Within an enormous mountain range, deep within its heart stood the nation of Ferrum. Undisturbed for millennia, its people mined, refined, and created the finest magitech equipment Sacra had ever seen.
At the center of the nation stood the city of Gridlock, home of the Seraph of the same name and ruler of Ferrum. Within his enormous halls now sat Kai and the strongest of the Cinderfolk and Sylvans alike.
“If I may, Lord Kai. If it is as you say, what hope do we have of surviving these upcoming wars?” Gridlock sighed.
“I must agree with the beardy one here. These are divine wars, realm-shattering wars. Not something Seraphs and Archons can fight in.” Heliconia agreed.
“The point is not to have you fight. It is to have you protect the mortals. Raise barriers, build safe havens, find ways into hidden realms. Anything that can help your people survive.” Kai countered. “The fiends will come in hundreds of thousands, spilling through the whole of Sacra once the wall is breached. Gods cannot protect you!” Kai warned.
“I would invite you to fight the Eldari, but I am sorry to say this, you would only be in the way,” Kai spoke honestly.
“Haha, nobody has ever told me that before. Mighty Heliconia being told to cower and hide.” She laughed.
“What about your realm, Kai?” Scry cut in.
“I don’t think we have time to move everyone there, and even if we did, who knows what might happen. So, it is better not to rely on that for now.” Kai shook his head.
“I can help you open any hidden realms you might have sealed away, though.” Kai offered.
“There is no need. I have prepared my nation for this for ages. Our defenses are impenetrable.” Gridlock spoke proudly.
“Father, do you mean the Adamantium Heart Project?” Grimnir questioned.
“Oooh, what is that? Sounds interesting.” Scry pried.
“This damn tiger...” Umbra chuckled.
“When the Titan God fell, his body created this mountain range. His heart merged with the land, fueling it, and his inner realm remained behind for us to use if the need ever arose. We have used the Origin Mana that seeped into this land to build an artificial heart that powers our barriers and Exo-Sentinels. Even gods would have a difficult time breaching our defenses.” Gridlock spoke proudly.
“I’ll be damned. No wonder you people rarely leave your lands.” Heliconia gasped.
“What about you then?” Kai turned toward her.
“Our forests have been blessed by Lord Eiron, our creator, and he left behind relics for us to defend ourselves should the day ever come when we are threatened,” Heliconia spoke proudly.
“Gridlock, how much space does this realm of yours have?” Kai asked.
“It is an enormous mountain range, probably as large as Ilun,” Gridlock replied.
“Hah, a mountain range within a mountain range.” Scry chuckled.
“Would you mind if I connected your two lands with a gate? That way you could help each other if necessary.” Kai offered.
“I don’t mind.” Gridlock nodded.
“Hah! As if I need their help!” Heliconia scoffed.
“My Queen!” One of the Archons exclaimed.
“Ah, alright. Fine. But we shall only use it if absolutely necessary.” She relented.
“Would you be open to taking in other nations as well?” Kai suddenly asked.
“The Nords, certainly. The others, I would rather not. They are too violent and too easily agitated.” Gridlock shook his head.
“I see. I understand. Alright, I won’t force you. I will find another solution.” Kai sighed.
He wasn’t wrong. These nations lived peacefully beside one another, and humans and demons? They killed each other for glory, power, and money...
“Tenebria, do you have anything to add?” Kai suddenly asked.
“No. It is as they say. Not even I can do much against the force of six Primordial Gods, and don’t even get me started on the Enemy and his forces. The best option is to hide and hope for the best. I am sorry to say this, but we will all be relying on you.” She said seriously.
“Don’t worry, son. I won’t let you do this alone.” Arthraxius spoke.
“He’s got me as well!” Umbra smirked.
“I’m glad that you have someone to rely on, but I hope that you are treating them better than you treated me,” Grimnir muttered.
“Oh, come on. We had a nice relationship during the tournament, didn’t we?” Kai chuckled, making Gridlock scratch his head.
“Aye, aye. Sure...” Grimnir chuckled.
“Alright, let’s get started then. I would love to take a look around your city and see everything that you have built, but time is of the essence. Show me where you want the gate to the Wildlands of Westland.” Kai stood.
Gridlock nodded and led them to a large open space illuminated by a massive sun artifact shining brightly beneath the earth.
***
Kai stood silently, focusing his mind. Then he spoke.
“Lady Heliconia, I will need your hand.”
He extended his own.
“Oh? Daring, are we? I did lose my husband a century ago.” She blushed.
“That’s not what I meant, and I am taken.” He chuckled at the absurdity.
“Hah, whatever.” She took his hand.
Kai shook his head and poured a sliver of Soulforce into her mind, grasping the location of the Wildlands. Guided by her sense of belonging, he slowly carved runes into the air until silver gates shimmered to life, splitting space diagonally with perfect precision.
“There. Let’s go test it.” Kai smiled and pulled Heliconia through with him.
***
As if passing through ordinary doors, they stepped into the verdant, humid jungle, right in the center of a settlement whose houses stood high within the canopy, connected by bridges and stairways.
“This is magical!” Kai gasped just as Sylvan warriors surrounded the gate.
“Who goes there?! Invading our lands is a rather silly thing to do.” A female voice cut through the silence.
“Is that how you greet a friend?” Kai asked with a smile.
“Silver? Is that you?” Orchidia rushed through her warriors and gasped.
“Hello, daughter. This is your new father.” Heliconia chuckled.
“Whaaaaaaat?!” Orchidia shrieked.
“Hahaha, now that was worth all the embarrassment.” Heliconia roared with laughter.
“I am kidding, daughter. Lord Kai here saved us from the Witch and is leading the forces meant to save Sacra from the troubles ahead.”
As she spoke, vines erupted beneath her feet, lifting her into the canopy.
“I have things to prepare!” She shouted before disappearing.
“So, how have you been?” Kai asked as more Sylvans began appearing behind him.
“Fine. I have been training, keeping what you said in mind.” She smiled brightly.
“I see. Good, good. Look, I would really love to spend some time here, but...” Kai sighed.
“I understand. It would seem that you are even stronger now. Having Mother call you Lord... she never does that.” Orchidia smiled. “Silver, Kai... please take care of yourself. From what I have seen, you always try to protect everyone else and never take your own safety seriously enough. Please...” She stopped and sighed.
“I will try.” Kai smiled gently. “Goodbye, Orchidia. Once all of this is over, I will come visit. I promise.” He stepped back through the gate.
“That’s what you said last time as well.” She whispered, but he was already gone.
***
“Grimnir, want to come along? I have many places to visit.” Kai asked as he returned.
“I am sorry, friend. But I need to help prepare our people for what is coming. I am the leader’s son after all.” Grimnir spoke proudly, though a hint of disappointment lingered in his voice.
“I see. That is to be expected. Take care of yourself.” Kai smiled.
“And make what I showed you! It should be amazing!” Scry shouted.
Kai tore open space.
“Oh gods, what did you come up with this time?” Kai chuckled.
“Do you remember that movie, Pacific Rim?” Scry grinned.
“Hahaha, oh Scry.” Kai shook his head.
Then he left with his group, leaving the Cinderfolk behind to prepare for the coming storm.
***
Kai tore open space above Beastworld and floated silently above the barrier as Scry, Umbra, Tenebria, and Arthraxius appeared beside him.
“A place where it all began, huh?” Scry spoke in a whisper.
“I am truly sorry for my other self’s actions, but you must understand...” Tenebria started, but Kai raised a hand, stopping her.
“Enough with the excuses. It wasn’t your fault. Not yours, not the other Tenebria’s, and not even the Witch’s. Nyx Tenebris and Primogenius did all of this in an attempt to find Kaleth. Their selfish desires ruined countless lives, tore people from their homes, and ultimately led them to their deaths. I would love to have a word with those original bastards one day, but their souls have long since scattered and become part of the laws of the universe itself. You, the Witch, and the Spirit are the only remnants of them that still possess true sentience. So, there is no need for apologies.” Kai spoke coldly.
“If it weren’t for Nyx, I would be dead right now, Kai.” Arthraxius cut in.
“I know. The same goes for you and Scry. But it still doesn’t make it right. Not what she did.” Kai shook his head before adding, “Let’s go visit our old friends while we are here.”
Kai opened a small tear in the barrier, and they stepped through.
***
The group appeared within the humid world of Beastworld, a two-headed lightning condor soaring overhead.
Could it be the same one? Kai smiled and extended his senses across the jungle.
From the Healing Lake to the northern caves, from the Lupus territories to the Lightning Peaks.
Silver, come on out. We are back home. You have a mammoth to speak to. Kai whispered.
“Argh, fine. Not like I have much of a choice.” Silver growled from within his realm of lightning and flame.
He appeared beside Scry, floating in the air with his draconic wings spread wide.
“Oh, look at you. You look cool.” Scry teased.
“Hey, wolf. Let’s hope things go better this time around.” Umbra laughed and playfully punched him in the shoulder.
“Ouch. Come on, Sister Umbra.” Silver winced.
“Haha, listen to that. I am his sister now.” Umbra laughed even louder.
“Alright, cut it out, you two. Let’s head down.”
Together they descended toward the only true structure in Beastworld. Tusk’s earthen castle.