Titan King: Ascension of the Giant

Chapter 1446: Second Wave

Even Elara and Caelus had to call Rolan "Big Brother."

As Orion’s premier disciple, Rolan was effectively an adopted son. Now that his bloodline had fully converted into a Stoneheart Titan, the distinction between him and the biological children was virtually nonexistent.

"Big Brother," Kaelen said, bowing slightly. He was a full-grown giant and understood the protocols of the court.

"Greetings, Your Highness," Rolan replied, bowing back. The acknowledgment of Kaelen’s royal status put the younger giant at ease.

"Your mother is currently in the Emerald Dream Realm, stabilizing the Dark Butterfly Race," Orion instructed, his tone shifting to business. "Go to her. Once you’ve reconnected, take her to Sylphara City. Use the cross-realm teleportation array to travel to Blackstone City in the Titanion Realm."

Orion’s eyes softened slightly.

"Go pay your respects to the Queen Mother. You have three older brothers and a sister waiting for you above."

If Kaelen and Sophia—the Butterfly Mother—had returned any later, they might have missed the chance to see the rest of the family before the wars began in earnest.

"Go."

Before Kaelen could respond, Orion waved his hand. Space warped, and Kaelen was ejected from the Divine Kingdom, deposited directly into Sylphara City where his mother waited.

Orion turned his full attention to Rolan.

"Good. You didn’t disappoint me."

Orion was genuinely pleased.

"It is all thanks to your guidance, Mentor," Rolan said humbly.

Orion smiled. Guidance was one thing; grit was another. Previously, Rolan had suffered from a lower potential ceiling than the purebloods. The transformation into a Stoneheart Titan had shattered that glass ceiling. Now, Rolan truly possessed the bearing of a prodigy.

But with great power came heavy burdens.

"Go back and prepare. Visit your mother," Orion said. "After that, I want you to accompany Kronos into the Abyss."

Rolan looked up, listening intently.

"I want you two to conquer a tribe of Shadowabyss Giants for me. Specifically, one with a complete heritage."

"The Stoneheart Horde must collect the complete set of Giant Race lineages. Are you willing to fulfill this wish for your master?"

Years ago, during his own abyssal campaigns, Orion had acquired some Shadowabyss Giants from the Mosari Fortress on the Fifth Layer. It had been a gift from the Demon Lord Valacar. However, those giants were slaves, severed from their cultural history and magical inheritance.

Because of that, Orion had missed the chance to fuse their lineage into the Horde’s collective DNA. He needed that missing piece to pave a road toward true Divinity for his people.

Now, he was passing that unfinished business to the next generation.

"I will fulfill the mission you have entrusted to me!" Rolan dropped to one knee, accepting the command with the solemnity of a knight.

"Good. Go," Orion nodded. "When you are ready, find Kronos. Start your exploration from the abyssal tributary in Moonshadow Valley. Before you leave, ask your Mistress for the intelligence reports."

With another wave of his hand, Orion sent Rolan away.

Rolan, having spent time condensing his Lord’s Stone, was the last of the first batch to leave. Now, it was time to bring in the second wave.

Moonshadow Valley. Underground Teleportation Plaza.

Thundar, Dace, and Ursa—freshly minted Legends—stood at the edge of the great rune circle. They were surrounded by the anxious faces of the second wave: Dirtclaw, Onyx, Rockwell, Earthshaker, and others.

The veterans were passing on their wisdom.

"When you first go in, you’ll feel like your body and soul are being invaded. No matter what happens, do not resist," Thundar advised, his voice booming. He knew Dirtclaw and Onyx best; they were the old guard. He desperately wanted his friends to cross the threshold as he had. "Just keep walking. Do whatever it takes to cross the ocean and the mountains."

"During the transformation, it will feel like your flesh is being stripped from your bones," Dace added, clapping Earthshaker on the massive shoulder. "It hurts like hell. But don’t be afraid. That pain is weakness leaving the body. Endure it. Push until you break your limits."

Ursa scratched her head, looking a bit sheepish.

"I didn’t feel much of that," she admitted with a grin. "I just did what the Chief said. I ran toward the mountains. I just kept running and running until I blacked out."

"When I woke up... well, here I am! Heh!"

Years ago, Ursa had run a marathon from Moonshadow Valley to the Succubus territory to deliver a message for Orion. That run was her greatest pride. Inside the Stoneheart Temple, she had channeled that same stubborn will, running past her limits and into her potential.

"For me, I suggest..." another giant began.

But the air suddenly grew heavy. Orion appeared in the center of the plaza.

Silence fell instantly. Every eye locked onto the King.

Respect. Awe. Fanaticism.

Orion could feel the emotions washing over him like a physical tide. He smiled, letting the stern mask slip for a moment.

"The advice remains the same," Orion announced, his voice warm but commanding. "Do whatever it takes to traverse the mountains and seas within the Temple."

"You have thirty seconds to prepare. Then, I open the gate."

The countdown began.

This second batch was a diverse coalition. It wasn’t just the elite Giants. There were Succubi, Buffalofolk, Gnolls, Obsidian Golems, Gorgons, Thunderstorm Bearmen, Lizardmen... even a few exceptionally talented Cave Spiders and Sand Scorpions.

Every race that had bled for the Stoneheart Horde in the early days was now being given a chance to touch divinity.

The South. Stoneheart City.

As time passed without concrete news from the capital, many spectators who had gathered for the ascension event began to drift back to the commercial hub of Stoneheart City.

The Silent Goblet in the Outer City was packed to the rafters.

On the third floor—a VIP area reserved exclusively for those at the Legendary realm—two figures sat by a window.

Cloudsong the Bard and Grand Magus Rhazuun clinked their glasses.

"So, my friend," Rhazuun asked, leaning back. "When will we get to hear the story of this place? Surely you’ve composed something magnificent by now."

Bards like Cloudsong were living historians. They traveled, gathered material, and wove the chaos of reality into the structure of myth. Rhazuun, a member of the Order of the Dandelion, usually got the first listen.

"I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you," Cloudsong said, staring into his wine.

"I visited the Blood Elf territories recently. I read through their archives—ancient, epic records that span millennia," Cloudsong said, his eyes gleaming with the fervor of a scholar. "Compared to that, the history of the Stoneheart Horde is... a footnote. A single paragraph."

"But," he continued, looking out the window at the bustling city, "the story here is dense. It’s writing itself so fast I can barely keep up. And with the invasion of other worlds, the narrative is only expanding."

"I think... I think I’ll be staying here for a long time. I can’t finish the song yet."

Rhazuun looked disappointed, but he understood. Cloudsong’s tales were powerful because they were true. If the story wasn’t finished, the song couldn’t be sung.

"Fair enough," Rhazuun said, changing the subject. "But tell me this... have you noticed how crowded the third floor is getting lately?"

He gestured around the room. The VIP section, once a quiet refuge for the elite, was becoming surprisingly populated.

"What do you make of it?" Rhazuun asked, fishing for information from his well-traveled friend.