Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 504: To Oceanis (II)

Chapter 504: To Oceanis (II)

The massive metallic warships moved steadily through the open ocean, their colossal hulls slicing through the waves with mechanical precision. Yet, they were not alone for long. Moments after the massive fire dragon appeared in the sky, the soldiers on the ships noticed movement in the waters below. No one panicked; instead, a wave of calm swept through them, for they knew that these were not enemies but allies.

Almost a million creatures from the Thiamatos Race swarmed around the ships, their sleek forms cutting through the water with shocki ng speed, easily keeping pace with the warships. These creatures, engineered for aquatic efficiency, moved with a predatory grace that spoke of their deadly purpose. Their presence reassured the soldiers, who stood at attention, their gazes flicking between the water and the horizon.

At the head of one of the leading warships stood Grand Marshal Anglius, his towering golden form a beacon of strength and leadership. Measuring nearly thirty meters in height, the golden giant exuded amazing power. He had grown immensely strong after the final battle against the Leviathan Race, absorbing a monumental amount of Origin Force during the conflict. Yet, even with his Guardian-tier strength, he felt a sense of unease. The open ocean was a treacherous expanse, infested with Monsters—some of which might have evolved beyond the High Champion Rank.

Unlike Vlad or Fafnir, Anglius could not fly, and underwater combat would severely limit his capabilities. This vulnerability was not lost on the soldiers either, and the air aboard the ships was charged with tension. Every soldier was on high alert as they ventured deeper into the vast, uncharted waters.

It wasn’t long before the ocean revealed its dangers. Barely an hour into their journey, the soldiers spotted massive shadows moving beneath the waves. Anglius gripped his halberd tightly as creatures emerged from the depths—a massive sea snake, over 150 meters long, its scales glinting like dark armor in the sunlight.

Before the creature could close the distance, a beam of concentrated energy descended from the sky, piercing through the Monster’s eye and scorching its brain. The serpent let out a deafening screech before collapsing lifelessly back into the water. All eyes turned skyward, and there, hovering above them, was the Xaos King. His eyes burned with fiery intensity as he surveyed the scene, his mere presence exuding authority and reassurance.

The sight of Vlad’s effortless kill eased the hearts of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers. The tension that had gripped them moments ago dissipated, replaced by a renewed sense of confidence. They straightened their stances, their determination to follow their leader bolstered.

Anglius, too, relaxed slightly, a smile forming on his face as he saw the soldiers’ morale improve. He was about to issue an order to retrieve the massive sea snake for its nutritious meat, but before he could speak, the Thiamatos units swarming around the ships surged forward. Their massive jaws clamped onto the fallen Monster, tearing into its flesh with ravenous efficiency. Within moments, the snake’s enormous body was completely devoured, leaving no trace behind, not even a drop of blood. It was something impressive, given that they were in the ocean. The creatures then returned to their formations, ready for the next threat.

Anglius’ golden eyes narrowed as he observed the ferocity of the Thiamatos units. The sight reminded him of the devouring might of the Leviathans, a view that had once filled him with horror and disgust. But now, a smile replaced his grim expression. He understood that every ounce of biomass the Thiamatos forces consumed translated into more units being created—each one reducing the burden on his soldiers.

The golden giant turned to the fire dragon soaring above and bowed his head in acknowledgment.

Fafnir observed him for a moment, a thoughtful light in his eyes. "Humans are truly odd," the Depravita of Envy muttered, his voice deep and contemplative. "The same scenario can evoke starkly different emotions depending on whether it is carried out by an ally or a foe."

Vlad, hearing this, smiled and nodded, his gaze growing solemn. "Context means everything in our decisions and perceptions. An army invading another country and leaving it in ruins can be seen as an act of unspeakable brutality. Yet, there was a time when such actions were hailed as heroic by the world. Why? Because the nation they invaded was ruled by zealots who sought to butcher 15% of the world’s population simply because of their skin color or religion. And they nearly succeeded."

Fafnir pondered Vlad’s words, nodding slowly as he absorbed the lesson. "It seems," Fafnir said after a moment, "that morality is as fluid as the ocean beneath us."

The fleet continued its march forward, accompanied by the hundreds of thousands of Thiamatos units. The Monsters inhabiting the ocean, territorial and feroucius, frequently attacked the convoy. Despite the futility of their efforts, they lunged toward the ships, their primal instincts compelling them to defend their domain.

When these attacking Monsters were led by a powerful entity, Vlad intervened, his laser beams annihilating the leaders with surgical precision. The Thiamatos swarm handled the task ruthlessly for the smaller packs. The creatures tore through the Monsters, devouring them entirely and leaving nothing behind.

As the attacks intensified, two other figures joined the fray. Ouroboros and Jormungandr leaped into the waters, their forms shifting. Ouroboros, a massive wolf wreathed in destructive energy and with aquatic features, and Jormungandr, a gargantuan serpent that dwarfed the sea snake they had just slain, wreaked havoc on the Monster hordes. Together, they obliterated the largest threats, leaving the smaller packs for the Thiamatos units to consume.

The soldiers aboard the ships watched in awe as their leaders displayed unparalleled might, their presence alone ensuring the fleet’s safe passage. The sight of such power, combined with the efficiency of the Thiamatos units, filled the soldiers with a sense of invincibility. Those feelings were very important, as they would allow them to defeat aliens with greater ease and project to other human forces a might they could only bow beneath.