Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1706: Bone Lakes (Part 1)

Kaerno gestured towards the vortex of blades. "The Hail Passage." Adam inquired, "Will I be using the same passage where Gladius and Xyrea departed?"

Kaerno offered a noncommittal shrug in reply.

"That, Adam, is entirely your decision. The Hail Passages, as their name implies, are merely conduits."

"Conduits to where?" Adam pressed.

A smirk played on Kaerno's lips. "To the arena, or more specifically, the Grim Court."

Tap.

Placing a hand on Adam's shoulder, Kaerno turned and began walking towards the blade pillar. "Come now, now that you've returned, it's time for you to learn more about this place and about Sakra." He glanced towards her. "And you too, Sakra. From the looks of it, you encountered a rather formidable Frenzied Shard, didn't you?"

Sakra nodded with great alacrity.

"Indeed! But that final servant – it escaped! Blast it, that knight was intent on acquiring a second Hollow Mark immediately!"

Kaerno halted his steps.

Such news was unusual, even for him.

"The technique involving two Hollow Marks? One imprinted on the weapon, and the second on the body... It ripped up the contract mid-battle, didn't it?"

"Ugh, yes! The shard attempted to secure new servants to defend itself, but it proved unsuccessful!" Sakra declared, hands on her hips with evident pride. "We turned out to be far too powerful and magnificent! It stood no chance!"

Kaerno stroked his chin, deep in thought.

"Adam..."

"Y-Yes?"

"How did that fiend, no... that knight, manage to escape the battlefield?"

Adam brought a hand to his neck. "He suddenly bit me. Prior to that, he had only employed his hands and sword, and then he utilized his cape."

A deep sigh escaped him. "To be frank, surviving such injuries should be impossible, yet for some reason, I am certain he discovered a method. I detected no despair or fear of death in his eyes. On the contrary, he appeared as though he had just struck gold."

For what felt like an eternity, Kaerno's gaze remained fixed on Adam's neck, tracing the dried blood along its edges.

Then, the shadows in his eyes receded as he turned away.

"I see. In any event, your recent confrontation has concluded, but regrettably, preparations for the next must commence."

Kaerno was unaware of the 'Blood of God' or that Adam's time was finite. However, his extensive experience allowed him to deduce that Adam was not a particularly patient individual.

Regardless of the circumstances, Adam would readily plunge into the next conflict if it offered a path back home and a means to grow stronger.

"Speaking of which," Adam's gaze dropped, surveying his wounded form. "I'm unsure if I have the right to ask, but perhaps you possess something that could accelerate my recovery?"

Before Adam could articulate further, Sakra surged forward, falling to her knees and grasping the hem of Kaerno's worn, tattered robe.

"Boss! Please! I haven't visited in ages! We endured such an arduous battle! We absolutely deserve a respite!"

Sakra looked up, her already large eyes widening further, resembling those of a famished kitten.

"Pretty please?"

Kaerno rolled his eyes and waved a dismissive hand.

"Very well, there was no need for such theatrics. I had intended to show Adam anyway, but fine, you may accompany us."

"YES!!!"

Sakra shrieked with delight, leaping into the air with her arms raised exuberantly.

"Thank you! You are truly the finest boss in existence!"

Adam, observing from the periphery, was perplexed by the unfolding scene. While he had anticipated much from Sakra, this was beyond his expectations.

"Kaerno, what is she referring to?"

Kaerno offered another smirk.

"The Bone Lakes. You shall find the place agreeable, I assure you. It may even evoke certain memories of the Citadel."

"Agh?"

"Come now, follow us. If you wish to be adequately prepared for the Grim Court as swiftly as possible."

Adam still harbored significant uncertainty regarding their conversation, but what alternative did he possess besides seeking the truth?

...

Step. Step. Step.

Upon entering the blade pillar, their immediate destination was downward. During Adam's initial visit, the existence of a spiral staircase descending to the lower levels had escaped his notice, his attention entirely captivated by the pillar itself and its upper sections.

"Do these Bone Lakes exist beneath every pillar, or exclusively yours?" Adam inquired, trailing behind them.

Kaerno clasped his hands behind his back. "The Bone Lakes are situated beneath the Hollow Lands, precisely one level below. Consequently, every pillar, be it a blade pillar or a dome pillar, provides access to this region. You shall soon witness this firsthand."

"Wait, does this imply that members from both factions frequent the Bone Lakes concurrently?"

"Precisely."

Adam voiced his concern. "Does this not suggest an environment rife with perpetual conflict?"

"Hah, I never witnessed you engage Loargh and Vyora in combat simply because they hailed from a different pillar, and the same applies to Sakra."

Adam paused momentarily, taken aback by the comparison.

Kaerno cast a glance over his shoulder.

"Don't be too astonished. Naturally, I am aware of that. If the Gray Watchers served no purpose, I would not bother sustaining them. However, they are far too fearful to dare explore the deeper sections of the Pit."

He faltered for a moment.

"That is a pity. I had hoped to witness your combat prowess."

Subsequently, he tilted his head back and resumed his descent.

"Regarding your inquiry, the Bone Lakes are designated as a neutral territory. Even when disputes emerge, combat is strictly prohibited within the Bone Lakes. Any individual who transgresses this decree will not only face severe retribution but will also incur the displeasure of the Finger to whom they owe allegiance, an outcome that typically signifies a dire fate."

Adam tilted his head back, a perceptible glint appearing in his eyes.

"And what if two Fingers were to engage in conflict?"

Sarka whirled around abruptly, a finger tracing a circle near her temple. She regarded him as though he had taken leave of his senses.

Kaerno, in response, erupted into boisterous laughter:

"Hahahahaha! Such a preposterous query. Adam, should such an exceedingly rare event ever transpire..."

His tone deepened.

"Then the sole recourse available to you would be to flee, to escape with all possible haste."

With that, he gestured dismissively. "Very well, let us not squander any further moments. We must press on."

"YES!" Sarka jubilantly shouted and darted forward with every ounce of her energy.

Adam let out a weary sigh, coming to a standstill.

'It appears a brief respite is in order. Even with limited time, entering a battle at peak condition is far preferable to being depleted, is it not?'