Not long after the Ordo Ferox vanished from the battlefield.

A faint ripple of energy drifted through the air—ethereal, formless—sliding quietly into a grand and opulent chamber. The air inside seemed lifeless. Cold. Damp. Trembling faintly under an unseen resonance that hummed through the silence.

The ceiling rose high like a stone cathedral, carved with faintly glowing patterns of gold and azure—circles and sigils pulsing as though alive.

Silver-black pillars reached upward, supporting a vast crystalline dome. Along the walls, streams of light flowed slowly, like rivers of time, dripping fragments of energy that formed a thin, shimmering mist.

It felt like a palace, yet not one belonging to the human world.

It was more akin to a throne beneath the earth—a place where time and life pulsed to a rhythm entirely different from the surface.

At the center stood a majestic bed carved from pure white jade, veiled by translucent curtains that rippled softly though no wind stirred.

Around it moved pale, ghostlike beings—semi-transparent, faceless, their forms vaguely human but made of mist and light.

One polished a crystal table, another arranged frost-flowers in a glass vase, while a third knelt motionless, waiting for a command that would never come.

Every movement they made chimed softly, like distant silver bells.

Then—

The air trembled.

A powerful pulse surged from the center of the room.

On the bed, a pair of eyes snapped open—wide, shocked, breathless. The dim light from the glowing runes tried to reveal her face, the one who had lain dormant all this time… but shadows still veiled her features.

A woman—beautiful, enchanting, yet dangerous beyond measure.

Her hair, long and silver like moonlight, shimmered with streaks of violet and deep blue that gleamed like living crystals. Her skin was pale, soft, almost reflective in the luminous room.

This was the true body of Axis.

The real Axis.

The white laced nightgown draping her body seemed woven from divine mist and celestial silk. Every curve was wrapped perfectly—not vulgar, but lethally beautiful.

Her eyes flew fully open. Her breath came quick, heavy, ragged—as if she had just awakened from a nightmare too vivid to escape.

The curtains around her trembled. The white spirits hesitated, sensing their mistress had returned.

"Haah…" A long, deep exhale escaped her lips. The sound was gentle—but filled with suppressed fury.

A few seconds passed.

Axis's eyes now blazed sharp and focused, glowing silver-violet like lightning hidden within a fog.

She stared straight ahead. Her expression, half-hidden by the veil's shadow, was unreadable—somewhere between grief, wrath, and unending hatred. Then her soft pink lips moved, releasing words that made even the air itself falter.

"Hell Phoenix… you really dared."

Her voice was not mere sound—it was a curse drenched in vengeance.

"Wait for me. I'll reclaim what's rightfully mine."

Her tone pierced the room like a blade. Every syllable echoed through the stone walls, resonating like an ancient spell.

Her slender hand clenched the jade sheet beneath her. The thick fabric cracked, melted—unable to endure the energy surging from her fingertips.

A dense aura erupted around her, a mixture of celestial radiance and pure darkness. The violet-blue glow of her hair flared wildly, dancing like spiritual fire losing control.

The faceless spirits recoiled, trembling violently.

Then—

WOSHHHHH!

A violent burst of energy exploded from her body.

Invisible waves tore through the air.

A deafening boom echoed across the hall, shaking the chamber. The runes on the walls flickered chaotically as if the space itself was collapsing.

The spirits screamed voicelessly, their bodies shattering into fragments of light before vanishing completely.

Silence fell.

Only the faint hiss of dispersing energy remained—like the dying wind of a storm that had lost its heart.

Axis sat still upon the jade bed, her shoulders rising and falling, her breath heavy yet steady. Her hair, once floating wildly, now cascaded down like a silver waterfall.

No longer shrouded in shadow, her face was revealed—serene, beautiful, and utterly terrifying. In her eyes was not merely anger… but awakening.

She smiled. Gently at first. Then that softness twisted into something mad. A low laugh slipped out, rough and broken, growing into an echoing storm of hysteria.

"Hahaha… ahahahahaha!"

Her laughter thundered, shaking the walls, the air, the very world around her. Darkness and light spiraled together, forming a vortex that melted the jade floor beneath her.

Each laugh carried meaning—something ancient and bound—now set free.

"You think you can humiliate me, Hell Phoenix? You dared make me crawl? You DARE—YOUUUU!!!"

Her voice climbed into a furious scream.

DUARRR!!

Another wave of immense energy exploded outward, creating a quake that nearly shattered the entire hall. Only the magical barrier surrounding it prevented total ruin—but everything within was left in chaos.

Moments later, her breathing steadied. Her posture calmed. She floated above her ruined bed, and with a cold, razor gaze, she murmured—

"This world will kneel. The world will remember—"

Her eyes turned toward the massive mirror at the end of the room.

Her reflection bowed slightly, yet the eyes in the glass glowed crimson red.

"—that I, the Goddess Axis… am its rightful owner."

It wasn't a declaration.

It was a proclamation to the universe itself.

She ended her wrath with a chilling laugh.

The curtains around her burned into dust under the lingering energy. The white jade turned pitch black.

Droplets of condensed vapor fell from the dome like rain.

Behind her laughter and glowing gaze, hatred began to take form—sharp and divine.

Slowly, she descended from the air, her bare feet touching the floor with a whisper. Each step left trails of faint, white mist.

Her short nightgown swayed lightly, tracing the rhythm of her heartbeat and aura. She lifted her hand, and the remnants of the shattered spirits turned into motes of light—returning to her, merging with her being.

The once-dim room blazed with radiant brilliance.

She closed her eyes, tilting her head back.

For a heartbeat, the silence carried a whisper—half prayer, half curse—born from a creature resurrected by her own hatred.

"Huff… irritating. I didn't think he'd drag me this low. Hmph… we'll see. I'll make you pay for this."

Her tone softened, but her words were ice.

A faint smile curved on her lips—cold, calm, absolute.

Axis stood tall amidst the ruin, her true figure now fully revealed. Taller, sharper, more divine than before—so different from when she inhabited Ayu's vessel.

Her gaze lowered. Her breath evened out.

And then, with a flicker of light, a long dark-brown cloak with golden embroidery materialized, wrapping her body like a royal mantle—far more elegant and majestic than any of her followers could ever dream of wearing.

She drew in a quiet breath.

"Enter." Her voice was calm this time—soft, yet steeped in authority.

The massive doors at the far end of the chamber—crafted from black metal and streaked with blue crystal—groaned open on their own. The sound echoed faintly through the misty light that filled the room. From beyond the doorway, two figures appeared.

The first was a man of middle age, golden hair slicked back, dressed in a dark tailored suit that mirrored discipline and control. His frame was sturdy, his steps measured, his head lowered in reverence as he entered. Without uttering a word, he bowed deeply before taking his place by the side of the room—an image of silent loyalty.

Beside him walked a girl, small and delicate in build. Her steps were light but deliberate, as though she carried an invisible weight. She wore round spectacles that glimmered faintly under the dim light, and her pale blond hair was tied loosely at the back. Beneath her eyes were faint dark circles—marks of sleepless nights and relentless study.

Despite her fragile appearance, there was something sharp about her presence. When she spoke, her tone was calm and even—like that of a scholar accustomed to whispering secrets of the unseen world.

"Goddess Axis," the two said in unison, kneeling before her.

Axis acknowledged their greeting with a faint nod and gestured for them to rise.

The man respectfully took a step back, leaving the chamber as though he had merely come to escort the girl. The massive door sealed shut again with a low rumble, leaving only the two women in the vast, silent room.

"This place… you've gone on another rampage again, huh? That's rare," the small girl remarked, her tone half amused, half teasing, her bright eyes glancing around at the damage.

Axis gave her only a brief look.

"There's no need to talk about it, Conney. Something just… irritated me," she said, exhaling sharply.

"Hehe. Irritated, huh? You destroyed all your spirit servants and nearly tore this entire region apart," Conney replied, smirking. "You really need to restrain yourself when you're angry. You have no idea how hard it was to build this place."

Axis sighed, crossing her arms slightly. "Hmph. When it's just the two of us, you never seem to remember I'm supposed to be a goddess and your leader."

"Hahaha, relax. I'd never do that in front of the others," Conney chuckled. "Anyway, why did you call for me this time?"

Axis's jaw tightened faintly, her irritation showing for just a moment. Then asked,

"How's the progress with the artifact retrieval?"

Conney immediately straightened up. A small device appeared in her palm—a compact console glowing faintly. She pressed a button, and a large holographic map expanded in midair, filled with scattered data and moving symbols.

"Counting the fragments we recovered in Indorosia, we now have seventeen pieces," she began, her voice steady. "Our search teams have also tracked several new coordinates across Europe. They're confirming authenticity before dispatching the field units."

Axis shook her head slowly, her sharp silver gaze narrowing. "Sixteen and a half, to be exact."

"Huh? Half?" Conney blinked, confused.

"I'll explain later. Continue your report," Axis said, waving her hand slightly.

Conney exhaled softly, a sign she wasn't thrilled about what came next. "For now, we've run into a major obstacle. That gray-robed DIAR faction has been moving aggressively. They're... far more active than before. It seems they've already located several fragments ahead of us."

The room fell silent again, filled only with the low hum of the living runes carved into the walls.

Axis lowered her gaze, then walked toward the cracked jade table near her bed. Her slender fingers traced the fissures across its surface, as though she was searching for meaning in their broken lines.

"So, it's them," she murmured finally. "It seems they're taking their purpose seriously now. Huff… this will be exhausting. What about the recruitment of other DIARs?"

"Not great, honestly… Over the past three months, only a handful have agreed to join us," Conney replied with a slight sigh.

"Most of the rogues and independent DIARs still refuse to affiliate. The ones still wandering around are either new or untrained—it's hard to reel them in. Especially those already tied to other DIAR factions. But at least gathering intel on their weaknesses has gone smoothly. That guy's been surprisingly effective."

Axis nodded slightly. "That guy, huh? He's been doing a good job. His work will serve as our safeguard if the artifacts remain out of reach. Keep a close eye on him—make sure his loyalty doesn't waver."

"Understood, Your Majesty," Conney replied respectfully.

"Then… does that mean he's already found that shaman in Indorosia?" Axis asked again, her tone calm yet edged with curiosity.

"Unfortunately, not quite. The last report we received only mentioned that his search has become… more difficult," Conney explained, her brows knitting slightly.

Axis tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

"He said he managed to track the shaman's whereabouts a few months ago—it was relatively easy at first. But over the past month, when he went to meet the shaman, the man seemed to have vanished without a trace. Or rather, it's more like he became harder to find, as if someone was after him and he had to go into hiding," Conney clarified.

"I see. So the shaman is still alive, then?" Axis confirmed.

"Yes, my lady. According to his latest intel, there are still credible rumors about the shaman's presence—and all of them point to Indorosia," Conney replied firmly.

"Good. We need to secure that shaman—or at least his spell formulas and research data. I imagine you'd be very interested in those, wouldn't you, Conney?" Axis teased, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

"Hehehe, absolutely," Conney chuckled, nodding eagerly while jotting down notes on the holographic board projected from her hand. But before she could close the interface, Axis spoke again—without even turning her gaze.

"Conney… I've been wondering about something."

"Yes, my lady?"

"The artifact itself," Axis said, turning her gaze toward her. "Based on the manuscripts we found, we only understand its function. But what exactly is the essence within it?"

"Essence? What do you mean?" Conney asked, brows slightly furrowed.

"That artifact seems capable of neutralizing—or even consuming—Dark Energy. It doesn't just resist it; it devours it. It even harmed a fragment of my own soul."

Conney froze. The digital pen in her hand stopped midair. Slowly, she raised her head, eyes glinting behind her lenses.

"How do you know that much, my lady?"

Axis's lips curved into a faint smile, but it carried no warmth—only the weight of memory. "Because I've just experienced it firsthand."

"Experienced…?"

Axis then recounted everything that had just occurred—the battle, how she had faced Al, and how that cursed artifact had turned the tide against her. Her voice carried a sharp edge of irritation, and the air around them grew heavy once more.

Conney listened, eyes narrowing, then nodded slowly. "I see," she murmured. "To be honest, I'd suspected something similar. I've witnessed traces of that phenomenon during earlier tests—but it was faint, so I didn't want to draw conclusions."

"You already knew?" Axis asked, her tone sharp.

"Not exactly. I only had a theory," Conney explained. "From the experiments I've conducted, that artifact radiates a special kind of power—something ancient, almost sentient. Even a fragment reacts violently to dark energy. I just didn't have enough data to confirm it. That's why I hadn't informed you yet."

She smiled faintly. "Still, I didn't expect you to face the Hell Phoenix himself. That man is as terrifying as you are. But hey, even in defeat, you gave me some excellent data."

Axis's eyes flared. "Tch... I wasn't defeated. He was just lucky."

Conney only grinned in silence, eyes gleaming mischievously behind her glasses, as if teasing Axis.

"Conney…" Axis growled softly. "Do you have a death wish?"

"Hahaha! My apologies, my lady," Conney laughed, trying to suppress her amusement.

Axis turned away with a huff, folding her arms. "Enough. Get back to your lab. Study that artifact properly. I don't want another incident like this ever again."

Conney bowed slightly, still smiling. "Understood, Your Grace. I'll resume the analysis immediately—and I promise not to disturb your brooding over that painful little 'not-defeat.'"

Before Axis could retort, a soft whoosh echoed through the air. Conney's form shimmered, then vanished entirely, leaving behind a burning talisman slip drifting in midair.

Axis caught it with a flick of her fingers and incinerated it into dust.

"You really love mocking me… Conney," she muttered irritably.

For a moment, she stood still, breathing deeply until her annoyance faded. Then, with silent steps, she turned toward the balcony.

The stone curtains parted as she approached, revealing a breathtaking vista beyond.

A vast, swirling sea stretched before her—dark and boundless, rotating like a colossal dimensional vortex. Jagged cliffs of obsidian towered on every side, reaching up to pierce the clouds.

The faint glow from the ocean's surface reflected upward, painting the ceiling of the cavern like a living night sky, pulsing with shades of violet and blue.

Axis stood at the edge, her brownish-gold robe fluttering gently in the cold air. Her silver hair shimmered with the reflection of the abyss below, giving her the appearance of a living moon in the dark.

Her gaze was distant, her voice quiet yet sharp enough to pierce the silence.

"I am the Axis of the world—the true ruler of existence. Whoever dares to stand in my way… will become nothing but a stepping stone. Even you, Hell Phoenix."

A faint, cruel smile touched her lips—a smile unfit for any mortal being. It was the smile of something divine that had long abandoned mercy.

"A new world…" she whispered, raising her hand.

From beneath the swirling sea, a surge of violet light erupted—spiraling upward, piercing through the cavern's sky. The radiance bathed her face, and in that light, Axis's eyes glowed like stars ready to burn the heavens.

"...awaits me."

The sea roared in reply, trembling as if acknowledging its queen.

Waves of energy rippled through the entire subterranean palace, shaking pillars and crystal walls alike.

And deep within the darkness far beyond the horizon—something ancient stirred, awakening to her call.

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