At one moment, the paragons of humanity were going about their usual routines, which often involved training.
Then, in the next, their heads snapped sharply to the side, their eyes narrowing. A powerful shockwave burst through the air as they sprang forth, racing towards Sector 8 at supersonic speeds.
They had all just sensed a powerful presence appear in Sector 8, and they were absolutely certain, it wasn't one of them.
Due to the layout of the human domain, Sector 8 completely surrounded Sector 7. However, the paragons knew exactly where to go.
After some time, they gathered at the barrier between Sectors 7 and 8, just outside the capital of the Starhaven sector.
Their expressions were grim as they fixed their gazes on the massive purple energy dome that covered the entire capital.
"Magnus?" Oberon called out, his narrowed eyes turning to Magnus, who already had lightning crackling around his body and eyes glowing with intense white light.
Magnus was trying everything to activate the mark he had left on Atticus, but no matter what he did, it remained dormant.
"I can't get through to him," Magnus said, clenching his fist hard as thunder rumbled overhead.
Oberon frowned, his mind spinning as he tried to make sense of the situation.
"Would you all mind filling us in?"
Thorne Alverian's voice broke through the tense atmosphere, drawing the attention of the other paragons. It was clear that Oberon and Magnus knew something the rest didn't, judging by their reactions.
"Our apex is in there," Oberon explained.
The other paragons' eyes widened in shock. What was Atticus doing in Sector 8?
"Of course he is. Why am I not surprised?" Thorne muttered, his expression unchanging. "At this point, anything major that happens in the human domain somehow involves him."
"What's the kid doing in Sector 8?" Luminos asked. His figure radiated an intense golden light as the sun shone on him, his body already prepared for battle the moment he sensed the presence.
Oberon glanced at Magnus, seeking permission to speak. When Magnus gave a small nod, Oberon continued.
"He somehow awakened the spiritual energy of the Starhaven and is supposed to be training with Seraphina," Oberon explained.
The paragons were hit by another wave of disbelief. As if Atticus's abilities weren't already monstrous enough, now he was bonding with a spirit?
"This is what I've discovered," Oberon began, drawing their full attention.
"Although I can't control or feel it, I can recognize this energy. It's pure spiritual energy," he said, pointing to the massive dome surrounding the capital.
"From the energy readings alone, this presence is more powerful than Seraphina or any of us, for that matter. In fact, I doubt we'd be able to defeat this being even if we banded together."
As Oberon spoke, the tension in the air grew heavier. At this point, their expressions had darkened considerably.
"Who is this being?" Even the typically excitable Luminos had grown somber.
"I don't know," Oberon admitted, shaking his head. "But I believe it's something related to the Starhaven and the spirits. That barrier is too thick. I don't see any of us getting through it. For now, we can only hope for the best."
Thunder rumbled. Lightning cracked. Magnus hated that conclusion, but he knew he had no choice.
Although not all the paragons were completely satisfied, they had already come to accept that Atticus was their apex, the one who would usher the human domain into a new age. The fact that none of them knew his current status was gnawing at them.
The paragons remained hovering in the air, hoping for the best.
…
While all that occurred outside the frozen capital, Atticus gave his answer.
"The peak," his voice was calm, his eyes fixed directly on Ozeroth.
Ozeroth's golden eyes bore into Atticus as he responded. For a moment, there was nothing but silence.
Then, Ozeroth's mouth suddenly curled into a wide smile, his golden eyes narrowing with amusement.
A low rumbling laughter echoed, deep and resonant. Despite standing right in front of Atticus, the sound seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time, vibrating through the air.
"Interesting," Ozeroth rumbled as his laughter built like thunder. "Interesting."
Outside the frozen capital, the paragons hovering high in the air exchanged tense glances. They could hear the laughter too, and their expressions darkened further as unease gripped them. What the hell was happening?
Back in the room, Ozeroth's laughter eventually faded. He hummed, tilting his head as he studied Atticus. After a few seconds, he spoke.
"I stand before you, yet you still dare to claim the peak." His smile widened, and his white teeth gleamed brightly.
"I love it. I love it!" His laughter resounded again, shorter this time but no less domineering.
Then, suddenly, his tone shifted. His golden gaze fixed on Atticus.
"But I should have you know, no one will stand on the peak but me. That is the natural order of existence. However, you interest me, so I'll grant you second place."
'What a prideful being,' Atticus thought.
Initially, he had been unsure of this being's origins, but it was obvious now, Ozeroth was a spirit. Atticus could feel the well Seraphina had mentioned earlier, now formed in his head.
He could sense the spiritual energy in the air, and the energy emanating from Ozeroth was nothing short of infinite. He couldn't measure it; it was that immense.
Realizing that Ozeroth was a spirit, Atticus quickly deduced the reason for his presence. Ozeroth wanted to bond with him. Or rather, 'He's trying to see if I'm worthy enough to bond with him.'
He had only spent seconds with the spirit, yet Atticus was already sure of one thing: Ozeroth's pride was out of this world.
'I can't miss this opportunity,' Atticus thought. He had learned about the specifics of bonding. Neither party would be able to harm the other. Neither would dominate the other. Most importantly, both would benefit from the bond.
Atticus wasn't a fool. He knew this spirit had been drawn to his potential, but that wasn't what mattered to him right now.
Power.
This was Atticus's goal, and the being in front of him embodied it. This spirit could freeze a paragon, a being Atticus couldn't even dream of facing right now. A paragon was at the top of Eldoralth's food chain!
This was an opportunity Atticus couldn't let slip away.
'How should I play this?' he wondered.