Beyond the Bloodline-Chapter 211: The Estean Hegemony

Heilong scowled deeply, his draconic features manifesting in his anger as he clenched the armrest of his throne and spoke in a voice filled with disdain.

"He has always been a disruptor. No matter how much we shape things according to our will, he returns and reminds us that his influence eclipses ours. He handpicked half of us."

His words dripped with resentment.

"Six of the thirteen in this hall—Esteans, no less. The only reason he didn’t fill all these thrones with Esteans is because of the one universal law that prevents more than half of the main entities from being from a single world."

Cerulle was no less pleased than Heilong and Hageshīhito were. A strange breeze seemed to blow around him, in response to his growing frustration.

"Every time he awakens, we know one thing for certain: change is coming. And it is never a change we desire.

He has done this seven times in the past million years, and he’ll do it again. He has never cared about our plans—he moves to the rhythm of his own desires.

And once again, we’ll be left scrambling to adapt to whatever universal upheaval he causes."

They all fell silent after Cerulle spoke, stewing in their shared displeasure.

Jamie was a force of change that they could not stop, nor reason with. After all, in his eyes, they were nothing but children and he only saw their complaints as the tantrums of little children—that was how they felt.

But Jamie wasn’t their only problem, the man’s hometown was another thorn in their sides.

Estea, a First Generation Apex Level Planet.

First Generation Planets were those created along with the birth of their host Galaxy, and the Vela Galaxy was one of those born shortly after the Universe’s creation.

"Estea holds too much power. Far too much.

Six out of the twelve thrones in this very hall are occupied by Esteans. Six beings who, despite their claims of ’neutrality’ and loyalty to the universe, ultimately answer to him."

Eldros spoke as he thought of the Universe’s greatest Hegemons, a list that the Vela Galaxy stood at the top of.

The Vela Galaxy was the most powerful in the Universe, and the reason was obviously because of Estea. If that planet was anywhere else, then that galaxy would be the most powerful in the universe.

"It is not just the power of the beings from that world; it is the influence they exert.

Every major shift in the balance of power, almost every significant event in the universe, traces back to them."

Heilong tapped his clawed fingers against the arm of his throne as he spoke. Then his voice took on a tone with barely concealed contempt.

"Estea’s dominance was already unbearable, but it’s been getting worse with the continuous rise of the Argent Empire created by those Hybrids.

The Pantheon is filled with Kings and Lords all connected to that damned planet. It’s no wonder the universe has acted against them."

A flicker of understanding passed through the others when they heard his words. It was well known among the main entities that the universe itself had sought to curb Estea’s power.

Jamie had noticed the existence of Gates—dimensional rifts to other worlds—that had been appearing on Estea before he left for Zotov.

From these gates poured monstrous creatures and beasts from other dimensions, each wave of terror meant to contain the expansion of the Esteans, to force them to focus on their own world rather than conquering others across the universe.

But despite the universe’s efforts, it’s had little effect.

"A 10-15% reduction in their influence may seem like a victory on paper, but the reality is, they’re still unstoppable.

Even with the beasts pouring in from other dimensions, they continue to spread their influence—like an uncontrollable wildfire."

Eldros spoke and the others murmured in agreement, their dissatisfaction with Estea’s dominance seemingly rising in real-time.

The part that pissed them off the most was the fact that there were Six Estean Main Entities. They knew that those Six who were currently absent answered to Jamie and the Hybrids first.

Jamie’s handpicked representatives dictated much of what happened in the grand scheme and the remaining had little choice but to accept this imbalance.

The Main Entities were meant to represent the keepers of the Universe’s vital aspects. And yet, six of those twelve thrones were controlled by Esteans, leaving the other half to represent the countless other worlds and galaxies in the universe.

The Main Entities were far from the only ones dissatisfied by this.

However, unlike Jamie, the other Hybrids were more... laissez-faire regarding Estea.

Miranda’s focus was on Argent, the Cathedral Siblings were plotting other things in secret and most of the time, they showed little concern for the Universe’s power structure.

As for Sarina, the last of the Hybrids, she was busy searching dead Galaxies for a particular Sword—which was why she had ended up unleashing Slaifdein on the Calesius Galaxy 12,000 years ago.

Because of this, although the Esteans were still a force to be reckoned with, it was much easier to deal with them when Jamie was slumbering.

But as long as Jamie was awake, his mere presence guaranteed that Estea’s power would continue to grow. Many of Estea’s Rivals would pull back because they knew he was around, and this would reduce the stoppers preventing Estea from dominating more worlds and adding them to their Intergalactic Empire.

Eldros’ dissatisfaction wasn’t just about power. It was about control.

His ambitions, and goals for the universe, were continually threatened by the actions of Jamie and the Esteans. Every time he awakened, the universe was forced to adapt to whatever new changes he introduced, changes that were always in his favour.

Just as the tension reached its peak, a new presence entered the hall.

A fourth Main Entity, Malecor, the one in charge of Reincarnation, walked in with a confident stride, his feet seemingly stepping on thin air. His tall, lean frame was clad in a sleek black leather jacket that accentuated his broad shoulders.

His slim-fit chinos were a dark grey that seemed to blend with the shadows, and his black leather shoes gleamed with a subtle sheen.

Malecor’s short brown hair was a bit messy, and his intense brown eyes seemed to sparkle, radiating an aura of quiet confidence.

As Malecor approached the centre of the hall, he took one look at the gathered entities, his expression a mix of disbelief and exasperation.

"Have you all gone mad?"

He questioned, his voice laced with mocking disdain.

"Sitting here, whining about Estea and the Alpha Hybrid, as if you’ve forgotten your purpose. Chaos is inevitable. Change is inevitable. And yet you sit here, sulking like children whose toys have been taken away.

This is the natural order. Power shifts. Control slips.

The universe moves forward, and you have two options: either you gain enough power to adapt to change, so that no matter what shifts happen, it barely touches you, or you sit here, whining and stagnating, until you become irrelevant."

The others turned to Malecor, their expressions darkening in displeasure, but they remained silent. Even they could not deny the truth in his words.

"You claim the Esteans hold too much power, but in my opinion, they deserve it.

After all, we all know that without them, this universe would be nothing more than a barren wasteland."

Malecor pointed right at Eldros who was in the centre and continued.

"Both you, Eldros, and the universe’s very consciousness know that sentient life as we know it would be extinct if not for Estea’s strength."

One of the other entities began to open their mouth, but Malecor cut them off, his voice rising in intensity.

"The Dest̴r̵u̶c̶t̷i̷o̷n̸ ̶S̵u̸p̴r̷e̵m̸e̷ —you wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for the Esteans. None of us would be.

Your great-great-great-great grandfathers and mothers would have perished, annihilated, if the Destruction Supreme had succeeded in wiping out all sentient life in this universe."

The hall fell silent at the mention of the forbidden name, a static-like interference filling the air, as though the universe itself was trying to suppress his words.

But Malecor smiled darkly, his eyes glowing with defiance as he continued.

"The A̷n̴n̷i̴h̶i̷l̷a̷t̸i̷o̸n̴ ̸C̶a̶t̵a̴l̷y̶s̷t̸ ̶would have brought an end to everything, but who stopped the Dest̴r̵u̶c̶t̷i̷o̷n̸ ̶S̵u̸p̴r̷e̵m̸e̷? It wasn’t you. It wasn’t the non-Estean powers.

It was the Esteans—the Estean hybrids, and the armies of Race Kings and Emperors who fought under their banner.

The only non-Estean who defeated a Hera̶l̵d̴ ̵o̷f̵ ̶t̴h̸e̷ ̸E̷x̸t̶i̷n̶c̵tion Legion was the late Tiris Argeryan!

Besides her, no non-Estean below Monarchy was strong enough to match the Extin̵c̷t̴i̴o̷n̴ ̴H̴e̴r̵alds!"

The static grew louder, attempting to drown out his voice, but Malecor’s words rang clear, cutting through the interference like a blade.

Cerulle’s eyes narrowed at Malecor’s words and he interjected to stop the man from speaking any further.

"That Supreme is a forbidden topic, Malecor."

"Yes, it was forbidden and for a good reason.

The Esteans who fought and defeated the Destruction Supreme restricted that knowledge. Why? To keep the entire universe from falling into paralyzing fear!

Do you think the masses would sleep at night knowing there was once a being capable of waking up one morning and deciding to annihilate all life in the universe?

You can’t even fathom the kind of power Supreme Realm existences wield, but the Estean Hybrids—they know. They defeated one, after all."

Heilong, grimaced, very dissatisfied that a non-Estean like Malecor who should be on their side was supporting the Esteans.

Hageshīhito spoke up, addressing a different part of Malecor’s statement.

"The Cathedral siblings—"

"Are not Esteans?"

Malecor interrupted Hageshīhito with a mocking laugh.

"They were born in the Mercury Galaxy, yes, but last I checked, that galaxy is dead. Killed by their mother.

And with Mercury dead, Angela Cathedral affiliated herself with planet Estea. Her children may not have been born there, but they are Esteans in all but name.

So as far as I’m concerned, the Cathedral siblings are as much Esteans as anyone. That means all six hybrids are Esteans. And let me remind you—"

Malecor’s voice took on a dangerous edge and his energy crackled as he spoke.

"—as the de facto leader and the strongest of them all, no one—no one—has the right to stop Jamie Westley from doing whatever the hell he wants.

Not us, not the Esteans, and certainly not you—Master of Zanerth."

He spat, addressing Eldros with mocking derision and the giant’s face tightened at this challenge to his Authority.

Malecor then proceeded to rub salt in the wound, his grin widening as he continued.

"After all, the only reason you’re even sitting on that throne is because the Hybrids don’t want it."