The Demon Monarch System

----

Meanwhile, back with the internal space of the Umbryonic Source Orb…

"Hm?" Destrys' attention stirred as he turned towards a particular corner of the space. Until now, he had been patiently waiting for both Xezym and Sapphyr to return from the trials of this orb. Once they reemerged, he could release his grasp over this waning spirit.

For now, he used his own authority to keep it active while also shielding himself from the detection of the world. If he didn't then the same beings that fought against Fuhrer would come for him. Although Fuhrer practically defeated them, Destrys' possessed a few unique restrictions.

As the Grand Spirit Council held dominion over this world, Destrys wasn't permitted to destroy or even be involved with the World's Spirit. If he didn't obey then he'd be welcoming some rather distasteful forces. 

First, if he didn't cease his actions, an envoy would come but they wouldn't arrive bearing any hostility. On the contrary, they'd just personally deliver the edict of the Grand Spirit Council, forcing Destrys to desist from interfering in this world.

Not only was this behavior beneath a Primordial, but they just blatantly disliked Destrys for his unruly character. If he didn't adhere to their demands then that meant even more dire actions had to be taken. 

The next step would be the liaison of one of the Primordials. Typically, these characters resided at a level just below the Primordials as they have trained under their tutelage for eons. They were masters of their Elements, allowing them to reign supreme on any Minor or Great World. However, on a Supreme World like the Spirit Domain, they were just high-level personages. 

Truthfully speaking, experts at these levels would be enough because the fragment within the world in question wouldn't be at Destrys's original power. Furthermore, with the insignia of another Primordial, the liaison possessed the means to damage another Primordial's source, if need be.

Thus, it wasn't advisable for a fragmented Primordial to become hostile with a liaison. If it were their archaic body, then that was another story. Unless it was another Primordial, then damaging them was a pipedream. Even then, there was disparity amongst the elements chosen by Primordials.

Nevertheless, Destrys didn't think much of this matter. After living for so long, neither death nor threats scared him anymore. In his eyes, he had seen the pinnacle. Unless there was a truth beyond it, then there wasn't anything he could be threatened with. Or, so he thought.

'My lineage? Since when did I have a lineage?' Destrys wondered. He could sense someone tapping directly into his source. Although it was a minuscule stream to siphon from, Destrys could sense it nonetheless. 

This wasn't possible for just any Spirit. They had to be birthed from that exact source. In other words, it needed to be his offspring. But, as far as he knew, he never had a progeny.

'I was never that promiscuous, seeking to leave behind an expansive lineage. During my lifetime, the only thing that interested me was knowledge and the possibility of attaining what laid beyond. However, I do recall a few times my carnal desires were fulfilled. Could that have resulted in an unknown child?' Destrys wondered.

For a few moments, Destrys closed his eyes. While he did so, his consciousness wandered towards the leak in his source and came across something intriguing. 'Oh? It's growing wider and doing so forcefully. Strange though, it isn't depleting any of my reserved strength. It's more like…'

Suddenly, Destrys's eyes slammed open as he realized the issue, "This is assimilation! They aren't absorbing an abundance of my energy, they're mostly copying its properties and using it to boost themselves temporarily! Interesting, whoever this is, they must be quite the genius to do so without practice. Crude, but useful."

Contrary to what one would expect, Destrys didn't sever the link. He let it develop until it reached a certain maturity. After all, this particular method was a double-edged sword. While it allowed Erebane access to a boundless power, it also allowed Destrys to peer into his inner experiences.

"Let's find out your history and origins to learn just why you have come to this," Destrys said while awaiting the anticipated moment. Shockingly, that moment came promptly as it seemed the person in question was using this power at an alarming rate.

"So then it is true… you bear history with me but, your mother; I didn't expect it to be her. No wonder your Spirit carries so much hate. Part of that burden is to be placed upon me," Destrys uttered in a daze while recounting what he discovered from Erebane's memories.

Furthermore, Destrys was also shocked to find out his opponents, "Fate is such a mysterious existence. Who would have thought that they would become his opponents? Hopefully, they spare his life. If so, I intend to meet this boy."

----

Back within the Anomaly Realm…

"Urghh," Erebane groaned as his body slid back after receiving Fuhrer's strike. After employing this newfound strength, he was dismayed by the fact Fuhrer still somehow outclassed him in strength!

Although Erebane's energy was now on par with Fuhrer, the strength of his vessel wasn't. After all, Destrys wasn't famed for physical strength but for his mastery over his respective energy and element. When it came to manipulating his energies, it was hard to find an equal, even amongst the Primordials.

Of course, it took some time for Erebane to realize this. And, after a few more exchanges, he did.

"Damn it, I've been going about this all wrong," Erebane scoffed. Immediately, he jumped back while spreading his arms. Four blades of darkness materialized above his palms before launching them towards Fuhrer. Now that he abandoned physical clashes, Erebane intended to keep a spacious distance between them.

Nevertheless, as Fuhrer watched the incoming blade, Brynhildr brimmed with power. Just moments before the blades came in contact with him, Fuhrer slashed his sword at an inconceivable speed.

Ding!

A metallic ring was heard upon contact and surprisingly, Fuhrer had taken a step back! The weight behind Erebane's attack was more than he estimated.

Ding...Ding...Ding!

After parrying the other three blades, Fuhrer was astonished. After who knows how long, he was forced to take retreating steps in quick succession. Although it was hard to imagine, Fuhrer didn't acclimate this to his own weakness.

No, there was a deeper reason.

"This energy isn't yours. It's far too strong. Even stronger than I. But, with all benefits come repercussions. Are you sure you're able to manage the immensity of those drawbacks that will come from employing this power?" Fuhrer questioned.

"Tch, don't worry about me; worry about yourself. Now that you're at a loss, let's see if you persist to witness those consequences," Erebane retorted. Now that he felt empowered, his confidence returned in full and even somewhat inflated. 

But, Fuhrer shook his head in response, "The foolishness of adolescence. I remember those days. The days wherein we are the most destructive to ourselves." Fuhrer then reigned in all of his energy, seemingly cutting off his presence.

"Come," Fuhrer said. Compared to before, Fuhrer now resembled a sheathed sword. With his power concealed and all fluctuations finely manipulated, the sensation he gave off was one of stillness.

As a Berserker, this was their most frightening state.

"Heh, you think you can orchestrate my actions? No, I will move for myself," Erebane sneered. Three more blades materialized as he raised his hand towards Fuhrer. Unlike before, there was no pause between creation and discharge.

The blade continued to grow while hurtling towards Fuhrer.

Yet, he didn't react. Fuhrer stood in place, gazing at the incoming blades with his hand on the hilt on Brynhildr. It was unknown when he performed this action, but he had returned the sword to his waist!

Hoooo…

Fuhrer exclaimed as the blades arrived. Erebane's eyes brightened as he watched the blades seemingly eviscerate Fuhrer. However, Erebane was then shocked.

"W-what the hell?!"

As the blade tore Fuhrer apart, there was no blood or even sound indicating the action's completion. The blades merely passed through his body, which dissipated into a flowing smoke. This technique was familiar to Erebane, so he immediately erected a defense.

"Damn it!" Erebane scowled. Afterward, he created a sea of blades all around him and launched them in every direction. If Fuhrer's technique was of any relation to his own, then the best way to counter it was to deluge the area in an energy capable of puncturing dimensions.

As his current energy came from Destrys himself, Erebane was capable of doing so with ease.

Ding!

Another metallic noise was heard but that wasn't all. A shrill cry reminiscent of metal being dragged against metal sounded. In the next instant, one of the blades of darkness was redirected towards Erebane.

Furthermore, it appeared to possessed another energy weaved inside. As the wielder of the Tenebrous Sword, this was Fuhrer's specialty!