The Demon Monarch System

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While Apollo took the opportunity to return to the Nihilistic Rings, something completely untowards the world of Astarat was occurring. For starters, after the Terrors tasted the euphoria of absorbing Fuhrer's energy, their activity skyrocketed. Much like the humans, they also followed a chain of command.

While the humans had most of the world of Astarat, the Terrors had the Endless Death Domain. When inside the domain, they were like fish in water. The copious amounts of death energy pervading the atmosphere allowed them to both sustain themselves as well as precipitate their evolutions. 

As of right now, the Legions of the World Reclamation Task Force who took shelter within the Catastrophe Line had their work cut out for them. In addition to the increased activity, there were signs of the Terror's higher-ups starting to move as well. While it was unclear to them just what the Terrors were interested in, it was certain that they intended to grasp something.

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Deep inside the stronghold of the Terrors within the Endless Death Domain,

"Lord Az'kayzak, the signature of that ghastly energy… we have been unable to locate it. And all attempts to advance and rile up the underlings have been thwarted by the actions of the humans!" a Terror in a bowed position reported. Unlike the Terrors on the battlefield, his skin was much green. Additionally, they possessed tribal markings.

Naturally, this symbolized the hierarchy in the Terror's society. The darker one's skin and the more defined their markings, the higher their status. Yet, this Terror still bowed before the one seated on the throne.

An obsidian crown leaking an ominous aura sat upon this particular Terror's head. In his eyes was an immense intelligence as well as cunning as he listened to the report of his underling. Suddenly, he raised his hand and cut the report short. 

"At ease, Brukti. Rise and tell me about the proceedings of the plan. Has the leakage been found and has anyone found a way to harness it?" Az'kayzak questioned while leaning on his hand. If one looked closely, they would see an almost bored expression on his face.

"No, we haven't made any progress. As you know, that island is the stronghold of the human race. If we wish to infiltrate it, we'll need stronger forces. Furthermore, your body hasn't been properly restored. We can't allow you to move either. Hence, I suggest we continue to bide our time and wait for the defense of that place to weaken. It is only a matter of time, nothing will last forever," Brukti commented.

As his words carried sound logic along with it, Az'kayzak relented. "I suggest you are correct. However, the birth of another one of my kind excites me. Furthermore, if they are of the same composition, there would be nothing in my way to prohibit me from regaining my body. In this era, I will become unstoppable!" He grinned at the end of his words.

As he thought about this and became excited, he gripped the edge of his armrest. Numerous cracks spread from his fingers to the top of his throne. When Brukti saw this, a cold sweat flowed down his back. 'Not good, the Lord is getting far too excited. I need to have him calm down before his aura can be sensed!'

"My Lord, your actions! They are counterintuitive to our plans. If you allow your presence to be known, then we'll suffer even greater obstacles," Brukti voiced, pleading for Az'kayzak to cease his actions.

After he regained his wits, he agreed. "Don't mind my momentary blunder. However, you should know this isn't the era of the past. Even the world itself is suffering from our presence. Before, it could limit us more thoroughly. But, as our strength augments, its strength whittles away."

"I-I am not sure, but I believe you, my ancient lord. Unlike you, my birth didn't come until after that glorious era. The treacherous humans were in power by the time I had awakened to my illustrious power," Brukti responded with his head still bowed. Be that as it may, it was still clear he possessed a sense of pride for his kind; his words brimmed with dignity.

"You may not have been alive to witness it, but within our source resides all of our experiences. As long as you reach the cusp of entering the Disastrous Realm, your link to the source will be established. With your foundations and the fact you have received my guidance, this should be the least of your achievements. I expect you to become a Dark Catastrophe. That way, another King will be born," Az'kayzak said before rising to his feet.

He then took slow steps towards the dark window of his quarters. To a normal person, it looked like stone, but with the composition of a Terror's body, they could see through things possessing the aura of death. This is why no matter what, the World Reclamation Task Force never defended their wounded.

If they did, there was a chance of being swarmed. A wounded comrade was akin to a beacon of death on their battlefield. "Brukti, it is imperative you put more pressure on the humans. It is time we directly intervene with darkening."

When he heard this, Brukti's expression became excited, "Does this mean I have permission to act my Lord?"

"Indeed it does. As the Terror closest to reaching the Disastrous Realm, I'd be foolish not to utilize you as a tool of destruction. However, start small and accumulate the strength of slaughter. Once you have accumulated enough of it, return here. We will perform the rite," Az'kayzak revealed.

Without a shred of hesitation, Brukti agreed and disappeared. In his place, Az'kayzak smiled to himself, "All of your strong backings have fallen victim to the plague of time. It's unfortunate you don't possess the ability of us foreign beings. Now, withhold the magnificence of death!" 

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Moments later on the Catastrophe Line, 

Suren's expression fell as he realized the augmented activity of the low-level Terrors. While they weren't strong, the annoyance came in their numbers. Their ability to propagate was simply mind-boggling. As fast as he culled them was as fast as a new one appeared.

It didn't take long for annoyance to well up inside him. As a result, he brandished his spear and slid his foot back, "Very well. Since you show up nonstop, try to withstand this never-ending slaughter." Suren exhaled as the atmosphere around his spear started to whirl.

A whirlwind was kicked up as crackles of electricity appeared soon active. The hyperactive state of his energy caused the environment to become a victim. Once it became potent enough, Suren stomped his foot.

Along with the whirlwind, his body became nearly indiscernible. Upon contact, a sonorous screech that disoriented all of the terrors within a cone shape of 500 meters appeared. "Whirlwind Strike: Pierce of the Silent Night!"

Immediately after, the silence of a dead night appeared. One by one, the Terrors afflicted by his strike started to fall. By the end of it, all of the enemies before him remained lifeless on the ground. Of course, he wasn't without his own issues.

His body was nearly powerless as that strike ate up a large quantity of his Spiritual Essence. Luckily, his Spirit, Ascalon appeared and placed his hand on his back. He funneled a small amount of Spiritual Essence into Suren so that he wouldn't fall into a prolonged state of weakness.

"Is that the new strike you have been trying to perfect? It seems you still haven't fixed the consumption issue," Ascalon inquired before removing his hand. In response, Suren nodded.

"It's harder than it seems to create your own strike as well as fine-tune the inadequacies," Suren voiced through bated breaths. It took some time, but he finally regained his proper ability after returning to the outpost of the World Reclamation Task Force.

The moment he arrived, he was greeted by a few other figures that he didn't typically see gathered together.

"Is something the matter?" Suren questioned while gazing upon the others.

"A large one, indeed. I'm sure you have realized it. Not only had the numbers of the Terrors increased, but so have their activity and their willingness to perish. There is something off about all this. Where are their orders coming from? Their actions are becoming more refined with each encounter," Sirius commented.

Not just him, Solomon, as well as Gabriel, agreed. There was a look of weariness on their faces as they glanced at each other. 

Little did they know, a nightmare had been giving the okay to unleash hell.