Defiance of the Fall Chapter 1403: Betrayal

“Chaos… Impossibl—!” The horrified exclamation of Descartes was cut short as the silver orb slammed into his face.

Zac was battling a thunderous migraine, his upper body’s pathways feeling as though they were being seared by fire as he struggled to maintain his grip on the Hollow Chaos. His outward appearance of calm was a facade. Manifesting Chaos Energy required more than his current reserves could safely provide, yet it was the only method Zac could envision to utterly extinguish Descartes’ final embers of hope.

The trial had been a relentless succession of lethal threats, forcing Zac to cycle between the powers of Oblivion and Creation. Since severing their link to their source, the remnants could only produce a finite amount of energy, and they had been running dangerously low even before the hunt began. The desperate act of forging another sphere of Chaos had left them shriveled and fractured. This gamble had undoubtedly cost the remnants a permanent portion of their spirituality.

Even with such a heavy toll, the potency of the Primordial Chaos wasn't quite where Zac wanted it. He had meticulously laid the groundwork to shatter Descartes' mental and physical fortifications, and he couldn't afford to waste the opportunity. Because the volume was low, he had to maximize its efficiency. Fortunately, his technique had evolved since his encounter with Mox’s champion; practice was finally yielding results.

True mastery over the force remained beyond Zac’s reach. It was possible that controlling Chaos was fundamentally impossible—at least within the laws of cultivation in this Era. Even so, he had discovered indirect methods to guide an uncontrollable power. He even possessed a specialized manual for such a task—the [Inverse Vestige Scripture] he had claimed from the Hidden Earth Abode.

The predecessor of Daoist Hidden Earth had formulated a technique to manipulate the Void by utilizing sacrificial molds. By channeling unleashed Void Energy through these specific conduits, it was given shape and trajectory in a rudimentary imitation of a skill fractal. Zac attempted to replicate this concept now. Rather than simply letting the Chaos dissolve Descartes’ head into a state of permanent instability, Zac used Spiritual Threads coated in Void Energy to snare any stray flickers of Chaos.

Dasorm likely never anticipated that his [Cosmic Forge] would be applied in such a martial fashion. Or perhaps the utility was so blatant it didn't require explanation. Regardless, [Cosmic Infusion] became the instrument Zac used to extract every drop of lethality from the small mass of Chaos.

Zac acted as a shepherd, ensuring not a single spark of the energy wandered off. Everything was forcibly funneled downward, specifically guided into Descartes’ meridians. With Alea relentlessly pinning Descartes' fate to this path of destruction, the man offered no defense. This lethal synergy caused his physical form to undergo an irreversible transformation before it finally disintegrated into nothingness.

The Chaos surged through Descartes’ body like a wildfire before finally crashing into his Cosmic Core. Zac gave one last, desperate shove, the pressure nearly causing his Soul Aperture to shatter. He might have suffered a permanent injury if not for the blessing bestowed by the Empyrean Chalice. Yet, even that divine aid had reached its limit after healing his previous wounds and sustaining him this far. When Zac’s instincts screamed of imminent peril, he was simply too spent to move.

Just as Descartes’ Cosmic Core reached its breaking point, Zac felt a protective embrace from behind. The core detonated like a high-yield explosive, releasing a tempest of energy and jagged shrapnel that tore into Zac’s flesh. Fortunately, the fundamental defensive power of [Love’s Bond] had been significantly bolstered by its recent refinement.

The armor shielded Zac’s vitals as the blast threw him back several dozen feet, while a web of chains shielded his head. The new damage to the breastplate would eventually repair itself, and the broken chains would reform within a few days. Zac’s primary concern was Alea’s spiritual condition. She had maintained her interference far longer than was safe, and she had even intercepted some of the explosive aftermath as she retreated into the armor.

Alea whispered soothingly.

The reassurance only deepened Zac’s worry. Alea’s voice was a mere ghost of itself, and she drifted into a profound coma immediately after speaking. Zac could sense the fragility of her spirit. If this was a "weakened" backlash, the full force would have been catastrophic. Since Alea was committed to this path, he realized he needed to find ways to harden her spiritual essence. Perhaps the Mercurial Court held secrets on accelerating the integration of Spiritual Flames?

Despite being nearly drained of energy, Zac was in remarkably good shape. Compared to his earlier, cruder attempts to manifest Chaos, the difference was staggering, proving his training was effective. It wasn't just about raw power; it was about finding a more elegant solution than simply smashing the two opposing forces together.

Zac had reached a new level of strength since his battles with Naruk and the avatar of Mox. His Daos of Life and Death had both progressed, as had his [Void Vajra Sublimation]. While the physical enhancements of the latter didn't fully translate to his Draugr form, his constitution had clearly become more resistant to volatile energies. Most importantly, his experience with the cycle of Life and Death in the Peregrine Ocean had been integrated into his Heart. This deepened his resonance with the Peak of Chaos, making his attempt at manipulation slightly less grueling.

As the echoes of the explosion faded, silence returned to the lobby. There was no indication of Descartes returning to life, and the only sound was Zac’s heavy, ragged breathing. The collapse of the Limitless Empire’s divine chart left a lingering sense of vacuum that neither Sevona’s divine aura nor August’s blue-tinted avarice could fill. Even the moonlight through the overhead window seemed to shrink back, refusing to touch the interior of the lodge.

The ruined lobby remained lit only by the azure seal on the exit and the ghostly glow of the Empyrean Chalice. The vessel drifted above as if its purpose were yet unfulfilled. Its radiance shimmered off the thousands of spiritual fragments remaining from Kaltosa Lu’s destroyed Array Disks, scattering colors of the Dao across the room in a haunting display.

Zac glanced up at the hovering chalice. Was it seeking some form of compensation for its timely intervention? Was a prayer required? Even if Zac were inclined to offer one, he was ignorant of the rites. At least no new marks had appeared on his skin to signal a fresh Karmic Debt. Deciding to deal with the mystery later, Zac turned his attention toward Kaltosa Lu.

The Elemental appeared as though he had been the one on the front lines. The Empyrean Chalice had not shared its protection with Zac’s temporary partner, leaving Kaltosa Lu to endure the full weight of the banner’s power. He lay collapsed on the floor, his six limbs twitching as if caught in a waking nightmare.

Zac felt a surge of Killing Intent. Was this the perfect moment to eliminate this scheming Flamebearer? He dismissed the thought almost immediately. Beyond the potential fallout of murdering a direct descendant of the Centigrade Pryer, Zac needed to conserve his remaining strength for whatever awaited inside the Hall of Abundance.

Descartes' demise hadn't stopped August’s attempt to claim the Divine Core. His aura was so dominant that Zac could barely feel Sevona’s divinity fighting to stay relevant. Simply breaching the azure seal would likely demand the use of the [Eye of Desolation].

Just as Zac began to gather Miasma for the skill, the sound of a heavy heartbeat made him freeze. His gaze snapped back to the center of the hall. A golden heart, wreathed in clouds of providence and runes of great merit, had manifested where Descartes had fallen. It resembled the heart of a celestial being—an image that was instantly defiled.

A putrid, rotting slit tore across the golden surface, leaking foul blood. The tear widened as three clawed, scaled hands with obsidian nails forced the opening apart from the inside. Something profoundly malevolent was clawing its way out.

“What the hell?” Zac breathed, watching as a torrent of degenerative corruption spilled from the rupture.

Within the heart, Zac could see a horned entity glaring at him with pure hatred. Its features were more distorted than any demon he had ever encountered, radiating a madness that was distinct from, yet as terrifying as, the corruption of the Lost Era. This was a true devil, a presence so foul that [Immutability of Eoz] and [Purity of the Void] both surged in response.

Despite the radical change in form, Zac knew Descartes wasn't dead. Not only was he alive, but the pressure emanating from the decaying heart was even more intense than before. Zac took no pleasure in finally identifying the source of the primal power hidden within Descartes.

The silver lining was that his previous strike hadn't been in vain. It had forced Descartes into this second manifestation, and the devil was clearly battered. He was missing an arm, and his body was covered in festering wounds that showed no signs of healing. Zac was exhausted, but Descartes was a cornered animal at the end of its strength.

And he was still confined within the rotting heart.

Zac prepared to lunge forward to end the threat, but sudden, agonizing pain stopped him cold. Twelve metallic spikes had slammed into his body, forming a sophisticated array that completely locked down his soul and pathways. Even the Void failed to respond. When he tried to tap into his hidden reserves, the array generated a powerful counter-pulse that neutralized his efforts.

The suppression was even more absolute than the seal the Eidolon Autarch had used on him. With great effort, Zac managed to turn his head to see Kaltosa Lu limping toward him. The betrayal was undeniable, yet the Elemental’s own shattered state made the move as baffling as it was infuriating.

Kaltosa Lu had been waiting for the perfect window. Though Zac had tried to remain wary of his ally, the Elemental had struck at the exact moment Zac’s focus was entirely on Descartes. The array spikes had clearly been prepared in advance, likely designed using data from their previous clash. They had bypassed Zac’s danger sense entirely until they were already embedded in his back.

What made the betrayal truly nonsensical was the timing. Kaltosa Lu hadn't struck when victory seemed certain; he had acted just as their enemy rose again. Of the three, Kaltosa Lu was in the worst condition. Why face Descartes alone when Zac could have continued to serve as the vanguard?

It didn't seem like a simple case of Kaltosa Lu cutting his losses. If that were the goal, he would have aimed for a killing blow before fleeing. This array was designed to imprison, not execute, and the Elemental seemed perfectly content to watch Descartes’ resurgence.

“Excellent work, my friend. I’m impressed you managed to draw him out,” Kaltosa Lu croaked, staggering closer. “Lompo predicted I’d need to burn a Primordial Rune for this. It seems he undervalued your capabilities. Chaos and Void? Quite the unique blend. It’s clear why Ultom took an interest in you.”

“Why?” Zac managed to grunt, fighting the spikes with every ounce of his will.

“Think of it as insurance,” Kaltosa Lu replied with a casual shrug.

“Descartes…” Zac said, his voice failing him.

Kaltosa Lu let out a dry laugh. “As I suspected, this abrasive interloper was a member of the Belial Tribe.”

The name wasn't entirely unfamiliar to Zac. The Belial Tribe—or more accurately, the Belial Clan—was one of the Eight Imperial Bloodlines, standing on the same level as the Theomores. Only another peak lineage would have the audacity to target Astora Theomore. Another Imperial Bloodline was vying for Ultom, and Zac was caught in the crossfire.

Zac knew little else about the Belial Tribe. He wasn't sure if they were naturally human or if this devilish form was their true state. He had tried to research the Imperial Bloodlines after discovering the Theomore Dynasty’s rule over the Left Imperial Expanse, but information was scarce.

Most records of the Imperial Bloodlines had been scrubbed from history. Even Tavza, with her love of lore, only knew the basics. Kaltosa Lu’s knowledge wasn't surprising, given that the Centigrade Pryer was a survivor of the Dark Ages. Based on Descartes’ earlier taunts, the Pryer had once been little more than a bondservant to such powers.

“I was beginning to worry I’d misidentified him,” Kaltosa Lu remarked. By now, the devil was nearly free of its cocoon. “The scholars of Belial are famously refined, not at all like this bitter fool. I doubt the First Era’s corruption is the cause. It’s more likely the memory lanterns couldn't handle the strain of the Divine Degeneracy Bloodline.”

Zac tried to shout at Kaltosa Lu to act, but his throat was paralyzed. However, he soon noticed a subtle conflict unfolding. The shimmering mist from the broken Array Disks was thinning rapidly, and Descartes’ aura was becoming increasingly erratic.

Descartes finally tumbled from the heart. As he tried to stand, his remaining arm erupted in a spray of filth. He screamed in a mixture of rage and terror, unable to stop the debris from the disks from being pulled into his body. Strangely, the remnants weren't damaging him; they were flooding him with power, causing his bloodline to spiral out of control.

He took one faltering step toward them before collapsing. Staring blankly at the ceiling, he gasped his final words with profound bitterness.

“Treason—"

In the next heartbeat, the devil dissolved into a slurry of corruption as his own bloodline consumed him. Kaltosa Lu chuckled softly as he approached the foul puddle.

“My grandfather is my polar opposite. He’s petty and vengeful, never accepting even a minor slight,” Kaltosa Lu said, manifesting a spectral hand.

The hand reached into the sludge and retrieved the token Descartes had used to navigate the Lodge’s restrictions. It bore a resemblance to the [Court Cycle Token], but lacked a Flamebearer seal. Instead, it was carved with a foreign rune radiating immense Imperial Faith.

“Simply outliving his rivals wasn't enough for him,” Kaltosa Lu continued, returning to Zac’s side. “He spent decades developing punishments for enemies who had already passed away. I suppose I should thank the old man; that spiteful research proved quite useful today.”

Zac glared at his captor, unable to speak further.

“You’re curious why you’re still alive? It’s simple: I’d rather not be incinerated,” Kaltosa Lu said, gesturing toward the Empyrean Chalice. “How did you forge such a deep bond with a Templar Order? There was almost no fate tying those threads to this place.

“It makes me wonder if your earlier bragging had some truth to it. There are whispers you might be allied with the Boundless Path factions. That would explain your actions at the Imperial Graveyard,” Kaltosa Lu mused. “Is that why you pursue the Void, even though it’s a dead end? A way to mask your ties to the forbidden empire?”

Zac responded only with a look of pure loathing.

“I suppose it’s irrelevant,” Kaltosa Lu said, pressing the stolen token toward Zac’s left hand. “I can’t kill you, but I can certainly take what I’m owed. My apologies, but you were right—the competition is fierce, and I cannot fail my beloved. I’ll just borrow your Fate for a while. You’re resourceful; I’m sure you’ll recover.”

A spear of light erupted with blinding speed, turning Kaltosa Lu’s own tactic against him. Though the Elemental was prepared, a burst from the Empyrean Chalice shattered his defenses. The spear transfixed Kaltosa Lu, and holy flames instantly engulfed him.

“Curse it! You won't yield even a fraction! Just wait!” Kaltosa Lu screamed as a constellation within him flared with ancient power.

Zac watched in stunned silence as a pillar of distorted Time and Space, a meter wide, consumed the Elemental. Zac had managed to wear down the sealing spikes through sheer resistance, but the chalice had acted before he could make his move.

The pillar of artificial Continuum contracted instantly. It pierced through the roof and shot into the heavens, reminiscent of the [Centurion Spear] being fired. The pillar stretched toward infinity as it narrowed to a needle-thin line. A moment later it vanished, having used all its power to teleport the Elemental away, leaving only flickering Empyrean Flames behind.

“You?” Zac gasped as a radiant figure stepped out from the chalice. With Kaltosa Lu gone, the spikes pinning him finally lost their power.