The scene was a glorious one, to say the least.
There was a cacophony of colors and universal essence swirling throughout, the entire chaotic void constantly sundering and breaking apart as it was under the influence of [Apocalypse] cast by the Hegemony of Slaughter!
Enormous and deadly chains of Annihilation were stretched throughout as they all aimed towards a singular figure of a woman that had a valiant expression. These chains of Annihilation were not just tinged with the Cosmic Essence of Annihilation, but they were also wrapped with the essence of Phantasm that was the other Cosmic Dao Ambrose held which Noah chose against selecting when he used [Protagonist's Bookmark].
Such deadly attacks all rushed towards Valentina!
Her body was covered with layers of the Cosmic Essence of Annihilation as well, but she was utilizing a different set of skills from Ambrose while she utilized the same Dao as Hegemonies comprehended different ways to utilize the Daos they could call forth!
Valentina had an armor of Annihilation coalescing around her body, causing for the appearance of an illusory figure with her beautiful expression to rise around her as whenever her hands moved, this illusory figure would smash away the chains of annihilation while allowing her to swiftly move within the region of [Apocalypse] that would decimate even the defenses of a Paragon.
Yet in the midst of all this, two more Hegemonies joined to pressure her on all sides, making sure she couldn't even try to escape if she wanted!
A terrifying Lich that was known as the Hegemony of Necromancy, and a Hegemony merely known by his name as Solerno who didn't particularly stand out among other Hegemonies in the vast Primordial Cosmos.
Facing the might of 3 Hegemonies, Valentina was truly unwilling as her gaze was that of utter coldness and regality!
Not an ounce of fear.
Not a shred of despair.
She had lived for many years, and feared very little things- even death itself.
She also had a large amount of Universal Fortune as she had comprehended deeply the Dao of Destiny, her eyes within the illusory figure coalesced by annihilation turning up to see her destiny and fortune as it didn't seem dim!
It meant that even in this situation, she would not be dying today!
So she wondered, just what exactly would be her salvation?
Would the Hegemonies that arrived on the boundary of the Animus Universe be able to break in, or would another situation arise that allowed her to impossibly turn the tables while being surrounded by 3 Hegemonies?
The answer to her question came but a few seconds after she arrived in her predicament.
"I may have a solution…"
RUMBLE!
From her golden mirror that she had given a certain someone, a voice rang out as even with her body creaking as she faced the pressure of 3 Hegemonies, Valentina was surprised!
'Him?'
The being she had been working with as Destiny told her he would bring her an immense amount of fortune.
'I see, was it always bound to be him?'
Not other powerful Hegemonies or even the Oathkeeper that was only watching silently from outside the boundary of the Animus Universe, but a mere Paragon that she had watched rise to this rank in mere seconds from a Great Sage just a few hours ago.
BOOOM!
While evading tendrils of Death that came from the Cosmic Dao of Necromancy and the chains of Annihilation from Ambrose, as well as the oppressive force of Solerno who was growing ever larger to become the size of a star while moving to attack her…Valentina moved her essence into the golden mirror as she sent a message.
"What solution do you have that could withstand 3 Hegemonies?"
THRUM!
She asked and took this being with utter seriousness as he always surprised her!
Even as she sent the message, she also had an inclination of an idea of what this being might propose!
Her thoughts were proved to be true as a second later, her dark eyes fluttered as a blue colored box holding a prompt of shocking words appeared in front of her.
[In exchange for a portion of his power, bind a portion of your soul to Noah Osmont and become his Vassal. Do you wish to swear Fealty to the Tyrannical Emperor?]
"…"
Silence.
And then…
"Haha!"
When the prompt appeared and her thoughts were proven to be true, even Valentina could not help but release a laugh at the sheer incredulity of it!
It was something that she had even thought about when she first came across this being enhancing the strength of billions as long as they bound a portion of their Soul to him. Valentina knew that with such a tool in this being's hands, his journey to Hegemony would be smooth as his collection of Marks of Antiquity would be even smoother.
But she didn't expect that a situation would arise where the Cosmos seemed to even be allowing this being to put his hands on someone like her!
A Universal Realm expert!
'Is this the true power of beings with immense Fortunes?'
Her mind was clear as many thoughts ran through, the prompt in front of her remaining vibrantly glowing as it seemed like the answer she was waiting for.
"You have the gall to laugh amidst all this?!"
BOOM!
Ambrose's face was tinged with cruelty when he saw the swaying body of Valentina that was pressured on all sides and seemed just about to break apart still utterly cold and calm, even choosing to laugh at such a time!
Essence exploded wildly from him as he seemed to go for the killing strike.
RUMBLE!
At this point, Valentina pursed her lips as she sighed, her eyes shining with an unknown light.
The strikes of Ambrose and the other 2 Hegemonies seemed to fade away, the only thing in her gaze being the single prompt in front of her, and the voice of a certain being she came in contact with just days ago.
'Well, what could go wrong?'
She trusted in her destiny and fortune!
If it was leading towards this being, she would follow it!
Her fair lips moved as she spoke words that shocked Ambrose and all the others watching Hegemonies.
"I Swear Fealty."
"…"
…!
RUMBLE!
