While Damien continued his journey toward the depths of the dungeon, another being was watching him.
The First Dungeon Rex. The true Guardian of the Lord of Light.
He stood in a chamber that had no name, a place that existed between floors, between worlds. His form was shrouded in shadow, his features obscured by darkness that seemed to cling to him like a second skin. Before him, a massive crystal pulsed with faint, ancient light—and within it, a figure was imprisoned.
The Guardian placed his hand on the crystal's surface, his voice low and reverent.
"My Master... though I am forgotten by you... My mother... My uncle... My brothers, Antares and Ashborn... I remain loyal." His fingers traced the crystalline surface. "In search of your grace's light... For I will be protecting you... To the day I die... Even as forgotten as I am."
He pressed his forehead against the crystal, a gesture of devotion, of surrender.
Then he turned.
A magical portal shimmered before him, revealing Damien's form as he descended deeper into the dungeon. The Guardian watched him with ancient, knowing eyes.
"Oh... Brother..." His voice was barely a whisper. "What awaits you here... Is nothing more than pain."
...
Meanwhile — Outside Orario
...
Hundreds of kilometers away from the city, far beyond the walls and the fields and the forests, three gods met in secret.
They were powerful. Influential. Dangerous.
And they were not happy.
"You are a FOOL, Zeus!" The shout came from a bald-headed man, skinny and weathered, an eyepatch covering one eye. Odin, the All-Father, his voice sharp with frustration.
"Relax, Odin." Zeus waved a dismissive hand. He was tall, broad, his white hair flowing past his shoulders. Despite his age, he retained a charisma that made him impossible to ignore. "Her hands... His hands... As long as it is safe, then we are fine."
"His hands are safe," Odin conceded. "But what happens when he points his blade at us?"
A third voice spoke....deep, powerful, resonating with ancient authority. "He will not. Because we will turn our blades on him first."
The speaker was a woman. Old, but still retaining traces of her former beauty. Her eyes were sharp, wise, and utterly without mercy. Hera, the Queen of Heaven, the wife Zeus had betrayed a thousand times over.
"Of course," Odin said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Let us turn our blades on the King of Orario....the one who can use his powers while we cannot. Very smart of you, Hera." He shook his head. "You two are always the most foolish among us."
"And yet you let us lead," Zeus said, grinning. "Why?"
"Because you yield results," spoke another man...tall, muscular, with skin the color of bronze and the head of a falcon. Ra, the Sun God, the Eternal. His voice was calm, measured, but there was power in every syllable.
"Zeus," said a fifth figure. He looked almost identical to Zeus...same broad shoulders, same commanding presence...but his hair was a vibrant blue, and he held a trident in his hand. Poseidon, the God of the Sea. "I see you have gathered us here for a reason."
"Indeed, brother." Zeus's grin widened. "Today, I bring you a beautiful gift. Something... special."
"I do not trust your gifts, Zeus," Odin said flatly.
"Oh, this one you will love." Zeus's voice dropped, becoming conspiratorial. "It is part of my plan to take over Orario again. Not only that... Destroy the dungeon. Defeat our father. Defeat Antares. And finally....after all these years....rule Heaven and Earth. And keep that foolish one silent forever." He paused. "Ouranos himself will stay quiet."
"And what is this gift, brother?" Poseidon asked.
Zeus smiled.
Lightning crackled across his body.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Ra shouted, stepping back.
"You FOOL! Do not use Arcanum! You will be repelled back to Heaven!" Odin's voice rose in alarm.
But nothing happened.
The weather changed. The skies darkened. Lightning continued to crackle across Zeus's form, his eyes glowing with electric blue light. The air itself seemed to tremble with power.
Then, slowly, the lightning dissipated. Zeus stood unharmed, his grin wider than ever.
"I have escaped... Ouranos's pact."
Odin's eyes widened. "How?"
"In all of my wisdom..." He paused, genuinely bewildered. "I cannot understand it. And yet the foolish Zeus could?"
"It is simple, really." Hera's laugh was cold, triumphant. "We copied the dragons. Just... more efficiently."
"What do you mean?" Ra asked.
"The dragons can project themselves using human forms. Avatars. And so..." Hera spread her hands. "I thought, why do we not do the same?"
"But that power just now..." Odin's voice was uncertain. "It felt real. Far too real. Unlike those weak draconic avatars."
"HAHAHAH!" Zeus's laughter echoed across the clearing. "Yes! Because unlike them, I made a certain change."
"It was not you, darling," Hera corrected, her voice sharp. "We acquired a mage. One known for his dark magic. His name is Seratna, and he taught us a special skill."
"A way to project ourselves fully onto an avatar," Zeus continued. "Of course, any mortal avatar would break. Due to our immense strength."
"So... we decided to sire our own avatars," Hera said, her smile cruel.
"Demi-gods My offspring." Zeus's voice was filled with pride. "Their bodies are much more powerful and capable of absorbing our powers. And I have sired tens of them. One for each of us."
Odin's eye narrowed. "Then... that one..."
"Yes." Hera's voice was bitter. "Heracles. She was meant to be MY avatar. But that bitch escaped. And took Pandora's Box with her. Because this fool gave it to her, thinking it was me."
"Now, now." Zeus raised a placating hand. "Let us not go around blaming each other. You allowed her to kick you out of that body. Besides...let us focus on the incoming plans. Getting each of you your powers back. And taking over the entire world."
Odin was silent for a long moment. Then he smiled—a cold, calculating expression.
"Oh, Zeus. You are a fool. An idiot." He paused. "But for some reason, this universe loves granting you the greatest of chances. And I am no fool. I stand by your side."
"Me too, Zeus," Ra said, his falcon eyes gleaming. "Let us take over our rightful world."
"Brother..." Poseidon's voice was filled with something that might have been affection. "You have once again proven why you are the King of Gods."
Zeus laughed, the sound echoing across the empty landscape.
"Indeed. Let us remind the world... of what the gods can do."
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