In the Separate Realm, where time and locality were distorted...

Kyriachos began to harness the energy of the Separated Realm.

"This entire Separated Realm is being moved in the real world. Wherever the original location of the source of the Darkness that Separates, it's now settling in your real body. Your blood is the beacon that is leading the darkness." Kyriachos explained.

"I plan to use the collapse of this realm and harness the energy the collapse will generate to pass on the ability to bend space to your forming dark core. And you will be a step closer to becoming what your Master is."

"Bend space? Then it can do what Lord Kyros can? His ability to access the Temple and store and retrieve objects will also be possible to me?"

"Yes. It should be like the same storage space as Kyros. But the Separated Realm cannot carry living objects that cannot resist the Darkness that Separates. Of course, Dorothy here can. Since he doesn't have a body, I have to bind your soul together to get you guys out of here. Are you ok, with that Dorothy? You have to let me gain full access to your soul to do that."

"Bind my soul? Won't that mean... that my freedom and free will change?" Dorothy asked. He didn't want to be bound to Martha.

"Yes. That's my plan! When I make the collapse, I will need to bind your soul together so that your soul can also leave this place. The process will involve you two to pass through True Darkness. And a weak soul that passes therethrough that energy will either dissipate into nothingness or fall into a state of limbo."

The dragon was silent. He had been in this limbo state for who knows how long, and it took him a thousand to get to his current state. He was afraid of going through that again.

"But because I am, I bind your two souls. It will make you two stronger. And the Separation that occurs will divide your two souls severing the bonds and freeing you."

"I see. Thank you, Lord Kyriachos. I don't want to change my relationship with Master Kyros." Dorothy vowed righteously.

Martha rolled her eyes again. This dragon was too shameless! She wanted to argue, but something strange was hindering her. She felt that she should just stay quiet.

"As for what you can gain, Dorothy, the collapse of this place will trigger powerful gravitational force, which I will use to create another Dark core. The place you are at feels like it's a place controlled by Destiny. But Ancient Fate is quite amazing that she managed to sneak you, a dragon of Fate, to be here."

"Dragon of Fate? So that's why I felt no form of hostility with this dragon!" Martha realized.

"Not all dragons are beings of Destiny. Most are, but there are some that are borne by Fate." Kyriachos corrected.

"What is Fate?" Martha then asked.

"That I can't answer. Your Master should explain to you soon. Anyway..."

The space around them turned unstable, and the entire realm was collapsing.

"Right now, your body should be covered in utter darkness. The Path of Combat and Foresight will vanish, and you will be a wild creature. Thankfully, your enemies are strong. I am counting on their ability to weaken that darkness that is being born in your body.

They should do their best to weaken your dark maddening so that you can regain your body. Sadly, there is a high chance that you could die. When you take over your body, the darkness may disappear. Although the darkness may consolidate in your Dark Core and reform your body and heal it, if you have too many wounds, you could still die."

"..." Martha was silent. She had given the knights the orders to retreat.

"I wonder if they followed those orders or is trying to rescue me... Whatever. I can only leave it to Fate! If I die, then it means that I was just Fated for it!"

"Oh? You sound similar to your Master! Alright. Allow me to mold your souls. Martha's soul will begin the process of devouring Dorothy's soul. Dorothy. Do not resist. You won't be devoured. Martha's soul isn't strong enough to devour you anyway. It's just going to be the catalyst to merge your souls."

Dorothy nodded as Kyriachos began to wield the energy.

The entire Separated Realm began to shatter as more and more strange lights erupted on the far edges of the wide space.

The souls of Martha and Dorothy were being merged. Then, with Kyriachos's prompt, the soul of Martha started to awaken its devouring powers.

Dorothy did not resist or fight back even with the great pain.

But all of a sudden, a sudden sharp pain occurred as the energy guiding Martha's awakened a powerful power.

"Tyrannos!" Dorothy shouted as he felt it. The power of the Undivine had awakened and turned the apparently weak soul of Martha stronger.

"Dorothy." Kyriachos gave a sadistic laugh.

"The truth is, I know you were lying. You think I don't know the true nature of dragons? I was there when I saw the first Dragons born. I know of the darkness of Dragons. Did you really think you could hide the truth with such stupid lies? You seek to be independent and take over a dracanae, right? I know a schemer when I see one! I am the Lord of the Fallen for a reason!"

Martha was shocked. She had felt that this dragon was simply trying to go out. But now, the accusations of Kyriachos revealed that this dragon actually had evil intentions.

"Martha, the reason why Fate wasn't warning you about the danger and even urged you to ignore this traitorous, lying dragon is because I told Fate that I would resolve it! You see, dragons used to be called by another name before. They were known as Serpents. And these Serpents were cunning creatures that deceived gods and fallen. They were even the secret spark that started the Age of Heretics. They are liars, schemers, and plotters. You will not hear of that because the Dragons created a facade to make them look like beasts of pride and power. This was to make them look stupid. Even when you met him, you didn't suspect him of being a schemer, did you?" Kyriachos smiled.

Martha nodded. Unlike Dorothy, Martha's soul was rather unharmed.

She watched as the soul of the dragon began to be bounded to her. She had the impression that the dragon was an innocent and kind creature. But now that she thought about it, it didn't make sense! How can something that allied with the Fallens be kind and innocent?

"This dragon tried to look gentle and a little naive. But it was planning to eat you up!"

"What?!"

"Anyway, Dorothy, you gave me quite a good show! I enjoyed your stupid lies. It's like talking to that weird Time God. You may not be of Destiny, but I can tell a True Neutral when I see one! As punishment for lying to me, the moment you wake up, you will still be bound to Martha's soul even after you Separate!"

"How?!" Dorothy howled. He could feel that his soul was being bounded to Martha's in a way that he had never seen before.

"Oh? You don't know why the Fallen Lord of Separation has the ability to make such bindings? Separation can be done through many things. When the Universe was made, and my Darkness covered the gap between each Separation, I had to create a new power to keep it constantly Separated. I created Gravity. But Gravity is attraction, right? Another way to separate one thing from another is to bind it to something else. Planets, stars, and celestial bodies are separated because they are bound to another celestial body with gravity. And that is how another Code of Separation works. Stealing, taking, or binding by force. Don't worry. This gravity that I placed on your soul will really be your power. But you will be bounded to Martha." Kyriachos laughed.

Martha could feel the soul of the dragon merging with hers.

"The speed, cunning, and accuracy of an assassin, with the strength of dragon! This ought to cover your weak areas. Go now, my disciple and daughter. I name you Martha Kyriachos Steele! Arise! For the fight to the End is starting!"

The entire Separated Realm finally collapsed and imploded on itself.