"This is…a bit much," said Skullius with an uncertain look on his face.

The Majestic Territory was small – smaller than any a proper Incandescent Stager could expel – but it was quite something to behold. A woven tapestry of scarlet and blue made the Territory's interior, but flashes of gold, like small stars, revolved in an infinite, super quick loop around the space, likely marking the maximum range of any attack that could be employed by the user inside the Territory.

It was dangerous indeed. Skullius was sure even Beyond the Veil Stagers wouldn't be safe inside this Territory, even though its attack parameters hadn't been defined yet. But that was only a matter of time. The user of Territory was as talented as he was carefree.

Little Mohrane had his four arms spread out as he giggled, flying in the air and spitting out throngs of Ju`wtte from his little appendages.

Darwel, who was floating beside Skullius, had her hand over her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. Her pride was unfathomable. To think her children could grow this quickly. It was a privilege few mothers would ever get to relish – a child's instant ability to defend themselves. Darwel had been worrying about the burden that came with having such precious children for a woman like her – far weaker, far less special. Even with Luserus and Suzamete present, she wanted to be able to able to do something to protect her children in Skullius' absence.

Them being able to protect themselves was a far better result.

"Look at him go," said Darwel, sniffling.

"That's what I'm worried about," said Skullius.

It was decided. Mohrane was a little more talented than his brother, Quillith, but by the looks of his curious face as he watched from his mother's gentle hands, he would soon be copying what his brother could do. Or worse.

"They are growing passively," said Skullius, analysing the boundary of the Territory with a frown.

…But this wasn't what concerned him. That honour belonged to the fact that on little Mohrane's skin, a familiar pattern was emerging, slowly replacing his youthful skin.

The natural affinity for Ju`wtte, Skullius could accept from his children.

The natural ability to expel a Territory, he could stomach.

…But the ability to casually summon a variation of the Garmma Mail on their bodies, at least within this Territory, he couldn't fathom.

Mohrane did it while laughing so hard you would have thought someone was tickling him.

'Because of Darwel, they have an intense affinity for [Just Light] too,' Skullius thought, judging the radiant golden glow around Mohrane. Were these little brats soon going to be invincible? And without even trying?

Right then, Quillith reached for his brother with his many hands, and a similar, intense glow flooded around him, lifting him up.

"There he goes, too!" Darwel said excitedly, letting the little boy go. What looked like a Stark Constellation fired Ju`wtte from her forehead, shielding her from the turbulent powers of her children. Now, she didn't need to worry about getting accidentally killed by them.

Skullius grew increasingly worried rather than pleased.

'It's only a matter of time before those bastards snoop again. I was careless earlier,' he thought. 'I didn't think they could see within the Empyrean Bosom.'

He'd sensed the eyes of the Primeval Deities, or rather, something similar, using the power of dimensions to appraise him from a great distance. He'd been within the First Layer of the Hatcher, in one of the resorts, but that did not stop the prying eyes. Now, Skullius was inside the Warmoth's Treasury. He hadn't felt like he was being watched since, but that didn't make him drop his guard.

'Is this what the other me was talking about?' Skullius thought. 'He signed a Contract with COLMUUN and somehow got the other Primeval Deities to stay away from me. But something's changed. Now that I understand just how easily they can traverse, how easily they can have access to whatever they desire…'

He narrowed his eyes at Quillith who, instead of expelling a Territory like his brother, summoned a suit of armour with such a rich red hue that it looked black, around himself. Parts of it made tendrils, like threads at the end of his fingers. They lashed out at sub-light speed and chopped down the boundary of Mohrane's Territory, forcing it to collapse.

'Mortal Ruin…' thought Skullius, and he sighed as Mohrane began crying. He reached out and grabbed the child, comforting him.

He shushed the boy and conjured little horses of Ju`wtte that pranced all around his head, distracting him. Mohrane was soon giggling again.

'To protect them, I have to play a larger game than I intended. I have to get involved with the Primeval Deities, I guess. Lucky for me, I have a Contract with TITEMIUS.'

<This is absolutely great!> Luserus interrupted joyfully.

He'd been laughing himself silly since Mohrane expelled his Territory but excluded him (Luserus) from its bounds. Now that it was broken, the Deity could join the conversation again. He'd insisted on being a part of it. He'd even accepted a Fruit Bearer vessel from Suzamete just to follow Skullius into the Warmoth's Treasury.

<Now I need thousands of these, Skullius!> he cried.

Darwel blushed while catching Quillith, who came flying down. Skullius sighed.

"I don't have the time," he said. "But now that Aigas is a Richer world than it originally was, its flow of time is closer to that of the Consternals in Reality. When I return, not that much time will have passed. You can wait until then, right?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Luserus grumbled. <Fine, but be sure to remember how reasonable I've been. I counted our deal as being fulfilled even though you still owe me plenty of Luminants.>

"And you be sure to remember that Darwel isn't a horse to be bred at my or your convenience," said Skullius sharply, and Luserus gulped hard before nodding begrudgingly.

Darwel blushed even more furiously. She suddenly remembered the words Skullius had said before they did the 'deed' earlier. He really did value her, moreso than she even believed. That meant something.

'I suppose my part doesn't end here. I have to be worthy of that value,' she silently resolved.

There was no shortage of women in Skullius' circle, she knew, and she was annoyingly conscious of how little value she had when compared to them. They were all far more unique – unique beyond technicality. They could probably bear Skullius even more powerful children.

As it happened, some of those women walked in right then, led by Pherdanta, who had been entrusted with the Key to the Warmoth's Treasury.

"It's about time to leave, isn't it, Skullius?" said Elita.

When Skullius turned to them, Uyuniya spoke up as well.

"I have a favour to ask."