The events had only gotten to the point where the shadow of the Alicorn was about to disappear along with the being that it carried above its head when the apathetic voice rang out again, this time in the form of an ability.
{Fate Lord's Authority}.
WAAAA!
A golden air put a stop to the reversing time as the Founder spoke simply, using an authority only given to those that had mastered more than 50% of a law as he used the authority of fate to instantly stop the reversal of time of an Ultimate Weapon like the Dagger of Time!
Noah's Ancient Blood Clone saw the Time Essence in the Sheath that powered the dagger drain even faster as it tried to resist this authority, but it was not able to as it was soon drying up, his reversal of time in this particular event not even going back a few minutes.
But the minutes that he did reverse by...would have to be enough!
RUMBLE!
Time seemed to be stabilizing again as the clone moved with extreme precision, his senses telling him they had only gone back to a millisecond after the Alicorn had first appeared.
He teleported near Elena, Barbatos, and all the other Beasts of the Spiritual World as he waved his hands towards them, teleporting them away in this destabilized space through the use of <
He began with the most important figures first as he could feel the oppressive Authority of Fate rush forth from the Founder in the reversed time, the powerful being not wasting a second as those that were weak only came to find the appearance of an enormous Alicorn, a being letting out an overpowering pressure atop it that already began releasing an ability that made them tremble to their cores.
Noah's main body was still facing the Three-Eyed Fate Child as they both turned around to the location of the beings from the Dark Expanse, most of the powerful Celestials having felt the reversed time and knowing exactly what had happened before!
Noah's main body, followed along by the Athena, Light, the Three-Eyed Fate Child and numerous other Grandmasters that were near the spectating group of beings now exposed to be from the Dark Expanse released their own attacks towards them as they moved rapidly.
Noah's clone had only managed to teleport away the beings he considered the most important when the attacks reached them, his mana that was going towards the terrified Malthus coming to a stop as the expanding golden {Fate Lord's Authority} reached them!
WAAA!
Shockingly, it was not just mana that was held in place, Noah finding out that his clone could not move a single muscle, every single being remaining in the area experiencing the same phenomenon as the voice of the Founder was heard once more.
"You actually managed the escape of a few with me here, I have to give you props for that. Let's see now…"
The figure of the Founder appeared near the frozen beings, his eyes glancing at Noah's Blood Clone curiously as they also went towards Malthus. His apathetic eyes lingered on Malthus as his energy picked up a unique signature on the body of this operative of the Dark Expanse, it was the dark pearl that was attached to his robe!
"Bold enough to even show what was happening here to others? Now now, who's out there watching?"
His languid voice filled with apathy was still the only thing ringing out in the surroundings as the Celestials pulled back the moment they saw the Founder arrive amongst the enemies, their hearts trembling at the level of his strength as none of the enemies could even move a muscle.
Noah's main body was observing the situation with an expression that matched all other Celestials, but his heart was grim as his clone found himself not being able to move an inch while under {Fate Lord's Authority}!
He was able to teleport away all of his people, and even some of the operatives of the Dark Expanse, but there were still many left behind as those of importance to note were Malthus and his clone, all others being nameless operatives.
The Founder continued to move at his own pace as more and more shocking words came out from him, Noah finding his methods more and more unfathomable as the next thing he said shocked him even more.
"You think you can peer into my Celestial Realm without me peering back? Hmm...an Infernal Lord, a little Magician, and a scurrying Vampyre...I remember your auras from the last war."
Shocking words that the masses who were watching with rapt attention nearby digested rang out, the information that the ongoing matches were not just being watched by them, but also by the powerful figures from the Dark Expanse becoming apparent to them.
The powerful figures themselves that were within the Mage's Tower of the Scholar's Guild had stood up with sober expressions, their eyes locked onto the rapidly changing scenes as Edrusim had an angry expression, the 2nd Infernal Lord nearby looking forward with an expression that was actually smiling in excitement, the destructive energies of his body seemingly bubbling up just waiting to be released!
"I see. This is good. I can relay my message to you all right away."
The apathetic voice of the founder continued as his hands reached for the dark pearl which was showing the feed of everything occurring to the forces of the Dark Expanse, his other crystal white hand grabbing on the head of the frozen Malthus who wore the robe that had this pearl.
His hand landed atop the frozen being's head as it continued to descend down as if it was pressing against clay, skull and brain matter spurting out as the genius Spatial Magician was killed simply!
He then released golden flames from his hands that rapidly began to burn the lifeless body, his other hand grabbing onto the pearl as he watched with bored eyes as the being known as Malthus burned to ashes.
He grasped the pearl in his hands as he then turned towards the frozen clone of Noah, his gaze that of slight interest as he spoke into the pearl!
"Are you still watching?"
…!
Chapter 463 - Puppets! Freedom!
Noah watched the attention of the Founder turn towards his clone as he watched on coldly, having saved all those he could as the death of the one called Malthus was out of his hands.
As for his own clone?
In front of the founder that was already reaching out towards it, Noah simply stopped supplying mana to the ability of Ancient Blood Clone, cutting off the connection with the mass of blood and flesh right away before any more damage could be done by this terrible being!
He had already sustained horrible damage to his origin just from the pressure passed from {Fate Lord's Authority}, and would not allow any more as he had already saved those most important to him. Now, all he could do was watch as this being that should not have appeared came into play in front of his eyes. Many questions were swirling in his mind, but he held no answers to any of them. Why had the most powerful Celestials appeared right before the last round of the tournament? Why did he move to act at this exact moment? What exactly were his goals?! No answer came to mind as the shocking events continued to play out.
The Founder watched the frozen body of his clone turn into a mass of bloody goo as his face scrunched up, waving his hands as golden flames embroiled it and turned it to ashes instantly.
His hand then focused the pearl sending the feed to the Dark Expanse on the remaining forces of Vampyres and other beings that were with Malthus, golden flames erupting from him as they went on to leap from one being to another, eating them all up with ease as numerous figures burned until nothing remained of them!
"Do you see how easily I can erase you all? Are you still watching?"
The Founder spoke as he waved the dark pearl showing the feed of everything upward, making it float in the skies as he turned his gaze towards the many Celestials and beings from the Light Expanse.
"I will use this opportunity when every side is listening to declare that war shall begin yet again. The enemy is one who you have seen, the beings constantly moving in the dark to sow disorder, the savages of the Dark Expanse!"
His apathetic voice had more emotion as his rumbling power was directed to the tens of thousands of beings aro
und the clearing. He turned to the pearl floating above him as he spoke out towards the listening Infernal Lord and Grand Mage.
"I imagine you all must have somber expressions while thinking of the future and the billions of lives that will be lost. I will tell you now, cheer up. There is no need for such somberness in this little playground we are in!"
His voice was gradually rising in volume as his apathetic eyes that drew in all those watching shone in a peculiar l.u.s.ter while staring at the device sending the feed of everything in the surroundings to the highest echelons of the Dark Expanse.
"It is this little playground that I plan to break out of, and I will take you all with me. To a place where we can make our own choices, a beautiful place that is wider than anything you've ever seen…"
A pause appeared on the face of the Founder as he glanced around him. His languid eyes watched the reverent and terror-filled gazes of the tens of thousands of beings in the surroundings along with the figures of the Dark Expanse that were watching through the dark pearl. He spoke the next words slowly as he seemed to be reminiscing.
"In this Novus Galaxy of ours, we're all puppets, puppets flowing across the river of fate…"
A look of hatred spread across the handsome yet terrifying figure of the Founder as he talked about a playground and the mention of puppets, his gaze seeming forlorn!
"I plan to break the strings that are constantly moving the innocent souls in this playground of ours, until all of us can no longer be considered puppets. I will set you all free. I...will set us all free!"
RUMBLE!
A terrifying shock spread out to the minds of any that were listening, not fully understanding the meaning of the words just said as they only sent deep terror to their hearts!
The Founder had a lost look on his face as he seemed to be reminiscing, his gaze looking afar at something nobody else could see. His mouth moved by itself as he seemed to be lost in a monologue, giving a show of only him to the terrified audience in the surroundings.
His gaze focused onto the dark pearl where he knew the forces that were his enemies were watching, continuing his monologue with no interruption.
"Return to your holes and hold your families close. Spread the word to the other rats and prepare, because I'll be sending my forces towards your direction now."
OOOOM!
The Founder finished his words as he pinched his hands towards the dark pearl, destroying the device and cutting the feed that the powerful beings in the Mage's Tower were receiving right away. He only left behind an air of power as the authority he was releasing slowly receded.
WAAAA!
An air of madness and uncertainty spread out across the expansive field, the many Celestials and Celestial Grandmasters were already on the ground kneeling as this Founder rose to the skies.
"Scour my Celestial Realm for any remaining forces from the Dark Expanse, and get a Warship to make haste towards the Underworld that has been hiding them. Destroy it all with no trace left remaining."
RUMBLE!
A command rang out in the ears of every Celestial Grandmaster as they placed their right hands on their chest in allegiance and understanding.
"The four geniuses showing most promise...take them to the Golden Bastion and finish forging them into the best weapons before they join the coming conflict. There should be another Luminescent Rainbow Dew there for the final two champions. Spare no efforts to raise their realms."
More commands released from the Founder as an air of majesty spread out, his gaze calm and apathetic as he landed back on the Alicorn overshadowing everything around with its sheer size.
"Onillus, you shall lead the Squadrons for the first wave of attacks in this war. Prepare to take on the title of a Commander and lead the first forces of the numerous Prime Worlds and Celestials to the border where our forces await. As of now...we are officially at war!"
OOOOOH!!!
"It is a war for Liberation, for Order and Balance! For breaking free of the chains that bind us in this playground we are in!"
WAA!
"For Order and Balance!"
"For Freedom!"
…!
Noah watched the roaring of essence and power from thousands of Celestials and powerful Grandmasters, his heart beating wildly as a scene of paramount importance played itself out in front of him. Athena had come to inexplicably stand by his side as she looked forward with shining eyes.
The beings from numerous Prime World watching were shaking in the places they stood as the show of power was too much for them, those that could still think knowing that many of them would be heading into a war soon!
A tournament that was meant to observe the genius of a few Celestials had ended in the most shocking of ways, a single being appearing as he overhauled everything happening, killing numerous forces from the Dark Expanse and announcing the beginning of a long war!
Chapter 464 - Rapid Movements
In the Mage's Tower of the Scholar's Guild, the Grand Magician Edrusim had on a wrathful face why the Infernal Lord had an expression of excitement.
"I see why our existence was necessary to oppose this being! Does he not know what his words truly mean? Haha!"
The second ranked Infernal Lord spoke out as wild waves of power emitted from him, the other powerful beings in the room already beginning to send telepathic communications based on what they just saw.
The leading figure of the Celestials had just outright declared war, and they had to prepare!
Edrusim's wrathful gaze came down as the provocation of the Founder gradually lost its effect, the gaze of the Grand Magician going towards the Vampyre Ruler Vladivostok.
"You forces in the Underworld are about to be taken out."
Vladivostok had on a grim look as he replied less than a millisecond later, his robe fluttering behind him as he stepped out.
"I've already sent word for them to begin moving out, I'll have to excuse myself for now."
"Haha! Hahaha!"
Voldred, the 2nd Ranked Infernal Lord, continued to have a glimmer of excitement on his face as he laughed, Edrusim turning towards him as well as he voiced out.
"I'll depend on you to get word to the other Infernal Lords...as well as their assistance."
"Ahh, no worries Young Edrusim. After all...we were created just for this!"
RUMBLE!
Essence blasted out as the body of the Infernal Lord disappeared, the only one left behind in the expansive room of the Mage's Tower being the Grand Magician Edrusim who was accompanied by a few other High Wizards.
"What shall we do, Milord?"
Many of them dressed in grey robes glanced at Edrusim with tight expressions, the Grand Magician replying simply as he pulled out a commonly seen weapon in the Dark Expanse, the tool that many wizards and witches carried with them- it was a majestic wand that released an air of ancientness!
"We prepare. Assemble the Battle Mages of our Guild and work with the Vampyres to begin creating different Legions. The first Legion of the Celestials will most likely head towards that location, so station the first forces there."
His face had erased all of its wrath as he held a chilling expression, vibrant essence beginning to roll around the Ancient Wand in his hands as the air of a Grand Magician was properly portrayed.
"As of now, we are at War!"
RUMBLE!
Essence reverberated from the wand he held as it coursed through the uniquely designed runic circles in the room they were in, causing this room and the larger Mage's Tower it was connected to, to begin shining brilliantly as a single message began to spread across the Dark Expanse.
This message only told of one thing, and it was war!
---
In the Celestial Realm, Noah was moving inside a Prime Warship with Athena and Grandmaster Vredral, along with the two beings termed as Special Existences.
A moment after the words of the Founder to take the four geniuses that were fighting in the fourth round before the sh
ocking interruption was heard, Grandmaster Onillus transferred numerous treasures and authority to Vredral, allowing him to lead the Warship and take his disciples as well as the two Special Existences towards a particular deeper area in the Celestial Realm.
The location they were heading in was further to the south past the Water and Ice Behemoth, the location where Fate Behemoths were abundant, and the place where the most powerful Celestials were always trying to explore.
It was an area where Elite Behemoths freely ran rampant, and one could occasionally spot a Supreme Behemoth if they went far enough!
Grandmaster Vredral was taking the four geniuses to this location per the orders of the Founder, in his bag of holding lying the [Luminescent Rainbow Dew] and numerous other treasures as he steered the Prime Warship forward with a serious expression.
Noah and Athena were standing not too far behind the Grandmaster as each was lost in their own thoughts, the two Special Existences could be seen in meditative poses not too far away from them.
Every single person was lost in their own world as the events they had just seen were too shocking!
The power they had just witnessed from the founder made many of them receive the reminder of something they only had in their wildest dreams, the remainder of the power they all wanted to achieve.
They looked at the Founder that had required respect just from his sheer presence as exactly the power they wanted to achieve, each of them lost in their own thoughts.
Some time back and unbeknownst to the beings around Noah, a drop of blood had slowly formed from his heart, abundant Origin Essence going into it as it then swiftly disappeared from inside his body, never to be seen by anyone else as even the essence fluctuations were hidden.
Inside his own body, he had activated the [Ancient Blood Clone] ability once more as a drop of blood filled with his own origin formed inside of him, this drop of blood disappearing thereafter as it was teleported to a singular location- the Underworld!
After having saved Barbatos, Elena, and the others from certain death in the hands of the Founder, he moved without haste to a Prime World that was facing its destruction soon. These were his own thoughts, as well as the frantic telepathic messages from Elena and Prince Cassius for the Vampyre King and the other forces stationed in the Underworld.
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