Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Chapter 1421 Permanent Haven (2)

1421 Permanent Haven (2)

The look on Azila's face immediately told Grim that his suspicions were correct. He had heard from Karima the purpose of the Crowns and stars on some of the beasts he had seen.

It meant that they had the potential to achieve the peak established by the Deities of Aigas for beasts: the development of a Permanent Haven.

Grim hadn't known that it would look and feel like this though. It was significantly different from a Territory. If anything, it felt more like the inside of a Cluster. As Grim had bonded with Baddan during the voyage past the Central Boundary, he connected what Baddan explained to him to this. Apparently when it came to being in his home as a Cluster beast, there were things he felt that contrasted merely being in a world.

It was definitely different from what Grim felt when inhabiting his home world, Aigas.

Here, in Asthon's Permanent Haven, he felt as though an unseen force was urging him to grow, eager to support his every inclination towards thriving – whatever interpretation the word took.

Asthon himself was nowhere to be seen, which was rather queer, but it seemed only Grim found that strange.

Azila's eyes was shining as he looked up at the foggy orbs and webs of light in the multi-coloured sky.

"We don't have long here," a voice spoke from around them, making Grim turn every which way, searching for its source. "This is my Permanent Haven. I regret to say, it's my and every beast's limit with growth, if they don't change their very nature, at least. Listen well. Jiggorrhax and the Fruit Bearers are out there holding off the Fiends. They will die soon if we work slow."

Grim started to piece it together as Asthon spoke.

He remembered what Skullius had told them before they left the Empyrean Bosom.

Majestic Territories were never meant for humans and they essentially altered how humans' powers developed since the Grand Wars.

It showed, really.

Suddenly everyone grew tense.

What was Asthon going to propose?

"Without a strategy, all of us will die the next time a single Impermanence Fiend breaks our defences. I could feel it. Just being within close proximity with one will do us in. It won't matter how much mana or Nitros we have, or even genuine Divine energy for that matter," the old bird said. "Frankly, there is no reason for all of us to face the enemy. We have to invest in Grim. I will have you all expend every ounce of your strengths for him."

The guardian beasts were indeed displeased.

Was this to be their sole role then? Were they to submit to the human just like that?

Hauza was the first to speak up.

"I will admit, I had doubts about this human's strength before, but even then, he can't do it alone, even if you give him all our powers. This task requires all our input with our individual skills working up a clever and clear strategy, rather than brute, amalgamated power!"

Azila was second.

"With all due respect, Asthon, we all came here ready to die," he said. "We have skills that we have sharpened over many, many years, and this... this is our time to show their efficacy with the help of Grim! Don't underestimate us! Do you expect us to become docile after you've just made our blood boil with your display of power? You've shown us what we can become by persevering through harsh odds! How can we just sit around after witnessing that?"

Grim felt he had no right to argue in this. He watched and waited for Asthon's response, even though he knew what the old bird would say. Heck, he knew Azila and the others knew what Asthon would say. They had been there when he explained all about his plan with Grim; it seemed they had not accepted it.

The old bird, wherever he was, scoffed. There was pity in his voice.

"This is why I detached myself from beasts. You see a Permanent Haven and you see invincibility. It's a cage, nothing more. I told you before. Your role is not as limited as you think. I'm trying to make a path for you. A new stage of progression. You will understand after you invest yourself in Grim and learn from what he becomes. You will watch and learn and surpass what I have shown you without having to waste 4,000 years of your lives, my friends! I ask you... watch and wait."