly salute the Primordial God of the Sun and the Light, AmonRa."

Overlord’s voice echoed clearly, carrying the collective intent of the group.

AmonRa’s gaze moved across them.

It was not a simple glance. It felt as though his eyes pierced through every layer of their existence, reaching into the deepest corners of their souls. For a brief moment, they felt completely exposed, as though nothing could be hidden from him.

Then, just as quickly, the sensation disappeared.

"Impressive, Odinvaldr."

AmonRa’s voice resonated through the space, calm yet filled with undeniable authority.

"When you first spoke of your plan, I will admit that I held little expectation. Yet those you have brought... they are truly remarkable."

His gaze returned to Vlad and the others, a faint smile forming.

"To assimilate Divine Domains to this extent in such a short time is no small feat. It borders on the unbelievable."

With a gentle gesture, he invited them forward into the oasis.

Odinvaldr accepted, stepping forward and taking a seat with composed ease. Vlad and the others remained standing at his side, maintaining proper decorum.

Only then did they allow themselves to fully observe the figures gathered around AmonRa.

Seven warriors stood beside the Primordial God, each distinct in presence and aura. The Laws they embodied varied greatly, reflecting different paths and powers, yet they all shared one undeniable trait.

Strength.

Each and every one of them stood at the level of Paragon Gods.

In that moment, it became clear to Vlad and the others that AmonRa’s power was not defined by his own might alone. The strength of those who stood beside him was equally formidable, forming a force that rivaled Odinvaldr’s faction in every sense.

The group of Paragon Gods standing beside AmonRa wasted no time doing exactly what Vlad and the others were doing—carefully analyzing the strength of their supposed allies. After all, they would soon be fighting together in the Tournament of Gods, and understanding each other’s capabilities was essential. Their gazes were sharp and calculating, Divine Power subtly flowing as they measured aura, control, and potential.

Neither Odinvaldr nor AmonRa spoke, allowing both sides to silently assess one another. It was a quiet but intense exchange, where experience and instinct replaced words. However, that fragile calm did not last long.

Without warning, both Primordial Gods turned toward the distance, their expressions shifting into something far more serious. Vlad and the others frowned, immediately sensing that something was wrong, and within moments, they felt it as well.

The ground trembled.

A deep, oppressive force spread through the air, growing stronger with every passing second. It felt ancient and overwhelming, pressing down on everything in its path. AmonRa released a quiet sigh before waving his hand, instantly transporting everyone out of the pyramid and into the sky above the Sacred Kingdom.

From there, the source became clear.

A massive landmass—an entire moving continent—had entered the Sacred Realm and was rapidly approaching. Its sheer size was staggering, its presence distorting the space around it. Then, just as suddenly, it came to a halt.

Moments later, the continent began to twist and collapse inward, its enormous form reshaping itself. Mountains, forests, and rivers merged into a single structure until, finally, a colossal woman emerged.

Her body was formed of earth, her hair like vast forests, embodying nature itself. As her gaze fell upon Vlad’s group, her expression darkened.

Pure disdain burned in her eyes.