Children from Raja and Siltrosso laugh as they race through a cobblestone park, enchanted lanterns lighting their path. Nobles sip tea beneath flowering trees as amusement rides whirl in the distance. Crystal-clear canals snake through the city, with gondola-like boats ferrying guests from the universities to the shopping districts.
At the city gates, Rigur, the official overseeing immigration and permits, stamps the papers of a family from Filtwood.
Rigur:
"Welcome to Nyvaris. Your stay is approved for six months, granted under academic pursuit. Your son's enrollment in the Engineering Guild Academy is confirmed. Please follow the golems to your assigned residence."
Filtwood Father: (bowing deeply)
"Thank you, Lord Rigur. Nyvaris has shown us more hospitality than our own nobles back home. We are grateful."
Rigur: (grinning proudly)
"It's not just hospitality, sir. It's order. And as long as you respect it, this city becomes your haven."
Just then, Gobta—now dressed in a sharp navy-blue officer uniform with a gold badge—walks past, hands behind his head.
Gobta:
"Oi Rigur, how's the new influx today?"
Rigur:
"Three noble families from Siltrosso, five merchants from Raja, and a scholar delegation from Dwargon. No anomalies. The barrier identified a foreign tracer hidden in a merchant crate though—probably another spy attempt."
Gobta: (grinning)
"Hah! As expected of Lord Varvatos' barrier. Unbeatable and all-seeing! I'll report to Shion about the spy thing. Gotta keep the peace. The Chief of Police life, y'know?"
They laugh. From a nearby high tower, Souei vanishes into shadow. He too has noticed the disturbance. Meanwhile, across the city…
Beneath the luminous dusk of Nyvaris, where the stars themselves bowed in patterns of sacred geometry, a storm of unease brewed behind the calm mask of Varvatos, the Supreme One, the God of this Universe. He stood alone atop the Aetherium Spire, gazing down at the radiant capital that pulsed with serenity, strength, and hope—his creation.
But not even gods were immune to dread.
Only one stood beside him in that moment: Velzard, the Sovereign of Ice, a being nearly peerless in her own right. She stood in silence, her arms loosely crossed, watching Varvatos with a rare seriousness.
He had told her everything.
About Noctis Nihilo.
A name erased from scriptures. A force cast into the Void of Oblivion by the Supreme Creator, Veldanava himself—not out of fear, but necessity.
A being not born of rage, but of cold, flawless logic. Of unrelenting judgment.
And now… he had awakened.
His return had already heralded the end of two entire realities.
They were gone.
Not defeated. Not ravaged.
Gone. Unwritten. As if they never were.
Varvatos lowered his gaze.
"…It's time they knew."
Velzard gave him a small nod. "Yes. They deserve to understand what comes."
The Council Room of Nyvaris was a place of unrivaled grandeur—constructed of crystalline floors that reflected the heavens, and walls engraved with sigils pulsing in time with the universe's breath. Light streamed in from apertures that showed not the sky, but the very heart of the cosmos.
Seated around the round table were the chosen few—those who held the heart of Nyvaris in their hands.
Rimuru, the king of Nyvaris.
Benimaru, Commander of the Flame Guard.
Hakuro, the stoic master of blade and discipline.
Diablo, enigmatic and bound in eternal service.
Souei, the unseen blade of Nyvaris.
Rigur and Ranga, loyal protectors of the people.
Gobta, comically confident, yet surprisingly insightful.
Testarossa, Ultima, and Carrera, the Demon Generals.
Veldora, the mighty Storm Dragon, proud and untamed.
Velzard, calm and analytical.
Elmesia, the Immortal Queen of Sarion.
And now, arriving last—Varvatos.
He entered the chamber not with fanfare, but with silence.
A silence so heavy the stars themselves seemed to pause.
He moved to the center, where a sigil activated beneath his feet—an ancient symbol of divinity that shimmered in soft white light.
Varvatos:
"I have called you here… because something has awakened."
The room straightened.
Even Diablo narrowed his eyes.
Varvatos continued:
"There exists a name none of you know. Not because it was forgotten—but because it was erased."
He glanced across their faces.
Then he spoke the name.
"Noctis Nihilo."
A faint tremor passed through the very aether of the chamber.
Rimuru furrowed his brow. "Who is that?"
Varvatos:
"A being older than this world. Older than this universe. Created by Veldanava long before the Cardinal World was formed. Noctis Nihilo was not made from hatred, but from necessity. Veldanava sought to create a perfect judge—one who could maintain balance and purity of logic."
Hakuro:
"A divine arbiter…"
Varvatos nodded.
"But he saw flaw in everything. And judged the universe itself as impure. As unworthy."
Testarossa:
"And what did Veldanava do?"
Varvatos:
"He cast him into the Void of Oblivion—a place where even thought cannot persist. A prison outside of time."
Veldora slammed his fist on the table.
"Hah! So he's loose now, is he? Let him come—I'll blast him apart and tear him limb from limb!"
The air grew still.
Varvatos turned toward Veldora.
His voice was calm. Firm. Final.
Varvatos:
"No. You won't."
Veldora blinked, his smirk fading.
Varvatos:
"Noctis Nihilo is far beyond your strength, Veldora. Far beyond any of you. I am the only one who can stand against him. If you face him… you will not survive."
The Storm Dragon sat back, stunned into silence.
Ultima:
"Then why are you telling us this? If you're going to fight him yourself…"
Varvatos:
"Because he is not alone. Noctis has awakened with an army. A force of such overwhelming strength it could bring down entire worlds before I even reach them."
He paused.
Then he turned to Velzard.
"Which is why I must move soon."
He faced the council again.
Varvatos:
"I need you all to be ready. This will not be a battle of gods alone. This fight… will involve everyone. Especially the Demon Lords."
A flicker of crimson light manifested beside him—and from it stepped Guy Crimson.
Guy:
"I got your message, Varvatos. Sounds like I walked into something interesting."
Varvatos:
"You did. And you're going to war."
Guy let out a low chuckle. "Tch. It's been a while since someone ordered me to fight."
Varvatos:
"This isn't a request. It's survival."
Then came the voice none expected.
Gobta:
"Uh, Lord Varvatos… aren't you, y'know, the Supreme One? The god of this universe? Can't you just… poof him out of existence?"
A ripple of chuckles moved across the room. Even Diablo stifled a grin.
Varvatos chuckled softly himself.
Varvatos:
"Don't misunderstand, Gobta. I am the god of this universe. But as I've said before—if I stepped in every time something bad happened, none of you would ever learn to protect yourselves."
He looked around the table, gaze gentle yet commanding.
Varvatos:
"The only reason I'm getting involved now… is because there is no one in the Cardinal World who can stop Noctis. None of you. Not even the Demon Lords. And I don't like interfering in mortal affairs. Your lives… they would be boring, empty, meaningless if you had nothing to fight for. Nothing to protect. No mystery. No thrill. No unknown."
He paused, letting the silence stretch.
Varvatos:
"A child is fed by their parents while they're still a baby. But once they grow, they must find their own food. They must survive."
He raised a hand, gesturing to the chamber itself.
Varvatos:
"I built Nyvaris to be a symbol. A symbol of peace, of power. A beacon for the rest of this world. But don't be so arrogant to think this is all there is. There are other worlds in this universe—other realms none of you have seen."
A soft gasp came from Ranga. Even Elmesia leaned forward.
Varvatos:
"The Cardinal World is not the only place with intelligent life. And this war—if it begins here—will not end here. That is why you must prepare. All of you."
He turned to Guy.
Varvatos:
"Call the Demon Lords. All of them. Let them know: the storm is coming."
Guy:
"Heh. You really think they'll listen?"
Varvatos:
"They will… if they want to live."
The chamber dimmed as Varvatos lifted his hand. A constellation of stars shimmered above them—real-time projections of other realms. Several had already gone dark.
Noctis Nihilo was coming.
And the first ripple had already touched their borders.