The Demon Monarch System

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"Isn't that right? You know power is what you need. Don't try and deceive yourself. Your future will only become worse. What happens when you run into your sister again and you're still in the state of power," Apollo added.

These words made Sapphyr's trembles even more apparent. The more he talked, the more Sapphyr felt a surge of emotion. She recalled all of the wrongs she had experienced at the hands of her half-sister as well as her grandfather.

Her grasp around her clothing grew tighter as the turbulent thoughts continued to impact her mind. Erratic fluctuations started to lash out from her body as a result. Xezym felt it, but he knew when Sapphyr reached such a state, he was powerless to help.

However, Apollo merely smiled in response, "This reaction alone should be a testament to how much you need strength. Let me help you, or do you still hold attachment to them? Do you view them as family?"

"Apollo...why prey on someone's vulnerability? It even seems as if you take pleasure in witnessing this sight," Xezym frowned, expressing his dissatisfaction with Apollo's actions.

Regrettably, Apollo didn't care for outside opinions. As long as he felt his actions were correct, there wasn't a force alive that could dissuade him from following through with his actions.

"Accept…" Sapphyr muttered in an indiscernible fashion.

As Apollo approached her, he acted as if he didn't understand her answer, "What was that? I couldn't quite hear you."

At first, there was a slight pause, but once Apollo stood before her, it was like a dam broke, her emotions breaking free from their restraints. "I said I accept! Tell me how you'll give me this power!"

"No no no, you misunderstand. It isn't me with the ability to give you power. It is someone much stronger. But before that, we should correct this chaotic mental state of yours," Apollo responded. 

Afterward, he placed his palm against Sapphyr's forehead, an exuberant suction force appearing from it. Gradually, the crazed emotion seething within Sapphyr's eyes petered out. 

Once Apollo absorbed everything, her mind returned to a suitable state. "Follow me. Oh, and Xezym, you too. This isn't just for Sapphyr, you need to become stronger as well."

Before they could respond, Apollo tapped their bodies before activating the last inscription on his palm. A dark aura engulfed both of them, immediately wresting them away from their current location.

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Within mere seconds of activating the inscription, a portal opened within the special proximal space Destrys created. From inside the portal, Apollo as well as Xezym and Sapphyr appeared.

Contrary to what one would expect, Destrys wasn't the first thing to be noticed. They immediately realized there was an odd being meditating in the center of the clearing. Their helmet was off, showcasing their almost crimson skin, as well as the strong markings flowing from under their eye socket.

"W-what is that? I have never heard of a Spirit with that type of experience," Sapphyr uttered with a stupefied expression. Subconsciously, she compared the presence Fuhrer innately exuded and the strongest aura Xezym could muster.

When she did so side by side, she realized that it couldn't be done. They were in two completely different leagues. When he gazed upon Fuhrer's body, it felt like he could cause her imminent death without sparing any effort.

Meanwhile, in the case of Xezym, Sapphyr was sure she could resist for quite some time. As a result, her estimation didn't need any further deliberation. Her verdict was that Xezym simply wasn't his match.

"Is that your Spirit?" Sapphyr questioned, glancing over in Apollo's direction. No matter how she looked at it, this existence was far too strong for his mind to contain. But, if it was the truth, then she could see why he was advancing so fast.

If it was the result of this being, then it wouldn't hard to believe. After all, Paragons were classified as paragons due to the Spirits they contracted. Each prior Paragon contractions with a Spirit that taught them powerful Spiritual Arts capable of elevating their combat levels to nonsensical degrees. 

"Correct, he is mine," Apollo answered, but if one realized, he omitted the word Spirit. It didn't do Fuhrer just to lie about his existence nor would he reveal his true identity to those outside of his control.

Unlike Geneva, Sapphyr wasn't corrupted. So, he didn't possess the means to influence her at all. If he wished to do so, he would need to either demonize her or find a way to corrupt her with Hellfire's defiling properties. Unfortunately, Sapphyr didn't possess an affinity with fire, so the latter choice was impossible to accomplish.

As for the former, if he demonized her, then his deal with Destrys would be considered void. Thus, even though Apollo harbored thoughts of corrupting her, he couldn't follow through with it unless he possessed a replacement.

"I see," Sapphyr responded. All of a sudden, her heart started to pound as she felt an odd source of emotions. She looked towards Xezym to find him in a daze. Until now, this never happened. So, Sapphyr was unsure how to deal with it.

The only solution she came up with was to determine the cause of the sudden issue. Any instability in their connection could lead to future complications if they didn't deal with it now. With that being said, Sapphyr froze as her vision fell upon the source of Xezym's reverie.

A dark being donned in attire similar to Xezym stood before them. However, unlike Xezym, the attire Destrys wore blended with the ambient darkness. It was as if he utilized the world to create his gear.

"G-great one, the Dark Primordial," Xezym squeezed out, barely able to formulate his words. As a show of respect, he bowed his head and dropped to one knee without a second thought, "This lowly one greets you Dark One."

"Arise," Destry commanded, waving his arm. This conjured a dark current that brought Xezym back to his feet, "You originate from my domain, so you are familiar with my presence. However, this is a mere fragment of my being."

In response, Xezym nodded like an obedient child. Unlike the Demons, the Spirit was broken down into innumerable fractions. The immense Spirit world was partitioned into domains. And each of those domains held a single Primordial which possessed abilities as the height of their elements.

However, these elements weren't restricted to the elements that made up the cosmos. There were even Primordial renowned for the sword, spear, etc. To put it simply, Destrys was merely one of the great ones of the Spirit Race. 

Meanwhile, as she listened to their words, Sapphyr struggled to breathe. Most of the present humans weren't aware of a presence like Destrys. After all, the strongest that was permitted to walk the surface of Astarat was a Legendary Spirit.

Moreover, the Headmaster kept Destrys' fragment secret for the most part. Those who were privy to its existence were no longer alive. Hence, the presence of Destrys was erased from the annals of Astarat's history.

"The orb has sent numerous emergency signals. It appears this planet is in jeopardy of face a great catastrophe. It is because of this that I must inform you that you aren't enough," Destrys announced. 

He then lifted two of his fingers and pointed towards each of them, "Would you like to absorb my teachings, presence, and perhaps an item?"

"Accept? Of course, I accept! I wouldn't dare blasphemy your gracious offer," Xezym replied immediately. To receive the teaching of a Primordial, even if fragmented, was an immense fortune. 

On the other hand, Sapphyr was still speechless. Even though she wanted to respond, her throat could only spasm. In addition to her baffled mind, her affinity was going haywire. A sign that the area was flooded with pure dark energy.

"Little lady, breathe. Grab ahold of your mind and formulate a concrete answer," Destrys said with an amused chuckle.

Apollo chuckled along, whispering to her, "He's not as unapproachable as you think. Just calm down."

Sapphyr looked at him with a faint nod before exhaling repeatedly. Once she gained control of herself, she was finally able to muster an answer, "Yes, I would like to accept your teaching. I implore you to bestow power upon me." 

Suddenly, Destrys' expression changed, becoming increasingly dark. Both Xezym and Sapphyr could even respond before he placed his hands on his chest. Two foreign gates opened and propulsed them inside.