Ultimate Level 1

Chapter 444: Problems for Another Day

Chapter 444 - Problems for Another Day

The pressure was overwhelming the moment Max stepped through the portal that Quilazmore had created for him.

A shadow covered the arena floor, and he could sense the presence of something immense, far larger than any opponent outside of Igarra, which was over a quarter of a mile away. Power radiated from around where it was cloaked in a swirling vortex of some kind.

“You must be Ifrit,” a voice declared, each word reverberating with power as it spoke. “I am Zogooruth and have come to claim this world as my own.”

Straight to the point, at least… thoughts?

Bob seemed anxious, and Max could sense the concern through their bond.

Whatever it is… they’re strong. You can feel the aura it puts off. It makes sense now why that elf didn’t want to come with us.

“And if I refuse?”

Max finally noticed the black stone that covered the challenger's entire being, with shadows seeming to shift and move around the edges of its body.

“Then you shall die just as all the others I have faced. Your previous opponents were nothing compared to me and that trick with your dimensional space will not work against me.”

Max felt rifts of some kind opening up around him, and he jumped back, seeing swirling areas near him, leading to what appeared to be nothingness.

Void magic… this is bad.

“You can leave this world and take your friends, even those dragons. I will not stop you from taking anything you can carry with you. Just know that you cannot return here, or I will consider it an attack against me and therefore grind you beneath my foot.”

Looking up at the colossus before him, Max knew the thing had to be at least seventy feet tall if his sonar was working right. The void rifts and the ambient area around this creature were causing it to suffer feedback of some kind.

“Can I ask why you want this world?”

Another booming laughter came, and Zogooruth stood up.

“Does it matter? Why do you want this world? I have learned you are not from this planet and only came into possession of this because you defeated Igarra. Do you consider your life and your friends worth a place with no ties?”

“There are some here I consider friends. I do not abandon friends.”

“I told you that you could take them. With your dimensional space, you could easily pack a hundred beings in there if you wished. Surely, you have not gained that many here in the short time you have been present. Still, none of this will matter. None will remain once I take ownership of this world.”

He’s going to consume it…

The people?

The whole planet. I can remember something… a memory. A race that slowly devoured worlds. His power… I believe that is what he will do.

A pain lanced through his chest as Max began comprehending what Bob told him.

“You would destroy this world? The inhabitants as well?”

Something that might have been a snort or something like it came from Zogooruth and a large stone finger pointed at him.

“What happens when I own this world does not matter. Do not be foolish and pretend to be some hero who must protect all life. You have killed many in your climb to power, and I am aware that you have much more potential in the coming decades. Perhaps one day you can have your revenge if you feel that how I must survive and grow is atrocious. Just know, compared to many, I am kind. I will offer everyone who resides here a chance to leave before I feast upon this lush world. They will have years to escape before my feasting reaches them.”

“You would just… kick people from their homes?”

The ground shook as Zogooruth’s foot slammed into the ground.

“I am not here to discuss this. You feed how you must. You kill that which must die in order to grow stronger. None have questioned your eating of an animal or the life you snuff out with a weapon, have they? So do not judge me for how my kind lives. I’ll give you eight hours. Send that elf back with an answer. Until then, I shall wait here. Just know, in a day, I will either expect you to be standing across from me, ready to die or have left this world with whatever you deem worth taking.”

He wanted to reply and shout but sensed the colossus moving back slightly, void rifts surrounding the giant being, and hiding its presence from Max’s sonar.

Let’s go. We need to talk.

***

“So… what was it?”

Max turned the cup of alcohol in his hand, not caring that it didn’t affect his senses, just needing something to focus on while his mind worked.

“A void colossus,” he replied, watching the vorpal bunny's nose twitch at subsonic speeds.

“Here? That means… our world…”

“What’s a void colossus?” Everett asked before the others could.

Quilazmore cleared his throat, having fixed his hair and regained his composure since the moment he had appeared in the room.

“Powerful beings that consume worlds. One of this size is… dangerous. Far more than I think many could imagine if they were not as educated as I am about things like this.”

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Jazzjak tapped on a pad as the dark elf spoke and then pointed at a display on a wall near the table where everyone was sitting.

It lit up, displaying a few images of what Zogooruth must look like.

A humanoid golem, covered in dark black stone, with purple lines occasionally running through it, was front and center before everyone. Slowly, the large image spun around, revealing no real weak spots.

“This is what it looks like when they consume a world,” the rabbit said as the image changed to one with both its hands plunged into the ground.

The black rock slowly spread from where its body was, changing the fertile soil and causing trees to topple over as the new matter reached them.

“It’s draining the planet of life,” Cordellia gasped as she covered her mouth.

“Can you stop one of these?” Fowl asked.

Both Jazzjak and Quilazmore frowned.

“Some might say it’s possible,” the dark elf replied. “But they are extremely resistant to attacks, have control over void magic, and their only weakness is a heart inside them. While that might seem like a place to focus on, just know they heal quickly and getting to that heart is exceedingly difficult.”

“And it appears he has studied your fights,” Jazzjak stated. “Which means this is why he came. Your dimensional space won’t impact him at all. He can most likely block it.”

“What if we fought in water?” Max asked.

“It wouldn’t do much against him. They don’t breathe, and his ability to use his void attacks wouldn’t be impacted. Against most, it would probably give him the advantage since water slows down the majority of beings.”

Tanila’s hand squeezed his forearm.

“You don’t have to fight. I know your pain, but trust me, this isn’t your battle.”

Max could sense the others around him all moving their heads in agreement. Even Jazzjak and Quilazmore seemed to agree.

“But all those who live here–”

“Would be granted a chance to go elsewhere,” the vorpal bunny stated. “Most would take up that offer and flee. There are plenty of worlds to start new on. Trust me when I say this, Max. I know you’re strong and have a kind heart, but this fight… It’s not one you should take.”

“He’s right,” Everett chimed in. “We don’t understand all that you’re dealing with but if those who know what that thing is and how dangerous they are tell you to stand down, listen to them, son.”

Max winced and saw the look on the Faction leader’s face.

Concern was etched in the wrinkles as he frowned slightly, eyes softer than usual.

What do you think?

For once I think we need to listen to them and run. Zogooruth was right. There may come a time when you can get revenge on him for what he has done, but right now our focus isn’t supposed to be on this world. You have a job to do and that requires returning to your world and conquering the tower.

What was all this time we were here? Wasted?

A sigh came from Bob.

No. You’ve grown and matured. You’ve learned skills that will aid us in the things to come. The bond between you and Rakonath has deepened and every world that saw your fight knows of your power. Word will spread that you made the right choice and are not foolish. Right now, the only thing I see is us leaving here alive. To fight… is most likely the end of our journey. Even if we defeated it somehow, I’m not certain we could consume anything.

Part of him wanted to scream. The other part of him wanted to cry.

Max saw the looks of concern on everyone, his gaze stopping when he locked eyes with Aerthen.

Her face was hard, and her jaw was set. Those golden eyes seemed almost alive with fire as she stared at him. Everything about her posture seemed upset as she sat in her humanoid form in that stone chair.

“You’ve been quiet. What are your thoughts?”

Tapping her nails against the table, the red dragon huffed.

“I’ve never seen a man more cursed and blessed simultaneously. You have the backing of our father, two dragons, a demon, and a group of followers committed to you, yet you turn down the advice and wisdom given.

“Did you not have me flee when my home was overrun and I couldn’t protect the charge you gave me?”

Slowly, he nodded, already seeing the direction of this discussion.

“And am I less of a being that when you are told the same thing, that wisdom is suddenly invalid?”

“It’s not that… it’s a world–”

“Of creatures you don’t know and aren’t required to protect. Each will have the chance to flee to a new place and start over. There are times we must fight and times we must fly away. Your time right now requires you to fly away.”

A slight thrum came from the silver dragon lying near the table.

“She’s right. You and I both know it. I can sense that you understand the truth of all this. Tell me, Max, would you risk death knowing that the woman you love and the child she carries would have to live without you when all you must do is take the offer that was given and return home? Would you abandon me over others who will never love you or care about you as all of us do?”

“That’s one smart dragon,” Max heard Fowl whisper to Batrire.

“No… you’re all right. Still… how do I announce to a world they are about to be forced from their homes?”

“With dignity,” Jazzjak said, both ears perking up. “You will stand before them and send out a message that the time has come for each of them to find a new place to live. None will fault you as each of us here understands the choice of fighting or not. Remember, we can only grow stronger by fighting. Yet when we know there is no chance, most will choose to flee and attempt to return another day and find revenge.”

“But what about dinner with your wife?”

Laughter came from everyone as both ears drooped on the rabbit.

“I will hope she understands that this is a good enough reason you could not make it.”

Patting Tanila’s hand, he smiled at her and nodded.

“Fine, I’ll send out the message and tell Zogooruth I won’t fight him. But do any of you wish to join us on our world? Would that even be allowed?”

The rabbit and dark elf both glanced at each other, smiling as their eyes seemed to convey words without sound.

“Now, hold on a minute,” Everett said as he held up a hand. “We need to discuss exactly who all and how many we could be bringing. I’m not sure I can house a hundred new… beings in our faction house, and if we bring too many back with us, it might cause a bit of a problem.”

Laughing, Max shrugged and then drained his cup.

“When have I cared about causing you problems?”

A groan came from the Faction leader as everyone else started to laugh.

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