The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2008: Nihility and Entropy

”Nihility is the principle of absolute absence—” Cain’s voice echoed faintly in the castle, his tone calm but his eyes gleaming with enlightenment. ”Not destruction, but erasure. The void where nothing ever was, where memory, form, and meaning all dissolve into silence. Entropy, however, is the principle of inevitable collapse—order decays into disorder, structures crumble into dust, and all heat falls into the stillness of cold.”

He focused on his palms, one blazing with white entropy flames, the other pulsing with black starlight of Nihilism. His gaze flickered with hunger and ambition.

”If I manage to fuse the two into one force,” he thought, ”I will forge a weapon unlike anything that exists. Not merely powerful—absolute. A blade that no defense can resist.”

But the reality was far crueler than the theory. The instant the two forces touched, the chamber erupted in violent rejection. White flame and black starlight clashed, their natures antithetical yet boundless, and the collision birthed a reaction so unstable it rivaled the wrath of dying stars.

”BOOOOM!”

The explosion hurled Cain through the air like a rag doll. He slammed against the ceiling of the sacrificial, then crashed back down, bouncing across the stone floor. A ribbon of blood traced down from the corner of his mouth.

Worse was the state of his hands. The blast had erased them—flesh, muscle, and even bone scoured away into nothingness. Only scorched stumps remained, hissing with sparks of black and white energy where existence itself had been gnawed away.

For a heartbeat, silence filled the chamber. Then Cain began to laugh, low and fierce, his teeth bared. His eyes shone with wonder and exhilaration, not dread.

”My skin and bones are stronger than Middle ArchDeity treasures,” he muttered, voice trembling with awe. ”Enhanced by the Eclipse Monolith Inheritance, strengthened by the NecroSkin... and yet this power erased them in an instant. Erased them without resistance. If I can master this fusion—” his breath came fast, sharp, wild—”I could tear through even the defenses of Alpha–Omega Overgods.”

Excitement burned through him, but it quickly tempered into focus. He closed his eyes, steadying his pulse. The truth was clear: the power was beyond him for now. The concept was sound, but his control was too crude. Without refinement, the backlash would always consume him faster than he could wield it.

”Patience,” he told himself. ”One step at a time.”

Cain exhaled slowly, then summoned treasures and potions from his Inner Universe. Scarlet light swirled as healing draughts, herbs, and crystalline medicines flowed into his body. After half an hour, his hands had regrown, as powerful as before.

He flexed his fingers, a small smile touching his lips. ”A Pseudo-Immortal Body truly comes in handy.”

Rising, Cain cast a respectful bow to the Samsara Flame, then strode from the sacrificial grounds. In the next breath, he reappeared within the throne room of the Scarlet Crown.

With a command of will, he summoned his allies. Moments later, Leonidas, Amon, and Bael appeared before him, descending in disciplined formation. The trio knelt, their faces solemn yet eager.

Cain’s eyes swept over them, noting with satisfaction that they had healed the wounds taken during the titanic battle above RainbowSky Heaven. Their spirits burned fiercer now, tempered by fire and victory.

Cain’s voice was steady, carrying across the chamber with weight.

”Since you are healed, it is time we advance. Divine Sea has joined our side. She and her Heaven will dedicate themselves to spreading the Scarlet Path across her domains, while also aiding in the expansion of the Scarlet Intercontinental Formation.”

Smiles cracked across the faces of the three. The addition of Divine Sea was not only a potent asset but a move that accelerated their plans exponentially.

Cain’s gaze sharpened as he turned toward the brothers.

”Bael. Amon. Your task is to move on the ScorgeLightning Continent. We must take control of it if we are to link your domains to those of Divine Sea.”

Determination blazed in their eyes. Yet hesitation lingered too. Amon stepped forward.

”And what of the Embodiment of Lightning, my king?”

”Do we kill him?” Bael offered coldly, as though it were the simplest solution.

The Embodiment of Lightning was the sovereign of the Lightning Soul Heaven, the Omega Lord–tier organization that ruled ScorgeLightning Continent. His reaction was unpredictable. Normally, one ArchDeity seizing a continent ruled by another would mean war—but the Scarlet King’s rise had shifted the balance.

Still, Cain weighed carefully. Killing the Embodiment would be easy enough; just with the brothers alone, victory was assured. But such an act would reverberate across the world, pushing people into Azazel’s arms.

Cain shook his head. ”There is no need to go to extremes. Approach him first. Offer him the chance to join the Scarlet Alliance as an Honorary Partner. If he accepts, he gains protection, treasures, and a place in the new order. If he refuses...” Cain’s voice hardened, ”then you have my permission to go ballistic.”

The brothers nodded firmly. Diplomacy was the wiser course. It prevented needless alienation, and if successful, it would add another powerful Heaven to their cause.

Cain leaned forward, his gaze narrowing to knives. ”Remember—while you secure the continent, root out the wicked and vile cultivators. Do not let them slip away. Cage them alive. We are running low on ArchDeity-tier treasures, and we require Merit to further evolve your Samsara Seals. Living sacrifices bring far more Fortune than corpses.”

Bael and Amon bowed their heads, eyes cold with ruthless resolve. To cultivate was to gamble one’s life, and cultivators need to be ready for death. Of course, the brothers were not so heartless as to kill a bunch of children who are just starting their path, but when it comes to evil cutlery, those are very easy to kill with no remorse.

When the brothers had their orders, Cain turned to Leonidas.

”You and Ozark will march on DeathSong Heaven. The SilentNight Continent is under their control, and we need it if we wish to connect EndlessLight with your domains.”

Leonidas bowed deeply, his expression solemn, yet his aura burned with eagerness. He understood the weight of the mission. Control over SilentNight would solidify Scarlet Crown’s dominance across the central corridors of the Everstrife Empyrean World, creating an unbroken chain of power.