The World Serpent

In the Fortress Bastion, Ego, Nyx, and Persia were currently walking within a metallic hallway. There were two people following the three of them. One was a buff old man with silver-white hair, and the other one was a beautiful lady with evergreen emerald hair. The two of them were gorgeous and emanated auras that would make anyone and anything kneel upon meeting. 

The two of them were like living Gods though they were more or less the same as the real ones. While walking within the metallic hallway, Nyx and Ego were in silence. They were simply gazing at their Sister and acted as if the two monsters behind them didn\'t exist. Well, that was to be expected, as having someone like Neptune and Gaea behind you might have been nerve-racking. 

As they had arrived at the throne room, the group continued walking until they reached the back of the throne. A metallic door then opened once again as the group entered through without any problems. Seconds passed by as the group finally had arrived at a small office where Ego and Persia handled everything. 

Gaea and Neptune sat on the chairs in front of a classical table while Persia sat on her commonly-used chair. She started stretching her body as it had been stiff ever since the meeting with Gaea and Neptune. Nyx and Ego silently stood right beside her without any change in their expressions. 

"Then, let us continue our small talk, shall we? Mr. Neptune and Ms. Gaea." Persia said with a calm voice. Despite being calm, Persia was a bit nervous. She had already expected them to transform but even after their transformation. They were still something that would give off a heavy pressure that was beyond one\'s understanding. 

"Correct, let us continue..."

"This is a partnership between Persia and the Archaeos Race. We will only heed your words and will not do the same to others. So I ask you to not force us into heeding anyone\'s words other than yourself. It is a simple thing that I ask, Ms. Persia, to faithfully do."

Such a request was something to be expected. For the Archaeos Race, the current Realm of Piksyon was more or less a big garden. The inhabitants would be little insects spreading and enveloping the garden. They wouldn\'t be able to talk to ants equally as they themselves know the results given by the mere pressure escaping from their bodies. 

"I understand that request of yours. I won\'t force anyone from the Archaeos Race to heed anyone\'s call. So may I ask a single question." Persia wanted to ask something important. It has been bugging her since the beginning, and she knew that Nyx and Ego were also bothered by it. 

"What is it, Ms. Persia?" Gaea was rather curious about what Persia would like to ask from the two of them. Persia then nodded after hearing Gaea\'s words and asked with a calm and serene voice. Her words echoed in the office like an emanating wave. 

"Why did the two of you follow the three of us into the Occidental Region and Fortress Bastion. Do you need something from the Nation of Azathoth? I cannot guarantee to get anything you want. Though, I will try getting it myself." Such were the words of Persia. It resulted in Gaea chuckling. 

Persia was careful with her words. Compared to the two of them, she was more like a little kitten. She wouldn\'t be able to do anything if they decided to do anything towards anyone in the Realm of Piksyon. They were Old Monsters, and due to that, they had vast wisdom incomparable to any wisdom found in the continent.

"We aren\'t here to do anything. We simply wanted to explore the Realm of Piksyon personally and see everything within it. We can also use our perception to instantly understand everything, but that would be too boring. You do understand what I\'m trying to say, right... Persia?" Gaea replied after chuckling. Neptune nodded in agreement at Gaea\'s words. 

Persia had also done the same things before. She would purposely lower her strength to have fun when fighting or undertaking something. Such was the hobby she got during her time as the Great Ruler. To be honest, that was how she spent her days before. But now, Persia wanted to focus on growing. 

She wanted to become more powerful than ever before. Her determination and dream had become aflame once again. The previously extinguished flame from being too powerful has sparked its radiance. Whether or not she would be able to achieve her dream was completely dependent on the choices of herself and others around her. But what about the Archaeos Race? An All-Powerful Ancient Race from beyond the Realm of Piksyon?

Could they even grow to become something better or stronger? Or had they reached their threshold, which may be why they were sleeping in the ocean bed of the vast watery region. They would purposely weaken themselves to interact with other races though that wouldn\'t mean anything as they could squash anyone or anything without any problems.

"That reasoning is understandable. So is there somewhere you want to go? Or shall I leave the two of you alone and explore on your own?" Persia nodded in understanding and asked with her serene voice. Gaea thought about it for a while. Neptune, on the other hand, simply waited for Gaea to make her decision. 

"We\'ll stay in your Fortress in a month. We are rather curious about the home of our Partner. I do hope you don\'t mind having the two of us under your wing." Gaea smiled as Persia froze. After a while, Persia wryly smiled in agreement and replied. "You can stay wherever you want in the Fortress Bastion."

Even though she wouldn\'t want such God-like Monsters staying in her Fortress, It could give better results than expected. After all, she could have them defend the Fortress Bastion if she was away. She wouldn\'t have to worry about any surprise attack from the Foreign Great Rulers. Now that she had fully thought about it. Their presence was helpful for her and the ones within the Fortress Bastion. 

"Though, if I do live for a long while from the Fortress Bastion. I hope that the two of you will defend it when push comes to shove. It\'s a good thing to have more people around this Fortress. It would discourage anyone or anything from attacking it." Persia continued her words as Neptune nodded in agreement. 

"As payment for staying in the Fortress, We will defend it in your name." It appears that Persia and the Archaeos had once again reached a satisfying image. Before Persia and the two Archaeos could continue talking, Persia felt a strange signal enveloping the Fortress Bastion. A familiar one at that. 

"This... Project Gate. I didn\'t expect it to activate so soon." Persia uttered as she quickly stood up. She carefully listened to the signal and instantly knew that it came from the Calidus Desert. But who would be the one in the middle of the Calidus Desert? The answer was simple. Persia\'s aura got stronger and stronger upon the realization. 

It was a grave realization about her only daughter, Gloria. Who was in her first mission to fight against the Great Calidus Army. The Calidus Desert had its own Great Rulers, so it would extremely be problematic to fight against them, Especially if they gang up against her at the same time.

Upon thinking such a thought, Persia\'s pressure got heavier and heavier. Her gaze got colder and colder as she clenched her fist. She gritted her teeth as if something happen to her daughter. She would rip their soul and make them her personal furnace. Ego then realize the strange actions of Persia and swiftly noticed the signal. 

"Gloria?" Ego uttered with a questioning tone. If the Project Gate activated, it must have been a serious situation. Persia walked out of the office while the Archaeos looked at her and waved their hands towards her as a goodbye. Ego and Nyx followed their Sister, and the two Archaeos were left alone in the office. 

"It looks like an emergency happened. What kind of emergency it was must have been serious. After all, Ms. Pesia looks like someone who wants to rip something apart." Neptune said with a calm and ancient voice as Gaea nodded in agreement. 

Meanwhile, back in the metallic hallway, Persia, Ego, and Nyx were walking back to the throne room at the same time. Persia had an angry face. A face that would typically be seen when a Mother finds out that her daughter has messed up. Big time...

"Why didn\'t she retreat, and why the hell is she in the middle of the Calidus Desert?" Persia questioned with a piss-off tone. Ego looked at her and answered with her monotone voice. "Even though Gloria is artificial intelligence, she is still something that is made to be highly comparable to something in flesh. She is a child despite her strange maturity, and there is one thing you can expect from children."

"They want their parents to be proud of them and congratulate them on their hard work. A hard work earned by their labor. Something that is worthful and something they can be prideful on. Though, it appears that due to the high achievements of the Nation of Azathoth. I can accurately say that she is pressured and wanted to live up to its glory."

Such a simple yet complicated reason. If that was reason, Persia would have never sent her daughter into the Battlefield. 

"Prepare the Project Gate, call all personnel!!!"