[One of your group members has created an Epos.]
[All restrictions on your abilities have been removed.]
[Nothing binds you to each other, to the Ascension Circle, or to your home worlds anymore. You are full-fledged residents of the Great Lands, you are the Origins, and it is your right to create new stories.]
The protective mechanism against transmigrated Origins from lesser worlds no longer worked. Now, the prisoners found themselves in an unexpected situation.
Power was on their side because there were more Origins with them.
Whooooooosh.
Groza lunged forward as the ground shattered beneath her footsteps.
"Agh...?" Enor gasped.
Before he could understand what was happening, the world turned upside down before his eyes.
CRASH!
His face slammed into the ground as Groza towered over him. Her gaze was filled with cold anger, and her heavy stone sword appeared in her hands.
The only thing Enor managed to do was pick up his cane and block the strike.
Tremble!
A shockwave rippled across the ground with a stream of electrical discharges.
Enor's hands trembled as his teeth gritted. He struggled to maintain his defense. If it weren't for his Catalyst, Groza would have already cut him in two.
She was not to be underestimated. Enor was an experienced Origin who lived and was born in the Great Lands, and he had earned his position, just like Groza. She was the strongest warrior in her world, which was why she led the attack on Kreyn's world.
Sure, she lost the battle against Kreyn, but she herself was to blame for that. If they had used only their physical abilities and not their powers, Kreyn would not have stood a chance.
Now, Enor was about to face all the power and anger that Groza had been building up since her awakening in a filthy prison cell.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
One strike after another sent waves of pain through Enor's body.
Different Catalyst Types had their own characteristics as well as strengths and weaknesses. When it came to close combat, owners of the Arx Type, such as Groza, usually had the advantage, especially against the Norx Type, who had lost their summoned creature.
At one point, he could no longer take it, and the cane flew out of his hand.
'No!' he exclaimed inwardly as the heavy sword moved straight toward him.
At the last moment, the blade stopped, hovering above Enor's face.
"Tsk." Groza snorted. "You know how much I want to kill you, but you're too valuable, aren't you?"
Enor's mind couldn't shake the thought that this might be his chance, but...
"Don't you dare move." Azura's voice rang out as she and Liam pointed their hands at him.
He gulped.
'Shit! Shit! Shit!' Enor's eyes darted around in panic. He didn't stand a chance against three Origins. 'Were they all cursed? Why didn't anyone know about this?! FUCK! I need to buy some time. They'll definitely want to get some information out of me.'
Crack.
A rustle sounded from the side, drawing attention.
With difficulty, Kreyn got up from the ground. Drops of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, but he didn't care.
"No."
His hoarse voice rang out.
"Hmm? What are you talking about?" Groza raised an eyebrow.
Instead of answering, Kreyn walked over and picked up a sledgehammer by the wall. He just dragged it along the ground, step by step, approaching Enor.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Groza spread her arms wide. "I understand that you're angry at him, but he'll be much more valuable to us alive than dead!"
Their eyes met.
"I said I would win and that I would kill him. I always keep my word."
His dark eyes made Groza flinch.
"B-But!"
"Move aside."
Wounded and exhausted, but a winner, that was who stood before Groza. Could she go against him?
"SHIT!" She stomped the ground and walked away.
Liam and Azura exchanged glances as they stepped back. Then, Enor realized that no one here could stop Kreyn — his will was the law.
"No, no, no!" Enor exclaimed, trying to crawl back. "She's right! I can be useful! I am valuable to the Wurhen Family!"
Kreyn turned to Valyra, who was still lying on the ground, blood flowing from her wounded back.
"Watch. As I promised, you will enjoy the show."
Gathering all the strength he had, Kreyn raised the sledgehammer before bringing it down directly on Enor's knee.
"AAAARRRRGHHHH!!!"
A painful cry erupted throughout the prison, but Kreyn had no intention of stopping there.
Hand, ankle, shoulder, fingers — he struck the most painful places. Even for the most experienced prisoners, it was not an easy scene to watch.
Click.
The iron cap opened as Daren brought the green flame to light his cigarette.
"What a day, huh? At least it ended well." He glanced at Enor suffering in agony. "Well, for everyone except him."
BAM!
The final strike slammed Enor's head into the ground, ending his life.
Silence.
Silence hung in the air as Kreyn let go of the sledgehammer and raised his head. He took a deep breath, exhaling cold air.
His bloodied, exhausted appearance, standing in the sunlight next to the massacre he caused, had become the center of attention for every prisoner.
It was a scene that would remain in their hearts forever, something they would never forget. It was a person who, in one day, went from being a death row inmate to taking over the prison, killing one of the Arakta Worms, and ultimately achieving a brutal victory.
Naturally, this could not go unnoticed.
It wasn't just the events that created stories, but people's emotions as well. Their reactions to what was happening and what it would ultimately lead to.
[Your Second Epos – Sacrificial Worm, became part of something bigger.]
[Sacrificial Worm became the basis of the Record.]
[Record obtained – Sacrificial Worm.]
Kreyn opened his eyes as he read the messages. He didn't know what it meant, it was all new to him.
But...
"Agh?"
He soon realized how important and rare the Records were.
A golden light shone on everyone who participated in the Record in any way. Energy rushed through the prisoners' bodies, healing their wounds and filling them with strength.
However... only two people received the true reward.
Valyra and Daren, their expressions frozen as the runes flashed across their eyes.
They both saw only one message.
[Your First Epos has been created.]