The ruined city of Tartarus lay beneath a sky that had only recently recovered from the Endless Darkness. Mountains of monster corpses lined broken streets, ancient towers leaned at impossible angles, and rivers of crimson slowly wound through the fractured stone.
High above the city, Rayon stood silently atop the remains of a shattered building.
His black coat drifted gently in the wind.
His expression remained unreadable. Behind him, footsteps echoed across the cracked rooftop.
Nyk approached first. For once, the usual grin on his face was absent.
He stopped beside Rayon before placing a hand firmly on his shoulder.
"Sorry, bro. Any decision you choose to make, you know I'm with it. I don't mind sliding on those fuckers."
Rayon didn't answer immediately.
His eyes remained fixed on the distant horizon.
A ripple of darkness appeared beside them.
Erethon stepped out of it casually, folding his arms beneath his robe. His hollow crimson eyes carried an unusual calm.
"Will we kill them all?"
Silence lingered. The wind swept across the rooftops. Then Rayon finally spoke.
"You and lil bro hunt the Zodiacs. They're scattered across the planet."
He slowly turned toward Erethon and Nyk. His black eyes carried no hesitation.
"Kill them all…None of them should survive."
A grin stretched across Erethon's face.
"Say less."
Nyk nodded once.
"Where will you be?"
Rayon lifted his eyes toward the endless heavens.
"I'll go have a little chat with Ra."
Nyk folded his arms.
"Be careful, bro."
Without another word Erethon vanished and Nyk disappeared alongside him.
The rooftop became silent once more. Rayon stood alone.
Then he murmured quietly,
"Before that…"
His body dissolved into shadows.
Only a few minutes later Rayon arrived at one of the oldest places within Tiamat.
Mount Eden. Unlike the rest of the planet, untouched life flourished here.
Immense waterfalls cascaded from floating cliffs.
Ancient forests stretched beyond the horizon.
The air itself shimmered with natural energy so dense it could be seen with the naked eye.
Every breath carried life. Every breeze nourished existence. Rayon slowly entered the sacred gardens. The creatures inhabiting the mountain immediately sensed him.
A qilin gracefully lowered its head.
A colossal Kun Peng circled through the heavens.
An ancient phoenix rested atop a crystal tree.
Several dragons watched him with ancient golden eyes.
Even Femora—The legendary wolf that had once swallowed the sun—
Raised her head from beneath a giant tree.
Every mythical beast looked toward Darkness.
None attacked. None showed hostility.
Instead…Their eyes carried quiet relief.
Rayon looked around slowly.
"It's been a while since I was last here…"
He continued walking until his footsteps stopped before a towering mountain.
Embedded within its base was a small cave.
Its entrance was sealed. An enormous formation covered the entire opening.
Golden inscriptions crawled across its surface. Rayon narrowed his eyes.
"Why is there a seal here?"
A gust of wind swept across the valley. Two figures landed beside him.
Femora and one of the ancient dragons.
The dragon lowered his head respectfully.
"This seal was placed by Ra after he injured our master… Kalethara."
Femora's golden eyes dimmed.
"We were also injured in that fight."
The dragon continued.
"Even after we recovered…we couldn't break this seal."
Silence followed.
The dragon hesitated. Then spoke once more.
"Before Ra ever came to Tiamat…our master told us that one day you would return. We didn't understand why but we never disobey the orders of our master. So…We waited."
Rayon slowly reached toward the barrier.
His palm rested against its surface. Immediately the seal reacted.
Golden chains erupted across its formation.
It resisted and fought back. Darkness gathered around Rayon's hand.
He spoke one sentence.
"Break for me."
The darkness swallowed the seal whole.
CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.
Like shattered glass, the entire formation exploded into countless fragments before disappearing completely.
The cave entrance opened. Rayon stepped inside. The temperature dropped immediately.
The deeper he walked…The colder it became. Silence ruled the cavern. Only the sound of his footsteps echoed through the darkness.
Eventually he reached the end.
There resting within the chamber was a stone coffin, Inside lay a woman. Tall green hair flowed around her shoulders.
Her peaceful face hadn't aged a single day.
Emerald eyes remained closed. She possessed an elegant, feminine beauty unlike anything found within ordinary existence.
Kalethara - The Spirit of Tiamat. Rayon quietly examined her. Then his gaze narrowed.
"It isn't your body…"
He stepped closer.
"…it's your soul."
Rayon gently placed one finger against her forehead.
The world disappeared.
When his eyes opened again he stood inside an endless field.
Ancient trees stretched toward the heavens.
Animals wandered peacefully through the grasslands.
Birds filled the skies. Everything radiated serenity.
Far away One enormous tree stood alone atop a mountain.
Rayon walked toward it.
At its roots..Sat Kalethara.
She leaned comfortably against the trunk.
The moment she noticed him a gentle smile appeared.
"You have finally returned, Dark Emperor."
Rayon quietly sat beside her.
For several moments Neither of them spoke. Finally he answered.
"Yeah…"
His voice carried an unfamiliar softness.
Then he looked toward her.
"Why did Ra attack you?"
Kalethara gazed toward the distant horizon.
"He wanted to control Tiamat even before the creation of the Zodiac."
Her expression remained calm as she closed her eyes briefly.
"Mainly because he wanted the forces of Darkness and Light to turn against their masters. I didn't allow it. So…He remained silent for many years."
Her voice became quieter.
"He created the Zodiac and secretly bypassed my detection. They invaded and built their forces."
A faint sigh escaped her lips.
"I noticed too late. Ra appeared before me so…I fought."
Her emerald eyes met Rayon's.
"And during that battle…I realized what he truly wanted."
Rayon's expression became serious.
"One of my artifacts."
Kalethara nodded.
"He wanted…"
She spoke a single word. Reality itself distorted. The word became completely censored.
No sound remained. No meaning could exist. Rayon's eyes sharpened. He understood immediately.
Kalethara gave another small nod.
"And you stopped him…"
Rayon looked directly into her eyes.
"…by sacrificing a piece of your soul."
Kalethar replied:
"Yes…If he had obtained that thing…"
Her voice became distant.
"…the universe would already be in chaos."
Rayon slowly stood.
He looked down at her beneath the ancient tree.
"Hold on to them a little longer for me."
His voice was calm.
"I'll take them from you soon and don't worry…I'll get an immortal fruit for you."
Kalethara smiled warmly.
"I'll be waiting."
Rayon opened his eyes. He was back inside the cave. Without another glance he disappeared.
Moments later rayon stood alone in the endless vacuum of space.
Stars surrounded him. Entire galaxies drifted silently beyond his sight.
He slowly raised both hands. Then with nothing but raw strength he grabbed the fabric of reality itself.
RRRIIIPPPP!! Space tore apart beneath his fingers.
Beyond it another dimension revealed itself. A place where time and space intertwined endlessly.
Though…Neither concept held meaning before Darkness.
Rayon stepped inside. The tunnel of distorted reality carried him forward.
Far ahead a presence stirred.
Within a golden throne room beyond dimensions—
Ra slowly opened his eyes. His expression darkened.
"…He's coming."
The tunnel suddenly shattered.
Rayon stepped out. Before him floated an enormous golden sanctuary suspended within endless space.
The Realm of the Constellations. It was Ancient and Majestic.
Countless divine laws revolved around it.
The moment Rayon appeared gigantic eyes opened across the heavens.
The Constellations had awakened.
Each eye was larger than worlds. Each gaze carried immeasurable pressure.
Rayon looked upward. His expression never changed.
"Don't look at me."
He snapped his fingers.
Snap. Instantly every colossal eye burst open.
Golden blood poured from the heavens.
The Constellations cried out in agony.
Rayon shifted his gaze toward the sanctuary itself.
A colossal barrier surrounded the entire realm.
Countless divine laws reinforced it. He slowly raised his right hand.
Without hesitation he slammed his fist forward.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
The barrier shattered.