Chapter 776: The plight of Valhalla
There was a tense silence as Vlad turned his gaze to the Empress. He had accepted the invitation out of respect for the Vikings and their culture, not out of allegiance or admiration for their leader. In truth, he had no desire to speak with the woman, and if she had summoned him to request his help, she would be sorely disappointed. She had not moved to protect Freya when it mattered most—so why should he lift a finger for her now?
The Empress could clearly feel the intent behind the True Depravita of Wrath’s eyes. She exhaled quietly, her voice finally breaking the silence.
"Allow me to make clear the current state of Valhalla."
The atmosphere shifted. Freya and the other Depravitas narrowed their eyes, alert to the weight of her words. Valhalla was a realm built on honor, pride, and martial virtue. The very notion that something as corrupt and farcical as the Tournament of Destiny had occurred within its walls was baffling. How had it happened? How had such mockery of their values been allowed to take root?
The answer came swiftly.
"Everything began to change after Antorus, Lord of War, returned from his expedition into the Emptiness."
The room darkened, as if the very mention of that place invoked cosmic dread. Even Jormungandr, the most curious of the True Depravitas, stiffened.
The Known Universe was divided into two primary domains: The Light and The Darkness—each encompassing trillions of civilizations. Though they often stood in opposition, both sides followed natural laws and frameworks. Even the wildest lands within The Darkness were still ruled by a form of order.
But the Emptiness? That was something entirely different.
The Emptiness was not part of the Known Universe. It was a vast, uncharted dimension devoid of stability, logic, or pattern. The structure of its laws was so chaotic that even time and space could twist into nonsense. Those who entered the Emptiness risked madness or worse. Many who emerged were no longer themselves—if they emerged at all.