“It would seem that this realm holds a great deal of secrets,” Tal’Nis commented as she set her sights on the black mist.
“Yes. Perhaps too many.” Astratis spoke in a solemn tone as he also eyed the black mist.
The black mist emitted a gloomy and eerie aura that penetrated into every corner of the Fourth Heart of the World.
Once the aura encompassed the area, the black mist parted as a figure emerged.
The figure was an old man in all-black attire with long gray hair and a pair of sunken eyes that matched that of an abyss.
The old man presented himself in an aloof manner—as if everything in the world was beneath him.
But, what stood out most about this individual was his overwhelming presence. It felt as though nothing in the Fourth Heart of the World could escape his grasp.
“Hm? So it is the spawn of the Heaven’s Point that calls upon me. Boy, do you know what it means to call for the One Decree?” The old man said unhurriedly.
Although the old man was still far away and not shouting, his voice seemed to carry into the ears of all those present in the Fourth Heart of the World with ease.
“I, Heaven’s Strength Ourami, son of the Heaven’s Point, comprehend my actions with full clarity!” Ourami stated without hesitation.
The old man remained silent for a few seconds before he spoke out and responded, “Very well. As the one who controls the flow, I shall honor the pact I made that day with your father.”
Astratis’ expression darkened as his gaze landed on the old man.
“So it was him, after all. I always knew there was a chance, but still… To think Ourami would be willing to go this far.” Astratis said to himself as a hint of anger flashed through his eyes.
The One Decree was a pact made between two individuals where both sides must carry out the request of the other that was reasonable as well as within their means. However, something like the One Decree was not given away so easily for obvious reasons.
The fact that Ourami was able to do so with such a powerful existence was, without a doubt, a gift left behind by his father.
“An acquaintance of yours?” Tal’Nis inquired.
“Not in the slightest. It is because of that monster that the pillars exist and run wild without fear of any consequences. He is the reason why us celestials and the free ancient races of this world are forced to fight for our very existence. The Son of Harvest and Progenitor of the Flow, Kyvernos. He is the true ruler of this world. He does not typically involve himself in worldly matters, but… The One Decree is a different story.” Astratis explained as his gaze turned cold.
He then glanced over at Tal’Nis and continued, “I am not certain what bond you hold with Izroth or what promise was made, but your aid has been plentiful. I will not ask that you face this battle of uncertainty with me in a world that is not your own.”
A light smile formed on Tal’Nis’ face as she listened to Astratis speak. She was but a mere fragment of the true Tal’Nis; therefore, it did not matter whether she “lived” or “died”.
That being said, she still possessed the pride of someone who peered above the legendary realm.
“I may only be a fragment of my true self, but my will remains untainted,” Tal’Nis stated as the water-like sword intent above her dispersed and started to gather before her.
The next moment, the sword intent transformed into a single pure white sword without flaw. Simultaneously, the blue flames encompassing the Lady of Everlasting Rain turned white.
There was no heat being released from the flames or Tal’Nis’ sword. Instead, there was a mysterious power that existed within them.
“Hm?” Kyvernos slightly narrowed his eyes as he observed the changes that surrounded Tal’Nis.
He let out a light scoff and declared with scorn, “You are not a being of this world. Your mere presence here has polluted the flow. But, do not worry. I shall correct this oversight.”
The instant Kyvernos finished speaking, a monstrous pressure descended upon the entire Fourth Heart of the World, causing it to tremble.
The pressure was so great that some of the weaker ancient races in Ourami’s forces were unable to withstand it. As a result, their bodies immediately crumbled to dust as their existence was erased in the blink of an eye.
It did not end there as the particles of dust from those affected by the pressure flowed in a steady stream towards Kyvernos.
In a flash, the stream of dust morphed into a dark purple sphere that was roughly the size of a plum.
The sphere emitted an eerie aura. And, if one examined it closely, one would see a collection of tormented souls at the sphere’s core.
Kyvernos grabbed the sphere as he opened his mouth and devoured it in one go. After he did so, a frown formed on his face.
“Lowly creatures… A rotten taste as always. But, it shall suffice.” Kyvernos stated as a dim black light appeared on the tip of his right index and middle fingers.
Upon seeing the black light and sensing the sinister aura it contained, Tal’Nis and Astratis wasted no time making their move.
…BOOM!
Suddenly, a thunderous clap erupted as a powerful concentration of the lightning element jumped wildly around Astratis.
Then, in the blink of an eye, Astratis appeared in the sky.
The Son of Thunder stood less than ten meters away from Kyvernos as he placed his fingers together as if he were holding an invisible sphere.
“Passage of the Lightning King: Six Thunderous Paths!”
The moment Astratis spoke, several overwhelming and destructive waves of the lightning element discharged from his body in every direction.
Soon after, the lighting element quickly began to take shape as it expanded and formed a complex set of pathways that stretched more than one hundred meters. In fact, if not for its numerous twists and arches, it may very well have extended more than several kilometers!
The pathways that appeared were barely wide enough to fit a person’s foot, let alone for them to walk on. However, these were not ordinary pathways.
Astratis lightly placed his left hand on a nearby lightning pathway. The instant he performed this action, Astratis disappeared without a trace.
…Crrrckle! Zeeeut!
Without warning, Astratis appeared next to Kyvernos. This movement occurred so fast that even if one did not blink, they still would have missed it! Though this was not surprising.
The Passage of the Lightning King: Six Thunderous Paths allowed Astratis to move to any point on the lightning pathways just by simply making contact with any part of it. More frightening was that this movement happened at the same speed as a flash of lightning!
Astratis slashed outward at Kyvernos as a strong surge of lightning erupted from the serrated blade from his Lightning Ruler’s Gauntlet. It was as if a ferocious thunderstorm had suddenly descended upon the Fourth Heart of the World.
At the same time, out of nowhere, an untainted white blade appeared behind Kyvernos.
The blade belonged to Tal’Nis and contained a nearly limitless stream of sword intent. And, as the blade approached Kyvernos, it resembled a great flood that was capable of drowning anything in its path.
In less than a single breath, Kyvernos was faced with two terrifying attacks with nowhere to retreat!
However, instead of being overcome with a sense of panic or urgency, Kyvernos’ facial expression seemed to shift to one of annoyance.
“To think that there are still those who are foolish enough to raise their hand against me in this world. It would seem that I have been too lenient these past few cycles. I will correct this oversight.”
All of a sudden, the sinister aura at Kyvernos’ fingertips expanded, causing the entirety of the Fourth Heart of the World to transform into a world of black and white.
For a brief moment, everything in this new world came to a grinding halt. Though this power was not as grand as governing time itself. There was something peculiar about it.
Despite the lack of activity, there was an indescribable presence of chaos that reigned supreme.
With everything seemingly frozen in place, Kyvernos unhurriedly made his way before Astratis.
The Son of Thunder was still in the middle of his strike and the ferocious power within his Lightning Ruler’s Gauntlet remained unchanged amidst the chaos.
But, even though Kyvernos was right before him, Astratis did not seem to be aware of his presence.
“Perhaps in another five cycles, your blade may have been able to barely reach me. Unfortunately, your impatience has become your downfall. What a disappointment.” Kyvernos said to himself as he narrowed his eyes and examined Astratis.
The next moment, he closed his eyes and uttered, “It’s a shame… Well—I can always make more.”
Kyvernos reached his right hand out towards Astratis’ forehead as the sinister aura returned to his index finger.
