The titan blade and the chimera stepped out of the dungeon, the entrance closing up behind them as the two masters stared at the hundreds of banners that flew in the air in front of them. Hundreds upon hundreds from different sects and schools stood before them, all bowing at the sight of the masters. Moyo silently turned his gaze skywards where large eagles flew and cried, on their backs were ascenders of the green spears who circled above them. He took a deep breath and watched as a large ship floated towards them, the crest of the storm bringers on it.

Fists bunched, but anger reigned in, he watched as his clan leaders floated down from the ship,

“Moyo?” Ashira whispered, concern etched into her voice,

“I’m fine” he whispered back,

But the titan was far from fine, his thoughts were a jumbled mess and the last thing he needed were people fawning over him. Still his gaze remained cold and his lips sealed, but dominion floated by his side, ready to move at its masters’ bidding. He felt Ashira grab his hand as she groaned, the oath she swore to her mother fighting the contact as he glanced at her in concern,

“Are you sure?” she groaned,

He nodded and quickly let go, watching as she composed herself, he sighed and rubbed his face, glad to had stored the book and crystallized titan aspect. The sect leaders all floated down to his presence, Annika frowning at the cold look in his eyes but Martha bowed at the waist and the rest followed,

“Hail lord titan blade, vanquisher of the master ranked dungeon and protector of Asa” the spider queen of Trellis said, her voice echoing through the landscape as she amplified it with aether,

“HAIL!” the thousands of ascenders replied,

“What is this?” Moyo asked quietly, making sure to let his voice be low enough that only those close to him could hear,

“The news of your entry into the master ranked dungeon and your subsequent clearing of the diamond ranked dungeons has spread” Samantha said,

“And this?” he asked, glancing at the multitudes still bowed,

“Containment protocol” Idris said,

“The clan has to show we’re in charge, something that would have been easier had you let us know you were attempting to do such” Annika the storm empress said,

Moyo’s first instinct was to lash out, he could care less currently what they had between them, but she wouldn’t talk to him that way; not after what he’d just been through. However, he restrained himself, letting common sense and thought prevail in his thinking to realize she was right. He wasn’t on some world where he could do as he pleased anymore, he was back home and the head of a world power, his every action and movement were constantly being watched and pored through for things he couldn’t even explain. His very action of clearing the black zone of diamond and master ranked dungeons had caused a stir so great, Moyo could only watch as what he had tried to solve with the ascenders who had venerated him begin to grow in the sects and schools arraigned before him.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and exhaled,

“I apologize” he said quietly, Annika looked stumped, definitely not expecting such a reply,

Martha however narrowed her gaze, eyes flicking from him to Ashira who stared on in concern and awkwardness, definitely wanting to be somewhere else than where she currently stood right now. Moyo glanced at the thousands who remained in a bowing position and spoke, the very air reverberating with his power as he floated skywards,

“’please, rise” he said,

Like machines they all stood up, staring skywards at the titan blade who floated there like an exalted being. Moyo continued,

“The gold, diamond and master ranked dungeons have been cleared, be at peace” he said as loud cheers broke out all around, ascenders shouting for joy and jubilations.

He raised one hand as the noise quietened,

“It isn’t over yet, there are hundreds of silver ranked dungeons soon to break open, flooding this zone with monsters beyond your capabilities” he started as the entire area became dead silent,

“However clan titan blade will not stand idly by as that happens, I hereby declare a delving crusade, if such word exists. Bronze rankers who want to try and make their way to silver should all gather here, two days hence, others below them are also encouraged to participate, but note this” he said as he raised one finger,

“Ascension in the archailect is not without risk, death is real and should you decide to participate, realize that it could very well be your fate” he warned,

“So go, prepare, for those who would deem to participate in the endeavour, I will be waiting” he finished,

Floating down as they bowed and began leaving in groups, flying constructs of different sizes and shapes ferrying them away to their different sects and schools. Ashira nodded at him as he turned to his sect leaders,

“I believe that has been taken cared of?” he asked,

Martha nodded,

“In a way only a master could, the clan is ready, your ascenders stand ready to invade this zone” she said,

Moyo nodded,

“Good, we do not have a lot of time, oh, that reminds me” he said as his deific vault appeared and he passed his hands through, clamping them on the item he wanted and drawing it out.

Immediately the skies above grew dark as thunder boomed and lightning flashed, Annika literally glowing with power as she sucked in a breath at the sight of the spear. Moyo frowned as he felt the spear begin to vibrate, tugging in the direction of the storm empress. He released it as it flew into her waiting grasp and Annika froze as lightning crashed down into her; blue and white arcs of pure power that Moyo had to use his aura to barricade around Annika lest it blast the bronze ranked experts away.

What the lightning died and faded away, a pure white-haired Annika with white irises and blue beads on her neck, wrists and ankles stood before them. White runic tattoos adorned her skin and Moyo could read them clearly,

Power, lightning, thunder, speed,

These were but a few of the runes that were now firmly etched into her skin, Boyle whistled as Moyo raised an eyebrow,

“Now that’s an upgrade” he said,

“The name is- “

“Asagai, I know, it told me” Annika said, her voice as cold and sharp as winter,

“It spoke to you?” Moyo asked, curious,

“Not in words, feelings, I can’t explain but, thank you” she said as she glanced at him and Moyo nodded,

“I feel, complete” she said with a light laugh as she blasted skywards, lightning flashing in the air and an arc of lightning shooting into the distance to impact on something as it exploded, the wave hitting them soon after.

He felt a twinge in his heart but clamped down on it viciously, not now, not here. He turned to the rest who eyed him suspiciously,

“What?” he asked,

“Ours weren’t that flashy” Idris grumbled,

“Well the spear was made of a superior metal, something I didn’t have access to when I made yours” he replied haughtily,

“But you do now, don’t you, clan leader?” Ayo said with a dangerous tone,

“Technically, but I have certain…ah restrictions in its use” he said as he raised one eyebrow at the sulking leader of the dawn archers,

“Define restrictions” Martha said, her gaze turned upwards but also curious,

“let’s just say I can’t make more of it to use, more of an infringement on company product and the likes, heavy fine” he explained,

The spider turned to him, gaze sharpened,

“Excuse my questions clan leader, but does it apply to already produced product?” she asked,

Moyo paused in his reply, thinking it through,

“Well, the terms were I refrain from making more of it and bestowing it to ascenders” he said,

Samantha snorted,

“Bestowing it, sounds like some higher being” she said,

Moyo raised an eyebrow at her as dominion floated close to him, pulsing with aura,

“noted” the six-sided mage muttered as he chuckled,

“By my assumptions, bestowing it on others means giving it out in its purest form, right?” Martha asked,

Moyo began to follow in that train of thought, realizing where she was going towards,

“I would assume so, yes” he said cautiously, glancing at Ashira who pursed her lips, looking away from him,

Turning his gaze back to Martha who had noticed that exchange, he nodded,

“Yes, I’m not allowed to give out Aserite in its purest form” he said,

“Aserite eh?’ Idris said, a gleam in his eyes,

Moyo turned to him,

“What?” he asked,

Mrs Martha frowned at the leader of the sentinels and sighed,

“We may, permit me lord, have seen it before” she replied,

Moyo noticed the way she bit the words out, as if she was reluctant to divulge the information with her. He frowned and crossed his arms,

“Impossible, it’s never left my core realm, meaning not one piece exist in this reality, where did you see it?” he asked warily,

His clan leaders looked between themselves warily, like children caught playing with something they shouldn’t have been. Martha turned to him as she bowed and spoke,

“Honored master and leader of the clan, we beg your indulgence, but we are begging you to swear an oath to the archailect not to destroy or get angry at what we’re about to show you” she said,

Moyo raised an eyebrow again, now concerned,

“Excuse me?’ he asked, affronted and hurt,

Annika landed with a clap of thunder,

“What she meant, is for you not to blow your shit when you see what we’re about to show you” she said, her gaze cold,

Moyo wasn’t sure if he should laugh at what was going on or genuinely feel hurt,

“Annika” Idris growled silently,

“have I ever treated any of you wrongly?, unjustly?” he asked, the words biting out of his mouth as Annika whipped her head to him in surprise, eyes wide at the tone,

“Moyo” Ashira said cautiously,

“I didn’t- “

“have I ruled as a dictator?, shown the tendencies or the likes?” he asked again as the floor began to rumble,

“Moyo” Ashira said again, this time louder,

The sect leaders all stumbled backwards in surprise at the look of anger and hurt on his face,

“Never, not now, not ever” Idris said loudly and with pure belief,

Moyo whipped his head to the sentinel who stood resolutely under the gaze of a master,

“Then tell me why those I call family, those who I went through hell and back to protect would think I would hurt them” he bit out,

Idris fell to one knee, the pure aura of the titan even though restrained, drove him to his knees by its mere presence,

“TITAN!” Ashira shouted as Moyo whipped his head to her,

The heir of Kairos glowed with power, eyes golden and aura spread out, protecting the rest of the sect leaders and Idris as well. He clamped down on his power as the air became free of his control, awkward silence reigning between them,

His HUD lit up with a notification,

Notice: Idris Geb hand has proven his resilience and faith in the titan, his determination and loyalty has drawn the attention of the titan blade and his book, bestow the rank of titan’s champion on him? Y/N

Moyo stared wide eyed at the information, pausing and closing it up for a minute before glancing at Idris. Stretching a hand out to the man who stared wide eyed at him, he gave a sad smile, watching as Idris clamped his hand around his and getting up,

“Do me a favor Idris, never kneel to me again, please, as a friend” Moyo pleaded,

He could see the warring indecision in the eyes of the Geb hand, but Idris nodded, accepting it. He flicked his eyes to the rest who stared on in silence,

“I swear on my name as the titan blade, that I will not destroy whatever it is you want to show me, nor will I lash out or get angry at any of you” he said silently,

The loud gong that rang; indicating an oath to the archailect reverberated around them, Moyo could see the look of remorse in Martha’s eyes, but he looked away, he shouldn’t had lashed out that way also. All of a sudden, their fears were proven right and he clenched his fists tight,

“Show me an image of the place” he spoke,

“No need, we have a beacon” Martha replied just as quietly as Moyo felt a pulse of power similar to Annika go up in the distance,

He let his perception and aura lock on to the spot and opened a pathway through, staring at a building that had been covered with webs to avoid detection or drawing the attention of other ascenders and in the worst of cases, the eyes of the other world powers. To the gaze of a master though, it was as if nothing shielded the structure in the first place and Moyo froze at what he saw, his HUD blinking desperately once again to draw his attention.

He couldn’t bring himself to open it, not when he saw what he was staring at. Stepping through the pathway and onto the ground that pulsed with power at his presence, the hands of Anansi who had been in hiding appeared in his front, bowing to him. The titan ignored them though, moving towards the building, he could feel the presence of Ashira at his back, the silent wall of support who stood by him and he was grateful for it. The moment they stepped through the large gates barricading the spot, Moyo felt his titan aspect click with the building and he felt the runes on his body light up, his back arcing ramrod straight as his titan aspect seized him, holding him to the spot.

His HUD flashed with speed as notifications began coming in,

Notice: you have stepped onto the temple of the titan and as such accepted control over the temple.

- Titan aspect has unlocked boon

- Titan aspect has unlocked miracle

- Titan aspect has synchronized with the temple to create a connection with the temple of the titan

- Titan aspect has infused the temple with the pure aspect of the titan

- Temple of the titan has unlocked access to primordial archailect HUD

- No primordial or below can scry into your domain without your permission

Primordial of the Titan

- Temple of the titan: 100%

- Titan aspect: 100%

- Book of the titan: 100%

- Champion of the titan (arcane form of emissary): none

- Veneration: 1

- Boons: 0/5

- Miracles: 0/5

Notice: the domain of the titan has grown to encompass the entirety of Asa, all domains under the domain of the titan are now subject to your rules. All mention of the titan’s name in veneration or awe will be drawn to the temple of the titan where you can use them as you wish.

Notice: boons and miracles are not available till you choose a champion.

Notice: there are no opposing temples on your domain, your champion can decide to attack another temple and defeat its emissary, thereby obtaining the veneration within the temple and turning the temple and its corresponding domain to your domain.

Notice: level 550!

The power holding him finally released him as Moyo slumped to the ground, not in exhaustion but in defeat. He had finally become the one thing he didn’t want to be, Ashira stood at his side, concern etched on her face along with the frustration of not being able to touch him,

“What happened?” she asked,

“This place, it reminds me of my fathers…” she said as she paused, eyes wide, staring at him,

He glanced at her, nodding in silence as he stood up, his mind a jumbled mess,

“Moyo” he heard Martha say,

Glancing at her, sadness all over his features as the other sect leaders stood behind him,

“Why?” he asked softly,

“To maintain the power of the clan, it was inevitable” Idris responded,

Moyo glanced at him, eyes asking what he meant,

“Once we saw what it was, we knew what your reply would be. I was of the opinion we should inform you, but the rest declined, stating it would serve as a monument to your power, a deterrent in the eventuality that you left and others seek to come for your home world” he finished,

He laughed, one filled with sadness,

“can’t you all see what this means?, don’t you feel it in the air?” he asked,

“This isn’t adoration, this isn’t awe, it is worship, the more it spreads the more people would come to view me as some…...some- “

“primordial” Martha said softly as Moyo and Ashira whipped their head to her in shock,

“Moyo” Ashira said hastily,

“None can hear or view what happens in my domain now, I mean the whole of Asa” he replied,

Ashira paused at that, taking it in stride and nodding along,

“Where did you hear that?” he asked,

“The akashic library hold knowledge both public and forbidden my lord” she said,

“don’t” Moyo growled,

“don’t call me that, we were friends!, family!, why would you want me elevated than the rest of you as some deity?” he bit out,

“War is coming lord Moyo” Annika said, her now white eyes flashing,

“War that could affect us, we have no idea what this temple can do, but we can feel its power, we know it could protect us” she said,

“At the expense of your free will” Moyo replied,

“Moyo?, it doesn’t work like that” Ashira cut in,

Moyo glanced at her,

“What?” he asked,

She sighed, shaking her head before turning to the clan leaders,

“Honored clan leaders, please, could you give I and your lord primordial a few moments?” she asked,

“I believe you have a crusade to prepare for and all” she said with a smile,

The clan leaders bowed to her,

“Thank you honored master, the clan of the titan blade owes you its gratitude” Martha said,

Ashira nodded at Moyo and then at the large doors to the temple in the distance that glowed and swung open of its own accord, a soft aroma of incense wafting out of the temple. Moyo sighed and turned when Martha called out to him,

“Moyo?” she said as he froze and turned,

“I’m sorry, but I’d do it again, we need you, the clan, the world needs you at your strongest for what’s to come” she said resolutely,

Moyo gave a light smile at the motherly figure that stood in front of him,

“Not like this, not as some deity” he replied,

“Not a deity, a primordial” Idris said,

Moyo glanced at the man who was nominated to be his champion and nodded,

“a primordial” he responded,

With that he and Ashira made their way silently into the temple, its purple walls and columns made of Aserite giving Moyo pause,

“That explains their knowledge of Aserite” Ashira said as Moyo nodded and touched the Aserite, feeling its hard, sturdy form.

He entered the temple and saw the large statue of him and frowned,

“Come on, it’s not as bad as it looks” Ashira said with a smile,

“it’s not how it looks that bothers me, it’s what it represents” he said darkly,

Ashira sighed as she glanced around, the temple had been built not in the usual European version but more of a native form she guessed was part of the heritage of Moyo. No chairs were present, but the skylight above was carved in the form of beings she wasn’t familiar with,

“The deities of my people” he said softly,

She glanced at him, watching as his gaze remained trained upwards,

“Esu, Olorun, Sango, oshosi, Oya, Ogun” each one representing my skill and a part of me” he said,

“What are you afraid of?” Ashira asked softly,

Moyo turned his gaze to her,

“you’ve seen for yourselves the power that primordials have, hell, I’m about to go to war with one of them right on my world” he said,

She rolled her eyes,

“Daughter of a primordial here and an old one at that, what’s your point?” she asked again,

“you’ve seen the kind of control they have over their people, I don’t want that” he relied,

“that’s it?, that’s your fear?, you think you’d become some terrible primordial that rules his people without freewill?” she said,

“It doesn’t work that way Moyo” she said with a smile,

“You keep saying that” Moyo replied,

“Moyo, veneration is a two-way street, those that venerate you need to feel genuine love and adoration for you” she said,

“But the power here, it resonates so strong with my aspect, anything below diamond would fall into a hypnosis so strong” he said,

Ashira shook her head,

“True, and the moment they step out of the temple, it vanishes, it’s some sort of ego display I never understood, and my parents have an entire planet as their temple” she said as Moyo’s eyes widened,

She snorted,

“Tartarus, my home world is a temple to both my mother and father, try imagine living under such power” she said offhandedly,

Moyo had felt a fraction of the power of Kairos and had shuddered at the feeling, an entire planet was too much to wrap his head around. He sat on a throne that suddenly appeared behind him, rubbing his head,

“I feel like a hypocrite” he murmured,

“Because you have more power?” Ashira said with a chuckle,

He glanced at her,

“Moyo, the weak follow the strong in the archailect, you’ve seen that everywhere we go. Duhiri, the red sands kingdom, Agabod, Altera, the tournament, the very archailect is a food chain and the higher we are, the more people look up to us” she said,

“Most rulers don’t have temples to their name and a planet that venerates them” Moyo said as Ashira smiled,

“True, but you’re not your average ascender now, are you, my titan blade” she said with a smile,

Moyo smiled at her,

“Careful there chimera, you’re getting possessive” he said with a subtle smile,

“I’d love to see who’d try to claim you” she replied in a tone that drove fear as much as excitement through Moyo,

He shook his head,

“Time and place Ashira” he replied as she laughed,

“Now, explain what happened in the dungeon” she said, all traces of mirth leaving her face,

And Moyo did, he told her about the tale of Gaius golden champion, the champion of the old titan, the fall of his galaxy and death at the hand of Araman. When he was done Ashira looked scared,

“Moyo, do you understand….no, you do, by the supreme beings, you do” she said as she stared at him,

He nodded, eyes wide,

“do you see my fear?, do you see why I’m scared?, I’m moving too fast, gaining power too fast, like the archailect wants me on a collision course with the powers of the abyss” he said,

“you’re not scared for yourself, you’re scared for your world” she replied as he shook his head,

“All these lore and memories, all the power I’ve gained, it’s pointing to a peak I’m not sure I want to attain” he said, fists clenched,

She nodded, understanding in her face,

“I’m pretty sure I don’t have to tell you not to let anyone know about this, do i?” she said,

He nodded,

“Good, we’ll get to the bottom of this together, I promise, but for now, accept you have the power and might of a primordial being and bend it to your use” she said,

He stared at her hard before sighing,

“That means picking a champion, I’m not sure that’s wise” he replied,

“Well for one it could give you an edge against Rieus and his emissary Akriel” she said,

“True, but only Idris seems like a likely candidate for the position” he replied,

“And what’s wrong with him?” she asked,

“His wife’s expecting a child soon, I’m not letting that child grow up without a father” he replied sternly,

“You seem so sure he’s going to die” she said crossing her arms,

“it’s war, anything could happen” he said again,

She paused and turned back to the temple,

“Take your time then, but let’s get on with clearing your domain of monsters, the sooner I’m done, the sooner I can go on my own training time and catch up to you” she replied,

“catch up to me?, we’re both masters Ashira Kairos” he replied confused,

She turned to him,

“Except the man I love is a primordial master, the first of his kind anyway, with a temple to his name, an overpowered bloodline ability and enough power to crush more than one master at a time” she said moving close to him,

Moyo gulped, pretty sure he was blushing as he sputtered and looked away, Ashira laughing,

“men” she said shaking her head,

He sighed,

“you’re telling me to embrace my primordial veneration?, aren’t you?” he said softly,

“I’m telling you to take a leap of faith and see what happens” she replied,

He glanced up at the murals of the Yoruba deities, closing his eyes as he took a deep breath and opened his vault, the book of the titan and crystallized titan aspect floating out, opening his eyes, he watched as the book and crystal floated to the tall statue of him, its two hands outstretched and place itself there. Immediately a pulse of power went out, covering the domain of the titan. A loud gong rang,

Domain notice: inhabitants of Asa, the titan blade has ascended to the state of a primordial. As such, venerations from the citizens of the domain while optional comes with perks. Hail the primordial titan blade!

Moyo nodded as the notification went out and wanted to talk when his eyes widened, his eyes going to his primordial HUD,

- Veneration: 10,000

In the first minute he had garnered over ten thousand venerations, he could feel the power trickling into him, into a yawning pit within his body. His eyes alight, he turned to Ashira in shock, she nodded,

“Feeling it?’ she asked with a smile,

He nodded,

“let’s get to work” he said,

“I have my domain to protect” he said.