Epic of Caterpillar Chapter 2917 - 2918: The Sea Of Emptiness

The Sea of Emptiness.

An expanse of absolute void, condensed into liquid by the crushing weight of the thousands of universes contained within this dimension.

Common legend whispered that it was a point of no return. Direct contact meant instant annihilation. Not even the most formidable Overseers or potent Constellations could hope to escape if they were to fully submerge into those lethal depths.

As of this moment, Kireina was drifting through the most profound reaches of this compressed, liquified abyss.

She observed countless brilliant stars pulsing; each one a distinct universe.

Abyssian’s previous strike had carried too much force, casting her all the way into this desolate place.

Half of her physical form had been obliterated. Her arms were gone, save for a single limb that gripped her sword with failing strength, its innate radiance steadily dimming.

Her gaze fixed upon the heights above. Her consciousness began to expand, slowly losing its tether.

"What is the purpose of this struggle?"

The inquiry echoed repeatedly in her heart, growing louder throughout her long campaign.

"Why do I carry on living?"

She incessantly questioned the validity of her own choices. Why endure when existence is merely a cycle of suffering?

"Why do I… bother at all?"

Kireina slowly lowered her eyelids, prepared to yield to the encroaching silence of the end.

And there, her narrative should have concluded.

…

"You fight for the sake of those you hold dear."

"You endure for those who love you."

"And you persevere because your connection to them is genuine."

A voice resonated within the depths of her psyche. High above the Sea of Emptiness, a shimmering, eternal galaxy composed of pure chaos loomed over her.

Several stars nearby reached out their tendrils toward her.

They could not bridge the distance. She had sunk too deep.

Her time had run out.

"Do not abandon hope, Kireina."

That intonation—the voice of a beloved—vibrated through her very soul and spirit.

"Our love for you is eternal."

She persisted.

"I beg of you… you alone possess the authority to choose. After traveling this far, will you truly discard the reasons you embarked on this journey in the first place?"

"…"

Kireina’s eyes drifted open, taking in the gloom.

BA-DUM!

Her heart…

BA-DUM!

…was undergoing an evolution.

Every cycle.

BA-DUM!

Every rhythmic pulse.

BA-DUM!

…surged with power that surged through her anatomy.

BA-DUM!

BA-DUM!

BA-DUM!

BA-DUM!

BA-DUM!

Her heartbeat accelerated into a frantic tempo.

The Sea of Emptiness lost its capacity to terrify her.

"Ah… that is the truth of it."

For a brief interval, Kireina had lost sight of the obsession driving her wars.

Beyond those she cherished.

She was fighting for herself, too.

But for what purpose?

Because she refused to allow her existence to be devoid of significance.

Thus, two concepts manifested in her mind.

Repentant Enlightenment.

The substance of the Sea of Emptiness swirled toward her sword, merging into the steel.

FLUOSH!

Kireina leveled her blade at the lofty heavens.

And unleashed a stroke.

SLASH!

A solitary swing was sufficient.

BOOOMMM!!!

The Sea of Emptiness was rent asunder.

A feat hitherto unimagined!

Kireina began to reconstruct herself, ascending toward the surface.

Her clarity returned. Tears traced lines down her face as the Sea of Emptiness bent to her command.

In that flash of Enlightenment—the moment she fortified her principles, resolve, and objectives—Kireina had mastered this sea.

It resonated in harmony with her nature as a being bound to Void, Chaos, and the Pillar of Light.

The tide of the Sea of Emptiness rose, flowing infinitely toward her person.

Conjoining with her essence.

A flowing gown of stars and void draped over her. Her hair transitioned to deep violet and obsidian. Her eyes glowed with hues of gold and crimson.

The Sea of Emptiness dissolved.

It had become part of Kireina!

"Kireina…!"

"You’ve truly returned!"

"Sister! Are you… uninjured?"

Before her hovered Khaos—her mother—and her children: the siblings Chaos, Ervas, and Veronica. Also in attendance were Chaos’s companions: Abyss and Kosmos.

Upon witnessing her fall, they had abandoned the universe to track her descent.

Kireina offered a gentle smile.

"I am grateful you sought me out…" she wept. "I have a task remaining… There is a soul I must defeat, and a catastrophe I must resolve."

"We are aware. We all feel it," Chaos acknowledged. "We shall stand with you."

"Are you certain?" Kireina questioned.

"Indeed, that was why we joined you in the first place!" Veronica affirmed.

"We liberated Khaos. Now we must confront those hunting you," Ervas added. "Until they are dealt with, they will never cease their pursuit of you, this universe, or anything that follows."

"As your mother, I have been absent for far too long. Allow me to finally contribute to your cause, my precious child," Khaos stated.

"Very well," Kireina replied. "My gratitude."

She tightened her grip on her hilt. Everyone present dissolved into stars, becoming part of the shimmering black dress she wore, ready to soar toward her final confrontation.

RUMBLE!

A massive Universal Bubble loomed near, vibrating in sympathetic harmony.

It contained a universe Kireina had once conquered—now reaching out for its rightful master.

"The Maxima Universe…"

Kireina extended her hand. The bubble made contact and integrated with her.

FLASH!

Empowered by this massive influx of strength…

Kireina cut through the fabric of space and time like a blade forged of pure darkness.

…

"Gaaaah?!"

Abyssian let out a cry of agony. Evan—having taken the form of a legendary sword—fused with the powers of Amiphossia, had cleaved the weakened Chaos King in two.

Black miasma leaked from his exposed wounds. He scrambled in a panic, desperate to fuse his halves back together!

However, Lord Chaos arrived moments later.

"I know nothing of your identity, but you have my thanks!"

Lord Chaos roared, compacting his frame into a titan of pure chaos, and began pummeling Abyssian’s separated halves to prevent their reunion.

"YOU INSIGNIFICANT ANOMALIES!"

The enraged Chaos King shrieked, striking back by channeling Space and Time within his Chaos Element to unleash reality-bending waves of destruction.

Yet Lord Chaos neutralized and dampened these strikes using his unique physiology and resilience.

In that instant, the King of Chaos and Lord Chaos matched one another, locked in a struggle to determine the ultimate victor!

But Lord Chaos did not face this alone.

Amiphossia and Ryo intervened, channeling the power of the Kami integrated within their Auras—including Nanako, Kaguya, and their siblings.

"Evan! Grant me your strength!" Amiphossia commanded.

"Initially, I was confused why I was manifested as a blade in this realm, but now I perceive my purpose—it was to serve you, Amiphossia!" Evan shouted. "Wield my Soul!"

"Yes, my love!" Amiphossia replied with a resolute glint in her eye.

"Sword Soul Heart!"

"Second Form – Celestial Strikes!"

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

A ceaseless flurry of cuts battered Abyssian from the rear, widening his wounds and forcing a retreat.

Lord Chaos kept him occupied and off-balance, enabling Amiphossia and Evan to carve deeper into his physical and spiritual core.

Radiant, piercing attacks seared his exterior, liquefied his muscles, and shattered his impenetrable armor.

The power Evan provided was the genuine article.

Crafted to banish Mikaboshi into the Yomi depths, he was a Legendary Primordial Divine Sword purpose-built for the destruction of Chaos Gods!

Ryo could not remain idle. He focused his reserves—with Sadako anchored to his back—marrying the Wheel of Fate, Buddhist Cultivation Practices, and his Heart Path Methods.

Sadako infused the Soul of the Great Demon King Shuten Doji into him. Ryo’s form swelled, becoming larger, more powerful, and imposing than ever.

"Now proceed, my ancestor! We must eliminate this immense evil, whatever the cost!" Even at the brink, Sadako remained steadfast. "We must exact justice for everyone he destroyed!"

She branded the Chaos King as the successor to Mikaboshi. Ryo did not hesitate.

"It shall be done!"

His Aura erupted. Demonic and Enlightened Divine Power combined to manifest a searing Yin-Yang Symbol.

He charged. His palms, glowing with the symbol’s light, slammed into Abyssian’s torso, triggering catastrophic explosions with every impact.

Simultaneously, his sister unleashed a tempest of slashes. Evan’s Heroic Sword Soul manifested a duplicate legion of Sword Soul Clones, which she wielded with her primary blade.

Kireina’s eldest daughter and son proved themselves a lethal vanguard.

"Kuuuaaaaaaggghhh?! S-STOP! STOOOOP!"

Abyssian descended into despair. Caught in the perfect tactical pincer, he fought with the frantic desperation of a cornered beast.

He struck with punches and kicks, summoned armaments, and tore at space-time.

Yet, because his umbilical link to the Chaos Plane had been severed, and weakened further by Lord Chaos’s intervention…

He was faltering!

"We can succeed!"

"Yes!"

"Press the advantage, children!"

Lord Chaos guffawed, his spirits high. He marveled at the immense talent displayed by these fledgling gods! A part of him longed to enlist them in his cause.

But the window of opportunity was closing.

All three pushed beyond their breaking points, containing the most dangerous lifeform the Chaos Plane had ever birthed!

"ALL OF YOU…! DO NOT UNDERSTAND…! ANYTHING…! ABOUT ME!"

Abyssian screamed in absolute fury. His Chaotic Heart ruptured, unleashing a monumental Spacetime Explosion.

Lord Chaos instantly wrapped his Dimensional Body around Amiphossia and Ryo, sacrificing his stability to shield them from the blast.

BOOOMMM!!!

The surrounding area was scrubbed from existence.

The Chaos Kings standing nearby were vaporized along with those who were locked in combat with them.

Yomi was reduced to a shell of itself.

Floating within the void left by Abyssian’s galaxy-shattering detonation, the survivors slowly emerged.

The remaining Chaos Kings groaned, struggling to find their footing.

It did not take them long to realize the dire situation.

"A-Abyssian?!"

"Guaaaack?!"

"Stop!"

"Cease this!"

Massive, pulsating tentacles ensnared them, dragging them one by one into a gaping maw crowded with infinite teeth. They were devoured to replenish Abyssian—who, having lost his connection to the Chaos Plane, required life-force to sustain his existence.

"I allowed you to live only as reserves of stored power! Fulfill your destiny and nourish me!"

"Kuaaaaahhh!"

The final Chaos King wailed as he was pulled into the jaws, pulverised, and swallowed whole.

BA-DUM!

BA-DUM!

BA-DUM!

His Chaos Heart—previously drained by his life-saving efforts—thundered with renewed rhythm. Abyssian regenerated, settling into an even more refined, lean, and humanoid form—an image of dark perfection.

"D-Damn it…!" Amaterasu groaned. Her fusion had disintegrated in the blast. Tsukuyomi stood nearby, but every other god who had been part of the fusion was too weak—drifting in a state of suspended unconsciousness. "Tsukuyomi! Aid them…! Move them into your sanctuary realm!"

"Y-Yes!" Tsukuyomi frantically rounded up the exhausted gods while Amaterasu watched the monstrosity continue its expansion.

Kireina’s wives stirred. Their combined giantess form had successfully shielded them, relying on their fused Heart Essence to survive—but they had exhausted their reserves, near collapse.

"R-Ryo!"

"Amiphossia!"

Zehe and Nesiphae dashed toward their children, discovering them alive but protected by the broken frame of Lord Chaos—who had lost half of his physical being.

"Kghhh…! Hah… I have… seen better days… that is… certain…!"

"Sir!"

"You… you protected us?!"

Ryo and Amiphossia cried out. Zehe and Nesiphae reached them, embracing them in a desperate hug.

"Why?" Zehe inquired.

"Why indeed? That is the query, is it not…" Lord Chaos gave a bitter laugh, black fluids leaking from his lips. "I do not know… perhaps… I simply… desired to be a hero… like my daughter… Ngh…! I am uncertain… maybe she has altered my perspective after all."

"My Lord!"

"No!"

"Curses!"

Sakamoto, Mirabilis, Wasp, and Victor suddenly reached Lord Chaos. Witnessing his catastrophic injuries, they broke into a panic.

They immediately began funneling their power into him, slowing the decay.

However, without direct manipulation of Chaos, their aid was constrained.

Zehe, Nesiphae, Amiphossia, and Ryo instantly grasped the identity of this individual.

He was the father of Kireina in this dimension.

Grandfather to Amiphossia and Ryo.

"Who is he?" Evan asked, observing the stranger.

"I believe he is Mom’s biological father, in this timeline…" Amiphossia whispered.

"Let us assist him," Ryo noted.

Both children flew toward Lord Chaos, infusing his frame with Chaos energy.

"W-What?"

The dying Lord Chaos gazed at them. Within their essences… he caught a glimpse of his child.

"You… who… what are you?" he stuttered.

"It is a lengthy tale, and one you likely won't believe," Amiphossia said with a somber smile.

"But we are your grandchildren," Ryo answered cheerfully.

"…?!" Lord Chaos staggered, his features paralyzed by shock. "G-Grand… Grandchildren?"

RUMBLE!

Before the moment could settle, Abyssian had achieved full recovery.

He gestured with his many limbs. His Aura rippled with Spacetime Chaos Energy.

Every particle coalesced into a perfect replica of himself.

"So this is the potency of Obhedhrur’s Heart Path Method!"

His grin was twisted. Obhedhrur was among the Chaos Kings who had been consumed.

With a legion of Heart Avatars at his disposal, he decided to harvest everyone remaining to fuel his evolution.

"It concludes here. I shall consume you all!"