Rise of Time

***Note: Some of this page is written in the language of the Minecraft enchanting table in order to add theme and mood to this piece. Simply look for a site that translates Standard Galactic Alphabet to English to find out what this page says. Click here to get a translator to use while reading the scroll part.*** ***Note that any ℸ that the translator shows on the English side are T's and that this is not the only translator that can be used.***

## Prologue

The cool winter air brushed against the sparse gove wood. The lush leaves swayed as snow fell down and coated the ground. A man in a rainbow suit of armor stood off to the side, looking over the forest. His air condensation in the winter air. I hope he comes soon. Waiting, the figure began to pace. Behind him, a red armored Enderknight stood, glancing around in worry. Next to her, a little kid stood. She had red Ardoni runes, but skin like a Netherean. The kid shivered, confused as to why they were all here.

The Flamesinger’s head snapped up as a sound like thunder shook the ground. Overhead, a storm had gathered, energy flickering around inside it. In front of the trio, a new figure appeared. He looked like a normal man, except for his glowing eyes. Voltar gasped upon seeing the new arrival. “Herobrine?! What is he doing here?” Herobrine strode over to where the group was standing, using mindspeak to talk. <I am here at the request of the Flamesinger. He told me to meet him here.>

Flamesinger nodded. “I called you here to ask a favor. I need your help to protect my daughter.” Herobrine glared at the Flamesinger, energy crackling and gathering around the Titan. <After all that has happened, you dare ask me for help?!> Flamesinger looked pleadingly at Herobrine. “I know that I did some bad things, but my child will be killed without your help! I have too many enemies!” Herobrine snarled. <Oh, you need my help? Where were you when I needed yours?! When Kronus shattered, I asked for your help! You were the only one who could fix what had happened since you weren’t bound by the Ancient Laws you put in place! Instead of helping, you ran like a coward! You erased your memories and chose to re-born as a mortal over and over again. You left me for dead, all because you were too afraid and ashamed of what had happened! Why should I help you?!>

Voltar stepped forward, trembling as she faced down the angry cosmic being. “He was just a child when this happened. He didn’t mean to let Lilith in! She forced him to do those things!” Herobrine turned on her, rage filling his eyes. <He shouldn’t have let the demon in in the first place. And he could have broken her control if he had really tried.> Achillean Voltaris shook his head. “I can’t get rid of Lilith so easily! She possessed me! And I know that she is coming back! She’ll be in control soon. It’s taking all my power to stop her!”

Herobrine snarled. <Well, you should have thought of that when you let her in. You gave yourself to her in not just one, but several lives. Each time you were reborn and escaped the clutches of Solace! You should be facing judgment in Krios’ hall!> Voltar stepped forward, her eyes brimming with tears. “So he did some bad things, but haven’t we all?” Herobrine’s eyes ignited, the strom growing stronger. <DO NOT LECTURE ME ON THIS! I am well aware of what I’ve done, and I cannot fix it. But he could have, when I called for help! But he ran away, like he always does!> In an attempt to calm the Titan down, Voltar held out her hands. “Okay, but would you really doom this child of mine because of the father? Is he guilty of what he hasn’t done? Please, people will try to hurt him! Lilith will try to corrupt his innocence!”

Herobrine looked at her with sympathy. <You chose a faithless man, a cursed soul who can never escape the pain of mortality.> He sighed. <But you are right. The child does not deserve what has fallen on her. She has done nothing wrong, and her soul is her own. I am the protector of humanity, and I cannot let her be destroyed by actions that were not her own. I will help you, but not for the Flamesinger. He deserves what he has gotten. But for the sake of the child, for the sake of her future, so that she does not suffer our fates, I will help her.> Knowing what Voltar planned, he raised an eyebrow. <My realm is dangerous. The land of the Titans is risky for a mortal. My darker kin would be more than happy to meet and mess with her. And I cannot do as much as you hope, because of the Ancient Laws, which you, Flamesinger, put in place.>

Flamesinger hung his head. “I was just trying to help. I thought that, if I restricted your powers, the world would be safer. I never meant to hurt you.” Herobrine snorted. <Yet you didn’t help when you could have. But I suppose you were right to bind us. Otherwise, with Kronus gone, the dark Titans would have destroyed the Universe already. I and the Laws are all that stop them. But this is beside the point. To raise her as my own, I cannot. However, I can protect her in another way.> Voltar looked up, hope shining in her eyes. “How?” Herobrine sighed. <I can bless her, make her a demi-titan. She will gain supernatural powers, though she will stay human. With my mark on her, Lilith will have a hard time breaking her. Plus…> Herobrine hesitated before continuing. <I could make a sacred oath to guard her. That way, if someone tried to hurt her, The Laws would not stop me from using all in my power to help her.>

Voltar gave a sigh of relief. “So that means that she is safe from the demons that haunt us.” Herobrine nodded, then teleported back to his dimension. Before them, brimstone fire erupted, and a demon stepped out. Flamesinger clutched his head as the demon smiled and reached into his mind. “Achillean Voltaris, did you think you could stop me forever?” Flamesinger gritted his teeth and laughed. “No, but I held you off for long enough. You’re too late!” Lilith shook her head. “When your child comes, she will become my slave as well.” Flamesinger merely grinned. “No you won’t. I got her protection from a power higher than you.” Lilith snarled. “We’ll see, Flamesinger, we’ll see.”

## Chapter One: Titanic Destiny

Flamesinger walked into the house, Lilith in his head. What she had made him do the night before…he couldn’t believe it. With a heavy heart, he opened the door. Their house was modest, consisting of only five rooms. It was two stories tall, and made of cobblestone. Every so often, glass windows tinted blue could be seen. The slanted roof was made of obsidian. Inside, hanging lanterns provided light. As he walked in, he heard Voltar squeal in delight. Curious, he went to her room, a pink carpeted room. “What is it, dear?” Voltar was swinging a child around. “Look at Violet! She managed to make her own food today!” Flamesinger smiled, then grimaced and doubled over. <NO! You can’t have her Lilith!> Lilith, currently occupying his head, laughed. <I can do what I want to, weak Ardoni!>

Flamesinger clutched at his head, fighting with all his might to keep the demon in. His willpower was strong, but not strong enough to stop her. Lilith slowly cut her way out of his mental shields. Faster than a blur, she traveled into the child’s head. Lilith laughed when she saw the simplicity of the child’s mind. <You are no threat to me. You’ll be mine next!> But as she tried to take over the mindspace, she felt a searing heat. Lilith screamed in pain. <WHAT IS THIS!!! I should be able to control you! You don’t have the power to stop me! Who is doing this?! Flamesinger!> Then, a new figure appeared in the mind space. He looked like an average human with brown hair and modest dress. But his eyes were glowing pure white, and he was surrounded by an aura of power. An aura more powerful than any Lilith had encountered.

The new figure studied the demon. <So you are the one who threatens the Flamesinger’s family? You don’t seem like much.> Lilith snarled at the intruder. <Get gone! You have no business here! And I am one of the most powerful beings in this universe, so I would run if I were you.> He chuckled. <I see you don’t know me. Let me enlighten you. I am Herobrine, Titan of Humanity, and the second most powerful being in this universe. To defeat me, you would have to destroy all of Humanity, a feat even you cannot hope to accomplish. I am truly immortal, and my power trumps yours. A minor demon is no match for me.> Lilith screamed in rage and sent a blast of mental power at Herobrine. It would have been enough to down a powerful angel, but Herobrine stood unharmed. He smirked. <Pathetic. Even the weakest Titan is more powerful than that.> She roared and blasted her with everything she had, but nothing affected him. He shook his head at her. <You cannot win this one, demon. Leave this child’s consciousness. I have given a sacred oath to protect her, and I will.>

Lilith shook her head, unable to believe what was happening. *There’s no way anyone but my master could be that strong!* Herobrine snarled at this. <Your master. That weakling. I assume he sent you?> Lilith nodded, earning a snort from Herobrine. <If he thinks this changes anything, then he is a fool. He cannot change his fate. For so long, he has stopped me from achieving my goal, knowing it would threaten him. She is the key…> Herobrine continued to muse to himself. <She will help me raise the most powerful being in the universe from the void, and then nothing can stop us. We will destroy him. It has been too long.> Herobrine pointed his blade at Lilith. <You go back, and you give your master this message. His days are numbered, and his doom is fast approaching. I will not stop until I have completed my mission…and destroyed him. He has stood in my way and hurt Humanity for too long.> Lilith retreated from the child’s mind, horror overcoming her. Without a second thought, she left Flamesinger, racing to tell her master of the unexpected obstacle.

Flamesinger and Voltar hugged each other, terrified of what was happening. But once he felt Lilith leave, Flamesinger let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.” Herobrine immediately appeared beside them. <I made the oath, and I must abide by it.> Flamesinger studied his child. “Did your blessing stop her?” Herobrine shook his head. <The blessing gives her power, nothing more. But the Ancient Laws bind me, so when she was threatened, I knew immediately and had no choice but to stop it. Besides, I wouldn’t let a demon take over this child, oath or not.> Flamesinger nodded. “Well, for whatever it’s worth, we are grateful and in your debt.”

Herobrine laughed. <Think nothing of it. I will not let the demons interfere any longer. Their end is coming soon. But I worry about you, Flamesinger. If Lilith cannot use this child, she may decide to destroy it. And she would most likely use you to do it.> Flamesinger nodded, his expression pained. “As much as I hate to admit it, it is true. I wouldn’t be able to stop her.” Herobrine nodded. <It is no longer safe for her to be raised here. If Lilith was to use you in that way, I would be forced to fight you, and destroy you. It also puts Voltar at risk. If you cannot do the job, what is to stop Lilith from forcing Voltar to?> Voltar sobbed. “So she can’t be with us now?” Herobrine put a comforting hand on Voltar’s shoulder. <Unfortunately, yes. It is not safe for any of you here. The child must be moved, and soon. Lilith will be back anytime now. I know of a good place where she could be hidden.>

Flamesinger, with tears in his eyes, hugged his daughter. “I’m so sorry, but it’s not safe here. You must leave.” He turned to the Titan. “Where is it that you plan to take her to?” Herobrine shook his head. <I cannot tell you. It would be much too dangerous. If you knew, Lilith would find out and follow us. But it is safe, and under my protection. Lilith wouldn’t be able to get close without my permission.> Flamesinger slowly nodded, his chest shaking from the effort it took to hold back his sobs. “I’m sorry, child. But we can’t raise you. I never was a good father, or a good person. It’s for the best. Herobrine will be your father, child of humanity.” Herobrine held the Flamesinger, his eyes full of sorrow. <All must come to an end eventually. You are a good person, but life has dealt you a bad hand. We do what we must, and you tried your best. That’s what matters.> Flamesinger sniffled. “I still failed.” Herobrine shook his head. <I cannot convince you otherwise, but know this. If you don’t push on, this is all for nothing. For the sake of your wife and child, you must keep fighting. Can you do that?>

Flamesinger nodded, walking to a different room. Voltar hugged the child once more, her face a waterfall of tears. “Will I ever see her again?” Herobrine nodded. <You will.> Voltar rubbed the sadness from her eyes, though her face was still sorrowful. “I’ll miss you. You take care now.” She turned to Herobrine. “Don’t let anything happen to her, please!” Herobrine smiled faintly. <I won’t let anything happen. I would shatter before this child was hurt. She is the key to fixing everything…> Voltar sobbed, her body shaking. She turned away as a light began to develop the room. When he looked back, both the Titan and Violet were gone. At that moment, Flamesinger came in. “They’re gone?” She nodded, collapsing on the bed. Flamesinger sat beside her, stroking her hair to calm her down. “It’s for the best.”

Behind them, Lilith appeared, her voice sweet as honey. “Where is the child? I need to get rid of her, and who is more perfect than a cheater?” Flamesinger smiled. “You’re too late now, Lilith. She’s gone with her protector to a place you will never find.” Lilith shouted in anger. Seething with hatred, she growled. “Then I will find her and end this like I have told to. I will stop this!” Flamesinger merely smiled. *You’re out of your league here. You are messing with powers beyond you now!* Flamesinger looked out the bedroom window, his voice a whisper. “May Kronus be with you, Herobrine.”

## Chapter Two: Demonic Alliance

The green grass rustled in the slight breeze. The dark oak trees gave out a Timberwood scent, mixing with the smell of the occasional wildflower. The leaves shook slightly in the chilly air. Underfoot, the soft ground absorbed any sound that the hunter would make. Inside the dark woods, the dense leaves blocked out the sunlight. As a result, the light level was very low, perfect for the spawning of prey. The only light present was the rare torchflower, each vibrant petal glowing with light.

Lycaon sniffed the air around him, catching the whiff of a skeleton fifty yards away. The Titan of Hunting, Stealth, Deception, Packs, and Unity was an unusual-looking being. To most humans, he was known as the werewolf. This was probably because of his appearance when he was in a physical form. His form stood upright and was humanoid. However, he was covered in fur, had claws, and had the head of a red eyed-wolf. Lycaon continued his tracking. In the dirt, a slight impression of a bony footstep revealed that he was on the right track. *Can't be far now!* To spark an intriguing chase with his target, the Titan morphed into a wolf. With a quick ground sniff to make sure he was right, he barged after the skeleton.

But as he got to where the skeleton was, he could feel a nagging in the back of his mind. Even as he fought for control of this stretch of territory, the reality around him warped into utter chaos. It didn't surprise Lycaon. This was the realm of the Titans, after all. Every being here saw what they wanted to see unless someone with more power wanted to see something else, which was most likely the case now. Judging by the chaos around, Lycaon assumed that Menoetius was present. He would want to see mayhem all around since he was the Titan of Chaos and untamed energy. And being stronger than Lycaon, Menoetius would see just that.

Just as Lycaon suspected, Menoetius stood a short distance away. Menoetius, as always, hid all but his black hands and feet behind a white robe. Over his head, a white hood hid every facial feature except for his crimson eyes. Menoetius held a wicked iron scythe in his right hand, absent-mindedly twirling it. *He must be waiting on someone. Otherwise, he would be playing with his powers.* Lycaon waited in the shadows, hoping to see what Menoetius was up to. His patience was soon rewarded as a new figure stepped forward. The new arrival looked like an Ardoni, but being a Titan, Lycaon could see through the weak deception. *A demon! What is she doing in our realm?!*

Menoetius scowled at the demon. "You're late, Lilith. You were supposed to be here a while ago!" Lilith sauntered over, smirking as she did. "Don't lose your mind over it. I thought you didn't like order, so I strayed from it in terms of arrival. Isn't that right, Entity 303?" Menoetius growled in response. "I am the Titan of Chaos, so yes, I do appreciate the ideal of breaking order. But this is important business, and we do not have time to waste." Lilith sighed. "Alright, alright, got it." As she spoke, she ran her hand over the chest area of the white robe. Rather than look irritated, Menoetius gave the demon a look of amusement at this gesture. "Now, let's get to business, demon." When Lilith nodded, Menoetius continued. "You wanted to see me for some special reason. I haven't the faintest clue as to what would bring your kind to the Titan realm. It seems a rather foolish thing to me."

Lilith flipped her hair over her shoulders. "Herobrine is protecting a young child, one who is related to a person I've been assigned to corrupt." Menoetius snorted. "If you're looking for someone to help corrupt a person, you should have looked for the Null, not me." But Lillith shook her head. "I came to you because I need the help of someone with boundless powers." Lilith opened her mouth to speak more, but Menoetius cut her off, growling with hatred. "Boundless powers?! I have bounds alright, thanks to that cursed trinity, Herobrine, Kronus, and Flamesinger! With the Ancient Laws in place, I cannot spread the full mayhem I should be able to! And when I try to find workarounds, the blasted Titan of Humanity is always there to foil my schemes! We Titans rule this world, and yet we are bound and restrained!"

Lilith nodded with sympathy. "You should be allowed to do what you wish. It is your world, after all. But you can't do that with Herobrine in the way. I am proposing that you help me take the child. Herobrine seems to have plans for the child, and I do not doubt that they would be against you. Hasn't he fought you for eons now?" Reluctantly, the Titan of Chaos nodded. Lilith, smirking, continued. "So if we take over the child, we stop his plans. I'll be able to finish my mission, and you'll stop Herobrine, giving yourself more chances to get around the Laws. It's a win-win situation!" Menoetius stroked his chin as he considered the idea. "Is your master aware of this, demon?" Lilith nodded. "He is the one who encouraged me to do this." Menoetius chuckled. "To get power here?" Shifting uncomfortably, Lilith nodded.

Menoetius shook his head, booming with laughter. When he had composed himself, the Titan spoke. "After all this time, he cannot stop himself! For eons, he has tried to take this world from us Titans. It irks him to no end that, when he is within this universe, he cannot overpower or overrule us." Menoetius tsked. "Oh, I'll help you, demon. I have a hunch, a suspicion about what Herobrine plans. And if he is doing what I think he is, and he succeeds, it will doom us Dark Titans. So I will help you. But when will your master learn that he is a fool? No matter what he does, he cannot defeat us Titans! He tried once already, and it ended in disaster for him! To defeat us, he would have to destroy this universe, a feat beyond even him! And here, since we are the universe itself, our powers trump all others! He will never take this world. Go tell your master that we will help, but he will never get what he is looking for!"

Lilith nodded, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. *It went well for her. Her master won't punish her since she did what he said.* Menoetius suddenly vanished, and reality conformed once more to Lycaon's will. In front of him, the skeleton stood. It was looking in the opposite direction, so it didn't notice and Lycaon morphed back to his original form. Then, with relish, the Titan of Hunting used his knife to end the skeleton. Picking up the bones from his fallen victim, Lycoan congratulated himself on yet another successful hunt. But as he left, he couldn't help but think back to the conversation he had just witnessed. *If Herobrine is foiled, the Dark Titans will only grow stronger. Without Kronus to reinforce the Ancient Laws, they are slowly but surely finding ways to get past those Laws. Unless they are stopped, they could take down the universe.* The more he thought, the more convinced Lycaon became. With grim determination, he made his decision. *They must be stopped, lest they destroy everything. Including hunting. I must tell Herobrine so he's prepared. If anyone can stop them, it's him. But only if he knows what is happening*. Summoning his power, Lycaon sped his way through the realm. In a short time, he had reached the gates of Herobrine's home. He prepared himself as he knocked on the door. *Time to end this once and for all.*

## Chapter Three: Technical Omens

Obyrion shook his head in disgust at the meeting he was just in. *Humans!* As usual, they had been demanding mining rights within the Oblivion Ravine. Of course, the Techno-Imperium would have been more than glad to allow them safe passage to mine, but only if they remained in control of the island. And only if they made some of the profit. *We can't just hand out everything for free or give up control! We need those resources!* But no! The pesky Humans just had to have all those ores to themselves!

Muttering about Human greed, the Cydroid Techno-Lord strode to his throne seat within the Great Ship of his Forge, the Dark Forge. For a long time, the members of his Forge/family had been the greatest in all of Titania. But that had all changed years ago, after the end of the Titanic War. He had been the one to urge the Cydroids to start the war. The Imperium needed more space, he had argued. Its population of humans couldn't stay in Oblivion Island and its ravine. It had become too crowded, plus it was a rather desolate place. Because of this, the amount of food available had been plummeting. These issues had forced the other Techno-Lords and the Greater Mind to agree with him. With the Greater Mind's permission, he led the war to take the continent. At first, it seemed victory was guaranteed. The technology of the Imperium was vastly superior to that of the crude other races. None of them could match the strength of a technological empire!

But then that blasted Songsinger and his allies had come. They had fought against the Cydroids. Slowly but surely, they turned the tide against the Cydroids. And in the end, the Imperium had been forced to retreat, losing the war. Since the Dark Forge had convinced the others to commit to the war, it took the fall. His forge was blamed for the war since he dragged everyone else into it. Now, he sat in the rubble of defeat, instead of the glorious fame he had dreamed of. *And to think. I had been so close to ending the Songsinger once and for all...*

Now, Obyrion sat on his throne, pulling in his mechanical jet wings. Scowling, he looked down from his throne balcony and to the workers on the ship. They scurried like ants, and Obyrion sighed in boredom. He was just about to shut down for the day when the air filled with ozone. Thunder shook the sky, and two beings appeared right in front of him.

The first being looked like an average human. A decent bit over five foot with tan skin. He wore blue clothes and had normal brown hair. However, his eyes glowed pure white, as though this person was charged with unimaginable power. The person next to him was humanoid-shaped but had the features of a wolf. Obyrion raised one eyebrow at the new arrivals, his surprise well concealed. Calmly, he tilted his head at the human. "So, what brings you here, human? Perhaps you are another diplomat sent to plague me with your economic issues?" The human shook his head, a chuckle raising from his throat. "No, no. I am Herobrine, and this is Lycaon. He alerted me of a...dangerous situation. I am here to ask for help in dealing with this threat."

The Techno-Lord snorted. "If you are indeed the Titan of myth, what makes you think we would help you? I do not see how this threatens the humans of the Imperium. Thus my protocols do not press me to do anything about this." Herobrine nodded. "I suppose you need more tangible reasons for this proposition." When Obyrion nodded, Herobrine continued. "You are well aware of how your race came into existence and how it had to flee its old reality that was home?" Again, the Cydroid nodded. "Well, then I can work with the past here. You see, it was a certain demon, Lucifer, who corrupted the men and led to the female revolution. And when he was defeated, he unleashed the Null to destroy the world. Both times I, Herobrine, stopped him from succeeding. Because of this, I am owed a great debt by your people." Reluctantly, the Techno-Lord agreed. Sensing his advantage, the Titan pressed his argument further. "Now, both the Dark Titans of his kind and Lucifer have teamed up to take this universe. Unless they are stopped, everything will be destroyed and threatened. If you want to obey your protocols and protect the organics under your protection, he will have to assist me in defeating the threat of their combined strength. I must be free to deal with the child and Titans, thus I have no time for the armies that Lucifer will send."

Obyrion nodded, and Herobrine gave a relieved breath. However, Obyrion held up one hand patiently. "Indeed, I cannot ignore such a threat, but how I deal with it is up to the Greater Mind. I could just prepare, or I could oblige with you." Herobrine tensed, before speaking carefully. "Yes, that is true. But if you do follow me, you will see proof as you scout out my mission." The Techno-Lord nodded his armored face. "Perhaps I would, perhaps I wouldn't. But how we respond is up to the Greater mind." Obyrion got up, his metallic form clanking on the floor. Lycaon gave him a questioning look, and the Cydriod explained what he was planning. "I must contact the Greater Mind. If what you say is worth direct investigation under you, then I will get my permission. But if not, then the answer will be no."

Using his messaging protocols, he used his mind sensors to send an urgent message to the Greater Mind. He waited a few minutes before the reply came in and he heard the Greater Mind's voice in his head. *It is him...and he is right. We owe him a debt, and we cannot let Lucifer corrupt what is left of our hopes for life. Go on Herobrine's mission to see if what he says is true.* Obyrion nodded and turned his attention to the Titans. "She has spoken. I will do one mission for you to see if you tell the truth about this threat." Herobrine, relieved, gave the mission. "Near the Draken Mountains, demons under Lucifer are starting to get ready for a ritual to summon him. Your job is to take a squad there and get rid of the demons. Can you do that?" Obyrion grinned ominously. "Oh, we can. Because of what they did, My kind have created weapons capable of destroying them utterly. We shall go and deal with them if you tell the truth that is."

Herobrine saluted the Techno-Lord. Then, with a flash of lightning and a peal of thunder, both he and Lycaon vanished. Just as they left, Julia came into the balcony. Julia was medium weight, with a pudgy face and a haughty attitude. As one of the many Ladies aboard the ship, she was by far the most annoying. She was constantly complaining and making Obyrion's day harder. Now, she complained about her room service. "Obyrion! I have a problem with my staff!" Obyrion sighed. "What is it this time?" Ignoring his tone, Julia continued. "My servant Cydriod, CD-9988787, served the wrong wine today! He needs to be decommissioned! How old is he anyhow?"

Taking a deep breath to keep his voice steady, Obyrion responded. "CD-9988787 is 118 years old. At this point, minor quirks will be found in his behavior as his mind circuit begins to deteriorate. He has two more years before he will be unstable enough to be decommissioned and replaced with a new model." Obyrion fired up the star core in his chest. "Now, if you have a complaint on model lifespan, I would suggest seeing the Overseers, not me. Until then, I would go back to my pampered existence with your companion model CD-7892656750 and let me take care of some important business." Julia's mouth hung open at the attitude the Techno-Lord showed. But before she could respond, Obyrion activated his star core and was gone in a flash of light.

For a second, the world was but a fleeting rainbow of color. Then, in another flash of light, Obyrion found himself in the command center. All around, technical computers flashed with readings on their screens. It was here that the ship was operated and directed. It was also where you would find the military officers. One of them, Click, stood around with two squad commanders. All of them shared the same look as all Cydroids. All of their armor was unique and grey, covering them from head to toe. The eye area and the core, as well as some of the armor areas, glowed with the color of the Dark Forge (Purple). Underneath, they would look like mechanical humans with metallic skin and hair whose eyes and veins glowed. Click snapped to attention. Obyrion nodded to him. "At ease. I need you to get two squads of demonslayers to lead an assault on Mount Draken. We have intel that a demon incursion is occurring there, and the Greater Mind has tasked us with dealing with them." Click nodded and went to a command console, typing a summoning order. As the command became a flurry of movement, Obyrion stared out at the vast expanse. With a grim smile, he made a private musing. *Your time is nearly up, demons. You broke us once, but you won't do it again. The clock is ticking, and your time for living is almost gone. Enjoy what breath you have left, because I'm about to steal it!*

..............................................................................................................................

Violet had fallen asleep just a few minutes ago. Now, she entered a realm of dreams, where reality was far off and the mystical was possible. She had never quite had such a real dream as the one she was studying now. In this one, she stood in an area of blue sky, on a floating island with bluegrass. In front of her was a throne made of copper. Slowly, she walked around it. She was curious. For a dream, it felt so real. She could feel the wind rippling through the air. She could smell the pitcher plants and torch flowers around her. Underfoot, she could feel the soft grass on her bare feet. It was magical. She turned to leave but suddenly felt the presence of another. She turned to see that the throne was now occupied by a stranger.

Violet trembled, confused. She didn't know this being, yet he was familiar to her. Could it be the one the white-eyed cosmic thought of? The one named Kronus? *It must be.* But what did he mean? What temple? But before she could interrogate him and demand he revealed his identity, the dream dissolved. The ground became the Void, and the darkness suffocated her. Within, a cruel voice laughed. A white-eyed being of darkness shook his head at her. When he spoke, it felt like he was drawing the words from her. "Go ahead, child, try to raise him!" Then, as he closed in on her, her eyes snapped open. Taking deep breaths, she strangled her bedsheets. Voltar looked at her in concern, but she shook her mother off. "Just a nightmare." *But was it? Or was it real...* She couldn't help but wonder as she stood up and began to start her day.

## Chapters Four: Timely Intervention

Menoetius looked out across the starlight Titan realm. His lips curled in disgust as he looked at one part of it in particular. The home of Herobrine stood proud and tall, scraping the ceiling of the realm with its precious metal surface. Diamonds, emeralds, gold, and Redstone made up the towering castle. In the forest surrounding it, the trees were tall, but bare of all life, leafless in every single one.

Lilith stood beside him. She was ravishing, Menoetius had to admit. Her skin was perfectly smooth, her aura charming, and her form divine. Better yet, she was well aware of her alluring presence and used that to her advantage. But as attractive as she was, the Titan felt no gravitation towards her, nor did he care about the demon. She was a means to an end, nothing else. Just another foolish being trying to play at the powers of the Titans. *When will they learn that we Titans are no weaklings? We are the masters of the universe, and there is nothing they can do to change that!*

Lilith batted her eyelashes at Menoetius as they walked along. Clearing her throat, she asked a question that had been on her mind for a while. "You Titans are so powerful! I don't suppose you know how one gets that strong, do you?" Menoetius laughed, knowing what she was hedging at. "Yes, we Titans are truly powerful. But no mortal can become a Titan, nor can another Titan make a Titan of their own. Well, unless they're Kronus. He made all of us, after all." Lilith considered this. "But what if I fused my being with you? Surely I could do that." She purred as she spoke, running her hands over his shirt. Menoetius shook his head with amusement. "That would not be possible. The Ancient Laws dictate that, for each aspect/mechanic the universe has, there can only be one Titan. There cannot be two consciences, nor could we let there be. So I would not be able to fuse with you."

Lilith snorted. "Come on, what's the worst that could happen? I mean, I know Herobrine frowns on it, but surely you can face him." Menoetius sighed. "My brother is not what stops me. The Ancient Laws do not work the way you think they do. They aren't a set of rules that are enforced by one being. Instead, they bound the very existence of all multiverses, making certain things impossible. They render me physically and mentally unable to fuse with you. No matter how hard we try, we Titans physically cannot disobey the Ancient Laws. It is one of our weaknesses. Lilith, her curiosity aroused, continued interrogating the Titan. "What is your other weakness?" Menoetius shrugged. "We Titans cannot change. Well, most of us can't. Kronus and Herobrine are exceptions since both time and Humanity change constantly. But the rest of us cannot. I must be chaos for all time, never able to change to order."

Lilith nodded. "So what determines your strength?" Menoetius considered this for a second. By the time he answered, they had entered Herobrine's home. Menoetius winced as he walked. With gritted teeth, he continued. "Blasted Herobrine. Humanity craves order, and since he is my level, reality will not bend to me. In fact, it is trying to dispel me. But to answer your question. It depends. I am as strong as all the energy and chaos in the universe. Kronus, should he rise, will have infinite power, for time controls all, and everything is made of space." Lilith smiled coyly. "So wouldn't you be concerned about someone cutting off all the chaos and energy in the universe?" Menoetius shook his head. "No. It would be impossible to do it. To fully get rid of chaos, since it is part of the nature of everything, intelligent species or nature, you would have to destroy all the realities at once, something only the Creators could do. No being, not even a risen Kronus, could utterly destroy the universe.

Lilith was about to respond, but she was cut off by the wave of a hand. Menoetius snuck into the mansion of Herobrine, cleverly concealed behind the castle walls. Within it, the pair quickly ran up to the room where Violet lay dreaming. As they went, Menoetius stiffened. "We are right outside her door. Herobrine is not here to stop us. We can quickly destroy her and end his schemes, and then leave." Lilith studied him closely. "Then what is it that bothers you?" Menoetius looked warily at the door. "Inside, I feel the presence of another being, one ancient beyond imagine, with power beyond compare. Or at least...I thought I did." Menoetius mused to himself, then shook his head. "No, it's not true. He's been gone for a long time. I'm just imagining things. He is too broken to be here." With that, Menoetius pushed into the room and looked down at the young Ardoni who was now awake and staring at him with large eyes. Menoetius grinned. *It is the beginning of the end, Herobrine!*

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Violet sighed. Once more, her sleep had brought her to a place outside all reality, in the area she couldn't hope to understand. Around, the blue grass rustled, and she breathed in the heavenly fragrance of wildflowers. In front of her, the Titan throne stood tall and proud. On it, the golden-eyed figure had returned and was gazing at her calmly. Violet sighed as she looked at him. "I'm assuming you're Kronus, the first Titan." Kronus nodded, a pleased expression on his face.

"Iリ↸ᒷᒷ↸, i ᔑᒲ. T⍑𝙹⚍⊣⍑ i ⎓ᒷᔑ∷ i ᔑᒲ 𝙹リꖎ|| ᔑ ⎓∷ᔑ⊣ᒲᒷリℸ ̣  𝙹⎓ ⍑╎ᒲ." Violet studied the Titan King. With a curious tone, she decided to launch straight into her interrogation. "I've read the many myths about you, and I don't get how you can claim to be so powerful." Kronus raised one eyebrow as she continued. "I mean, you were blind to the fact that a mere mortal was going to betray you. And he destroyed you easily!"

## Chapter Five: Rising Death

Obyrion looked out across the sky as his skimmer descended to the tip of Mount Draken. The skimmer was made of iron flooring, iron bar safety rails, and a mounted swiveling dispenser cannon. Around him, uniquely armored and armed demonslayers stood at attention, patiently waiting to get to grips with their opponent. All of them were battle-hardened veterans, and their armor bore testimony to that fact. Many had dents and scars on the metallic protection suits, even burns on occasion. Demons, after all, were one of the very few creatures with weapons strong enough to pierce a Cydriod's armor. The color of their glowing parts varied from demonslayer to demonslayer. Some shared the dark purple coloring of the Techno-Lord himself, due to the fact they were from the same forge as him. However, there were many other colors as well: Orange for the Fire Forge, red for the Blood Forge, white for the Star Forge, and blue for the Storm Forge. At their sides, each had a Cywolf pet. These pets could smell demons and track them. Plus they were tougher and much better than organic creatures.

As they skimmed through the air, the wind whistling in their ears, Obyrion looked at the approaching peak. Mount Draken was a ginormous mammoth of stone, barren of any life on its volcanic surface. Running down it, lava could be seen oozing slowly and pooling in certain areas. Smoke rose from it, clouding the air with grit. But the electronic eyes and the armored helmet's sensors of the Cydriods cut through the light-choking cloud of ash. With perfect visibility, the Techno-Lord reflected on the mountain's poor state of existence. Once, this had been the home of the Draken people, an intelligent reptilian species. Long ago, they had ruled all of Titania with an iron fist. Every other race, even humans, could not stop them or defend themselves. That was until the Cydriods came. Feeling threatened by their presence, the Drakens attacked the newcomers. However, the Cydriods had power and technology that no one could hope to match. The war had been both swift and brutal, with the Draken people being defeated and losing all of their lands. Including their capital, Mount Draken. While the Techno Imperium had returned most of their land to them afterward, they had kept Mount Draken as a reminder to the Draken people of the consequences of opposing the Imperium. Occasionally, about once every century, the Drakens would attempt to take it back. But their crusades always failed due to their inferiority.

Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any Drakens here for a raid, though Obyrion wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. In some ways, demons were even worse since they could hurt his android kind. Still, the demonslayers were not normal Cydriods. Whispers followed them of dark witchcraft and eerie unnaturalness. They had the uncanny ability to know exactly where demons were and exactly how to defeat them. When a demonslayer and his pet set out on the hunt, they would not stop until they had destroyed their prey. And to date, they had never failed on their mission. Now, he felt chills going up his robotic spine as he thought about it. Even one as powerful as him, in control of massive ships and Cydriod legions, couldn't help but feel uneasy around these constructs.

The pilot set the skimmer down on the tip of the mountain, then hastily sped out of sight. Grimly, Obyrion surveyed the landing area for any sight of the foul creatures that they were hunting. He was disappointed to find nothing, then waved for his troops to exit. To his surprise, the demonslayers weren't the first ones out. Rather, the Cywolves disembarked with their noses to the ground as they tracked the scent of demons. Then, following their companion's senses, the demonslayers exited the skimmer. Obyrion, realizing the logic in what they were doing, fell in step behind the Cywolves. He, for one, couldn't sniff out demons. All his smell sensors could detect was the sharp metallic scent of smoke.

The group plodded along without much success. So far, no demons had materialized in their path, and the Cywolves were having trouble following the trail. They kept doubling back to figure out where the scent went. The lava they passed hissed and cast an ethereal glow around the dim area. All in all, it unnerved the Techno-Lord. Because of this, he was relieved when they finally spotted the first demon. Quietly, the lead demonslayer, Coranth, motioned for his men to shadow the target. The rough, uneven terrain made it slightly difficult, but not nearly enough for the demon to escape.

When they caught up, the Cydriods found themselves looking into the demon camp. Obyrion was shocked to see how many demons were gathered around. *They have an army!* So far he had counted at least five dozen of them. He was tempted to retreat and call for more forces, but the demonslayers were already taking out their weapons. Obyrion couldn't help but be mesmerized by their unique gear. The blades and arrows used by the standard soldier Cydriod were made of pure energy. However, the demonslayers used something different. The blades and arrows were practically invisible with only the edges being seen by a faint white glow coming from them. None knew how they got such weapons, but the demonslayers claimed it was angel's grace that made up their weapons, though they refused to tell how that came to be. Whatever the case, it was deadly energy. Their weapons could destroy living or nonliving beings with a bare glancing touch. This included demons and even if the demonslayers were to be believed, angels. Coranth nodded for the soldiers to use their crossbows first. The idea was to shoot down demons and thin their numbers as much as possible before attacking with melee. This would make fighting them easier with more even odds. Obyrion smiled as he watched them take up firing positions. The wooden crossbows of the Humans had to be pulled back and loaded. The metallic crossbows of the imperial forces, however, didn't need to be loaded. After each shot, it automatically went to full charge as it reloaded itself. This function made it easier to shoot.

Coranth then gave the firing signal, and a dozen heavenly arrows streaked through the sky, hissing then thunking as they hit their victims. The demons sprang up with cries of alarm, scanning the area as they tried to locate the source of the deadly shower. They couldn't seem to find the demonslayers, however. It was then that the Techno-Lord noticed that his troops were surrounded by white glows. He had the feeling that, since he was a droid and thus not fooled by magic tricks, he was the only one who could see them right now. As the demons grabbed their weapons and fanned out to find their enemy, the demonslayers pulled their swords out. At first, they seemed to have no blade. Then, by an electrical signal from the Cydriod's gauntlets, the weapons activated, becoming angelic blades.

With the stealth of master thefts, the demonslayers came out of the grove. Most of the demons looked around in confusion and fear, still unaware of the Cydriod troops advancing. But a few demons, the ones that Obyrion assumed were the most powerful, seemed to notice the demonslayers. Their eyes widened and they drew their burning hell stone swords. Then, with savage roars, they charged at their new enemy. They were strong fighters, and a fierce battle ensued. Obyrion knew that he couldn't defeat the vile underworld creatures with his weapons, so he watched from the shadows instead. Coranth was on a roll with his broadsword. He step-sided the first overhead blow, stabbing with his blade as he did. The sword sank into the demon's body, though the demon was dead after the initial contact. From the side, an enranged comrade used his powers to reveal the presence of the Cydriods. Not that it mattered. *They'll be dead within a matter of minutes.*

Indeed, the battle was going horribly for the demons. Though they had superior numbers, they didn't have the skill or weapon power of the demonslayers. The Cydriods that did fall to the hell stone blades, in a flash of heavenly light, repaired themselves and continued to battle. One demon threw an ax at Coranth, but Coranth just activated his arm shield. This shield was paper thin, but made of the same thing as his sword. Because of this angelic energy protection that extended to the same range as a Human shield, the ax failed to harm him. Rather, it ricocheted off the shield and sank into the skull of its sender. This made the other demons mad, and the closest swarmed the demonslayer commander. However, they soon realized how foolish they had been by making that choice. Coranth spun in a flurry of strokes and stabs, killing three out of the four in mere seconds. The last demon managed to take advantage of the fact he hadn't been noticed and stepped forward with a slash at Coranth's hilt. This sent the angelic broadsword flying from its wielder's grasp.

To the dismay of the young underworld creature, this did nothing. Cydriod swords were magnetic, and if a magnetic force was sent its way over the object's natural frequency, the magnet would draw the sword back in a second's notice. Which was an ability of a Cydriod's gauntlet. Now, the weapon came streaking back to Coranth, slamming into the demon's exposed back before the hell stone blade could hurt its intended target. Coranth pulled his sword out, threw it into the chest of another enemy, then recalled it again. Without looking, he stabbed backward, ending a demon trying to sneak up behind him. All around the clearing, demons were falling left and right. Obyrion smirked. Lucifer's minions were no match for the demonslayers. Or their Cywolves for that matter, all of whom were also attacking the demons. Their teeth and claws were made of the same thing as the demonslayer's blades, causing them to end demons with mere light bites.

Within minutes, only one demon remained a giant one who looked like a purple-runed Ardoni. He had dark wings, and his presence seemed to darken the atmosphere. His diamond broadsword had a green enchantment sheen to it, with the blade being surrounded by a red glow. *A demon's curse.* The demon snarled at his opponents as they made a circle around him. Coranth was about to give the execution order, but Obyrion stopped him. With confidence, the Techno-Lord strode over to the demon and grabbed a blade that was slung over his back. The broadsword was strange, with its blade textured like the void as lighting with black cores and white outlines flickered across it. Obyrion looked at it with interest, then turned to the demon. "Who are you, and what do you want with this?"

The demon chuckled, not scared in the slightest. Still, he gave an honest answer. "This is the Final Doom, the blade of Kronus himself." Within his mind, Obyrion recognized the significance of the weapon. In his mind, the Greater Mind whispered the secret of the sword. Obyrion studied it critically. "So this is one of the three items that Herobrine needs to defeat those wretched two..."

The demon snarled at Obyrion with hatred. "Herobrine will never succeed! I, Valor Mendoris, and Lucifer shall end this quest of his!" Valor would have said more, but Coranth pulled out his crossbow and shot him in the shoulder. But instead of dying, Valor howled and, with one look of contempt at his tormentors, teleported away in a flash of red. Obyrion sighed and cast an exasperated look at the demonslayer commander. Coranth shrugged in reply, not sorry in the least about what he just did. Obyrion let it go, however, as he looked at the sword. He would deliver this to Herobrine, then gain his next task. Waving for the troops to follow him, the Techno-Lord walked back to where the skimmer was now parked. Once they had loaded, they raced back towards his mothership, one step closer to the end of this conflict.

Valor Mendoris looked around. He was now back in the divine underworld realm and kneeling before his master. The being was shadowed and obscured, preferring to stick to the background. Lucifer studied his nails before looking down at the Ardoni before his throne. With a sigh, he rolled his hand in a gesture to get the report over with. Valor, though fury pulsed through him, hid his indignation. With a pleasant tone, he gave his account of the skirmish. "The demonslayers came to stop us, my lord. They killed all my men and stole the Final Doom before I could get to it." To him, it seemed wiser to act like he had been unable to get it rather than getting it and losing it.

Lucifer scrutinized Valor's face, then was satisfied. "I should have sent the top demons to get it, rather than your rif-raft." The Mendoris was about to protest, but a dangerous look in Lucifer's eyes stopped him. With the wave of a hand, the angel dismissed his underling. Valor, before his fury showed, left the room. As he went through the halls, he vented with anger. Just because he was given inferior men didn't mean it was his fault. *Lucifer should have planned better!* But it wouldn't matter. Not much longer. Lucifer had ruined the realms, he had forced him into this form and bound him to the underworld. And now he threatened to destroy Valor's home because of some petty revenge.

Valor's mind was grim as he thought about his plans. He had too many people he cared about still in the realm of the living. Everything Lucifer had ever done to him, to his world, and to his people would soon be avenged. Valor would help him, pretend to be his friend, and gain his trust. But when that was over and his opportunity came, Lucifer would fall to his blade in the end. The Mendoris grinned, knowing that Lucifer would never see it coming. He could see many things, but not the fate of Valor. By making Valor a demon, something which shouldn't be possible, he trapped his essence in a strange place. Valor couldn't live in both at once. So instead, to make his existence possible, time had made his essence core exist in neither thus his future outside the realm of Lucifer's sight. And soon, Lucifer would pay. Valor looked out across the burning underworld and nodded satisfaction. *Very soon, you will fail. You chose the wrong person to mess with, Angel!*