Endless Death Domain's Changes
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Back on Astarat…
The situation on Astarat, specifically regarding the warzone linking Catastrophe Line together, had grown unusually tense because of the lack of activity. Over a year had passed since the last wave of Terror combatants, yet the side showed little to no signs of movent, which many found to be extrely odd.
According to the written records, the only ti the Terrors experienced such a low level of activities was when their leader suffered extensive injuries to the point it required astronomical amounts of Death Essence to recover. Of course, the Grand Master at that ti doubted that this leader could ever manage to recover from how severe the injuries were.
But, as their information regarding the Terrors was sowhat lacking, the Grand Master would never have guessed that their assumption sorely underestimated the regenerative abilities of the Terrors, or rather the race known as Absorbeyns in the open universe.
Apart from the lack of activity, another matter alard the World Reclamation Task Force. In addition to the lack of movent, the Death Essence's concentration levels experienced wild fluctuations. Despite the lack of activity, the general levels continued to spike as if new bodies were being introduced to the Endless Death Domain.
However, the World Reclamation Task Force's upper echelon was confident this wasn't the case. After all, they hadn't sent a single individual within the tifra of unusual activity. At least, that was their understanding of the matter.
As promised, both Nadida and Odessa ventured past the Catastrophe Line and into the Endless Death Domain to unearth the reason for Nadida's uneasiness if possible. Despite the apparent signs of danger, Nadida couldn't shake the feeling that this was sothing she must do. She didn't know if this feeling was present in the others or perhaps just unique to her due to an inadvertent suggestion made by her continually silent Spirit.
Either way, it wasn't an impulse she could ignore. However, it wasn't long after entering that both Odessa and Nadida understood the truth behind the Three Heaven's words. The Death Essence within the Endless Death Domain possessed many different zones, and the thick vapors littering the atmosphere grew increasingly dreadful as one delved deeper into the zones.
Furthermore, each zone was unique to the rank of the Terrors. aning, the first zone only held Rank 1 Terrors, whereas the following site held Rank 2 and so forth. Of course, this wasn't an issue right now since both of these won could handle up to Rank 4 Terrors at their current level without suffering losses.
So, the two stood at the precipice of the fourth zone, which acted as a divider between the significantly different miasma. Before taking a step forward, Odessa turned towards Nadida with a skeptical expression and whispered. "What exactly are we looking for here, Nadida? I don't understand; this valley of death all looks the sa."
"I don't know either, but it has to be sothing that highlights this anomaly taking place. Surely, there's so big reason behind it; we just need to find it and alert the others of it so they can make proper preparations," Nadida answered while looking forward.
'This new miasma looks unsettling… are our Essence Aegis strong enough to explore inside? More importantly, is there any Terror that inhabits that area?' Nadida wondered. Aside from Brukti, Nadida wasn't sure if other Rank 4 Terrors surpassed the ranking but didn't faultlessly qualify to begin their transformation into a Disaster.
While they'd be weaker than soone like Brukti, who was a full-fledged Disaster, they'd still be much stronger than a typical Rank 4 Terror, even rivaling so of humanity's stronger combatants.
"That's not very reassuring. We've been slowly exploring this domain, spending at least a few months here. Whatever we're looking for should have appeared by now," Odessa murmured with a slight frown. Due to the constant exposure, Odessa was forced to activate a unique variation of her Essence Aegis, which relied upon her Spiritual Essense as fuel.
Regrettably, employing this particular variation siphoned so of the Spiritual Essence reserved for nurturing her second Spiritual Mind. Though it was already at its final stages, Odessa didn't wish to impede its progress because the last stages were especially crucial.
"Tell sothing I don't know. Wait…"
Nadida's eyes narrowed as she focused before her, attempting to pierce the miasma with her gaze. It was faint, but she could sense sothing unusual on the other side, almost as if the Death Essence was stirring and shifting its flow towards the center of the domain rather than remaining stagnant.
Soon enough, the stirring of energy beca violent enough that both Nadida and Odessa could see it clear as day. The continually increasing volu of Death Essence started to plumt at a shocking rate. For a mont, an opening ford in the miasma dividing the two zones, making the two won look at each other with tacit understanding.
Without a word, both Nadida and Odessa rushed forward to explore the reason behind the sudden change in the Endless Death Domain's atmosphere. However, to their dismay, they discovered the temporary opening displayed signs of reverting to its prior state despite the energy continuing to thin.
"How long do you think we have?" Odessa asked.
"No idea, but it's safe to assu that we need to move as fast as possible to make sure we avoid the toxic damage of this place," Nadida said before causing a massive disturbance due to her absurd acceleration. Each of her steps crossed at least a hundred ters, with Odessa following close beside her.
Since there was not much ti, they avoided irrelevant matters and focused only on what seed abnormal enough to warrant the situation currently unraveling within the area.
While moving, the duo witnessed a shocking number of Terrors in a semi-slumbering state with tiny sprouts surfacing beside them. The sprouts gradually grew into miniature Terrors, which developed faster than either of them could've expected.
"Wasn't it said that it takes weeks for lower-ranked Terrors to be born? How co they're completing the initial birth in a matter of seconds? Isn't this ridiculous?" Nadida asked with widened eyes.
"It must have sothing to do with the unusual Death Essence. It's drastically reducing the incubation period. Sothing is wrong," Odessa answered.
However, they soon ca to a stop after they noticed sothing peculiar before their eyes. A familiar figure seed to be gazing off into the distance with shimring spear nestled across their shoulders.
'Isn't that…'
The figure turned around before either of them could call out to them. Their gaze seed distant, but an intrigued expression appeared across their face. "What brings you two so deep within this domain? I'm surprised you made it this far; no, perhaps the unprecedented situation was to your advantage."
Both Nadida and Odessa's expressions grew stiff as they watched Aaron stand there without an Essence Aegis erected. They couldn't understand how his body withstood the corrosion of the miasma without its help.
"Your tone… does it imply that you know what is going on? Why is the Death Essence stirring so much?" Odessa questioned with a solemn expression. She didn't know why, but being in Aaron's presence made her feel uneasy. Although she was supposed to be a Paragon, she couldn't help but feel sowhat defenseless before this man.
"Sure; the answer is straightforward, in fact. Sothing or rather more than one thing is absorbing the Death Essence in the center of the domain. You should probably relay this ssage as quickly as possible," Aaron said before turning his gaze towards the center of the domain.
A weird glint surfaced in his eyes while he watched two unique presences voraciously soaking up the Death Essence. All signs pointed towards movent taking place very shortly.
"WHAT?!" Nadida shouted hysterically. Aaron didn't need to delve into deeper detail as she understood there was a limited number of Terrors capable of causing this disturbance. Aaron's revelation implied that Brukti should be ready to make a personal move.
If that were the case, everyone needed to mobilize and do so imdiately.
"Uh oh, maybe you'll witness the beginning of it all firsthand," Aaron said. Afterward, a colossal tremor assaulted the Endless Death Domain, almost as if a bizarre army was beginning their march now that their ho was nearly void of their sustenance.
Nadida and Odessa froze in horror following the tremors as they watched an oversized figure slowly floating up into the air. Their grotesque physique carried signs of overwhelming raw power as they spread their arms and roared to the sky.
'We can't stay here; we have to let everyone know,' Odessa thought. Without hesitation, she retrieved a valuable transportation rune and grabbed Nadida before crushing it.
They disappeared on the spot whereas Aaron remained where he was.
'Sadly, it isn't you that we're interested in,' Aaron thought to himself before continuing his slow-paced trek.
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