Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 453: World’s Strongest Duo

“Well, I didn’t,” Eeole answered with a scoff. “There were some mid-gods that didn’t join the discussion. But it would be more accurate to say that they were blatantly uninvited, and barred from participation.”

Catching on, Bradok spat out, “So, if they weren’t useful to Kartzal, they weren’t offered a piece of the global pie?”

“Correct.”

“Basically, Kartzal rules the world?” Treeda asked.

Nodding, Eeole sighed, “For the most part... yeah. At least, he influences the majority of the world and can do anything he wants, so long as he doesn’t kill half a quadrant.”

“Then, Master Eeole, how did you-”

“As the other peak-god existence, how could Kartzal fight me? Especially after the injuries he received from the Demon Ape? At most, Kartzal could critically poison me with his dying breath. So he just left me out of it and didn’t antagonize me,” reasoned Eeole. “He was already ecstatic to have the Solar Tiger and Electo Dragon die at the Demon Ape’s hands. That was an oversight that he greatly benefitted from, eliminating two peak-gods that could fight for influence and power.

.....

“... I considered assassinating him. But it would’ve likely ended with both of us dying. That’s the power of poison.”

“He’ll get what’s coming to him...” grumbled Bradok, still furiously clenching his fists.

Taking a long breath, Eeole changed the subject, “Either way, that’s what you need to know regarding what we learned, Treeda. You’ve got a mid-god ancestor that died before he could bond with the totem. And, Kartzal’s influence and power spread across the world after the death of the Demon Ape.

“Now, on to the other important matter. I wasn’t planning to show you this, Treeda. And I had no plans whatsoever to share this with you, Warak. But Bradok’s actions have changed that.” Getting a nod from the gorilla, Eeole swiped his hand through the air, retrieving a large item and setting it down on a nearby sofa.

“WHAT?!” Warak roared in shock.

“This-”

“Calm down, Treeda, Warak,” Eeole stated, catching Treeda’s hand before she could touch the object. “I see that you both know what this is. I’m certain you’re curious as to why I’m the one in possession of it, correct?”

Treeda nodded frantically and Warak nodded slowly in confusion.

Eeole continued, “In actuality, I’m not. This is something that Trada passed to Oli for him to protect and raise.”

“WHAAAT??!”

“Warak, remain calm.” Eeole insisted, pausing everything until he was compliant. “... Who better than Oli, a mutated gorilla with spectacular potential for both earth and dark affinities? Wouldn’t he make the perfect older brother for such a rare existence among the dragons?”

“...”

“Treeda?”

Shaking, Treeda’s hand was trembling, still reaching for the egg on the couch despite Eeole stopping her yet again. Even Warak was about to reach out. He was just beaten to it by Treeda.

“Master Eeole... Please, let me care for them.”

“No. That’s not happening,” rejected Eeole.

“But why not-”

“Oli will raise her. That was my promise to your daughter, Trada. It’s from that promise that Trada agreed to share her blood with Oli for the mutation, that she agreed to use her king-grade blood as a formation catalyst to increase Oli’s sensitivity to essence upon forming his core. I will not betray that promise. Trada’s contributions to my plan are just as significant as yours, Treeda, if not more,” Eeole reasoned, stunning the dragon lords, especially Warak. “Without Trada’s involvement, Oli would only have one essence affinity. If that were the case, then I wouldn’t be doing any of this and we would’ve never met. I wouldn’t be able to work with Oli, and the gorillas would be doomed to never fully rise up against their oppressors...

“So, no. I’m not handing this egg to you, Treeda, or to you, Warak. However, I wanted you both to know that this child does still exist and will eventually be born. And, for the second time in history, we’ll see a dragon and ape work together to topple the world order. Understood?”

Warak was motionless. But he couldn’t help but ask, “... For the second time in history? When was the first?”

Eeole chuckled and shook his head. “Right... Kartzal’s banned anyone from speaking of it, so of course your ancestors haven’t told you...”

All three of them were startled hearing that. Bradok joined the dragon lords in showing great interest, even dropping his pent-up rage for a moment.

“... The world was named Dominus by the quadrant gods,” stated Eeole, baffling the entire room. “They did so to create a draconic idol for the world to worship. And, to contrast that idol, they branded a certain man the Demon Ape, the devil and heretic of society.

“But the true reason that mythos was falsified and spread was because both Dominus and that Demon Ape were outliers of society. One was a mutant hatchling exiled from his dying clan since young. The other was a mutant child that barely escaped the annihilation of his clan. Eventually, they met and became brothers, a mutant dragon far more powerful than anyone expected him to be and a mutant ape that was more brutal and forceful than any other existence known to the world. And, together, they took control of the entire world, leading it to prosperity for almost one hundred thousand years.

“Of course, I’m talking about Dominus, the Spectral-mirror Dragon, and Azar, the Tyrant Ape. The most unstoppable duo in all the world’s history.”

“... Duo?” Bradok was the next to speak and mumble. He felt torn hearing that information. “Eeole, if they worked together, why did-”

“Because most dragon lords despised Dominus,” Eeole answered before Bradok could finish. “Dominus changed the rules of the world. His transcendental existence forced the world into a long-lasting era of peace. More gods rose up than ever before because of that. It was also the catalyst for many species other than dragons to join them in the spotlight.

“But Dominus didn’t care about that. All he cared about was spreading cultivation and maintaining his peaceful life, where he spent most days cultivating and trying to grow stronger still.”