Four days had passed in the world beyond Cronyssia's time field and night had fallen over the kingdoms.

Within a large empty room figures began appearing one by one as their illusionary forms materialized through Astral Projection magic, gathering for a meeting that couldn't be held in physical space.

Lucien Crowley stood in one corner while directly opposite him appeared one of Arnarra's elf generals.

Then Conrad the head of research who had moved to Dragonhold with Oberon appeared next.

One by one different personnel from various kingdoms materialized with most being either in close rapport with their rulers or sitting within councils that advised them.

One figure stepped forward to stand at the head of the gathering and when he moved closer into the light his face became clear.

This was the Captain Of the Fractured Stars Guild, Cassian.

Every person present bore the same markings on their faces: two black parallel lines with one horizontal mark extending from the right side of their head across to their right cheek and another running from the left side of their head down to their left cheek.

Cassian began without preamble. "Our timeline has been moved up," he announced. "The lords have all been freed."

Excited murmurs rippled through the gathering immediately.

One of Elandria's generals spoke up. "What about the impending war between Elandria and Dragonhold? We only just secured Lord Ivar's cooperation."

Cassian's expression remained cold as he "Remember what our main objectives have always been; parasitize the mages of humanity who are worth bringing to our side or eliminate any mages who would prove difficult obstacles."

He paused and let his words sink in. Then continued, "Humans have done a good job eliminating themselves so far but it's time now to hasten the process."

Then Lucien Crowley Spoke, "So when are we looking at with this upped time frame?"

"In exactly three days from today and at this very hour. I only called this meeting to make sure you know your tasks" Cassian replied

Another figure stepped forward. "And what about Aiden? His presence remains a considerable problem."

Cassian's lips curved into a slight grin that revealed his clawed teeth. "Right now he's in Dellheim, and the new vessel for Thyrak will soon be expunged permanently."

———

Later on at the edge of the demon realm, the time variant floated back toward Aiden to learn what decision they'd reached.

"Have you come to a conclusion?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm—" Aiden began but stopped mid-sentence as both their senses screamed the highest danger alert.

Aiden's eyes widened and Cronyssia's variant reacted the same way as they both snapped their heads toward the direction of the presence they felt.

Even the original Cronyssia standing motionless at the gate reacted without stopping the flow of power into the chains.

Laela, Arianna, and the Amazons felt it too and froze completely with terror rooting them in place.

A figure emerged from the darkness with pale skin and long black hair, and the most curved reddish-black horns Aiden had ever seen adorned his head.

He floated in the air a short distance ahead, while Aiden, the variant Cronyssia, and the women were positioned between him and the massive original Cronyssia holding the gate.

"Dravion..." the time variant said with deep concern in her voice.

A translucent screen flashed before Aiden's eyes:

[Warning: Dravion, The Demon Lord of The End Has Appeared]

Demon Lord rank was the highest a demon could possibly attain which meant this was one of the Demon King's generals standing before them.

A grin split across Dravion's lips and he shook his head slowly. "Look again," he said in an eerie voice that sounded like two menacing voices speaking simultaneously.

His eyes glowed as his presence flickered to reveal something far darker and heavier lurking behind it.

Cronyssia's eyes widened with shock and disbelief when she saw who was truly standing before them. "No..." she whispered before immediately activating her time authority without hesitation.

Dravion vanished in an instant but he wasn't destroyed or gone.

Cronyssia had rewound the flow of time in that immediate area to send him back to a point before he'd reached them.

Aiden and the women remained unaffected because the time bubble Cronyssia had placed on them earlier protected them from the rewind.

Aiden's Dragon's Sight had activated fully the moment he felt that presence and when the demon lord told Cronyssia to look again he'd seen it too, the second presence that had taken control of Dravion's body.

"That was him right?" Aiden said the moment the demon lord disappeared.

The time variant nodded. "That wasn't just a demon lord. Dravion was being possessed by Him, the Demon King..."

The Amazons, Laela, and Arianna all stared with wide eyes at hearing that name spoken aloud.

"Prepare yourself Aiden," Cronyssia added, with urgency in her tone. "He'll be back any moment now."

Aiden turned toward his women and met their eyes. "I'll see you both soon," he said before snapping his fingers.

"Aiden wait—" Laela started but her voice cut off as she, Arianna, and the Amazons vanished completely.

Cronyssia's time variant shifted forms instantly and expanded into her three-hundred-foot dragon body while Aiden transformed into his Skyfang form with scales spreading across his body and wings erupting from his back.

"That was the best course of action" Cronyssia said. She was referring to Aiden sending out the humans that could have gotten in the way.

And for Aiden who was mute, this was his way of protecting them.

Cronyssia continued, as she stared out in anticipation of Dravion. "This continues to grow worse than I thought. Not only has he sent his generals out, but his power has grown strong enough to interact with the real world by possessing one of them"

Aiden turned back toward the direction Dravion had come from and waited with every sense heightened in anticipation.

A few things had also started to make sense to Aiden. The Dungeon boss from the earlier dungeon was not in any way a baron ranked demon, no. It was this dravion, a demon Lord.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.