Entering Apocalypse in Easy-Mode

As Clyde continued his ascent through the collapsing ruins, a different kind of awareness settled within him. One that did not come from his own senses but instead flowed through the connection he had recently formed with the molten beast beneath the ground.

At first it felt distant and faint beneath the overwhelming pressure of the sky. But as he focused, that presence became clearer, steady and responsive as if waiting for his command.

Vulkrath was ready.

Clyde did not hesitate as his will moved through the bond instantly, carrying a single, direct order that left no room for doubt.

"ATTACK WITH ALL YOU GOT!"

He commanded it to attack, and the response came without delay as the ground far below trembled violently.

Cracks spreading across the already shattered streets before erupting in a violent explosion of molten debris and broken stone.

From that destruction, Vulkrath emerged once again.

Its form surged upward with overwhelming force, and the moment it fully revealed itself the difference was undeniable.

Its size had nearly doubled. Its molten body expanded into and became far more massive and imposing while thick streams of lava-like energy flowed across its surface.

The heat radiating from the beast distorted the air and turned the surrounding area into a burning domain that pushed against the already chaotic environment.

Then it roared.

The sound was deep and violent, echoing across the ruined city as if it was challenging the existence above.

But that act of defiance did not go unnoticed as the presence in the sky also shifted in response.

Even without eyes, even without a visible reaction, Clyde could feel the change clearly through the bond as the fake Outer God directed its awareness downward toward the molten beast.

That was when fear struck.

It surged from Vulkrath suddenly and sharply, a primal reaction that came from instinct alone as it recognized the overwhelming existence above it. For a brief moment its movement faltered under that pressure.

That hesitation lasted only an instant before Clyde’s will pressed down through their connection with overwhelming force to crush that fear without mercy as his dominance asserted itself completely.

Clyde forced the beast to stand.

His intent surged forward, cold and absolute, leaving no space for resistance as he reminded the beast of its place under him and what it was meant to do.

The hesitation disappeared under that pressure as Vulkrath’s roar rose again, louder and more violent than before. Now it was also filled not with fear but with a burning defiance that matched the heat surging through its body.

Its form swelled slightly as its power peaked under Clyde’s influence. The aura it released intensified to the point where the air seemed to burn around it.

Then it attacked.

Vulkrath opened its massive maw and unleashed a concentrated blast of searing fire that tore upward through the sky. A blazing pillar of destruction collided directly with the shifting darkness above.

The impact spread across the massive form of the fake Outer God, creating a visible reaction as the energy struck true.

But it did not stop there.

Under Clyde’s command, Vulkrath continued its assault relentlessly, releasing blast after blast in rapid succession as each attack carried immense heat and force that slammed into the entity above, pushing against its overwhelming presence without hesitation.

Then the darkness responded.

A distorted unnatural and deep shriek echoed across the city, as it tore through the air and followed by a low roar that carried pain within it.

The fake Outer God reacted under the barrage. Its massive form squirmed violently as it endured the attacks.

Below, the effect was immediate.

Sean’s expression changed as his eyes widened while he stared upward. He spoke with realization, "The creature had actually felt that attack!"

Connor followed with disbelief still clear on his. "Yeah. We could truly hurt it!"

His earlier doubt shaken for the first time since the scenario began.

Mina’s gaze sharpened as her grip tightened around her weapons. Her focus shifted completely as the situation changed in her mind from something impossible into something that could be fought.

Not far from them, Ray’s grin also widened slowly as excitement returned to his expression. The realization spread through him just as it had with the others.

That overwhelming existence above them was not untouchable. That single fact was enough to change everything.

Clyde’s focus was already fixed far beyond them as he continued his relentless ascent.

The distance between him and the sky closed rapidly as each leap carried him higher. His body moved with explosive precision while lightning and fire coiled around him in violent harmony.

By the time he reached the uppermost remains of the ruined city, there was no ground left above him, only the vast shifting darkness that loomed like a living abyss.

He launched himself forward without hesitation.

For a short moment, his body hung in open air, suspended between the broken world below and the overwhelming presence above.

The pressure at that height intensified sharply and pressed against him from all directions. But it did nothing to slow him down as both lightning and flame surged violently around his body.

Then he attack.

Clyde thrust his burning Demon sword forward as the lightning wrapped tighter around his arm. In that instant both forces merged into a single attack.

A massive pillar of twisting fire and lightning erupted from him, spiraling violently as it moved and slammed directly into the body of the fake Outer God.

The impact was catastrophic.

The darkness that formed its body shattered under the force as a large portion of it broke apart and dispersed like fragments of void torn away by overwhelming power.

The dark sky rippled violently as the attack carved through its form, leaving a visible rupture in its massive presence.

The creature recoiled as its countless tentacles pulled back before lashing out again. But this time they lashed with clear intent as they surged toward Clyde from all directions.

Each one carried immense weight and destructive force as they cut through the air, converging on him with terrifying speed.

Clyde did not retreat.

His body moved instantly, lightning flashing as he met the attacks while his burning sword struck against the incoming tentacles. The attacks deflected the tentacle’s trajectory, fire and lightning exploding with every collision as he parried them one after another without losing ground.

He remained suspended in that impossible space, surrounded by destruction, yet completely unmoved.

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