Defiance of the Fall Chapter 1408: History Repeating Itself

Zac settled back into his chair once more. Details about the Ultom Courts held immense value. Even if he chose not to apply them personally, countless eager and affluent Flamebearers stood ready to purchase such secrets. The challenge lay in grasping what Astora sought as exchange for sharing them. Yet, he'd feel deep regret without making the effort to pursue it.

“Descartes brought up that term earlier,” Zac responded deliberately. “Regrettably, he lacked the opportunity to elaborate further.”

“Progress will stall if you keep up the facade. None of the selected are simpletons,” Astora dismissed with a scoff, her palm glowing with immense Imperial Faith. “Do you recall this?”

“How could I not? I held back from mentioning it, worried I'd fallen short of Your Highness's high hopes for me,” Zac replied, his face showing keen interest.

In their prior encounter, Astora had revealed her lineage's access to portions of the Limitless Empire's providence. Beyond that, she could bestow such fortune upon an additional ally. His journey to the Peregrine Archipelago served in part as a trial of his worth. Zac felt certain he'd excelled by disrupting a significant scheme and rousing Sevona.

Considering the Arcana Division warrior slain by Descartes on the isle, that boon ought to be secured. All the same, Zac avoided the topic upon reuniting with the princess. Truth be told, he doubted its necessity now. The original intent was to link with the Mercurial Court's fate strands via the blessing, yet Idiche's foresight confirmed their feats already qualified them for the [Second Singularity].

Deepening ties with Astora Theomore now could introduce unwanted complications to their strategy. Moreover, Zac grew wary of receiving more boons from the Limitless Empire after a recent similar acceptance. He feared becoming a fervent devotee of the ancient Emperor without curbing himself.

“If anything, you exceeded expectations. So much so that it raises doubts,” Astora remarked. “The danger exceeded our forecasts. You drove back a Late-step Celestial, and without your efforts, the entire Archipelago would swarm with tainted foes by now. Plus, you eliminated the Belial Tribe's designated contender.”

“As I mentioned, that was—"

“A elusive Centigrade Elemental unseen or unmet by others. The thief of the [Fatesiphon Seal],” Astora affirmed with a nod. “I recall.”

Zac reflected inwardly, abruptly grateful the Elemental had claimed it.

Suspicious as Astora Theomore remained regarding his background and intentions, she apparently overlooked his own role as a Flamebearer. Given Descartes's immediate detection, the [Fatesiphon Seal] likely served as the key factor. It must possess the ability to detect nearby Sealbearers, akin to the concealed tracer on the Yphelion or the artifacts Valsa Planur employed to pursue Sealbearers across the Perennial Vastness.

“Should Your Highness deem me unfit, I'll simply strive harder in your cause,” Zac stated. “Regarding what you mentioned about Ultom?”

Astora countered Zac's inquiry with her own. “Are you aware of the significance behind your Realmsinger Seal?”

“It signifies a connection of fate to the Mercurial Court,” Zac replied with a shrug.

“Incorrect. It signifies a Karmic Link to Ultom. Particularly its Mercurial Domain,” Astora clarified.

“What did you say?” Zac demanded, the table creaking under the unintended surge of his power.

“A monumental inheritance challenge is set to unfold for this Era's Flamebearers and their Cycle of Protectors. However, the Empire repurposed those Karmic Links for a different aim. Upholding equilibrium, the Theomore Dynasty offered Sealbearers an exchange of Equal Worth in their stead,” Astora detailed steadily, as though her revelation didn't carry world-shaking implications that left Zac stunned.

“That's why you permitted access to the courts for outsiders?” Zac questioned, unsurprised deep down. No venerable power acted without cause, especially not the Limitless Empire. “Thus, we ordinary folk lose our chance to enter Ultom directly?”

Zac had long puzzled over why Outer Court Sealbearers bore titles like Soultaker or Skypiercer, when solely Flamebearers qualified for the Flameseeking trial. It emerged they were meant for the Ultom Courts, not the Outer ones. Matching domains even awaited within.

As for the Empire's need of those Karmic Links, speculation proved simple. Ultom's Eternal Heritage formed the Fifth Pillar's heart, with the links aiding its fusion into the Grand Array. Additionally, the Theomore Dynasty gathered all Sealbearers at the Outer Courts rather than dispatching comparable gifts to their groups. Their attendance likely fueled the scheme, transforming Sealbearers into unwitting conduits linking Ultom to the Outer Courts.

Just then, a tentative voice echoed in Zac's thoughts, igniting fresh turmoil.

Esmeralda proved correct. The ordeal that drew Zac and the rest to the Left Imperial Expanse mirrored the Theomore Dynasty's ancient Karmic shift. Rather than entering Ultom's Mercurial and Hollow Domains, they claimed prospects within recollections. They even guided toward sites once visited by prior Flameseeking trial's ancient Sealbearers.

The System or Limitless Empire siphoned Ultom's Karmic Links anew for a colossal, fate-defying endeavor. The prospect of the Limitless Empire rising to reclaim Multiversal dominance grew ever more tangible.

“Pardon, what was that again?” Zac rasped, aware he'd overlooked part of her words.

“As stated, our approach carries flaws. Firstly, our lineage depleted much of our Karma with Ultom. Secondly, the destiny shift invited interference from rival houses. My siblings' eligibility now hangs in doubt,” Astora explained.

“How does this concern me?” Zac probed. “I'm displeased at losing my shot, but I won't protest if it serves the Empire. I recognize the Theomore Dynasty compensated us fairly by unveiling the courts.”

“My blessing extends beyond boosting your Destiny. It brands you to my cycle and revives your Ultom connection. You'd ally with me against my kin or the interlopers who claimed their fate. Nine Flameseeking positions existed originally, but six fell to the greater cause,” Astora outlined. “Align with me, and I'll reveal all I know of Ultom. Note, I've ventured within before.”

Zac had regained composure fully, the blessing's appeal now vanished. He craved the insights still, yet recognized it as unattainable. “You deem me overly dubious for alliance, yet offer a trial run. Allow me to venture a guess: knowledge in trade?”

“Precisely. What's occurring? Why does my bloodline sense yours? Why this oppressive unease since our first meeting?” Astora pressed, her poise fraying. “Reveal the facts, and I'll back you completely. Both here and within Ultom.”

Zac breathed out steadily. “I cannot assist you.”

“You claim it's mere imagination?” Astora snarled, seizing Zac's wrist with startling speed he couldn't evade.

“No, I mean I cannot disclose it,” Zac clarified, disregarding the mounting warnings from his instincts. “Permit me a question. Do you hold faith in your forebears? In the Mercurial Court's elders?”

“Absolutely,” Astora affirmed instantly.

“As you noted, no fools gather here,” Zac said while withdrawing from her hold. Astora appeared soul-drained, gazing at her empty palms. Zac shook his head and headed for the exit, his final words aimed as much at himself as her. “At times, unawareness brings peace.”

The exterior had transformed upon his exit, eight colossal pillars now rising near the former Hall of Abundance site. Both he and Esmeralda had regained considerable strength, yet neither desired to navigate the isle's labyrinth of terrains by force. After inquiries, Zac reached a nearby teleportation platform that whisked him to the coastline.

Zac summoned a gondola without glancing behind. Much of Sevona's island stayed uncharted by him, but his experiences revealed the verdant woods as mere illusions. No Natural Treasure had surfaced during his pursuits, and the trivial items in one Spatial Ring irked him as tokens of the isle's meager rewards from slain foes.

Besides Idiche's offering, the sole worthwhile gain on the island proved the Corruption Crystals. Regrettably, that deposit had depleted. Zac had personally felled over half the intruders, with the rest surely handled by the Enforcement Hall's Monarchs. As for the phantom creatures, Zac doubted their persistence post-hunt. Meanwhile, soil corruption had been driven underground or purged clean.

Fortuitously, Esmeralda hadn't overlooked plundering the fallen warriors in the hall amid her search for valuables. The deathsworn attackers carried nothing appealing to her, but she bolstered Zac's hoard with 53 more Corruption Crystals. Sadly, she couldn't breach the Inner Worlds of the two perished Monarchs. The fierce clash had sealed the rifts, consigning the shattered realms to oblivion.

The realm quaked as Zac's vessel departed the coast, a torrent of realizations flooding his mind. His dual aspects had gathered vast insights and ordeals since their previous merge, demanding almost ten minutes to absorb fully. Upon recovery, Zac spotted Esmeralda at the boat's rear, gazing toward the island.

“Stunning, right?”

Sevona's island appeared utterly altered from prior views. Zac anticipated a persistent memory domain upon open seas, yet only a vast golden crystal protruded from the waves. The entire landmass lay trapped in amber, its woods and peaks blurred like a reverie.

“The memory domain crumbled during your absorption,” Esmeralda noted. “The crystal predated it.”

“I ponder if the island would have sealed even had we faltered,” Zac contemplated.

“We've verified that deeds in the memories influence the Mercurial Court's reality,” Esmeralda replied.

“Those changes paled compared to this,” Zac countered.

“True, but our feat this round dwarfed them as well.” Esmeralda gestured skyward with a smile.

Zac glanced upward, noting a sixth ethereal halo atop the Mercurial Court's pillar. Thus, the fate threads encircling the Mercurial Court had filled two-thirds. Zac wondered if the court would seal at that threshold or permit further progress. After all, the Mercurial Court vied for primacy against the Daedalian Court.

Trailers lagged far. The Radiant Court had claimed its third pillar in their prior escapade, tying for last with the Starfall Court. The Farsee Court had climbed from the nadir too, acquiring a fourth halo over the past week. In essence, three fresh halos had manifested in mere days—matching what Zac witnessed across three weeks in the archipelago.

Past halos, across any court, had induced time lapses of about a month. With three now, including the Mercurial Court's, Zac anticipated over a year might elapse before his next memory dive. This underpinned his caution to Astora of his extended absence. Recalling Astora Theomore drew a sigh from Zac.

“Any regrets?” Esmeralda inquired.

“Slightly,” Zac conceded. “Though agreeing would have bred greater remorse.”

Astora's offer's dilemma transcended mere desire for the blessing. Should trial bounds endure, satisfying her queries proved unfeasible. Failure akin to Xiphos would doom Astora's dream escape. It formed a no-win scenario, and Zac refused to gamble for scraps of intel.

“Who can say? She might ally with you yet. With past and present converging, encounters could arise upon reaching Ultom,” Esmeralda suggested. “Tread warily then. No me to rescue you.”

The remark refocused Zac on their urgent matter: the failed theft and potential remedies.

“Based on observations, I'll need to advance before pursuing the [Second Singularity],” Zac declared, eyeing the recognizable night canopy.

“Understood,” Esmeralda breathed. “How long until then?”

Zac would have deduced the same sans Idiche's enhanced [Peregrine Almond] guidance. The prophetic vision's setback was evident. Void powers were essential against the [Second Singularity] for unclear reasons. His Void Energy stores fell short, compelling Esmeralda's premature intervention.

The straightforward fix involved bolstering his energy capacity. With [Force of the Void] capped at 50%, one primary path remained for enhancement. Reaching Peak Hegemony would swell his Cosmic Core to contain at least fivefold current reserves. As [Force of the Void] scaled with total energy, his Void stock would surge proportionally.

A secondary path, hinted by Tavza as viable, allowed elevating one's Bloodline to C-grade pre-Monarchy. That promised broader boosts to all Void skills. Likely, a fresh talent would emerge, better fitted for their task.

Still, this option carried excessive peril. His frame had absorbed excessive energies, triggering an unintended advance against Mox. The effort collapsed in slumber, spared grave rebound only by the nurturing burial ground. That occurred less than two months prior.

His form required further settling—time in short supply. Delays heightened chances of mishaps. Esmeralda's state factored in too. Grand Dream had drawn out surplus Temporal Energies from their forms. For Zac, with mere Temporal Chamber overuse, gains endured. But Esmeralda bore a dread Temporal Treasure internally.

Per her account, the [Timescape Loop] intensified relentlessly until reincarnation compelled release. That path closed now, so limits loomed despite repeated Grand Dream aid. Peak Hegemony must suffice.

Zac pondered briefly. “Three months, assuming I acquire the remaining necessities.”

Most would deem Zac's schedule absurd, and he scarcely credited it himself. He'd entered the Left Imperial Expanse under a year back amid breakthrough, now eyeing the subsequent phase. Peak D-grade core forging ranked as Hegemony's toughest barrier, yet he neared it swiftly, if not swifter, than prior tiers.

Most astonishingly, it felt unhurried.

Tasks abounded, but none proved impossible. Final levels could come via Natural Treasures or trades for elixirs and resources from the Mercurial Court. His blueprint mainly awaited refinement, with ample corruption to hasten it.

Post-Bazaar sweep in Transformation Docks, his materials hit 70%, rising another 5% from scavenged fragments. The balance could emerge gratis amid Hells and Gardens travels, with Imperial Merit covering shortages.

The sole true obstacle was his Dao of Conflict.

For Middle or Late Hegemony, a trailing Dao might suffice. But the volatile forces to unleash and intertwine demanded parity; a full step's deficit risked chaos. Barely succeeding wouldn't cut it—a flawed core rendered all moot. Augmented reserves meant little if his frame couldn't wield them.

“I'll aid your search, and we might employ other measures to lessen risks,” Esmeralda offered, leaping to Zac's shoulder. “Alright, time to begin.”