The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2036: No path left but death

Silence reigned within the core chamber of the Giant Dark Tree. The Scarlet King was right there—just beyond reach. The Imperium of Time could march out and unleash their combined might, their powers amplified by the essence of the continent itself. By all calculations, it would be a battle they could not possibly lose. Yet not a single Archdeity dared to move. Their gazes, sharp and wary, turned toward Azazel.

The True Depravita of Sloth inhaled deeply, his eyes narrowing as he expanded his consciousness. Psychic power flooded outward, merging with the roots, veins, and essence of the Giant Dark Tree. With its help, his perception sharpened to terrifying clarity. No matter how he searched, no matter how he probed, he found the same truth: the Scarlet King was alone.

Azazel’s eyes lingered on Cain, reading his every gesture, every flicker of intent. Then, with a casual wave of his hand, the bark of the living colossus unraveled. An opening yawned wide, forming a direct path into the chamber where Azazel, Legion, the Archdeities, and the hostages waited.

If Cain marched into the Dark Tree, he would step directly into the enemy’s heart. Here Azazel was strongest, here they held absolute advantage, and here escape was impossible.

Cain’s eyes drifted toward the hostages. For a brief instant, a small smile curved his lips as he saw the resolve burning in their gazes. His mind sharpened, the Path of Conquest igniting within him as he inspected their bodies, souls, and minds from afar. Other than the seal preventing them from ending their own lives, there was nothing hidden in their forms—no curse, no trap—that could be used against them from a distance.

Satisfied, he turned toward Azazel.

”I am here,” Cain declared, his voice echoing across the chamber and through the psychic projection carried to every corner of the world. ”Release them. Let them gather with my forces outside the continent.”

Azazel met Cain’s eyes, his own expression unreadable. At last he spoke, voice calm and absolute.

”Come inside, and I will let them go. I swear it in the name of my Master.”

The tension spiked like a thunderclap. Across the Everstrife Empyrean World, every man, woman, and child held their breath. The psychic broadcast had turned this into more than a confrontation—it was now the stage upon which the fate of the World War, perhaps even the dawn of a new era, would be decided.

Cain regarded Azazel for a heartbeat. Then his smile widened. Without hesitation, under the eyes of the world, he marched through the living gateway into the Giant Dark Tree.

The ArchDeities leaned forward, excitement and tension radiating from their souls. With every step Cain took deeper into their stronghold, their hearts raced faster. And when at last he entered the core chamber, the bark sealing shut behind him, their anticipation reached its zenith. At last, their greatest enemy was trapped.

Yet even as they reveled in the moment, unease coiled in their guts. The Scarlet King still wore that faint, disquieting smile.

Cain ignored the ArchDeities entirely, his gaze fixed on Azazel. ”What are you waiting for?”

A low growl filled the chamber. ”Hmph. What is the point of letting them go? We already have him.” It was Legion, his aura thick with malice, his hatred like burning tar

His words stirred murmurs of agreement. Many of the ArchDeities shared his sentiment. Why honor their promise when they now held both prize and prey? Why not slaughter the Scarlet King and the hostages alike, erasing every possible threat in a single stroke?

Cain’s gaze slid to Legion, then swept across the gathered ArchDeities. His smile widened further—but this time, his eyes turned cold, radiating a savagery that froze the chamber.

”You have seen me when Order ruled me,” he said, voice steady but carrying the weight of thunder. ”You have seen me empty of emotion, unshaken by rage, unmoved by fear. And you trembled.”

The Scarlet King leaned forward, his voice lowering into something far more dangerous.

”But if you think that was terrifying, then you have no idea what I am when pure hatred and blind rage consume my soul.”

A shudder rippled through the ArchDeities. Their fists clenched. Their hearts quaked. For when he felt nothing, the Scarlet King was already a monster beyond their league. To imagine what he might become if they betrayed him and killed his son was something none of them dared to fully picture.

”Enough.”

Azazel’s voice cut through the rising storm. His authority silenced all. His gaze remained locked on Cain, unwavering. With the world watching, he would not break his word—especially not when he had sworn upon the name of his Master.

Turning from Cain, the True Depravita of Sloth extended his hand. Energy swept across the hostages, enveloping Amon, Rylanor, and the others in a cocoon of dark light. Then, with a gesture, he cast them out of the Giant Dark Tree, their bodies vanishing into streams of power that streaked into the distance.

Cain’s eyes followed the trails of energy, the Path of Conquest flaring within him. He could see there were no illusions, no tricks—the hostages were indeed delivered to safety. After a while, they reappeared outside the continent, within the ranks of the Scarlet Kingdom’s army.

”I keep my word,” Azazel said, his tone sharp, absolute. His eyes narrowed on the Scarlet King. ”Now surrender yourself and accept your destiny.”

The chamber fell still again. The air grew heavy with anticipation. The ArchDeities tightened their encirclement, forming a living wall of divine power around Cain. The exit sealed behind him. The roots of the Dark Tree pulsed like veins of a living beast. Logic dictated it was over—completely, irrevocably over.

The Scarlet King was surrounded. He was outnumbered. He was trapped in the enemy’s stronghold, cut off from his army.

There was no path left but death.

And yet...

Despite all reason, despite every advantage the Imperium held, the ArchDeities could not shake their unease.

Because this was the Scarlet King.

The man who had made the impossible reality again and again.