Boom…

Boom…

Shockwaves compressed and expanded violently as the planet trembled — yet it didn't break.

This wasn't an ordinary world; it was a reinforced planet, one personally fortified by an Ancestor. It would take more than mere force to shatter it.

"Who do you think will win this battle?" Dared asked quietly, glancing at Jake, who was laser-focused on the clash before them.

"Darius," Jake said simply, his tone firm.

Dared's head hung low. He didn't argue — no one would. Seeing Darius was like beholding a legend made flesh. Even as Caius unleashed his terrifying, newly awakened strength, Darius fought him effortlessly. There was no strain, no visible fatigue.

He fought calmly — almost as if he were merely sparring.

"It's insane to think someone like him even exists…" Dared muttered, his eyes filled with awe and fear.

The thought of Darius drove a shiver down his spine. He had once considered challenging the royal siblings — perhaps Theron, or Vaelen with his unmatched speed. Maybe even Darwin, the unpredictable one.

But now, watching Darius dominate Caius so casually, he realized the truth.

If Caius could crush the royal siblings, and Darius could suppress Caius… then could anyone truly defeat him?

"You're spacing out," Jake warned. "Focus. This fight is an eye-opener for all of us."

"Yeah," Dared replied quietly, though beneath his calm tone, his fists were clenched tight.

*******

Elsewhere, deep within the Federation's royal secret realm, lay a forbidden domain — a realm only the Ancestors could access.

Here resided one of the strongest beings in the known multiverse — the First Ancestor of the royal bloodline.

"What a lively show," an aged yet vibrant voice murmured.

An old man, fragile in appearance but radiating unimaginable pressure, stood gazing into the distance.

Beside him was a being wearing a ferocious demon mask — his bodyguard, yet more like a son. He had served the old man since birth. Though not of royal blood, he was treated like family.

"Prince Darius is everything the rumors said," the bodyguard said solemnly. "Terrifying to the extreme. It's cruel to be born in his generation — the gap between him and others is an endless ravine."

They stood within a grand, wind-swept castle, watching the cosmic battle unfold through countless dimensions. Nothing escaped their perception — not with the old man's power.

"Are you sure?" the old man asked, a faint smile curving his lips as he twirled a thin, long staff in his hand.

"What do you mean, Old Master? No one can stand beside him! Even with Caius's newfound chaotic strength, Darius hasn't even begun to sweat," the masked bodyguard said with conviction.

"Ah, but that's because you see only what's shown," the old man chuckled softly. "Have you forgotten the multiversal being who founded the Dreadborne Organization? Do you think their bloodline is weaker than Darius's? Caius is not the strongest among them."

The bodyguard's eyes widened slightly.

"Among the crowd, I can already see those connected to Dreadborne… and Darwin, now aligned with the Wild Shade Group." The old man's tone deepened. "Even I cannot see his fate. Once someone's tied to them, their destiny becomes… hidden. Even to me.

And with the return of the forefathers… the future of our Multi Universe is wrapped in fog."

"Old Master… what can we do? What can the Federation do?" the bodyguard asked, his tone heavy.

"Relax, will you?" the old man laughed lightly. But his words that followed were far colder.

"It's too late to change anything. The battle between the royal siblings is just the first move on the cosmic chessboard. The game has already begun — and terrifying beings are the players. You, me, the Federation… we're nothing but higher players in this game."

The bodyguard's heart tightened.

"Remember this, Tyrone," the old man continued. "A pawn cannot see the board. Only the players can — and to even join the game, one's strength must transcend existence itself."

Tyrone froze, realization dawning. Even with all his power… he was still a pawn.

"I understand, Old Master," he said at last, his voice trembling with respect and fear.

"Good," the old man replied. "Now, enjoy the battle."

Tyrone turned his gaze back toward the dimensional projection, where Darius and Caius continued to clash.

This multiverse is too deep… he thought. Even with my strength, I'm just a pawn? Old Master — aren't you the strongest in existence? What of the Dreadborne leader… is he a player too?

The old man, seeing Tyrone's confusion, sighed.

"You're still too young," he murmured.

His eyes blurred — and suddenly, he stood in a space of threads.

Three great strands — gold, black, and silver — twisted endlessly. Each represented Time, Fate, and Destiny.

But now… they were unraveling.

***********

Far away, on another world…

Inside a hidden underground facility, chaos brewed.

"Is she secure?" General Varkas asked coldly. It had been a day since the incident, and countless tests had been conducted.

"Yes, General. We've subdued her. She's unconscious and won't wake until we decide," the lead scientist reported, adjusting his glasses as monitors scanned every inch of Rose's body — her blood, DNA, and essence.

"Good. I expect a full report in three days," Varkas said, sparing her one last glance before turning away.

"Yes, General."

As the door closed behind Varkas, the lead scientist stared at Rose through the reinforced glass.

A slow, unsettling smile curved his lips.

"What a fine specimen…" he whispered.

******

In the Absence of Nothingness

In the absence of nothingness lies a burial ground for divine beings.

A golden lake had formed — a new reality born from the destruction of another.

And at its center were creatures of destruction, waiting in silence for the tiniest ripple in space to expand — the signal that would continue the terrifying war between demons and angels.

"Isn't this… too much?"

A massive eye, larger than an entire universe, opened in the deep layers of space. An ancient voice echoed, its tone filled with both power and weariness.

Beside it rested a terrifying void beast. Only its head was visible — yet even that was larger than hundreds of universes combined.

"These are the top races in existence," the void beast murmured. "A war between them shakes all creation."

Though chaotic by nature, the creature was strangely calm beside the being with the single colossal eye. Its body extended endlessly through higher planes of space — too vast for this layer to contain. If it fully entered, reality itself would disintegrate.

"My children are dying," the being with the eye said, its ancient voice calm but heavy with grief.

"Mine too," the void beast replied. "But would you truly join this war? How many realities have already collapsed? How many creatures have perished?"

Silence. Then the being finally spoke.

"Maybe I will."

The void beast let out a low, rumbling laugh.

"Have you forgotten about him? The destroyer of existence — he's awake."

The being's massive eye flickered, shock flashing briefly across it.

"You mean…"

"Yes," the void beast said with a tone of grim amusement. "The Predator has awakened. I'd suggest you lie low… or one of you might end up sleeping for a very long time after your little battle."

The being didn't deny it. Instead, it smiled faintly.

"I look forward to it. I made him sleep once… and I will do it again."

"That's the spirit," the void beast replied, its voice thick with excitement. "But you two should settle it quickly. I have a dreadful feeling about the upcoming Rank 6 War. There's more that God isn't telling us."

A grunt was the only response before the colossal being vanished into the folds of creation.

"Sigh… demons, angels… such wretched beings," the void beast muttered.

And with that, it too disappeared.

No one knew of their conversation — just as no one knew of their existence.

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More chapters incoming....