Chapter 717: The Heirs Before the Festival (2)
Seeing the boy, a faint but genuine smile touched Drake’s lips, a rare surge of pride flickering deep beneath his cold exterior.
Though he had not forged this being through his own complete power, he knew it was only the long, tedious beginning of something that would one day be entirely his.
The two began to walk through the endless darkness, their footsteps the only sound in the vast, swallowing void.
Drake spoke first, his voice low and steady, carrying the weight of absolute authority.
"Boy... this will one day become the Verse of Tyranny," he said. "A place where, power is taken by one’s own hand.
Where those who cannot seize, it is destined to live as pitiful mortals — stepped on, used, and discarded by those stronger than them.
But those who can claim power... they will live lives greater than any emperor, ruling without limit or mercy."
The boy walked quietly at his side, listening with focus.
He gave a single, firm nod without uttering a word.
Drake went on, his blue eyes shining in the dark.
"Your purpose is to begin creating this verse. You will be its protector... and its co-creator. The Warden."
One thing he had learned from being around his father and mother was that, even with immense power, it was best not to try to do everything alone.
Just like with Pantheos, though he was certain Ash could have handled it all himself, he made it a point to ensure that every member of the Ineffable Pantheon contributed something essential to the verse, making each of them, in effect, co-creators.
At those words, the boy’s eyes glowed with a fierce inner light. For the first time, he spoke, his voice young yet already carrying the echo of something ancient and unyielding.
"I understand... Father."
Drake’s smile deepened slightly. "One day, this verse will face threats that could determine its entire fate. When that time comes, you must ensure they do not succeed — by any means necessary."
He slowed to a stop, the darkness swirling gently around them.
Drake placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder for a brief moment, then began to fade, his form dissolving into wisps of blue, black, and red energy.
"I will appear again one day," he said, voice growing distant. "Until then... see that the Verse of Tyranny thrives."
With those final words, Drake vanished completely, leaving the boy — the Warden — standing alone amid the endless dark and the countless glowing orbs of potential.
The young figure stood motionless for a long moment, eyes burning with purpose.
Then, slowly, he raised his hand toward the void, ready to begin the long work of creation.
-----
A week had passed since Ash’s announcement echoed across the Source of Expansion, and the mood among the Ineffable Clan had shifted.
Many had stopped their leisurely exploration of this vast realm, turning their attention toward more pressing matters.
The heirs, in particular, had gathered high in the skies, suspended above the rolling plains and ancient forests that stretched endlessly below.
The four suns bathed them in warm, dramatic light, while the four moons hung in quiet witness.
Far in the distance, Don — the charismatic host of Pantheos’ Existential Crises — stood dramatically on a floating platform, speaking into several glowing orbs that hovered before him.
Thousands more orbs surrounded the heirs, broadcasting the event to viewers who would one day watch it in the future.
"And there you have it, dear viewers!" Don’s voice rang out with theatrical flair. "Today, the heirs of the most distinguished Pantheon.... the Ineffable Pantheon have decided to settle a question that has lingered in the hearts of many — who among them is truly the strongest?"
Over the countless years, aside from Riyan, Rye, and Rita, none of the heirs had ever truly fought one another—nothing more than the occasional sibling quarrel, at most.
Still, they all agreed it might be fun to finally find out who was actually the most overpowered among them. And having Don there to record the whole thing?
Well, that was clearly something that just had to happen.
----
The heirs floated in a loose, relaxed circle amid the open sky, bantering with the easy familiarity of siblings who had fought and bled together across countless realities.
Xeros, with his long black hair and piercing eyes, crossed his arms, a faint smirk on his face.
"It’s about time we did this." He said as he looked over his younger siblings. "I truly wonder if some of the readers are curious about this as well?"
Ellyn, her black-and-pink hair swaying, gave a small shake of her head.
"You all... couldn’t just leave me out of this?" she sighed. "My powers aren’t exactly battle-centric, you know?"
Once the Goddess of Blossoms, she had since become Blossoms itself—an embodiment of beauty and growth in all its forms.
Aurora floated nearby, her white-and-blue hair drifting gracefully, golden eyes adorned with nine black rings gleaming.
"Fufufu... Right, even me," she said with a soft, amused tone. "Are you all certain you want me to participate? You know I’m quite broken... even compared to the rest of you."
Quell scoffed playfully, his reddish-gold hair catching the sunlight as his red eyes gleamed with the thrill of battle.
"Tsk, I don’t understand what Father did to make you so special," he remarked, thinking about how Aurora’s birth mother, Sonna, wasn’t exactly the combative type.
In fact, she was probably the most peaceful person in the entire Pantheon.
And yet, knowing Aurora’s abilities in Musical Creation, it was clear that was only the tip of the iceberg when it came to her powers.
She was also the Convergent Unus—the only being besides Nia capable of wielding the powers of her Mothers, and even... Ash, to some extent.
"But... there’s no turning back now. We fight without holding back."
Drake stood a little apart, his short black-blue-red hair sharp, blue eyes cold and steady.
He said nothing, but the faint twitch of his lips showed his agreement.
Riona’s white hair flowed like fresh snow as she nodded, her grey-and-black eyes calm.
"First to die loses.... and there will be no divinity."
They all understood that with each of them possessing an infinite reserve of Divinity, any battle between them would be endless if they drew upon it.
On top of that, there was no real way for them to truly die outside of Pantheos, as they’d simply be sent back inside thanks to the many safety measures in place.
Emily, her long red hair swaying, gave a casual shrug, her straightforward nature shining through.
"Fine by me. Let’s see who’s been slacking."
The rest — Aliya with her black-and-white hair, Klaus with his short white hair, fangs, and pointy ears, the ever-primal Kade, the graceful Evelyn with her light purple hair, Clara, Riyan, Rye, and Rita — all voiced their agreement with varying degrees of excitement and teasing.
Then Don, smiling, leaned forward with the mic in hand.
"FIGHTTTT!!!!!"
Comments