Abyssal Lord of the Magi World

As he confronted Orgullo's newfound power, Nihilak's eyes blazed with rage and murderous intent. The Depravita of Pride had recently ascended to the Middle Stage and displayed a mastery over Omnipotence that made Nihilak feel genuinely threatened.

For an instant, the Harbinger of Desolation even considered Orgullo a potential new Samsara Thearch, motivating him to eliminate the Depravita before he could fully unlock his potential.

However, Nihilak was not alone in facing Orgullo's might.

"Flame of End!" Zatiel seized the precious moments that Orgullo had granted him to charge his power, unleashing a blast of dark flames capable of unraveling the fabric of reality upon Nihilak.

Swiftly, Nihilak's wings shielded him, warding off the dark inferno, fortified by the power to end all things.

But before he could draw breath, a devastating blow struck his left arm.

"Cosmic Harmony Full Strike!" Ezequiel channeled all the cosmic power he could muster into the punch, targeting the most vulnerable point of Nihilak's body to maximize the damage.

Caught off guard by the unexpected attack, Nihilak was sent hurtling through the air. Before he could regain control over his body, another figure descended upon him.

"Sinful Ignition!" Venganza aimed both hands as if they were a cannon, releasing a torrent of multicolored dark flames that engulfed Nihilak's back.

"Ahhhh!"

Nihilak's anguished scream pierced the battlefield as the flames struck him point-blank on his back. Although his wings had acted as a shield, capable of withstanding the assaults of the Thearch, his body, as powerful as it had become, couldn't endure such attacks without sustaining considerable damage.

Despite the intense pain, it took only a burst of his energy to break free, recovering his strength and control over his body.

His eyes honed in on the four Thearchs strategically positioned on the battlefield. Ezequiel led the formation, with Zatiel and Orgullo in the middle and Venganza at the rear. Their bodies radiated power, and the perfect synergy in their abilities was evident, a result of the unwavering trust they had in each other.

Nihilak's eyes smoldered with fury. Once again, he had come agonizingly close to victory, yet it seemed the Daybreak Universe was impervious to defeat.

However, despite the tumult of emotions within him, Nihilak hadn't reached his position as the leader of Beyonder's Army through sheer brute force alone; his strategic acumen was equally formidable.

"King in Yellow, are you certain this is the path you wish to pursue?"

Nihilak's tone bore a reference that struck a chord with Orgullo. "King in Yellow'' was a name rarely uttered due to the immense respect held for the Depravita of Pride. However, the history of Orgullo's past actions was known to all mighty powerhouses.

There was a time when Orgullo had posed the greatest threat to the Prima Universe, nearly bringing about its annihilation.

"You are the embodiment of the destiny of the Eldritch Universe, a reflection of the One Above All's existence. I may not like it, but your potential surpasses even mine. You could become the new Herald of our Lord. Your place is with us, and regardless of your self-perception, you are an integral part of the Beyonder."

Nihilak didn't pause and continued with his words, attempting to sow discord between Orgullo and the other Thearchs.

Orgullo's gaze turned colder, and he kept his eyes fixed on Nihilak. Despite the palpable animosity emanating from the Depravita of Pride, Nihilak pressed on.

"Assist me in preparing this universe to receive our Master. Your reward will exceed your wildest imagination. Your destiny is not to become a mere puppet but the right hand and will of our Master as we ascend the tower at the heart of reality. There's no reason for you to become a casualty in a war in a universe that isn't your own. Your path lies with us."

Orgullo's eyes only reflected heightened murderous intent as he locked his gaze onto Nihilak. The mere suggestion that he might betray his ideals and become the Beyonder's slave was an affront that stoked his soul with fury.

As Nihilak observed Orgullo's chilling response, it became evident that the Depravita of Pride found his proposal utterly unappealing. Nonetheless, this didn't render the effort entirely futile, as Nihilak aimed to plant seeds of doubt and suspicion among the other Thearchs.

"¡Hahaha!"

"Hmph!"

"What a fool!"

Unfortunately for Nihilak, the only reactions he elicited from Zatiel, Venganza, and Ezequiel were laughter and mockery. Their eyes bore no trace of uncertainty or wavering as they placed their trust wholeheartedly in the Depravita of Pride.

The camaraderie forged among the warriors of the Daybreak Universe was rooted not in their origins but in their shared ideals. Their common goal was to transform their home into a realm where their respective races could rise free from oppression, a cause for which they were willing to sacrifice everything.

"Very well, then prepare to meet your end!"

Nihilak's eyes dimmed as he abandoned pretense, revealing his true nature, that of a ruthless conqueror who would obliterate countless civilizations in the name of the Beyonder.

"BOOOOOMMMMMMMM!"

The Harbinger of Desolation channeled his energy, vitality, and even his soul, pushing his strength to the absolute limit. While facing four Thearchs might not have necessitated such extremes, Nihilak had observed the unfolding events on the other battlefield.

With Necrothorn and Deadmourne no longer present, Codicia and Ira had been freed to assist the other Sacred Kings. This triggered a chain reaction that gradually shifted the tide of battle in favor of the Daybreak Warriors.

It was now only a matter of time before more than a dozen warriors at the Peak of the Initial Stage would advance toward him. There was a critical point where numbers could indeed make a difference, particularly when facing both Sacred Kings and four Thearchs simultaneously.

The four Thearchs sensed the surge in Nihilak's power and realized that even with Orgullo on their side, their chances of victory were slim.

Zatiel's eyes brimmed with determination as he conveyed a message telepathically to Revenge Thearch, Emptiness Thearch, and Pride Thearch.

Orgullo, Venganza, and Ezequiel were initially taken aback by the message, but any doubt quickly dissipated, leaving only unwavering resolve.

Nihilak no longer concerned himself with their plans or strategies; he intended to obliterate their schemes with sheer force.

"For the Daybreak Universe!" Zatiel's cry rang out as he unleashed a torrent of energy. Alongside the other three Thearchs, they shot toward the Harbinger of Desolation, commencing the final phase of their battle.

The fate of the Daybreak Universe hung in the balance, waiting to be decided in the coming clash, whether it would rise or see its people enslaved.

"BOOOM!"

A thunderous explosion resonated, rupturing reality itself, as Zatiel's blazing sword and Ezequiel's lightning-empowered fist collided against Nihilak's ax.

The combined might of Samsara Thearch and Emptiness Thearch managed to halt the ax's momentum, but they were on the verge of being pushed back as Nihilak still held the upper hand.

Fortunately, before that could happen, a spear bathed in a dark golden aura struck Nihilak's abdomen, sending him hurtling through the air. Venganza had seized the opportunity to intervene.

However, Nihilak swiftly regained control and unleashed a black gravitational arc, propelling Venganza away.

Not allowing Nihilak time to pursue Venganza, the three Thearchs charged after him.

Both sides knew this was the final phase of their battle. They pushed their senses to their absolute limits, allowing their bodies and souls to channel even greater power than words could describe.

The reality in the parallel dimension had completely surrendered as Nihilak and the four Thearch clashed with power that transcended the confines of time and space. Understanding such a dimension without a soul at Rank 10 would be impossible, yet this was inconsequential to the five combatants who unleashed unimaginable havoc.

At a critical juncture in the battle, Zatiel, Venganza, and Ezequiel launched a coordinated assault. However, Nihilak moved faster, swatting the three away with a sweep of his ax.

Orgullo remained undaunted, confronting Nihilak head-on. He poured everything into his attack without hesitation.

Nihilak's murderous intent surged as he engaged the Depravita of Pride, seeking an opening to eliminate him before the other three could rejoin the fray.

The ax swung with such ferocity that it overwhelmed the dark golden spear. Severe wounds covered Orgullo's body, and his energy reserves dwindled dangerously close to a point where regeneration would become impossible.

Orgullo's eyes showed no fear or hesitation, and he just kept fighting, giving everything he had. Every second he endured was valuable; if needed, he was ready to embrace death just to keep fighting against Nihilak.

The determination of the Pride Thearch allowed his strength to rise to the point where he could clash for several minutes with Nihilak alone, but things only grew more dangerous for him.

Just as Nihilak prepared to claim victory with Orgullo's impending death, his instincts screamed. He suddenly realized that the trio had not returned to the battle. He frantically searched for their presence, and when he spotted them again, shock and terror gripped his very soul.