"My King, all obstacles have been cleared."
When Sombravida returned to the forest's core, Jacain had already eliminated the three remaining high-level Hollows and was waiting.
"Well done," Sombravida said. "You fought beautifully in the final exchange."
"My King… I—" guilt lingered in Jacain's tone.
Sombravida shook his head.
"There is no need for regret. Becoming a Gillian and answering the call of the Menos Forest is your path."
Jacain fell silent.
"Go," Sombravida continued calmly. "Devour the high-level corpses and replenish your strength. Hunt along your route if necessary, but when you reach the Forest of Menos, avoid reckless combat. Do not approach Adjuchas without advantage. Preserve yourself."
Sombravida's voice hardened.
"I believe we will meet again — as Adjuchas… or perhaps as something even higher. Until then, I command you:
Do not die."
"I obey, my King!"
Jacain bowed deeply. What began as cooperation had become absolute loyalty.
"I will survive in the inner circle. No matter what it takes… I will wait for you."
With a thunderous roar, Jacain departed, releasing waves of reiatsu that scattered weaker Hollows along his path — his final service to Sombravida's dominion.
Sombravida stood silently until the Gillian's presence faded into the distance.
Only then did he turn to his subordinates.
Consolidation
"Geese, Shuen, Inora, Lephas, Feslina, Chloe, Ellen.
Consume the high-level corpses and restore yourselves. Afterward, we begin the real work."
Inora hesitated.
"Your Majesty, these kills should belong to you."
"I suffered little damage," Sombravida replied. "Your advancement is the priority. Strengthen yourselves."
The Hollows bowed and dispersed.
Hours later they returned, awaiting orders.
Sombravida sat atop the ridge overlooking the forest basin.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Lephas. Your reiatsu is now the highest among us."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You will advance first."
Lephas stiffened.
Sombravida continued:
"Our hunts will focus on feeding you. Your evolution must come quickly."
Lephas hesitated.
"My King… if I lose consciousness—"
"I will ensure your safe passage to the Forest of Menos," Sombravida said calmly. "Even if you become mindless."
Lephas bowed deeply, fear easing.
Advancement Order
"Next: Ellen, Shuen, Chloe, Geese.
Inora and Feslina will remain with me until last."
"We obey, Your Majesty."
Engineering War
Sombravida began issuing assignments.
"Geese and Shuen — aerial reconnaissance. Identify areas with dense Hollow concentrations."
"Lephas and Inora — locate large boulders. The larger, the better."
"Chloe — you dig with me. Fifteen meters deep. Carve a gradual incline."
"Ellen — fell large trees."
"Feslina — assist with excavation and prepare web anchors where instructed."
They moved immediately.
Before dismissing them, Sombravida added:
"Other factions are watching. Do not fall into their traps."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Strategic Preparation
Chloe paused beside Sombravida.
"Where shall I dig?"
Sombravida pointed beneath the ridge.
"Here. Five meters wide. Fifteen meters deep."
The work took days.
Not because the Hollows were slow — but because Sombravida explained the purpose of every trap.
He was not merely building defenses.
He was teaching warfare.
Controlled Aggression
Once reconnaissance returned, Sombravida began solo strikes.
He did not challenge large groups.
Even with reiatsu density nearing Menos class, he could engage only three to five high-level Hollows safely.
Bang!
A Shattering Slash severed a horn.
Sombravida ripped off masks, then withdrew — leaving one survivor.
Again.
And again.
Over a week, dozens of small packs were crippled.
Never exterminated.
Always one left alive.
Fear spread.
Hatred spread.
Rumors spread.
Sombravida was building an army — without recruiting a single soldier.
Stirring the Hive
Ten days later, chaotic reiatsu fluctuations spread through the forest.
Sombravida smiled.
"Right on time."
Hissing echoes filled the trees.
"Prepare for battle."
Seven voices answered in unison.
They had waited for this day.
Authority
Inora presented a crude wooden chair.
Sombravida raised a brow — then accepted.
Command required presence.
Presence required symbolism.
He sat.
"Begin."
The seven Hollows released their reiatsu simultaneously.
The forest responded.
The probing spiritual pressure outside shifted instantly to aggression.
Shapes surged inward.
They believed numbers meant victory.
They did not know they were charging toward execution.
Enemy Count
"My lord," Inora reported, sensing outward,
"Several hundred elite Hollows. Countless lesser. Twenty-two high-level."
Sombravida nodded.
"As expected."
"Feslina — prepare Phase One."
Phase One: Collapse Pits
Feslina released spiritual energy through her web network.
WHUMP — BOOM
The ground collapsed.
Dozens of concealed pits opened simultaneously.
Spike-lined chasms swallowed the charging masses.
Shrieks echoed through the forest.
Only heavily armored Hollows survived the fall.
"Most lesser Hollows destroyed," Inora reported.
"High-level signatures unchanged."
"As expected," Sombravida said.
"Let them advance."
Phase Two: Stone Sling
The survivors charged forward.
"Release Phase Two."
Massive boulders launched from hidden lever rigs.
Improvised engines built from trees, rock weight, and web-reinforced pivot points hurled stone projectiles across the battlefield.
The impact shattered bodies and scattered formations.
"Enemy losses approaching fifty percent. Three high-level signatures lost."
Sombravida clicked his tongue.
"Material limitations. Acceptable."
Dust filled the battlefield.
Chaos spread.
Fear spread.
But the strongest still advanced.
Sombravida stood.
"Retreat."
His wooden chair shattered as he rose.
He turned north.
The Hollows followed.
The enemy believed they were fleeing.
They did not realize:
they were being drawn deeper.
Into the kill zone.