Titan King: Ascension of the Giant
Chapter 821 - 821: The Crucible of the Gods

"Brother, you should pick a few for yourself."

In the command tent, Leonidas slid a list across the table to Orion. On it were the names of the most promising of the Silver-Eyed captives. Properly trained, they would become a formidable force.

Orion took the list, considering it for a moment before giving a slow nod, accepting his brother's offer.

"Gustalon!"

At Orion's call, a whisper of wind coiled in the center of the tent, coalescing into the lithe form of his servant.

"My lord, your command?"

"Take this list to Dirtclaw," Orion ordered. "Tell him I want these captives from the Dusk Continent forged into a new legion, ready for war."

For prisoners and slaves, there was no better method of indoctrination than the crucible of the Horde's cannon fodder legions. There, under the relentless discipline of the Stoneheart banner and the fanatical zeal of a commander like Dirtclaw, they would be broken down and reforged. They would find a new faith, or they would die trying.

As Gustalon vanished to carry out the order, the last pieces of the continental conquest fell into place. Of the half of the continent they had seized, sixty percent now fell under Isabella's domain. The Deputy Commander, Arthas, Alexander, and Leonidas had each claimed a symbolic territory at the four cardinal points, effectively acting as wardens for Isabella's new queendom.

Her own strength and resources were far too green to hold such a vast expanse. Even claiming it would have been impossible without the legions of undead she had summoned during the war, skeletal hosts that now slumbered in barrows across the land, ready to be awakened at a moment's notice.

"I am taking Kraken to patrol the coastal waters," a voice cut through the low murmur of the camp. "It is time we established clear borders with our new neighbors. I recall you slew a creature of Leviathan-class."

By the time Orion turned, Arthas was already standing beside him.

"You mean the ancient Giant-Horned Whale, brother?"

"The same."

Orion flipped his hand, and a dimensional satchel appeared in his palm. Within it lay the colossal corpse of the whale. As a beast on par with an upper-tier Archlord, its remains were a treasure of immense value. A prize of this magnitude wasn't something to be squandered, and Orion would not have parted with it without a perfect plan for its use.

Arthas took the satchel, gave its contents a cursory glance, and then turned, his form already beginning to dissolve.

"When my work is done, I will bring you something worthy in return."

Though he had vanished, his voice still echoed in the ears of Orion and Leonidas.

"Why is it," Leonidas grumbled, staring at the empty space where Arthas had stood, "that ever since he and the Deputy Commander ascended to demigod, they have to act so damned mysterious? Always putting on airs like some unfathomable oracle."

"If you were a demigod, you could do the same." Alexander strode in from the tent's entrance, having caught the tail end of Leonidas's complaint.

"You think I don't want to? I dream of it. But becoming a demigod isn't something you can just wish into existence," Leonidas sighed, his enthusiasm for the topic souring as it always did. He eyed Alexander. "What are you doing back here already?"

"What do you mean?"

"You left. Is that little queen Isabella going to be able to manage on her own?"

Alexander rolled his eyes. "We conquered the territory for her. Am I now expected to hold her hand and teach her how to govern it? She is my apprentice, not my daughter."

"Come now, brother, this is your chance!" Leonidas grinned, his tone shifting to one of wicked suggestion. "Offer the little queen a strong shoulder to lean on, and she'll offer you her throne… and her bed. Before you know it, you could have heirs planted across the whole damn continent!"

Orion shook his head at Leonidas's crude scheming. "Brother, you must have returned for a reason," he said, looking to Alexander. For all his protests, Alexander would never truly abandon his protégée.

"I did," Alexander confirmed. "I have already spoken with Isabella. We will be establishing branch headquarters for the Blade Hall in all of her major settlements."

His gaze fell upon Orion. "And in your territories as well. I suggest you make the arrangements quickly."

He leaned forward, his voice low and serious. "You all saw it. Thirteen demigods standing in the heavens. Without a proper intelligence network, our lower-level subjects and creatures could be easily swayed or corrupted. We need eyes and ears everywhere, to prevent and prepare."

This was a matter of grave importance. Orion nodded at once. With Alexander's shadow armies, they could monitor the entire continent, moving unseen to counter any sudden threats.

"Brother," Leonidas said suddenly, slinging an arm over Orion's shoulders. "Is this avatar of yours free for the foreseeable future?"

"It is. Its current mission is simply to stand guard over the Dusk Continent." Orion was unsure where this was going, but he answered truthfully.

"Excellent. Keep it that way. Don't give it any new assignments." Leonidas's grin widened. "Rest up. Soon, this avatar will be joining the rest of us for a special task."

Orion looked directly into his brother's eyes, seeking an explanation. Leonidas just chuckled and shrugged, saying nothing. Orion's gaze shifted to Alexander, but the spymaster was intently studying the dregs of wine in his goblet, as if he'd heard nothing at all.

"Very well," Orion said finally. Unable to pry any more information from them, he agreed, suppressing his curiosity as he left the tent to see to the Blade Hall arrangements.

Once he was gone, Alexander's voice rose, quiet and contemplative.

"He has only just ascended to Archlord. Is it not too soon to bring him to the Crucible of the Gods?"

Leonidas turned from watching Orion's retreating back. "He was killing Archlords when he was at the peak of the Legendary tier. By rights, he was qualified even then. And now? You haven't seen the savagery of that new avatar of his. If you told me he could challenge a demigod right now, I'd believe you."

Leonidas knew that even without the protection of the Champions Alliance, Orion now possessed the strength to survive on his own. He had proven as much when he'd faced the Silver-Eyed Grand General Dorian, an enemy whose very style was a counter to his own, and had lived to tell the tale.

Alexander said nothing. He found himself remembering the battle on the Dawn Continent, where they had slain three Archlords. That day, Orion had killed his target before Alexander had killed his.

"Notify me when you are ready," Alexander said, downing the last of his wine. He rose and departed the tent, leaving Leonidas alone with his thoughts.

Stoneheart City, upon the throne.

The moment his avatar on the Dusk Continent had accepted the mission, Orion's main body acted. In the face of an unknown and clearly dangerous task, any advantage, no matter how small, was worth seizing.

He brought forth the treasure coffer dropped by the behemoth he had slain in the World Tunnels.

He focused his will, and the coffer opened. Resting inside was a single scroll, shimmering with a brilliant golden light.