The City of Domination, located on the Northern Continent, was known as the City of Beasts. It specialized in controlling creatures, including dark beasts like the one from the Black Wave.
The city was massive and protected by enormous walls, several dozen meters high. It was shaped like a hexagon, with a huge front gate where merchants and visitors passed through to enter. Around the hexagon stood towering observation towers made of smooth stone, even taller than the walls themselves. They were positioned at the five other edges of the hexagon, the first edge being the one with the gate.
Alpha walked along the road leading to the city. Around him stretched a long, flat green horizon. The view was breathtaking.
He arrived near the gate. People were well organized and entered one by one after paying the access fee to the city. Naturally, a customs system was in place. Who would allow someone to enter their territory and enjoy its riches without asking for anything in return? No one.
Pupils benefited from reduced entry fees, as they were exceptional individuals who could contribute to the city's proper functioning and could even be selected as official Pupils of the City of Domination. But why should Alpha prove he was a Pupils? Especially since he was no ordinary one. The risks outweighed the benefits.
Alpha entered the city after paying the normal fee. Suddenly, people were running past him, shouting:
"It's today, guys, come on!"
"Put down your beers, this is a historic moment after so many years!"
"Let's go, the King of Domination is finally going to speak!"
Everyone was running toward the city center. There was a massive castle made of smooth stone magnificent. Statues of bears, wolves, and dark beasts were positioned in various spots around the castle. At the very top, a large platform was built for public speeches.
"What the hell is this crap?" said Alpha.
The King of Domination emerged from the castle, standing on a platform that resembled a huge balcony at the very top of the castle. In front of him, a relic allowed his words to reach the entire city.
He was tall and strong, resembling a bear, but well-dressed in luxurious clothes. Next to him stood his 21-year-old daughter and his 15-year-old son, along with a few servants to attend to their needs. He stepped forward, approached the relic, and began to speak:
"Chosen people of Domina! Today, after so many years, the city has evolved and grown. All thanks to you. You who have followed the path of domination and brought incredible fame to our city across the four continents, you who have perpetuated my creation, it is because of you that today our city has reached a new level. The economy is stable, the merchant's road is heavily trafficked and allows us to have a strong connection with neighboring cities. Today, we have a special guest. He is here to connect us to something great, something truly great!"
The King of Domination was someone who had created a path of domination through his technique and intelligence. He was known today across the four continents as a great man, having brought forth a vast and rich path that allowed domination over the beasts—those same beasts that destroyed cities, killed families, and children. Thanks to him, countless people survived due to his techniques.
"Why do I feel like this is going to go wrong?" said Alpha, frowning.
"Today, a Pupils comes to forge a link that spans continents, shakes the seas, and slices through the sky. I present to you the Royal Pupils, one of the 8 Pupils in the command of the royal court!"
"Cough," Alpha choked.
Who were the 8 Pupils of the Royal Court Command?
For Alpha to choke like this, these people are humans above humans. They are 8 Pupils who manage the 4 continents, warriors with unimaginable power. They are all at the Zenith rank, a rank that is almost inconceivable. But before going any further, let's take a look at the different ranks:
- Glow: Every Pupil starts at the Glow rank. It is the name given to the energy that Pupils use.
- Brilliance: The Brilliance rank reaches a stratospheric level. It is far above Glow, as seen with Alpha's demonstration.
- Star: A person with this rank could wipe out two or even three entire cities, like the City of Souls.
- Zenith: The Zenith rank is a rank where the environment changes depending on the power the Pupil uses. The earth shakes, the sky rips apart under the power of this rank.
- Twilight: This rank is the ultimate stage, surpassing human imagination. A Pupil of this rank could fight against two Zeniths with ease.
The central continent is governed by these 8 members of the command, and the other three continents are also under their authority. No one escapes their control. Their power is beyond comprehension.
Suddenly, the sky thundered.
Piercing sounds shattered the air and pierced the eardrums of the inhabitants. Everyone covered their ears. Lightning began to appear, but one of them stood out from the rest.
A massive lightning bolt slowly descended from the sky, before striking directly on the large square, where the King of Domination stood.
A blinding light flooded the city, forcing everyone to look away. A gust of wind, with stratospheric power, swept through the streets, swallowing the cries and whispers of the inhabitants.
For long minutes, violent winds, piercing sounds, and lightning ripped through the atmosphere.
Then, at the heart of the storm... a silhouette appeared.
A man stood there, at the center of the square. He raised his hand and declared in a loud voice:
"Greetings, inhabitants of Domina. My name is Barak, I am the seventh commander of the Royal Court."