The remaining world leaders stared at their screens with expressions ranging from awe to terror. Each deployment would bring protection, and potential devastation if mishandled.
"France next," Arthur decided. "Aamon to Élysée Palace."
The superior-rank demon stepped forward, his massive frame radiating controlled menace. Unlike the other summons, Aamon's large, red body, with his four arms, was terrifying.
Demon protecting humans. Irony at its finest.
"As you command, Master," Aamon's voice rumbled.
President Dubois leaned closer to his camera. "Before deployment, may I ask about Aamon's... temperament?"
Smart question. Know your protector.
Arthur's smile carried reassurance. "Aamon possesses decades of strategic experience. He's calculating, professional, and absolutely loyal. You don't have to worry about his demon status."
Aetherion landed on the demon's shoulders, the size difference almost comical. "Ready when you are!"
Arthur transmitted Dubois's coordinates.
"This is exciting!" Aetherion chirped before reality folded around them.
Another perfect disappearance, followed moments later by materialisation in Dubois's secure location.
French security personnel scrambled for positions before Dubois's sharp command froze them in place.
"Stand down! Lower all weapons immediately!"
Learning from China's example.
The guards obeyed without question, recognising authority in their president's voice.
Aamon's deep voice filled the command centre as he surveyed his new domain. "President Dubois. I am Aamon, your assigned protector."
Back in the conference room, Aetherion returned with his signature enthusiasm intact.
"Two down! This is fun, Master! Where's next?"
Arthur continued the systematic deployment. Each assignment was calculated for maximum effectiveness against expected threats.
"Palestine receives Formicia," Arthur announced. "Her nest will help with both enemies."
Superior-rank Spider Queen.
President Hassan nodded eagerly. "We'll coordinate with her immediately."
The Formica stepped forward.
"Palestine, here we come!" Aether announced cheerfully.
Another perfect transport, another ally secured with supernatural protection.
"Canada receives the Frost Wyvern," Arthur continued. "Ice magic will provide unique advantages in your climate."
Prime Minister Fitzgerald straightened in his chair. "Understood. Our forces stand ready for coordination."
After the final transport completed, Arthur surveyed the now-quiet conference room. His allies had been equipped with protection beyond their wildest dreams.
A realisation struck Arthur like lightning. He'd been thinking in conventional terms when unconventional solutions surrounded him.
Twenty-four hour cooldown. But that's for my teleportation.
Arthur turned to Aetherion, who was preening proudly after his successful deployments.
"Aetherion, can you teleport to Armageddon?"
The void dragon's eyes lit up with excitement. "Of course, Master! I can go anywhere I've been or know the location of!"
Perfect. Why didn't I think of this immediately? I was bent on taking her myself, that I forgot this dragon could do it too.
"Can you take Charlotte and me to Village 419? To Jasmine?"
Aetherion puffed out his chest with pride, practically glowing at the opportunity.
"Of course! Big sister will be super safe with me! I'll be extra careful and gentle! I will make sure she is completely safe from the space travel."
His enthusiasm for protecting Charlotte is adorable.
The dragon's tail wagged unconsciously as he continued. "I promise to make the smoothest flight ever! Big sister won't feel even a tiny bump! You know me, I'm the best space pilot there is!"
Arthur felt relief flood through him like warm water. The twenty-four hour wait had been unnecessary torture when the solution sat on his shoulder.
Sometimes the answer is right in front of you.
The presidents began excusing themselves to coordinate with their new protectors and manage their respective crises.
"Thank you, Arthur," President Hassan's voice carried genuine gratitude. "This changes everything."
One by one, the screens went dark as world leaders rushed to deal with the upcoming calamity.
Arthur turned his attention to the remaining active monitors displaying global news feeds. Reporters continued broadcasting despite infrastructure failures, their signals reaching unknown audiences.
Who's still watching during this chaos? And from what devices?
The countdown timer in his peripheral vision pulsed with increasing urgency.
Thirty seconds until the next wave.
Sarah Matthews gripped her microphone with white knuckles, her usually pristine studio now a fortress of overturned desks and emergency lighting. Behind her, the window showed London's skyline painted in smoke and unnatural aurora lights.
"This is Sarah Matthews reporting from BBC's emergency bunker. It's been minutes since the global awakening began, and humanity is... adapting."
Her voice trembled with barely controlled fear.
"We're receiving reports of extraordinary developments worldwide. In New York, a construction worker with newly awakened earth manipulation powers has single-handedly stabilized three collapsed buildings, saving hundreds trapped inside."
Heroes rising from chaos.
"However," her expression darkened, "not all awakenings are being used for humanitarian purposes. Manchester police report that a group of newly awakened individuals has seized control of the financial district, demanding tribute from survivors seeking protection."
Sarah touched her earpiece, processing incoming information. "I'm getting word from our correspondents... yes, confirmed reports from Sydney show an awakened individual with fire abilities has established himself as a self-proclaimed 'district lord,' burning down anyone who enters his territory without becoming a subordinate."
Warlords rising from the ashes.
"On the positive side, Tokyo's emergency services report remarkable coordination between awakened healers and conventional medical staff. A woman identified only as 'Yuki' has reportedly saved over twenty lives using healing techniques we don't yet understand."
Heroes and villains. Born in the same moment.
Static crackled through her transmission as dimensional interference increased. Sarah's eyes widened at something off-camera.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the countdown is decreasing, and whatever happened minutes ago is happening again—"
The countdown reached fifteen seconds.
"Military sources are advising immediate shelter as—"
Her broadcast cut to static as electromagnetic pulses from dimensional tears severed the last communication links.
Arthur's enhanced perception detected multiple rifts starting to tear through reality in the surrounding area.
Aetherion settled onto his shoulder, void-black scales radiating comfortable warmth. "Master, something really big is coming this time."
Arthur's smile was sharp as winter steel as he watched the countdown reach its final moments.
Five seconds until Earth learns what real warfare looks like.
The monitors displaying global news feeds flickered once before dying completely, their emergency broadcasts swallowed by dimensional static.
Humanity's last words before the real test begins.
Arthur's allies were protected. His summons were deployed. And Charlotte would be safe within minutes.
Time to see what my guardians can do.
Time to see what Earth can become.
The timer hit zero as reality prepared for fundamental change.
But first, Charlotte needed healing.