Beyond the Apocalypse

Three days after the Kuro Mountain Battle had ended, thousands of soldiers marched out from the massive volcano that saw the death of millions of Leviathans, beginning their journey south of Karman Country toward the border of Kylen Country.

These men and women had fought with everything they had for several days, pushing themselves beyond their limits time and time again, subjecting their bodies and minds to immense stress. It was understandable that marching once more into battle was not an easy task. Yet, their eyes were full of determination and focus as they advanced. They were the elite of the elite, the best of the best—soldiers trained to the extreme, with a discipline that knew no weakness. Seventy-two hours of rest were more than enough for them to prepare to march once more into war.

Of course, it was not just discipline that fueled their relentless willpower but also the knowledge that they were fighting for a cause greater than themselves. They marched under the leadership of a man many saw as a God-King—a leader capable of coursing across the sky like a shooting star, evoking oceans of magma to flood his enemies, or shooting fire from his eyes that could melt the brain of a beast larger than a whale.

While the Xaos Faith had spread quickly among the civilians, its influence was much slower among the military. These were people already capable of supernatural feats, not to mention that many of the higher-ups had seen the Xaos King when he was just beginning his path. However, faith started to rise rapidly as Vlad performed more and more astounding deeds on the battlefield, his power and abilities rising beyond what they believed possible.

Grand Marshal Anglius and Major General Theodor knew very well how the Xaos King felt regarding being considered a deity. They had prohibited public displays of worship within the military ranks, allowing soldiers to practice their beliefs in the privacy of their homes. They wanted to maintain discipline and prevent any distractions that could arise from fanaticism.

But at this moment, the leaders of the Golden Wave Legion and the Shadowstrike Legion cared little about matters of faith as they led their soldiers forward. Their eyes were sharp and full of focus. It was impossible to hide an army of this size, so they knew a battle would arise as soon as they reached Kylen Country. That was their goal—to draw the Leviathans’ attention—but it did not diminish the tension and dangers they would face.

As the army advanced several hundred kilometers and lost sight of Kuro Mountain, piercing sounds emerged from the left flank. At first, the soldiers grew wary, raising their weapons as they suspected that a battalion of drones was coming at them.

"At ease! They are allies," Grand Marshal Anglius’ voice boomed across the ranks, his authority instantly calming the troops.

The soldiers lowered their weapons, curiosity replacing tension as they watched hundreds of fist-sized spheres with spider-like legs moving across the terrain at shocking speed, advancing toward the border.