God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

The Aether Gates that opened within the Sea of Sands were quite similar to the one that had opened on the Central Island, although not quite the same.

The Rift that had opened on the Central Island led to a sub-realm located on the edges of the Aether Realm. Because of its location and position, this was also why Aether leaked through the portal and into the island, infecting the humans that had been there.

While thid was not the cause of their mutation, it was the reason why they couldn't use mana as well as regular humans. Instead, their bodies were better suited for Ki and Aether, although controlling the latter is a fool's errand.

The similarity between the two is specifically the property of connecting separate realms together.

These Rifts are not simply rips in space-time. Rather, they are something more profound.

They occur when an incredibly great influence is exerted onto a space, such that the space cannot bear the strain anymore.

Tier 5 and above beings like Eldritch Gods, Celestials, and even Greater Arch-devils or even more powerful Devils can materialize their influence in such manner, creating these Rifts in space.

Of course, this is simply a by-product of their power, and while it is something that can be actively controlled, most of the time, it happens when these powerful beings unleash power that cannot be handled by the surrounding space.

The reason the Sea of Sands is perfused with the aura of death is the same reason for the existence of so many Aether Rifts lying beneath the dunes.

And because of this, the entire Sea of Sands, is brooding grounds for a multitude of terrifying beasts and creatures.

In a way, the creation of these Aether Rifts it quite similar to summoning.

Most Aether Creatures are intelligent abominations with enough fleshy power to cause substantial catastrophe.

Mutant Creatures have had their genes altered by the violent transmutation of mana in their bodies. As such, they become aggressive and their nature's become twisted and perverse.

On the other hand, Aether is an inherently violent origin energy. Creatures born with this energy are born with violence, bloodlust and death embedded in their flesh and bones.

They crave blood and seek destruction as it is their nature...

As the sand beneath his feet shifted, Cain could only think of one thing.

In that moment, the world seemed to slow down.

His incredible perception kicked in as he sensed the world around him. Sight, sounds, smell, touch; everything was enhanced...

The shifting of the Sand beneath his feet, the cool wind spraying his hair everywhere, the delayed sounds of panic drifting through the same cold wind.

He could sense it all.

He could even hear his own heart beating on his chest, violently circulating his empowered blood.

Perhaps it was the feeling of imminent danger and fear that heightened all his senses.

The staff in his hand glowed lightly with Mana.

In that moment, he activated a spell just when they were all at the brink.

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'Spatial Jump.'

The magic was activated in an instant, wrapping around every single person within the area of influence and pulling them through space.

{Spatial Jump} was an incredible escape spell. The moment it was activated, he managed to pull close to two hundred people through space in the blink of an eye, just before the jaws of the mighty beast lurking beneath the sands coild break through and devour them all whole.

"W-what's going on?!" Someone seemed to yell out.

"Look! Look over there!"

Their heads turned to stare at where they had once been. Cain's {Spatial Jump} had carried them a bit far.

Despite that, they could all see the creature with frightening clarity. It was so huge, there was no missing it. It was as though it stood right next to them there.

Cain let out a tired sigh, "So that's what happened..."

Hunter got up from the ground. He gritted his teeth,

"You mean..."

Cain chuckled wryly,

"Those things weren't trying to encircle us."

His face turned a bit pale as he stared at the absolutely enormous monstrosity lookiydown on them,

"They were trying to get away from that thing." He said in what was barely a whisper.

***

{Stone-blood Hydra Collosus}: level 160. (Deadly,Tier 1)

Strength: 120,000.

Agility: 80,000.

Defense: 10,500.

Magic: 50,000.

HP: 1,900,000/1,900,000.

MP: 500,000/500,000.

Skills: Blood of Stone, Sandstorm, Chaos Beast Bloodline, Undying, Elemental Resistance, Regeneration Lvl. 10, Stone Body.

***

The night sky seemed to become even darker as the winds picked up speed.

A terrifying sand cloud was forming in the desert sky.

Meanwhile, the giant three-headed serpent was staring down at them.

Cain chuckled wryly to himself,

'An absolutely fitting name.'

The beast was in fact a Collosus. It was longer than most skyscrapers he had seen, that was for sure. He wasn't even certain this was all the body length the beast had as there could still be some of it hidden in the sand.

It stood there, loft like the god of the desert, staring down at them with a mad hunger in its eyes.

Cain thought to himself,

'How did we wake something like this up? Why did this happen?'

He gritted his teeth. Everything, up to this point had been going fairly well. So where had things started to go wrong? He had no idea... read-more-on-MVLeMpYr

He sighed.

Everyone seemed to be having the same thoughts.

He turned to Boulder,

"Boulder, Lucia, Khan. You lead your people and as many as you can take with you out of here. Now!"

Boulder broke out of his reverie and stared at Cain with a frown,

"This... You aren't planning on fighting that thing, are you? Just take a look at its stats."

Khan shook his head at Cain,

"We can try to run. Maybe there is something we can do to-"

Cain shook his head,

"No. That thing has locked onto us already. There's no escaping it."

Despite his obvious inhibitions, Cain found the fear bubbling in his chest wearing off as the seconds rocked by.

After all, he had faced beings on the same level with the Celestial Deities and Beasts, and he was still breathing. Granted, none of them were at the same level of power as they had once been, but still, his achievements were nothing short of impressive.

He smiled at Boulder,

"Trust me. We'll try our best to delay this thing. You all will just hinder us."

A look of hesitation appeared on Boulder's face. It was true, he was not as strong as Cain, or any of these other monsters.

He let out a sigh and turned around,

"Men, prepare to move!"

Lucia turned to Cain, a grim smile on her face,

"You'd better not be thinking about dying here. You hear me?!"

Cain chuckled, "I'm not. You should worry about yourself."

On the side, Hunter shook his head,

'Womanizer.'

Cain let out a deep breath, "Get going the sandstorm is thickening. Very soon, you won't be able to see anything."

Boulder nodded, "We are counting on you."

Knowing that this wasn't their battle to fight , the others which included Boulder's original squad and the rest of the people they had brought from Valestorm were quick on the uptake. They quickly followed made their retreat, wanting to get as far away as quick as possible.

Cain turned to face the rest;

Hunter, Manny, Lukas, Luke, Rollo, Floki, and Himself...

Only the seven of them against this thing.

Cain spoke calmly and deliberately,

"I'd say we have only a few seconds before this thing pounces on us. Is there anyone that wants to back off?"

Like clicked his tongue, "Don't disrespect us like that. What do you think we are?" He said as he drew the {Black Obsidian} blade.

Cain nodded,na smile tugging at his lips,

"Then do you have any regrets? Any loose ends to tie up?"

Lukas took a step forward, "I really hate your guts, but for the sake of now, I'm willing to put everything behind us."

He turned to the {Stone-blood Hydra Collosus} looming in the distance. The sandstorm had continued to grow in intensity, making visibility increasingly poor as time went on.

Despite that, it was still possible to make out the creature's eerie green eyes shining in the distant sky, like an omen of death.

Lukas let out a deep breath of air,

"Damn, that thing is scary. Still..."

Cain nodded, "We'll take it down together."

Most of the battles he had fought, they had been fought alone. Rarely did he have the opportunity to fight together with people.

The moment they landed in this place, on this continent, in this fallen City, they had fought many battles together. They had fought hordes of Zombies and Devils as well.

They all drew their weapons. At the same time, the bloodlust and killing intent surrounding the collosal Hydra has reached its peak.

Rivers of sand fell down its massive body as for the first time, the titanic creature opened its mouth;

And let loose, a world shattered shriek...