At the top of the social ladder, the power one or two people could hold was so immense they could control the flow of the entire war, but under that place of status, one or two people were a speck of dust in the expansive universe.
Zara and Alea started traveling together when Damien left Apeiron, and with him practically plundering the entire Human Domain of its worlds and population, they weren't really able to stay there.
The two were, in essence, on a journey of discovery.
They wanted to find out who they were, who the Divine Emperor was, and what connected them so perfectly.
But how was one to do that?
They had no clues.
Unfortunately, Apeiron didn't hold any secrets to their birth. Their mothers were not natives of this planet and merely stayed here to avoid trouble during the war, and they left no trace of their existence when they died.
So, how were these two supposed to find out the forgotten history that led to their creation?
The only option was to grow themselves.
They, as beasts, and as possessors of Nox lineage, had an extreme propensity for ancestral memories.
Their blood and souls provided them the answers they sought as long as they continued to grow.
Therefore, they left the Human Domain with confidence and started attacking the Dimensional Leaderboard.
After all, there was no better growth supplement than this magical system.
Alea was already at an age where the Dimensional Leaderboard didn't mark her achievements, however, she was able to access its Mystic Realms and Challenge Gates all the same.
Surprisingly, they had yet to encounter much trouble.
It was a grueling journey, but their enemies were mainly in the environment rather than other people. Those who chose to become their enemies did so due to grudges they formed here, not unrelated incidents.
Essentially, Zara's identity remained hidden all this time even though she'd been so blatantly exposed by Immortal Blood Asura and the rest.
A part of it was because of her and Alea's connection. As the duo grew, their strength became more entwined, their synergy exploded, and the Nox lineage in their blood was concealed underneath its splendor.
Luck could definitely be attributed to a portion as well, but it couldn't be done with that alone.
Someone was surely helping them from the shadows, allowing them to do as they pleased without being discriminated against and targeted for their lineage.
It was extremely fortunate.
And thus far, they had yet to come in contact with the war.
The duo remained mainly in the Divine and Infernal Realms because the concentration of experts also meant the hidden realms in these Sectors were far more difficult and rewarding, while occasionally visiting Soul World to reflect on the ethereal side of things in a better environment.
They heard of the Giant Domain's collapse, of the Beast Domain invasion, and of the Soul World being saved by the Judgement Order's machinations, but they hadn't reached a point where they could join the fun.
"You're being too stuck up. We should fight if we can fight. Secret realms are good, but without the atmosphere of war, we won't be able to reveal the biggest secrets. You know that."
Alea spoke convincingly. She was an advocate for their joining the war effort, but Zara never let it happen.
"I do know that, but we aren't stable enough. Do you think I haven't noticed? Your Demonic Providence has been surfacing recently."
"That…"
"There's nothing else to say. I'm also struggling to contain it as of late. If we enter war in this state, it is hard to say whether we will retain control of our minds."
That was the main problem.
They couldn't tell whether their Nox bloodline was trying to bring them closer or push them away, but the more time they spent together, the more forward their Providences were in trying to seize control.
"Are you sure we have to suppress them? Trying to connect might be the answer."
Alea suggested something insane, but not unheard of.
"I've been having the same thought, but how? We don't have anywhere to sit and let our bloodlines loose. And if something goes wrong? Who is there to bring us back?"
"Isn't that obvious? Let's do it in the Sanctuary!"
"That's even more impossible. I refuse to lose control in front of Damien. If he gets involved in our problem, it will only hinder his path. If there is one thing I will never be, it's a burden."
"You're so stubborn! Why can't you just accept help when it's so readily available?!"
"If we rely on help to get over the most important step, aren't we just weaklings who can only hug other people's thighs? I thought you were a Beast Empress, but were you really just the Emperor's woman?"
Alea's eyes went cold.
"Never call me that man's woman."
"You understand what I mean."
Alea frowned, but she really couldn't say anything back.
The two of them could practically sense each other's emotions, and they shared their pain in this time. Their Demonic Providences bounced off each other to strengthen, so what one of them knew, the other one did as well.
If they couldn't maintain control, they'd become killing machines for the Nox until someone put them down.
The only man who could control their lineage couldn't be contacted at all, and if they lost control, they'd only hurt him and others they cared about.
There really was no logic supporting Alea's words.
However, she still wanted to do it.
She understood the consequences, but they didn't scare her away.
"Zara, it'll come to us no matter what."
Zara glanced at her sister in confusion, but Alea kept going.
"You've sensed it too, right? I know what you're running from, but we can't avoid it. We can only try to make sure we don't lose too much when the time comes."
"You…" Zara said, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Did you think you could keep it to yourself?" Alea smiled.
"Our minds are connected, remember?"
"Haa…"
Zara had no choice but to sigh.
When did she find out?
This sister of hers liked to play dumb, but she was really too perceptive for her own good.
"The Beast Domain…" she muttered.
"Hm?"
Zara looked up with a frown.
"The Beast Domain, 'that thing' is there, isn't it?"
Alea smiled.
"It is indeed. Are we finally going to have some fun?"
"If you lose control, I'll kill you myself."
"I couldn't ask for anything else."
Zara stood up. Her height was many inches above her sister's, and despite their age difference, she was the one who took the "older sibling" role.
"Fine. I hate you, but find."
"Hehe, I love you too."
Alea wrapped her arm around Zara's as the woman rolled her eyes.
Together, they set off.
At this time, more than nine months had passed since the Nox started invading the Beast Domain.
Their strategy never changed, using surprise movements from hidden forces to overwhelm the enemy and gain rapid victory.
Heaven's Army was still unable to respond properly. No matter how much time passed, accurate information about the Nox's locations and plans never seemed to exist.
However, there was something they'd noticed.
As of late, the Nox stopped aiming for the people with as much animosity.
Their target had changed.
Instead of people…
…they were targeting the very worlds they resided on.
