Chapter 2365: Clash Of Venerables II [1]

-----

Drake rushed through the Endless Castle, navigating the cracks left behind by the clash between the God who controlled the isolated space and Hydra and Celene, whom he had only recently contacted. Just a minute ago, he had heard their voices resonate within his soul as they entered the castle themselves.

"Drake, we’ve defeated the God controlling the Endless Castle!"

"Hydra has gained partial control over it. We’re fixing the isolated spaces—go help someone, we’ll regroup where you are!"

"Sure, go ahead! Thank you!"

Drake felt a surge of gratitude. He was lucky to have such reliable friends and allies. Soon after, he began receiving messages from his disciples. Each had faced their own trials, battling formidable Kami and emerging victorious.

"Master Drake! I barely survived, but I defeated an old man with dangerous powers! I got his brush—maybe it’ll be useful? I’m heading your way!"

"Surtr! Got it!"

"Master, I’m coming to you now. I’m not sure what’s happening, but our connection is back! I think I awakened an Archetype too!"

"That’s great news, Emerald! Keep up the good work—I’m waiting for you!"

"Hey old man! I’m heading your way! Is Jord safe?!"

"She’s alive! Hurry, Amethyst! Wait—are you okay?"

"I’m fine!"

"Hey gramps, I beat the crap out of that old man with psychic powers! I think I got some new ability or whatever! I can feel your presence—I’m coming!"

"Sure, Triton! Hurry!"

Drake sighed in relief; glad they were safe. But his thoughts turned to his wife and children. With Yuki and Yudra secure, he needed to find the rest.

"Were they your disciples?" Yuki asked. She and her daughter were cradled in Drake’s large hands, shielded from danger.

"Yeah, they seem to be alright, thank goodness," Drake replied. "They’ve grown so much stronger. Who would’ve thought they’d turn this despair-inducing event into a chance to evolve?"

"That idiot Oda probably didn’t expect that—neither did my brother. Susanoo really believed his Kami could defeat us all," Yuki said.

"Awawahh! Awaaahh!" Yudra cried, pointing into the distance. She sensed a powerful distortion in space.

"What’s wrong, Yudra? Do you feel something strange?" Yuki asked. "Wait—what’s happening over there?"

"I sense a spatial distortion of immense weight! This is a Dominion—we have to hurry!"

Drake panicked. He unleashed brute force, breaking through the dimensional wall as his Aura erupted with overwhelming power.

Muramasa absorbed his Dominions into a single point, swirling around the long blade. He swung it down, slicing through the dimensional membranes.

SLAAASH!

A powerful force pulled Drake, Yuki, and Yudra inside. They found themselves in a vast world with a golden sky and a glass-like floor beneath.

RUMBLE!

Drake quickly regained his footing. His Aura exploded outward, shaking the entire Dominion and announcing his arrival.

Moments later, he turned toward the brightest light and saw a muscular human man launching thousands of swords of light—directly at his family.

Benladann, Miranda, Benladra, Kate, and Drakda were there, using Tiamat’s shields to defend themselves. Drake immediately recognized the attacker: the Venerable known as "Fortune."

"YOU DARE TRAP MY FAMILY?! I’LL RIP YOUR DAMNED DOMINION TO SHREDS!"

Drake’s Aura surged through his body. He sheathed Muramasa, infused his claws with power, and pierced the space before him, then pulled.

"RAAAAHHHH!"

He pulled with all his might.

TRUUUM!

Crack, crack...!

CRAAASH!

Drake shattered the Dominion with his bare claws, tearing the dimension apart. Fortune trembled, suffering a backlash within seconds. He vomited blood and stared at Drake in disbelief.

"W-What the...?! My Dominion!"

Fortune screamed as his Dominion collapsed. He and the others trapped inside were teleported back to the Endless Castle—or what remained of it. The area was now a vast open zone filled with piles of wooden rubble.

"E-Eh?!" Benladann looked around, spotting Drake flying toward them. "Honey! You came!"

"You really came! What took you so damn long?!" Miranda shouted.

"Papaaaaa!" Benladra cried.

"Daddy!" Kate called.

"Dada?!" Drakda was stunned.

Drake spread his arms wide, embracing his beloved family with warm hugs. He smiled, grateful to be reunited.

"I’m sorry it took so long. I had to fight through some tough enemies to get here," Drake said. "But I made it—with Yuki and Yudra too."

"Hey everyone! I’m glad you’re all safe!" Yuki said cheerfully.

"Hewooo!" Yudra tried to say "hello," waving her tiny paws.

"

YUDRA!

" Benladra, Kate, and Drakda flew to their little sister, hugging her tightly.

"

YUKI!

" Benladann and Miranda rushed to Yuki, embracing her even tighter.

"Hahaha! I’m glad we’re all together!" Drake said, wrapping his massive, scale-covered arms around his family. "Now, who’s the bastard bullying you? Doesn’t he know you’re the family of the Dragon King?"

"Y-You damn dragon! How did you even get here?! I thought this area was isolated! You shattered my Dominion! How is that possible?! You’re much weaker than I am!"

"Weaker, you say?"

Drake’s Aura surged, distorting reality. Flames of gold, black, and purple spread outward, while rainbow ice froze everything except his family.

His Ascendancy Laws appeared behind him, glowing brilliantly. Drake had reached max level during his battle with Susanoo, and his stats had skyrocketed since.

Now, all that remained was to ascend further—but even now, his power was immense.

"You’re really saying that to the guy who’s about to beat the crap out of you?"

"A-Ahh...! W-What is this twisted, malignant energy?! You...! What kind of tricks did you use to gain such power?!"

"Tricks? Just the usual—killing and eating my prey, like any dragon would."

"Ugh! You’re a monster! You and your freak family should disappear! Let humans repopulate Yggdrasil! Why don’t you all just die?!"

Drake was stunned by the man’s attitude. It disgusted him.

"Is this guy gay?" Drake asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, maybe. He’s kind of feminine," Benladann said.

"Yep," Miranda added.

"No straight man acts like that. He’s definitely gay... not that there’s anything wrong with that, but still—gay as hell," Andromeda nodded.

"W-WHO ARE YOU CALLING GAY?!"

Fortune exploded with rage. He had once maintained a harem of over a hundred human women, fathering many children.

"I HAD A HAREM OF OVER A HUNDRED WOMEN! I COMPLETELY MOG YOU, DRAGON KING!"

"Oh yeah? I didn’t know we were competing. Well, I prefer quality over quantity," Drake replied, hugging his family.

"GRAAAAHHHH!"

Fortune’s body erupted with light. He grew three times larger and more muscular, overflowing with power. His long blonde hair turned into golden flames, and all four of his Ascendancy Laws manifested behind him, glowing with divine might.

"I’m going to kill you right now, Dragon King!"

"Come at me."

-----