The Invincible Full-Moon System Chapter 1870 1870: Iron-clad Will

An indefinite period passed as Evelyn and Gistella remained kneeling in the shallow waters.

Moments before, the thunderous clamor of combat—cries of agony, ferocious war shouts, and the horrific snaps and splashes of mortal flesh—had hammered their ears from every direction. Yet now, within this immense void adorned only by infinite shallow waters, an overwhelming silence prevailed.

The quiet was so profound they could hear their own heartbeats thumping in their chests.

So absolute that the turmoil in their thoughts rang out crystal clear.

Each brutal slaughter and torment from the fight replayed endlessly in their minds.

Never before had the crushing weight of powerlessness gripped them so intensely.

Facing entities from superior realms, they were utterly powerless.

It was all deception. Right from the battle's outset, their army stood no chance of victory. It seemed they might prevail, but victory was impossible. The Lunirich Gods toyed with them, demonstrating the utter futility of defying a God.

And it succeeded.

Within this mysterious domain, Evelyn clutched her head desperately and collapsed in despair.

Gistella hacked up blood while fighting the lingering agony; the leftover energy from the clash refused to fade.

Her healing abilities and efforts to expel it proved nearly useless against it.

Not a single word passed between them.

Total hush enveloped them as both pondered the dark ordeal, marked by the savage and grueling conflict.

Only when a radiant portal of searing light materialized nearby did they raise their eyes.

And through that gateway stood the one they yearned and desperately needed to see above all.

Rex gazed at the pair and instantly noted the shift in them. Their eyes, unlike before, now bore clear and profound wounds from his last glimpse.

Scars he never wished upon them.

Once prepared, he entered the realm, and Gistella dashed straight to him.

"Gistella, I'm rea—"

Before his apology for arriving too late could finish, her arms encircled his waist—she pressed her face into his chest. Tears poured from Gistella, soaking Rex's garments. With every moment, her hold on him grew firmer.

Surprised, Rex glanced down at her, then noticed her body trembling violently.

His time in the Spirit Realm might have altered him somewhat, yet in this instant, silence felt right.

Rather, he drew Gistella nearer, infusing her with his power to offer a touch of steadiness.

His eyes lifted to meet his Greater Luna's.

Evelyn froze rigidly just two paces back, far from her typical resilient demeanor. She gripped one hand so tightly her palm whitened, evaded his stare, and chewed her lower lip—as though barely containing surging feelings.

"Evelyn…" Rex uttered softly, his tone softer than planned.

"I… I can't," She hesitated, those words draining her visibly. Her gaze grew misty, compelling her to drop it to her feet—and squeeze her hand fiercer. "I couldn't do a thing. Countless lives lost because of me, yet I failed to aid them.

"I led them straight to doom."

With those words, clear tears cascaded into the shallow waters beneath.

She shattered, sobbing without restraint.

Rex had never witnessed her weeping so fiercely; the scene tore at his soul.

He reached out, pulling her into his arms alongside Gistella, letting their pent-up grief flow freely against him. Though aware the Mortal Realm fared poorly, he hadn't anticipated such depths.

"It's okay," Rex embraced them firmer. "I'm here now. I'm here. You're both safe."

Nearly five minutes passed with their childlike wails unbroken.

Rex stood rooted—as their grasps clung desperately, release seeming like peril. Each renewed clutch of his clothes, each raw sob piercing his ears, sent icy dread creeping through his heart.

That chill extended body-wide, deadening his senses.

Evelyn and Gistella sensed nothing of it.

But Rex felt it sharply: a tender fragment within him fractured, supplanted by something unyielding.

When composure flickered back, Rex eased away and faced them.

"What happened?"

Gistella and Evelyn revealed their actions during his absence.

From rallying the empire's troops, seeking aid from vassal kingdoms, storming the Scarlet Banes Kingdom, up to the heavens splitting. Given it unfolded in days, Rex found their achievements impressively vast.

Overcoming Prince Alaric's resistance to conquer Scarlet Banes by force remained daunting.

Pacifying the uprising forces proved even tougher.

Yet Evelyn and allies accomplished it—subduing Princess Selene.

Victory neared grandly, until Lunirich Gods shattered it all.

"They knew it all," Evelyn brushed a tear aside. Recounting chilled her, fully comprehensible to Rex—Godly presence overwhelms mortals. "I saw them haul Adhara away. Heard their schemes to assault Calidora and slay her unborn child. And I stood idle…

"Knowing it would wound you, still I was powerless!" Shame renewed her tears.

Gistella bowed her head too, furious at their impotence.

"You both performed admirably," Rex caressed their hair soothingly. "Given the dire straits, your choices were spot-on, and I'm relieved. Don't shoulder blame for faults not yours."

Evelyn and Gistella glanced up, spotting contained fury in Rex's expression.

Fury that should have erupted, yet held. Mastery over rage had sharpened immensely.

The Spirit Realm transformed him.

"Blame belongs to those Lunirich Gods who ignited this," Rex continued, flashing a savage grin. "They'll pay dearly—count on it."

Briefly, Evelyn and Gistella melted under that gaze.

This essence had vanished with his departure. Unshakable assurance. Fanatical conviction that Gods too would bleed for harming Silverstar Pack and kin. The unbreakable resolve enduring any trial.

Once, they deemed Rex's fire a flaw inviting chaos.

Now they grasped it stemmed from primal survival.

Trouble hunted them relentlessly, even in seclusion. This blazing determination forged their path past all barriers. They now saw this bold, potent blaze drew them to Rex.

The blaze of the apex predator.

For the following half-hour, Rex focused on soothing them.

He ached missing them, and they craved his nearness most—thus, he reclined with them, beholding the starry canopy. Barren as the realm was, the firmament endured true.

Shimmering constellations, streaking meteors, soft lunar glow—all theirs to savor.

"How long has it been for you?" Evelyn murmured, peering into his eyes.

A rare gentleness lingered in Rex's gaze, erasing her time dilation thoughts.

Far longer for him, surely.

"Why do you ask?" Rex squinted at one star, drawing a deep breath.

"Just that…" She traced circles on his chest with a finger, voice fading. "You've changed. Gentler, maybe."

"No, not gentler," Gistella cut in, denying. "More empathetic."

"Years for me," Rex muttered softly, reminiscing endless skies—or walls—pondering Mortal Realm fates. "Should've been just over a month, but urgency for power led me to a time-wielding tower."

They gasped coldly, staring at Rex.

Months seemed harsh already in their reckoning.

Years? Utterly unforeseen.

Only now did Evelyn and Gistella see their own selfishness.

When Rex summoned them to Spirit Realm against the Archangel of Knives, they rushed back, fixated on Scarlet Banes. None, Adhara included, caught the longing in his farewell look—not mere intrigue.

They abandoned him curtly, sans conversation or concern.

They ought to have lingered.

Even a cheek kiss surpassed their haste.

"I know your thoughts," Rex laughed. "It's okay. I managed."

"You managed—but our callousness wasn't okay," Evelyn smacked his chest, irked by his tolerance. "I always pegged you insensitive; turns out I was worse."

"I'm sorry," Gistella gazed up, pouting. "Yell at me if you want."

Before Rex replied, Evelyn bolted upright.

Scanning about, she scowled at a fresh insight.

"Where is Adhara?" She demanded, facing Rex. "I figured she'd be here too."

Gistella rose likewise, just noting Adhara's absence.

Deep in their earlier woes, they overlooked her missing. Her absence here implied one horrifying truth, chilling their veins.

"She's not here," Rex rose too, exhaling heavily. "I could only pull two of you out."

"What…?" Evelyn's eyes bulged, then narrowed in focus. "You should've ditched me! Adhara's Female Alpha—they'll target her ruthlessly. I'm Luna; alive I'm invaluable, dead useless!"

"No, death's risk too high." Gistella balled her fists. "I should've stayed. Battle contribution minimal from me. Adhara spearheaded." She eyed Evelyn. "You rallied troops. I'm worthless. If sacrifice needed, me."

"What nonsense?" Evelyn retorted sharply. "Staying isn't your duty. It's mi—"

"Enough," Rex halted her firmly. "It's done. Pointless dwelling now." He towered over them. "Adhara confirmed it herself—she volunteered. She'll endure longest.

"Plus, she's far from alone. Devo and Amanir stood with her. I've means to aid if dire." His assurance soothed.

Though Adhara's plight lingered uneasy, his words eased burdens somewhat.

"Wait, buy time? You can return to Mortal Realm?"

"Naturally. That's my focus. But first, I need your aid both."