Chapter 179: The Beginning (I)
The ground rumbled.
Julia stepped forward through the burning flames of the Elven village. Everything was burning to the ground as she walked along with arrogant steps. A wicked smile appeared on her lips, looking into the burning houses.
An orc marched forward with a struggling elf in its hand.
"I found one." The orc grunted.
With a heavy hand, the orc threw Elven in front of Julia. A painful groan escaped out of the elf.
"Where is the Hydra's stone?"
The elven woman glared. "I'll never tell you!" She snarled.
"Oh, really?" Julia walked over toward her and leaned in. She grabbed the elf's chin and turned it toward her face. "I'll get it out from you with or without your permission."
In that instant, Julia summoned dark energy from her body, shooting into the elf's mind.
A horrible screech escaped the elf's lip, making her shudder. Dark energy swelled and entered her mouth, nose, and ears, completely overwhelming her until the elf fell backward.
Julia stood still with her eyes closed. She didn't even budge from the screech. Finally, when the darkness overwhelmed her, it sucked out her soul and into Julia. She opened her eyes.
With a thud, the elf fell to the ground, all shriveled up and dry. The elf's hair turned white, and her skin sunken. She was dead.
"I found it," Julia stated with a glee. Her eyes brightened as darkness swayed around her.
"Where would that be?" The orc asked curiously.
"Toward the tree of life." Julia's head swiveled toward the location where a giant tree was present. "Let's call in some backup, shall we?"
The orc uncomfortably looked at her. "Is it wise to summon all of them here?"
"Yes." Julia looked at him, offended. "I don't do things half heartedly, and the tree of life isn't something to ignore." She grunted.
"I see…" The orc uncomfortably squirmed under her gaze.
"Get the troops ready. We will be moving now."
"Yes, mam'n." The orc hurriedly disappeared.
Julia took a moment as she gazed around, satisfied about the destruction around her. Then, she raised her hand, causing more dark energy to spew out of her fingertips. It surrounded her completely, becoming bigger and bigger, inflating like a giant balloon.
With a loud clap, the circular darkness shifted shapes, turning into an oval gate. With a fluctuating flicker of energy, the gates fluctuate in strength.
"Come," Julia spoke out loud.
The gate shivered from her command.
Stepping out was the Titan. His heavy steps rumbled with weight as each step shook the ground around him. Fierce, angry gaze cast out toward Julia. He had grown exponentially since the last time he had spoken with Julia.
"You." The Titan spoke in displeasure.
"What about me?"
"Why do you have to call me here?"
"Why not?" Julia snorted at the Titan's words. "We have a job, and you work for me."
The Titan snorted, but he didn't say anything back.
The next to appear violently with a burst of black fire was the phoenix. It flew out with the fury of a firestorm. Each flap, causing a heatwave of energy to spit out with a flurry of emotional anger that scorched the ground as well.
"Well," Julia smiled. "Good to see you heed my call, my old friend." She waved her hand over her head.
The phoenix fluttered over, flying above her. It didn't say anything but stare back at her with a dark flurry of emotions.
It didn't take long for the third legendary creature to appear out from the black gate. This time it was three humanoid beings. The first one to step out was a gallant and handsome-looking man with long black hair and black eyes. His face was enchanting to the point it was even more beautiful than most elves.
Stepping behind him were Crow and Raven walking proudly behind.
"Father, why are we here?" Crow asked; he was displeased that he stepped out of a muggy forest. "It smells."
"Quit your whining, Crow." Raven rolled her eyes. She briskly walked out with her hand on her hips. Her nose perked up, sniffing the air a few times. "It smells like death. The perfect ingredient of what we all stand for."
"I don't know, sister. Our mother doesn't condone this." Crow sighed. He shook his head at his sister.
"Who cares? We are the descendants of the Black Gryphon. Who would dare go against us?" Raven puffed up her chest arrogantly.
The bickering between the two siblings went back and forth to the point where th Black Gryphon halted. He spoke. "Enough."
Both children went silent. They did not want to anger their father.
"Well, well. If it isn't the Black Gryphon." Julia spoke. "I thought you would not heed my call because of your injury."
The Black griffin glared down at Julia. "My injuries are of no concern to you."
"Is it? I heard my niece has harmed you." Julia goaded. "I know such power does not heal so easily."
When he heard Julia's niece, he pulled out his blade, placing it on her neck.
"Your niece is a bane of this world."
"I agree." Julia chuckled. "But..."
Julia raised up her hand. She grabbed the blade, and at that moment, her hand started to change into black claws. The Black Gryphon eyes widened when she saw the change in Julia's hand.
"You can't be." The Black Gryphon was surprised.
"Why can't I?" Julia smirked.
"Because your turn should have ended."
Julia pushed the blade aside. "I am not like my other predecessor." She took a step forward. "I am greater than the previous ones before me. Look around you," she waved her hand in big motions.
The Black Gryphon looked around, noticing that there were other legendary creatures before them.
"How?" The black Gryphon put away his sword. He curiously observed the Titan and the Phoenix. "The curse had made it only possible to be able for one legendary creature to be out at once; a few times, there were a handful of us, but never this many."
The black Gryphon was amazed.
All the others wondered as well as this was an unusual circumstance. Never in history were they brought together in such a way.
"What do you need us for?"
"To awaken the Hydra, I need assistance in bringing down the tree of life." Julia's word struck through all three of the legendary creatures. To hear such a bold plan to take down the sacred tree was never thought of, nor could they by themselves.
"Is it possible?" The Titan asked, completely baffled by her words.
"Yes, I am the one who summoned you all," Julia stated with arrogant words. "Now, all we need is for you to do your jobs, destroying the saplings that are blooming around the sacred tree of life to allow us to get closer."
"Where do you suggest we go?" The Black Gryphon did not argue. Instead, his body quivered in delight at the thought of destroying the tree of life. Something nobody was able to do until now.
"Come closer, let me show you what I have found out." Julia evilly grinned. The mischievous malice in her eyes glimmered in her eyes, excited to share her plan.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone