Suddenly, Skullius felt like a different man, a different creature altogether. Was this a renewal of the mind brought forth by the mass of power granted by his position as an Authority?

No. The answer was a vibrant no.

Indeed, becoming a being of higher dimension and standing had certainly changed Skullius, but not in his psyche. It changed the way he regarded and carried himself in relation to everyone else, but the rest came after. Specifically, it all dawned in when he absorbed Boron's essence – everything that made him… him. Suddenly, everything had come together.

The perspective of a Deity, the new Authority, the staunch asset of power, Tycha, and Skullius' resolve to take on the burdens of not just mortals, but Divines…

It changed him in the same way using [Basic Evil Sanction] did back then, when he used it to absorb the memories of all manner of enemies – bandits and cultists – after he left the Temple of Unlusted Tears with Yuyui in tow.

Did Future Skullius go through something similar? Was that why he seemed so much more different from me, was what Skullius thought.

Even now, after he'd defeated Boron, made a short trip to Aigas' surface, and then stepped into the Labyrinth to finally confront Fulgardt, he marveled at what he'd become. Was he really the same Skullius, a skeleton from Deadmanland, now lecturing Deities about fate and saving them?

What did he know of Direction and fate? Of the Aspire to Divine and the Primeval Deities?

No. He knew nothing about those things, but understood human nature. Perhaps that was what made him and Fulgardt Insurgent Magni. They understood, better than most, that there was no bigger will steering those standing at the top. They didn't become strong because they suddenly became gods. They weren't.

They were men pretending to be gods.

'Hypocrites,' thought Skullius. 'But not in the same way Fulgardt thinks.'

He regarded Fulgardt with a cool, calm eye and retorted.

"And death comes for all, even insurgents like you."

Fulgardt's eyes sharpened. "Your confidence is striding the stars. You killed Boron, didn't you? Yeah. That strokes the ego, I bet. Compared to that, Fulgardt should be easy enough, is what you're thinking, right?"

Voided Death Essence was rising from him, but that did not cause Skullius alarm. Fulgardt loved that. That made him all the more expectant.

"You said everything, right?"

"Everything," Skullius reinforced.

He meant it, to be sure. Fulgardt was convinced. Just for that, Skullius earned the Immoral's respect.

"Void Clot."

When he calmly said the words, Skullius was ever so slightly surprised. The notion that Fulgardt would know such an advanced Voided Deathform technique did not confound him in the least. What surprised him was the sheer depth of the ability in Fulgardt's hands.

In Elita, Aurolio, and Uyuniya's hands, the technique was a significant augment, a striking margin of darkness layered over their total prowess to give them an edge against enemies that forced them into a corner. In a way, it could tear through basic third-dimensional material, offering immense offensive and defensive powers.

In the Immoral's hands, however, for better or for worse, it felt like a desperate gamble deployed with every ounce of resolve he could muster. It bubbled like a black tumor over the world around him, teething at space to invite the Void as a weapon for Fulgardt. In Fulgardt's hands, Void Clot was at least a thousand times sharper and deeper.

…But that meant nothing to the current Skullius. With just that, Fulgardt wouldn't even be able to touch him, much less scratch the Garmma Mail.

Fulgardt was well aware, which was why his spirits kept striding high.

Void Clot's purpose wasn't to give him the ability to contend with War Body Skullius in a contest of power.

No.

He'd paired it with his Voided Death Aspect, Reach, to accomplish something else.

Skullius realized it at once. There were signs as to the Immoral's objective.

[No enemy is detected within range of the War Body]

[You will revert to the Default Body in 5…4…3…2…]

It was a genius manoeuvre, Fulgardt had to say so himself.

Was there a Voided Death user who had even considered using Void Clot as a cloaking device outside of its other applications? Perhaps, perhaps not. Even if there was one, none could have done it better than Fulgardt. Empowering Void Clot with Reach, he added onto its ability to shield the user from phenomena around them by having it obscure him from the senses of his opponent, in particular, from his enemy's abilities.

'You may acquire outrageous powers – inconceivable abilities – while using the War Body, but the catalyst for that is a low-level Andori, isn't it, Skullius?' Fulgardt thought, livid with triumph. 'I don't need to attack the result of that Andori, but the source. Your ultimate form is called a War Body for a reason – it's built for conflict with enemies! You can't use it for long without an opponent, which is why you haven't been relying on it until now!'

Sure enough, all of Skullius' transcendent powers… vanished.

It was as Fulgardt had surmised. Skullius had even run into this same predicament earlier in the battle.

Void Clot in his hands had parameters that eclipsed the rank of [Instant Embodiment of Perfection], a mere Third Grand Tier Andori. As a result, it succeeded in reverting Skullius back into his Hybrid Warmoth form.

Just like that, Skullius was once again adorning the [Entropy's Harmonizing Nimbus], his coin grey skin relieved of all its splendor. He was relieved of the Garmma Mail, Benighted Ju`wtte, Enlightened Ju`wtte, and the outrageous reserves of Star Affluent Amras!

Checkmate!

Fulgardt's fangs sharpened. Even now, he wouldn't let his guard down. He would strike at maximum strength.

"You still think you can handle my everything without Deific powers to hide behind, brat?!"

The next move was obvious. One Territory, one kill.

"You will swallow your words as I bury you in the darkness you could never truly comprehend as well I could!"

…

…

…But Skullius regarded him with a look distinctly similar to the sort a king would give to a particularly amusing jester in his court.

Skullius' resolve, demeanor, and goals remained unshaken. His eyes were cool and calm still.

"I suppose you were under the impression that I meant my definition of everything was conditional," he said… and then he was suddenly holding a peculiar key in one of his hands.

…!

Fulgardt scowled, taken aback.

'The Voiding Key, again?' he thought.

"As I said, I already know how your story ends. Whether I'm as frail as an ant, or as mighty as a Primeval Deity, I will still dictate the conclusion," said Skullius, and he turned the key over. "As a matter of fact, I have also decided on the setting."

An instant later, the two appeared in a familiar place. It held significance to both of them.

The Hall of Fulgardt.