Defiance of the Fall

The image of the Limitless Empire rising from the ashes like a vengeful phoenix left Zac shaken. Their resurrection would have extreme ramifications on integrated space. How would the factions who took their spot at the top of the food chain react? How would the System react? There was only one possible outcome: war and chaos.

If his hunch was true, was he the first to know? Zac doubted it. The peak factions would have noticed something in the ripples of fate. Esmeralda mentioned multiple Supremacies were lying in wait just outside the Left Imperial Expanse. Part of it was no doubt to protect their descendants or snatch the trial's supreme treasures as they were brought out.

Was there more to their presence?

"Let's say you're right. The Limitless Empire is cursed," Zac said. "How do you explain the people I ran into?"

There was no doubt in Zac's mind that the swordsman was a true imperial, no matter what Ventus said. If Zac's theories were right, they had likely joined the trial to ensure the ritual went off without a hitch. The Supremacies outside could be aiming to flush out the Limitless Empire's hidden remnants. This was their best chance at nipping the problem in the bud.

"I can't. It should be impossible," Ventus said helplessly. "Mind you, what little I know comes from my teacher. He's no expert on the subject, either. Master simply warned me after learning the trial was connected to the Limitless Empire. The taboos make divination fraught with danger.

"However, I know a conspiracy when I see one," the elf added. "We're all pawns in a big game, one that might be older than the System itself."

Zac sighed and dropped the subject. "I'm going to join Ogras and head for the Hollow Court. Is that alright with you?"

"Anywhere is fine, so long as I can stay in the eye of your storm. I'm allowed to follow my discretionary judgment until I receive a call to gather," Ventus said, pausing before continuing. "Of course, I'd have to ignore such a request if my movement was restricted."

"For now, consider yourself conscripted," Zac said after some thought. "Your handlers will have to tell me personally if they want you back. I could be swayed into saying no even if our agreement doesn't need me to go that far. It depends on how useful you've been. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to have a chat with my advisor."

The two walked to the root cave's other side, where Ogras erected a privacy bubble of shadows. It wasn't that Ventus was particularly untrustworthy, but he was in a similar bind as Catheya with the Undead Empire's commandments. It was impossible to know what information might come back and bite them in their ass, so they needed to be careful about what they said around the Numerologist.

Ventus seemed more than happy to stay on the sidelines. His main goal was surviving the trial, and the secrets on the Left Imperial Expanse were the kind that got people killed.

"It's good to see you still in one piece," Ogras said. "It was touch and go for a while."

"It's all thanks to you. The Soul-nurturing treasure you found was something else," Zac said with a smile. "Did you encounter any of our people before me?"

"No, the elf was the first real person I ran into. We discovered traces of another trial taker near a memory domain and chose not to pursue."

"Probably a good call. What are your plans going forward?"

"I'll go with you, of course. I'd have to be a fool to leave the treasure shuttle now that I've managed to board," Ogras grinned. "I might go my own way after we reach the Hollow Court. We'll see how things play out."

"The thing we're after…" Zac said. He didn't want to tell Ogras what to do, but the Primo's treasure was connected to the Atwood Empire's survival.

"Don't worry. I'll hand it over if I, by some miracle, get my hands on that thing before you. I'd rather face the misfortune of those ancient taboos than the misfortune of becoming your enemy. I don't know about the former, but I've seen what the latter does to people," Ogras laughed. "I learned some interesting things about the Hollow Court, so I wanted to check things out."

"Oh?"

Ogras quickly went over his experience of the past months. It wasn't as explosive as Zac's story, but it did provide an interesting piece of information.

"The Hollow Court nurtured the empire's assassins on this continent?" Zac mused. "I guess it makes sense such an organization would like a supreme treasure of Pure Death."

"I bet it's a weapon, one holding enough death to slaughter Supremacies. The Primo is already monstrously strong. With something like that in his grasp, he'd be unstoppable," Ogras said. "Maybe we could use it to scare off our enemies before handing it over?"

Zac pictured unleashing the scales he'd seen in the [Fuxi Mountain Gate], killing whatever Supremacy foolish enough to target Earth after the trial ended. The fantasy was short-lived, ruined by reality. Even if Ogras' guess was correct, such items couldn't be wielded by a Hegemon. The 'Seed of the Apocalypse' hidden in Rava's training facility required a Divine Monarch at the very least.

"We can discuss that after we actually get our hands on it," Zac said, pointing his thumb at Ventus. "Do you think he'll be useful for the mission?"

"I joke, but his skill set is quite practical," Ogras said.

"Have you figured out who's behind him?"

"No, the members of the Radiant Court all have restrictions placed on them. Honestly, I'm not convinced he knows. We know the order comes from above, but who's to say where the trail ends?"

Zac recalled what little he knew about the local region's hierarchy. The Radiant Temple and Havarok Empire were technically part of the same faction, though in opposing camps. It was an alliance of B-grade Factions that started as a defensive pact against outside aggressors like the Undead Empire. The Radiant Temple and Havarok Dynasty were in the middle of the pack, strength-wise.

The alliance was an independent organization, the same way Zecia was officially unrelated to outside factions. Zac had heard that a reclusive sect stood above the alliance, demanding resources in exchange for protection. That sect would have to be suicidal to get involved with the Left Imperial Palace. It should be someone even higher on the food chain pulling the strings.

Zac also expected the political landscape to have changed since the Fifth Pillar's ascent. The Havarok's attitudes indicated they had made some connections with the Seven Heavens. The Radiant Temple didn't necessarily answer to a local force.

"Has he done anything suspicious?"

"No, but I wouldn't buy his baby bird-act. He says he appeared near the Hollow Court because of you, but is that the truth? I've been getting the feeling he's after the same thing as us," Ogras said.@@novelbin@@

Zac understood what Ogras was getting at. "It's possible. The local A-grade factions have to be sick and tired of dealing with the Eternal Crusade. Using the Primo's treasure as leverage would be a good way to get them off their backs. Ceding territory to make sure the Primo doesn't get his item is a deal the Izh'Rak Reavers would take any day."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"Exactly. The Primo's treasure can buy peace for whoever holds it, which makes them our enemy. It doesn't matter whether they're working on their own or with the skeletons. We'll lose our leverage if they're the ones to bring the treasure away." Ogras shrugged. "It's just a working theory, and it doesn't mean the elf is a spy. I'm more inclined to believe he's keeping his options open."

"He did something similar in the Twilight Ocean," Zac laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised if Ventus intentionally got himself captured back then to use the Havaroks for protection. This time, we're his shield."

"It should be fine. We'll just work him like a horse until there's a conflict of interest."

"What do you think about what he said? About the conspiracy?" Zac asked.

"I'd say it's above my pay grade," Ogras said, looking at Zac with resignation. "But why do I get the feeling you're about to drag me into the thick of it?"

"You know me too well," Zac said with a crooked smile. "Still, I think it's better than not knowing."

"Alright, out with it. What have you done this time?" Ogras exhaled.

"Nothing… yet," Zac coughed before going over everything he and Esmeralda had uncovered so far.

He also shared his most recent suspicions. The only thing he'd kept to himself was the [Fuxi Mountain Gate] and any connection to the Void.

"Ai," Ogras lamented. "Just moments ago, I was happily unburdening a shadow realm of its gifts. The second you appear, I suddenly have to worry about ancient rituals and the old Emperor's ghost coming to haunt us. This wasn't what I pictured when I said I'd ride the treasure shuttle."

"Luck is a double-edged sword," Zac helplessly said. "I'm not saying we should pick a side or get involved. The better we understand the undercurrents, the greater our chances of survival. We need to stay alert and keep investigating. It almost feels like they're luring people to the courts to become sacrifices for their ritual."

"I'm not sure what sacrificing a couple of ants would accomplish," Ogras muttered. "There should be a way to get out in one piece. The Ruthless Heavens always leaves a path of survival."

"I'd normally agree with you, except this is a plot planned out by the Limitless Empire ages ago. The System might not be able to interfere."

"It has been uncharacteristically silent," Ogras agreed. "I think the key lies in that Earth Spirit's warning. We need to draw a line between us and the past. It's easy to get swept into the intrigues of the past, to see the memories as real people. And what you believe can shape reality, especially in a place like this.

"Don't see them as humans. Don't make connections, and avoid helping them if you can. Only focus on the mission. Get the items and get out, leaving as small a mark as possible." Ogras looked at Zac with defeat. "The last part is probably impossible for you, so try to steer the aftermath toward our enemies. I suggest the baldies."

"I'll see what I can do. The Sangha might be prepared this time. I've done it to them a few times already," Zac smiled.

The two decided on some preliminary arrangements before rejoining Ventus. Zac was in decent shape thanks to Roan's blessing, but they didn't immediately continue their journey. Ventus had deduced that the dangerous rain was about to get stronger, and all three could use the break to unwind.

They were soon laughing at Ogras's colorful description of how close he'd come to driving a poor merchant to despair inside his first memory lantern. Zac followed up with one of his less flattering stories from his past. It was nice having a relaxing chat that didn't involve ancient plots or life and death.

Half a day later, the downpour abated. Ogras brought them out through the shadows, and Zac looked at the completely unfamiliar landscape. Whole mountains had grown out of thin air. Trickles of grey water ran down their slopes and brought more change to their surroundings.

The only constant was the tree that had provided cover through the storm. Its branches had been shifted around, but its general shape was the same. It looked like it had somewhat adapted to the shade realm's unstable nature. In that sense, it was more real than the ephemeral plants that would be replaced with the next squall.

"I can't wait to get out of this region," Ventus said with frustration as he furiously switched around the beads on his abacus. "Every downpour wipes the slate clean, forcing me to redo my calculations."

"Is there any need to calculate dangers in this place?" Zac asked. "It seems quite safe beyond the rain."

"What we see is just the tip of the iceberg," Ogras explained. "There are multiple layers to this realm, shadows within shadows. There are weak spots where one can fall through. Or something nasty could pop out for a walk. Only the surface is empty because of the rain."

"The connection points are also shortcuts. You could look at the surface like a projection," Ventus added as a small star appeared behind him. It created a twenty-meter silhouette on a hill nearby. "We'll waste a month if we stick to this layer."

"How are you calculating safe passages?"

"This continent is raw and untouched by the System's hand. Energy, spirituality, and destiny flow like untamed rivers. Understanding the natural order is no different than seeing history unfold. I can infer how our surroundings were shaped and from there deduce its future."

It sounded a lot like the concepts of Feng Shui to Zac. "Can you use your abilities to find suitable memory lanterns? Or at least memory domains?"

"Not directly. Any attempt to derive truths from Imperial Fate will get me in trouble. However, it's safe to say the lanterns capture significant points in time. Whether it's an individual or society, significant changes are more likely to occur at locations holding great providence. Similar to tracking treasure streaks, I can use this to find regions more likely to attract lanterns and domains."

"So we simply need to stay in the energy-dense regions?"

"Not necessarily," Ventus said. "A great turning point in history would have weakened or even exhausted the surrounding fate. Rather than following opportunity streaks, you should look for signs of faded glory. Picture a dried ocean. You're bound to find powerful memories in its basin. Mind you, this is different from looking for patches of subpar energy. Drained fate doesn't equate to weak energy."

"Interesting," Zac said. "Definitely beats looking around at random."

It was a novel approach that didn't solely rely on Luck or Fate. Unfortunately, Zac wasn't sure how to scan for weak providence. He mostly progressed through instinct—instincts tuned toward danger and opportunity, not lack thereof.

"Point it out the next time we encounter something like that," Zac continued. "Have you figured out the route?"

"I have, assuming we're still aiming for the shade realm's opportunity?"

"Didn't you say we found it when this guy appeared?" Ogras leered while pointing at Zac.

"You want your shadow treasure or not?" Ventus glared.

"Alright, you two," Zac said, slightly smiling at their bickering. He had to admit that Ogras had a talent for creating love-hate relationships with everyone around him.

The trio set out, and it became clear that the detour wouldn't cause a delay. Normally, Zac would have spent the next few days in seclusion to digest his experience and recover more Void Energy. He might even have waited out the tribulation currently being refined by [Void Heart]. The Hidden Node never gave any warning signs, and it could get dangerous if the lightning jumped out at the wrong time.

There was no need to take such precautions with two skilled companions on his team. Despite their short time together, Ventus and Ogras showcased seamless teamwork as they advanced deeper into the shadows. The former measured the land and analyzed the findings with his abacus. The smatter of wooden beads with the rhythmic cadence of the Dao of Order became a constant in Zac's life.

Ogras assisted the Numerologist with his army of shadows. They searched every nook and cranny, providing hard data to fill in the blanks in the elf's equations. Whenever deductions couldn't give a clear answer, a wraith would be sent to investigate. The approach wasn't as fast as Zac's gut-based exploration, but it occasionally produced surprising results.

The "weak spot" Ogras mentioned gave Zac a bad feeling, yet turned out to be safe. If he'd traveled alone, he would have looked for another path. Entering the gateway safely was partly thanks to Ogras, who was also in charge of keeping the group hidden. His combination of shadows and illusions was no weaker than Esmeralda's spatial domain inside the shadow realm.

It allowed them to avoid quite a bit of unwanted attention over the next day. Like Ogras said, only the surface was uninhabited. Zac could sense threatening presences from every direction the second they reached the lower layers.

Unlike the underground domain Zac pictured, the hidden levels of the region looked much like the surface. It was an open world under an overcast sky. Except, the weather was better. The occasional grey cloud dotted an otherwise obsidian-black sky. Zac could tell they weren't looking at outer space but rather a dome of true darkness.

There'd been no sign of deadly rain since they entered the lower layers, which explained the environment's sturdier presence. The shadowy plant life was given time to grow before getting stuck in a loop of reinvention. Nature had reached a point where it could survive a drizzle, and the stability fulfilled the conditions of sustained wildlife.

Zac almost felt like a tourist as he looked around from the safety of Ogras's shadow bubble. His companions were doing the heavy lifting, leaving Zac free to ponder on the Dao or work on his cultivation. It was nearly as relaxing as being shuttled around inside Esmeralda's pouch.

"What?" Ogras asked upon noticing Zac looking in his direction.

"I was just thinking I could get used to this treatment."

"Don't get too comfortable. There'll be work for you soon enough," Ogras grinned. "We're getting closer to the holy ground. Have you ever heard of such a place being unguarded?"