The Demon Monarch System

----

"Very well. If that's the plan then we'll just resort to that," Apollo replied. Afterward, he nodded towards Fuhrer, who withdrew Brynhildr to slash a rift in space. However, before doing so he stopped before Destrys.

"I'm unsure of when we'll meet again. But, when we do, I hope our circumstances are much better. There must be a reason as to why you have split up your body like so," Fuhrer commented. Unless something went awry, there was no reason for a Primordial to split themselves and jeopardize their original strength.

However, instead of providing Fuhrer with a concrete answer, Destrys simply nodded in return, "If all goes well, then we'll meet again. Hopefully, by then one of us will have information on the disappearance of your Monarch. Reuniting with my oldest friend would be the epitome of achieving closure."

"I feel the same as well. Farewell, old friend," Fuhrer responded before finally stepping through the portal. Unlike usual, it didn't close after he entered it, he suspended its closure to allow the others to exit at their leisure.

But, save for Apollo and Sapphyr, the others had no remaining business within this isolated mirrored space. So, they followed behind Fuhrer quickly and left the premises.

In the meantime, all that remained was Apollo, Sapphyr, Destrys, Xezym, and the still healing Erebane. Some of their expressions were different from the rest, especially Xezym's. His face was filled with doubt about the agreed decision.

"My Lady, are you really going to accept this thing into your sacred place? You don't know them all too well. Doesn't this alone pose many risks? To invite them into that fragile place is a hazardous move," Xezym asked with concern.

Although he was nothing but grateful for Destrys, Erebane's presence was another story altogether, he was just too much of an unpredictability. Despite being Destrys' descendant, according to the earlier stories disclosed by Fuhrer, this individual committed some atrocious deeds.

Not to mention, when at full strength, he was a strong opponent, which was proven by how much of a resistance he put up against Fuhrer. Compared to him, Sapphyr's current strength without the needed training didn't equate to even half of Fuhrer's available strength!

Advertisements

Thus, if the situation turned awry, there was even a chance of Sapphyr failing to control Erebane. This outcome could very well lead to Sapphyr receiving some heinous injuries. Though this was an unfortunate situation, it wasn't the absolute worst outcome to arise from that issue.

When it came to the worst possible consequence, that involved Apollo. Since Sapphyr was now part of his entourage, allowing her to be harmed wasn't on his agenda.

So, if someone like Erebane—who was only an addition through favor and oath—endangered his subordinates, chances were that Apollo would ultimately kill Erebane, or at the very least severely wound him.

After all, in his current state with all the techniques at his disposal, Apollo could defeat Erebane by exhausting his repertoire of skills. Once that happened, there would be no chance for return.

"It's not up to me. My Lord has chosen me for the task as I'm the only one who possesses the required ability," Sapphyr answered before sparing Xezym a charming smile. "Besides, I trust my own ability and potential now. It's only a matter of time until I reach a more reassuring level."

"Very well, my Lady. Ignore my incompetent words then," Xezym replied with a respectful posture. Afterward, he looked towards Apollo with a complex expression, "So this is the true you; no wonder you grasped the essence of my technique without a hitch in comprehension. You weren't a human."

"No, I wasn't. But, I appreciate your assistance. Your presence is one of the reasons I managed to gain inspiration so easily," Apollo responded. The time spent under Xezym's watch was fruitful for Apollo and his Baneful Step.

Although the Umbryonic Source Orb possessed the greatest contribution, that was only true after learning of the first step, which was largely spurred on by Xezym's actions in the training room. 

In response, Xezym gave an abrupt nod before waiting for Sapphyr to complete the process. 

Contrary to all of their worries, Destrys already thought of a solution to placate their worries, "I will place a dampener on my descendant. Unless some absurdly powerful surge disrupts it, he shouldn't become an issue for you. Simultaneously, I will also limit his access to my origin pool for the time being."

"Is that enough caution for you all? Any more suppression would intrude upon his basic rights as an individual and reverse some things put in place. Yes, it would relinquish all chances of error, leaving him defenseless, but that would also, in turn, invite some unwanted troubles for not just him but you as well," Destrys added suddenly. 

The words spoken seem unusually grim, thus the faint warning drew Apollo's attention. Mostly because it wouldn't be mentioned for no reason, "Is there something important you haven't disclosed?"

"Not quite. This more so has to deal with the way a Primordial is bound to their race. If he loses the protection of my source completely, his position will be revealed to the Grand Spirit Council. At first, I thought he was a Rogue spirit abandoned by the council, but that isn't the case."

"Why do you believe that?"

"Simple, because the Grand Spirit Council would never abandon the offspring of a Primordial. They're too great of a weapon to not possess. In other words, this boy's existence was never registered by the Grand Spirit Council. It would seem his mother guarded his presence well," Destrys revealed with a cryptic expression.

It almost seemed as if part of him longed for the person in mention. 

"So, in other words, there are no records of Erebane's birth and the sudden appearance of someone bearing the marking of your Arcanic Source would cause an uproar amongst the highest level of your Grand Spirit Council," Apollo voiced while nodding in understanding.

This situation sounded quite familiar to him. In short, Erebane's situation was similar to his own but fundamentally different. The other Monarch Candidates wished to claim his innate power, whereas the Grand Spirit Council would love to train Erebane as a secret and extremely powerful weapon, but both of their positions were more or less concealed.

Truth be told, learning about this situation made Apollo feel a faint association with Erebane. After all, after experiencing his rage, Apollo understood why Erebane did what he did. Most of his life was earned by clawing out the depths of hellish situations, which eventually led to a warped personality.

Eventually, Destrys finalized his actions by implanting Erebane's unconscious body inside Sapphyr's Tainted Temple. Surprisingly, despite the new presence, she felt no different. There was none of the expected additional mental weight. 

"Also, Apollo. Remember, danger lurks in every corner, and it is nearer than you expect. I can sense it on you. You've recently met with a member of the Titan Race. I finally understand why this place is so odd. It stands at the precipice of the Union."

"The Union?" Apollo parroted with a bewildered expression. This was a term entirely unfamiliar to him as he had never once heard of it nor seen a record of its existence.

"It's a term that only the upper echelon remembers. It has two pieces of history. One, it was the place of battle for the War of Titans. Two, it is the point in this domain in which all the upper domains overlap. This particular world sits run under that place, but it remains at a lower-dimensional threshold, so it escapes the surveillance of most."

"In short, you're saying that being in this world is akin to hiding in plain sight. Within the grasp of all yet successfully avoiding their detection," Apollo muttered.

"Precisely. But, there is a chance that outside of the Demons and Spirits, others were sent to this general area. If so, then you killing that member of the Titan Race will surely alert some nearby member, if any. Thus, tread carefully. That is all," Destrys warned before growing excessively faint.

Apollo took this information to heart because of Fuhrer's earlier explanation. Their previous position was already transmitted. Fortunately, it was from an isolated space. The only question was how far was the isolated space from Astarat and how fast could the relation be identified?

"I understand. There is a reason I am returning to my rightful home. Growth is needed and not just for me. All of my followers demand it. I appreciate the warning. Now be well," Apollo thanked before gliding into the portal with Sapphyr by his side and Xezym following shortly behind.

Suddenly, a sensation was felt on Apollo's arm while a few strands of astonishingly dark hair brushed against his cheek. "Hmm?"

"Thank you. You stood by your promise because I can feel it exclusively—the possibility to awaken a substantially stronger power," Sapphyr murmured. 

Advertisements

Apollo smiled faintly in return, "My promises are backed by actions. I don't distribute empty promises. My words will inevitably end up the truth, even if the only way to do so is to produce chaos in the process."

"And, I will be by your side through the chaos and the abyss, my Lord," Sapphyr answered with a charming smile before moving forward suddenly. The action surprised Apollo but he didn't flinch, because there was no imposed threat from her actions. However, there was something else present. 

Sapphyr's pale blue lips pressed against Apollo's cheek for a moment before separating. Meanwhile, Xezym stared at this situation in shock. This was a first! During his time with Sapphyr, she had never made an advance on anyone!

Yet, she gave Apollo a kiss on the cheek of her own accord.

On the other hand, Apollo just smiled in return, "I welcome you to do so. In fact, I very much expect that much of you. Besides, thank you for your...gift," Apollo chuckled with a faintly alluring light circulating through his eyes.