The pnet we nded at was, in every sense of the word, alien. Since it hasn’t been corrupted by Infestation, it’s weirdness is on full dispy for all to see. Take the trees. Instead of the previous ones on Theia, these were very strange. They were shaped like a Y and made out of some sort of goo wood. Grey in color with a hard exterior and liquid interior.

  Curious, I tasted it and found it extremely simir to wine. Of course in the name of science, I had drink a couple dozen more gallons. For the first time in a long while, I behaved like a normal person. The newly named Wine Goo Trees weren’t the only thing alien on this pnet. Every single little just looked odd. From the pnts, to the water, and even the dirt under our feet. The universe is a wild pce to be sure.

  Shame it all needs to go. But it’s for a good cause. Consuming everything will make me into a real God, and that’s better for everyone involved. Besides, it’s not like they’ll truly die. They’re connected to me in the deepest and most profound way. At least that’s the delusion I’ll tell them when they ask ‘Why are you doing this?’. Don’t be sad, it’s for your own good.

  Anyway, these thoughts of mine were just to pass the time as the opposition uselessly strategized. Currently we were all in a rge pin, a forest off to the left. Dante was standing twenty meters away from me, being lectured by Lily and Athena. I heard every word they said, and it pissed me off a bit.

  Since they’ve fought me a good number of times before, they’re trying to expose my 'weaknesses'. How I fought, moved, defended. Everything. Athena was especially vocal, wanting me to get my shit kicked in. Of course my son is taking this all in with a grin, almost like he’s won the lottery. Bastards, the lot of them. Now I have to reluctantly teach Dante why his father is so awesome. Woe is me.

  “Did you get into a fight with them or something?” Elizabeth approached me and asked, confusion written all over her face.

  “No. Your aunts are just assholes, that’s all. All they’re doing is making his beating three times worse.” I sighed and shook my head, as if it was a tragedy.

  She copied me, looking at her brother like a dead man walking.

  “Shame, but a necessary lesson.” Is this the true sibling dynamic? Caring for each other, but enjoying their pain in a healthy way?

  Regardless, Elizabeth’s response pleased me immensely. Truly, my firstborn is superior in a certain sense. Not that I’ll ever say such a thing. Couldn’t imagine how that’d hurt my kid’s feelings.

  “How about you though?” She looked at me strangely, not understanding my question. In hindsight, I should expin more.

  “What I mean, is do you want to fight too? Same as Dante?” She did a little ‘Ah’ and began thinking.

  “Maybe? Might be fun to try out, but I’m not really interested in fighting and whatnot. Seems bnd and boring to me.”

  “So what are you interested in then?”

  Dante has combat constantly on his mind twenty four seven. A proper battle maniac. Raven is in love with taking things apart and messing with their DNA. A gene splicer. But what about Elizabeth?

  When she heard my question, she gnced at me in a certain way. Her tail behind her back also swished lightly, catching my attention. I decided to ignore the meaning in her look and patiently waited for her answer.

  “I’ve been messing more and more with my powers. Mom’s new teleporting wormhole ability is super cool, so I’ve been trying to copy it. And-“ She frowned for a moment, peaking my interest.

  “And what?” A pause, trying to gather her thoughts.

  “I felt something a few nights ago, during my meditation. Like I was on the cusp of touching an invisible… thing. But it seems my power isn’t enough for it yet. It was so close too." How strange.

  Based on what she said, is Elizabeth trying to reach out to some sort of realm for psychics? Or maybe an Eldritch being? Hope it’s not the tter. I’m strong and all, but some Cthulhu wannabe would kill me with a single poke.

  Thinking of that made me drift back to the chains on Theia. The ones in the ocean and close to the Inarian research base. Unfortunately, they apparently didn’t exist during their time according to Michael, who also hasn’t made any breakthroughs with them. Curiously, although they were infested, they're apparently unbreakable. Imagine if I could make armor or weapons out of them...

  I threw those thoughts to the side and returned to my daughter, talking in depth about this subject. However, since it’s a new phenomenon she doesn’t know much. A few minutes ter, Athena and Lily separated from Dante and walked over to the side. The way they eyed me was like saying I better go easy on him. Yeah, sure. I'll be real gentle.

  Elizabeth left as well, joining the others. Raven and Alice were there too, along with Trixie who excitedly talked with my first born. I’m kind of gd they’re friends. Ignoring all of them, I turned to my son.

  “You ready Dante? This isn't going to be easy.”

  “Of course! And don’t act like you’ve already won!” Little shithead. Think you can hide your fear from me?

  I transformed into my combat form. My armor became thicker, while a mask appeared on my face. Meanwhile, I made myself grow a few feet so I was taller than him. Seeing me like this, Dante's terror shot through the roof. Brought up some ‘bad’ memoires when we pyed Predator vs Prey.

  The muscles in my legs grew slightly and without saying a thing, I sped forwards. The ground underneath my feet cracked apart while a sonic boom was produced. Dante couldn’t even react as I punched him in the gut. Must look like I teleported to him.

  He groaned in pain and was sent hurdling back hundreds of meters away. His body smmed into the ground and slid across for a long time before stopping. Just as he shakenly stood up, holding his damaged stomach, I appeared in front of him. My bck eyes gred down into his own, nothing within them.

  “Pathetic.” My hand shot out and grabbed him by the throat, then lifted him off his feet.

  “Is this all you have? Disappointing.” He gritted his teeth, his many hands trying to move me. But I was like an iron wall.

  Even his bdes sshed against my stomach and chest, only producing sparks. Grinning, I smmed him into the ground with so much force it shattered apart for dozens of meters around. Not giving him a moment to even breathe, I did this a few more times before throwing him away like trash into the forest.

  As he crashed through multiple goo trees, I followed after him like a cheetah. Just as my hand was about to grab him, Dante surprised me. His body turned, wings fpping as he took ahold of my arm. Using my own momentum and power, he caused me to trip over. Clever bastard. I suddenly feel a burst of pride flowing within me. Can’t show it though. I know damn well his arrogance will soar sky high.

  By the time I controlled myself, he vanished. Is he trying to use the dense forest to his advantage? Not a bad pn. Chuckling, I slowly started walking around.

  “This is your true face? Hiding away like some little rat? A coward?” I tried to rile him up with my words to no effect. Good. Being mentally shaken simply due to words is another form of losing.

  Suddenly, I sniffed the air loudly; making sure he heard.

  “Dante, I can smell your fear boy.” That’s not a lie. His odor was quite easy to follow, leading behind a tree. Seems he still has much to learn, like hiding his presence in every way.

  I came in front of the tree and back handed it, destroying the thing completely. But unlike what I thought, Dante wasn’t there. Only his scent. This fuck-!

  Dante tackled me from the side, four arms wrapped around my waist as his wings fpped as powerfully as they could. As he sent us into the air and above the trees, I elbowed him in the back. He grunted in pain and nearly let go, but simply gritted his teeth and redoubled his efforts. I was about to put more strength into the next one, when he suddenly released me.

  Since my wings were unusable during this fight, I was in free fall. Dante on the other hand transformed each of his arms, except the bded ones, into what seemed to be a cannon. Then he fused them together to form one giant fleshy gun of death.

  A massive bone ball shot out from his cannon and smmed into my stomach, sending me into the ground. He continued firing, using his airborne state as an advantage. Does he really think he’s safe up there?

  Dodging another bone ball, I strengthened the muscles in my legs and shot off the ground faster than a bullet. I could see the panic in his, but it was too te. My arms wrapped around his waist as I sent us back down. He struggled of course, yet his strength was meager compared to mine.

  Once we crashed, I stood over top of him as he got up.

  “Not bad, but still cking.”

  He grit his teeth, anger written all over his face.

  "Angry? Upset at your own weakness? Do something about it then.” Dante cocked his arm back-

  My fist connected with his face, making him take a few steps back.

  “Predicable. Basically gave me three business days to react. Have you learned nothing from me?” I slipped his punch and uppercutted him. His feet left the ground for all but a second as I kicked him in the stomach.

  He was sent flying away for only a few moments before I caught up and grabbed his face. My grip tightened as I smmed him into the ground, before holding him up.

  “Are all my teachings wasted on you? I am stronger, faster, more durable than you. Not to mention a better fighter. Now, Dante, how do you win against something overwhelmingly more powerful than you? To the point where it feels impossible to succeed?"

  He tried to speak, but I didn’t give him the chance and kneed his chest, visibly denting it. As he coughed harshly, I brought him in close and growled into his ear.

  “You don’t. All tricks and schemes are worthless in the face of true, unstoppable power.” Tightening my grip even further, I smmed Dante into the ground over and over again; only stopping when his struggling ceased.

  Bringing him out of the pit I made, I was about to release him when his eyes suddenly shot open. Both of his bded arms stabbed me in the stomach, actually penetrating my armor for the briefest of moments. Did he sharpen them to as high as they could go?

  But truly, it was fruitless. He got maybe half a centimeter in, causing me to feel a simple prick. Didn't even reach my skin.

  “Pretty good Dante. Feign being knocked out, then pulling something like that. Real good. Should've aimed for a weakpoint, like my eyes. Still, not too shabby. Shall we continue then?”

  Grinning behind my mask, I kicked him in the chest and sent him flying backwards. For the next few minutes, I used my son as a ping pong ball and a punching bag. Of course the shithead tried fighting back, but I was stronger. Faster. Better in every way. Although, he did surprise me occasionally. Transforming his body into different weapons and striking me at odd angles.

  I’m definitely impressed with my son. Sadly all things must eventually come to an end. Like now. My fist connected with his jaw in a brutal fashion, producing a massive shockwave that shattered nearby trees. Meanwhile Dante soared for a long time, crashing through any object in his path. Finally, he stopped inside of a boulder.

  He id there motionlessly, jaw hanging limply with closed eyes. Perhaps I was too rough on him, but he never compined once despite the wounds he suffered. Always standing back up to receive more. This is the pride a father has for their son. Such an immense level of happiness-

  Someone punched me in the back of the head pretty damn hard. I already have a feeling who it is.

  “You fucking asshole!” Lily stood behind me, blowing on her reddened fist. The fury and fire in her eyes was palpable, trying to manifest into reality.

  Athena brushed past and gave me a dirty gnce. As if I were a piece of trash. Well it’s your own fault isn’t it?

  “Something wrong?” My question stunned the big sister for a brief moment. Almost like she couldn't believe the sheer level of audacity. Then the flood gates were unlocked.

  “Something... wrong? Are you fucking kidding me Jason?! Look what you did to our son! You absolute fucking moron, what if-!” She went on and on, really giving me the business.

  A minute of scolding ter, and I finally replied.

  “In hindsight, I realize I got too fired up as we fought. But Lily, I was just trying to push him past his limits. And coddling him like a child won’t achieve anything.” A growl came from her as she frowned. Just as she was about to hit me again, Elizabeth came to the rescue.

  “Aunt, you shouldn’t bme dad. Look.” She pointed at an unconscious Dante, who was being carried by Athena. Little maniac had a fat grin on his face.

  “See? He probably had the time of his life. And don’t worry about his injuries. They’ll disappear in a fsh.” I could see my fiery Lily calm down visible to the naked eye. Elizabeth winked my way and kept soothing her aunt. Really feels like my daughter has Lily wrapped around her finger.

  “Hmph, alright. I'll listen to my genius, amazing niece. Why stoop down to his level?" Snorting, she turned away from me and followed after Athena.

  When they were gone, Elizabeth started cackling like a witch and was dying of ughter.

  “What’s so funny?” She shook her head and giggled some more.

  “Just the way he got beat was hirious. Like the scared look on his face when you grabbed him. Right Raven?” My spiderling daughter appeared out of the damaged forest like some ghost. She nodded her head and spoke in a frigid tone.

  “I think you went too light. Should have gone harder to teach him a proper lesson.” Of course you’d say that, you psychopathic insect.

  While my two daughters excitedly recapped the battle and swooned over Dante getting his shit kicked in like proper siblings, I began thinking. Now it was time, for the talk. The one every parent dreads bringing up. However this is a necessary one. I don’t think my daughters truly understand their emotions and feelings. Perhaps I can steer them in the correct path, instead of this incest shit.

  ‘I take it you’re ready?’ Alice’s voice echoed in my mind. I nodded.

  ‘Yup. Let’s consume this world first, then we’ll talk to them. I hope it goes well.’ As my arm transformed into a tendril and started consuming the nearby life, Alice questioned me.

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘Well what if they hate us for it? Might be illogical, but I’m scared of that happening.’

  Scared. Haven’t felt real fear in a long time. Not since the sisters were giving birth. This? It terrifies me. Having my children hate me is something I could never get over.

  ‘Hm, then they hate us. Eventually, as they grow older, they’ll realize our good intentions. Until then, it’s just something we need to weather. Cons of being a parent I suppose.’ Perhaps she’s right. I just have to suck it up and stop being a bitch about it.

  Still, I’m not looking forward to the next few hours. How do I even bring this up? Eh, whatever. Just focus on consuming this pnet and leave those worries to my future self.

  .

  .

  .

  .

  Far away from Jason’s position and deep into Alliance controlled space, a pnet was under siege. Infected and Varnid forces constantly poured into the world with an unending number. The defending fleet had already disappeared, called back to the more important worlds, leaving the denizens to fend for themselves. Millions were dying every day, either through being infected or ripped to pieces. It was a brutal and harsh time.

  Craxis stood on top of a hill, watching his forces pour into the nearby city. The defenders fought hard, but it was useless. They were never-ending, a horde which constantly grows in strength the more they consume. Nothing could match the infected, nor the virus. They were perfection itself.

  However, he soon frowned. He knew the Varnid insects were also here, arriving only a few days after he did. Craxis remembered the Master’s orders about the worthless things. Kill them all, but be careful. Some are strong enough to match Godfrey himself.

  He fought with the big Behemoth himself and knows of his strength. Although powerful, less than his own. Besides the Master, none can challenge his might. Yet Craxis was still wary. Being able to contend with Godfrey is a feat in of itself. Who’s to say they don’t have stronger ones?

  Suddenly, he looked over to the horizon. There he could see a swarm beginning to arrive. Countless horrifying insects of all shapes and sizes. The number beat his own horde by three to one. With him added into the mix, along with his own Alphas, they should win without issue.

  So he had his horde leave the ruined city and prepare for their arrival. He jumped down from the hill and nded in front, waiting patiently for those disgusting creatures. The emotions of his infected were at an all time high. Ever since the Master’s order to kill all Varnids, the infected always felt a burst if murderous rage when meeting them. Even he wasn't spared.

  A few minutes ter, the two forces didn’t say a thing. Words were uneeded between monsters like them. They simply charged at each other, eager to rip the enemy to pieces. Craxis took lead and smmed into the insect's lines first. He was a force to be reckoned with, every strike able to kill hundreds if not thousands at a time. Occasionally he’d bring out his arsenal of weapons, increasing his killing effectiveness twice fold.

  Craxis tore through their numbers like a farmer harvesting crops. Unstoppable power. Not a single creature here could ever hope to-

  Then he felt it. A chill went down his spine, and he even shuddered. He recognized this dreadful feeling at a gnce. Overwhelming power. Able to suffocate those around them using just their mere presence. Craxis felt this only a single time before. Before leaving Theia and being lightly threatened by Jason to not question him. As if he stood in front of an apex predator.

  Ignoring the chaotic battle going on around him, he spotted the terrifying creature immediately. They stood at forty five feet tall, with a somewhat humanoid body T-Rex style head. Large and muscur, with impenetrable biological armor surrounding them. Multiple weapons were across it’s body, but the main ones were it’s massive serrated bdes.

  Craxis knew instantly. He had no chance. Just as he wanted to make his infected retreat back to the Leviathan, it roared at him. A primal roar, one which shook him to his core. He grabbed his head, a burst of dizziness coming over him. As he shook his head and dispelled it, he widened his eyes! It was already in front of him, it’s cw about to tear his head off!

  He raised his arms in defense. The moment it nded, he realized how fucked he was. Craxis was sent flying backwards like a rag doll. The armor on his body shattered and his arms felt like they were broken. As soon as he nded, it appeared in front of him again, giving him no time to react. One of it’s sharp bdes stabbed him in the stomach and lifted him up.

  Craxis growled in pain, forced up as the creature opened it’s mouth. A row of sharp teeth, coming right for him. Both of his hands transformed into hammerfists and smmed into the monster’s head at the same time. While it was slightly dazed for a moment, Craxis managed to get himself off the bde.

  At the same time, he kicked it in the chest and sent the thing backwards.

  “Retreat-!” He couldn’t finish.

  The insect monster rushed for him again, forcing him to swing on instinct. It easily tanked the hit and grabbed his face, smming him into the ground with such force, the surrounding area was destroyed. It kept him in pce and shredded his chest and stomach apart with it’s cws. He held in his scream of pain and tried fighting back. Useless. His strength might as well be a child's in comparison. And any damage he dealt either did a minor amount, or was healed nigh instantly.

  So he had one st trump card left. His chest started humming as he charged his nuclear bst. As if sensing the coming danger, the insect monster tried running. But Craxis grabbed onto it and held on for dear life, trying to keep it here. However, it’s strength was immense. It easily peeled him off and ran away. Not fast enough though. The slight dey worked.

  A massive explosion erupted from Craxis and engulfed everything in a several mile radius. This included the swarm and horde fighting, cutting their numbers down by eighty percent. The insect monster got caught in the bst and wrapped itself with thicker armor.

  After it was all said and down, Craxis created wings on his back and fpped away, not even looking to see if he killed the monster. There was no way he did. At best it was slightly injured, while he was severely wounded and exhausted.

  He suddenly groaned and nearly fell from the sky. Some sort of poison was inside his body, rampaging around and halting his regeneration.

  “Bastard…” He gnced down at the crater he made and searched around.

  There he found it, the insect monster curled up in a ball. It stood up straight, the armor slightly charred and cracked. Other than that, it didn’t suffer much.

  “I need to tell the Master.” Craxis hurriedly flied back to the Leviathan and ordered all his forces on this world to retreat.

  Whatever this thing was, it’s power was unquestionable. If there were more, they’d never win in a straight fight. Not unless they grew far more than their current state.