Inside the Command Center, the huge Sand Table still displayed the previous tactical layout.
But the atmosphere had changed completely.
Qin Chuan sat at the head of the table, with the avatars of seven gods arrayed on either side.
Space warped faintly around them simply because they were there.
Dies Martin broke the silence first. He leaned back in his chair, Deceit Runes drifting lazily around him.
"Apocalypse really handed us a gift this time."
"Dropped the Beastfolk's home base right on our doorstep, and brought you three back while it was at it."
He looked toward the three silent Death Bringers.
The Lord of Lava spoke in a rumbling voice, the air around his avatar scorching hot.
"Those three fools with Gelong got what was coming to them."
"They dared provoke the Lord of Shadow. Beastfolk really do have muscles for brains."
The Lord of Torture let out a shrill laugh. His twisted, spectral form made the light around him waver.
"They were worse than stupid. They gift-wrapped their own Divinity and Divine Authority and delivered them to our door."
"I hope we get more opportunities like that."
Alesha's Night Avatar was more composed. She did not join in the mockery, instead pointing out the heart of the matter.
"This regional fusion was unprecedented in scale. The Beast God System wasn't the only one brought here."
"I can sense Holy Light gathering on the far side of the continent, and rifts to the Abyss widening."
"Taking out three Beast Gods at once will deter smaller threats, but it will also draw the attention of powerful Pantheons."
Dies Martin dropped his joking tone.
"Night is right."
"The Beast God System may be complete, but most of its members aren't too bright. They're not our greatest threat."
"The other Pantheons won't