Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1768: I’ll be home soon (Part 2)

Numerous events unfolded within the Hollow Lands, with Adam ultimately triumphing over every obstacle. He secured victory in several pivotal battles, gained profound insights, and experienced significant growth in power. Not only did he absorb the Blood of God, but he also acquired a Frenzied Shard.

His future endeavors in the Hollow Lands will undoubtedly enhance his power level, especially as he nears the barrier of the First Circle, a point where most K4-Phantoms are permanently halted.

Moreover, this marked the first time he had been separated from Silvana for an extended duration.

The stronger a Phantom grew, the more profound the connection between the Phantom and its Operator became. This bond could reach a point where an Operator would transform into a weapon for a Phantom, as was the case with Goen and Arika.

While Adam was still a considerable distance from Goen's level, he had previously contemplated the power of K4, K3, and even K2 Phantoms. If he continued on his current path, he would eventually attain similar strength.

However, this feat was unattainable alone; for that, he required his Operator—Silvana.

In contrast to Adam, who was engrossed in a relentless stream of events within the Hollow Lands, Silvana was charting a distinctly different course.

She was unable to establish contact with Adam. All attempts failed, and she couldn't even communicate directly with him through their inner space. This unprecedented situation initially filled her with dread.

Adam was aware that Silvana was safe, but the reverse was not true. Even after Gladius and Xyrea offered partial explanations of the circumstances, her anxieties lingered.

After all, Silvana remained ignorant of Adam's whereabouts and the ordeals he had faced. She waited, and at times, the act of waiting was the most agonizing torment.

Now, all of that was in the past.

"I will be home very soon, Silvana."

That was the final communication Silvana received before Adam severed their link. He intended to discuss all matters in person upon his arrival at the Citadel. The journey should not take long.

Daar’ax tilted his head upwards.

"It seems everything is well, correct?"

Adam nodded. "Yes, everything is absolutely fine. The Hollow Lands are an intriguing region, yet nowhere have I felt so... so utterly empty."

"Ah, that is precisely the nature of the place, Adam."

Although Adam had concluded their connection, Silvana had a message for him:

[Head west. Upon reaching the frozen lake, you will discern your next destination.]

It was not Silvana's voice, but that of the Evolution Tree, relaying her message to Adam. With their connection re-established, she could now effortlessly comprehend his intentions, even without spoken words.

A smile played on Adam's lips as he gently tapped Daar’ax's head.

"Say, do you happen to be familiar with these territories?"

"Somewhat. While it's infrequent, I have journeyed beyond the Hollow Lands on numerous occasions. Do you have a destination in mind?"

With a subtle grin, Adam affirmed, "Indeed, the frozen lake to the west. Do you know of it?"

"Yes... Damn, that's quite a distance. But if one of the Spires is located there, we have no alternative, do we?"

Abruptly, Daar’ax altered his course, swiveling his massive form.

The desolate, snow-laden landscape persisted for a considerable time. However, after approximately half an hour traversing snow-draped valleys and formidable mountains, they finally arrived at a vast expanse of lake, sealed beneath a thick layer of ice.

Daar’ax halted, surveying their surroundings.

"Where do we proceed from here?" he inquired, his voice a low rumble.

Adam pointed forward.

"There."

Visible on the far side of the frozen lake, perched upon a rocky precipice near the shoreline, stood a towering Spire. It was an anachronistic, high-tech structure, a stark contrast to the serene, almost forgotten lands encompassing it, yet it served as a beacon of connection for humanity.

"Understood. However, should I detect the aura of someone superior to you, I will depart instantly and return." Daar’ax leaned forward, his tone grave.

"Huh, I didn't expect to hear such a sentiment from someone like you." Adam chuckled.

Daar’ax’s expression remained resolute. "It is a fundamental instinct for self-preservation. I am merely adhering to Kaerno's directive, nothing more. I have no desire for conflict with formidable Phantoms who might perceive me as your adversary."

Tap.

Adam gently ran his hand over Daar’ax's iridescent scales.

"Rest assured. We humans do not possess an abundance of Second Circle beings to station at every Spire."

"Tsk. Perhaps your numbers are indeed few, but each Second Rank Phantom is a harbinger of cataclysm. You may not perceive it, Adam, but Frida's mere presence bears down on me with the weight of a colossal load," Daar’ax hissed.

It was an undeniable truth.

Lesser beings would remain oblivious to this. They wouldn't even recognize Frida's identity. Yet, Daar’ax, with his considerable strength, could feel the pervasive reach of her gaze sweeping across the entirety of the Dead Lands. Still, he understood implicitly that if Frida so desired, his demise would be swift and certain.

"I am aware. Let us simply reach the Spire, and thereafter, our paths shall diverge."

"Agreed. That is my undertaking."

Whoooooooosh!

Daar’ax propelled himself forward, a blur of motion streaking across the frozen lake. Shards of ice erupted outwards as the colossal serpent rapidly closed the distance to the Spire.

At any given Spire, a contingent of personnel from the Gamma Division, along with several powerful Phantoms, were invariably present.

Normally, such distant Spires were quite deserted, as there were few significant locations nearby for the Citadel to assign missions.

But as Daar’ax drew nearer, two figures immediately emerged from the Spire, flying directly towards them.

Without a pause, Daar’ax halted to assess their auras. He needed to determine if he should leave Adam behind or wait.

Two Phantoms, a man and a woman clad in white robes, materialized in the air, their gazes fixed on Adam.

Neither Silvana nor anyone else had notified their Spire of Adam's approach, thus they responded to the unknown presence.

The man's expression clearly showed his concern, his fists clenched tightly. All they knew was that an unknown individual was approaching, astride a colossal serpent of uncertain threat level.

Daar’ax's eyes narrowed as he observed them.

‘Both are K4-Phantoms… Yet, they are concealing their auras effectively. I cannot ascertain their precise strength.’

The woman gestured with her hand, a deep frown creasing her brow.

"State your identity! Who are you?"

The man released a portion of his aura.

"You should have announced your arrival, or… are you posing as one of us?"

A palpable tension filled the air, affecting both the two guards and Daar’ax, who wished to avoid any entanglement.

Remarkably, Adam remained not just composed, but at ease.

"Hey, no need to get agitated. I have a name, just like you. I am Adam Vinter."

The man and woman exchanged a look.

"A-Adam Vinter?"

Their attention shifted to his attire, then back to the immense black serpent he was perched upon.

They recognized the name, but had never encountered him in person until this moment.

In less than thirty seconds, their Operators would verify the information and inform them, but Adam had no intention of waiting that long.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

A black-and-white flame erupted from Adam, akin to a radiant sun, causing all ambient energy flows to halt abruptly.

Cold sweat beaded on their foreheads as a shiver coursed through their bodies.

Though the man and woman were also K4-Phantoms, like Adam, standing before him now, they felt as though they faced an adversary several ranks higher.

"Agh…" Adam let out a profound sigh as his aura continued to swell. "I simply wish to return home. Right now."

"Y-Yes!" The man and woman responded in unison, bowing their heads. "We shall escort you to the teleportation station!"

"Good."

Adam's imposing aura receded, allowing the guards to exhale in relief.

Each power tier was demonstrably more potent and intricate than the last. Consequently, the disparity between two K4-Phantoms could be far vaster than that between two K0-Phantoms.

Adam now stood just a single step away from reaching the threshold of the First Circle. However, considering his victory over Zin in a life-or-death struggle, he possessed the capability to defeat even an opponent of Tron's caliber.

Tap.

Adam dismounted Daar'ax's head, casting a glance back at the serpent.

"Good luck, and thank you for helping me reach here so swiftly."

Daar’ax fixed Adam with a glare before turning away.

"I am eager to witness your future accomplishments in the coming years. Zin now holds the position of the new Lord, but who can say for certain?

Perhaps the world will soon acclaim another Rank Two Phantom?"

With these words, Daar'ax's form quivered as he transformed into a dark streak, vanishing into the snow-laden terrain, his longing to return home mirroring Adam's own.

Adam advanced, the crisp snow yielding beneath his boots.

"I have accomplished what I needed to here. I am ready to return home."

"Certainly." The woman nodded. "We will do our utmost."

...

Several hours later, the elevator ascended to the apex of a central skyscraper within the First Ring.

Accompanied by a gentle melody, the elevator doors parted, revealing Adam's silhouette.

A subtle smile graced his lips upon seeing Silvana, whose eyes were wide with astonishment.

"I am home."

Silvana gasped, gazing at him as if he were a phantom before rushing forward, embracing him with all her might.

"It… It has been far too long," she whispered.

"I know." Adam drew her closer. "But this solitary journey is now behind us."