Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

His confidence wasn't in himself. It was in the Deputy Commander's magical formations and the commander's absolute, overwhelming power.

I'm not a true demigod yet. Orion was self-aware enough to know his own understanding was limited, flawed. The smart play was to wait. To let the adrenaline fade, to walk through the entire sequence of events again, to analyze every move and patch any holes in his understanding.

***

An Unknown Realm in the Abyssal World.

In a deep, forgotten chasm, at the very bottom of the abyss, a bizarre, pulsating cocoon shattered. A strange demonic maggot wriggled free.

The newborn creature didn't scurry away. It began methodically consuming the fragments of its own shell, its mind already replaying the events that led it here.

That blade flash… the sheer world-breaking power in it… that had to be the work of a sixth-stage demigod. But who? Who is powerful enough to target me like that? An old enemy I made centuries ago? Who could it be?

It doesn't matter. The name Alveron is compromised. I can no longer operate under that identity. The plan failed, so I will simply begin anew. Starting from the most primal form, the demonic maggots… I refuse to believe I cannot find a new path to godhood.

The being that had just hatched from the cocoon was, in essence, Alveron. As a former powerhouse of the fifth demigod stage, the failure of his ascension and the loss of his original body and two primary avatars hadn't broken his spirit.

On the contrary, it had forged his will into something harder, more resolute. He would walk the path of power all over again.

***

An Unnamed City in a Forgotten World.

Within the walls of a templar academy for aspiring knights, a young man's eyes slowly opened.

He held up his hands, flexing the unfamiliar fingers. He patted down his own body, the foreign sensations grounding him in a new reality.

Excellent. Alveron's main body, the Abyssal Springhead, was stolen. His two most powerful avatars were annihilated. He's back at square one, just like me. His greatest advantage is gone. Alveron, just let me find you. I swear, I will peel you apart, piece by piece.

He reined in his emotions, forcing a calm facade to settle over him before rising and walking out of the barracks room. He opened the door, letting the sunlight flood over him. The warmth was so profound, so real, that Zareth nearly groaned with pleasure.

The sun, the city, the crowds of people… he had missed all of it. He was back in the world of his birth.

Let me guess, Alveron will come looking for me here. His plan may have failed, but the path he discovered did not. He'll still need to cultivate a virtue knight's body. Come on… come find me. I'll be waiting. And I'll kill every last one you send.

Not everyone craves the light, just as not everyone longs for the dark. Most people just want the comfort of knowing that one will always follow the other.

***

Stoneheart City.

The morning air in Stoneheart was perfumed with a unique fragrance, a sweet, magical scent from the thousands of magical plants blooming in Lilith's gardens. The Aetherial Elves who lived there with Elara constantly worked their magic, casting purification and spirit-gathering spells over the city.

In recent years, the concentration of elemental energy throughout Stoneheart had reached a level that would drive any visiting mage insane with envy. The sweet fragrance was so potent it could be smelled far beyond the city walls.

Stoneheart had no curfew, but its security was tightest at dawn and dusk. Early in the morning, long queues of travelers and merchants from other regions had already formed at the main gate.

"You hear the news? The great and honorable King of Giants sent out an invitation to every faction on the continent."

"In three months, Stoneheart is going to be the center of the world, man. Everyone who's anyone will be here."

Orion's wedding announcement was no secret, and it was the topic on everyone's lips.

"Friend, you've got it twisted," another man in the line chimed in. "This place became the center of the world years ago."

"I'm a merchant," he continued, gesturing to his caravan. "I was in the blood elf and human territories last year on a run. Bustling, sure, but they've got nothing on Stoneheart or Marina."

The two speaking were merchants from one of the human kingdoms, their caravan staffed not only with protectors but with slaves as well. Though they dressed the part of simple traders, it was an open secret that men like them often represented the interests of powerful nobles back home.

"I haven't been here in half a year, maybe more," the first man said, sniffing the air. "Is it just me, or is the air itself… cleaner?"

"Heh, the buzzword in Stoneheart these days is progress," the merchant chuckled. "The city, the people, everyone's constantly improving. Even the air is trying to level up."

It was an astute observation. As merchants, they had a keen sense for opportunity, for shifts in environment, culture, and spending power. For the last few years, the flow of wealth and commerce from across the continent had been pouring into the giant territories. The laws were clearer, the city guard and administrators were rigid—they followed the rules to the letter, and bribery was almost unheard of.

As long as you didn't cross the lines drawn by the Stoneheart Horde, this place was a paradise for outsiders.

"Line's moving. Let's go, shuffle up."

"Soon as we get this cargo delivered, we're hitting the Silent Goblet. I'm telling you, I've been dreaming about the moves on those succubus dancers."

Their conversation carried back to a group standing a short distance behind them.

It was Kronos, James, and their retinue.

Given their status, they could have ridden their carriage straight through the gates. But Kronos had refused. He wanted to walk the streets, to feel the pulse of the city that held such a complicated place in his heart. He wasn't born here, but it was home to his father, his siblings, and his father's other wives.

"Your Highness, the air in Stoneheart is indeed much fresher," James observed. "It must be the work of Princess Elara's Aetherial Elves. With them here, this place will only become a better and better place to train."

Kronos nodded silently. Back in the human kingdoms, a giant walking down the street would draw stares. Here, in Stoneheart, giants were one of the most populous races. They were everywhere, as common as cobblestones.

"Your Highness, once we're through the gates, first we'll head to the castle to pay respects to the giant king and his wives," James recited, running through the schedule Princess Ava had given him. "After that, we must call on Princess Elara. Then you can rest for a bit while we wait for Prince Pallas to come and greet you. After all that, we can finally explore Stoneheart. We can listen to the bards at the Silent Goblet, watch a match at the Colosseum, check out the auction house…"