As the Defiance tore through space, racing for the tear in space, the forces of the archailect’s strongest beings did battles against the horrors that tore through the space around the giant of a planet the ships of the primordials had encircled. Lances of destroying power blasted at the planet only to be repulsed by a barrier of runic work strong enough to deflect the strengths of the primordials and their forces. The planet, a roiling mass of ironical powers combined stood as a bulwark, resisting the power the greatest forces of the archailect themselves.

To put it simply, the lords of the abyss had come to play,

Even as Gorefang, the elite of Vusal tore out of the fleshpod his body had been hibernating within, his eyes roaming around the lieutenants of his lord who stood in vigilance, slavering with barely restrained bloodlust at the servants of the other lords of the abyss and their elites who stepped out of their own fleshpods as well. He cracked his neck, glancing at Gromm Bloodfist who handed over his twin bone axes to him, head bowed, hands raised, holding back a shudder from the baleful aura the axes emanated.

Like a purring child, the axes shuddered under his touch, pleasure wracking through Gorefang’s form, still he stifled it, nodding to the rest of the lieutenants who stepped backwards like pets to heel, allowing the bulky form of their lord to pass through, twin axes in hand. He glanced to the first elite, the chosen of Lesuth himself, Vaelus of the ebon blade, clad in midnight armor with a bastard sword in hand, the obsidian blade rippling with the power of his lord, attempting to twist the loyalties of all being in the room to his lord’s.

Of course, Gorefang and his lieutenants were immune to such, the blessings of Vusal would suffer not such cowardly form of battle, not when Gorefang could simply rip his enemies into submission, assuming they survived of course. Vaelus shimmered with heat as his armor melted all traces of blood on his form till it shone gloss black, his grey glowing eyes turning to survey the room as his lieutenants stepped out like wraiths, shimmering into existence around him.

Six in number, they stood in silence, from the twisted creature of flesh and smoke, the fabled Razorfang to the cold gazing twisted construct that had once been the champion of an entire system, X-9, a giant of a being. They stared without emotion at Gorefang and his kin, the elite of Vusal almost shuddered from the cold, lifeless look the followers of Lesuth all had, like they were empty puppets left to the whims of their lord.

Gorefang’s gaze shifted to the next of the elite, Malachi of the affliction’s hand, chosen of Remhu.

Similar in aspect to the now vanquished Molrik, the chosen of the lord of affliction stepped out with a shuddering breath, his ashen face and sickly blade that pulsed with the agony of the countless beings it had consumed, forever doomed to experience unending agony within the blade itself. Gorefang stared at the being whose ever tattered robes billowed even with the absence of any form of breeze. He took a deep breath, clashing his serrated blades together, raspy breath coming from his form as his lieutenants appeared.

Led by Morvain, the lord of revenants himself, creatures whose entire existences were bent to trapping souls under agony, allowing their lord to fest in perpetual bliss, ever growing his strength over that of the other lords. Gorefang knew better than to let his guard down around the being, doing whatever he and his kin could whenever they weren’t facing down the forces of the archailect to sabotage the reach of Remhu and his forces.

Gorefang spoke, spitting out a wad of blood as he spoke, the aspect of his lord reigned supreme within this abode, it was afterall, given by Vusal to the other lords in solidarity, only after the order of Araman himself. It had stored their base forms, their true forms when they had gone to see just what sort of forces were besetting them. He pointed to spot where the discarded husks of the elites of Remhu and Lesuth lay on the fleshy floor of the fleshpod garden,

“As you can see” he started,

“Lord Vusal was right to send husks of our true selves to see just what this, titan blade was” he said,

Malachi spoke, his form billowing,

“What is that…child?, why did he stink of the anathema?” he said, his voice raspy,

“He is an existence that shouldn’t exist, an abomination unlike any other, but better still, with is the lord of destruction keeping hidden from us” Vaelus said, his voice coming from within his armor,

“At this point, we could care less, what we need to do, is to find a way to get to that sickness known as the titan blade, even you all could see it, couldn’t you?” Gorefang asked, red eyes glowing bright,

“He is the light that draws the forces of the archailect together, not even their primordials could stay united for this long, he needs to be drawn from within their protection, he needs to be ended before he truly joins their ranks as one of the primordials” he completed,

“You say it like the primordials are forces we could mow over” Malachi said,

Gorefang’s hands tightened around his axe, irritation biting at his frame,

“What I mean, is that we can hold the primordials at the gates of our realm, this planet has been submerged fully in the aspects of all four lords of the abyss, from this point on, they fight not with the edge of their archailect given boons, from here on out, they are nothing but beings who have absorbed the power of reality within themselves, not more growth, no more overwhelming power” Gorefang stated,

“And you know the best part?” he asked, grinning as all his razor-like canines pushed out, saliva drooling from his mouth,

“The same applies for their forces as well” Vaelus stated,

“Indeed, their existences are susceptible to the powers of the abyss, our powers, they cannot be with their primordials and rulers who could even be struck down with ease now, their precious paths, corroding the longer they tarry within our realm” Gorefang proclaimed,

“In one fell swoop, we could take out the most powerful of their forces, and now, our forces report that the cosmic dragon isn’t with them, whatever holds back that ever destructive dragon, now is the time to take advantage of it. End their forces before she arrives with her Runebearers” he said,

“And what about the clans of the Nethervoid?, the fringe walkers as they were called before?, have you forgotten the bane of all abyssal creatures?, have you forgotten the aether blessed?, he is an even greater threat to us” Vaelus asked,

“The aether blessed holds the locks of the gates to the abyssal chasm closed, he cannot ride forth, at least, not in his full strength, besides, lord Araman and his forces of the undying hands have promised to hold him at bay should he move” Malachi replied,

“Then why are their supposed hands here with us?, the so-called brothers of Rohan himself?” Vaelus asked,

“because of your incompetence” a rock-solid voice uttered as all the gazes of the elites turned to the entrance where a force of ascenders entered,

Or rather, former ascenders,

Clad in dark leather robes, each different from the rest, fifty in number, they were led by a man armoured in black robes as well, sleek oiled hair, a steel gaze and a staff in hand. Walking to their midst, he stared all the representatives of the abyssal lords in the eye, uncaring of the power they wielded. Vaelus gripped his blade, about the pull it out and no doubt strike him down,

“no” Gorefang growled,

Vaelus glanced at the elite of Vusal, his grey eyes glowing with rage,

“You fool” Malachi uttered,

“He bears the mark of the undying and Araman, to strike him down is to incur the wrath of the lord destroyer himself” he said,

Vusal stopped and in a blur, his hand blew away the skull of one of the cult members, a diamond who had moved too close to his side. Their leader paid it no mind, staring at headless body that crumbled to dust with distaste,

“Even now, your baser instincts corrodes your minds, is this how you expect to bring down the titan blade?” he asked,

“And you are?” Malachi asked,

“I am Zeph of the ash wrath, third brother of the undying hands” he replied,

“And what happened to the first and second?” Gorefang asked,

“They remain with lord Araman, but I believe that is not why I have been sent, is that not?’ he said,

“Oh?, you’re quite presumptuous for a being of flesh and bone” Gorefang growled,

Zeph turned to the elite of Vusal,

“Again and again, lord Araman and Rohan have watched as you both have made a mess of your chances to put down the titan blade” he started,

“I have been sent here to ensure his eventual demise while you all deal with the forces of the primordials themselves, or is that too much to ask of you elites?” he said,

Gorefang moved, one step at a time as the very ground reverberated with his bulk, crouching down to stare into the eyes of the third brother,

“You think yourself powerful because you have the blessings of the destroyer, but you forget, you are nothing but a grain of sand in the scheme of things. Countless centuries before you were born, I, we, have wandered the countless plains of the abyssal realms” he said,

“We have seen schemers like you and your lord Rohan come and go, your schemes becoming nothing before our very gazes. You think yourself a master of the abyss, both literally and figuratively, but you have forgotten the very truth of the abyss” Gorefang paused,

“Its depth is unfathomable, I’d be careful if I were you, worm” he finished,

Zeph rested on his staff, shaking his head morosely,

“You couldn’t have been more wrong” he said,

“Oh?” Gorefang replied,

“You think all mortal lifeforms naïve, but your hubris is in the fact that you think we have some overbearing scheme. No, oh child of blood and war, that same hubris, led to the death of mortals, he chose to put his faith in you fallible creations and your lords, I, we, know better” he finished,

Gorefang stared into the eyes of the ash wrath a moment longer before nodding once, rising back,

“We shall see what becomes of your attempt to put down the titan blade” Gorefang said,

“Although I must pity you if all you can present are diamond rankers, nothing within the titan’s forces is less than a master” Gorefang stated,

“You leave that to me, although, I would require one or two of each of your lieutenants, orders of the destroyer himself” Zeph replied,

“You think us beholden to the whims of the destroyer?” Malachi rasped,

Zeph glanced at the afflicter,

“I don’t know, are you?” he asked,

Malachi maintained his silence, his blades humming, Zeph flicked his eyes to the weapon and then back to afflicter’s hand who chuckled,

“I would enjoy taking you to the realm of Remhu when the destroyer is done with you, should you survive till then anyways” Malachi uttered,

Zeph nodded,

“Maybe, maybe not, but until then, you are nothing but a disturbance to my actions, your lieutenants, pick and send to my fortress, the vessel of the titan blade and his forces draw ever closer, the trap has been set” he replied,

Glancing at the spot where one of his diamonds had been slain,

“oh” he said turning to Vaelus,

He tapped the staff on the flesh ground, spears of black ash tearing into the forces of Lesuth who stood behind the elite, ending their death throes in one fell swoop. Pointing the staff to the ebon blade,

“The next time you take a shot at my people, more of your insignificant existences would be ended” he said and promptly turned, followed by his force who marched out with practiced coordination,

Gorefang rumbled with a chuckle,

“mortals” he said amusingly,

Turning his gaze to the skies above where beings of unimaginable power rumbled with the unleashed infinite forces of the abyss, monsters larger than moons battled with vessels roughly the size of moons as well,

“He wants to take on the titan blade himself?” Gorefang said, almost to himself,

“Then let him, we have work to do” he completed.

∞

Moyo stood, decked in his battle robe as he called it, staring at the colossal vessels of the primordials, eight in number, all spread out from each other. Arms folded, he was accompanied by the hosts of his legion forces, the cohorts aboard their flagships, all maintaining speed with the Defiance, and behind them came for the ships of the jades, those that had stayed behind with the titan blae, mostly the clan of the scourge rune led by Ingvar himself.

More ships poured in by the second, Altair and his forces, Raye and her house, even as they unleashed their cannons, they stared with grim realization at the forces arrayed before them. It was unthinkable, and to the average ascender, it drove fear into their hearts, blood curling terror as they witnessed the sight before them,

The forces of the primordials were being overwhelmed,

While not by a lot, the ascenders of the primordial houses fought in a bloodless melee battle of explosions and skills, and the energies of the abyss didn’t make it any better. Even now, those below diamond rank felt the hollowness within their bodies, the absence of aether in its entirety. Moyo’s sage’s sight burned with his own aspect, staring down at the battles and realizing nothing below the rank of diamond was even remotely being found.

He turned his gaze to Urne,

“Give the order, execute retaliation” he commanded,

She nodded and barked briefly to an ascender who had been petrified at her side, a pathway opening up behind him and Ashira stepping through. Clad in an armor of grey with her hair floating beside her, she stood at his side, a brief touch as Moyo glanced behind her,

“No retinue?” he asked,

“The house needs them more, something tells me they won’t be able to go where we would” she replied,

“Is there something I’m not aware of?” he asked,

Ashira pursed her lips,

“Rumor says the primordials can’t pass through the barrier to the planet” she whispered,

Moyo watched as Idris and Josh stepped through a door leading into the command deck, bowing to Ashira,

“How is that possible?” he asked,

Ashira shrugged,

“But lower ranked ascenders can go through, rulers and below, not even ancients, whatever powers the forces of the abyss have entrenched on that planet, the only way we’re getting to it is if we do the dirty work to allow the primordials through” she explained,

“Does that mean lord titan blade can’t get through?” Idris asked,

Ashira shrugged,

“That remains to be seen, with communication cut off and constructs failing, we’re literally within the abyssal realm now, nothing is as it should be, only the aspects of the primordials and jades have kept our forces coordinated” she said,

Moyo pursed his lips,

“So, we try to meet up with Kairos?” he asked,

Ashira pointed to the left where vines and green orbital manner blasted at the unnamed horrors of the abyss, a golden island filled with mountains and tall tree-like grass rumbling forwards as a loud roar emanated from its depths.

“The terrestrials are there, lord slumbering sands himself leads the next wave of attacks, father and uncle are preparing for another attack” she said, nervousness in her voice,

Moyo wanted to ask why she seemed that way when a wave of pure aspect power blasted past them, his eyes wide at the strength of the aspect his body shuddering as the rest of his forces winced,

“Is that?” he asked,

Ashira nodded,

“The great sage is moving” she whispered,

From the golden island of a vessel strode out the great sage, propped on one shoulder was the staff he was well known for, the Riyu Jingu, its body made of pure Divinium, its ends coated or maybe even forged in gold and its body carved with runes that boasted of the strength and pride of Wukong himself. His red hair glowing and an arrogant look on his face. He took one step and Moyo shuddered, the rest of the crew crashed to their knees, even Ashira grunting,

“GROW” he commanded Riyu Jingu,

The staff hummed and then blasted forwards, its size expanding with a loud bang, wiping out every sign of the forces of the abyss around him, one end shooting for the planet itself. It collided with some force Moyo couldn’t make out clearly, the power roiling as it drew from the abyss itself, empowering its strength. Wukong roared, cocked his second hand back as Ashira’s eyes widened,

“Moyo!” she shouted,

He expanded his aspect to cover every being within the Defiance and the legion’s flasghips behind him, staring with shock at the strength the fist of the sage carried. It was the literal definition of strength, the manifestation of that concept in reality and when he shot it forwards, the planet rocked, reality wavered even within the abyss and the planet actually shifted on its axis. Moyo gripped dominion tightly in his hand as he involuntarily summoned the weapon,

That was the height he had to reach,

With a slight shake of his head, he nodded to Urne,

“let’s join the party” he said with a grim resolve,

The light of the teleportation ring glowed as the forces of house titan blade and Ashira were transported to the vessel of house Kairos. Immediately they landed, dominion was swinging, arcs of aspect and intent infused with veneration tore into the monsters Moyo couldn’t even put a stage of ascension to. Ashira blasting skywards, her blade in hand as she wove through the hordes of creatures to meet up with a master who glowed with power above.

Moyo turned to the horizon, feeling the nudge of power that latched on to him,

Kairos was calling.