Moyo had taken the news of Ajax in stride, pain seizing his heart in a vice like grip, but he had learnt to push it aside, there was little he could do about it at the moment and he wasn’t sure he was ready to face his master anytime soon, not in battle but to stare into his eyes and see just what sort of monster the omega blade had become. Moyo wore a dark and purple robe in silence, Ashira at the window staring silently at him, lips pressed together in consternation,

“Are you alright?” she asked softly,

Moyo could feel his very aspect in the air, in the land and the expansive ocean around the continents of his world, he could feel every living organism that was born of this world and every other lifeform that moved around on it, like ants on his skin, he was more than okay. And yet, that question bore more meaning than a simple surface request, he closed his eyes as he tied the purple sash to his waist, nodding his head with a weak smile on his face,

“I am Ashira, if you’re referring to the omega blade, then there is nothing that can or could be done, he chose to walk his own path, as did I” he replied,

“And yet every time you say his name I can’t help but notice a terse intonation coming from you” she said,

He turned to her, simply willing himself to stand in front of her and he was there, in the fraction of a second, lips pressed against her forehead,

“it’ll pass, right now I have a lot of things to deal with” he replied,

Ashira sighed,

“You do, your clan, legion, guard and allies are awaiting your arrival, the only thing holding back the harbingers and their forces is the threat of cessation from my father and other terrestrials if the harbingers so much as moved to attempt to capture you while you were unconscious” Ashira said,

Moyo nodded,

“And I’m guessing Xerxes leads the charge?” Moyo asked,

“In a bizarre twist of fate, no, in fact, the lord and leader of the dragon brigade has declared that the brigade has officially withdrawn their presence from such trials and his position as a harbinger on the inquiry council for this sham of a case has been withdrawn as well” she explained,

Moyo paused, nodding to himself,

Lotes…

There was no other person that could had drawn the Terrangazer out of his hunt, for he was sure Xerxes would had loved to heap the entirety of Ajax’s offenses on him, he’d have to be careful around him though, but he admitted to himself, his blood pumped whenever he thought of sparring with the sun-burner himself. He shook his head, nodding to Ashira,

“I’ll cross that bridge when I get there, for now, who are those below?” he asked,

“Well, you’ve been asleep for close to a week, enough time for the clan to attempt squeezing their coffers close to exhaustion with passing through nexus points in an attempt to reach this planet” she started,

“The entirety of your clan heads are here, along with the order of the titan and the legion forces situated on the planet” she explained,

“So my entire force is arraigned in one place?” he asked, blinking,

“Yes, any problem?’ she asked,

“No, no, just surprising, it’s been a while I’ve seen the clan heads themselves; I wonder what has changed” he mused,

“Well, they’re stronger for one, plus your guard are literally power houses themselves as well as Idris who if I hadn’t met you before, would assume he’s the titan blade with the insane amount of titan aspect he has at his disposal” she said,

“they’re fine then?” Moyo asked, hope leaking through his voice,

The memory of the horrific positions he had met them after returning from the Nethervoid was still seared into his mind, it wasn’t one he had hoped to relieve anytime soon and even as Ashira nodded her head, he felt a knot he hadn’t known within him loosen at the reminder that they were fine. He took another deep breath and steadied himself, cracking his neck, his eyes glowing purple and gold,

“let’s get to it” he said and waved his hand as his doors opened,

Together he and Ashira went down the stairs of the pure black and purple bricked building, his eyes roaming around to meet two ascenders of gold rank that acted as guards near the end of the stairs. Shock and awe reflected on their faces as they fell to their knees almost reflexively,

“Lord titan blade” they said, gripping their spears with strength that could crush a boulder into fine powder,

"At ease, what cohort are you from?" he asked,

“The Kaminaris, first cohort” my lord the one on the right said, his voice trembling softly,

Moyo nodded,

“Thank you for guarding me, I will speak fondly of you to your cohort master Hajin” Moyo said,

They stiffened in shock before nodding again, heads bent low, Moyo had learnt to simply roll with the subservient behavior despite his distaste for it. Some things were encoded into ascenders and it was only due to the sort of training that he had with Ajax that had thankfully purged such from his mind. He passed them and reached the main hall, where a small crowd had gathered and a hush fell upon them as they sighted him. Moyo, the titan blade stood before his family and allies as they roared as one in joy, their voices echoing with the pure aether in the air.

Moyo smiling as he sighted his clan heads in front, dressed in robes with the crests of their sects emblazoned on them, the purple pillars that lined the hall flew the banners of each group within his clan. Martha, dressed in a gold and cream robe, and her mantle an attachment of diamond metal limbs, eight extensions, each with a different mana glowed behind her. Her youthful looks all thanks to her ascensions had immortalized her in her early thirties, a streak of grey hear left behind at one side of her face to show just how old she was. At her side was her first spider, her second in command of her sect who was dressed in an all black cloak with a mask intricately decorated with a golden spider on it, Moyo noticed there were no slits for eyes and nose on it, he was also a gold ranker.

He turned to the lady or thunder and lightning herself, Annika with dark blue hair that had little arcs of lightning running through them, tied with native brown beads smiled at him, her arcane spear in hand and her form relaxed, at her side stood Julius, the now peak gold ranker with gold rimmed glasses and a dark blue cloak that Moyo sensed hid his weapon, two pairs of meat cleavers of rare quality, he idly wondered where the vice leader of the stormcallers had acquired such weapons, a dungeon maybe.

Next to them stood a literal giant that gave Moyo pause as he realized just who it was, josh, the regent and current leader of the titan’s sentinel sect had grown to absurd sizes, a large Warhammer strapped to his back, the surprisingly diamond ranker had become a literal force of nature even as he beamed a smile at Moyo. At his side was a woman with scars all over her face, a gold ranker with short cropped hair and a lithe frame, no doubt the current vice leader of the sect.

Sect leader Boyle was in a silver mithril mechanical armor that increased his size, the suit burning with authority from his path, the leader of the hammers of Ogun cut a striking a cutting figure like a warlord of mechanical might, at both sides of his shoulders floated runic circles Moyo realized were storage vaults, not the elaborate one he had, but miniature mobile ones where he was sure the devastating and continental destroying weapons Boyle had were stored. At his side was his vice, the woman decked in armor similar to Boyle but more streamlined with two blades that hummed with power strapped to her sides.

Ayo, the sect leader of the dawn archers smiled as he eyes blazed red, a large smile on her face and the weapon he made for, the dawn piercer strapped to her back, also a legendary weapon reforged in Aserite. Charles, her assistant stood next to her, a metallic golden eye where the blindfold he had previously worn was situated as well.

And then finally, Samantha, mage of the six-sided path stood in an immaculate sea green robe, at her side stood Jide, the ascender that had won the tournament back then. Smiling at Moyo, no doubt in awe at just how far the titan blade had come. Moyo then turned to pontiff Matthew of the order of the titan, dressed in a smart suit with his hair cropped, the leader of the order had evolved somehow into what Moyo could only describe as a business look, arms folded behind him with ascenders all wearing the colors of the order behind him.

Idris led his legion, his master guards behind him and all looking hale and hearty, smiles on their faces as well as ship mistress Urne who stood at their side, her eyes misty. His legion standing behind them all clapped, the entire hall breaking out as chants of “titan blade” filled the air. Moyo raised his hand up, quieting them,

“Friends, family, legion and clan” he started, his voice flowing with the very aether in the air seamlessly,

“Welcome to well, wherever this place is” he said as they laughed,

Taking a deep breath, he shut his eyes as he continued, but his very senses let him know exactly where everyone were all at once, even those hidden figures behind the pillars and those blending seamlessly as well,

Spiders of Anansi, the web weaver wasn’t taking any chances it seemed,

His legion as well had posted guards of silver and gold ranks all across the hall, eyes alight and searching for any threats against their lord. Their vigilance was redundant though, for Moyo saw all and heard all, this was his domain and core realm after all and nothing could escape his notice on this planet, not even the ascenders sneaking through into the planet from the other side of the world. A thought and his aspect grabbed the diamond rankers, sealing off their powers and holding them hostage as he continued,

“Much has transpired since we last saw, planets were conquered, worlds were liberated and many have perished. I have a clan, an order and a legion, we have come far from simple ascenders struggling to protect a stronghold to a force now in possession of four planets, we have indeed come far” he said,

Opening his eyes, he glowed with power as he spoke,

“I have defeated the lord of mutation and his aspect; I have cleansed the archailect of his taint and I have bled for those I call my own. Over and over, they have attempted to end my existence, but I have stayed unbroken, like my path I have not faltered, and my faith has been built on the fact that I have those I protect and who protect me in turn” he said,

“We are unbreakable, we have been passed through the flames of struggles and pain, agony and tribulations, and we have persevered” he said as they roared,

He stood straight,

“And as we go into this final battle for the archailect, I want your hearts as hard as mithril and your will as strong as a planet, for you fight for your homes, your families and you fight for me, we are the clan of the titan blade, we are one, and on my life, I swear, that as long as I still draw breath, I will defend you all” he finished,

The shouts and claps became intensified, their roars echoing as Moyo nodded and joined them, clapping their shoulders and greeting them. Martha hugged him tight, shuddering as he comforted her, no doubt she had been scared for him, the rest were jovial, josh attempted to lift him, his legs cracking the marble floors as Moyo didn’t budge an inch. Annika hugging him lightly as her eyes twinkled, Boyle bowing to him as Moyo grabbed the man into a hug and Ayo threatening to light his coffin aflame should he attempt to die on them.

His legion knelt as one, his masters and guard along with them as they pledged with wavering voice not to fail him again. Moyo had shook his head at that, stating that they hadn’t failed him in any manner or form. Idris stood rigidly, hugging him as they shared a brotherly look, their bonds unbroken. Then the feast had begun, large trays of exotic meat and all delicacies presented to the crowd. It was then Ashira told him of her father, mother and other allies that requested entrance into his world, Moyo found it strange that an entire world was his core realm, but he nodded at her and tapped into his core.

He saw their ships hovering over the continent, a thin layer of titan aspect with that gold aspect that still seemed to be in the process of being assimilated by his aspect protecting his planet from any intrusion. He opened it as four large luxurious crafts passed through almost immediately. Then he sensed the hidden craft that attempted to pass through and froze, scanning the vessel as those aboard showed signs of surprise.

The craft had been etched with runes of invisibility, similar to the same power Martha possessed but magnified to a tremendous scale. He gripped the ship with his aspect, considering crushing it to nothing when an aspect flared within it and Moyo recognized it almost immediately,

Tania thousand whips,

Which meant of course, that Xerxes was probably with her as well, he considered it for a brief second before letting the craft go, watching as it dispelled its cloaking and the other ships behind them abruptly swerved, turning what weapons they had on the craft with pin point precision,

“NO” he uttered, the very world echoing his command as the weapons of all the vessels froze,

No doubt understanding what had transpired, the ships all turned and resumed their journey, flying towards what Moyo knew was a landing bay a few distance away at the edge of the elaborate kingdom that had been carved into his mountain core island itself. He turned to see Idris behind him, arms folded,

“Guests?” he asked,

“Indeed, Kairos, Garuda, Altair and the brigade he replied,

Idris stiffened at the last name,

“At ease brother, not even Xerxes would be foolish enough to start a fight against me with express restriction from his handler” Moyo said,

“handler?, don’t the brigade report to…..oh” Idris said softly as it dawned on him,

“precisely” Moyo replied nodding,

“Take a team and go greet the guests, guide them to the palace itself” he said the word palace rubbing off his tongue wrongly as he scrunched his face,

“In our defense, lady Ashira built the palace to her taste, something about you being of importance" Idris said laughing,

Moyo rolled his eyes as he nodded, Idris flashing away, but to Moyo, it had been the slow pace of an infant, his eyes following his champion as he moved. He arrived back in the palace to see Augustus in a dark suit, white gloves and eyes that glowed with the power of a diamond ranker as well,

“aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” Moyo said laughing as he hugged his butler, the tall man chuckling,

“My lord, it is nice to gaze upon you again” he said, humbling reverence in his voice,

“How have you been?” Moyo asked,

Augustus nodded,

“Pushing myself to be better in order to serve you better my lord, I swear, none shall assault your abode, not while I live” he said as his eyes flashed,

Moyo shook his head,

“It won’t come to that, I promise you” Moyo said softly, Augustus nodding as he bowed,

“I heard we were expecting guests and I have taken the liberty to prepare for their arrival in your study” the butler said,

“I have a study?” Moyo asked in confusion,

“of course my lord” the butler replied chuckling,

“Tea and pastries are ready and will be brought in on your command” he said,

“We have a kitchen and chefs as well?” Moyo asked,

Although he shouldn’t had been surprised seeing as a banquet had been set up, but he idly wondered just how they had managed to set up everything so fast. Augustus followed him, speaking,

“Lady Martha brought along a few key individuals in the running of this place from Gaia, I, mama T whom she said you were fond off as well as all top home caretakers coin could buy, it will be no different from Gaia and Asa itself my lord” Augustus said,

“But if you’re all here, then who’s on Gaia?” he asked,

“The ten kings of the continent have sworn allegiance to the clan, gold ranked all, they will hold the continent till the clan heads return” the butler said,

“The ten kings?” Moyo asked confused,

“Ah, perhaps a story for another time my lord, I have just received word that our guests have arrived at the castle itself and are being escorted by the legion” Augustus said,

Moyo paused as he verified the claim, feeling the shrouded powers of his guests, turning to Augustus who bowed,

“Security has been enhanced across the planet and kingdom lord, we won’t allow anyone to threaten you again, not while we draw breath” he murmured, eyes alight with power,

Moyo felt his heart clench up at the feeling swelling from within, he had protected them to the height of power any ascender could reach regularly, and they thought it was theirs to protect him back. A futile effort seeing as the kind of foes that could possibly harm him were beings of cosmic might, but it was a gesture that warmed his heart. He placed one hand on Augustus’s shoulder,

“Thank you” he said, conveying his emotions through those words before opening the Aserite made doors of his vault and surveying the entire gigantic room. A large round table in the center with plush chairs that flickered in and out of existence floated, with a thought five of the chairs materialized fully and he sat on one, glancing down to see his crest emblazoned on the very ground themselves. Crossing his legs, he stapled his fingers and awaited his guests.