Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 527: Freya’s departure

Chapter 527: Freya’s departure

There was determination in Vlad’s eyes as he contemplated the path before him—a path promising immense strength and boundless opportunities. Of course, it also almost certainly promised a horrible death at the claws of some alien monster, but dangers and rewards so often come hand in hand that he was prepared to face the risk.

For a moment, his mind raced with the possible perils of this journey. Then, he glanced at Freya’s hand entwined with his, and all those troubling thoughts faded away. A gentle smile arose on his face.

"How long until you have to return?" Vlad asked quietly.

Freya glanced back at him, her smile radiant, making her beautiful face glow like the rising sun. "In a month, all Vikings must gather in one place and be ready for our summoning."

Vlad nodded softly. Though a month did not seem long, he intended to make every day count. "All Vikings are in Oceanis," he mused aloud, "and they’re a part of the Xaos Force now. I will ask Overlord to take care of the logistics and gather all of them. In the meantime, we can explore this continent. I hear it has many wondrous places."

While Vlad still wished to finish conquering Oceanis swiftly, he realized that being absent for a month would not significantly alter the grand scheme of things. A brief delay in his greater plans would be a small price to pay for precious time with Freya.

Freya’s smile grew warmer as she softly nodded. Then, without warning, her body rose into the sky, borne aloft by a surge of energy that lit her eyes with excitement and power.

Vlad stared in surprise, though the shock quickly gave way to a knowing grin. Freya’s bloodline had been on the verge of evolution even before the final clash with the Leviathans. It seemed that all the Origin Force she had gained—by sealing thousands of demon souls and leading an army to seal tens of millions more—was finally enough to trigger her full ascension.

Wasting no time, Vlad let his own power surge forth, lifting him into the air. The two shot across the sky, smiles bright upon their faces. They abandoned all immediate concerns about the conquest or the summons from Valhalla and focused on nothing but each other. For the next month, the Depraved of Wrath and the Viking princess ventured across vast landscapes, forging unforgettable memories together.

They swam in majestic hot springs, steam rising in gentle curls around them. They explored deep, ancient forests teeming with curious and peaceful creatures. Sometimes, they would pause to interact with these monsters and realize that, despite the relentless battles waged across continents, there was still beauty and harmony to be found in this world.

Each shared sunrise felt more meaningful, and each sunset was more serene. They filled their days with wonder and laughter, focusing only on each other.

As the final days of the month approached, Vlad and Freya found themselves at the summit of a towering mountain beneath a thunderstorm of remarkable ferocity. Dark, swirling clouds stretched across the horizon, illuminated by jagged streaks of lightning.

Thunder boomed like the war drums of ancient gods. Yet neither Vlad nor Freya felt any fear. Instead, they danced in the midst of the storm, hand in hand, arcs of lightning lancing across the sky. Each flash illuminated their figures, as though capturing their closeness in otherworldly snapshots.

"BOOM!" A colossal burst of light came as a massive lightning bolt crashed down directly upon them. Any normal rock or tree would have been obliterated, but Vlad and Freya simply smiled as the electric brilliance crackled around their intertwined forms.

The Depravita of Wrath and the Viking princess locked eyes, sharing a kiss beneath the roaring heavens. The moment was majestic, seeming to stretch into eternity, and would remain forever etched into their memories. Yet all good things must eventually come to an end.

So, once the storm’s fury subsided, they rose once again into the clouds. Thanks to their extraordinary speed, it did not take long for them to reach a vast, empty plain. Waiting beneath the open skies were all the Vikings who had come to Terra alongside Freya.

Their numbers were reduced to half of what they were when they first set foot on this plane. Many had lost their lives during perilous missions. Still, those who survived had grown into exceptional warriors, their talents and potential skyrocketing thanks to the massive infusion of Origin Force they had received over the past years.

The Vikings stood in silent formation, faces sharp and resolute. They had already said their goodbyes to the friends and allies they had made in this New Plane. Now, at last, it was time to return to their true home.

Freya turned to Vlad one final time, her smile as radiant as it had ever been, before flying toward her people. Vlad watched her with a mixture of pride and sadness.

"RUMBLE!!!"

Suddenly, a low rumble shook the ground. The earth trembled beneath their feet as an overwhelmingly powerful Soul Force manifested out of thin air. It reached into the New Plane like an ancient deity, tangling with Terra’s Will. The Will of Terra reacted immediately, attempting to repel the foreign power, but the entity behind the Soul Force did not yield. It pressed forward, unwavering in its resolve.

Vlad’s eyes widened in astonishment. He could feel the raw, boundless might of a Legend from Valhalla. It surpassed even the Legendary Devils he had encountered with his runic formation. The sheer magnitude of this force dwarfed anything he had yet witnessed.

"Just how strong are the absolute powerhouses in the higher dimension?" he whispered to himself, in awe.

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!"

As though in answer to his silent question, a massive explosion echoed across all of Oceanis. The majestic Soul Force tore through the fabric of the New Plane with thundering power, forming a colossal pillar of light that engulfed Freya and all the assembled Vikings. In an instant, they vanished—consumed by the radiant brilliance—leaving nothing behind but scorched earth and a profound hush that seemed to swallow even the wind.

It took Vlad a few long seconds to overcome the shock and awe that the Legendary Viking’s Soul Force had stirred within him. A melancholic ache began to brew behind his eyes when he finally stirred from his daze. The woman he loved was gone. Although he knew he would see her again, he had no idea how long it would be until that reunion could take place.

"Ahhhhh..." The sigh lingered in the empty plain, melding with the distant roar of the wind. But, soon enough, the flicker of sadness in Vlad’s eyes was replaced by an unwavering resolve. Determination blazed forth, overshadowing the sorrow that threatened to consume him.

"The faster I become a Legend," he murmured, "the sooner I can travel to Valhalla."

Power was the key to countless gates, and Vlad was certain that if he possessed enough of it, nothing could keep him from seeing Freya again. Spurred by that conviction, he rose into the sky, one final look at the scorched plain beneath him. Then, without another moment’s hesitation, he vanished into the distance like a streak of flame crossing the horizon.