The claws gripping the portal suddenly tore it apart with a violent surge, unleashing a massive burst of energy that sent shockwaves rippling through the air.
The force of the explosion threw everyone present backward. Union officials stumbled, their high-tech equipment clattering to the ground, while Xavier’s team barely managed to brace themselves against the intense push.
Yuuto, however, stood his ground. The wind from the portal whipped his silver hair wildly around his face.
His body remained composed, but his pupils trembled as he whispered, “No… No, it can’t be.”
From within the swirling portal emerged a figure, stepping into the city as though he owned the very ground he tread upon.
The man had long, flowing silver hair that shimmered in the dim light. His soulless gray eyes observed his surroundings with an calm yet unsettling expression, as if weighing the worth of everything he saw.
It was none other than Alameck.
Behind him, Cinder, stepped out looking a bit uneasy.
Alameck’s lips curled into a smile revealing is sharp teeth as he took a look at the sprawling metropolis before him.
His sharp, predatory gaze took a look at the buildings, vehicles, and flashing lights of the futuristic city.
“So this city was built by humans.”
“Impressive, seems those apes have come a long.”
He said, pointing toward a nearby skyscraper, his claws tracing an invisible line through the air.
“What strange contraptions these are… Machines built to defy the heavens.”
His grin widened. “What a marvelous place to make my new domain.”
Xavier’s heart raced as he watched the figure that had emerged from the portal. Something about Alameck was wrong… deeply wrong.
His eyes narrowed, his mind racing.
“This isn’t right, he thought. “This thing… it wasn’t in the dungeon. The pressure he’s exuding… it’s far more suffocating than that wolf from earlier. Just what the hell are we dealing with here?’
Around him, the Union officials were frantically trying to contain the situation.
“Do we call for backup?” one of the officials shouted. “This isn’t something we’re equipped to handle! We’re not combata—”
PLAT!
Before their commander could respond, there was a deafening crack.
A burst of energy erupted, ripping through the air. The unfortunate official who had spoken disintegrated in an instant, reduced to nothing but a pool of blood that splattered gruesomely onto the street.
Gasps followed as everyone present froze in sheer terror.
Xavier clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening. His breath caught in his throat as he watched the blood drip onto the road.
Alameck tilted his head slightly, an irritated look on his face.
“I don’t remember giving any of you permission to speak,” he said.
“Annoying filth that doesn’t know its place… will be eradicated.”
“It seems that even after thousands of years of evolution you apes are still yet to work on your manners.”
“How utterly revolting.” he said with an intense look of disgust.
As he spoke, his presence seemed to swell, the oppressive aura thickening around him.
As Alameck noticed the silence from the crowd, his expression changed from irritation to satisfaction.
“Good,” he said. “Now, it’s time to establish a new order.”
He raised a clawed finger, pointing at the assembled Union officials and others frozen in fear.
“The first one to bring me the head of your leader,” he declared, his smile widening into something more sinister, “will be given the honor of becoming my personal-.”
Alameck suddenly paused. His soulless gray eyes narrowed, fixing on a specific point… Or person in the distance.
A strange, dark smile flickered across his face.
“Well, well,” he said with a touch of curiosity and delight. “What do we have here?”
He began to move forward, each step of his sending chills down the spines of all present, Cinder silently following behind him.
His gaze locked onto Yuuto, who stood beside Aiko.
Aiko, despite her composed exterior, felt her unease grow with each step Alameck took. She stole a quick glance at Yuuto as she thought, ‘Father you need to do something…’
She noticed he was standing strangely still. At first, she thought he was holding his ground. But then she noticed it… the trembling.
Yuuto’s hands were shaking ever so slightly, his pupils wide with an expression she had never seen before: fear.
Her chest tightened. Thoughts raced through her mind.
‘Father…’
Aiko clenched her fists and straightened her back, doing her best to maintain her calm demeanor. Yet the suffocating aura Alameck exuded was making it nearly impossible for her
to steady her breathing.
Alameck’s smile grew wider, revealing sharp teeth that gleamed in the dim light as he closed the distance between them.
“What a delightful surprise,” he said, his gaze flicking between Yuuto and Aiko.
“Well if it isn’t Yu’Keto…. The fool.”
“I see you are still untouched by the hands of time. Impressive, yet expected.”
“How long has it been? Three… Five… No seven billion years, you seem well, I’m pleased.” he
said, then grinned after.
Yuuto hesitated for a moment, his body trembling under Alameck’s oppressive aura.
Slowly, with reluctance, he dropped to one knee, his head bowed as he spoke in a low, strained voice.
“I offer my greetings to the Overlord of Ruin,” Yuuto said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Aiko’s eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. The Guildmaster of the White Comets, Yuuto, had just bowed to this monster? The Union commander present looked equally stunned, her gaze shifting between Yuuto and the menacing figure of Alameck, wondering what possible connection the two could share. Alameck, gazing down at Yuuto, seemed unfazed by the show of submission. He gave a
dismissive flick of his hand.
“Rise,” Alameck commanded.
Yuuto obeyed, standing shakily before the terrifying figure, his shoulders tense.
Alameck’s gray eyes narrowed, and for the first time, his gaze shifted toward Aiko. His voice dropping low as he spoke in a cold tone, “Tell me, Yu’Keto… Is this… your daughter?” Yuuto’s breath hitched. He hesitated, then nodded reluctantly, his gaze downcast. “Yes…” he
admitted softly.
Alameck’s expression changed from amusement to sheer disappointment. His eyes gleamed with malice, and he shook his head as though the sight before him was a great insult. “How pathetic,” Alameck muttered, voice laced with disgust. “To think you would father
such an inferior creature.”
He turned his gaze to Aiko causing her to tense visibly. “It’s no surprise. I suppose Aklazer’s actions in the past that brought about those… Dragon kin. Weak, disappointing creatures, may have given you some back bone.”
Yuuto’s hands balled into fists at his sides, but he kept his expression neutral, trying to
suppress the feeling of humiliation coursing through him.
Alameck raised a clawed finger and pointed at Aiko. “As your overlord, I am willing to allow
you to atone for your failure, Yu’Keto,” he said, his voice ice-cold.
“All you need to do is kill her. Make it quick. My patience wears thin.”
Yuuto’s chest tightened. His teeth ground together in anger and frustration as he fought to
keep his composure. He could feel Aiko’s anxious gaze on him, but his eyes were fixed firmly
on Alameck.
“I… I don’t think I can do that,” Yuuto said, his voice was barely audible.
The moment the words left his mouth, Alameck’s aura surged violently, and his gray eyes
flashed with fury. He stepped forward, the ground seeming to tremble beneath him.
“Are you… defying me?” Alameck hissed, his voice like a growl.
Yuuto stood his ground, his body tensing under the weight of Alameck’s oppressive power.
Alameck’s lips twisted into a cruel smile.
“How interesting,” Alameck said. “All these years… and it seems you have strayed from your path, Yu’Keto. I see now that you require re-education.”
The air grew heavier as Alameck raised his hand high. “Take correction with pride,” he
declared.
But before his hand could descend, there was a sudden, unexpected movement. Cinder, who had been standing silently behind Alameck, stepped forward, grabbing his hand.
“My lord…” Cinder said softly, “may act cold, but he is not cruel. I am certain that if you kill Yuuto, he will never be able to forgive you.”
Eyes widened in shock as Cinder dared to speak against Alameck. Even Alameck’s gaze shifted,
a look of annoyance crossing his face.
He was about to speak but before he could, a sharp, agonizing pain shot through his head.
He staggered back, his body trembling as his claws reached to clutch his skull. His eyes
widened in confusion and pain.
“No, no, no, no, no….”
“NO!” he said frantically. “He is supposed to be weak… I’m supposed to be the dominant one
here…”
Yuuto watched in confusion, his body still tense, but now he had a sense of relief that Alameck
was no longer threatening to impose his will. He felt a sudden shift in Alameck’s aura but was
unsure of what was happening.
Suddenly, Alameck’s features began to change. His silver hair shortened, changing into dark black strands that fell sharply around his face.
His glowing gray eyes changed into a bright yellow, and his demonic armor started retracting,
revealing a more human form beneath. His horns and tail vanished as well, leaving a figure that was now entirely different from the towering being that had stood before them moments
ago.
It was Alister.
His face was pale, his expression confused and dazed. His eyes seemed unfocused, as if he was struggling to grasp his surroundings.
Cinder’s voice was full of concern as she stepped forward, calling out to him softly, “My
lord…”
Alister’s gaze slowly turned toward her, but it lacked the sharp look it always had. He mumbled incoherently, his voice weak and barely audible, “What… What was that…?”
His eyes drifted to Yuuto, who stood silently watching with shock and confusion, Alister’s
eyes drifted to him and he mumbled, “Guildmaster… is that you?” Yuuto didn’t respond immediately, feeling a sense of deep relif wash over him.
Before anyone could react, Alister’s knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Cinder rushed to his side, her with an expression of panic on her face as she knelt beside him. Her hands hovered over him, uncertain how to help.