The Empyreal Gem Master

A man with dark hair and eyes, overflowing with power and sharpness.

This was how Alexander saw the Dark Sword- the Master of the Dark Ruler Masako who had recruited him into the Dark Rule.

They were seated on top of one of the Vessels he had turned entirely gold and discussing many things in the past hour as Alexander was able to expand his mind even more regarding what lay around him.

"There is a delicate balance between the Beast Alliance, the Star Alliance, and the Dark Rule as all three sides guard against the threats from the Death Lands. Any change in the powerhouses that either side holds could mean catastrophic consequences- which is why a War is avoided for the most part. But today, the Star Alliance did not just lose multiple Void Rulers, but a Stellar Ruler as well. A critical piece in the balance of this already unstable puzzle. I fear that it truly may be enough to…."

The Dark Sword shook his head as he spoke in great detail regarding the things within the nearby Sectors.

Alexander listened intently as he couldn't help but ask.

"These Death Lands…what threats are being guarded against? What is it?"

A place where all three factions of these nearby Sectors were interested in!

The Dark Sword became serious as this as it was Masako who replied beside him.

"A Place of great danger and opportunity. Stellar Rulers routinely go there as within, there are Void Beasts that thrive on the chaotic elements of the Death Lands. But these Void Beasts…their bodies are extremely treasured due to being extremely in tune with the Covenants of Nature. Even Stellar Rulers can make rapid advancements in their assimilation of Covenant and forge their stars with the resources obtained from the Death Lands. If they make it out safe that is."

…!

A land of death and opportunity.

Alexander couldn't help but smile when he heard this.

A place with resources relating to Covenants of Nature?

Was that not a paradise for him?

In his thoughts, The Dark Sword looked towards Masako before replying.

" It is not just that. In the Death Lands, there is a constant Erosion that we have not found a source of. This erosion can eat up Covenant Authority like it is absolutely nothing as if it continues to spread, nobody knows what will happen to the Sectors nearby."

Heavy words echoed out that caused a silence, and Alexander only thought for a moment before he probed for more information.

"Alright, putting aside the Death Lands. The powers of the Beast Alliance, Star Alliance, and Dark Rule itself…who stands at the peak of power within these groups?"

…!

He wanted to know who he would be up against.

How far did he have to go, and how powerful did he have to be? What would the price to be paid be?!

His gaze radiated confidence that stemmed from nothing else but the Enneagram as the Dark Ruler Masako and The Dark Sword looked at each other before the latter replied.

"Stellar Rulers vary in power. Someone like me or Bartholomew, or…you- we would be considered Stellar Rulers of the lowest level. Above us are Stellar Rulers that have already formed Stellar Nebulaes, and then there are those with unknown numbers of stars within their Nebulaes. These Rulers are the Elders of the three factions- the decision makers. Above them, there are the Founders of the Beast Alliance, Star Alliance, and Dark Rule- those who have been capable of elevating their Stellar Nebulaes and forming…a Black Hole within their Gem Socket."

WAA!

A Black Hole.

A Black Hole!

What sort of Gem Master was that? What level of power could their Gems unleash?

Alexander listened intently as amidst their talks…

HUUM!

The Realm of Ephesus behind them vibrated as the life force it emanated became even more intense, with those capable of perceiving it even seeing that its size…was increasing!

The Dark Sword and Masako looked at this scene before turning to Alexander, who only smiled without saying anything as they didn't probe.

They didn't know, but Ephesus had continued what it did with Dragoisles and Alfana at this moment, focusing all of its Natal Authority on this as there were no longer any worries about making a force for protection. Alexander would take care of that.

It meant that fairly soon, there would be new Sacred Gem Engines for him to grasp.

He waited patiently at this as at the same time this occurred, the threads of the Investigator danced in his mind once more as he noticed other entrants entering this region.

Moments later, the Dark Sword also rose as he spoke up.

"The forces of the Dark Ruler to set up a base here are arriving. I propositioned for my Rulers to be sent here just because this area is the center point of what occurred."

In the distance.

Massive floating ships began to arrive one after another as they looked nothing like the vessels of the Star Alliance

Each one contained a minimum of three Void Rulers and lesser Rulers who remained within as ever so slowly, Alexander was fully getting embroiled into the factions surrounding this sector!

—

Millions of miles away from Ephesus.

Within the depths of a grandiose Realm.

A woman in white robes appeared inside a small domain that was filled with pure threads of violet-colored brilliance.

Her chest held vibrant spinning gold stars- a Nebula that shone with heavy radiance, and even this being was bowing towards a man at the center of this domain

The man had gold hair and eyes as he was surrounded by extremely dense violet lights, and his chest…showed complete darkness as if staring at it for too long would swallow one whole.

His chest radiated the terrifying light of a magisterial Black Hole, the pressure and gravity alone emanating from it being enough to crush a Stellar Ruler like a twig.

The white-robed Stellar Ruler spoke towards such a being.

"The Star Council is in a meeting right now as many are screaming for war in response to recent events. Which path are we choosing to take, Master?"

…!

Which path would be taken.

Which path would be best.

The Stellar Ruler asked as towards this…the man with a radiant black hole sighed as he replied.

"Let them have their war. The time has come to probe and get to the bottom of the opportunity within the Death Lands. Let this war pave the way for it."

…!