The Absolute: Humanity's Second Chance

Damien then explained the matter about the domains, and how that would allow better transactions and contact between both Strongholds as well.

He also introduced the benefit of creating a domain, and why that would be great for Romania as a whole in its progress in power. All that, and the ideas of creating a branch establishment of the Silver Institution.

"I see. What a marvelous concept this is. Domains, is it? I don't see how this will be against any of my goals as well, so I look forward to working with you on this, young master Damien." King Gregory said, shaking Damien's hand to seal the deal.

"But the Silver Institution matter. Honestly, I do want to agree, but I am not too sure how this will affect my nation as a whole. And, I've heard your words, but wouldn't it be better if one was first established, at least... for a few months, before you could begin creating branches?" He added.

Damien nodded, as he knew about that too. He was only bringing up the matter beforehand, so that afterwards, things wouldn't be as hard. "I understand your concern, your highness. Then it shall be as such." He responded.

"Thank you, for understanding young master Damien. Oh, but the scholars and teachers, I'm willing to contribute them beforehand, and if possible, retract them when our own institution is built. How does that sound?" King Gregory added, a smile on his face.

"I see why not." Damien nodded. He could see through Gregory's plans, but that had no major effect on his own ideas. Because whichever Stronghold ascends faster than the other, had nothing to do with him.

That was the king candidate's duty. All he had to do was support them as the founder of the project, nothing less, nothing more. And to also help, when the situation is in great need of his presence.

"Then let's begin the domain placement process. I'll be in command of doing it, since you're still not powerful enough." Damien said, subconsciously rubbing Fiona's head full of crimson red hair.

He then paused a moment later, and stood up retracting his hand. 'Rough, but warm...' She thought, with a small pout on her face, yet did not mind the treatment. Especially as she was used to having an older brother who was unrestrained with his manners.

'Boys...' She thought with a sigh, thinking about what her older brother could be doing right now, where ever he was at. 'You idiot. Twice? How can you miss your idol twice in a row?' She scoffed at him wherever he was.

Meanwhile, Damien took out the Tier 1 Domain Seed, and placed it on the ground, causing it to release splendor that spread out throughout the whole Stronghold of Romania, invisible to the naked eye.

And then, he willed it to spread over towards the nearby volcano, where he would designate as the edge of the Domain. 'Now, all that is left, it to just wait for the Domain to stabilize and grow a will of its own. Then take it from there...' He thought to himself.

The splendor released from the Domain Seed became more and more prominent, manifesting into the physical realm as a golden rain of glitter and a multicolored blanket of mist cloaking everyone.

This allowed all Romanian citizens to see the process of Domain implantation take place. And it began by scanning the major elements of the sorounding region, and pushing out the minor elements at the same time.

This made the multicolored blanket of mist to become less multicolored, and more of a few isolated colors. Red being the most dominant one amongst them.

Afterwards, the Domain then pushed out any other element that could not match up to the red elements of fire, making it the major element instead. The blanket of mist also became crimson red, and increased the sorounding temperature by more than twofold.

The lava rivers of this Stronghold burned even greater in intensity, as the Volcano grew larger and more menacing. Like a hidden cannon of the gods, capable of shooting down stars and planets with a single eruption.

The sorounding geographical landscapes also became imbued with the element of fire. The land changed from brown to purplish, having traits of fire resistance to it.

And the process continued, as after a moment of waiting, the sorounding landscape considered within the Domain's range of influence, was completely transformed into a new environment.

And when that occurred, a powerful presence made itself clear within everyone's mind. Like a heavy burden weighing down on their fragile souls, giving them a feeling of inferiority.

"..."

Chaos spread throughout the whole kingdom, as nobody knew what was going on, or what was happening to their bodies. Those fragile and weak even fainted under the heavy pressure.

While those strong, stood their grounds. Those in the first league going down on their knees at the weight they felt, those in the second league sweating buckets, and those in the third league, Damien for example, only felt uncomfortable at most. If not nothing at all.

"I know you are just a newborn, but if you don't retract your presence... I'll snuff you out." He said, to nobody in particular, as his void powers threatened to burst out, twisting and reforming space itself.

And just as those words were uttered, the pressure everyone felt disappeared.

< ... >

And following that, the will manifested itself before Damien's soul, as a small sphere of light as bright as the sun, and probably even more powerful than one.

It's appearance and silence being as brief as a second flashing by. Nobody could have anticipated it, but... nor could they have anticipated a will above even stars, to descend upon them!!

Yet Damien did. He and the domain will had a staredown, as none said anything, nor did anything. They only appraised one another. One seeing the other as a tool, and another seeing the other as a threat.

< Who... are you? >

The domain will finally broke the silence and inquired, seeing as it could not pull out any information from Damien as it pleased. And that, only made him more of a threat to it.

"The one who birthed you." Damien responded, standing his ground, as a bearing that even gods would feel cautious around, seethed out of his entire being.

It wasn't the bearing of a god, nor the bearing of a king. But... the bearing of someone who once transcended everything known to men and god alike. A bearing of someone who saw everything as nothing but an... illusion.

< My... Creator? >

The domain will thought, feeling great pressure from Damien's gaze of apathy. It could feel that it was recently born, and the fact that Damien was the first entity it saw... meant that he might not be lying.

Especially so, as it could not decipher anything out of him. All that added to its caution and fear for him. The fear of the unknown, and the fear of those above it.

"Yes. You can consider me something of sorts." Damien responded. And those words weren't a lie, as this domain wouldn't be here, were it not for him breaking up the Realm where Flint fought the Realm Dragon.

But that aside, before this took place, he had burnt out 150 units of Kismetic Essence, to cut off undesired branches of what would come of his current actions.

Essence that was twice as much as the ones he burnt out to get Allianz to do to his bidding. And now, he was affecting an entity at the level of a lesser god. A daring move from his side.

< ... >

And one of the most favored paths that he came across, was of him using brute force and pressure, to obtain his desired results the easiest way.

But it was not all. The major reason he chose this path, was related to the fact that... if everything goes as planned, he could obtain a domain will as a part of his subconsciousness.

"Now, what will you do?" He inquired, testing to what extent his Kismetic Essence had on the overall picture of Destiny. And whether... he could affect even gods with it!!

< What... will I do? Is there even an answer to that question, my creator? >

The domain will inquired, its tone coming out as bitter and defiant. It easily accepted its status. But Damien didn't seem offended whatsoever by that. "I'm giving you free will. And looking forward to what my own creation... thinks of it's purpose."

< ...Free will, is it? So, you're not curious about what I think of myself, but about what I think of your purpose in creating me? >

"You catch on fast, I like that... Your thoughts and feelings mean me no value in this conversation." Damien nodded along his response, "So, are you willing to please me and answer my question, little will?" And added with a smile of mockery.