"Wake up!"

Alaster's eyes shot open, his heart pounding in his chest.

He searched the room with his eyes, but found he was alone in a sparsely furnished room. Warm oak flooring paired well against the granite block walls. A large and thick woolen blanket covered him. A single chair sat empty beside the bed, but the open book on the night table hinted at it being recently vacant.

'Belgroth?'

Alaster sighed in relief when the Demon's deep smooth voice replied, 'You're finally awake.'

'Were you still aware of what happened while I was out?'

'Yes. Would you like an overview?'

'Was there anyone else in the room when I woke up?'

'No. Your sister was the last one here, and she left less than an hour ago. I suspect it was either to use the toilet, or because she was hungry. But she has been beside your bed the entire time.'

Alaster's brow furrowed.

If there hadn't been anyone in the room with him, at least not one Belgroth could sense, who had shouted at him to wake up?

'Where are we?'

'Somewhere in Onigas.'

'Did anything happen during the journey here after I passed out?'

'Nothing major…that is if you discount how the entire group of children were almost disemboweled by an Orcish Warband. Everyone lived, but there were several close calls. Your little sister is quite the leader, even though she never left your side, she quickly evaluated the situation and her comrades' capabilities and put those with the skills most suited to work.'

'I don't doubt it.' Alaster said with a warm grin.

'Now, would you like to tell me what happened? One moment, you are looking through the System Notifications, the next you are just about comatose.'

'I guess you weren't able to see what was going in within my Soul. Lets just say I know the System and Anti System on a personal level now,' Alaster's eyes grew hard, 'as well as something else. Something old, and so powerful I can't even comprehend a single grain of sand's worth.'

Belgroth was silent for a moment. When he spoke, he did so with slow measured words, 'You didn't see its true form, only a misty shadow.'

'You know it?'

'I know of it, and it is a power that mortal beings fail to understand, let alone grasp. And even if they could understand it, they would never be able to use it.'

'What is it?'

Belgroth hesitated, wondering if he should even answer, but he knew Alaster would search for the answer regardless. And if he told the young man, at least then he would avoid the dangers of searching.

'There are certain laws of nature. Laws that exert themselves over everything. Laws such as gravity or light. These laws are ever present and everywhere. They can be avoided…for a time, and always for a great price.

Now imagine these Laws personified.

Physical beings that go well beyond the physical. Past the Magical. Past the emotional. Beings who control the very fabric of reality, unbeholden to any limits, because they are the ones who set the limits.

Beings who are so powerful, that even if all of existence attacked one, they would not even scratch it.

And you just met one.

From the sounds of it, you met the very personification of Death.'

'It helped me advance to a Master Class.'

'These beings, those who know of their existence, call them The Primordials. In all of recorded history, at least that I know of, the number of times one of them has decided to interfere can be counted on one of your hands. Each time, did not end well for those that interacted with the Primordial.'

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

'They are evil?'

Belgroth rolled his non-existent eyes, 'You know better than most that there is no such thing. No. The Primoridial have existed since the very beginning of time, perhaps even before that. They get bored occasionally. When they find something that interests them, they may decide to interact with it, but they are so powerful, and were 'born' that way, that they don't really comprehend beings that are so much weaker than they are.

The Primordials are so powerful, they simply don't understand how a power they use to clean their fingernails could shift the power balance of an entire galaxy. That, or they just don't care.

Whatever Death gave you, make sure you understand it very well before you even think of using it. It could wipe out entire armies…or it could cause you to explode in such a spectacular fashion that half the continent is missing. Or it might just be a way to dye your hair a different color on command.'

Alaster paid close attention to each word Belgroth said, but he was not sure he agreed.

The way Belgroth described the Primordials, they were jesters who did what they wanted, when they wanted, how they wanted, and they were so powerful, it was pointless to even consider getting in their way.

But the Primordial that Alaster met, Death, did not give the impression of an immature child.

The Primordial had an aura of finality. It understood perfectly what it was doing, especially when it decided to act. Alaster was not sure how to explain it, but it seemed to him that while the Primordial did not care what Alaster did, it was simply curious what he would do.

At least that is what Alaster thought.

He only hoped he was right.

'Has anything else of note happened?'

'I can only see in your immediate surroundings. If it does not happen around you, I have no idea. But with the Invasion still in the beginning stages, I am sure a lot has happened.'

'How long have I been out?'

'Its been just over a week. Eight days.'

That was a long time by normal standards. With the Demonic Invasion, it was an eternity. How many thousands had died in those eight days? How many villages burned to ash? How many cities reduced to rubble? Had entire Kingdoms fallen to the Demons?

Alaster needed to know.

Alaster threw off the heavy blanket and placed his bare feet on the wood floor. The movement caused his head to swim, so changing his plans, he merely rested his elbows on his knees and his face in his palms.

Closing his eyes, Alaster tugged on the Soul String binding his Death Knight, Catherine, to him.

The response was immediate.

'Master! Are you ok? What happened?'

'I am fine, for the most part. First things first, report.'

Her voice immediately turned more militaristic, 'Sir, the Demons have moved quickly. Unprepared, Lissura fell to Demonic control within three days. Vrens was the last city and they held out until the fourth day. Since then, the Demons have stopped all advancement into the Independent Lands. They have not reallocated any of their forces, merely holding at the moment. I suspect this means their War Masters are still deciding what to do about Onigas.

As for the rest of the continent?

The Demons spread out from Zolis in all directions.

With Lissura slowing their advance, it gave the rest of the Nations time to prepare, at least a little. Still, Taria has already lost two of the cities, they are struggling to hold a third. The Gilaen Empire has also lost two, but they are amassing the vast majority of their military might and preparing to send them marching towards their frontier cities.

Taurus has yet to even confront the Demons in anything more than a light skirmish, but considering the mountainous regions, that will likely change soon.

Celarn is unexpectantly sending much of their forces to aid Taria, likely as a way to further slow the Demonic advance and give their own people more time to fortify themselves.

Xedora and Hason had not made any actions, likely believing themselves unaffected.

Athera has steered their vast hordes of Monsters towards the Demon armies in their own lands, slowing their advance, but one of their cities is currently under siege.

Kemore has once again put aside their civil wars against a greater foe and are currently fortifying. The many rivers in their lands have given them ample chokepoints to hinder the enemy, but their cities are quite lacking compared to the other Nations', regarding defenses.

The City States are actually thriving amidst the chaos. In the two weeks since the Invasion begun, they have seen the advancement of six Masters. Their armies are actually pushing outside their cities and fighting the Demon armies in open fields on fairly even footing, despite the System disabling effects of the Argalon Mages.

The Demons have been attacking Zalar for several days now, and have yet to touch a single brick on any of the Zalarian cities. There have been losses, of course, but drastically fewer than any other Nation, and most of the casualties were Summonables or Constructs. We are making the Demons pay for every inch of ground they take. Though I admit, it has not been an easy fight.

Without the resources constantly coming in from Onigas and Galmore through the underground trains, the Demons would have gained a lot more ground, they might have even touched the city walls.'

'So the tunnels have been working well?'

'More than well! We have them moving back and forth twenty-four seven. There have even been talks of expanding the tunnels to allow multiple going in a single direction.

However, sir, I feel the need to mention, I have the feeling that the Demons are still feeling us out. I do not believe they have sent forth their true might.'

'Understood, keep watch, but do not interfere unless strictly necessary.

What about the other Death Knights?'

'They have continued the tasks you gave them before you went comatose. Fortifying wherever they could, strengthening everything they saw. There is not a single mile of Zalarian Lands that is not covered by at least some weapon. And Onigas and Galmore have been fortified for war.'

'That is good. Good to see that you are all proactive. One last question.

What have my other bodies been up to?'

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.