Pulsing his soul, James let his energy flow over all of the weaker enemies. The demi-humans and humans arrayed against him. Shields shattered, failing to protect their souls as he closed his eyes. A second passed as they gasped in pain before thousands of bodies exploded, their souls combusting as he erased them from existence.

The Council members hurled spells at him before the blood finished raining. They never landed as Luna sprang forward in her Soul Form and took the blows to her side. Beams and balls of red energy crashed against her fur, sizzling the air with heat before. Grace raced past, her claws drawn as she tackled one of the men to the ground, tearing into him as she spread her poison. Amber and Zenaria were there a moment later, taking their own targets. The Elson brothers took even more, leaving James with six of the council members. Sebastian lifted his hand, his palm glowing with violet energy.

"I see now the difference between our strengths," Sebastian said with a shake of his head. "If I had killed you before you reached violet, I might have survived this."

"And doomed the world," James shot back. "You didn't have what it took to destroy the nests and rents. You didn't have disciples to help you. A family to guard you while you absorbed the energy." Walking forward, James regarded a woman that was about to hurl an attack at him. He let the red beam of light strike his chest where it broke apart, failing to punch through his hardened body.

Waving his hand, he smashed her soul to the side, sending her careening across the canyon. Flexing his fist, he sighed. "This isn't a fight, Sebastian. You killed my family and I had to bring them back. You ordered my death, yet I survived and grew stronger. I took in our people's energy and turned into something this world has never seen. I want revenge…yet it feels so empty."

Another council member charged forward, summoning a lance of energy that tried to pierce his body. The other three members launched skills at the same time, exploding against his body while he grabbed the lance and crushed the skill. Sighing, James pressed his soul down on the man and ground his soul into nothing, dropping his lifeless body.

Sebastian was shaking his head as the dust cleared. "I had to try. If you lived and grew stronger, I knew everything I worked for would fall apart. I failed to kill your mother all those years ago, and here you are. And like you, everything feels empty. I'm tired and I'm going to die knowing that both worlds were saved."

Sighing, James swept his hand through the air, knocking the other three council members away. One of them landed near Grace and started choking on poison as she shoved a ball of toxin into his mouth. Another landed near Luna who picked up the woman and started shaking her body. Blood flew through the air, painting the canyon crimson. The last landed near Zenaria and the kitsune regarded the man for a moment before wrapping him in wires and leaving him to suffer as they slowly tightened.

"You indoctrinated the young," James said. "You turned the world against our people. Yet you hid amongst them. Children, siblings, young men and women were tortured and experimented on and I found their bodies, Sebastian. They were still alive, still conscious after all these years. Why?"

Sebastian's shoulders slumped. "Greed. Pride. The desire for revenge against those that wronged me. At least that's what I tell myself."

The answer was what was expected. James remembered the dream and how the man had acted. Entitled. Spoiled. Rotten.

"I don't want you to die quickly," James admitted. "You deserve to suffer for everything that you've done."

"I understand." Sinking to his knees, Sebastian gave up. His gaze traveled to the nekorian and he smiled.

Glancing back, James regarded the woman. She was trembling with fear, tears dripping down her cheeks and from her chin. Yet she wasn't fleeing from Jamie. Linda and Mender were soothing the young woman as if she always belonged with them.

"For her, I'll make this quick," he said as he turned back to Sebastian.

Grimly nodding, Sebastian closed his eyes.

Reaching out, James touched his uncle's chest and felt the violet soul within. With a pulse of his power, James soothed the soul from existence, dispersing it to the heavens. Sebastian's corpse fell back, his skin already turning pale.

Luna stepped up to his side. "It's done."

"Yeah." Turning back to Jamie and the nekorian, he added, "lets see what we should do with her."

Grace, Zenaria, and Amber fell in next to him, all three covered in blood. No one talked as James approached the nekorian.

"What is your name?" he asked.

"Naryia, Sir…"

"Sebastian wanted you to live, Naryia, and I have granted that wish. If you want, we can escort you back to your hometown, or you can stay with us. We've already taken one of your kind in once and she's happy. There's a lot you don't know and I would be more than happy to share with you the truth of the world."

Clinging to Jamie, Naryia asked, "did you really destroy the rents?"

"I did," James answered. "My brother asked me to save the world, and so I did. My wife asked for a family, so I gave her one. Coral asked for a purpose, and now she has the greatest duty I could offer. She guards our home, and once I collect her, I'll be taking her to heal her sister. Her family won't suffer ever again."

"She needs time to think," Jamie cut in. "You're overwhelming her."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"We'll take her with us for now," James said gently. "We'll be heading back to the Underworld soon enough."

"I'll lead the way," Amber offered.

Leaving the corpses for the monsters, James let Amber take the lead, guiding them from the rent and back to the temple.

***

The Underworld was in chaos as news spread about the Councils demise. Brock read report after report of Pact members breaking away from the army to secure towns and villages on their own, just like he had done. For every report he received, he sent out word that the man that defeated the Council was benevolent. James simply wanted to be left alone and wasn't out to kill them if they didn't harm the citizens.

He didn't know if anyone heeded his words, nor did it truly matter. Brock knew that he had been spared and had taken James at his word. James cleared the nest nearby and the rent, leaving a sparse few monsters to be cleaned up.

For the first time in centuries, they were reclaiming territory. Farmland was already being cultivated and the rubble from cities, towns, and villages was being broken down. The land was being given away to those that wanted to restart and help rebuild. No taxes would be collected from these new settlements. All that was asked was that they help one another and bring prosperity to the Underworld.

Sending off one last report, Brock stood and took off his rank insignia. Those in the room with him regarded him for a moment before doing the same. Pulling off his uniform, he stripped down to his plain shirt and pants. Glancing at his spear and shield, he shook his head.

He didn't know if he would ever need to pick up his spear again, but he wouldn't let it rust either. But today, he was no longer part of The Pact. He was a town guard, employed by the new king that was taking over the Underworld. Elected by popular vote, the kingdom finally had royalty once again. It wasn't a Valiant and never would be, but a demi-human elf that would only live for a hundred years longer. It was the start of many changes that were going to sweep the world.

***

Veronica guided the newest generation of cultivators up the elevator. Many of them had animal features, were oni, dwarves, elves, and many other demi-humans. The human boys and girls were the minority for the first time since the sects were created.

Tim was waiting at the top, hands clenched together as they came to a stop. The elderly man bowed at the waist. "Greetings, children. We have your dorms ready and will begin your initiation shortly. Please follow those who will be your mentors."

Several men and women of the inner sect stepped forward and started breaking the groups apart. Humans and demi-humans were mixed together, confusing everyone. Veronica only smiled as she helped a young girl off the elevator and into her group.

"Elder Veronica, will you take the lead?" Tim asked.

Smiling, Vernoica moved to the front and spread out her arms. "Welcome to the Settling Stone Sect. Here you will learn how to cultivate the best Qi for your body. We will guide you in fire, water, earth, and wind to start."

"Isn't this an earth and water sect?" a little boy asked.

"It was once," Veronia answered with a smile. "We have agreed with the other sects that it would be wise to share wisdom with one another. No two people are the same after all, so why should we guide you on the same paths. Your mentors will aid you in every technique we can offer, and if you need additional aid, you need only ask. Now please, head to the common square so we can begin."

***

James stood next to Coral, both of them overlooking the rent. They had a long walk ahead of them in order to reach her sister. Mender was idly scratching his cheek, his hair blowing in the breeze. All three of them were ready to bring another family member into their fold. Naryia had agreed to stay with them, and Jamie had taken over tutoring her on the history of the Valiants and the fall of the world. All the while, making passes at the woman.

James was curious what was going to develop between them by the time he got back. Maybe, just maybe, Jamie would stop trying to sleep with all of his mates and Linda. Probably not, but there was always a hopeful chance, right?

Epilogue 1

The walk to Coral's sister took James and his party a month and crossing through several cities, towns, and villages. The changes the Underworld were going through were shocking and pleasant. The Pact was no more, instead, a new royal family had taken over, turning soldiers into guards and a small standing army. The remaining monsters were hunted down, clearing areas to be reclaimed by the populace.

Trade caravans were established and sent to the surface to explore and work with the sects. Metals, stone, and many other materials were all gathered and offered in exchange for wood and teachers. The Underworld wanted to build up their cultivators, rather than let them stagnant.

The final city they came to was a name James couldn't pronounce and Coral led them through the streets with ease. James kept his soul restrained so he looked like any other human, despite Mender not being able to do the same. The violet soul cultivator scared more people away than anything.

Once they finally arrived at Coral's sister, Coral was shaking with nerves. Stepping into the small home, James found a young woman stuck in bed with blankets piled around her. An aide was helping feed her when they arrived and Mandy was hardly awake.

"Can you heal her?" Coral asked.

Mender stepped forward and shooed the aide way. "Let me take a look." Resting his hand on Mandy's stomach, he hummed. "It appears that her cultivation core is poisoning her. There are too many impurities and it is no longer spinning. I can purge her, but she'll likely die."

Coral gasped. Kneeling by Mandy's side, the woman started to cry, only for her sister to rest her hand on Coral's head.

"I've been dying for years, sister. Let me go."

"No!" Coral cried. "James! James can save you!"

"I can," James admitted.

Mender turned to him. "Are you proposing breaking her core? The impurities might kill her if they escape into her body."

"Then I will just have to rebuild her body," James said softly. "I'll transport her soul to the temple where it will reconstitute, but there's a chance this will fail. Without Luna, I can't guarantee this will work."

Coral wiped her eyes. "Do it, please."

"It's not your choice," James stated calmly. "Mandy, this choice is yours. I can try and heal you by breaking your core and rebuilding you, or Mender can end your suffering."

Mandy tried to sit up, but failed as her body gave out. "Those aren't very good options…"

"They are what they are." Sitting on the edge of the bed, James smiled. "Coral asked me to save you, so I'll do everything in my power to ensure you live. It'll hurt more than anything you've ever experienced. You'll wish you were dead, but you'll be able to walk on your own and live with your sister."

"Please…" Coral pleaded.

Mandy didn't need to think it over for long. "I'll risk it, Sir."

"Very well." James rested his hand on her stomach. "It'll be over in a moment. One way or another you will be at peace."

Before Mandy could respond, James flooded her body with his soul, breaking her core and grabbing her soul and pulling it into his body before her body could break down. He could feel Mandy roiling in pain as he guided her along the connection to his temple. On the other side, Luna took hold of the woman.

"I have her," Luna voiced through the link.

"Thank you."

Opening his eyes, James let out a long breath. "We won't know if it worked until we return. If it did, she'll be like you, Coral, unable to die. I hope she is ready for that life."

Pressing her face into James's stomach, Coral wept. Mender rubbed her back for several long minutes before the moment ended. Once James stood, he took Coral's hand and helped her up. Wiping her tears away, they left the city, heading home to see if they succeeded.

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