Epic of Caterpillar Chapter 2911 - 2912: The Werewolf King

While Zagreus and his companions scrambled for cover, desperate to find a sanctuary that did not exist, they suddenly stalled. They stood transfixed, watching from a distance as Flora, backed by her divine army, engaged the Nether Plane Ruler in a brutal struggle.

Damn it, those humans are charging right at them! Hanshuan shouted, his voice laced with frustration.

What do we do now, Zagreus?! Henshian cried out.

Though the two Sun Gods had grown significantly more powerful through countless skirmishes beside their allies, they still felt woefully unprepared for a conflict of this magnitude.

W-We...! Zagreus stammered, finding himself tongue-tied. The sound of his sisters mourning their father haunted him, and the crushing weight of duty threatened to break his resolve. I... I don't know, alright?! I have no idea what to do!

C-Calm down! Sindarin urged, gripping his arm tightly. Everything is... it is going to be okay, Zagreus.

No, nothing is going to be okay; everything has only spiraled further into madness! Glimmerdust was hyperventilating, terror gripping her chest. T-This time we are definitely going to perish! Every last one of us! We are going to—

Glimmerdust, enough! Sindarin seized her Moon Moth Goddess companion by the shoulders. W-We will find a way through this, exactly as we have always managed!

...

Zagreus released a weary breath. Concealed behind a towering skyscraper, he and his companions suddenly heard the frantic wails rising from the streets below.

Aahh! Someone help me!

Nooo!

Save me, please!

Gyaaaah!

His eyes widened in shock. Ordinary humans were fleeing in pure terror while a swarm of demons and beasts hunted them down.

These were the very same mortals who had inflicted such vile suffering upon his mother.

A sense of bewilderment washed over Zagreus. Why were these humans so incredibly fragile while the forces battling overhead harnessed such godlike power through bizarre technology?

What realm is this? Where have we ended up? he muttered with a sigh. I... what can we even accomplish in such a hopeless situation?

The only thing you truly can do is place your trust in yourself, in the strength you have honed, and in the path that lies before you.

...Eh?

Zagreus heard a voice whisper right behind him.

The voice possessed an elegant, feminine quality, yet he saw nobody behind him.

Until suddenly...

Z-Zagreus! Look ahead of you!

Ah!

He cast his gaze forward. A brilliant fairy materialized, shimmering with cosmic light in shades of purple, pink, and red. She fluttered gracefully, her hand clutching a blade that appeared to hold the vastness of the heavens within its steel.

Her crimson eyes gleamed with a touch of pity as she studied the group of young gods.

You have traveled from a great distance. I can sense it.

W-Who are you...! Zagreus stepped forward, placing himself between the stranger and his friends. What exactly are you?

I suppose the people of Genesis no longer know my face, the fairy sighed. I am Kireina, the Supreme Goddess of Chaos.

...!!!

A jolt of icy fear raced down their spines. They retreated instinctively, recognizing the name of the legendary figure dwelling before them.

Chaotic energy emanated from her in waves—it was the same overwhelming, terrifying aura possessed by the Chaos Kings, those peerless monsters among monsters.

The Chaos Kings were fearsome enough to dispatch Dream Entities with ease—beings that many mortals deemed impossible to defeat.

Do not be afraid. My intention is not to harm you, Kireina stated. I have come to offer aid. I see the truth now—you are Zagreus. Your father Hades is located nearby... An old enemy has resurfaced, using him as a vessel just as he once used Hel. Persephone, your mother, currently faces grave peril.

H-How could you possibly know all of that?! Zagreus demanded.

I have the ability to read your Hearts, Kireina answered. With a gentle smile, she closed her eyes and swung her sword in their direction.

Aahhh!

The group braced themselves for death.

Yet, as Kireina’s blade swept through their physical forms, their thoughts, souls, and hearts, no damage was taken.

Instead, a massive surge of spiritual strength rushed through their veins. Their fears and lingering doubts simply dissolved into nothingness.

They stared at Kireina in astonishment, feeling a massive burst of vitality surging deep from within.

Directly from their Hearts.

I have awakened your dormant Hearts, she explained. And I have granted you the tools necessary to endure. Your mother should be safe now.

Eh?

Zagreus and his siblings exchanged stunned looks. They peeked into the young man's divine realm and discovered his mother fully restored, gazing around in confusion while her undead guardians scrambled in panic.

M-Mom!!!

Overwhelmed with relief, they rushed into the divine realm. His friends trailed right behind.

Kireina turned her attention toward the horizon, sensing an immense concentration of spiritual energy drawing near to Tokyo.

Is that the North American Realm Cluster, combined with Avalon and other European Realms? she wondered to herself. I can feel her presence. She is arriving.

Her chromatic, diamond-like eyes watched the area where the vortex began to drag everything toward a singular point.

The most powerful entities from every Plane and Realm gathered in anticipation of the final battle—a confrontation that would determine the survival of this world and the entire universe.

.

.

.

Aahhhh! What on earth is happening?!

Why are there suddenly vampires and werewolves here?!

Auugh, my leg! That creature bit me!

Will you all shut your mouths, you pathetic humans?! We are trying to save your miserable lives!

Erika, stop yelling at them—they are frightened out of their minds!

More than twenty humans cowered while a band of vampires and werewolves formed a perimeter to shield them from a surrounding horde of monsters.

These were the same humans the Demon King had scattered to hunt and cultivate their potential. Those who had been brave and obedient had already perished.

The clever ones had unified, concealed themselves, and fled—yet they were being hunted down one by one.

Only a select few had managed to reach levels sufficient to survive the wilderness, and those individuals had long since abandoned the rest.

The groups led by Harumi and Erika had consolidated into a single unit. Upon falling into the Labyrinth of Madness, they had arrived at a convergence point of five massive dungeons.

The monsters here were exceedingly powerful and gathered in overwhelming numbers. Before them lay five distinct, fractured landscapes melded together like slices of a pie.

At the center, the five dungeon bosses had combined into a single, massive, chimeric horror—a roaring Kaiju patrolling the domain.

And now, it was marching directly toward them.

Damn it! That beast is coming for us again! Thyra groaned in frustration.

We have to retreat! Humans, run as fast as you can! Selene urged. We will hold them off, but you must not hesitate—push yourselves until you break! Humans have always been excellent at fleeing!

The crowd panicked and scattered. Selene and Thyra stuck to their flanks, utilizing moonlight magic and razor-sharp claws to butcher the incoming chimeras—monstrosities composed of discordant limbs, heads, wings, and tails from a hundred different species.

Behind the vanguard, Erika and Harumi battled, desperate to find an exit from the maddening maze.

Meanwhile, Frankenstein, Lady Shadow, and Dan confronted the greatest threats, unleashing a torrent of destructive magic and lightning-imbued strikes.

The Kaiju, having been struck by Frankenstein’s electrified blows, only roared with increased fury, spewing torrents of flame in every direction.

Damn it, Frankenstein! Quit making that thing angrier! Dan yelled.

It isn't intentional! I am trying to finish it off! Frankenstein fired back.

You are not going to slay that monstrosity! It is way above our current level! Lady Shadow cautioned. At least, not while we are burdened with protecting these civilians—goddamn it all!

As the vampires and werewolves neared their breaking point, a rift suddenly tore open nearby.

Over there! Get through!

Erika sprinted with newfound speed, clutching a mother and child in her arms. Harumi, carrying three orphans clinging desperately to her back and hair, followed closely behind.

Almost there...!

We are so close—wait, what is that?!

Erika’s eyes widened. A giant, recognizable figure strode through the portal.

A massive, muscular, and hirsute man stepped out—wearing yellow sunglasses, a shredded t-shirt, white trousers, and dark footwear.

His golden hair flowed behind him like the mane of a lion. A warm smile broke across his face as he spotted his daughter and the women accompanying her.

Dad?!

B-Beowulf!

Damn you, look at the timing for you to show up!

His daughter sprinted to embrace him, while his sisters berated him for his late arrival.

Papa is here, pups! Step back and take a breath—I have this under control. Apologies for being fashionably late! I ran into some sort of Dream Entity or whatever and had to deliver a few extra heavy punches! Anyway... He gently set his daughter aside and gave her a nod. Papa has this handled, puppy. Stand back.

Haaa...

Erika collapsed to her knees, her tension instantly draining away.

Yes—with her father here, even amidst this total catastrophe.

Things were finally going to be all right.

GRUOOOHHHH!

Beowulf strode forward as the three vampires retreated past him.

Their jaws dropped at the sheer, undeniable masculinity radiating from the giant, hairy man.

They watched, spellbound, as he shifted into a colossal blonde werewolf, crackling with divine authority.

The Chimeric Kaiju faced the werewolf and issued a roar, expelling a deluge of fire that rained incinerating death upon Beowulf.

However.

Werewolf King's Golden Soul Aura Arts.

First Form – Soul-Shattering Fist!

In a blur of motion, Beowulf lunged forward. He drove his hand through the beast's massive chest, tearing open a cavernous, flowing wound.

BOOOMMM!!!

Thunderous energy and golden light convulsed within the cavity. The monster puked viscera and collapsed to the earth, the impact shaking the very foundations of the labyrinth.

The beast was dead.

God damn it, that one actually had some kick to it. My old bones feel it, he sighed, shaking his slightly bruised knuckles. Alright, puppies, you have done well! Let’s get the hell out of this place!

Erika offered a warm smile, her chest swelling with pride.

That is my father, right there! she declared, shooting a look at the trembling humans, who nodded in frantic agreement. He is the strongest!