Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 471: The hive mind’s ultimate card

Chapter 471: The hive mind’s ultimate card

The massive human army and its lines of tanks advanced steadily through the rugged terrain of the Wendy Country. Their movement was not hurried; it was deliberate, cautious. The scars of their last battle were fresh, etched into the minds and bodies of the soldiers. It was vital to conserve energy, allow wounds to heal, and prepare themselves for the ultimate clash. Exhaustion was a threat as dangerous as any enemy, and there was no point in reaching their final destination if they were too depleted to fight.

As the army pressed forward, a dark silhouette began to rise on the horizon. At first, it seemed like a jagged mountain piercing the heavens, but as the soldiers drew closer, its true nature was revealed. A massive obsidian obelisk stretched skyward, its sharp edges scraping against the heavens of Terra. The sight was awe-inspiring and foreboding, a monument to the Leviathan Race’s power and the epicenter of their dominion.

Vlad stood at the front of the army, his fists clenched tightly as he gazed at the towering obelisk. This was not the first time he had laid eyes upon it, but unlike before, he was no longer the lone figure standing against insurmountable odds. The Depravita of Wrath had grown in power, and now, behind him, marched the mightiest force Terra had ever assembled. His eyes burned with determination as he envisioned the obelisk’s destruction. This time, Vlad would not turn back. He would strike at the heart of the Leviathan Race and bury his fist into its core, eradicating them once and for all.

Standing beside him were Jormungandr, Ouroboros, Freya, and Overlord. Each represented an unparalleled power, the vanguard of humanity’s hope. They were the ones destined to confront the overwhelming might of the Leviathan Lords. Behind them, hundreds of thousands of soldiers marched in unison. They were not merely an army—they were a symbol of humanity’s resilience and will to survive. Their role was no less significant, as they would bear the brunt of the Leviathan swarm, facing millions of these monstrous creatures in their very heartland.

No illusions of survival comforted the soldiers. They understood the grim reality of what lay ahead. Many would fall, tens of thousands, perhaps more. But fear was absent from their hearts. They fought not for riches or glory, not out of vengeance or hatred, but to protect every man, woman, and child who depended on them. The Leviathan Race had brought horror and destruction to their world, and this battle would decide humanity’s future.

Grand Marshal Anglius, Major General Theodoro, Grey Hawk, Ned, Amara, Clasius, Mirena, Frank, Roman, King Viserin, and countless other commanders looked over their soldiers. Each felt the immense weight of responsibility pressing on their shoulders. Unlike the Sky Seed Depravitas, the Viking Princess, or the Divine Avatar, they would lead the hundreds of thousands of men and women into battle, knowing full well that many would not return. It was a burden heavy enough to break lesser people, but these leaders stood resolute. Their eyes gleamed with conviction and determination. They were prepared to give everything, including their lives, to achieve victory.

"Let’s move!" Vlad’s voice rang out with unyielding authority, cutting through the somber air. The army obeyed without hesitation, advancing steadily toward the obsidian obelisk. There was no time to dwell on the past or to reminisce. The final battle awaited, and they marched ever closer to it.

...

Just as the human forces prepared themselves mentally for the coming conflict, so were the Leviathans making their final preparations. The scene around the obsidian obelisk was one of nightmarish proportions, a conflagration of monstrous activity. More than twenty million Leviathans had already gathered in the area, their numbers swelling by the minute as endless streams of drones, aerial units, insect-humanoid hybrids, armored Leviathans, and Elite Units converged upon the site.

The air was thick with the sounds of the Leviathan swarm. The relentless clicking of pincers and the guttural growls of monstrous forms echoed like a symphony of dread. The ground trembled under the weight of countless marching legs, claws, and appendages, a ceaseless tide of alien horror. Above, the sky was blotted out by the shadowy forms of flying units, their buzzing wings creating a cacophony that seemed to mock the notion of silence.

Hovering ominously above the obelisk were the Draco Leviathan Lord and the Manticore Leviathan Lord. Their massive forms seemed to radiate malice, their bodies fully restored to pristine condition. Not a single wound from previous battles remained, a testament to the hive mind’s resourcefulness. On the ground below stood the gargantuan Kraken Leviathan Lord and the fearsome Multi-Arm Leviathan Lord, both equally rejuvenated and ready for carnage.

The hive mind had spared no expense in healing its most powerful warriors, expending a staggering amount of biomass to bring them back to their peak form. Yet even that monumental effort was only a fraction of the hive mind’s preparations.

From time to time, the obelisk itself seemed to come alive. Tentacle-like appendages extended from its surface, lashing out and seizing massive clusters of drones. The unfortunate creatures were dragged into the obelisk’s core, where they were devoured in an eerie display of efficiency. The obelisk was not transforming these drones into stronger warriors, as might have been expected. Instead, it was channeling their energy and vitality into something far more significant.

The obelisk pulsed with a dark, otherworldly energy, the sheer magnitude of which defied comprehension. Waves of power radiated from its surface, rippling through the air like heat waves. The hive mind’s focus was singular, its intent clear. The Leviathan Lords, as formidable as they were, were not its final creation. Something greater, something beyond comprehension, was nearing completion.

The Hive Mind had already birthed its Lords, but now it sought to unleash the culmination of its efforts. This would not be another Lord to lead the swarm, but something far superior. A being that would surpass all others in power. A King.