Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Rage and welcome back
A Level 5 wizard from their ranks had infiltrated the Level 4 Demon Realm, triggering significant upheaval. Alvo listened intently as the informant continued, pale but determined.
"The barbarians have successfully repelled the demonic frontlines and are now pushing into the planar horde with thousands of warriors. Their assault forced the demons to retreat to their command base. The organization behind this invasion appears fearful of punishment and is desperately trying to cover up the failure. However, I doubt they can keep it hidden for long.
"Currently, fifty barbarians with Level 4 physical capabilities are poised to wreak havoc on the enemy base. Once they act, the high-ranking figures will have no choice but to reveal themselves."
Alvo nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. I wonder how long they can maintain the illusion that the invasion hasn't failed, even as their forces are being pushed back into their own territory."
With a decisive gesture, Alvo and Henry vanished from the room and reappeared above the Demon Plane's planar gate. Alvo surveyed the area before transforming the surroundings into a pure white ocean, its waters imbued with a potent assimilative power. Any demon who set foot within would be absorbed instantly.
Henry wasted no time, activating the avatar seed they had planted earlier within the Demon Plane. Unbeknownst to the demons, this seed had been stored in their treasure vault, its purpose unrecognized. As the seed awakened, massive vines began erupting from the walls, consuming everything in their path.
One particular vine made its way toward the faction leader at the top of the central tower. Struggling to comprehend the sudden calamity, he was overwhelmed as thousands of tendrils surged toward him. Despite his resistance, the vines eventually subdued and assimilated him, feeding his energy into the avatar plant, which grew exponentially larger and more powerful.
Alvo and Henry returned to their base and gathered everyone for a briefing.
"The situation is as follows," Alvo began, his tone calm but firm. "The barbarians will continue their advance until they encounter an insurmountable obstacle. Retreat is not an option for them. Meanwhile, the demons who attempt to breach our position here will be assimilated by the white ocean. This strategy buys us five years at most before Level 7 or 8 figures grow impatient and intervene directly."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled wizards. "We've survived this long, and we will continue to survive. No matter the odds, we will endure. And one day, we will return home."
A determined silence fell over the group, their resolve solidified by Alvo's words. The challenges ahead were immense, but their unity and resilience had carried them this far—and it would carry them further still.
Alvo gathered the wizards in a deep underground chamber located at their central base, far from the eastern region where the planar gate was situated. His voice echoed through the space, filled with authority and determination.
"Listen carefully. The suppressor formation will be configured here, in the safety of our underground base. This location provides the necessary distance to avoid direct interference from the planar gate and gives us the advantage of operating without the constant threat of demonic forces. We must act swiftly and precisely."
He turned to Henry and continued, "Prepare the materials for the runes and ensure that all components are properly aligned with the terrain's characteristics. The core of the formation will be constructed at the center of this chamber. We will use the combined power of our level 5 wizards as the main anchor."
Alvo then addressed the rest: "The level 4 wizards will be responsible for extending the energy network. You will create secondary nodes that will spread the suppressive force throughout the base. Work together and ensure there are no gaps in the matrix."
Finally, he turned to the level 3 wizards: "You have a vital role to play. First, assist in drawing the magical symbols and completing the necessary circuits. Second, maintain constant surveillance of the perimeter. While we are far from the planar gate, that does not mean we are entirely safe."
Alvo paused, his gaze firm as he scanned the group. "This formation must be capable of withstanding attacks from level 7 entities. We cannot afford to fail. If we succeed in stabilizing the formation, we will have a real chance of resisting any incursion and continuing to advance our plans."
He concluded, his voice softer but no less impactful: "We are at a decisive moment. Work as one unit, support one another, and remember that every action we take here is not just to protect this plane but to ensure our return home. Make it count."
The wizards nodded in unison and set out to complete their tasks. As magical energy began to fill the chamber, the determination of Alvo and his group became a palpable force, ready to confront any challenge that lay ahead.
One year later, the day marked Alvo and Henry's 21st birthdays.
Reports arrived detailing an unsettling development: the barbarians, in their relentless campaign, had taken to consuming the hearts of their enemies, claiming it made them stronger. To everyone's astonishment, it was true. Some barbarians began to mutate, gaining monstrous strength and abilities, catching the demons completely off guard.
First, the demons struggled to locate the planar gate. Second, the barbarian horde, numbering in the thousands, fought with the ferocity of an unstoppable plague, their hatred palpable. This chaotic assault stressed the demon forces until a level 7 demon descended upon the battlefield. With a mere wave of his hand, the carnage ended, and the barbarian advance was halted.
Soon after, orders were issued to investigate the region. The demons discovered the remnants of the level 5 faction that had once been stationed there, now overtaken by a dense jungle of living vines. A level 5 demon attempted to subdue the vines but was consumed, fueling the avatar's growth. Frustrated, the level 7 demon eradicated the vines with a gesture, finally revealing the planar gate buried underground.
Upon sending scouts to explore the gate, none returned. Suspicious, the demons turned to the level 7 demon. Apologetic looks accompanied their request, and he entered the gate. The moment he crossed, he found himself submerged in an endless ocean. At first, he felt nothing unusual, but soon he noticed his demonic energy was suppressed, rendering him powerless. The ocean, pure and white, rejected his existence entirely—it was as if he had fallen into the domain of his natural enemy.
The demon thrashed, releasing waves of energy that cleaved mountains across millions of kilometers, but it was in vain. Moments later, the level 7 demon perished, consumed by the ocean.
Alvo opened his eyes gravely and addressed his group. "The time has come. A level 7 demon has fallen into my trap. Now they will send more."
The group trembled solemnly at the weight of his words. It was clear their situation was reaching its climax. Each of the 30 members wrote their final messages, entrusting them to Alvo. He, too, prepared his own note:
Do not mourn for us. We made our choice, though fate dealt us a cruel hand. Who could have guessed we'd fall into the clutches of the Demon High Plane?
Henry and I have reached level 5, and many of our comrades have advanced as well. We've done everything to delay the inevitable, but today a level 7 demon fell into our trap. You know what this means—they'll soon overwhelm us.
I've embedded the Witch Plane's will within an avatar embryo in this world. If it hatches successfully, the plane's reach will extend here.
To Jennifer: I loved you deeply and dreamed of a future together, building a family. But destiny chose another path for me.
Our sacrifices must not reflect poorly on the Titan race. We were allies, carrying out a mission, nothing more, nothing less.
Alvo closed his note, sighing heavily. Turning to the others, he said, "It's done. Our wills are passed on. Whether we survive or not, may the Witch's Will guide us."
The group erupted in a unified cry: "Long live the Witch's Will!"
Days later, 10 level 7 demons hovered above the white ocean.
They sighed, admiring the clever trap. One demon spoke, "Such an intricate scheme."
A second demon traced the source of the power. "They're not from this plane, nor the Divine Beast Plane," he muttered, frowning.
"Interesting," remarked another demon. "Let's see who these intruders are."
Descending to a dense forest, they unleashed a destructive wave of energy, only for it to dissipate harmlessly against an invisible barrier. "A suppressor formation..." one demon noted. "Inner Circle of the Witch Plane."
Another demon sneered. "Should we proceed? This might provoke trouble."
Yet another dismissed the concern with a smirk. "The Witch Plane is far away, and these pests are close. Let's take them and extract what we can."
The ground quaked as their assault began. Inside the formation, the group strained under the immense pressure. Some fainted, while others struggled to remain standing. Alvo sighed bitterly. "This is it."
Elsewhere in Universe, Hybrym Dumbledore received the final message from Alvo.
After reading it, he exhaled heavily. The commanding Titan Autarch turned to him. "What's the situation, Lord Hybrym?"
"They fell into the Demon High Plane's trap," he replied, his voice laden with restrained fury. "This is their final week."
Anger radiated from Hybrym. "These lowly demons dare to touch our young ones?" He scanned the universe, pinpointing the plane. "Prepare a planar leap. I'll sacrifice an entire world if I must."
The formation was activated, and with a thunderous roar, the sacrificed plane vanished, replaced by a blinding light.
Back in the Demon High Plane, Barbarian planet, the demons surrounded the 30 wizards, smirking menacingly.
Alvo shouted defiantly, "We'll fight to the end!"
A level 7 demon chuckled, raising his hand. "Witch, know your place—"
Suddenly, the space froze. A chilling voice echoed through the void, reverberating across the universe: "You, a mere demon, dare to touch our children?"
The demon vanished, obliterated in an instant. As a Titan Autarch prepared to execute the rest, 10 demonic Autarchs appeared above. "Gentlemen, you've come so far…" one began, but Hybrym interrupted, his voice icy.
"I am angry. Do not waste my time."
A spatial wave tore through existence, erasing the demon Autarchs. Hybrym approached the unconscious wizards, encasing them in a protective cocoon before lifting them into the universe.
Still seething, he unleashed an endless barrage of spatial energy at the Demon High Plane, obliterating countless surrounding worlds. Only when the assault neared the primary demonic stronghold did it cease.
A figure in a tattered suit, glowing with a faint blue hue, watched from afar—the will of the Demon Plane itself. Hybrym scoffed, his disdain evident. "The will of the Demon Plane? Hmph."
Turning to his Titan allies, he said, "Let's go home."
Four years had passed since the return to the Wizarding World. Despite the time, Hybrym's wrath had not fully subsided. Formalities were conducted with the utmost precision, and an Autarch of the Titan race was stationed in the citadel to oversee the case closely. A year ago, Alvo, Henry, and the 28 others remained unconscious, locked in a state of profound fatigue. Their spiritual energy had been pushed to its very limits, leaving them in a dream-like utopia. It was a place of warmth and solace, a haven that felt like home, yet they could not discern if this was reality or a demonic illusion.
During this period of recovery, Hybrym released the farewell letters penned by each of the 30 warriors before their final battle. The contents of these letters resonated deeply throughout the Wizarding World. Each was a testament to courage, hope, and the sacrifices made in the face of insurmountable odds.
Families sat in silence, clutching the letters with trembling hands, some struggling to hold back their tears. Among them were stories of camaraderie, dreams, and gratitude. Many spoke of their gratitude to Lord Alvo, who had guided them through despair and chaos, always lighting the way with his unwavering resolve.
When Alvo's letter was read aloud by Hybrym himself, the world seemed to hold its breath. His words were a mix of gravity and hope, a reflection of his extraordinary foresight. He spoke of their sacrifice, ensuring that the bond between the Wizarding and Titan planes would endure. Even in the shadow of death, he planned for the future—a seed of the Wizarding World's will embedded within the fabric of the Titan plane.
The Titan envoy, witnessing the profound impact of these letters, could not help but marvel at the depth of Alvo's vision. The emissary wondered if this union of planes had been destined, a merging of wills—masculine and feminine—long in the making. Perhaps, it was not merely fate but a deliberate orchestration of the forces that governed existence.
At home, Jennifer sat with Alvo's letter clasped tightly in her hands. Her tears fell unabated as she read his words over and over. "I loved you deeply," he had written. "I dreamed of a life together—a family—but the path fate chose was another. I will always carry you in my heart." Her grief was overwhelming, and when told she could not visit him, she was inconsolable. Adrian, moved by her determination, arranged for her to be by Alvo's side. From that day on, Jennifer never left him. She read him the news daily, bathed him with gentle care, and watched over him with devotion that left Alvo's mother marveling at how her son had found such a remarkable partner.
Henry, too, was surrounded by unwavering love. His family visited daily, their concern etched into their faces. His younger sister, no longer the little girl he once knew, stayed by his side constantly, ensuring he was never alone.
Over time, the other members of the group began to awaken. Some emerged in fury, their shouts of vengeance echoing through the halls. "Damn those demons! How dare they challenge us?" others cried, voices filled with pride. "So what if they're Level 7? Look how they fell into our trap!" The murmurs of their bravery spread across the Wizarding World, igniting a wave of admiration and sorrow.
Yet Alvo and Henry remained unresponsive, their eyes closed, their spirits still lost in the depths of their trials.
High above the citadel, Hybrym Dumblemdore and Utarrana Cruz—watched over the scene. Their bond was a testament to the power of unity, a union between the Dumbledore and Cruz families that had endured the tests of time. Still, Hybrym's anger simmered beneath the surface. He often muttered, "Humble demons, how dare they?" His fury was a living thing, tempered only by the memory of Alvo's words: "I left an avatar carrying the will of the Wizarding World in an embryo. If fate allows, it will hatch in due time."
These words lingered in his mind, a beacon of hope amid the chaos. The enmity between the Wizarding and Titan planes and the demonic forces that sought to destroy them stretched back eons, yet Alvo's foresight offered a glimmer of unity and purpose.
Hybrym closed his eyes and conveyed Alvo's message to the Will of the Wizarding World. When he opened them again, he gazed upon the stars, their brilliance a reminder of the endless possibilities of the universe. The embers of hope burned anew, even in the face of uncertainty.
What no one knew was that Alvo and Henry were being blessed by the Will of the Wizarding World. Despite being at Level 5, their existence was undergoing a transformation that no one had ever witnessed before. As the days passed, Henry began emanating an infinite vitality, one so potent that every wounded person in five Citadels of Autarchs was healed instantly, as if by magic.
Alvo, on the other hand, emitted a different kind of energy. His presence exuded a lightness, an ethereal sensation that made those near him feel as though they were floating, their bodies becoming as weightless as a wave, moving as effortlessly as the wind. This sensation carried with it an overwhelming sense of peace, an aura that seemed to dissolve all tension and fear.
What was happening to them was more than just physical healing or energy; it was a profound evolution. The laws of light and waves, the very fundamental forces of nature, were being reshaped by the Will of the Wizarding World itself, evolving into something primal, something eternal. These new forces, the Law of Primordial Light and the Law of Primordial Waves, were not just concepts but living, breathing energies that began to reshape the very fabric of the world around them.
As the days went on, the changes in Alvo and Henry grew more apparent. Their powers weren't merely improving; they were ascending, transcending what it meant to be human, to be Wizard or Titan. They were becoming something more, something ancient, tied to the deepest currents of existence itself. The transformation they were undergoing was not just a blessing—it was the manifestation of the Will of the Wizarding World, one that had been quietly preparing for this moment since the dawn of time.
And with it, the realms around them began to change. The Citadels that once seemed invulnerable, the powers that once felt untouchable, now trembled before the new force emerging in their midst. It was as if the universe itself had begun to bend in reverence to Alvo and Henry, to the immense power coursing through them—an energy that could heal, an energy that could unravel the very fabric of reality.
And it was only for Alvo that the blood of the Autarch he had received removed his physical limitations. Up until that point, most witches and wizards possessed formidable spiritual powers, but their bodies were fragile, unable to fully support their immense energy. Now, however, both Alvo's body and spirit had ascended to the level of a true powerhouse. His physical form had caught up with his spiritual strength, both reaching the pinnacle of Level 5.
Alvo had transcended the boundaries of what it meant to be either a Titan or a Wizard. He was now both, blessed and accepted by two great planar wills—the Will of the Wizarding World and the Will of the Titans. No longer confined by the frailties of mere flesh, he stood as a being both of this world and beyond it. His body was as strong and unyielding as a Titan's, while his mind and spirit radiated the vast and potent magic of the wizarding realm.
This union of two great forces—the Titan and the Wizard—had transformed Alvo into something far greater than anyone could have imagined. The blessing of the two wills had fused his being into a singular force, one that carried the weight of both the magical and the physical in perfect harmony. He was no longer just a man or a wizard; he was a living embodiment of the intersection between two worlds, two great powers that were now intertwined within him.
This newfound power, however, came with a burden. Alvo was no longer merely a servant to the will of the Wizarding World; he was now a force that could shape it. He was no longer confined by the limitations of his body or his spirit, and in this new state, he felt the weight of the universe itself pressing down upon him, both a blessing and a challenge.
Yet, with this transformation, Alvo's destiny had irrevocably changed. He had become a being that was accepted and revered by two mighty planes, a force to be reckoned with in both realms. The questions that lay ahead were no longer about survival but about the role he would play in the grand tapestry of the multiverse, as both Titan and Wizard—forever bound by the wills that had blessed him.