By the time the third year of Damien's imprisonment began, Soul World was subjected to the Nox's invasion.
The Beast Domain was not completely destroyed, but it might as well have been. Only Beast Emperor Star remained, while everything else was gone.
Most of Heaven's Army was pulled out, with those in high positions choosing to abandon the Sector.
And at that moment, the Nox added a second prong to their attack,
Or was it a third?
From the territories of Eien, an unending wave reminiscent of No Return Pass surfaced. The forces stationed there were forced to combat them and lost their mobility.
It wasn't a matter of Lesser Nox. If so, only numbers were needed rather than experts. However, the Nox were smart. They sent several hundred Supremes and even more Executioners and High Commanders to put pressure on the frontline so they genuinely lost the ability to help.
And that's when they launched their true invasion of Soul World.
Eden, unlike the Giant Domain, did not get swallowed by the Abyss. The reason was a confusing mixture of factors, including the Plant Demigoddess who still resides there and Damien's control of Calypto, but regardless, Eden was still a place that belonged to the universe.
Though, it was uninhabitable. The destruction that wrought it left no room for life to repopulate, and Calypto, the only remaining living world, had to remain under the guise of corruption so nobody realized its survival.
Thus far, nobody looked at Eden for a multitude of reasons. There was a small army sent there to secure the border of Soul World, but that was it.
Nobody expected the Nox to use that opening.
In the end, they did exactly that.
With terrifying numbers, they obliterated the border army and invaded the Sector.
The river of time continued to move like so.
Every month, more bad news piled up about Soul World's situation, and the people practically forgot about the lone-standing Fate Star.
However, some viewed that star with much more meaning.
Currently, Beast Emperor Star was being maintained through heavy war by the Golden and Black Dragon Clans, the Judgement Order, and their supporters.
This world was their main base.
It functioned as the main connection point between all those who genuinely fought for justice.
And frankly, even they had to abandon some things.
It was Luciel's decision.
Once the Soul World was breached, he sent a secret communication to all those who believed in him.
"Retreat to the Divine Realm. All further activities will be continued from here."
His intent was clear.
He wanted to sacrifice the Beast Domain and Soul World and focus on protecting what hadn't been touched yet.
Why?
That was even simpler. There was no hope left for these domains.
The traitorous venom that spread through the higher authorities of the universe continued to spread and grip onto anything it could. For the forces of justice, it was already impossible to regain control over the current situation.
If they wanted to win, they needed to switch their focus to the future and create an opening to seize control while the enemies focused elsewhere.
It was a controversial decision, but not an incomprehensible one.
Most of his allies followed his words and secretly entered the Divine Realm, hidden from all eyes, to bide their time.
However, while the Beast Domain was sacrificed, Beast Emperor Star couldn't be the same.
During Astoria's awakening, the mystical power of this world had already been seen. It had such a deep connection to fate and the Golden Dragon Clan that, when combined with Astoria's existence, it could even affect the flow of destiny itself.
Beast Emperor Star had to live.
And that was the war they fought for.
In a sense, they were lucky.
The Nox attacking weren't weak, but they weren't the best the other side could offer. Those troops were all in the domain of Spirits taking care of their tasks there.
"How long can we hold out?"
The question was asked by Su Ren.
Currently, there was a meeting taking place against the greatest experts protecting the star. It concerned the future, not only of this place, but of the entire universe.
"Realistically speaking, with the opposition's current level, we can last at least 2 years, but that is too optimistic. The longer we survive, the stronger our enemies will become," Hedrick, the Golden Dragon Clan's 2nd Prince answered.
"The question was wrong from the beginning. How long do we need to last before we can put 'that' into motion?"
Everyone present had the look in their eyes change.
But none of them could answer the question.
"Have those two returned yet?" Rose asked.
Several months ago, Zara and Alea came to the Beast Domain to join the war effort, but by that point, the war effort had already moved.
Considering their allegiance, it wasn't strange for them to stay in the Beast Domain regardless, and even disregarding that, they had a reason to stay.
When they told the others of that reason, a hope for survival appeared.
"They are yet to return. There has been no news from the gate since they entered, but this also means they are still alive inside."
The "item" in that gate, if it was what they described, would help them turn the tables not just in the Beast Domain, but in the entire situation.
It was one of the very things Luciel needed most to stabilize the situation once his counterattack plan began.
"Astoria, is there anything from you?"
The young dragon princess was also in the room. In the past several years since she met Damien, her power increased explosively, and her status on Beast Emperor Star was similar to that of a Star Master.
Her connection to the world allowed them to make it this far, because their combined ability to read fate gave those around them the ability to move confidently and predict the otherwise chaotic situation.
With her current power as a 4th revolution master, the things she could see were still vague, but it was enough.
The flame in her golden eyes was as strong as ever. She was a completely different person than the immature princess Damien met.
"It's almost time. They will return soon, and when that happens, we can enact the new beginning."
There was no way to save the Beast Domain. This was a universally accepted fact.
However, there was a way to save Beast Emperor Star.
There was a way to save the Golden Dragon Emperor.
Those in this meeting were not Demigods.
The Demigods that usually supported them had already left for a far more important task that needed completion.
Tian Yang…
Well, Tian Yang was not in a state where he could help at the moment.
Currently, he and the Golden Dragon Emperor were entwined in a strange balance.
Tian Yang stayed with the Emperor during every hour of every day, maintaining the sliver of life force keeping his comatose body alive.
And the Golden Dragon Emperor…
He was currently connected to Beast Emperor Star itself, acting as its heart.
Because it's true heart, it's World Core…
…had already been plundered long ago.
