Tamesis reacted quickly, jumping out and pulling out several yellowed sheets of paper. Drawing her energy into them, the runes on the paper became bright as she threw them up in the air. Her followers and fellow runesmiths did the same, throwing every last piece of paper they had into the air as the massive beast fell towards the retreating army.

"IT’S NOT ENOUGH," Tamesis screamed, her beautiful voice twisted in pain as she pumped out every last bit of energy she had.

Laz then jumped forward and summoned his red ring, granting enhanced energy and energy recharge to those putting up the wall. Laz also wrote in the air, black flames creating rune after rune as he layered them on the backs of the floating papers.

Just as the dragon was about the crash into the barrier, it was hit by a massive blast of lightning that seemed to grow from the ground before proceeding upwards, flying through the beasts body and sending it flying away, it’s howl echoing and shaking the mountains. Laz was behind Temesis as she collapsed, grabbing her and supporting her in his arms as dozens of his troops did the same with the other runesmiths.

Hera was yelling orders as they approached the gate while Pooja was at the back of the line making sure no one was left behind. Only she saw the way in which they repelled the dragon and fought for time, but that didn’t stop her from her job.

Roars rang out along the damage as beast began flooding through, first the ariel beasts and then the land ones, making their way slowly, but surely, through the destruction. Laz only turned to look once and noticed that there were no god beasts within the ranks, but he could sense that the strongest of them were still out there.

With Tamesis in his hands, Laz caught up to Pooja.

"What’s your take on this?" Laz asked waving behind himself.

"Only the strongest of the beasts survived either by luck or instinct. And they seem very pissed off right now as there are no longer low level god beasts left. That also will cause sufficient harm to their bloodlines going forward which I’m sure isn’t what they wanted from this," Pooja replied as they reached the gate.

"So now they are personally pissed off instead of just being lead around huh?"

"No clue... But none of the god beasts had been taken over by the shadows power so far, have you noticed that? It’s only the lower level ones that have been corrupted. That’s got to mean something but I have no fucking idea what," Pooja said as they entered the chaos of the fortress. Guards were rushing around as medics and healers tended to the injured. Tamesis was still in Laz’s arms and seemed like she was holding on tight despite the quiet moans coming from her. Hera was already calling for the leaders while the members of Tamesis’ race were instructing the guards on where to go and what to do as they activate armament after armament.

A massive dome formed around the fortress that included the Black Castle floating in the air right above the center of the structure. Had this been any other time in his past, Laz would have been amazed at this fantasy like display of stone structures and magic, but this now felt natural for him.

It didn’t take long for the beasts to arrive at the gate, except this time there were several high realm level seven beasts visible as well, beasts comparable to a high level god realm. What was worse was that several shadow corrupted beasts in the god realm appeared, revived from death with it’s powers. The only high level god realms left were Pooja and Hera along with a seventh level guard that Tamesis had. Everyone else was either at the sixth level or below. Of course that didn’t take into account Laz who’s power let him face high level god beasts, but even then, he would be overwhelmed in a moment considering the strength of beasts physically was usually much stronger than human types. Hence why they were referred to based on their level and not realm.

The corrupted god beasts surrounded the fortress gates first, followed by the still normal beasts. Behind them were all of the strongest beasts. In the skies were more beasts along with the shadow dragon itself. Having failed it’s attack, it knew breaking into the fortress would be a daunting task, especially because it’s strength had failed to progress into the ancient god realm. But even then, it was a half step there and therefore stronger than the other beasts that had gathered. It’s natural suppression of them was even stronger now, but having lost most of the strongest of their bloodline, thoughts of revolt had formed in the mind of these beasts. The lands were now theirs, the humans suppress all around and the last threats to them were held up in this mountain without a path to regain their strength. All of the reasoning for following the shadow dragon was now gone as they had gained everything they wanted and had lost far more than they had bargained for.

Of course the shadow dragon knew this, it’s own intelligence wasn’t horrible and now that it had absorbed a portion of the former Emperor, it’s ability to scheme and recognize scheming seemed to have increased as well. And this was the reason it had ’granted’ it’s blessing to the fallen god beasts as it could use them as a form of control over the other high level beasts. After all, they were still their descendants, in a sense.

Despite this, the shadow dragon knew it’s time was tight and figured it might as well use some scheming now that the option was open to it.

Taking on the appearance of the former Emperor, the shadow dragon transformed and flew to in front of the gate, raising it’s voice so that all inside would hear it.

"Attention my people. Perhaps you had the wrong idea about my death, but right now I am here to prove to you that I am alive and well. Unfortunately, my Empress has decided to rally you all against me, using my death as reasoning. Well, worry not, for I am still here and I don’t hold any of you responsible for believing her lies," the shadow dragon said. It didn’t even begin to think that it was going to convince anyone considering the beasts raging all around itself, but that wasn’t the point. It just needed to get it’s message across in a way that didn’t make those who heard it instinctually think it was lying to them.

"And I also understand that there are many of you who will not believe in me. I understand the reasoning behind this and again, don’t blame you. All I ask is that my possessions are returned to me so that I might go and live out my days in peace. Do this and I and all of these fellows following me shall leave this mountain at once and not bother you further. In fact, we can even carve out a little piece of land for all of you to make your homes for yourselves, your children and the future. Isn’t such a thing a much better path than the one of destruction you are currently walking? There have been too many lies and too much death already, both for us and for yourselves. This is why all I ask is the return of my royal seal, garments and some supplies and I will leave you be. That’s not asking for much, is it?" The Emperor said, putting on his kindest and most benevolent face, one he had seen false kind men make in the past that always convinced the masses.

Of course the royal seal it was asking for was actually the key that was for the door into the dimension. It wasn’t going to rot here for the rest of it’s life and once the door was opened, it would have all the time and resources it could ever want and taking control of this place would be simple. As for these beasts that didn’t want to follow orders?

’MMM they would make for a good meal,’ it thought to itself.

"Hey. blackie. You’re saying a lot of nice shit for a dog of a coward god, you know that?" Laz’s voice came from over the wall as he walked to the top of the gate and looked over at the shadow dragon.

While it was tempted to react, it now had a lot more restraint that before thanks to taking on some of that man’s personality.

"I’m sorry but I do not know of that which you speak of. Perhaps someone more qualified should continue this negotiation going forward?" The shadow dragon spoke back.

"I see. Politics and even oration. You truly received many talents from devouring that man, didn’t you? It’s just a shame that you will only ever be a pawn to be discarded once your usefulness is done. Even your talent at lying is almost believable," Laz shot back knowing what it was asking for while trying to feel it out.

"There isn’t a lie I have spoken of. Were I to receive my things, I would gone in an instant. As for these fellows, they had fought hard and lost much as well you know."

"Perhaps you are not out right lying, true. It’s more of a misdirect. Because once you get that royal seal, you will leave this place and bring in many more shadows and demons just like yourself so that you can take control of the entire plane. Don’t act like some sort of savior now.." Laz responded back.

"I see. Well, the offer still stands for the next three days. At that point, your only escape will be death. Good luck!" The shadow dragon said before walking away, knowing that there were still enough pests inside for it to get what I want. It just need to wait for them to act and save itself some trouble.