At the top tower of Aldervain, under the noon sky, Michael stood.
His cloak floated as strong air currents collided around him. His face remained hidden beneath the shadow of his hood.
Inside the palace, King Baldrick felt the surge of energy. He smiled, already knowing where it came from. In an instant, he teleported.
When he arrived, he saw a man taller than himself. The man slowly opened his hood.
It was Michael.
Mature. Calm. Twenty years old.
Baldrick smiled widely.
"Michael. It's been years. You're back. How was your investigation?"
Michael replied calmly.
"I'm fine. As for the investigation, no immediate threats are coming. But we should still be prepared. And I see your army has grown stronger than ever. The armor and equipment they use are impressive."
Baldrick nodded proudly.
"Yes. And not only Aldervain. All nations have improved since peace arrived. Look around. Aldervain has grown larger, stronger, and far more secure. If any threat comes, we will be ready."
The Vastyrion Realm had remained peaceful for over four years. Not only Aldervain, but every nation had grown stronger, richer, and more stable. Their economies flourished. Their armies improved. Their equipment evolved, prepared for the day demons might return to rule through greed.
Michael and Baldrick teleported to a mountain peak.
The air pressure felt calm yet powerful.
"I'm planning to create a civilization," Michael said.
Baldrick looked surprised.
"A civilization? How will you do that?"
Michael looked toward the sky.
"Soon. But there are more important things I must do before that."
He raised his hand, wrapped completely in white, flexible bandages.
"Be ready for what's coming, Baldrick."
Baldrick grew serious. He understood what Michael meant.
Michael tapped his shoulder and reassured him, telling him not to worry too much. As long as Michael stood beside him, the Vastyrion Realm and other civilized realms would not stand alone.
Meanwhile, in another part of Aldervain.
Inside a large yet simple house, General Fred, sat by a window doing paperwork. Military projects, mandatory training systems, and weapon designs covered his desk. He had invented several weapons capable of vaporizing thousands of demons in a single barrage. The cost was heavy, but Aldervain's wealth easily sustained it. By far, it remained the strongest nation to ever exist.
No nation had surpassed it. Not yet.
His sister Bella, now fifteen, returned from school.
"Brother, I'm home. Let's eat."
Fred smiled and walked downstairs.
"Go ahead and eat. I'll finish this first. Tonight, we'll go to the riverbank for a break."
Bella smiled brightly and nodded.
Elsewhere, in the North Snow Kingdom.
Snow fell endlessly.
Inside the palace, King Johan Belier stood with his generals and officials, celebrating the birth year of their nation. Outside, people danced, children played in the snow, and laughter echoed through the frozen streets. Snow never ceased in this kingdom, but its people had adapted over trillions of years.
King Johan watched his officials with pride. None were corrupt. During the demon war four years ago, they fought without fear, ready to die for their people. The North Snow Kingdom had eliminated over three hundred forty five thousand demons, holding several critical fronts.
They were a nation of hope. They believed in the Higher Being beyond all existence and worshiped with conviction.
At night, snow fell heavier.
King Johan stood alone near a rooftop window. He was forty million years old.
He remembered the 9th Sentinel.
The 9th Sentinel had once lived in this kingdom, not in Aldervain. They fought together against millions of demons. When the Sentinel ascended again, he told Johan to remain behind and protect the Vastyrion Realm.
Years later, the Sentinel returned briefly. His soul body floated in the air. He told Johan to raise his hand. When their hands touched, Johan felt overwhelming energy surge through him.
He ascended.
Now, in the present era, Johan concealed the power gifted to him by his old friend.
"My friend," he whispered, gazing into the snowy sky.
"I sense it. There is a new Sentinel now. He stands in Aldervain. I remember you, the moment you transcended and stood beside the Highest Being. Demons will never succeed. As long as Sentinels exist, the Vastyrion Realm and all civilized realms will endure."
Johan walked back into his chambers. His palace towered so high it nearly touched the clouds. He sat on his bed, deep in thought.
He felt it.
Another conflict was coming.
More demons would rise. More powerful demon lords would appear, not only for the Vastyrion Realm, but for all existence. Across dimensions, subspaces, and realities beyond comprehension, reaching toward boundless chaos.
Yet Johan remained calm.
Because the 10th Sentinel existed.
And that Sentinel would devour demon lords and return them to where they belonged.
A new war was coming.
Not yet.
But soon.
A bloody war.
Elsewhere.
In the subspace of Hell.
Hell was not chaotic.
Demons gathered in massive numbers. Flying demons. Giants. Beasts of every form. The subspace itself was larger than endless spacetime.
Their numbers exceeded twenty million.
They screamed in confidence, celebrating the coming invasion.
And their lord stood above them.
Azmodan, the Lord of Sin.
A colossal demon with a grotesque, massive body. His bloated flesh was partially armored with dark spiked plates. Jagged protrusions crowned his head, framing a molten maw lined with glowing teeth. Chains wrapped around his form, and his limbs were thick with corrupted power. His presence embodied all seven deadly sins.
He was enormous.
His demons praised him endlessly.
He had transcended into a higher plane, far greater than Vorthak's domain.
His voice alone caused space to scream.
"The 10th Sentinel. I want him. I will kill him. After that, you will conquer realm after realm. We will rule endlessly. Unlike Vorthak, who was weak."
The demons roared with laughter.
Azmodan moved through the hell subspace, each step shaking existence itself. He was different from other demon lords. He craved war. He smelled Michael's power and desired to crush him personally.
He swore to himself he would not share the fate of Malakor or Vorthak.
He would rule.
No one would stop him.
No one would defeat him.