The Extra Wants Control

With a sinister roar, the severed halves of Memphis pulsed with a malevolent energy, reforming as if stitched together by an unseen force.

Then a massive shadowy hand appeared and engulfed Memphis whole.

" You win today... But remember this is war not a single battle... I'll be back." A voice said as Memphis' body disappeared.

Ignoring the spectacle Verona turned back to the golden-haired woman then Xavier and said,"How ironic!" she spat.

"You fools preach freedom from the Goddesses, yet you wield their power so readily!" Verona then teleported amd appeared infront of the woman going in for a punch.

The woman reacted with quick reflexes, her hand coated in golden energy... catching Verona's blow mid-air.

But the force behind the punch was immense sending the woman backwards.

Verona pressed the attack appearing before her again, shoving her fist into the woman's face, propelling the being back several meters.

"Verona!..." Xavier roared, his voice laced with anger.

The 12 stars formed above her amd they glitched wildly, their glow a menacing crimson. With every step she walked the reality seemed to shatter... Her very presence was heavy.

Seeing he was being ignored"You used your Law..." he said.

"They've noticed you now. You won't be able to hide. They're coming for you."

"Oh, so this proxy is your insurance policy?" she asked dripping with sarcasm.

" Tell me what did you two plot? Or you just want me out of the way? I haven't forgotten any of it... Soon I'll get rid of you all." Said Verona.

" Verona you unleashing your stars... It will get the system's attention and then you will vanish leaving behind your son... Do you think he'll be safe?" Said Xavier.

Valeriana had long since hidden Neveah in a safe location the moment she felt the divine energy...

The golden-haired woman unaffected by the heated exchange, rose to her feet, her eyes fixed on Verona.

He raised his head, gazing at the twin moons hanging low in the sky. "They won't be coming, why do you think they sent a dysfunctional proxy... Their hands are tied." Verona said.

A strange cry came from the golden-haired woman as Verona's scythe, imbued with with her aura swung at her... There a crimson aura battled against her golden aura, arced through the air. And it's face was cracking...

Then twelve golden stars, each radiating bright light, materialized above her head.

As their brilliance intensified, reality was shuttering, and Xavier noticed it. " We are no longer in Elnova..." He was feeling so weak against them...

"Proxy... You are unstable. What can't fight well when you are no longer in your domain..." Said Verona.

The proxy then looked at Verona then looked at Xavier and it moved towards Xavier and Verona noticed it.

"You won't run!" Verona roared, lunging after them with her scythe held high. But it was too late. The golden light enveloped Xavier, pulling him towards the swirling golden vortex in the distance. As the woman shot an energy blast that destroyed a few asteroid and made a huge dent on a certain planet that collapsed on itself and it was going to blow.

With a final 360 degree swing at the woman and the planet cutting through space the planet was swallowed and a golden hand appeared where Verona was and she picked it up and gripped it so hard while her aura spread on the arm destroying some bits but it stopped.

" Its weak... But its not a reflection of them. And my time is getting cut... Hahhh I'm tired." Thought Verona as she disappeared.

**********

The golden portal spat them out onto a cold, hard floor. Xavier stumbled, his vision blurry, the aftereffects of the teleportation clinging to him.

He looked around, finding himself in a dimly lit chamber, its walls adorned with strange symbols pulsating with a faint golden light. Beside him, the golden-haired woman lay unmoving, her face pale and ashy it also had cracks on it... She was also lacking an arm.

He touched the body it felt cold...

"What happened?" he ask, in confusion.

"Why didn't you come… why did we have to run?"

But the woman didn't answer...

Suddenly, the golden energy that had surrounded her form began to dissipate, swirling upwards in a mesmerizing golden show.

As the last tendrils of light vanished, a blinding flash illuminated the chamber, and a shimmering entity materialized.

It was vaguely humanoid, its form composed of swirling golden mist, its two large eyes blazing with an otherworldly intensity.

"Hmm… still haven't found a suitable candidate to hold my power," the entity said, its voice echoing in the chamber, lacking any emotion.

Xavier seemed unfazed and asked. "Candidate? What are you talking about?"

The entity turned towards him, its gaze on him but it didn't answer and continued speaking. "Unless she released her domain, we couldn't interfere directly," it explained.

"And the proxy… well, she was too unstable to even fight properly."

Xavier's mind raced and he remembered Verona's cryptic words about the Goddesses not interfering…

"We made a deal," he said professionally.

A chuckle one devoid of humor, echoed through the chamber.

"A deal with you… a mere mortal? You aren't even 12 star..." The entity's voice dripped with disdain.

"I saved your life, human. You should be grateful."

Xavier seemed oddly calm and said . "I swear," he growled, the words tasting like ash in his mouth, "I'll kill all of you."

The entity's form glowed and the pressure made Xavier kneel... amusement flickering in its golden eyes.

"Hahaha… an ambitious goal. I'll be waiting." It said mocking him.

With another flash of golden light, the entity vanished, leaving Xavier alone in the echoing chamber.

" We lost too much and got nothing to show for it... We failed."

Silence hung heavy in the chamber, broken only by the dripping of something wet.

Xavier slumped and sat on the cold stone floor.

"It is as you said," he muttered to the empty room.

A voice, cold and authoritative, echoed in his mind. " True."

"But there's an alteration, Xavier. Verona became a progenitor… The blood was gone, so are the bodies of the previous progenitor and his wife. We couldn't even find the human princess." Said Xavier as he sighed.

"Worry not," the voice said.

"It is but a mere setback. Ipresume you failed to get the boy too?" the voice probed further.

"I don't know how she even found him," Xavier admitted, frustration lacing his voice.

"She tracked all spatial variations and history of spatial teleportation when she unleashed her Law," the voice explained.

"And it was easy to find your activities… what an impressive woman." The voice said sounding impressed.

Xavier ignored it.

"Thaddeus is still angry about his loss," he said, trying to steer the conversation. "And… we lost Blanche. We don't know the how of it. We also lost all eyes and ears in the vampire continent..."

"For now, wait till time is right," the voice instructed.

"Yes, master," Xavier replied, his voice devoid of emotion.

He knew this was no time for grieving. He had failed in his mission, lost allies amd resources.

Despair was a luxury he couldn't afford.

His eyes, hardened with resolve, scanned the chamber. And he laid his head on the floor.

******

[Demon Continent]

Duke Mephistopheles knelt beside a recuperating Memphis. The once-powerful demon looked alarmingly frail, his fiery form dimmed and flickering.

"Your Majesty," Mephistopheles prayed, his voice hoarse looking at the chamber with heavy powerful aura coming out of it.

"Thank you for saving my son..." He said to the door.

Memphis groaned, his eyelids twitching in pain.

"Duke Mephistopheles..." Someone called...

"Rest, my son," Mephistopheles said gently as he ordered a servant to take him away...

A towering figure, clad in obsidian armor, strode in. Baal, the Duke of Gluttony, exuded a menacing aura of raw power. His gaze, smoldering with barely contained fury, fell upon Memphis.

"Duke Mephistopheles," he boomed, his voice echoing in the cavernous chamber.

"Duke Baal," Mephistopheles acknowledged with a curt nod.

Baal ignored the greeting, " Mephistopheles you shouldn't disturb the King now... He is still recovering from the shift."

" Baal... I didn't disturb him. I was called here and I saw my son." Said Mephistopheles.

" Tsk... I don't know why the King favors this brat and even that incubus kid. My son is clearly better." Thought Baal.

Baal snorted. "Our expedition to the human realm cannot be delayed any further. If only your son wasn't such a disappointment."

" Speak your mind Baal..." Said Mephistopheles his aura growing dangerously.

" I will." Baal reciprocated.

" How about I entertain you since you dare to fight before the majesty's chamber." Said another voice his aura eclipsing theirs.

" House Manager... We apologize." They said in unison.

" Good...Now LEAVE." Said the house Manager.

Outside...

"I want to take over the first expedition." Said Baal.

" No." Said Duke Mephistopheles.

" This man is trying to hog all the glory to get rewarded when the king wakes up." Thought Baal.

" If you fail again... I'm taking expedition." Said Baal.

" If only Dukes and Marquises could get out we could end this quick... It took us a lot just to Memphis... We really need to take over this world before they come. I hope his majesty wakes up soon." Thought Mephistopheles as he looked at the King's Castle.