Ascension of the Immortal Asura

Deep in the heart of the Beast Continent, in a forest of towering trees that seemed to stretch infinitely in all directions, a singular mountain pierced above the canopy, stretching a hundred miles into the sky. At the very top of the mountain was a grand statue of a serpent coiling around the mountain peak, one that was several miles long and tall.

Carved into the plaque at the base of the statue was the name of the mountain region, the 'Bastion of Beasts'.

At the base of the enormous mountain was a singular entrance, a tunnel over two miles wide and a mile tall. The tunnel was guarded by two massive stone doors which parted in the middle. On each door was a massive carving of a winding serpent, one that enveloped an entire world.

The carvings were so real that they appeared lifelike, as if the snakes would lunge out from the doors at any moment.

A wide road carved through the forest straight to the mountain entrance, which was bustling with activity as beasts of all races moved into and out of the mountain. Two enormous beasts, each fifty yards tall with the body of a lion and the head of a serpent guarded the entrance, their vertical pupils scanning all who entered.

Their eyes locked onto a group that was swiftly approaching the tunnel gate, a group that made the surrounding ground turn to ice as they walked, the nearby air shimmering with a frosty mist. The group of Netherfrost Beasts, those who had made the journey to the Three Dao Tournament, marched up to the entrance, led by a lone Half-Step Holy Manifestation beast.

"We demand entrance," the leader said loudly as they were stopped by the two guards. "We demand an audience with the council!"

After a short and intense standoff, the guards backed down and opened the massive doors, which were so heavy they shook the entire mountain as they opened. The Netherfrost Beasts marched into the tunnel, which led deep into the heart of the mountain.

The tunnel was as wide as the entrance, with beautiful multi-colored crystals jutting from the walls and ceiling, providing all colors of light to the tunnel. The tunnel stretched for over a dozen miles, with smaller tunnels branching off periodically, burrowing into other parts of the mountain.

The group of Netherfrost Beasts eventually arrived at the end of the main tunnel, which gave way to a massive circular chamber dozens of miles wide, and so tall that it seemed to stretch to the top of the mountain a hundred miles above.

The chamber was filled with countless beasts of all races, each going about their business. There were avian beasts, reptilian beasts, aquatic beasts, mammal-like beasts, and everything in between. Some emanated an aura of fire, others of ice. Some of death. Others of life. It was as all the Dao's coalesced into physical forms and congregated here, more types of beasts and more Dao's emanated than could be counted.

Some of the beasts soared through the sky, while others ascended the stairs spiraling up at the edge of the chamber.

At the base of the chamber and every five hundred yards, tunnels led into the mountain in all directions. These tunnels stretched up as far as they eye could see, like an infinite web of tunnels carving throughout the entire mountain.

At the very center of the chamber was a raised transformation platform, one closely guarded by a group of Half-Step World Expansion guards of varying beast races. The guards spotted the Netherfrost group rapidly approach, and as if instructed prior, allowed them onto the formation platform.

The platform flared to life as the last Netherfrost Beast set foot on it, transporting them to another part of the mountain's interior.

Flash!

The Netherfrost Beasts arrived at the start of an ornate crystal hallway that stretched forward for several hundred yards. Crystals of all colors covered every single inch of the walls and ceiling, polished to a marble smooth finish.

The crystals flickered with a mesmerizing hue, almost beautiful enough to make the Netherfrost group forget their purpose for being here. Almost.

After recovering their wits, the group walked forward down the hallway, passing by many closed and open side rooms. They ignored those as they strode towards the end of the hallway, arriving at another set of closed, ornate doors.

The guards there opened the doors as they arrived, revealing a breathtaking throne room on the other side. Three massive thrones lined the opposite side of the large chamber, a figure sat on each throne.

The first throne was fiery red and orange in color, as if it was the source of all fire. On it sat a creature of fire, with the body of that of a human, but the head of a phoenix. The creature wore a bright red robe which flickered like flames, and had two beautiful wings of fire spreading from its back to either side, a regal creature beyond compare.

This was the humanoid form of Eos, the Phoenixbeast Matriarch. As many beasts did, it assumed its humanoid form, which many beasts found more comfortable to use for day-to-day activities.

The throne opposite Eos was crystal blue in color, a color that seemed to change slightly, like waves rippling over its surface. On the throne sat a creature of a similar blue hue, another humanoid figure with the head of a water dragon. It wore a blue robe, while its body was covered in blue and green scales which shimmered and sparkled like the ocean under the sun.

This was the humanoid form of Leviatanos, the Oceanbeast Patriarch.

Lastly, the throne in the middle was pitch black in color, with dark blue designs. On the seat sat another humanoid figure, one who wore a robe of similar color to the throne and whose skin was covered in pitch black scales. Two green and yellow eyes with vertical pupils stared forward, its head like that of a serpent.

This was the humanoid figure of Etaras, the Serpentbeast Patriarch.

These three figures were the pinnacle powerhouses of the Phoenixbeast Clan, the Oceanbeast Clan, and the Serpentbeast Clan, the three pinnacle powers of the Beast Continent.

The three figures watched the Netherfrost Beast group enter the chamber, at which point the guards closed the door to the chamber. The group stopped a respectable distance away from the three figures, then fell to one knee, their heads bowed in respect.

"We humbly greet the Three Honored Ones," the Netherfrost Beast leader said, his words echoed a moment later by those behind him.

Silence filled the chamber for a while before one of the three figures spoke.

"We heard of the horrendous betrayal your clan suffered at the hands of the humans," Leviathan, the Oceanbeast Patriarch said. His voice was deep and rippled as if spoken by churning waves.

"We assume you are here on matters related to this incident," Eos, the Phoenixbeast Matriarch said, her voice roiling as if spoken by a volcano itself.

"Yes," the Netherfrost Beast leader said, raising his head to meet the eyes of the three. "At your suggestion, we accepted the offer of the traitorous Yang-Sovereign, and we have suffered deeply from this incident."

"We did suggest accepting his offer as a way to bridge relations between beasts and humans," Leviatanos said, then shook his head regretfully. "Never did we expect such an act of barbarity from the Yang-Sovereign."

"He brings shame to all Yang-based creatures," Eos spat in disgust, her wings of fire rippling with a burst of disgust.

"Speak," Eos continued. "What do you wish to say to the Council of Three?"

"We demand retribution!" the Netherfrost Beast leader said angrily. "We demand justice. We deman-"

"You demand nothing," Leviatanos cut him off loudly, causing the Netherfrost beasts to recoil slightly.

"Of…of course," the Netherfrost Leader hastily said. "I…we…have come here, to humbly request justice for our clan."

"What justice do you seek?" Eos said, her eyes of fire staring at the group before her. "The Yang-Sovereign is dead and so are his followers. There is no justice left to obtain."

"The humans!" the Netherfrost Beast leader said, respectfully yet angrily. "The humans must pay for this betrayal. They cannot be allowed to slaughter us beasts without repercussion! The world will think us weak if we allow this-"

"You need not care about the opinions of the world," Eos interjected. "Care only about your people, and how best to restore your strength."

"Of course," the Netherfrost Leader agreed, "but a price must be paid. A price of blood!"

"What would you have us do? Storm the human lands and demand justice?" Leviatanos scoffed, to which the Netherfrost leader didn't answer, knowing the stupidity of such a suggestion.

"We merely demand the opportunity to enact our revenge," the Netherfrost Leader said. "It matters not which humans or how many, just that we are allowed to restore our honor and wipe away the stain of this betrayal."

The chamber fell silent for some time, at which point Etaras, the serpent-like creature, stirred lightly in his seat, drawing the eyes of all. The Serpentbeast Clan, while not the official ruler of the Beast races, was the DeFacto ruler.

Not only were they the most powerful race amongst the beasts, but their blood contained a trace of the Eternal Serpent's blood, granting them not only power beyond most other beats, but a connection to the Eternal Serpent no other beasts could claim.

"Storming the human lands is out of the question," Etaras said, his voice powerful and commanding, but with the undertone of a snake-like hiss. "But the opportunity for your clan to avenge itself may be possible."

"Do you mean?" Eos asked, while Leviatanos looked on with a questioning look.

Etaras nodded his head, then leaned back into his throne. "I will converse with the Eternal Serpent, and request the Continent of War be opened once more. If the Eternal Serpent agrees, you will have your battleground to seek vengeance."

"Thank you!" the Netherfrost Beast Leader said as he bowed his head, followed by the rest of the Netherfrost Group. "We humbly accept his offer for vengeance!"

"Good," Etaras said with a light nod. "Then should the Eternal Serpent agree, the world shall converge on the Continent of War once more, to bathe its land in blood for the Eternal Serpent!"