The forces of house Kairos descended in great waves, Moyo watching in alarm as he saw diamonds and even golds descend into the vicinity of the apocalypse beast. Turning to Ashira who raised a hand,

“Calm, they are protected by the aspect of my mother” she said,

Moyo turned back to them and true enough, sage’s sight revealed each and every one of them bathed in a bright green power that protected them from the tainted power of Malgrakor itself. He turned his attention back to the great beast though, even as the Defiance began to appear above the planet, the ships of the archailect converging,

“Where are the primordials?” he said,

“Holding the lines against the next planet, something you did has riled up the forces of the abyss, pushed their timetable forward, news of the lords themselves coming has begun to spread, the forces of the archailect are converging in a frenzy” Ashira replied,

Malgrakor roared, cutting off Moyo’s reply as its skin began to warp, twist in unholy angles as it spoke,

“impudence” it said,

“You think this is enough to stop me?, I, who has existed long before the coming of the lords of the abyss, I who swore allegiance to Vusal?” it roared,

Moyo brought up Gegun, infused it with veneration and intent, and then slashed through the inky blackness that was beginning to form around Malgrakor to reveal one baleful eye staring at him with enough malice to cause him to shudder. And then the eye was gone, the entire bulk of Malgrakor vanishing into a human sized ball,

“I don’t like the feel of this” Moyo said,

“This is bad” Ashira responded,

Turning to her forces, she shouted, aura carrying her voice loud and clearly,

“Initiate containment epsilon protocol!” she ordered,

Ascenders in grey cloak began to push to the front, long locks of chain as hair flowing behind them, the wardens of house Kairos. Together they used a skill, grey runic circle appearing below the ball in which Malgrakor had retreated into, long grey chains with wisps of power that reminded Moyo of Typhon himself wrapped itself around the ball, squeezing it together, grey runic sigils of concealment appearing all over its frame. With a final thud, the chains snapped into place, squeezing the ball tighter as Ashira folded her arms, sentient hair floating all around her head,

“Seems to be going well for an apocalypse beast” she said,

Moyo shook his head, something in his gut trembled, something was wrong with this, what was Malgrakor doing within the ball?. He turned to Ashira,

“Why capture it?’ he asked,

She shrugged,

“That damned mother of mine wants it for her experiments” she replied with a huff,

Moyo turned back to the ball, eyes roaming as he activated sage’s sight again, staring at the orb with its contained energy, the runes actively blocking Malgrakor’s power from swelling, so why was the apocalypse beast quiet?. Moyo stared at the ball again, but this time, in correlation to the planet, and then he screamed,

“Get back!, get back now!” he commanded, infusing Ashe into it as well,

“Too late” Malgrakor chuckled from within the ball,

The wardens pushed backwards, not comprehending what was happening but the authority of the titan blade compelling them to, but it was too late, the ball heaved, and then shot out black spikes from its body, impaling a few wardens and numerous golds of house Kairos. Moyo moved, Gegun burning as he imposed himself between the ascenders and the ball,

“DA PA DA!” he roared,

His edict repelling the attack of the apocalypse beast, pushing it back into the ball that slowly began to part. Malgrakor hadn’t been trying to expand its size, it had been sucking whatever was left of the vitality of the planet through roots it had passed directly into the ground, and while the wardens had simply been containing its powers it had been accumulating more discreetly. Ashira roared in anger, the aspect of the Chimera coalescing into a great feline beast behind her, infusing both her aspect and that of Kairos, she swung her blade.

The power of the Chimera careened towards the ball, exploding on contact, when the smoke cleared, nothing that remained of what Malgrakor had once been was standing, instead, in its place was a pale white human, with a smile from ear to ear,

Notice!: Evolved Form: Malgrakor, the Ascendant Devourer

Transformed by the vast amounts of power it has assimilated, Malgrakor now takes on a humanoid shape, a twisted embodiment of terror and dominance. This evolved form showcases the full extent of its malevolent capabilities and grants it a weapon of unparalleled darkness.

Skills:

Blade of Essence Convergence: Malgrakor wields a blade known as the *Crimson Soulrender*. This ominous weapon is etched with ancient runes that pulse with an otherworldly glow. With each strike, the blade siphons the life essence of its victims, draining their vitality and funneling it directly into the Ascendant Devourer. Eternal Absorption: Malgrakor’s evolved form possesses an enhanced version of its previous skill, *Abyssal Replication*. In addition to spawning Abyssal Echoes, it now has the ability to absorb the life essences of ascenders it defeats. This unholy absorption fuels its own power, granting it increased strength, resilience, and arcane prowess. Voidstep: The Ascendant Devourer has honed its mastery over the void. It can traverse the fabric of space and time with its skill *Voidstep*, momentarily disappearing and reappearing in a burst of shadows. This ability allows Malgrakor to swiftly maneuver through the battlefield, surprising opponents and launching devastating attacks from unexpected angles. Devourer's Embrace: Through an eldritch connection to the Abyss, Malgrakor can channel the dark energies that flow within it. This skill, *Devourer's Embrace*, envelopes the Ascendant Devourer in an ethereal aura of pure malevolence. It grants increased resilience, amplifies its offensive capabilities, and induces a paralyzing dread in those unfortunate enough to face it. Apex Annihilation: Unleashing the culmination of its power, Malgrakor invokes *Apex Annihilation*. With a single devastating strike of the *Crimson Soulrender*, it releases a cataclysmic wave of energy, obliterating everything in its path. This ultimate skill taps into the stolen life essences, fueling an explosive surge of raw power that leaves devastation in its wake.

Notice: Facing Malgrakor in its evolved form is an undertaking of unparalleled peril. Its humanoid manifestation, wielding the *Crimson Soulrender*, combines its insatiable hunger for life essence with newfound capabilities, presenting a near insurmountable challenge. Only the most formidable and united ascenders, armed with indomitable resolve and unwavering camaraderie, may stand a chance against the Ascendant Devourer's evolved might.

Through the eyes of a grim faced Moyo, the humanoid form of Malgrakor, the Ascendant Devourer, materialized with an air of dark majesty. Its twisted visage embodied a haunted blend of grotesque fascination and abhorrent beauty.

Standing at a towering height, Malgrakor exuded an aura of malevolence that seemed to eclipse the very light around its body. Its once writhing, monstrous form had now coalesced into a nightmarish semblance of humanoid shape, though every aspect remained a perversion of nature's design.

Its skin, ashen and pallid, clung tightly to its sinewy frame, accentuating the unnaturally sharp contours of its muscular physique. Jagged, obsidian-black markings traced intricate patterns across its flesh, pulsating with an eerie inner glow. These markings seemed to dance with malicious intent, hinting at the immense arcane power that courses through its veins.

The eyes of Malgrakor, no longer a featureless void, now burn with an eldritch luminescence. Twin orbs of intense crimson, gazed upon the world with a predatory hunger, seeming to penetrate the very souls of those unfortunate enough to meet its gaze. Within those crimson depths, whispers of ancient knowledge and infinite malice intertwined, a reflection of the abyss and the lord conqueror of the abyss from which it drew its power.

Its head was crowned with a fearsome headdress of intertwining bone and shadow, protruding like wicked horns that defy reason and logic. From beneath this macabre crown, long strands of ethereal darkness cascade, mimicking the appearance of hair but devoid of any life or warmth.

In one hand, Malgrakor wielded the Crimson Soulrender, a blade wrought from an abyssal darkness that seemed to consume the very light around it. The weapon exuded an insatiable hunger, its serrated edge pulsating with an otherworldly energy. The blade thrums with a sickening crimson glow, evidence of the stolen life forces it has absorbed.

Each movement of Malgrakor was an unsettling dance of grace and menace. Its steps echoed with an otherworldly resonance, as if treading upon the boundary between existence and oblivion. Shadows writhe and clung to its form, trailing in its wake like a sinister cloak that whispers secrets of forgotten horrors.

As Moyo beheld this twisted incarnation of terror, an indescribable mixture of revulsion and awe courses through his veins. It is a sight that defied comprehension, an affront to the senses, and a constant reminder of the looming threat that Malgrakor, the Ascendant Devourer, poses to them in that moment. It stared at its new form,

“impressive” it said, as much to itself as to the rest of them,

The golds crashed to their knees, screaming in pain as blood leaked from every pore in their body, the diamonds shuddered in agony, groaning as Moyo casted his realm over them, the wardens faring much better but still with haunted looks, although a few of them Moyo could see with the potential to ascend to the rank of master of their own volition managing to stare at it with grim looks,

“Ashira” he said furiously,

She snapped her hand, pathways opening as the diamonds and golds hurried through, Moyo turning to the distance where his own Shieldborne and Annika along with Idris and the other ancients were watching with grim looks. Glancing back at Malgrakor who still seemed distracted and fascinated with his own look, he took one step of Ogun, appearing right in front of the realm, glancing at Raye and Thorian who had crossed his arms,

“We only have one thing to do here’ he said,

“Aye, crush that abomination whose strength has finally gotten to the steps of a primordial” the diamond king said, eyes glinting,

“It won’t be fascinated with its body for long” Altair put in,

Moyo nodded,

“Who’s staying and whose leaving?, I can’t keep this realm for long, I need my full strength against that creature” he said urgently,

“I’m guessing you consider masters liabilities in this fight?” Killian said from behind Altair,

Moyo glanced back at the creature and then spoke,

“To be frank, I need every help I can get, but be true to yourselves, do you think you can do anything to that creature?’ he asked,

Raye stepped forwards, her body beginning to glow with her phoenix flames, her visage took on a thunderous look,

"We have existed long before you were a thought in your mother’s womb, respect us and the masters too, we know secrets your mind would melt at” she said,

Moyo seriously doubted that,

Thorian placed on hand on his partner’s shoulder, the flames doing nothing to him,

“Calm beloved, he’s merely stating the truth, besides, we’ve made a poor display of our powers since when we’ve arrived, isn’t that, Ingvar of the jade clan?” the diamond king said,

The bulky looking barbarian cracked one eye opened, bright blue eyes staring at the titan blade from where he folded his arms. He gave a grunt, drawing himself to his full height,

“Aye, Thorian, perhaps we need to go full out from now on” he replied,

Annika glanced at the jade, eyes assessing the man, about to talk but a look from Moyo kept her lips sealed, josh moving to the side of the titan silently, the Shieldborne as well, Idris simply watching the distance and the creature,

“My lord” he said warningly,

Moyo glanced behind him to see Malgrakor staring at them maliciously, totally ignoring Ashira who floated at a distance to its humanoid form. She snarled, dispersing her blade and drawing the bow again, reality lighting up with her power as Malgrakor stared at her and then swung its blade. Oshosi’s ferocity screamed for the first time in ages, Moyo bending reality to his will as he activated Ogun’s step with his full strength, appearing right in front of the attack, dominion crashing down on the crimson Soulrender with all of his titan’s might.

The both of them clashed int a boom of power, blasting a stadium wide crater into the already dead planet, pushing he and Ashira backwards. It has apparently activated its blade of convergence skill,

Blade of Essence Convergence: Malgrakor wields a blade known as the *Crimson Soulrender*. This ominous weapon is etched with ancient runes that pulse with an otherworldly glow. With each strike, the blade siphons the life essence of its victims, draining their vitality and funneling it directly into the Ascendant Devourer.

Moyo felt the skill attempting to steal his life force, the aspect of the titan burning it away as an afterthought with the budding power within him cleansing it. Malgrakor stared at him with a rage unseen before on its face,

“anathema” it said with such hatred, Moyo gripped his blades tighter,

“thanks” Ashira breathed,

If that attack had met her, despite the power of her bow, it would had sheared off a significant portion of her existence, the creature was indeed worthy of its title as a creature of an apocalypse, Moyo failed though as he might to imagine what it would had done to a planet full of people, it was too horrific a thought to think of. Before the creature could move again, lightning crashed from on high, Annika above, her Stormwardens nowhere to be found as she had no doubt had sent them back to the Defiance that hovered above.

Idris appeared at his side, josh at his other and the Shieldborne all dispersed as well, no doubt, it must had pained Josh to do so, his Shieldborne, so eager to prove their might. However, the mithril warden and Valoris of the Shieldborne knew better than to throw his men into the jaws of death itself all to easily, another opportunity would present itself. He glanced at Idris,

“Inform the Defiance to get a lock on the creature, when I give the signal, bathe it in fiery power” he said,

Idris nodded and brought out the communication construct, Malgrakor smiled and activated Voidstep,

Voidstep: The Ascendant Devourer has honed its mastery over the void. It can traverse the fabric of space and time with its skill *Voidstep*, momentarily disappearing and reappearing in a burst of shadows. This ability allows Malgrakor to swiftly maneuver through the battlefield, surprising opponents and launching devastating attacks from unexpected angles.

Moyo had anticipated it, sage’s sight mapping out its movements, the creature going for the masters first and Annika as its subject of its ire. Ashira drew her bow again, trailing Moyo’s movements as he blasted for her, the Stormseeker wrapped herself in thunderclouds and crackling lightning even as the creature appeared next to her, Soulrender with its fang-like blades attempting to take a bite out of her. Asagai met its fangs, the aspect of the titan bathing her, protecting her from its convergence skill, still, she was blasted into the distance.

Sheer proximity to its presence weighed in on them like a heavy boulder, the master trying their best despite this, but the sluggishness was showing in their movements. Killian was there the moment Moyo did, swinging his blade, lunar shield and lunar lightning blade skills activating at the same moment Ashira’s arrow imbued slammed into Malgrakor,

Lunar Lightning Blade (R): The user can channel the power of lunar lightning into their weapon, infusing it with celestial energy. Each strike unleashes bolts of electrified moonlight, enhancing the weapon's cutting power and delivering potent electrical damage to foes. Lunar Shield (R): The user can conjure a protective shield infused with lunar lightning. This shield absorbs and deflects incoming attacks, while simultaneously releasing electrical energy in response. Any foe attempting to breach the shield will receive a jolt of electrifying retaliation

Malgrakor grunted, shunting off the lightning bladed attack as the shield bashed into its face, causing the apocalypse beast to roar in rage. Moyo cracked a punch into its face, sending the beast hurling down where Idris and Josh awaited, the mithril warden activating his titan’s wrath ability,

Titan's Wrath: Josh channels the raw power of the Titan aspect, enhancing his physical strength and striking force. His attacks become infused with energy, allowing him to cleave through enemies and break through defenses.

It crashed into the apocalypse beast the same moment Idris crashed the blade infused with the power of the titan into Malgrakor. Explosions of light and heat filled the air, shearing away aura and energy for miles,

“Now!” Moyo commanded, Idris activating a button on the communication construct,

The heavy guns of the Defiance rumbled to life and spat down so much power, it created a blinding light, the heat enough to peel the flesh of a gold ranker and incapacitate a diamond ranker. When it cleared, only a crater was left, nothing remained as Raye circled the air, Thorian sitting aboard her back as she flew in her sacred beast form.

A chuckle echoed around,

Devourer's Embrace: Through an eldritch connection to the Abyss, Malgrakor can channel the dark energies that flow within it. This skill, *Devourer's Embrace*, envelopes the Ascendant Devourer in an ethereal aura of pure malevolence. It grants increased resilience, amplifies its offensive capabilities, and induces a paralyzing dread in those unfortunate enough to face it.

Piece by piece, Malgrakor began to reform, its body reconstituting back into its humanoid shape,

“You don’t get it do you?” its voice echoed,

“My existence is tied to this place, this moment, your actions are futile, your power and resilience finite, my will incomparable”

Moyo glanced up at Thorian who nodded at him and then jumped from on high, cocked his hand back as his fist began to glow with his aspect,

“SHATTER” he rumbled,

Diamond spikes jutted from the ground, impaling the creature as his fist crashed into its still forming body, obliterating it completely,

A temporary measure, but still, it bought time for Moyo to lay out his plan, and with his full strength, Moyo gathered everything he had within him,

Aura, Ashe, intent, mana, veneration, and that spark of a greater power within him, his eyes glowed golden and purple, his body began to rise, and even as the creature reformed, there was a change in the air, the other ascenders staring in awe.

“ANATHEMA!” Malgrakor roared,

Moyo had wanted to keep this part of his ability hidden, to show that he had surpassed and had gotten to the very realm of a primordial without actually ascending to that rank would be something to show the archailect when they were pushed to the wall, it hardly mattered now though.

The very aether around obeyed his will, his body solidified by his existence in reality itself as he honed in on Malgrakor who reformed,

“Yes, show me what you really are!” it shrieked,

Moyo raised dominion up, gripped it in both hands and took a stance, channeling his entire power into the blade that thrummed with power, Soulrender spearing in the hand of the apocalypse beast,

Apex Annihilation: Unleashing the culmination of its power, Malgrakor invokes *Apex Annihilation*. With a single devastating strike of the *Crimson Soulrender*, it releases a cataclysmic wave of energy, obliterating everything in its path. This ultimate skill taps into the stolen life essences, fueling an explosive surge of raw power that leaves devastation in its wake.

The powerful skill of the apocalypse beast crashed into the blade of the titan and the planet itself cracked, explosion rendering it apart.