Chapter 101: The Reckoning Part 2: Rampage
Helen teleported with Azazel to their scouted location on Solstice, undetected. Helen opened a giant portal from the south and Triss led her army of 250,000 Aware titans straight through their defenses. Before they could sound their alarms, Eris had opened portals on the east and west edges.
Finally, the three met at the north entrance, as it would take Eris and Helen’s combined power to open and hold a portal long enough for 750,000 Normal Titans, 250,000 Armored titans and 100,000 Enlightened titans, led by Eshir, who took formal command of the other Generals.
Each Enlightened titan grinned widely as they walked through the opening the Normal and Armored titans created by destroying everything and anything in their sight line.
All hell broke loose. Despite the heat on the planet, Helen and Eris combined forces with Azazel to manipulate water magic to produce unnatural rain.
"We’re under attack! Ginormous creatures, are these the titans of legend?!"
"I thought they retired after they destroyed Earth?! What is going on?"
"How the hell is it raining? Where is our King?!"
The King furiously stormed out of his castle in the center of Solstice. Despite being humanoid, he was 8 feet tall and his body was completely covered with fire. The water drops sizzled, igniting larger flames, which swirled around him like they were alive.
"Gather the traps, stay organized and stay calm. Get me in touch with our leaders at each entry point. I need a full report now!"
Drones scoured the area, scanning the titans. They buzzed away quickly while transmitting data to a tablet the King held in his hand.
"Fuck. This is a planet wipe. Azazel and his goddess leeches are here. What in the hell has changed so quickly?" The king muttered, frightened and baffled.
*****
Solstice’s inhabitants were outnumbered and had nowhere near the strength necessary to defend. The Aware and Ancients titans already cleared the south and began trampling towards the center.
Every time someone on the planet perished, one of the goddesses was there to absorb their power. Despite being dead, their strength and lifeforce lingered for about ten minutes, giving the women plenty of time to use their hands to absorb the life force.
Eris moaned with excitement the more souls she absorbed.
"I haven’t felt this good since before that bitch locked me in her prison in ’Paradise," Eris mocked, using air quotes sarcastically while saying Paradise.
"If Paradise exists, it’s this," Helen said as she used both hands to absorb two of the fallen fire warriors.
The King looked at his tablet and sent out a final message to the citizens of Solstice.
"Everyone please pray for forgiveness and praise the mighty Athena for allowing us to live our peaceful lives. I’m afraid this is it for our planet."
The central area heard the rumbling of the titans’ footsteps growing closer and closer.
Azazel teleported to the Center and started killing some of the warriors for fun. "Pathetic creatures."
The King charged Azazel furiously, exchanging blows with the demon Lord.
"Why us? Why bother a peaceful land? Just to power yourselves up. What a disgrace. You’re everything that’s disgusting about this universe," the king taunted.
Azazel laughed. "Because free power is the best power."
"I can see through your lies. You’re here because you’re terrified of someone or something. But who? At least tell me the name of the person you’re so afraid of!"
Azazel’s laughter turned to rage and he teleported behind the King, who turned to block his blow. Unfortunately he didn’t realize it was an illusion, and the real Azazel stood right behind him. He elongated his nails and ripped right through his chest, and pulled out a beating piece of fire.
"So you do have hearts. What a waste. I’m not afraid of anyone, you piece of shit. Thanks for all your lovely power!"
The King dropped to his knees with a smile while looking into the sky. A phoenix flew over him, swooped down and flew through his heart. The phoenix vanished, and the King rose to his feet.
"You don’t get my power that easily." The King said as he collapsed his hands on Azazel’s head. Azazel screamed in pain and Helen immediately teleported to him and kicked away the King.
The King burst out in laughter.
"You’re afraid of people from your own planet, so rather than relocating, you’re going to go planet to planet to steal power in an attempt to get him to destroy the world for you. You three are the most pathetic beings in existence!"
Phoenix wings emerged beneath his arms, and the King quickly took to the skies.
"Get him!" Azazel screamed.
*****
Solstice lay in complete ruin. Rather than obeying Azazel’s command, Helen and Eris teleported as quickly as they could to the remaining souls and absorbed their power.
Azazel watched furiously as the titans tried to reach the King, but even the 150 foot tall Ancients couldn’t come close.
The King continued to fly away, until he was no longer in view. At the risk of being caught off guard by the goddesses, he flew to a secret spot only he knew existed.
"How the hell did we let someone escape?!" Eris demanded.
"We scouted this planet for months. At no time did we ever notice, see, or hear about a phoenix. The phoenix flew through the King and brought him back to life. I’m sorry my love," Helen said while reaching for Azazel’s hand.
He thought about slapping it away, but wanted the power from the 499,998 souls they absorbed, so he took her hand and gave her a kiss.
"Well, no use dwelling on what’s done. Now that you’re powered up, are you ready for the next planet?" Azazel asked, putting on his best smile.
"Yes. The titans are too. Hopefully we don’t have any unexpected surprises," Eris stated as she regrouped her titans.
"This planet has one million souls and is considerably weaker than Solstice. It’s currently nighttime and it’s home to daywalkers. Send the normal, armored, elite, aware and enlightened titans home. They can rest. This job can be completed with the Legendary and Ancient." Azazel ordered.
Eris and Helen opened a portal, and over 1.5 million of the five lower levels of titans returned to their Exterian bubble. They closed the portal and opened another to the planet Vakka and followed the titans through.
*****
Meanwhile, the King finally landed on a floating nest, approximately a mile in the sky, and allowed the phoenix to leave his body.
"Thank you my old friend."
The beautiful bird bowed its head and returned to its nest and the King rubbed his head.
"If they find you, pray to Sora and Brie Lockheart. They will be able to protect you."
The bird nodded and ignited in flame. Reborn from its ashes, the little bird chirped, and the King allowed him to eat fire from his arm. The bird began growing, and within 30 minutes, it was an adolescent Phoenix.
The king noticed the flame on the island burned as brilliant as ever.
"This isn’t goodbye. I will see you soon. Be good, brother." The King said.
The phoenix smiled, nestled its head in the King’s shoulder, like he was giving him a hug.
The King walked into the cave nearby and entered a passcode into a single person spaceship.
"1GN1$x!41R"
The space ship’s clear shell opened, and as the King entered, he was greeted by an AI voice.
"Welcome King Ignis Solarius. Which destination do you seek?"
"The planet Exteria."
