1089 The Guardians
The other Gods weren't faring well against the Primal either. The first hours hadn't been a problem. Instead, the problems started when something about the Beginning was changing. Michael was doing something to Gluvos, but nobody could tell what exactly he was doing. But whatever he did, it also affected the other Primal. Their fighting style changed drastically, and it was only a matter of hours before the Primal started using more Essence.
Their reservation of using Essence was replaced by excitement. The Primal were now excited to use as much Essence as possible to fight and gain the upper hand. That was what they did. They gained the upper hand slowly, pushing the Gods over the edge.
The defending Gods were having a hard time, but they stalled for enough time. At least, that was what they were hoping for. Stalling for a few more hours was possible, but how long could they survive the constant assault? No. More importantly, was the question…How much longer was Michael going to take to finish his job? That was a good question, but nobody had an answer. Michael and Primal Gluvos had been sealed and isolated in the Pure Aether cage for hours now, and they couldn't even be certain that Michael was still alive.
The uncertainty of Michael's condition ate the Gods alive. It increased the pressure put on those Gods who'd already been injured and planted a seed of fear in their hearts. What if Michael was already dead, and they didn't know about it? What if everything was over? In the first place…what was happening to the Primal? Why did their fighting style change so suddenly?
The only one without any doubts was the Calamity Dragon. It had sustained various injuries fighting Kytos, but the Calamity Dragon had yet to start struggling. If anything, the Calamity Dragon's rusty muscles had yet to loosen up properly. The Calamity Dragon's power increased with the Primal. Not because Kytos was growing stronger but mostly because the Calamity Dragon regained his former power.
The Gods' confusion was about to reach a peak, and some even considered leaving the Beginning to flee and seek asylum somewhere secure when the Pure Aether cage burst open, revealing Michael and Primal Gluvos.
Both were still alive and well. In fact, Michael and Primal Gluvos looked too well. It was almost like they hadn't been sealed in a small cage of Pure Aether for several hours.
However, something about them had changed. Primal Gluvos was the first to move. He appeared before his brother with a simple kick in the open space and stopped the Essence Lances that were about to rain down on Loki's children.
"That's enough," Gluvos murmured, the corner of his lips turning into a sad smile.
He stretched his hand out to the Primal while relying on the vibrant glow engulfing him to spread further and reach his brother.
"We've suffered long enough. Salvation has come."
It didn't take long to realize what had happened to the Primal. Theoretically, at least.
Primal Gluvos' Essence had been altered. His Essence and, thus, presence were different. Therefore, everything about the Primal was changing. After all, Primal Gluvos, just like his siblings, existed because of their Essence. The Essence stored within them was their everything. It was a crucial factor and determined EVERYTHING about a Primal.
But…was it possible to change a Primal's Essence permanently? It had to be. After all, that was exactly what had just happened. Or were they mistaken? Was something else happening?
"Primal Gluvos has returned to the Creation!!" Michael roared at the top of his lungs. He didn't care whether the other Primal could hear him, but the other Gods had to understand what was happening.
"The light of the expanse returned to the Origin. The Primal…returned to the Origin," he rumbled. Welcome Primal Gluvos back into the Origin and allow him to make amends. Allow him to return to his sacred duty."
"Welcome the Guardians of the Origin Universe!!"
The Gods were having trouble processing what was happening, but seeing Primal Guvos and perceiving the Essence burning fiercely within him was enough to alter their tactics. Hel, Fenrir, and Jormungandr pulled back and joined the other Gods in their ordeal against the remaining Primal while Gluvos fought his brother.
Origin Essence filled the Beginning when Primal Gluvos made his move. The fabric of space and reality distorted right before his fist crashed into his brother. Ripples of Origin Essence filled the surroundings and surged into the brother.
That was the first time anyone saw the Primal fight each other seriously. Their earlier battle hadn't been like that. Something had changed. Everything was changing. Even Gluvos physique changed slowly. His stomach retracted, muscles replacing the Essence that had needlessly amassed around his stomach. The safety ring transformed into muscles.
Michael inspected Gluvos' changes but only for a moment. He arrived next to the Calamity Dragon, who eyed Michael for a moment.
"You're boring. Why would you stop fighting them? There is no need to return them to the Creation. They had one chance to pick their desired path, and everyone, other than the Will, messed up." The Calamity Dragon roared in anger, but Michael shook his head.
"Even the Will made a mistake, and it took the Will way too long to fix it," Michael smiled sadly, "I don't really care how you think about this, but if you don't want the Void Call to repeat itself, you better help me. The Guardians will be needed in the future."
The Calamity Dragon roared, but it wasn't as ear-deafening as earlier. Michael patted the Calamity Dragon on the shoulders and transferred enough supreme healing serum to the dragon to heal him.
"How about you help me here? Once we're done with Kytos, you can beat up the others. Is that not what you want?" Michael teased the Calamity Dragon, who roared again. The dragon swiped Michael with his claws, but only one Imperial Barrier was needed to block the measly attack.
Michael responded with a smile rather than anger.
The Calamity Dragon didn't like him or the thought of giving the Primal a second chance after everything they'd done.
However, he forgot that Michael did the same thing for him. Michael gave the Calamity Dragon a second chance. It was obvious that the Primal deserved an opportunity to make amends, too.