The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2166: Going back home

Although Cain would have liked to speak with his allies and comrades, perhaps even share a drink with those who had survived the carnage, this was not the time for sentiment. Every breath burned, every heartbeat throbbed with pain. Unlocking the seal around his Neo-Demon Core had taken everything from him.

He nodded briefly to a few of the ArchDeities with whom he shared a bond, then turned his gaze toward Zarazel.

”I’ll be focusing on healing and cultivation inside my Divine Kingdom,” Cain said calmly, though his voice carried the weight of finality. ”Unless it’s an emergency, I don’t want to be disturbed. And even then, I can’t promise I’ll be able to help.”

The True Depravita of Fear studied him in silence. His eyes, dark and fathomless, glimmered faintly with understanding. After a long pause, Zarazel inclined his head in acknowledgment. He asked no questions, didn’t mention the Third Realm, or the battle with the Neo-Angels. His silence was not ignorance but wisdom.

Cain appreciated that.

After returning the nod, he turned to Meylin. Together, the two of them vanished into the Void Beyond the Realm, leaving only faint traces of crimson and golden light behind.

Inside his Divine Kingdom, Cain finally let go.

He collapsed to one knee as the backlash struck, blood spilling from his lips in a steady stream. His vision dimmed, and waves of agony rippled through his body and soul. For less than five minutes, he had broken the seal, yet the damage was catastrophic.

The pain told him all he needed to know: his condition was worse than he had dared to believe. If he forced his power again, his Neo-Demon Core might truly rupture.

It took a long time before the tremors in his body subsided. When at last he could breathe again, Cain rose slowly, steadying himself.

He waved his hand.

A dozen spheres of condensed Origin Power materialized around him, floating like miniature suns. During this journey through the Crimson World, he had slain dozens of Archdeities, devouring their life force, absorbing their souls, but he had also claimed their wealth.

”This Origin Power should be enough to sustain the growth of the Divine Kingdom while I recover,” he murmured.

With a mental command, the Supercomputer Assistant took over the task. The spheres shattered one by one, releasing torrents of luminous energy that poured into the foundations of the Divine Kingdom. Rivers of light spread across the realm, nourishing its structures and stabilizing its energy flow.

With his domain secure, Cain turned to the next matter, the heart of Bradley, still pulsing within its crimson cocoon.

That heart was the key.

It held the final component needed to complete the Astra-Vajra Heartwork. When fully mastered, it would elevate his physical strength to the Early Alpha-Omega Overgod Rank. And because Bradly’s heart was no ordinary one, the results could be far greater.

”Either way,” Cain whispered, staring at the radiant organ, ”with this, I’ll be able to face Alpha-Omega Overgods directly, no ambush, no tricks. I may not win... but I’ll be able to stand before them without fear.”

A flash of fierce excitement crossed his eyes. The thought of that power, the freedom to fight without restraint, filled him with a thrill that banished the pain.

Still, he kept his focus. He set everything in order: the growth of the kingdom, the forge of the last Life Glyph, and the containment of the runes still embedded in his heart. Only when everything was stable did he allow himself a moment of peace.

His gaze shifted to the far side of the Divine Kingdom, where Meylin sat in deep meditation. Despite the distance, the bond between them was strong enough that they could feel each other’s presence as if side by side. She opened her eyes briefly and smiled; he returned it with a quiet nod.

No words were needed.

They spent nearly every day in battle and facing challenges, but much of that journey had been spent together, so there was no need for long goodbyes.

Meylin closed her eyes again, merging her consciousness into her Divine Kingdom. She began strengthening its foundations and shaping the framework for her next Sin.

Cain, meanwhile, instructed the Supercomputer Assistant to ensure that all the tasks he assigned to it were in an optimal state. Then, his True Name detached from his Black Hole Core and began its journey home, through the void, across the planes, and back toward the Nine Empyrean Suns Universe.

Far away, in the headquarters of the Freedom Path in the Void beyond the Third Realm, chaos reigned.

Dozens of ArchDeities shouted over one another, arguing about their next move. Some demanded immediate retaliation against the Life Path. Others insisted they hold their ground. Yet all of them knew the truth—none dared to leave the safety of their sanctuary.

Within the headquarters, they were untouchable. Even Tiramisu, the True Depravita of Primal Fury herself, wouldn’t risk invading this place. But that safety came at a price. It meant paralysis. And while they argued, the Life Path advanced unhindered, tearing across the Third Realm and claiming more territory every day.

On the highest level of the stronghold, the Crimson Exarch watched their bickering in silence. His red eyes gleamed faintly, filled with amusement rather than concern.

Then, suddenly, he turned his gaze toward the distant void.

”So,” he murmured, lips curving into a smile. ”You’re finally returning to your first home.”

The Exarch’s sight pierced through the barriers between realms, his Red Eyes allowing him to witness Cain’s True Name crossing the universal boundary, leaving the Crimson World behind.

”I suppose I should be going too,” he said softly. ”But before that...”

His gaze fell back to the chamber below, where the Archdeities still argued like frightened children. His smile darkened.

He raised his hand.

The air trembled. The walls of the headquarters glowed crimson as layers of seals activated, locking the structure from both inside and out.

The ArchDeities stopped mid-sentence, confusion spreading through their ranks.

Then came the screams.

The Crimson Exarch descended upon them like a wolf among sheep. His laughter echoed through the sealed halls as divine light and blood mingled.

One by one, their bodies and souls were devoured, their essences absorbed into the Crimson Throne.

When the slaughter ended, only three figures remained: the Exarch himself, Ana, and Ikari.

The Exarch looked at them coldly, then grasped his robe. Flames erupted, consuming the cloth. When the fire faded, he stood clad in new crimson attire, the words Crimson Exarch glowing faintly across his back.

”It’s time,” he said, his voice calm and absolute. ”Let them fight their war of freedom against life.”

He turned his gaze toward the void, a predatory smile curving his lips.

”I’m after something much bigger.”

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End of Book 21 - Finding Peace in a Sea of Fire and Steel