The Wanderer of Chaos
Black smoke billowed over the ruins of the Aether Academy. Ares's desperate screams still echoed in the air, but for Leon, it was already a thing of the past. He stepped over the collapsed walls of the academy and ventured into the desolate wasteland.
"It begins now."
A cruel smile spread across Leon's lips. His body, due to its complete fusion with the 'Essence,' had transcended human form. His blood-red eyes glowed ominously even in the darkness, and black fissures pulsed across his skin, spewing forth Chaos Aether. The air around him distorted, as if reality itself was twisting.
With every step he took, the earth groaned. Black flowers bloomed in Leon's wake, only to wither instantly, turning to ash and scattering in the wind. It wasn't mere destruction, but the annihilation of existence itself.
The mutated creatures of the wasteland began to gather, sensing Leon's presence. Though they should naturally be hostile to humans, the chaotic resonance emanating from Leon twisted their instincts. A wolf-like mutated creature knelt before Leon, and an eagle-like mutated creature circled in the sky, crying out as if in worship.
"Yes, this is true power."
Leon raised his hand. Instantly, the surrounding mutated creatures writhed in pain, transforming into even more grotesque forms. The wolf gained three heads, and the eagle's wings were reduced to bare bone, blazing with black flames. Even in their agony, they showed a maddened loyalty, absolute obedience to Leon.
Simple revenge was no longer enough for him. A greater craving, one that couldn't be satisfied by crushing Ares, boiled within him. He wanted to bring the entire world to its knees at his feet. He wanted to burn away all the hypocrisy disguised as order and create a world where only true power reigned.
How many days had passed wandering the wasteland? Leon sat atop a secluded rocky hill, gazing beyond the horizon. Dozens of mutated creatures surrounded him like bodyguards, all of them made stronger and more ferocious by Leon's Chaos Aether.
The Advent of the Iron Sovereign
Suddenly, the air grew heavy. As Leon looked up, the sky warped, and a massive rift tore open. From within the rift, a colossal figure clad in steel armor slowly emerged.
It was 'Iron Sovereign' Baldur.
He stood over three meters tall, his entire body covered in steel armor that seemed to writhe as if alive. The eyes visible beneath his helmet glowed like a furnace, and each of his steps caused the ground to tremble. The surrounding mutated creatures instinctively recoiled in fear, but Leon alone stood his ground, facing him directly.
"Interesting." Baldur's voice was rough and oppressive, like clashing metal. "Are you the boy who has recently caused such a stir in the 'Land of Light'?"
"Who are you?" Leon asked, his guard up. The pressure emanating from the opponent was stronger than anything he had ever experienced.
"I am Baldur. One of the 'Seven Sovereigns of Depravity,' the 'Iron Sovereign'." As Baldur stepped forward, shards of steel armor floated into the air around him, swirling menacingly. "And you... you are indeed a most intriguing being."
Leon's blood-red eyes flashed. 'The Seven Sovereigns of Depravity.' That name alone hinted at his immense power.
"I sense the power of the 'Essence' slumbering within you," Baldur continued. "But what's even more interesting is the yearning within you. A yearning for greater destruction and chaos, one that cannot be filled by mere revenge."
Leon was surprised. Standing before this colossal being who seemed to see deep into his very soul, he felt completely exposed.
"That yearning is the true source of power." Baldur cast off his helmet. His face was marked by countless battles, and a clear lightning-shaped scar was etched onto his forehead. "You've only tested your strength against ants until now. Don't you wish to know what true war is?"
The Cause of Chaos
Baldur extended his hand. Instantly, all the surrounding rocks turned to steel, floated into the air, and assembled into an elaborate throne. He sat upon it, looking down at Leon.
"'The Seven Sovereigns of Depravity.' We are those who seek to shatter this world's stagnant order and usher in true evolution." Baldur's voice held absolute conviction. "Behold this illusory peace created by the Heirs of Light and their 'Watchers' organization. They shackle the strong and hinder everyone's growth under the guise of protecting the weak."
Leon listened intently to Baldur's words. The humiliation he had experienced at the Aether Academy resurfaced. Being ostracized for lacking ability, and all the hypocrisy disguised as 'fair opportunity.'
"But chaos is different," Baldur continued. "Chaos grants greater power to the strong and the chance for change to the weak. When everything is mixed and crumbles, only the truly strong will survive to build a new world."
"And you believe I am one of those strong individuals?" Leon asked.
"No," Baldur replied firmly. "You are still incomplete. But I acknowledge your potential. If the power of the 'Essence' and the yearning within you harmonize properly, you could become one of us."
Baldur rose from his throne and approached Leon. His presence was overwhelming, yet strangely, Leon felt excitement rather than fear.
"'The Seven Sovereigns of Depravity' each rule over different domains of chaos. I am the Sovereign of 'Steel and War,' while others oversee domains like 'Conspiracy and Betrayal,' 'Greed and Annihilation,' 'Madness and Despair'," Baldur explained. "We have acted individually until now, but the time has come to execute the grand plan."
Plan to Attack the Tower of Radiance
Baldur gestured with his hand. A map of light appeared in the air, and in its center, a colossal tower soared, seemingly piercing the heavens.
"That is the 'Tower of Radiance,'" Baldur stated. "It is the core stronghold of the 'Land of Light' and the headquarters of the 'Watchers' organization. Pure light Aether is concentrated here, and all their information and power are gathered within."
Leon scrutinized the map. Numerous defensive positions and the residences of the Heirs of Light were densely packed around the tower.
"We will attack this place and corrupt the light Aether with chaos," Baldur's eyes sparkled dangerously. "If we do, the entire 'Land of Light' will be engulfed in chaos, and the Watchers' power will be greatly weakened. That will be the beginning of true change."
Leon's heart raced. This was destruction on a completely different scale than merely crushing Ares. This was what he had truly desired.
"However, the Tower of Radiance is not an easy opponent," Baldur warned. "Many powerful individuals, including 'Heir of Light' Light, reside there, and the tower itself is protected by powerful defensive magic. A frontal assault is nigh impossible."
"Then?" Leon asked.
"A surprise attack," Baldur smiled. "And internal sabotage. The tower's shield has a weakness. If we can inject Chaos Aether directly into the tower's core, the shield will crumble from within."
Baldur looked directly at Leon.
"You will undertake that role."
A New Alliance
Leon pondered for a moment. But it wasn't hesitation; it was time to suppress his excitement. Attacking the Tower of Radiance, plunging the entire Land of Light into chaos—this was the perfect revenge he had dreamed of.
"Alright," Leon replied. "But I have a condition."
Baldur's expression became intrigued. "Speak."
"I am not a mere tool. If you accept me as one of the Seven Sovereigns of Depravity, I must also have an equal voice."
Baldur burst into laughter. His laughter echoed like thunder across the wasteland.
"Audacious! Good. If you demonstrate results in this operation, I will recognize you as the Sovereign of 'Chaos and Vengeance'." Baldur extended his hand. "But if you fail..."
"I will not fail." Leon grasped Baldur's hand. Instantly, their Aethers clashed, distorting the surrounding space. The coldness of steel and the heat of chaos combined, creating a new form of destructive energy.
"Then welcome, Leon," Baldur said. "From now on, you are a member of the Seven Sovereigns of Depravity. We will attack the Tower of Radiance in one week. Until then, continue to strengthen your power."
Baldur disappeared back into the rift in the sky. Leon remained alone, clenching his fist. Mutated creatures gathered around him again, and this time, even more knelt before him.
"The Tower of Radiance..." Leon murmured. Black flames blazed in his eyes. "Now the real beginning."
A colossal ambition, incomparable to the satisfaction of avenging himself on Ares, filled his chest. He was no longer a mere avenger. He had become the harbinger of chaos, set to overturn the entire world.
Black clouds began to gather over the wasteland, and Leon's maniacal laughter was carried far on the wind. An unprecedented calamity was soon to befall the Land of Light.