God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

A city within a city.

Technically, Valestorm was a rather small city, more of a town due to its population.

All of it was enclosed within a circle border created by an unimaginably vast dome of mana that reached into the sky.

At the edge of the border were scattered multiple outposts that overlooked the rest of City Z in all directions. At the moment, a tidal wave of black was pushed against thks border.

The black wave consisted mostly of zombies and low order rank and file devils.

Those who were stationed at these outposts to clear out the zombies and Devils were weaker humans trying to gain as much experience points and attribute points as they could.

Anyone beyond the first Tier would be unable to benefit much from this.

Beyond the outposts was mostly a large expanse of ruins. A few broken and dilapidated buildings here and there, cars and abandoned vehicles gathering rust, and beneath the rubble, countless humans bones that had never been, and probably never would be discovered.

Emptiness...

The former territory of the military had also turned into ruins, having been left behind for so long.

The destruction caused behind by the conflict that happened a while ago was far too terrible. Now, it was overrun by {Blister Rats} and whatever ungodly abominations that had found their way into the dark shadows and crevices.

Going even deeper, another field of emptiness stretching further towards the center of the dome.

Previously, this place had been called the Sea of Sands or Sandsea. However, with the influence of the Celestial of the Sands and Death gone, all the sand had mysteriously disappeared.

However, that didn't mean the Sandsea had suddenly turned barren.

Instead, it flourished even more.

It was prime grounds for Aether Creatures that had previously existed within the Sandsea to grow and flourish.

Most Aether Beasts were territorial by nature and so they didn't usually make a move to leave the Sandsea. Meaning for the most part, Valestorm was safe from these monsters.

The denizens of Valestorm however frequently embarked on hunts into the previous Sandsea.

Although it was a dangerous area, it was also filled with boundless treasures.

Not only did the bodies of the Aether Creatures contain rare treasures, but killing them granted tones of experience and free attribute points.

These were the key ingredients in leveling up and acquiring more power; the most vital thing in this day and age.

Valestorm itself was a rather strange place...

City Z, also official knowm as the City of Zoan, had once been a prosperous and important city on the continent.

It has been a melting pot of different peoples from different backgrounds of all shapes, colors, sizes, race, age, and make.

Once upon a time, the world had been a place of leisure and calm.

In a world that was mostly automated, although humans still had jobs, ninety percent of the work was done by incredible artificial intelligence and machines.

This gave the humans more than enough time to indulge in their vices and the joys of life.

Some would say that such a life was empty, but Carrion found such logic stupid and not even worth considering.

After all,

"To live this life, is to indulge in the glorious things." Carrion uttered to himself.

He stood in his room, decorated to his taste by ornaments sifted from the ruins of the old world.

In the huge king-size bed laying two gorgeous women, their hair black and luscious like fine silk, their bodies white like milk.

Wearing a lose fitted robe, Carrion walked to the balcony and stared out.

He looked down, a small smile on his lips.

Who said the world had been destroyed?

Who said the world had been torn apart?

To him, his legacy was just about to begin.

He let out a yawn.

He had been quite 'busy' after returning from the Second Trial. Besides gathering and consolidating his strength, he had also been enjoying the more simple things like eating to his fill and bedding many women.

A knock came from the door.

"Come in." Carrion said softly.

A subtle breeze washed over him.

His light blond hair was carried by the wind.

"Carrion, the matter has been settled."

Carrion turned around with a small smile hanging on his lips.

"Is that so?"

A woman with a beautiful face dressed in that hat leather armor walked up to him, a cold, near expressionless look on her face.

"Well done, Suze. You have truly outdone yourself."

Suze, the female rogue shook her head,

"The people were already dissatisfied to begin with. The little push we gave was just the firestarter."

Carrion nodded,

"Indeed. Just a little goading and those fools, Cain and Gilead acted as I wished."

His green eyes glimmered,

"What do you think will happen when you take over the work of the blacksmiths and artisans. The healers and alchemists. The traders and people of pleasure... Of course they feel fear and hate!"

"Whatever the case may be, we now have the entire Valestorm in a panic. Are you sure your predictions will come to pass?" One of the other four said his face scrunched up.

"Relax, Micah. Our work is not over yet. Indulgence is remedy for the soul, but when the time comes, what needs to be done, must be done."

Micah rolled his eyes, then snorted,

"Sure, whatever, I hear you. So what next?"

Carrion grinned,

"The first step of the plan was to even the playing field. We can recognize the strength of our enemies regardless of what they are."

His piercing green eyes narrowed dangerously,

"Now comes the bargaining phase."

"What is he really does decide to ignore all reason and come for us directly?" A shorter girl with a strange runic tattoo that covered her left eye asked softly.

"Then, my dear Lily, we will battle on the side of righteousness."

Carrion spread his arms wide, a wicked grin on his face as he spoke,

"After all, we did nothing wrong. The so called 'Golden Asura' is indeed a gathering of Demons in cahoots with the Devils to bring us down. Not only did they bring strange humans corrupted with the vile essence of the Aether to this wreck we call a home, they are also trying to steal it away from us. A man who tried to take too much, might end up with nothing, worse still, he might even lose both his arms."

"As evil as ever, Carrion. That sounds absolutely vile."

Carrion dipped his head and gave a light bow,

"I can say the same for you, Arde. After all, you are the one that helped me come up with such a brilliant plan in the first place. The power of your mind truly knows no bounds."

A man dressed lightly walked forward. He looked fairly handsome but mostly unassuming.

The most unique thing about him, were his eyes.

They were a strange shade of grey with multiple runes swimming inside both of them.

His eyes narrowed into small crescents as he smiled,

"I believe you think too highly of me. I am merely here to compliment your own wonderful, Carrion."

He gestured at himself and the others,

"We are yours to use as you please. Because you, are the future messiah. The slayer of the Devils and the future of our world."

Suze, Micah, Lily, and Arde.

Each one a trusted right-hand of Carrion, each one a powerful Tier 2 human, and each one with a penchant for slaughter as they had all been involved in the dark side of the old world as no triggers.

Carrion smiled in satisfaction..

Then he turned the other way,

"You two can get out now. I have something important to discuss."

The two women laying on the bed quickly did as they were told, gathering whatever little clothing apparel they had and throwing it on before running out of the room.

Carrion cleared his throat then clasped his hands together,

"Now, let us discuss how we shall kill this head of the 'Golden Asura'."

***

Cain walked with measured steps, careful not to rush too much.

He had his head bent slightly his eyes eerily focused as though he was thinking of something very important.

'So this was meant as a bait, huh...'

He had been thinking over everything that had happened so far and a few things came to mind.

Not only did it seem to be wonderfully orchestrated, whoever was behind it made sure he had suspected nothing too.

At least up until now.

He smiled darkly,

'Even you don't want the casualties higher than it needs to be huh...'

Either way, it didn't matter. Because this was also his wish as well.

He had no plans on making the pile of bodies any larger than it needed to be.

There was no reason to shed senseless blood..

However, blood did need to be shed. It was a necessity...

He was angry, but he still thought rationally.

He glanced around him. Seeing the beautiful girls walking around him, each with a worried expression, he couldn't help but feel a bit guilty.

So he decided to say something,

"We might be walking into a trap."

Susan was the first to answer,

"I thought as much."

He glanced at him,

"Quite frankly, It doesn't take a genius to see that this was orchestrated with an intent. Whoever is behind this could also be able to predict our reaction to what had happened and may have laid a few traps down in advance."

"Can such a thing even be possible?" Jenny muttered with a frown.

Ignis shrugged, "It certainly is. There can be no shortage of weird and strange abilities that can possibly exist."

Cain sighed. Unfortunately, it was already beyond the stage where he could be concerned about the well-being of each girl.

Because every single one of them could very much take care of themselves.

He already knew the layout of Valestorm like the back of his hand so finding out where Carrion has been staying for the past few days had not been difficult at all.

Walking towards the tall steel gate, Cain didn't waste a single second.

With a flick of his wrist, the gate was torn off, hinges and all.

A loud series of groans and terrifying snapping sounds later, it had been reduced into a tiny ball. With another flick of his wrist, Cain tossed it to the side.

It crashed into a wall, turning it into rubble.

Together, they all slowly walked into the walled off compound...