The World Serpent

*BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!* *BOOM!*

As the War Drums within the heavens began blowing with each thunderous sound. The Great Rulers furrowed their eyebrows and teleported atop the Fortress Bastion. They then turned towards the heavens with a serious expression. The situation got a lot more serious, and it was earlier than they had expected. But one would wonder, why would they get serious by the War Drums. 

Well, it was kind of obvious from their expressions. The War Drums signified the beginning of a New Great War. The moment the War Drum echoed, they felt the Great Rulers of Continental Regions gathering together with their armies. They didn't know where it came from, but they had something in mind. 

"I never thought that the Gods would interfere with the Great War," Koldreg said with his stern voice as the War Drums continued to echo within the heavens. Kitsune, Drya, and Statera were also flabbergasted as they were sure that the Gods wouldn't bother those within the Realm of Piksyon anymore. 

"It seems that we can also correlate the joint mobilization of all Continental Armies towards the Gods. But it seems that the Gods causing the problem aren't those ones from the past." Statera said as she also felt the connection of the strange joint mobilization. She placed those possibilities towards the Devils but after thinking about it. There was a possibility that Gods and Devils might have worked together in this Great War. 

"Well, it ain't very surprising for Gods to have their own different factions. Nothing is exempted, and only those who are truly strong can be alone in these vast realities." Drya uttered as Koldreg and Kitsune nodded in agreement.

Persia, on the other hand, observed the area around Azathoth. Seconds passed by as Persia sighed after finding out that the Great Army of the Plains have already started their invasion. 

The Invasion and the Beginning of the Great War were faster than she had expected. But, there was a possibility that it might have been her instant disappearance that became the trigger of the Great War. Though, there was no use in thinking about it since it had already happened. 

"It is rather unfortunate for the Great War to start this early, but since it has already started. Why don't we talk about our future plans?" Persia said with her serene voice as the Great Rulers turned their gaze towards her and nodded in agreement. Discussing the plan would be better since the have already gathered together. 

"As the Great War began sooner than expected, I'll begin sending my forces towards the Occidental Region to aid the Nation of Azathoth. Does anyone disagree?" Statera asked as the Great Rulers didn't disagree with her decision. The Nation of Azathoth was quite young, so they had already accepted that their Junior would need their help. 

But among them, a silver-haired girl raised her hand. It was Persia herself who disagreed with the decision given by Statera. The Great Rulers raised their eyebrows as Statera found herself confused about what Persia had done. Persia smiled towards the Great Rulers and Statera as she explained her reasoning. 

"The Nation of Azathoth can handle those Xenos without any problems. We have no need for reinforcements. And no offense, the reinforcements would slow the Inquisitors down. I want my Inquisitors to move freely, and this is good training for them." Persia explained as Statera smirked upon hearing Persia's words. Confidence and Pride always overlap. It's hard to see which one emits from Persia's words. 

"Understandable, though I hope that you won't regret it in the future." 

"I have great confidence in my forces, and they will decimate the battlefield under my orders," Persia replied as the two of them stared at each other. After a short staring contest, the two started chuckling. Statera turned her gaze towards the Great Rulers and said with a calm voice. 

"The Gods have started moving, and I want the three of you to be careful. We have no leads on what they would do but expect them to appear on the battlefield." Statera warned with a cold voice as the Great Rulers nodded in understanding. Since it was a new faction of Gods, they had no choice but to get incredibly cautious. 

The Bastards might not be as willing to listen as the first ones. Not only that, but the first ones ended with a fight. Though, Statera won without any problems. They were sure that the Gods were powerful beings. Though, outsiders tend to get pressured especially strong outsiders. 

Thinking about outsiders, Statera turned her gaze towards Persia and wondered why Persia wasn't pressured to be weaker than her current state. Since Persia was an outsider, she must have been detected as a foreigner by the Realm of Piksyon. Statera had tons of questions though she couldn't simply ask Persia why she was not weak. 

"So, what are you planning to do with the chunks of the Eternal Sword, Persia?" Koldreg asked while gazing at the leftover chunks of the Eternal Sword. It was quite painful to see a broken treasure in front of him, but as he wasn't the owner. He had no say about the future of the treasure. 

Persia looked at the chunks of metal left by the Eternal Sword. She had already destroyed the divinity left within it, so it probably wasn't that dangerous now. She then smiled and replied with a calm voice. "I'm planning to create a new sword from its materials. It would be challenging if I had done it myself, so I hope for your assistance, Senior Koldreg." 

"Hmm... I'll assist if I'm needed." Koldreg nodded in agreement as he wanted to see what kind of sword he could create from the chunks left by the Eternal Sword. Anyway, the Great Rulers continued levitating atop the heavens as the Fortress Bastion began the activation of its defenses. 

"Since the Great War had started, We'll meet once again after the Great War." Kitsune smiled and waved her pale arm towards the Great Rulers and faded. Drya nodded and slowly disappeared. Koldreg smirked upon seeing the disappearance of the two and also faded. After a while, only Statera and Persia found themselves within the heavens. 

"It's time for me to leave. Ask me if you need my assistance, Persia." Statera had a serene expression as she disappeared. Persia continued levitating atop the heavens as she found herself alone. She looked at the skies and closed her eyelids. Gods... A new enemy has arisen other than the World Administrators.

Such were her thoughts. If she continued threading in such a path, it was expected for her to fight against such beings. Well, it was a simple choice and a simple dream for her to reach the zenith of existence. Not as the best of the Realm of Piksyon but the best of everything that exists.

"Ego, prepare the Inquisitors. Control the drones and send them to pick up my new Vassal Daemon Beasts. Also, bring the Daemon Beast Leaders so that it won't end as a problem." Persia started sending her orders towards Ego. They had little to no time, and they needed to tightly pack everything before officially starting the battle. 

"Understood, Sister. Sending Drones towards the agreed location of the Daemon Beast Lairs. Daemon Beast Leaders will also be sent towards the location to meditate the population. What about the ones that didn't accept the proposal, Sister? Will we continue with the extermination?" Ego asked with her monotone voice. 

She wondered what the current plans they have towards the 60% Daemon Beasts. Exterminating them would be a problem since the Great War had already started. Leaving them alone would also be a problem since unknown variables might arise from them. But, Ego waited for the answer of her Sister. After all, she was sure that her Sister would solve the problem with ease. 

"Those bastards? Continue their extermination. I don't want to see those bastards threading in the Occidental Region." Persia replied with an aloof tone as Ego questioned. "But what about the Great Army of the Plains? They have already started their invasion in the Occidental Region. We have hours left before the parts of the Occidental Region under our influence would get affected by them." 

"The Great Army of the Plains? I'll take care of the Army and buy time." Persia smirked as Ego furrowed her eyebrows while sending orders towards the Drones and Inquisitors. She couldn't believe what she was hearing from her Sister. It was too dangerous and reckless.  Of course, Persia had already known that Ego would be worried about her. 

"Isn't that too reckless, Sister? They are dozens of hundreds of Great Rulers within such an army. Even if they lack quality, they have the quantity to patch the problem. They are too dangerous to fight alone." Ego didn't want her Sister to be charging towards the Great Army of the Plains alone. If she does, What would be the use of Azathoth and the Inquisition?

"Oh, Are you doubting me?" Persia slyly smiled as she questioned with a prideful tone.

"I'm not doubting you, Sister. I want you to be with us and fight together." Well, that was a good reason. Even Persia couldn't counter it.

Persia sighed after hearing the words of Ego and replied.

"I'm not planning to fight them. As I said, I want to buy time for the Inquisition to exterminate the variables. After their extermination, I would go back and retreat from the battlefield." 

"I see... Understood, We'll finish the job. Be careful, Sister." Ego knew that stopping her Sister would be fruitless. The only thing they could do was exterminate the variables as fast as possible. 

"Well then. I guess it's time for me to leave.." Persia waved her pale hand as she disappeared atop the heavens.