Lord of Annihilation

'I see. So that is how I reach Stage 4 in [Annihilator].'

His unintentional declaration of his defiance against the path set by the Universe had triggered an inspiration from the [Annihilator] soul and showed Lucius, the road to Stage 4.

'The Annihilator is the antithesis of the Lords and their Order. By extension, that puts me in a path against the Universe.'

'To go against the set path, to break the established Rules, to bring down order and to erase chaos, restoring nihility to all existence…this is my fate as the Annihilator. Killing the Lords is but a direct means to an end. And so is the execution of the Great Plan.'

Thoughts continued to form and die within Lucius' mind and slowly, the sudden inspiration came to an end. The strange but wonderful sensation that had enveloped him disappeared, causing Lucius to return to reality.

His eyes stared around and found Olivia and Ka'lor'ah staring intensely at him. The former's face had a mixture of puzzlement and strange excitement, while the latter had an anxious and stressed expression.

Lucius could sense the seriousness within Ka'lor'ah's eyes, prompting him to un-silence her.

The instant he removed the restraint of silence off her, Ka'lor'ah's frenzied squeal assaulted his mind.

'What are you saying? Why would you directly mention that old fart's name?! Do you want to show him where we are and what we are doing? Are you mad?!!' Ka'lor'ah screamed, irked.

To the unassuming, like Olivia, the words 'Fate' and 'Order' uttered by Lucius were simple and definitive. In fact, one would even consider his earlier declaration to be grand and heroic.

However, those deeply educated and knowing like Ka'lor'ah, understood that Lucius had referred to the entities behind those concepts and not the simple words themselves. 

In other words, Lucius had directly referred to the Lord of Fate and Lord of Order in his speech.

This action, given their current precarious situation, was a huge no-go. Without Ka'lor'ah's [Isolation Barrier] to isolate them, any mention of such sensitive concepts would resonate with the surrounding world and send information to those existences high above. 

Lucius, of course, understood this fact and thus allowed Ka'lor'ah to vent her anger. The tiny, red-faced figure continued to harshly admonish Lucius for a few minutes before calming down.

Once Lucius discovered that she had run out of breath and expletives, he slowly spoke.

"I found the requirement to ascend into Stage 4." he calmly said.

"Don't talk back! I still haven't done wi—What?" Ka'lor'ah took a few seconds to process his statement. 

Staring at Lucius with wide-open eyes, she asked. "You're serious?"

Lucius simply nodded his head. He then gestured towards the confused-looking Olivia, who was nervously switching her gaze between Lucius and Ka'lor'ah and explained.

"I have to get her into Stage 3 and help her Domain reach a specific level within four years. If I succeed, I will ascend into Stage 4."

Hearing that, Ka'lor'ah sunk into thought. She quietly muttered to herself for a few seconds, before nodding her head.

"This is good. The quicker you become stronger, the greater is our chances of completing the next phase. Still," a rare look of seriousness appeared on Ka'lor'ah's face as she continued. "The next time you decide to deliver a grand and heroic speech, warn me so that I can lay down an [Isolation Barrier] in advance."

"Although 'that guy' has promised not to meddle in your affairs, sending him a status report from time to time contributes little in the way of surprise."

"Understood, I'll be careful." Lucius nodded his head. His eyes, however, showed no signs of understanding.

Knowing that this was the best response that she could get out of him, Ka'lor'ah sighed. She then turned to face Olivia and spoke.

"Looks like your future lessons are going to get even harsher from now on. I don't know if I should call you lucky or unlucky." Ka'lor'ah chuckled.

Olivia nervously gulped and alternated her gaze between Lucius' face and Ka'lor'ah's ominous chuckles. Observing closely, she could faintly feel that the way Lucius' gazed at her, had changed.

Previously, Lucius looked at her the same way a senior would look at an ignorant and clueless junior. While this wasn't what she had hoped for, it was at least better than that look of indifference.

Now, however, there was an added intensity and desire within his gaze. This made Olivia strangely uncomfortable and nervous.

In a bid to extricate herself from this odd situation, Olivia asked a question.

"Hmm…I still have some questions about Domains." she hurriedly continued.

"A few months back, on Earth, I was caught within the Domain of a Stage 3 Scrofanian," A bitter look appeared on Olivia's face as she continued. "When I was trapped inside that Domain, I found myself unable to do anything. I was immobilized, my thoughts were slow and sluggish, and even my soul power was suppressed."

"It was the most helpless I ever felt since…" Memories from before the Ascension and events from Deatov flashed across Olivia's mind. She quickly shook her mind and dispersed those images.

"Anyways, my question is, why does that happen? Is there any way to overcome that intense suppression? How did Lucius single-handedly kill Stage 3 existences?" Olivia finished, staring towards Lucius with shining eyes.

Hearing her words, it was Ka'lor'ah who replied first.

"Excellent question! Before I answer, however, let me ask you this. What exactly IS a Domain?"

Olivia pondered for a few seconds before replying, "An ability that all existences above Stage 3 get? Kind of like how Awakened ones gain access to soul power."

"Good answer, but not quite." Ka'lor'ah gently shook her head. 

She then flew to the center of the cave and started to release her soul power to form a three-dimensional screen. Figures and shapes started to appear within this screen depicting Ka'lor'ah's tale, as she started to recount,

"A Domain is actually a manifestation of one's authority. It is the truest expression of one's power and an independent territory over which they have complete control of."

"During the First Era, when all races warred against every other race for dominance over the Universe, a solitary entity, whose name has been lost to the erosion of time, at the peak of universal power showcased a special skill in a very important battle."

"When this skill was used, every other entity present in the battlefield, equal or unequal, found themselves entirely powerless and immobilized. That familiar space and friendly Rules that always surrounded them suddenly felt foreign and hostile. Their soul power could no longer affect the Rules surrounding them, rendering all their techniques ineffective."

"That powerful entity effortlessly wiped out everyone within the battlefield using this technique and easily won the war for dominance over the Universe. With absolute power, he ruled all that was in existence."

Olivia's attention was completely enraptured by the intense battle depicted within the screen.

That mysterious figure, encased in blinding white light stood at the center, overflowing with majesty and grace. In front of him, the other figures within the scene looked like mere ants to be stepped on.

Even Lucius, who had heard this tale multiple times, focused his attention on the screen. Respect filled his eyes, as he intently watched that incandescent figure.

"However," Ka'lor'ah's tone turned somber as she continued. "Nothing is ever absolute and no reign lasts forever."

"A few hundred years later, the other races that had entities similar in power to this solitary figure, managed to recreate his technique. Another huge battle was fought and the invincible figure was brought down from his throne."

Ka'lor'ah manipulated the screen to show a figure being dragged down from his mighty throne. His blinding radiance continued to diminish in brightness as his figure was dragged farther and farther down from his throne, before completely disappearing. 

"After his death, more wars were fought for the throne of the Universe. Eventually, the secret behind this technique was explored and more people started to use it. In Primeval Tongue, also called the Language of the Ancients, this technique was called 'Zettai Ryouiki'."

Ka'lor'ah solemnly uttered its name, which was followed by Lucius providing its translation.

"…Absolute Territory," he said in a low voice.

"Indeed," Ka'lor'ah nodded her head. "Absolute Territory…an area/space over which its user has sole dominion. A space within which the user's power and abilities can be brought out to the greatest extent without interference from opposing Rules. Sound familiar?"

"…a Domain," Olivia whispered.

"Exactly. What we now call a Domain and can be used by Stage 3 and higher existences, was back then called an Absolute Territory and could only be used by Stage 7 entities."

"Not only did the appearance of this technique increase one's power, but it also simplified the process of ascending to a higher Stage easier. If not for this technique, the amount of high-leveled existences within the current Universe would be incredibly scarce."

"Only those incredible talents from High-Grade races will be able to touch upon the boundaries of a higher Stage. Even then, their progress would be entirely dependent on their experiences and encounters. After all, we currently lack the crucible called 'war' that was present in the First Era."

"Anyway," Dissipating the screen in front of her, Ka'lor'ah continued. "That's the story behind Domains and how they came into existence."

"Because they are dominions over which the user has complete control of, the others trapped within, will not be able to do anything at all and are completely powerless. Like you and that Stage 3 Scrofanian."

"As for how Lucius managed to overcome this immobilization and fight back, he used a technique called a Field. A sort of precursor to the Domain."

"The reason why you're practicing control over your soul power is also to learn this Field technique. Only after you reach the realm of 'Perfect Control' will you be able to learn it."

"Indeed." Lucius nodded his head. 

He then looked towards Olivia and casually spoke. "That should be enough questions for now. Knowing too much will not help you if you lack the power to act upon it."

"Use the remaining time to practice your control over soul power. Once the day cycle passes outside, we will leave and go further into this planet."

"Into? As in underground?" Olivia asked in surprise.

"Yes, and the terrain and environment will only get harsher and more difficult to traverse. Use every second to improve your control, you will desperately need it."

"Why are we going further in? Is there something good within?" This time, it was Ka'lor'ah asking the question.

Nodding his head, Lucius shortly replied. "One of the materials required to construct a Living Weapon."