Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

By dawn, Orion and Clymene had returned to the eastern ridge of Blackstone City's walls.

Rendall and the five resurrected giant elders soon joined them.

"Orion, you're far more suited to be chieftain than I ever was."

Clymene gazed at the unfamiliar yet thriving Blackstone City. It was far more prosperous than she had imagined.

Turning to Rendall, she spoke with a very serious tone.

"You might be wondering what Orion and I were doing down there, and why it took us so long to come back. What I want to say is this: we had a long and grueling duel, and in the end, I lost!"

"As the former chieftain of the giants, I officially recognize Orion as the rightful chieftain of our people!"

Traditionally, the transfer of the chieftain's title among the giants required a duel. Sometimes it was merely ceremonial, but other times it was a life-and-death struggle. Explore stories on empire

Although the ritual held little practical significance, it was a long-standing tradition of the giant tribes.

When Clymene had died, this process had been skipped. But now that she was resurrected, the ritual had to be honored.

However, Clymene had chosen an unconventional method for the duel—one that involved making love to Orion. And, clearly, she had "lost."

Clymene looked at Orion, her tone much gentler, "My dear brother, do your best. I believe in your future, and in the future of the horde!"

"But for now, the five elders and I are not yet fully restored. There are still matters we must attend to. Once everything is resolved, I will return to your side…"

With the chieftain's title officially passed, Clymene turned and led the way back toward the underground fissure.

The five resurrected giant elders followed her without hesitation.

Orion sighed deeply and trailed behind them, returning once more to the underground fissure.

At the edge of the Bottomless Abyss.

Clymene stood at the precipice, her gaze fixed on the darkness below. Her tone was heavy with seriousness.

"You may not feel it, but we can. Standing here, we can sense a thick, oppressive deathly energy rising from below. I have a strong feeling that if we descend, our strength will grow exponentially."

"Don't go down yet!"

Seeing the eagerness in Clymene's eyes, as well as the anticipation of the five elders, Orion quickly stopped them.

Clymene was now a Shade Valkyrie, and the five elders had just been transformed into Skeletal Knights. Not only had they retained their former strength, but they had also grown stronger.

The unique energy emanating from the Bottomless Abyss was undeniably alluring to them, but Orion knew the risks.

"Wait a little longer. In two days, another batch of spiderlings will return. Let's see if they bring back any useful information."

"Alright, I'll listen to you."

Clymene nodded, accepting Orion's suggestion. This meant she could stay by his side for two more days.

"The deathly energy here is thick. We'll wait nearby," Clymene said, turning to the five elders.

They all nodded in agreement.

Orion sat down beside Clymene.

"Sister."

"Hmm?"

"I killed Reynard with my own hands."

"I know. You've told me before."

"I left you two small gifts."

As he spoke, Orion removed a small curved dagger from his belt and placed it in Clymene's hand.

Then, he reached into his Bagbird pouch and pulled out a skull goblet, handing it to her as well.

"The dagger was crafted from the beak of a thunderhawk. It's incredibly sharp."

"And the skull goblet… it was made from Reynard's skull."

Clymene stared at the two items in her hands, momentarily at a loss for words.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I love these gifts."

"Thank you, Orion."

Orion smiled and pulled out six sets of bone armor from his Bagbird pouch, placing them in front of Clymene.

"The bone armor will adjust to your forms. In your hands, it'll be far more effective."

Given Clymene's new dark-aligned attributes, the bone armor was the perfect equipment for her and the elders.

Orion then retrieved six weapons, including a hero-grade warhammer, which he personally handed to Clymene.

Clymene said nothing. She simply donned the bone armor, her figure becoming even more striking. She now looked every bit the part of a Valkyrie.

The five elders, as Skeletal Knights, were even better suited to the bone armor. They eagerly equipped the gear Orion had provided, clearly delighted with their new equipment.

"My dear brother, promise me this: live well. Lead the horde to a brighter future. Make the giants the greatest force in this world."

Clymene clutched the warhammer, her gaze fixed on Orion. He could feel the depth of her care and concern for him.

"For us to be resurrected like this—it's nothing short of a miracle. Orion, I'm deeply grateful for everything you've done."

Clymene placed a hand on Orion's shoulder, her tone heavy with meaning.

"Orion, the Black Forest follows the law of the jungle. The outside world is even harsher—where only the strong survive, and the weak are destroyed."

"I hope that what happened to me never happens to you."

After saying this, Clymene fell silent, her gaze lingering on Orion with deep affection.

"Chieftain Orion, we'll head into the Bottomless Abyss and claim a new territory for the horde!"

"Yes, chieftain. Wait for our good news!"

"Orion, we won't let you down after everything you've done for us."

"…"

The five elders took turns speaking, their voices filled with determination and gratitude.

Orion nodded. He planned to stay near the Bottomless Abyss for the next two days to spend more time with his sister.

---

"Orion, will Clymene and the elders leave in two days?"

"Yes, but don't worry. Once their strength is fully restored, they'll return to the horde. Elder Rendall, let this matter end here. No one else can know about it—this will remain a secret of the giants."

Rendall opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Orion.

After a moment of thought, Rendall nodded. He quickly understood that resurrecting the former chieftain of the giants was an extraordinary and incomprehensible event.

---

Two days later.

Two spiderlings returned from the Bottomless Abyss, now transformed into Death Spiders.

Unfortunately, they brought back no useful information, leaving Orion disappointed.

Even so, Orion didn't hesitate. He assigned all three Death Spiders to Clymene.

He also allocated ten thousand spiderlings from Lorelia's brood to accompany Clymene into the Bottomless Abyss as her helpers.

How many of those spiderlings would transform into Death Spiders remained uncertain, but with three successful transformations already, there was reason to hope.

"That world is shrouded in darkness. In the darkness, there's a red sun—distant and unclear."

Clymene leaned close to Orion, whispering softly.

"My dear brother, I'm leaving now. Don't worry about me…"

---

Some reunions are sudden, and some farewells are fleeting.

Watching Clymene and the elders disappear into the abyss, Orion sighed deeply.

"Rendall, shouldn't we be happy?"

Rendall gazed at the fading figures of Clymene and the elders, his expression filled with emotion.

"Hahaha… yes, Clymene's resurrection is proof of the Titans' blessing upon us! I believe she'll reach new heights."

Orion looked at Rendall, his laughter carrying a rare sense of relief.

---

After Clymene's departure, Orion's life suddenly became much quieter.

For the first time in a long while, he found himself with rare moments of leisure.

The Stoneheart Horde was free from immediate threats, both near and far.

Everything within the horde was progressing smoothly, and Blackstone City had entered a period of rapid development.

If there was anything of note, it was two pieces of news—one good and one bad.

The good news was that Rockwell, of the obsidian golem tribe, had successfully advanced to Alpha-level.

The bad news was that Dirtclaw had failed in his attempt to advance. While his strength had improved, he was still far from reaching Alpha-level.

When Orion heard the news, he wasn't surprised.

Rockwell and Dirtclaw came from vastly different backgrounds. Dirtclaw's foundation and talent simply couldn't compare to Rockwell's.

Moreover, Dirtclaw had been too impatient in his cultivation. If he had waited for the Blood Mushrooms being cultivated by the horde to mature, his chances of advancing would have been much higher.

As for Rockwell, his successful advancement to Alpha-level earned him the title of Warden of the Horde, and he stepped down from his position as a council elder.

---

Inside the chieftain's tent.

Saintess Violet was straddling Orion, her body moving rhythmically as she rode him.

Tonight, she had been making love to Orion for five hours straight, showing no signs of fatigue. She seemed to be savoring every moment of their intimacy.

"You have something to tell me?"

For some reason, after Lilith and Lysinthia had left the tent, Violet had become unusually passionate. Even tonight's lovemaking had been initiated by her.

"My dear master… flowers have their blooming seasons, and so does Violet."

"Blooming season?"

"Yes, master."

Violet lay on Orion's chest, her face flushed from her recent climax. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead.

"When a flower matures, it blooms, is pollinated, and then withers. That's its life cycle."

"Master, my blooming season is coming to an end."

"What does that mean?"

"This time, when I enter dormancy, it could last three years… or ten."

Orion held Violet close, confused by her words.

"Master, you must be careful. When my blooming season ends, there will be a strange fragrance. It will attract beasts."

Orion gazed at Violet, kissed her forehead, and reassured her not to worry. He would handle everything.

Violet responded passionately. Tonight, she used countless positions to please Orion, as if trying to make the most of their time together.

But her beauty was fleeting, like a flower in full bloom.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze swept through the tent.

As the wind passed, the stunning Violet dissolved into a flurry of petals, scattering throughout the tent.

The petals were strange, emitting a unique fragrance that spread outward with the breeze.

In Orion's hand, only a single pink seed, about the size of an apple, remained. It was translucent and glimmered faintly.

"Violet!"

Orion called out in shock, but it was too late.

Violet had vanished—so suddenly, so completely.

---

"Dace, Otho, summon Lady Jasmine and Ivy from the Garland Tribe immediately!"

Orion carefully stored the seed Violet had left behind and, with a steady voice, ordered his guards to fetch the two women.

What had just happened was beyond comprehension.

Moments ago, Violet had been making love to him. Now, she was gone, leaving behind only petals and a seed.

Orion's heart was filled with both shock and unease.

Before long, Lady Jasmine and her attendant, Ivy, were brought into the chieftain's tent.

Orion expression calm but his emotions turbulent. After taking a moment to compose himself, he asked:

"Violet said her blooming season is ending, and she needs to rest for three or ten years. Do you know what this means?"

At the mention of "blooming season," both Lady Jasmine and Ivy's faces turned pale.

Lady Jasmine, in particular, had been puzzled upon entering the tent and not sensing Violet's presence.

"Honored chieftain, the saintess was born from flowers, nurtured by their essence. The cycle of blooming, pollination, and withering is a natural phenomenon."

Lady Jasmine's explanation left Orion both understanding and confused.

"Explain it more clearly."

Orion's tone grew heavier, his voice carrying an undeniable authority.

"Honored chieftain, Saintess Violet is a flower spirit. When she wishes to bear offspring, her blooming season ends. Through the process of blooming and pollination, she produces a seed."

"Honored chieftain, Violet is bearing your child."

The word "child" struck Orion like a bolt of lightning, leaving his mind buzzing.

It was a long time before he snapped out of his daze.

"Tell me everything you know about this blooming season."

Orion's voice was calm, yet tinged with a complex mix of emotions—part joy, part apprehension.

"Honored chieftain, you may not know this, but all members of the Garland Tribe are born from flowers."

"To reproduce, we enter a blooming season, during which we are pollinated and fertilized. Afterward, we wither and return to seed form, where new life is nurtured."

As Violet's guardian elder, Lady Jasmine spoke with a maternal warmth that added to her charm.

"Saintess Violet is unique. She was born from a hundred flowers. When her blooming season ends, the seed she produces will emit a fragrance that attracts beasts and other unknown entities seeking to claim it."

"Honored chieftain, we must prepare in advance. The Black Forest may soon face a beast tide—one that comes from all directions."

Silence.

But in that silence, Orion's aura grew heavier, his presence more commanding.

"And what about this dormancy? What does it mean?"

Orion's voice was colder now, his demeanor more imposing.

"Honored chieftain, the dormancy Violet mentioned is the process of nurturing life within the seed."

"For ordinary members of our tribe, this process takes three to ten years."

"But for Saintess Violet, her dormancy will likely last much longer. How long, I cannot say."

Orion said nothing, his sharp gaze fixed on Lady Jasmine and Ivy, as if trying to discern the truth in their words.

"Alright, you may leave."

"Keep today's events to yourselves. I don't want anyone else to know."

After Lady Jasmine and Ivy left the tent, Orion frowned, muttering to himself.

"Blooming season… offspring… beast tide… dormancy…"

His emotions were complicated. The thought of having a child had never crossed his mind.

And yet, here it was—unexpected and unavoidable.

Still, Violet's successful nurturing of their offspring would take at least ten years. This left Orion feeling both hopeful and strangely empty.

"Perhaps… it's because of this."

Orion lowered his gaze to his chest, where, beneath his armor, the Curse of a Hundred Blossoms had bloomed another flower.

The curse's activation had shortened his remaining time by another year.

"It seems I'm still not strong enough. Violet must have sensed my weakness."

"That's probably why she chose to end her blooming season now."

Orion's thoughts spiraled as he searched for answers, blaming himself for Violet's decision.

In truth, his guess was almost entirely correct.

Violet's true intention was to ensure that, before either of them faced death, they would leave behind a child—a legacy of their love.

She knew that their future held a confrontation with the Flower God, a being of immense power.

Violet lacked confidence in her ability to challenge a god. She had no faith in herself, nor in Orion's current strength.

Perhaps only the mightiest dragon or titan could stand against such a divine force…