Pantheon

Boom!

Clang!

Riiip!

Ever since Vanidak and Sargeras returned to the Pantheon, this place, which had been somewhat deserted due to most of its members being away, had suddenly become lively. Similar sounds echoed through it almost every day, accompanied by Golganneth's furious roars and Sargeras's bellows.

Oh, Sargeras—how had Vanidak managed to get on his bad side? That was probably another sad story. In short, after once again messing wildly with Khaz'goroth's creations, Vanidak had successfully escaped with his flashy footwork and shameless spatial abilities, earning the victim another helpless roar. With nowhere to hide for the moment, Vanidak had run to Sargeras under the excuse of having a chat to evade pursuit.

Still riding high, Vanidak chattered endlessly about his glorious achievements to the already impatient Sargeras. Out of politeness toward his brother, Sargeras merely humored him on the surface. However, when Vanidak began recounting the glorious tale of following Aman'Thul to awaken other Titans, this Titan, clearly too excited to think straight, revealed a fact that caught Sargeras's attention.

"Hey, buddy, I actually think Aman'Thul's method for awakening our kin has a problem. That evil guy injects his essence into the bodies of our sleeping brethren every time. Geez, that's really wicked."

"Vanidak, that is your personal opinion. Do not use that twisted mind of yours to judge others' actions. My reason tells me Aman'Thul would never be as depraved as you claim."

"Hey, Sargeras, you actually don't believe me? That method definitely isn't as efficient as mine. When dealing with sleeping brothers, all you need to do is give them a stab, or blast the hell out of them. They'll wake up howling, guaranteed. Isn't that simple and effective?"

"Hmm? Have you done that before?"

"Ah, of course I... uh... of course not. Sargeras, you have to believe me. I was just... um... joking."

"Hey, hey, hey! Why are you reaching for Gorribar? Hey! Stop! Are you trying to kill me?"

"Yes, you damned bastard. You said it yourself. And I happen to recall—tear you into ten thousand pieces, you bastard!"

"Ah, damn it, you noticed." Dodging Sargeras's furious strike, Vanidak wore a regretful expression as he continued:

"I wanted to keep it hidden a little longer. Every time I talked to you and thought of that, I got happy. Ah, those were such joyful times."

"You're dead, bastard!"

"I blink! I blink! I blink again! Hehehe."

"Get back here, you despicable bastard!"

Boom!!! Clang! Clang! Crack!

In short, because Vanidak had brought this upon himself, the other three Titans currently remaining in the Pantheon had successfully been dragged into an AoE attack by him. Thus, daily life in the Pantheon became rather regular:

Golganneth: Study magic, hunt Vanidak down

Khaz'goroth: Forge items, hunt Vanidak down

Sargeras: Hunt Vanidak down

"Hey, you've been chasing me for so long. Don't you have anything else to do?" Vanidak shouted back at Sargeras after being chased through who knew how many streets.

"Unfortunately, I have nothing else to do." Sargeras continued swinging his greatsword at Vanidak, only for him to blink out of the way once more. Sargeras continued, "And I've found that hunting you down is quite interesting. I'm starting to love this feeling."

"What a pervert." Muttering under his breath, Vanidak continued his desperate flight.

His spirited and cheerful voice echoed through the Pantheon as well:

"Hahahahahaha, can't hit me, can you?"

"Can't be helped. I'm just that powerful."

"Hahahahaha, can't catch me, can you?"

"La la la la la la la la la la la!"

"Hahahahaha, can't touch me, can you?"

"Spatial Blink! I'm just that powerful!"

"Hahahahaha, can't keep up with me, can you?"

"Holy shit, where did you come from?"

"You three actually teamed up to block me? Isn't that shameless?"

"Footwork, footwork, spiral footwork!"

"Z-shaped shake!"

"I twist! I twist again!"

"Can't hit me, can't hit me—hehehe... because I am! A pro player!"

The starry curtain of the Pantheon rippled, and four enormous figures slowly emerged. Two possessed platinum-colored bodies, while the other two had similar bronze-colored bodies.

At their head was a stern and dignified figure with a long white beard. Hearing the rumbling explosions, angry curses, and those unmistakably irritating words coming from among the distant palace complexes, his expression tightened. He gave his companions a bitter smile. "Norgannon, I think you were right. That fellow is a menace in the Astral Realm. Our worries about him were entirely unnecessary. I can already hear that familiar voice of his. As expected, he's still just as irritating."

Norgannon replied from beside him, "Indeed, King of Gods. I believe we should never have worried about Vanidak. He is still so... energetic. And it appears that he and our new companion are getting along... very happily."

"Vanidak? Who is that? Why do I only see a mess?" A strange Titan standing beside Eonar asked with a puzzled expression.

Eonar explained, "Aggramar, my brother, that fellow is... well, how should I put it? You had better be careful around him. He always makes people... want to punch him."

Aggramar, his face full of question marks, could not understand what his fellow Titan meant. Aman'Thul, standing ahead of them, waved his hand and announced:

"Very well, let us stop chatting and return to the Seat. It has been far too long since our kin last gathered together. This reunion after so long apart fills me with excitement."

"As for Vanidak, Aggramar, you need not worry at all. I think you will understand sooner or later, though you may have to... pay a certain price."

"In any case, make that damned bastard settle down. We will gather at the Seat of the Pantheon. Eonar, I'll leave that fellow to you."

"With pleasure, Father of Gods."

After a joyous reunion with Eonar and a brutal four-man beating, the endlessly wailing Vanidak was dragged by Eonar to Aman'Thul's Seat of the Pantheon. Aman'Thul and the other Titans, who had long been waiting there, finally met this brother from whom they had been separated for countless ages.

"Look who has arrived. Oh! Vanidak, is that you? In that state, have you experienced something enjoyable again? Would you care to share it with me?" Norgannon asked Vanidak with a friendly smile.

"Pah, as if I'd believe you! You rotten old man are full of tricks. Tell me, did you send Eonar after me? If it weren't for her, I could have held out much longer with my nimble footwork!" Vanidak glared at Norgannon as he rubbed the wounds on his body.

"Oh, Vanidak, my brother, unfortunately, it was I who sent Eonar. As for what happened to you, I... am very sorry." Aman'Thul interjected at the right moment.

"Who would've thought? Who would've thought?" Vanidak circled Aman'Thul, grinding his teeth as he examined him. "Who would've thought that you, Aman'Thul, with those thick brows and big eyes, would resort to underhanded tricks too? You—"

"Well, I do not think that is important. I simply enjoy learning, especially your style, Vanidak. You understand." Watching his brother seemingly about to stomp his feet in rage, Aman'Thul chuckled and continued, "But more importantly, will you not introduce this new member whom we have yet to meet?"

"My name is Sargeras. I come from—"

"I picked him up halfway through the journey! This guy had it rough. Back then—" Seeing Sargeras deliberately or otherwise raise Gorribar before him, Vanidak resentfully shut his mouth. Sargeras continued:

"In a sense, I was awakened by Vanidak while he was passing by, though I am quite certain it was not a pleasant experience."

"Oh, of course, my brother, I can imagine. But it seems Vanidak is still somewhat useful after all." Aman'Thul glanced back at Vanidak, who was hiding in a corner with his head lowered, drawing circles on the ground. He called out to him, "Vanidak! Stop hiding over there. We still need to introduce a new brother to you. His name is Aggramar."

"Oh, hello, healthy-skinned fellow."

"Uh... hello to you too, Vanidak. I am Aggramar," Aggramar replied, seemingly not one for words.

"Mm... I'm not doing all that well. These bastards hit really hard. Hiss..."

"Enough disputes. Since our brothers are now gathered here, I have an important announcement to make. Khaz'goroth, how are the preparations?"

"They have long been completed, King of Gods. And to this newly joined brother—welcome, Aggramar."

"Then let us begin."

"Yes, my king. Please allow me a moment to prepare."

While waiting for Khaz'goroth to complete his preparations, Aman'Thul continued speaking to the other Titans:

"My brothers, my kin, ever since my birth, I have walked through this Dark Void that gave birth to us for endless ages. But after traveling alone for so long, I finally came to feel a loneliness that filled my entire being. It made me wish to find beings like myself—namely, all of you."

"Yet the process was not smooth. This Astral Realm is so vast that even our mighty Titan race appears insignificant before it. Just when I was about to despair, I discovered Vanidak, the first of my kin. That feeling remains unforgettable to this day."

"Ah, me too, Aman'Thul. I mean it," Vanidak replied weakly from the side.

Ignoring Vanidak's antics, Aman'Thul continued with a smile:

"After that, our journey became full of hope. Together, we crossed countless starfields in search of other kin who might exist. Thus, we found Eonar, and then Norgannon."

Eonar and Norgannon both nodded in acknowledgment.

"The journey to find our kin was somewhat less smooth afterward. A small accident separated us from Vanidak, but fortunately, because of that, we encountered two of our kin at once—Khaz'goroth and Golganneth."

"We praise you, King of Gods," Khaz'goroth and Golganneth replied in unison.

"And now, we have Sargeras, whom Vanidak awakened, as well as Aggramar, whom we found during our travels. At last, our ranks have grown, and our strength has become immense."

"Therefore, I hereby announce that an organization belonging to us Titans shall be born here today. It shall bind us together, allowing us to resist powerful enemies and seek out our kin."

"Our cause is just! Our cause is noble!"

"Your will, King of Gods!" At this moment, even Vanidak, who was usually so unserious, answered in unison with the other Titans.

"Then I announce that the force belonging to us Titans is hereby established. Its name shall be..."

"The Pantheon!"