The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1815: Reasoning with a Predator

No force ought to penetrate the defenses of Sky City.

Rezar had proceeded under that assumption. He believed that while inside Sky City, no threat could reach him. The overwhelming might of Sky City's forces remained unmatched. This included the paladins, the Elders backed by influential allies, and the commanding Gatekeepers.

Across the whole Spirit Realm, only a few groups could rival such formidable power.

Yet, who could have foreseen its downfall from a single blow?

No one anticipated this turn of events. Least of all, Rezar.

'As the acting Gatekeeper of the Sky, I'm not on par with the rest. If even they failed against that cursed Rex Silverstar, what chance do I have?' Rezar halted in mid-air, casting a look aside. It was only then that thoughts of his wife resurfaced.

She had to be somewhere below, injured, maybe on the brink of death.

Rezar yearned to search for her, yet he found himself unable.

Romance wasn't his forte. In a pinch, he'd choose self-preservation over hers, though guilt gnawed at him now. She had cautioned him to hold back until they gathered more intel on Devo's master.

He had refused to bide his time. And regrettably, there's no turning back anymore.

'Curse it all! I must reach Devo!' Clenching his teeth, Rezar pressed on. 'Somehow, I'll negotiate a compromise.'

Upon returning to the temple, Rezar swiftly climbed the steps.

He reached the doorway and spotted the bound Devo across from him right away.

Detecting Rezar's nearness, Devo lifted his gaze. A faint smirk played on his ashen lips as he noted the clear signs that Rex had roughed Rezar up badly. Though unaware of the details or the method—having spent the most time by Rex's side, second only to Adhara—Devo grasped one undeniable fact: Rex always discovered a path forward.

Regardless of the odds.

That's just who he was. No obstacle could halt him.

Not long before, Rezar had strutted with superiority, dismissing every caution.

But that haughtiness had vanished. He resembled a bewildered pup mourning its fallen master.

"Devo, my dear nephew, hear me out," Rezar drew near. His strides quickened, bordering on desperation. Without the bindings holding him back, he'd have dashed to Devo. Still, he recognized that feigning composure was key here. "I was mistaken. I realize I mishandled this, but I felt betrayed.

"No one grasps that better than you should." His expression softened into gentleness.

He donned a facade of fragility.

Devo scoffed inwardly.

Though younger than Rezar, he wasn't foolish enough to fall for such theatrics.

'Talking now, are we? Spare me... I've been attempting to reason with you all along.' Devo averted his eyes.

"Your father vowed me his rank. His authority. Yet he deceived me," Rezar closed the gap—watching Devo's responses like a hunter. "Becoming a Gatekeeper was my lifelong dream, and he toyed with me. The betrayal stung. I wished to inflict the same on him, leading me to target you."

"I see now that this... this was wrong," Rezar pressed on. "You're nothing like your father."

"Wrong..." Devo murmured softly.

He turned back to Rezar, his features utterly neutral. No emotion showed.

Rezar paused several steps from the platform. A bead of sweat slid along his temple. Nerves fueled it. He brushed it away hastily—unwilling for Devo to notice. "I've spoken with your aunt already, intending your release. But events overtook me. Your master has arrived."

Merely calling Rex Devo's master left a bitter tang in his mouth.

No Spirit ought to serve a Mortal Realm being, yet he pushed through.

Tiny lightning sparks danced in Devo's eyes.

He'd caught the uproar. The barrier-shaking impact was impossible to overlook, but he'd assumed it stemmed from another foe of Sky City. Rex's prowess was undeniable—yet Devo figured he'd enlisted outside aid.

This marked just the opening salvo.

For all his power, Sky City posed a daunting challenge.

Evidently, though, he'd misjudged Rex. Confined and tormented within the temple, his awareness of the outer world blurred. Beyond—the moonlight glowed crimson. That's when it hit him: the Blood Moon had risen.

Ah, that explained it.

He'd anticipated Rezar relocating him elsewhere.

With Rex present, Devo presumed Sky City had crumbled.

'He's destined to claim the pinnacle.' A quiet laugh slipped from his parched mouth. 'Who else could dismantle Sky City so swiftly?'

Gazing at Rezar once more, Devo's look had shifted. He now understood Rezar sought pardon. Clearly, he'd crossed paths with Rex, and it hadn't gone well.

"I regret my actions. Truly." Rezar wrung his hands, forcing the sincerest grin he could muster. "But could you arrange a calm discussion with him? Things have spiraled beyond control. Despite it all, this remains your home."

Devo bowed his head.

Rezar interpreted it as yielding.

"Help me, and you'll retain your father's role. I'll back you just as I did him." He peeked outside, sensing vast power nearing the temple. "Actually, forget that. I'll offer far greater aid."

Another glance at the doorway revealed a huge, scaled tail sweeping to the left.

It began encircling the temple.

Rezar's pulse hammered fiercely in his chest.

Countless assumed millennia of existence bred indifference. Wrong—it deepened one's attachment to life above all. Death held no appeal. Not before fulfilling his ambitions.

"I apologize, un—"

Laughter erupted from Devo.

His biting, mocking cackle sliced the atmosphere, halting Rezar's words.

The absurdity deepened with reflection on the scene.

Even in this supposed bid for reconciliation, the bindings on Devo persisted, searing his nerves. For authenticity, Rezar should have disabled them prior to uttering a word.

Nothing could have braced Devo for this ridiculous act.

It rivaled the greatest farce he'd encountered in ages.

Far surpassing Amanir's jest on Rex with the clownish Spirit Gladiator guise.

"Uncle, uncle, uncle... You take me for a fool." Devo arched an eyebrow—grinning at the would-be Gatekeeper of the Sky. "I outgrew boyhood over a millennium past. Such tricks hold no sway over me."

"You insolent bra—"

Crack—!

Rezar froze at the thunder's roar.

Briefly, purple light streaked the heavens, heralding ill fortune.

Footfalls echoed. Subtle, yet unmistakable.

Rezar's form stiffened—muscles rigid as rock. Reluctantly, defying his instincts, he pivoted toward the entrance. No longer a mere portal, it yawned like a infernal jaw, beckoning doom upon him.

As the steps' origin neared, a colossal serpent's head emerged from the side.

Its slitted reptilian eye fixed on the temple, locking onto Rezar.

The edge of its mouth twitched faintly, as if detecting the stench of terror from Rezar.

Once the serpent withdrew, the silhouette stepped forth. Rex loomed motionless, mere steps from the threshold. His frame gleamed obsidian, a shadow etched with glowing red eyes aflame in murderous intent and curving horns throbbing with lunar force.

Crimson liquid trailed from his talons.

It belonged to the temple's steadfast guards and paladins.

With Rex inside, they all lay slain.

A shiver raced along Devo's back too. Aligned with Rezar's view, he glimpsed Rex through an adversary's eyes, grasping his sheer dreadfulness. All the more so under the Blood Moon's boon.

"You're in deep now," Devo murmured with a taunt. "Deep trouble indeed, uncle."

"Quiet, you!" Rezar growled, silencing Devo with a gravelly tone. His fierce stare returned to Rex. "Intruder. You've crossed the line. The remaining Sky Cities will hunt you and your realm. You'll face the might of a thousand sovereign strongholds."

His gaze sharpened to slits of spite, vainly concealing the fear choking him.

"Halt this instant," he urged with faint optimism. "I'll even arrange a meeting. A just trial before this realm's highest authorities."

Rex offered no immediate reply.

He regarded Rezar in silence. Long enough to unsettle any soul.

Thunder's growl and rain's torrent alone echoed within.

The temple's grand arches and ornate features now seemed dim. Shadows had corrupted its sanctity, mirroring the fear corrupting Rezar's soul. Then, Rex's head inclined subtly. A deliberate, chilling motion.

As if reality itself leaned, not merely his posture.

"A thousand additional cities will crumble as well." His words rang with inevitability.

Rezar's thoughts whirled.

Invoking the prestige and armies of fellow Sky Cities was his hasty gambit. A last resort, typically effective, given their dominion over the Spirit Realm.

Yet it fell flat against a beast like Rex.

To a hunter, the quarry's warnings rang hollow.

Prey demands no negotiation; it serves only as sustenance.

Another hunter nearby? Irrelevant, if the feast awaited now.

Rex advanced into the temple. His gore-smeared paws stained the marble, claws trailing bloody streaks. His fury profaned the site's purity, shattering Rezar's composed mask.

"Stay back! Approach further, and he'll die! I'll end Devo, rendering your journey pointless!" He jabbed a finger at Rex, arcs of lightning encircling it. "Stay back!"

His digit aimed at Devo, "I mean it—I'll finish him!"

Rex pressed on undeterred.

Not a flicker of pause.

Fury ignited, Rezar's form surged with vital force. Like Emperor Dominar, he wielded an artifact to counter the Blood Moon's gift. He rose into the air. Bolts danced across his flesh as his aura fissured the earth.

BLITZ—!

A bolt rent the roof asunder, baring the skies anew.

Overhead, fresh thunderheads gathered and spun, forming a storm's core.

At its heart, bolts writhed like animated entities.

"I command as Gatekeeper of the Sky!" Rezar proclaimed with domineering force. Madness gleamed in his eyes. "You imagine slaying me a simple task? I've endured over ten millennia. The Law of Lightning bolsters my Echo. You can't dispatch me that ea—?!"

In an instant, Rex took a final stride and vanished.

Rezar's eyes bulged as Rex closed in. Barely an arm's length. Talons already impaled his gut, bursting out the rear. No chance to complete his boast. Scarce time to respond.

Rex's mouth twisted into a savage smile, "Just that simple."