Shifter - Infinite Transformation-Chapter 89: Forces

The Elder Vampire sat on his throne, listening patiently to the reports of his informants. Vampires, born from his blood, from across the realm had come to him. They heeded his call and were lying in wait to be sent out once more.

Their Master did not tell them what was about to happen, but they could feel it. Something big was about to happen. Something great enough to change all of the realm. A shift was about to occur, and they were the disasters who would herald the change.

"The dungeon entrance has been found?" The Elder Vampire tilted his head. It was not an unexpected turn of events.

The Eserian bordered two rivaling nations. Their forces entered the living forest as they pleased, to fight but also to drain the Eserian of its Essence to grow stronger themselves. It was obvious that one of the nations would find the dungeon entrance at some point. But for the Zetrian Empire to be this fast could only mean that his plan failed.

The pieces had already fallen, the traps triggered, yet his attempt at infiltrating Earl Nuer’s home had failed. The same could not be said about the Forea Alliance. His forces invaded the Houses and stalled the discovery of the dungeon leading to the Great Depths. It was just what he wanted.

What he did not account for was the Eserian’s anger, or for a Nature Dragon to roam the living forest. The Eserian was the only Greater Being in the forest, or it should have been. But now, humans had changed that. They found the dungeon, entered it before his thralls could report to the Elder Vampire, and they returned carrying several eggs and a crippled juvenile dragon. What exactly the dragon was doing there, among the Delvers, the Elder Vampire did not know, but he honestly couldn’t care less.

What he cared about was his sources in the Great Depths–the Netherworld, to be precise. He had yet to convince the Demon Lords to join his mission, and if things continued as they were, it would not lead to an agreement.

Something had to be done.

The Vampires had to return to the realm. Their slumber was bound to end.

"It’s time." He spoke quietly, yet his words reached every corner of the palace. His subordinates leaped to their feet, their cheers and shouts resounding and overlapping.

More and more information reached him, each more interesting than the last. The realm was stirring, and the carefully curated balance of the gods would soon tilt. The Elder Vampire would make sure of that. And even if he was to fail, the Vampires were only one of many who wanted a change.

They were just the first to take a bite. Or two.

***

A howl tore through the air. More followed, filling the plateau with a cacophony of excitement and bloodlust. The Werewolf packs had gathered, their forces united under the Great King. Their goals had become one, their desire burning deep in their hearts.

After centuries of losses, years spent in hiding, their tails tucked between their legs, the time for change had come. They were ready.

So were the Netherkin. They were on the move. Rivers of lava roared around them as they approached the dungeon entrance. They descended into the Great Depths, their path leading them back to the Overworld. To reclaim what rightfully belonged to them.

But they were not alone. The other realms were stirring. New branches formed by the Grand Dungeons came to be. Formed by an abundance of Essence, the death of a god, and the consequences that followed.

A new dungeon came to be. Born from the corpse of a god. But it was not just any god, or any dungeon.

A new Grand Dungeon born from the corpse of a Primordial.

But what happened to a dungeon when a god died without ever losing consciousness? What would happen to a Grand Dungeon if it retained the memories and sentience of the Primordial that birthed it?

Nobody knew. It was not something anyone was supposed to ever find out either. Yet, it happened. A Primordial died, killed himself in an unfortunate turn of events. A misfortune during an experiment that was supposed to find new realms. That he did. He found new realms, but in exchange... in exchange, he died, yet not.

Turned into a Grand Dungeon, the first born since the death of the last Primordial one million years ago, the Realm of Beginning was bound to change. But not only the Beginning. Godlands, the land of the gods, and all the other realms would change as well. A shockwave was bound to shake the cosmos, and it was impossible to say who was going to survive.

Chaos was everywhere, and not even the gods could be certain of their survival. Not when those they sealed away all those years ago started to move once more. They awoke, stirred by the promise of change, and they smelled blood.

It was only a matter of time before someone would find them. By then, it was only a matter of years before they would roam free once more. And then... then the gods would fall.

Their time was nearing its end, and they knew that just as well. After all, the End was coming for everyone. Even those that tried desperately to escape the inevitable.

***

My Insignia burned hot when I woke up. Fern let out a soft groan beside me and pulled closer to me, her naked body pressed against mine.

Even through the pain in the back of my hand, I felt something within me stir once more.

She’s dangerous. So dange– sexy. I couldn’t help but smile at my mate. Being with her was truly the best I could wish for. It was just so good.

The only problem? A little demon peeled off the Insignia and leaped at me. He poked my face and chattered something in the demon tongue. It sounded important, almost like a warning, but I couldn’t understand a word.

"What’s going on, buddy?" I yawned. "Do you have to take a dump?"

The Trickster Demon punched me lightly once more and shook his head vigorously, only to slow. He froze and nodded slowly.

"Really?" He squealed in the demon tongue a little more but disappeared after a few moments to relieve himself. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"What a weird guy." I chuckled while Fern stirred beside me.

She planted a kiss on my cheek, her smile melting my heart. "Morning."

The Trickster Demon returned after a while and grimaced at Fern before leaping back into my arm.

"What a jealous fella." She chuckled, ruffling the demon’s hair even when it tried to push her hand aside.

"I didn’t ask yesterday. I wasn’t sure what to say." Fern turned to face me, while still playing with the Trickster Demon. "But will you be fine? With the Insignia?"

I wanted to reassure Fern, tell her that everything was going to be fine, but I didn’t know if that was the case. Especially not after everything Gareus said the day before.

Was I going to be fine? Only time could tell.