Emperor's Reckoning

Chapter 1144 The Ox, Muspell

Lyon's anticipation reached a crescendo as his eyes fell upon the enigmatic figure seated among the mythical beasts. There, alongside Rui, Shen, Bapho, Minx, and Sun, was a creature of awe-inspiring presence—an embodiment of mythical might in its diminutive form. A fiery ox, its blazing horns commanding attention, exuded an undeniable air of majesty. The creature's pelt, a rich shade of brown, shimmered under the ambient light of the dining hall, signifying a divine purity.

What caught Lyon's attention most was the singular gold earring adorning the ox's ear, a subtle touch that hinted at a regality transcending the physical form. The creature's eyes, deep and dark, mirrored Lyon's own gaze, forging an unspoken connection between them. This was Muspell, the Almighty Ox, revered by Rui and a symbol of formidable strength.

As Lyon absorbed the surreal scene before him, the camaraderie of his companions mixed with the mythical presence of Muspell, creating a tableau that bridged the realms of reality and legend. The atmosphere buzzed with unspoken significance, and Lyon couldn't help but feel a surge of reverence in the face of the divine being now gracing their gathering.

Lyon's eyes widened as he recognized Muspell, the fiery ox from his childhood memories. The nostalgia and deep connection he felt were overwhelming. "Uncle Muspell..." he whispered, the weight of the past echoing in his voice.

---

In the distance, a figure approached. It was Muspell, but in a human guise, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of the meadow. He appeared as a wise and gentle elder, his bronze skin now human, and his flaming horns still etched. The single golden earring still adorned his ear, giving him an air of otherworldly grace.

"Uncle Muspell !!" Lyon called out with the unfiltered joy of a child as he ran towards the transformed mythical being.

Muspell smiled warmly, his green eyes reflecting the wisdom of ages. He crouched down to Lyon's level, and the young boy looked up with a mixture of awe and curiosity. The two shared a quiet moment in the embrace of the meadow, surrounded by the whispers of nature.

"Uncle Muspell, guess what! I just beat Uncle Ma in a race, I'm ready for you now!" Lyon declared, his voice brimming with excitement.

Muspell, in his transformed human form, chuckled at Lyon's enthusiasm. "Come then," he replied, humoring the young boy with a taunt, his eyes gleaming with a hint of playful challenge.

Without hesitation, Lyon assumed a determined stance, tiny fists clenched, and with all the might his young muscles could muster, he delivered a punch towards Muspell's face. The air crackled with anticipation as Lyon's punch connected with its target.

However, the moment Lyon's hand made contact, a look of sheer surprise crossed his face. He recoiled, cradling his hand in pain as if he had just struck a solid wall. "Ow!" Lyon exclaimed, rolling around on the soft grass, his face twisted in mock agony.

Muspell, ever the patient mentor, watched Lyon's theatrics with an amused smile. "You better stop lying, Little Lyon," he teased, his voice carrying the warmth of a mentor gently guiding his pupil.

Lyon, still feigning pain, continued to roll and cry out in agony, adding an extra layer of drama to the playful charade. The meadow echoed with their laughter, a symphony of mentorship and childish joy that resonated through the magical realm.

As Lyon eventually settled into a fit of giggles, Muspell extended a hand to help him up. The golden light of the meadow bathed the scene, capturing the essence of a precious moment between an exuberant young boy and his wise and patient mentor.

The meadow was bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun as Lyon sat cross-legged, looking up at Muspell with wide-eyed curiosity. The air was filled with a sense of camaraderie, and the playful banter between the two created an atmosphere of ease.

"Hey, uncle, they say that you could beat Uncle Raja, is that true?" Lyon inquired, his youthful voice carrying a mix of excitement and awe.

"Oh?" Muspell's eyes twinkled with amusement as he smiled. "And who told you that?"

"Mama Rui said you could, Gramps too," Lyon answered a sense of pride in his words.

"Hahaha, what do you think?" Muspell replied, teasingly.

"I... I don't know, Uncle Raja is quite scary. I'm never able to approach him without getting shivers on my feet. He looks grumpy all the time as well, but I guess it's because he is strong, right?" Lyon admitted, his gaze shifting to the imagined image of the formidable Uncle Raja.

"Hahaha, am I grumpy?" Muspell asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, you're like half Uncle Ma," Lyon quipped, earning a chuckle from Muspell.

"Am I strong?" Muspell continued a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Probably, I mean... even Mama Rui said so, and she rarely gives compliments," Lyon replied, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"Hahaha, do you think strength comes from other people's mouths, or somewhere else?" Muspell posed a philosophical question, his gaze fixed on Lyon.

Lyon pondered for a moment, his brow furrowed in deep concentration. "I think... it's a bit of both. What people say matters, but real strength comes from within, doesn't it?"

Muspell nodded approvingly, a sense of pride in his eyes. "Wisdom beyond your years, Little Lyon. Remember, true strength is not just in the body but in the heart and mind. It's the harmony of all three that makes one truly formidable."

---

Reality returned, and Lyon found himself once again in the grand dining room of the Eldora Empire. He looked around, and there, in all his majestic glory, was Uncle Muspell. The mythical beast had a smile that seemed to radiate warmth and a playful sparkle in his eyes.

Uncle Muspell gracefully leaped from the dining table, his form shifting into the iconic image of an ox with four hooves. He approached Lyon with a cute and endearing gait and a smile that never wavered.

"That was quite the spectacle what you did there in Fourth Hell, incredible even, hahaha... Not every day I see a giant rock falling from the sky, eclipsing the sun," Muspell remarked, the humor evident in his tone.

Lyon couldn't help but reciprocate the smile, his eyes tearing up with a mix of emotions. He hastily wiped them away with his arms, trying to maintain his composure. "How are you, Uncle Muspell."

"Never mind me," Muspell said as he approached Lyon, his gaze turning upward. "How are you, Little Lyon."

The question, filled with genuine concern, touched Lyon's heart. It was a reminder of the enduring bond they shared, not just as emperor and mythical beast but as companions who had traversed the landscapes of Fifth Hell together.

"I'm doing well, Uncle Muspell," Lyon replied, his voice reflecting a blend of gratitude and resilience. Then he recalled of Uncle Minx briefly mentioning that they would meet someone familiar in Fourth Hell.

"Uncle Minx, back then, did you mean Uncle Muspell?" Lyon asked, seeking confirmation.

Minx, the Sage Rat, flashed a mischievous smirk, his eyes glinting with a playful gleam. "Well, yes, I know he's in Fourth Hell. We've met."

Muspell, still in his ox form, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, and it was best to separate, for a better chance of finding you, Little Lyon, and look, it worked, hahaha!"

Lyon couldn't help but smile at the camaraderie between the mythical beings. Their dedication to reuniting with him, even if it meant splitting up, warmed his heart.

"My genius never failed," Minx proclaimed proudly, puffing out his chest in mock arrogance.

The dining room filled with a chorus of laughter, the tension of recent events momentarily lifted.

As the laughter and camaraderie continued around the grand dining table, Elandril, the elven emperor, approached Lyon with a warm smile. "Lyon, my friend, relax and enjoy the night. There is much to celebrate, and Eldora welcomes you."

Iris, Elandril's elegant wife, joined him at the table, and the air was filled with a sense of unity and festivity. However, amidst the joy, a serious undercurrent emerged as Rakumtatak, the Orc Emperor, signaled Lyon to join him on the balcony.

Lyon, after a moment of contemplation, nodded in agreement. He excused himself from the dining table, the festive atmosphere now replaced by a more solemn mood. The elven guests continued their revelry, unaware of the private conversation about to unfold.

Rakumtatak turned around on the balcony, his massive form silhouetted against the night sky. Crossing his arms, he fixed Lyon with a stern gaze.

"Torga, there is something that you need to know, regarding your disciple, Liu the Phantom," Rakumtatak spoke with a measured tone, the weight of his words hanging in the air.

Lyon furrowed his brows, a sense of concern washing over him. "What's wrong?"

"That man, no, that phantom," Rakumtatak smirked, his expression darkening with a mix of amusement and foreboding, "On the day after your death was revealed, he hunts the entire Purgatory... alone."