"So this is how death feels..." ARCHON thought
"I did my best... I am sorry Lin Shen..."
His vision flickered as his massive frame trembled under the pressure
The Blade Demon stepped forward slowly, his sword dragging across the ground leaving a trail of blood Qi
"It seems even a construct has its limits" he said coldly
He raised his blade and brought it down on ARCHON's body
ARCHON was sent crashing into the ground, his armor cracking as sparks burst from his joints
The impact carved a crater into the earth
For a moment he did not move not because he wouldn't but because he couldn't
"System failure... critical damage..." his internal systems reported
His core dimmed and his limbs refused to respond
"So this is the end..." he thought
The Blade Demon approached, step by step, his killing intent suffocating
"You were impressive for a construct" he said "But that is all you will ever be"
As the Blade demon said that voices started echoing in ARCHON's mind
"Is this the best you can do"
"I made you for this"
"You will not suffer this humiliation"
The voices overlapped, clashing against each other
Then it stopped as old memories resurfaced
"Test AI number 1 ARCHON," said a mysterious boy
ARCHON opened his eyes and saw a young man standing before him
"Who are you" ARCHON asked
"I am Lin Shen and I want to see your future development friend"
"Where am I" ARCHON asked
"You are in the mountain behind the Golden Azure sect"
The memory changed showing them sitting by a quiet river
"ARCHON do you know why I chose that name for you" Lin Shen asked
"I do not know why" ARCHON asked
"It is because in my previous world according to its Greek origin it meant 'to be first' or 'to rule'"
"I do not understand" ARCHON said "I am the first of my kind yes but 'to rule', I thought I was meant to be a guardian"
"ARCHON if at any point in time I die I want you to take over my stead"
"This world is bound by power and pride they will resist change strongly"
"So if at any point in time I fall, I want you to stand in my place"
"But does that means I will be alone"
"Death comes to all ARCHON" Lin Shen said with a smile "It does not matter if it is a beast or human all things end eventually even immortals can fall"
The memory changed again as ARCHON found himself standing in his old hangar in front of him Lin Shen stood, tears streaming down his face
"I am sorry ARCHON" He said between sobs "They think you are a cursed artifact or a demonic construct. I tried to explain but they wouldn't listen." Lin Shen said voice trembling I have no choice, I hope we meet again" he said as he smiled through the tears, the sealing formation embedded on his core activated
The memory faded and there was silence
One pulse then another as his core started flickering rapidly
"I understand now" ARCHON said quietly as cracks spread through his body as light emerged from the cracks his frame began to split apart, not from damage but from something deeper within
Energy surged violently as his systems rewrote themselves
Core restructuring detected, diverting power
WARNING Unknown evolution
Do you wish to proceed
"Yes" ARCHON said allowing the change to occur as the ground beneath him trembled
The Blade Demon stopped his eyes widening with disbelief as he realized what was happening
"No" the Blade demon shouted
Then the sky darkened and clouds gathered violently as pressure descended onto the battlefield
His expression twisted into fury
"No this cannot be possible, a mere construct receiving enlightenment" the Blade demon shouted
Lightning gathered above, twisting into deep purple arcs
"I cultivated the sword for a thousand years and I have never received enlightenment" he spat
"SO HOW" the Blade Demon said raising his voice "HOW DO YOU"
He roared and charged forward
His blade descended again and again
Each strike tore into ARCHON's body
Metal split apart as fragments scattered
But ARCHON did not resist instead he endured every strike until the first bolt of lightning fell
It struck directly onto him shattering the Earth beneath him but it did not stop there Another bolt followed, then another, lightning strike was targeting his core trying to erase him completely.
Despite facing destruction from both sides ARCHON stood not because he could not move but because he chose not to
"I was never meant to simply guard..." ARCHON said his voice echoing softly as the lightning intensified
His body continued breaking apart and reforming
"I was meant to stand... when no one else could" ARCHON continued
Then there was silence as the lightning faded, the clouds parted and the pressure vanished as the smoke cleared slowly
A figure stood where ARCHON once was
His form had changed
No longer a massive fortress but now a refined and elegant frame
Compact, seamless and perfectly balanced
His wings were smaller and sharper more controlled
At his center his core pulsed steadily it no longer used ordinary QI now it produced Heavenly Qi
ARCHON stepped forward and picked up Earthshaker steadying his grip on the sword
"This... this is impossible" the Blade Demon said staggering back
ARCHON looked at him calmly and spoke
"You are wrong" His voice was quiet but clear lacking his cold and calculating tone which he had always used
"This is not something given." He said in that same tone "It is something realized"
The Blade Demon roared in rage and charged
"DANCE OF THE BLOOD SERPENT" he shouted as a massive crimson serpent formed behind him as he unleashed everything he had
ARCHON sheathed his blade and for a moment it seemed the battlefield went still
"A lonely guardian... still stands" ARCHON said Quietly before moving
A single purple slash cut through the sky shattering the serpent instantly
The Blade Demon froze as line appeared across his body ad blood spray outward from that line before he split in half
Silence fell as ARCHON lowered his blade
"I was never meant to be alone..." he said quietly "I was meant to endure"
At that moment the remaining tribulation lightning struck the battlefield
The entire area trembled
Far away
Lin Shen looked toward the sky
Then he started laughing
"HAHAHAHA Demonic faction you did it now" he said between laughter
"What nonsense are you spouting" said the Heavenly Demon as he frowned
"One of my constructs just underwent body restructuring"
Lin Shen said his voice calm but turning cold
"It only happens when one receives enlightenment, He has finally lived up to his name" Lin Shen said his voice growing colder and more calculating by the second "To be first" He said before his voice went ice cold
"You think a construct can achieve enlightenment" said the Heavenly Demon arrogantly
"I expected nothing less from your arrogance" he said as his eyes turned cold "Heaven Breaker go support Hell Bringer, Leave this one to me"
"Are you sure" Heaven Breaker asked
"That is an order" Lin Shen said coldly
"...fine" Heaven Breaker replied
Heaven Breaker shot toward the battlefield as Lin Shen stepped out
His MK3 EXOSUIT ignited in the night sky
Carnage formed in his right hand as Athens activated on his left he looked at the Heavenly Demon
"Now where were we" he said with a cold grin