Defiance of the Fall

The door closed behind the two guests, stirring a gentle wind that sang a melody of Dao within the garden. The flowers stilled, leaving Iz alone with her thoughts.

"He's found a companion. I'm not confident she's fated, but I'm happy he's happy," Iz said, ignoring the worried look from her advisor. "Did you see how tired he was?"

"I did."

"Is it really worth it? Protecting the lives of the unfated."

"There is no right or wrong answer to that, miss."

"Will his hard work amount to anything? The providence of this sector has all but dried up."

"Their performance is too wretched. The general trend has been set despite the best efforts of Young Miss's friend. The Heavens have already abandoned this region. The interwar will be over in two months at most."

"It's impossible?"

"I wouldn't dare say so when that young man is involved. I have never seen a providence like his. If Young Miss and the other candidates are radiant stars, then he's a black hole."

Iz wasn't surprised. There had always been something odd about his providence since the first tthey met. It was nowhere near what she sensed today. She didn't need Salou's unique vision to understand Zac had undergone a tremendous change since she left for training.

The curiosity was almost unbearable, to the point she briefly regretted giving back the mirror to her Grandpa. However, the memory of Zac standing alone, broken and exhausted, after dealing with the energy golem from the Lost Plane doused those feelings. He'd bectoo real, making it impossible to use his struggles as entertainment.

Iz still felt embarrassed and anxious over the matter, fearing he'd see the truth in her eyes or piece together her excuses. Couldn't he have exploited their na bit more to level the imbalance? Aunty Valissa had suggested giving him streasures or testing the fate of his enemies to alleviate the guilt. Iz felt it was the wrong way to go about things.

Now, there was another complication to the tangle in her heart. It looked like her guardian couldn't hold back any longer.

"Young miss, are you truly letting him leave like this? Ignoring his status as a Flamebearer is one thing, but he's encroaching on the exalted one's Authority. The family rules are very clear on how to deal with any attack on the Empyrean Throne."

"That man always brings surprises," Iz sighed. "Just how did he get marked? Is it part of a bigger tapestry?"

"Any such violation should be nipped in the bud. He's weak now, but he givesa bad feeling. Like he holds a seed of our downfall."

"Is it your Third Eye?" Iz asked, getting a hesitant shrug in response. "Grandma can take care of herself. And I'm not convinced this is a bad thing."

"Is young miss thinking of bringing him into the family to richen the blood?"

"It would be interesting to see what would happen. The Empyrean Quadrant is very quiet and uneventful," Iz said with a slight smile. "But no, I'm talking about something else. You said he's encroaching on our Throne, but you could argue it's the other way around. The mark on him is ancient."

"Ancient?" Salou said, his eyes flickering. "Is Young Miss referring to the Templars of the Flame? Then, there's even more reason to sever his fate."

"I will do no such thing. Zac is a friend, and killing him will not release Emperor Evrodok's hold on Grandma's Throne. It's only a weak mark now, but given time…"

"He might seize or destroy the fragment of ancient Authority," Salou said, slowly nodding in agreement. "I'm sorry, miss. I was shortsighted. But shouldn't you have informed him if you wanted his help? He might not know he's being targeted by the remnants of the Empire."

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"His mark was tenuous at best. I think he's wavering on whether he should accept the Empyrean Flor not. I don't want to influence his decision or path," Iz said. "Fate cannot be forced—we'll let it run its course. It does not seem ready to materialize just yet, but I believe Ultom will give us an answer."

"He might becyour enemy."

"He promised to send sgood chaos our way," Iz said with a smile. "I am willing to take a bet on him. I will face the outchead-on, no matter what it is."

"I will have to report this matter to Lord Mohzius. I believe he'll agree with your assessment," Salou said. "Fate truly works in mysterious ways. To think a chance encounter in an F-grade trial would culminate into such convoluted threads of fate."

"I think it's much too soon to say culminate with that troublemaker involved," Iz said.

"What does young miss think about his suggestion?"

"What will happen to this sector when it's deemed unfated?"

"If it were another enemy than the Black Heart Cult, the System would have handed the sector over and closed the matter. It would keep the Space Gate open for a set number of years or directly fuse the sectors, depending on performance. With such a resounding victory, I'd guess the latter."

"It won't do so for heretics, even if they're integrated?"

"Not if it can find a way around it that doesn't break its operational rules. The System generally picks one of two approaches. One, it'll give a neighboring sector a chance to take over after the heretics have been given a minimum window of plunder. Second, it'll abandon the sector on the basis of lacking energy and potential."

"Discorporation," Iz muttered with a slight frown.

"It's the most likely outcome. The connection with the fifth pillar will likely influence the System's operations somehow, though. It will not do anything before that chapter has concluded."

"Then it's settled. If Mister Bug is planning to go to the Imperial Graveyard, that's where we have to be," Iz smiled. "He is planning something big. I can't wait to see if he can overturn the fate of a whole sector."

--------------------------

"One second," Catheya answered. "You're really okay withstaying?"

"Of course. Just be careful. Talk with Kruta to make sure you don't break any unspoken rules."

"I know how to carry myself," Catheya winked before lowering her voice. "What do you think about what she said?"

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"There's not much point in worrying about Authorities and marks. I think she'd have said something if they posed a risk to my life."

"It's not like we could do anything about them even if we knew they were there," Catheya agreed. "Still, we don't know the full picture. There might be dangers we're still not aware of."

Zac understood what Catheya meant. She was reminding him not to take the information at face value. Iz had only provided a brief overview to explain the concept, but how could a few sentences encapsulate the abilities of Supremacies? Whether it was because of family rules or other limitations, there was much that remained unsaid.

The biggest concern was whether Supremacies could track their marks. He'd felt somewhat safe thanks to his combination of anti-Karma capabilities and Void bloodline. It would be easier said than done to track him down if he escaped into the Eternal Storm or another region of the Multiverse. But those maneuvers were useless if he carried around a tracking signal directly connected to the Dao.

"What did she give you?"

"Take a look," Zac said, taking out the information crystal.

"Are you sure?"

"It's not a problem. I'll probably share this with Kator anyhow. No matter what undercurrents are stirring in the Empire, they're unlikely to take action before they know the outcof the trial. This information gives us a chance to survive long enough for him to betray us."

"I hate that such a gloomy outlook sounds reasonable," Catheya said and took the crystal. "So many powerful people. Those Flamebearers, especially. I don't think Kator alone can deal with them alone, let alone us."

"We always suspected the waters were deeper than we could see. Outsiders have been entering Zecia and Zurbor for two years. Sdidn't join the Intersector War. Others kept their movements hidden. Now we have names and faces, at least, and the flamebearers should be aiming for the Left Imperial Palace."

"So long as it's not a slaughter trial," Catheya sighed.

Zac nodded in agreement. That was his worry, too. The biggest risk to his people is if there were a slaughter component like the Eastern Trigram Hunt. Their being uninterested in the Eternal Heritage wouldn't matter if killing other candidates improved one's fate with Ultom and the Left Imperial Palace.

His current strength still wasn't enough to win against Ysewithout relying on his bloodline breakthrough or outside assistance, let alone kill him. He might be able to fight to a draw, provided Ysehad shown all his cards in their previous fight. However, the three Flamebearers on Iz's list were clearly stronger than the Imperial Prince. Escaping with his life intact was the best outcif he fought today.

One was the direct descendant of someone called the Centigrade Pryer. Iz had only provided a brief introduction, explaining that the Pryer was an ancient elemental who'd achieved pseudo-immortality like the Primo. The descendant's level was a question mark, but the report said the unique elemental race were all monstrously talented. It was estimated the young Pryer would have four Earthly Daos on top of their other ungodly advantages.

Another candidate was the Holy Daughter of a terrifying Insectoid species. The report said each generation's Matriarch wielded the strength to fight to a draw with most Thrones or Seals, and the Holy Daughter had specifically been raised to take over in a few million years. How could someone like that be normal?

The third Flamebearer had the shortest introduction, mentioning neither gender nor race. Their nwas Eouso, and they cfrom something called the Pesvati Rift in the Eternal Storm. Zac had never heard of it, but any unintegrated faction that dared contend for opportunities directly related to the System had to be extremely powerful.

"Are you okay?" Zac asked when he saw Catheya's look.

"I'm fine. It's just that it's all becoming very real, very fast now that I'm back. I always knew the trial would be dangerous, but it's another thing now that there are names and faces to the competition. Do you think Iz can get it? The Eternal Heritage?"

"She has the qualifications. I couldn't gauge her strength at all this time. She might have already stepped into Late D-grade," Zac slowly said, not worried about the fllistening in. "Then again, Iz succeeding would only be the first step. The Tayns would have to defend the prize. I'm sure sold monsters are just waiting for the dust to settle to rob the winners rather than muck about with the trial."

"At least the matter will be out of our hands at that point," Catheya smiled, clasping Zac's hand. "I cannot believe we only got half a day to ourselves."

"Maybe we'll get stto ourselves in the Imperial Graveyard," Zac said helplessly. "Just givea call if you want to go back, and I'll figure out a way to pick you up."

"Go, do your thing," Catheya grinned. "I'll see if I can find sanswers here. It's an interesting juxtaposition after spending the last years in a world of ice and a reminder of why I've chosen this path."

Zac made his way back from the castle after saying his goodbyes. His safe exit from the burning mountain was enough deterrence to prevent any of the lingering Hegemons from having any ideas. He spent an hour getting updates and reading reports before returning to the Ensolus Ruins.

He passed five shell-shocked soldiers hurrying toward the temples on his way. The addition of almost 100 soldiers had added slife to the training camp, though it still gave off a desolate air. Eventually, he found himself at the entrance to the Halls of Service.

His human side had kept training all the while, having already emerged from the raw energy bath and returning a day later. The only difference from the norm was he'd swapped out the more strenuous exercises with things that wouldn't incapacitate his Draugr half. Rava would no doubt make him pay back for lost time, but the day off was definitely worth it.

Zac looked into the sky. He could vaguely see a river of providence connecting the Ensolus Ruins with the distance—the Imperial Graveyard or perhaps the pillar itself. Catheya was right. It all felt more real now that everyone was back and everything was in place. He only had two more weeks to prepare. He'd better make it count.

"There is a lingering aura of flowers and powerful flames on you. One of the outsiders you mentioned?"

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"A friend of mine just returned to Zecia, so I visited her before I had to return," Zac said, glancing at Rava, who had appeared to his right.

"A friend…? No wonder."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You have the aura of a man who's fought a fierce battle. But to think your Obsidian-eyed companion wasn't enough. Being young and full of vigor is natural, but do not forget what's important."

"That's not—" Zac coughed. "I have a question. Does the repository have any information on Authority that I can exchange for merit? I should have sleft over after going through the schedule."

"Why concern yourself with the matters of Deities and Godkings? You're just an Evolved Lord. Your glory points are better off spent on strengthening yourself."

Autarchs in the pre-system era were referred to as Celestials, with each stage having its own nlike the stages of Hegemony. Zac guessed that meant Deities were the nfor Supremacies. Godkings were likely something even greater. He recalled Rava calling Joanna's master Godking Eyler.

Zac had tried figuring out what that meant during his short visits to the repository, but he was only able to research his own subjects during his very brief breaks. He had a better idea after meeting Iz, though. A Godking should either be a Supremacy who'd extended their Authority beyond their Heavenly Territory or one who'd seized a slot of Utmost Authority.

"I just learned I've been marked by two Undead Supremacies, possibly more," Zac explained. "I want to understand what dangers I'm facing, if they can use the marks to control or track me."

Rava spoke after a few moments of thought.

"Don't waste your tin the repository. Authority only has a marginal impact on the masses—not even Deities can dictate the will of the Heavens. It is easier if you think of Authority as the final stage of Dao, and not as a special ability. The Dao is boundless, but only one cultivator can control the full extent of each expression. Someone reaching the limits of a path but lacking Authority will exhibit a fifth of its strength at best. Few had the luxury of wielding the full Authority of their Dao in my era. I believe it's even more difficult today.

"You have little reason to worry about the marks left on you. Even a Godking would have a difficult ttracking down its chosen through a mark alone. Your unique bloodline and Void Destiny will make it even harder, if not impossible. Frankly, I doubt anyone would be willing to try even if you ran off with the whole pillar."

Zac didn't understand why Rava was suddenly so accommodating after stonewalling him for over a week, but he wasn't about to ruin things with questions.

"The Heavens is not a servant. Using it as such will cause a backlash and trigger a premature tribulation. If unlucky, pieces of Authority they worked a million years on seizing will escape their grasp."

That was a load off his shoulders. The threat of facing a tribulation or crippling backlash would keep the Primo and everyone else on their best behavior in these critical times.

"Of course, there are exceptions to everything," Rava added. "I recall a Holy Relic from a previous Era that could accomplish such a feat without drawing the ire of the Heavens."

"Those things can't be very common," Zac muttered before looking at Rava with suspicion. "What's changed?"

"My job is to teach you and ensure you're ready for whatever fate has in store. I believe this knowledge might be part of that."

It was obviously not the truth, but Zac still felt the information was accurate.

"I've been thinking. I want to go through the Endless Crusade before I leave."

"You're not ready."

Zac looked at the river of providence a final tbefore stepping into the halls.

"Everything worthwhile comes at a price. And I might not be ready now, but I still have two weeks."