Leo and the Yang Being came face to face. They both stared at each other. The Yang Being just stood there emotionless; he didn't speak, but the power he radiated was absolutely terrifying. Leo stood with caution, staying on his guard. Since the being remained silent, Leo decided to speak first—he was getting tired of the bullshit the being was pulling.
Leo summoned his twin blades. As his hands touched them, his Yang energy began to spin in reverse. Due to this, Leo's Yang symbol changed from white to silver, as there were still some impurities left from his rage that had once made him lose control.
The Yang Being now finally spoke."Leo, you are not worthy of your powers. And so, you will be exterminated. Yang requires complete balance."
Leo countered, traces of rage in his voice."Who are you to define what my destiny is? You don't have the right to define my fate. Even if fate itself wants to change my destiny, I won't allow it! I overcome any obstacle that comes my way—and you are just one more that needs to be engraved in my collection of opponents I've defeated."
The Yang Being replied,"Very well, then. I will fulfill what is supposed to be done."
He unleashed his powers. Stars materialized above—red giants, blue giants, yellow dwarfs—you name it. He then collided them at very high speeds. The energy and heat given off were all absorbed by him. Leo watched with great anticipation.
Immediately after the Yang Being finished absorbing the stars, he stretched forth his hands. Instantaneous, target-precision beams materialized and shot out. Leo got into his usual running stance. He waited for the perfect moment. As the precision beams fired and one inched closer to him, Leo took off with death-defying speed, completely phasing out of the beam's path.
He used his mental power to control his blades and materialized another, different set of Yang blades, which he now wielded. Using them, he slashed and split the beams while simultaneously using his mind to control the original blades to do the same.
As he approached the Yang Being, countless monsters and warriors were materialized, each created for the sole purpose of exterminating Leo. In response, Leo used his willpower and Yang energy to create additional, enlarged ghost blades.
(Note: Ghost powers are typically exclusive to Yin users because they deal with dark energy. But remember—Leo was once given the title of Dark Overlord. Darkness still resides within him, and he tapped into a fraction of it when he entered his blank or rage state. This aspect will play a more crucial role as the story progresses.)
The ghost blades started from Leo and stretched endlessly, as far as the eye could see. As he inched closer to the armies and beasts, Leo increased both his speed and the sharpness of all the blades. He essentially lawn-mowed through the armies, slicing and dicing anything that dared approach him.
Any enemies who didn't fall by the hands of the ghost blades were swiftly cut down by Leo himself. The Yang Being was shocked. In all his time, he hadn't seen anyone with such indomitable will.
Leo now shouted,"LIMIT BREAKER!"
In that moment, everything seemed to freeze. All activity, even light itself, was paused. Leo appeared to have perfect control over his Yang powers. As he swiped his hand, the light followed him, disintegrating anything it touched.
He now stared at the Yang Being. Leo had three crowns casually levitating above his head, and 100 orbs floated around him. He inched closer to the Yang Being and then decided to unfreeze only him.
The Yang Being stuttered,"That's not possible… How could you—a mortal—have the power to bend Yang to your free will? And that appearance… You look like the Originator of Yang!"
Leo placed a hand on his forehead and said,"Return to me."
The Yang Being couldn't resist. He accepted the command and immediately merged into Leo. The power vanished, and Leo fell from a great height. Time resumed its normal flow. All the forces disintegrated, and the stardust that remained was collected and reformed into a pill. But Leo didn't take it—he simply kept it.
Leo now thought,"What was that? And how did I do it? What allowed me to achieve that power? I can't tap into it again… Was this a one-time phenomenon? Well, I won't know until I find out."
As Leo and Vultra stood together, breathing heavily after their ordeal, Valse approached them at the gateway. With a glint of pride in his eyes, he spoke, "Congratulations for passing the test. Now, before we proceed to the next stage, all limitations and curses must be broken."
Suddenly, two massive padlocks—one from Leo, one from Vultra—emerged from their bodies, radiating ancient seals of suppression. Along with them came two keys, each glowing with the energy of their respective dominions—Yin for Vultra, Yang for Leo. With divine precision, the keys floated to their locks and inserted themselves. As the keys turned, the padlocks shattered violently, releasing a massive torrent of energy that had long been sealed.
But the unleashed energy didn't return peacefully to its hosts. Instead, it rampaged, wild and chaotic, threatening to wreak havoc. Leo and Vultra tensed, preparing to counter, but just then, the Yin and Yang beings—still bound within their souls—emerged, majestic and serene. With commanding gestures, they tamed the raging energies, molding them into loyal forms. Leo's energy condensed into a majestic diving eagle, while Vultra's took the form of a formidable spectral wolf.
Leashes of divine will formed from the beings' hands, tethering the spirit-beasts. The eagle and the wolf obeyed and were gently guided back into their masters' bodies. A ripple of power coursed through the air as the two energies merged once more—this time with no resistance, no conflict. It was complete, harmonious fusion.
Then, the world seemed to pause. Wind howled unnaturally, the sky twisted, and the atmosphere rumbled. Valse furrowed his brow and instantly conjured a containment vessel—an ethereal container reinforced with both Yin and Yang symbols to hold what was coming.
Leo and Vultra were lifted off the ground by unseen forces and drawn into the container. As the lid sealed shut, their respective powers began converging inside, swirling into a vortex of incomprehensible force. Even Valse, watching from outside, couldn't perceive what was unfolding clearly. But just as the swirling mist parted for a second, he caught glimpses—terrifying glimpses.
Vultra's form had altered. He appeared taller, with long, sharpened ears and pitch-black eyes devoid of all emotion. His body pulsed with dense dark energy, yet it was not consuming him—it was obeying him. Orbs floated silently around his form, their meanings hidden in mystery.
Leo's transformation was subtler but equally unnerving. His body radiated pure white light, his eyes glowing with boundless intensity. He had taken on an ethereal, almost untouchable form—one that defied understanding. Valse blinked, and the vision was gone.
After what felt like eternity, the energies stabilized, and the container released. Leo and Vultra returned to their original forms, floating gently down. Valse stood still for a moment, then smiled and wiped a sarcastic tear from his eye. "You two have really made this old hag proud," he muttered.
"Well, onto the next challenge. Do you want to rest or continue right away?"
Leo and Vultra exchanged glances and replied in unison, "We'll rest."
After a few hours of resting in the ethereal realm, Vultra leaned against a crystal pillar, eyes closed. Leo sat across from him, flicking a small orb of Yin-Yang energy between his fingers. The air was calm, but the tension of what lay ahead loomed like a storm cloud.
Valse reappeared with a solemn expression. "Before we go any further, there's something you both must do. It's a sacred rite, older than the Oniverse itself."
He raised his hand, and an ancient book materialized—bound in dragonhide, etched with symbols neither Leo nor Vultra recognized. "This is the Codex of Divine Oaths. Every god who walks the Path of True Ascendancy must swear upon it. Not to power, but to conduct. To the responsibilities that come with it."
Leo stood, eyes narrowing. "You mean we need to swear an oath?"
Valse nodded. "Correct. One that binds not your strength, but your intent. You will swear that your powers will never be used to become tyrants. That you will uplift, not oppress. That you will bear the pain of the cosmos if it means preserving its harmony."
Vultra stepped forward without hesitation. "Then I'll swear it."
Leo followed. "So will I. We didn't come this far to become what we once fought."
The Codex opened on its own, glowing with golden and silver light. Two spectral quills appeared, dipped in the ink of truth itself. As they held the quills, words formed in their minds—not written by them, but pulled from their deepest essence.
Leo's vow echoed with divine resonance:"I, Leo, oath-bound to the balance of existence, vow to never exploit the powers gifted to me, nor bring ruin upon the innocent. I shall wield divine strength with mercy, and lead with wisdom born from struggle. I swear to oppose those who desecrate harmony, even should they call themselves gods."
Vultra's vow followed:"I, Vultra, bearer of Yin and guardian of the fallen, vow to channel my might for the voiceless. I renounce cruelty, domination, and reckless rage. My path shall be one of balance, not supremacy. I swear to stand beside justice, even if it costs me everything."
The Codex blazed brightly, searing the vows into its eternal pages. In response, a chain of divine symbols wrapped around their wrists, invisible to the naked eye but felt deeply in their souls. The bond was formed. The universe had accepted their words.
Valse smiled. "Good. Now, let's discuss where you're going next."
He turned, gesturing to a swirling rift behind him. Unlike any portal they'd seen before, this one emitted screams, whispers, and the distorted sounds of forgotten realities.
"Tartarus," he said grimly. "A pocket dimension located in the heart of the deepest Oniverse layer. Created not to train, but to break. Only those who pass through Tartarus can ascend to true godhood."
Leo frowned. "What's inside?"
Valse hesitated. "A trial unlike any before. Each floor of Tartarus warps your soul, reflects your worst fears, confronts you with impossible choices. But more than that, it pushes your new Yin-Yang balance to its limits."
Vultra smirked. "Sounds fun."
Leo rolled his eyes. "You really have issues."
They stepped forward, preparing themselves. But just before they entered, Valse raised a hand. "One last thing. You won't be together inside. Tartarus separates all who enter. You'll each walk your own path."
With that, the rift expanded, swallowing the two.
Leo and Vultra were gone.
Valse stood alone, the Codex hovering by his side.
"Let's see if they survive… and who they become."
THIS IS A FUN FACT AND A PREVIEW OF THE NEXT CHAPTER. IT ISN'T WHAT YOU WERE EXPECTING, NOW IS IT
what do you think will happen in the next chapter get ready what will the two hoeless duo wait I mean since leo already has a hoe (which is vultra sister btw don't tell vultra since he will be angry)as they both journey what trials await them and what mysteries will unfold but that now Is a story for another chapter till next time stay