Morning arrived quietly over Isola Krein.
The ocean waves rolled gently against the black cliffs while silver mist drifted through the forests below the mansion. Sunlight stretched across the island, warm and calm, as if the world itself did not want to disturb the peace resting there.
Inside the room, Rayon stood beside the bed.
Nexus was still half-asleep beneath the blankets, her Fiery Red hair spread across the pillow while little Esdeath rested against her chest.
Meanwhile, Lucifer was awake, sitting on the bed while playing with strands of shadow that floated around his fingers like tiny snakes.
Rayon smiled softly.
A smile that almost nobody outside this island had ever truly seen.
He leaned down and kissed Nexus gently.
"I'll be back soon babe."
Nexus opened her eyes slowly and smiled sleepily.
"Mm…you better."
She pulled him back slightly and kissed him twice.
"One for leaving," she whispered.
"And one for coming back safely."
Rayon chuckled lightly.
"Fair enough."
Then he leaned toward the twins.
He kissed Esdeath on her forehead first.
The black stars in her eyes rotated faintly even in sleep.
Then he placed his hand on Lucifer's head.
Lucifer looked up at him immediately.
"Da…da."
Rayon smiled.
"Be good for your mom, little guy."
Lucifer grabbed his finger tightly before finally letting go.
Rayon stood and walked toward the door.
For a brief second—
He paused.
His eyes lingered on them.
His family.
Something inside the Endless Abyss itself softened.
Then he turned and walked outside.
Outside the mansion, Nyk Vandamson was already waiting while lighting a cigarette.
Beside him stood Erethon, stretching lazily.
And near the courtyard gate stood Luminous, her golden hair moving softly in the wind.
Rayon stepped outside.
"Let's go guys."
Nyk smirked.
"About damn time."
Erethon laughed.
"I haven't visited the upper realms in ages. Hopefully someone annoys me enough to make this interesting."
Luminous sighed.
"Why do you say that every single time?."
Rayon snapped his fingers.
The shadows beneath them split apart instantly.
A massive abyssal gate opened.
Darkness twisted.
Space bent.
And the four vanished.
The next moment—
They appeared in the skies of the God Realm.
Golden clouds stretched endlessly beneath floating continents while rivers of divine energy flowed through the heavens themselves.
At the center of everything stood the glorious structure known as the Heavenly Court.
The moment Nyk and Erethon stepped through the gates, countless immortals immediately turned toward them.
Then Luminous entered.
BOOOOOOM—
The entire Heavenly Court brightened.
The golden pillars glowed harder.
The divine laws themselves reacted instinctively to Primordial Light.
Immortals shielded their eyes.
Even the heavenly rivers became brighter.
At the throne above the court, Jaidis opened his eyes and smiled.
"Long time no see…Light."
Luminous smiled softly.
"Jaidis."
Then—
The final figure stepped through.
Rayon.
The instant he entered—
The Heavenly Court dimmed.
The light weakened.
The atmosphere itself became heavier.
Even the immortal laws slowed.
The contrast between Light and Darkness was so absolute that reality itself hesitated between them.
Silence fell across the entire court.
Rayon looked at Jaidis calmly.
"Jaidis…we're going to the upper realm now."
The Immortal Emperor stared at him quietly.
"Have you already thought of a plan, Darkness?"
Rayon smiled slightly.
"I know why I'm doing this. Don't worry."
Then his eyes darkened faintly.
"I won't run rampant."
A pause.
"Not yet at least."
The immortals nearby immediately stiffened.
Even Jaidis went silent for a moment.
Because unlike everyone else—
He knew Rayon personally.
He knew exactly what "run rampant" meant when spoken by the Endless Abyss.
Entire eras vanished because of that phrase.
Finally Jaidis sighed.
"…Fine."
Rayon turned away.
"Light, Nyk, Erethon. Let's go now."
The four rose into the skies of the God Realm.
Golden energy spiraled around them while dimensions opened layer after layer above existence itself.
BOOOOOOM—
A tunnel of space erupted open.
The group entered.
Reality distorted violently around them.
Nyk looked around while whistling.
"Damn…this place feels weird."
Luminous smiled.
"The laws are changing as we ascend."
Erethon stretched his arms behind his head.
"The lower realms define existence."
"The upper realms define concepts."
Nyk blinked.
"…That sounds annoying."
Rayon chuckled lightly.
"It is."
The tunnel continued endlessly.
Stars passed beside them.
Universes looked microscopic from this height.
Then finally—
Rayon raised his hand.
"Let's stop here."
The tunnel shattered apart.
The group stepped into another dimension completely.
Nyk's eyes widened instantly.
Before them—
Was a planet.
No—
A world beyond worlds.
Tiamat.
It was nearly twenty times larger than Averis.
Floating mountain ranges pierced galaxies.
Gigantic beasts moved across continents like living disasters.
The atmosphere itself carried pressure so immense that weaker beings would die instantly from existing there.
Massive black oceans floated upside down in the sky.
Entire civilizations hung from chains connected to the heavens.
And above all of it—
The laws themselves were visible.
Literal concepts moved through the sky as living currents.
Nyk stared downward.
"Man…"
"These are some huge monsters."
Far below, a creature larger than continents opened one eye.
Its pupil alone resembled a moon.
Rayon smirked.
"You haven't seen anything yet."
Luminous smiled beside him.
"You'll have fun here Nyk. Don't worry."
Nyk cracked his neck slowly.
"Oh nah…I already love this place."
Then Rayon stepped forward.
The wind stopped.
The beasts below froze instinctively.
Even the world itself seemed to hold its breath.
Rayon inhaled once.
Then—
He released his suppressed state.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM—
Darkness exploded across the heavens.
The skies trembled violently.
The laws of Tiamat shook.
Mountains cracked apart.
Millions of beasts scattered wildly in terror.
Ancient creatures buried beneath continents suddenly awakened screaming.
Entire kingdoms looked toward the sky.
The pressure of the Endless Abyss had returned.
And this time—
It was not hidden.
Far across the planet—
Inside a massive palace made of black crystal—
A man sitting near a window slowly stood up.
His silver eyes narrowed as he looked toward the shaking heavens.
Then he smiled faintly.
"The Endless Abyss…"
"…is here."