NOVPUB
Chapter 281: 281
Mahu’s expression softened slightly, the gravity of Crepuscular’s words cutting through her apathy. She understood now that the situation was far more dire than she had realized. "So, what are you suggesting?" she asked, her tone cautious.
"I suggest we allow our children to ascend," Crepuscular replied, his voice firm. "Let them take over the more menial tasks—the day-to-day responsibilities that have become overwhelming in the absence of Ikenga and Keles. We need to focus our attention on the real threat: our counterparts. If they gain a foothold in our world, it won’t just be the mortals who suffer. Everything we’ve built, everything we’ve protected, could be destroyed."
Jaws nodded in agreement, his mind already racing with the implications. "Crepuscular’s right. We can’t continue to divide our attention. Our children are capable—strong, wise, and ready for the challenge. By ascending, they can maintain the balance within our world, handling the issues that have arisen in our siblings’ absence. Meanwhile, we must turn our focus to the threat from the other side."
Mahu sighed, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. But she knew there was no other choice. "Very well," she conceded. "Let our children ascend. But we must make sure they understand the seriousness of their new roles. They must be prepared for the challenges ahead. Thankfully, over the years, we have breached the problem of communication."
Crepuscular placed a reassuring hand on Mahu’s shoulder. "We will guide them, Mahu. Together, we’ll prepare them for the task. But we must act quickly. The longer we wait, the more time our counterparts have to exploit our weakness."
While the gods were adjusting and preparing for the ascension of the demigods, down in the abyss, Ikenga and Keles, since their meeting with Zarvok, had been taking it easy, watching and instructing Phantom from behind the scenes.
Back at the outpost of the gargoyles, a whole new sight could be seen as the entire place underwent a huge transformation. New buildings and structures were either under construction or already completed.
An unusual sight could be observed as gargoyles, regardless of their strength or status, worked together to build. Accompanying some of the gargoyles were captured hellhounds. The hellhounds, left without a leader after their previous one met an unfortunate end, were seized as an opportunity by the gargoyles.
A structure different from the others could be seen. Inside this structure was a room with a throne-like seat where a mutant gargoyle sat. Seated around the mutant gargoyle were other normal gargoyles, laying out reports and discussing new strategies.
Among the gathered gargoyles was an inconspicuous one with a yellow glow in its eyes, noticeable only if observed closely. This was Phantom, who had blended in well with the other gargoyles.
After the incident in the valley, where they faced the suppression of the demon kings, many demons retreated, their hearts filled with resentment.
Seeing this moment of weakness, Phantom seized the opportunity to make a bold move. A week after the valley incident, he led his small mutant army to the territory of the hellhounds.
The mutant army was initially frightened, but as the battle progressed and they realized how weak the hellhounds were, they grew bolder. This was because Phantom, from behind the scenes, was interfering with the hounds, limiting their fighting abilities and giving the mutants a fighting chance.
During the fight, Phantom kept a close eye on each mutant gargoyle. One, in particular, caught his attention. Rather than getting carried away by their easy victories, this mutant became more cautious, using its brethren to test the waters before moving in for the kill.
Phantom had no trouble dealing with the hellhound leader, marking the end of the fight as the remaining hellhounds tried to flee, only to find themselves encircled by the gargoyles.
Phantom gave the order for the gargoyles to feast on the corpses of the fallen hounds, and he gave the corpse of the hellhound leader to the gargoyle he found interesting.
This continued for another month, as Phantom led the mutant gargoyles to target other abyssal creatures, feeding on their flesh and souls to grow stronger.
With the innate abilities of the demons, it didn’t take long for them to grow "as strong as Phantom." The current Phantom was posing as a third-stage gargoyle, so when the mutants reached that stage, they believed they were already as strong as their leader.
Phantom noticed the changes in the mutants but didn’t mind, as he had a card to play. He did so when the mutants all watched, wide-eyed, as Phantom, in his gargoyle form, knelt before a mutant gargoyle sitting atop a huge hellhound.
The mutant gargoyle showed no expression, as if expecting Phantom to kneel, but the smirk at the edge of its lips revealed its satisfaction.
As Phantom knelt before the mutant gargoyle, the atmosphere in the area shifted. The other mutants, initially shocked by Phantom’s display of submission, began to murmur among themselves. This unexpected act by their leader—the one who had guided them to power—sent ripples of confusion and curiosity through the ranks.
The mutant gargoyle on the hellhound, now clearly the one in command, let the silence stretch for a few moments, savoring the tension that hung in the air. Its smirk grew slightly wider, revealing jagged teeth as it surveyed the assembled gargoyles.
"So, it seems the time has come for a new order. Phantom, the one who led you all to this strength, now bows to me. Do any of you dare challenge this?"
The mutants shifted uneasily, exchanging glances. Some of the more ambitious ones tightened their fists, the surge of newfound power tempting them to test their might. But Phantom’s sudden submission, coupled with the unwavering confidence radiating from the mutant leader, held them in check.
One of the mutants, a particularly large and brutish gargoyle, stepped forward, emboldened by the strength coursing through its veins.
"And what makes you so certain we won’t just tear you apart and take control ourselves? We’ve grown strong—strong enough to crush anything in our path, even you!"
The mutant leader’s eyes flashed dangerously, yet he remained seated, exuding an air of calm authority. Phantom, still kneeling, tilted his head slightly to observe the confrontation, a faint smile playing on his lips.
The new mutant leader, Malzor, surveyed the scene with cold, calculating eyes before a heavy pressure emanated from him, spreading across the area and reaching every gathered mutant gargoyle.
The brutish gargoyle took a step back, its eyes widening in horror as it realized the truth. "You’re in the fourth stage," it gasped.
Without directly addressing the brute, Malzor spoke. "You’ve grown strong, yes. But strength without strategy is nothing more than a fool’s errand. Do you really think Phantom would bow to someone weaker than himself? There are powers in the abyss beyond brute force, and I aim to be one of them. Challenge me, and you’ll learn the hard way why I sit on this throne."
The brutish mutant hesitated, the weight of Malzor’s words sinking in. It glanced at Phantom, who remained unmoved, his loyalty apparently unquestionable. The other mutants watched intently, tension palpable as they awaited the brutish gargoyle’s next move.
Finally, the brutish gargoyle took a step back, snarling in frustration but unwilling to challenge the leader’s authority directly.
Phantom slowly rose from his kneeling position, standing beside the mutant leader with an air of quiet confidence. He addressed the assembled mutants. "You’ve tasted power, but there’s more to gain. Follow us, and we’ll lead you to true dominance over the abyss. This is just the beginning."
Malzor nodded, clearly pleased with Phantom’s support. "From this moment on, we are no longer just a pack of mutants. We are an army, and together, we will carve out our place in this layer—no matter who stands in our way."
After making his declaration, Malzor gestured for Phantom to accompany him. Sitting atop the hellhound, Malzor led the way, with Phantom floating beside him, his wings keeping him aloft.
"This first step is taken. Now, we must bring those at the outpost under our banner," Malzor said to Phantom, who nodded in agreement but remained silent.
As Phantom floated beside Malzor, the tension between them was palpable, yet it was tempered by a mutual understanding that had deepened since their initial alliance. Malzor, still wary but increasingly intrigued by Phantom’s loyalty, halted his hellhound and turned to him with a question that had been gnawing at him for some time.
"Why are you doing all this, Phantom? You had every opportunity to advance to the fourth stage, to solidify your power and rule. Yet, you hold back and submit to me. Why?"
Phantom, still playing his role, allowed his wings to beat slowly as he considered his response. "Because I see something in you, Malzor—something that has the potential to elevate our race beyond mere survival in this abyss. I believe you can lead us to a new era, one where we don’t just exist but dominate."
