Mycelle looked at this representation with expression that combined hatred, fear, and grudging respect. Her verdant horns pulsed with brighter radiance as if responding to the visualized presence of their civilization's antithesis.

"This being of utterly terrible power moved with wild ambition to cover all of observable existence with the allure of death and devastation."

Her hands clenched on the armrests of her throne, knuckles whitening despite her obvious effort to maintain composure.

"The events were so horrendous, so terrifying in their scope and consequence, that most records have been deliberately suppressed. Too traumatic for current generations to fully comprehend without suffering existential damage from merely learning the details."

She turned to look at Achilles directly.

"Since you do not know, since you clearly arrived at these Testing Grounds without proper context about the broader situation…I will be the one to break the news to you, Achilles Adrastia."

Her voice dropped to near-whisper, yet every word carried across the space between them with perfect clarity.

"Life did not win. The good did not triumph over evil in some glorious final confrontation. Darkness won."

...!

The blunt declaration struck like physical blow.

Achilles's consciousness reeled as implications cascaded outward!

"The terrifying might of THE Corpse Hierophant was so devastating that he collapsed one leader of a Primordial Civilization after another."

As she spoke, the visualization above them began showing representations of the collapse, one glorious structure after another crumbling into ruin, their lights extinguishing as the obsidian skull pulsed with consuming darkness.

"Every single leader of all these collapsed Civilizations perished. Beings who bore the distinction of THE…entities whose very names carried Existentjal weight, whose authorities shaped fundamental principles of existence itself…all fell before the Corpse Hierophant's relentless assault."

The structures representing various Civilizations crumbled one by one. Each collapse released waves of authority that suggested catastrophic consequences rippling across all observable existence.

"But the battle was terrifying enough that even THE Corpse Hierophant himself did not survive."

The obsidian skull representation cracked, fractures spreading across its surface as crimson light leaked from the fissures. It didn't shatter dramatically but simply... ceased. Existence acknowledging that this terrible entity had finally ended.

"The Age of Civilizations concluded with mutual annihilation. The collapse of THE Slumbering Genesis who oversaw the Civilization of Life." Mycelle's voice trembled slightly as she named her own Civilization's fallen leader. "The collapse of all other esteemed beings who bore the distinction of THE."

The visualization showed all the magnificent structures reduced to ruins. Not destroyed but collapsed…existing in states between presence and absence, their authorities diminished but not entirely extinguished.

"Civilizations became leaderless. Organizational structures that had operated with unified purpose for eons suddenly found themselves without the guiding principles that had shaped their very existence."

Mycelle's expression hardened as she continued.

"And in the expanse of existence, the weavings of Necrocracy spread. Even while missing THE Corpse Hierophant, his Civilization was still so mighty…its accumulated power, its entrenched positions, its corrupting influence so deeply embedded that it continued expanding."

The obsidian light that had represented Necrocracy began flowing outward. It consumed the spaces between collapsed Civilizations, filling voids with darkness that suggested active malevolence rather than simple absence.

"At this very moment, it covers most of Observable Existence."

Her words carried weight that suggested this wasn't exaggeration but verified fact.

"THE Corpse Hierophant perished. His existence collapsed just as thoroughly as the leaders he destroyed. And yet..." Her devilish smile returned, but now it held only bitterness. "Existence still suffers under him. His legacy, his systems, his corrupting influence…all remain active and expanding despite his absence."

The visualization shifted again, showing the remaining fragments of collapsed Civilizations, including the verdant structure representing Life, gathered together in defensive formation. Surrounded by encroaching darkness, holding positions that suggested desperate last stands rather than confident dominance.

"What remains of the collapsed Civilizations…the Primordial Civilization of Life and others who survived the Age of Collapse, we continue to fight and hide."

Her tone carried defiance mixed with exhaustion.

"Just because our leaders were collapsed does not mean we have no power. Many of us have banded together, now united against common existential threat. We've managed to establish defensive positions, create sanctuaries like this one where our principles can still flourish."

She gestured toward the surrounding verdant authority, indicating the very domain they currently occupied.

"Through cooperation and strategic positioning, we have managed to reach an impasse. Necrocracy cannot advance further without catastrophic cost, but we cannot push them back without resources we don't possess."

HUUM!

The visualization showed this stalemate…darkness pressing against verdant light and multiple other lights, neither side able to claim decisive advantage.

"And now, in this Age of Collapse, the forces of Necrocracy continue to permeate all around. They seek to poke holes and gaps in all that we have remaining, to finding weaknesses in our defenses, exploiting divisions among surviving Civilizations, corrupting individuals who might be turned toward their cause."

Her verdant eyes blazed with intensity that suggested personal experience with such infiltration.

"They try to pierce the veils of our defenses and continue covering the entirety of Observable Existence in darkness. They are simultaneously weak and powerful…diminished from their peak during the Age of Civilizations yet still commanding resources that dwarf what we can muster."

She leaned forward on her throne, gaze locking onto Achilles with focus.

"And when they start to see geniuses rising in any Primordial Civilization, beings who demonstrate exceptional potential, who might grow to threaten their dominance…they target and hunt you."

The emphasis on that final word made clear she was speaking directly about his situation now.

"They make absolutely certain that nothing vibrant will ever bloom among the Primordial Civilizations. No new THE will emerge to replace those who fell. No exceptional individual will achieve power sufficient to challenge their entrenched positions."

Her expression shifted toward something that might have been hope mixed with desperation.

"Because at this moment, we are looking for unique existences. Beings who may carry the legacy and power of The Fallen THE…who might possess capabilities that could overcome current limitations and push back against the forces that have dominated existence for eons."

The visualization above them shifted one final time. The collapsed structures representing various Civilizations began glowing with renewed light…not restored to former glory but showing potential for resurgence if proper catalysts emerged.

"Our existence is obscured by darkness. Over the eons since the Age of Collapse, we have been searching for exceptional beings who can overcome the current impasse. Who possess capabilities that transcend conventional limitations and might achieve what we cannot through standard methodologies."

She smiled.

"Whether you are a genius anomaly who will be capable of doing anything meaningful remains unknown. Many geniuses have risen and fallen in this Age of Collapse…beings who showed tremendous potential only to be assassinated before reaching maturity, or who achieved great power only to find it insufficient against forces that have been entrenched for eons."

Her verdant horns pulsed with brilliant radiance as she delivered her conclusion.

"But hey, no harm in seeing whether you will make a difference, right?"

...!

Her eyes blazed with immense brightness as she looked at him!

And Achilles...

Thought deeply of this terrifying reveal. The scope of existence suddenly expanded far beyond what he'd comprehended when deciding to approach these Testing Grounds!

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