Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1748: The Sound of the Past and the Future (Part 2)
Previously on Endless Evolution: Last Star...
Zin had attained his objective. He harbored no desire to exist eternally immersed in the rhythm of Queen Elisa’s pulse or the circulation of her blood, yet he found a few weeks or even months within this temporal pocket quite agreeable.
Considering the peculiar nature of Queen Elisa’s abilities and their present circumstances, mere moments in this space equated to no more than a minute in the tangible world. Such a temporal anomaly was more than sufficient for the observers in the arena.
His intent was to engrave that sound into his memory, to dissect each individual pulsation, and to fully absorb the entirety of the melody as it coursed past him, existing concurrently in both the past and the future.
It was not the serene melody reminiscent of the distant expanse of the Pit, where Zin might have lingered for days upon the rocks, contemplating the cores. However, he required a brief extension of time.
It appeared that nothing could possibly impede his progress.
His adversary now lay prone on the ground, his facial features obliterated by a series of potent blast punches, a ghastly wound on his shoulder barely held together by his own esoteric threads, and a gaping laceration across his chest that revealed his very heart to the open air.
Thump!
Nevertheless, a sharp, resonant sound pierced Zin’s absorption.
He swiftly investigated the source, only to be met with the astonishing sight of Adam, and the crimson bubble suspended before him.
Zin’s eyes widened profoundly, an electric jolt coursing through his mind as the realization dawned upon him.
’Wait, is this Adam’s internal dimension? And... what is that sphere hovering in front of him?’
In his quest for clarification, Zin directed his gaze towards Queen Elisa, positioned to the side, and then back towards Adam.
His pupils constricted dramatically as he fixated on the blood bubble.
’Is this... Is this Queen Elisa’s blood? It is this very bubble producing that sound, r-right?!’
Zin struggled to comprehend the unfolding events, but soon, his moments for contemplation evaporated.
Step.
Adam advanced, his focus locked onto the blood bubble. In the physical realm, he was presently incapacitated. Zin’s final, forceful blow had been potent enough to propel his consciousness to this very location.
"But that’s precisely what I’ve been anticipating, isn’t it?" Adam’s gaze remained fixed on the blood bubble, in a state of patient expectation.
He possessed awareness of the proceedings on the left flank. He knew Zin was present and would undoubtedly attempt to intervene.
On the right flank lay the remnants of his inner sanctum. His Evolutionary Tree had sustained severe damage. Countless fissures marred its magnificent white bark, and a significant portion of the tree’s vitality had been depleted.
It appeared that this precise juncture was the one Adam had been awaiting. Now, with his Evolutionary Tree compromised, this void was intended to be replenished by the blood bubble. At the very least, this was the strategy meticulously devised by the Silver Weaver and Lone Blaze.
"However, I now perceive that it was not I who was meant to weaken, but this very blood..."
Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.
The blood bubble oscillated with violent intensity. Its perimeters lashed out in divergent directions, creating an internal sensation of countless impacts and the imminent threat of detonation.
That shall not transpire.
Adam possessed this certainty, for from the outset, it was he who was destined to shatter the blood bubble, not the other way around.
"Yet, if not for this very confrontation, if not for Zin’s formidable assaults, that bubble would never have reached such a state of volatility."
For a fleeting instant, Adam’s gaze shifted sideways, observing the perplexed Zin, who seemed utterly undecided on whether to continue his absorption of the melody or to obstruct Adam.
"Very well, the time has come to bring this to a conclusion."
Adam took a deliberate step forward, his spiritual energy coalescing in his palm, assuming the form of an elongated, pristine blade that vibrated with raw power.
"He has obtained what he desired. Now, the stage is mine."
The instant Adam raised his blade towards Zin, all became remarkably clear.
’If he obliterates the bubble now, the sound will vanish along with it!’
The realization struck him with the force of a thunderclap as he surged into motion.
With incredible velocity, Zin traversed the oppressive darkness, his sole aim being to halt Adam. Whether Adam was cognizant of his presence was irrelevant. He could not permit Adam to proceed, not under these circumstances.
"No! Desist!" Zin’s voice thundered, echoing his desperation.
Adam did not avert his gaze towards Zin, yet he acknowledged his rival’s presence.
"There exists no alternative path. However, now that I comprehend the motives behind your decision to confront me, I am confident in my ability to bestow upon you something even more extraordinary. You need only await it."
Adam’s hand quivered slightly as he brought the resplendent white blade downward.
"NO!!!"
The gleaming white blade pierced the blood bubble, unleashing a blinding radiance that permeated Adam’s inner realm, leaving Zin momentarily sightless.
He perceived nothing but the effulgent light of the flash, the very instant the flow of Queen Elisa’s blood ceased to reach his senses.
Concurrently, Zin was violently expelled back into the tangible world, his eyes snapping open involuntarily.
To his profound dismay, he discerned that neither within Adam’s blood nor within his heart was there any vestige of Queen Elisa remaining. Adam had completely assimilated the essence contained within Queen Elisa’s blood and no longer required its presence.
Clench.
Zin’s jaw locked with immense force, his teeth grinding audibly with sheer fury as he fixed his gaze upon the still-unconscious Adam. Adam’s eyes were closed, and crimson fluid continued to trickle from the grievous wound marring his chest.
"You... selfish BASTARD!!!" Zin bellowed with his entire being. His voice, amplified immensely by his Hollow Mark, reverberated across the entire arena. This caused all the Fangs of lesser strength to shake uncontrollably in fear. Spectators in the closest stands, without even comprehending what was happening, sustained severe injuries, blood cascading from their ears. "Gha... Gha... Gha..." Zin's breathing was ragged and fiery, brimming with rage. His hand balled into a tight fist, the dirt packed hard beneath his fingernails. Ironically, Zin, who had dedicated himself to discovering rare and distinctive sounds, found himself engulfed in an even more unusual sensation. He struggled to recall the last instance he had felt genuine anger. His sole desire at this moment was to dismember Adam for seizing this treasure from him. "It’s your own doing... you compelled me to act!" Zin snarled, lifting his hand to strike. Tap. Simultaneously, a gentle touch landed on his left shoulder. His gaze snapped sideways, his eyes widening in utter disbelief. There rested Adam's hand, encased in a crimson glove woven from composite materials, upon his shoulder.
