The Eminence of a True Monarch of the Shadows

[Third Person's PoV] 

As Alpha continued struggling to digest the essence of destruction, Cid shifted his attention to Zeta, who was dragging the lifeless body of Tarnak, the Monarch of the Iron Body.

That didn't mean he was ignoring Alpha—far from it. Even while focusing on Zeta and taking in Tarnak essence, Cid kept a watchful eye on Alpha as she endured the grueling process.

"Sit," Cid ordered Zeta.

She complied eagerly, her cat ears twitching in anticipation.

"Tell me when you're ready. This will hurt and feel extremely uncomfortable," Cid warned, placing a hand on her back.

"You can go ahead," Zeta responded without hesitation.

Immediately, Tarnak's essence surged from Cid's hand into Zeta's body. Almost at once, her expression twisted in agony as a deep groan escaped her lips.

She hunched forward, gritting her teeth as her claws dug into the ground. Painful mewls and hisses rumbled from her throat before she forced out a strained whisper through clenched teeth, "It hurts... it hurts so bad."

"Tell me about it," Epsilon sighed beside them, all too familiar with the pain, having experienced it just moments ago. She glanced at Alpha, concern flickering in her eyes. "And if it was this painful for us... I can't even imagine what Alpha must be going through."

Tears streamed down Alpha's face as she lay curled on the ground, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

Cid walked over and sat beside her, placing a hand gently on her back.

"You're right," he murmured. "What Alpha is enduring is ten times more excruciating than anything you've experienced."

Epsilon's eyes widened. "Wait—you knew this would happen?" She shook her head before he could answer. "No, of course you did. Something like this wouldn't escape your wisdom. So why put her through it? Is there some higher purpose we're failing to grasp?"

"No," Cid replied, shaking his head. "I just know that, out of everyone here, Alpha has the best chance of pushing through this." He looked at her with quiet conviction. "There's a reason she was the first person I personally recruited into Shadow Garden. If anyone has the potential to become the Monarch of Destruction... it's her."

---

When Alpha's eyes snapped open, she found herself standing in a vast, crimson plane of existence.

"Lord Husband never mentioned anything like this happening during the process... What's going on?" she muttered.

A thunderous voice boomed through the expanse.

"WHAT'S GOING ON IS THAT YOUR BODY IS NOW MINE, MORTAL ELF!"

Alpha looked up as an enormous red dragon soared through the sky before landing with a ground-shaking impact.

"I see. So you must be Antares, the Monarch of Destruction," Alpha said, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Again, my husband never mentioned anything like this occurring during the passing of power."

"OF COURSE NOT, YOU FOOL! WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?! I'M NOT CALLED THE STRONGEST MONARCH FOR NOTHING!" Antares roared, his voice echoing endlessly.

He sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "I can't wait to see Ashborn's face when he realizes I've destroyed and taken over his wife. The despair in his expression will be priceless!"

Alpha merely raised her hand. "Excuse me, but I don't believe I ever gave you permission to do that."

"What?" Antares growled. His eyes gleamed as an overwhelming pressure radiated from him in a crimson wave. Lowering his head toward Alpha, he unleashed his full [Dragon Fear], the oppressive force crushing down on her. "What makes you think I was asking for permission?"

Alpha remained unfazed. Her expression never wavered.

"You know," she said calmly, "it's quite rude to enter my body without an invitation. My body is reserved for my husband and my husband alone. Your presence here is unwelcome."

Antares faltered slightly, his eyes narrowing.

"You... Why aren't you trembling?" he demanded. "The only beings capable of resisting my Dragon Fear are Monarchs and Rulers—and you are neither."

A soft chuckle escaped Alpha's lips as she covered her mouth. "Scared? Of you?" Her voice was laced with amusement. "Why would I be? I embrace death, and in return, death embraces me back. There is nothing to fear."

She stepped forward, her golden eyes gleaming. "Besides... my husband already defeated you. You are nothing to be afraid of."

Her tone shifted, turning cold. "Not to mention... you're the one inside my body. The one who should be scared—is you."

Suddenly, the crimson world around them shattered. Darkness swallowed the red expanse, and in the vast abyss above, a pair of luminous blue dragon eyes glowed, piercing through the void.

Antares recoiled, his body shrinking as he looked around in confusion—only to realize he was now standing in the palm of Alpha's hand.

His gaze shot upward. Those colossal blue eyes belonged to her.

Alpha stared down at him, her expression unreadable. Then, with a soft scoff, she muttered, "For someone who was already defeated by my husband, you sure are arrogant."

Her fingers curled, shadows twisting around her.

"And an enemy of my husband... is an enemy of mine."

Her hand clenched into a fist.

A blinding crimson light burst forth from between her fingers before her eyes snapped open. 

…

Alpha's eyes snapped wide open as elongated fangs grew from her mouth, and her irises shifted, glowing a fierce, luminous purple.

She threw her head back and let out a thunderous roar, a shockwave of power rippling through the air.

"RAAAAAOOOOORRRRRR!!!!"

Horns began to pierce through her forehead, blood trickling down from the tearing flesh. They continued to grow, along with her claws and teeth. Scales emerged across her body, shimmering with a blinding radiance, and a long, sinuous tail sprouted from her lower back. The sheer brilliance of her transformation forced the others to avert their gazes.

Suddenly, Alpha arched her back, groaning as a sickening series of cracks echoed from within her. Her bones writhed beneath her skin, shifting unnaturally before two deep slits tore open on her back. A moment later, enormous wings unfurled, stretching wide.

Then, the transformation was complete.

Alpha collapsed onto all fours, her chest heaving as she gasped for breath.

"How do you feel?" Cid asked, his voice unusually soft as he used his magic to soothe her.

Alpha let out a tired, breathless chuckle. "Like I never want to experience that again… Not even childbirth was as excruciating as that."

Epsilon stepped forward, concern evident in her expression. "But… I thought you said Alpha was incompatible with the essence of destruction. What happened?"

Cid exhaled, his gaze lingering on Alpha's transformed figure. "The essence evolved. It adapted to her nature while still maintaining its purpose. Alpha is now the Monarch of Creation and Destruction."

Epsilon sighed, shaking her head. "Even though we're Monarchs, why do I feel like the gap between us just grew even wider?"

But Alpha wasn't the only one undergoing a transformation.

Zeta's change, while not as violent, was just as profound. A golden, armor-like skin formed over her body, taking the shape of a majestic panther. Large, sharp ears twitched as a long, swirling tail flicked behind her. The essence had molded itself to fit her nature, and Cid immediately recognized its resemblance to the legendary Nemean Lion—its impenetrable hide an unshakable fortress.

Zeta leaped effortlessly into the air, landing with feline grace. Power surged through her veins. She felt unstoppable.

With this, the transformation of the Seven Sins and the Heavenly Virtues was complete.

The final objective of the war had been fulfilled.