As the three exchanged blows, Izroth had retreated to a safe distance. But, of course, nowhere in the Fourth Heart of the World was truly safe given the individuals fighting.
Izroth observed the fight as he circulated his Source Chant to recover some of his lost essence.
‘I used up too much essence. It will take me some time before I can fully recuperate.’
Izroth pushed his Source to the limit, treading a thin line that could have led him into a state of Soul Weakness with one careless misstep.
Bang!
“I thought you went and kicked the bucket, stone face. ” Hakros said as he landed next to Izroth.
“I’m afraid it’s not that easy to get rid of me. You’re in a better state than I anticipated.” Izroth responded as he briefly examined Hakros.
The behemoth’s body was riddled with bruises from fending off Ourami’s tail fragments not long ago. It was not until the pillar recalled the tail fragments that Hakros was finally able to make his way over to Izroth.
Still, Izroth was surprised by the level of durability Hakros possessed. Not just anyone could face an attack from someone at the peak of the legendary realm and walk away with merely some heavy bruises. This once again demonstrated the terrifying nature of Hakros’ bloodline and natural physique.
“Heh, as you said—it’s not that easy,” Hakros replied with a grin as he turned his attention towards the ongoing battle.
He then inquired, “A friend of yours?”
“You can say that we are acquainted,” Izroth answered.
“Oh? So, what now? Don’t tell me we’re just leaving to go clean up some small fries on the outskirts.” Hakros said as he glanced over at Izroth.
“No. The others are more than enough to handle the remnant forces. You haven’t forgotten the main purpose of a Secret Realm, have you?” Izroth asked.
“Hah? Purpose? Isn’t it treasure hunting or something?”
“Precisely.”
“Are you saying you want to go looking for treasures now? I still need to pay that guy back properly.” Hakros frowned.
In truth, Hakros wanted to join back in on the fight against Ourami. He was not satisfied with the way things ended. Not to mention, it was not often he faced opponents that drove his bloodline to the brink of its limitations.
“It’s not as though we need to search too far. After all, there’s a treasure trove right before us.” Izroth stated.
He then continued, “You said you wanted to pay him back, correct? Then, we shall do so in full. In the end, there are more ways to settle a debt than by relying on force alone.”
“What are you on about?” Hakros questioned as he could not follow along with Izroth’s words.
“Just as you said—treasure hunting,” Izroth said as he set his gaze on Ourami’s grand palace in the distance.
…
A few moments later…
…BANG! Rmmmmble!
The palace doors were smashed open as they fell to the ground in pieces, creating a small pile of rubble in the process.
The following moment, Izroth stepped over the pile of rubble with Hakros at his side.
“Now, shall we begin our treasure hunt?” Izroth commented with a carefree smile.
…
Meanwhile, outside the palace…
“Temple of the Lightning King: Upward Flash.” Astratis roared as he pierced the earth with the serrated blade of his Lightning Ruler’s Gauntlet.
Swoosh! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A chain of explosions went off as several pillars of lightning erupted from the ground, releasing powerful discharges in every direction.
Ourami was at the center of the lightning pillars as he kicked off the ground with a great force and soared into the air. However, just as he was about to escape and rise above the lightning pillars, a single drop of rain fell onto his left shoulder.
Plop…
When the raindrop made contact with the pillar, it immediately shredded the protective layer of armor on his left shoulder and knocked Ourami back to the ground.
“?!” Ourami tried to use his Epithet of Force to push himself away from the earth; however, he swiftly stopped midway after gazing into the future with his Epithet of Divination.
“If I went back up just now…” Ourami thought to himself as he silently grit his teeth out of anger.
It was not what Ourami saw with his Epithet of Divination, but rather what he did not see. There was no future.
This could only happen for two reasons. One, there was a powerful oracle obstructing his future visions. Or, the more likely reason—he did not exist in that future. This meant that if he followed through with his original plans, he would not have survived!
“Worms! Insects! How dare they oppose me!” Ourami brooded.
Tal’Nis hovered above the lightning pillars at the center as she looked down on Ourami.
This served to further infuriate the pillar. When was the last down someone dared stand above him while in his presence?!
But, what truly enraged Ourami was the look in Tal’Nis’ eyes. That cold look that clearly conveyed her thoughts—”How pitiful”.
“Looking down on me with that pity-filled gaze… I will personally rip those eyes of yours out with my own hands!” Ourami roared.
“Nine Cycle Cloudburst: Heaven’s Waterfall,” Tal’Nis said as she held her arm up and pointed her index finger towards the sky.
Above Tal’Nis, a massive stream of water that resembled a densely cascading waterfall rushed down into the cylinder-like structure formed by the lightning pillars. This waterfall was filled with a devastating sword intent that carried with it an unstoppable force of destruction.
At the same time, Astratis’ lightning pillars closed in. And, as if feeding off the water-like sword intent, the lightning grew even more chaotic and vicious than before.
…BOOOOOOOM!
A huge explosion took place that was confined to the area initially formed by the lightning pillars; however, the shockwave swept across the Fourth Heart of the World.
Tal’Nis descended from the sky and landed next to Astratis as she recalled her Nine Cycle Cloudburst: Heaven’s Waterfall.
Astratis’ lightning pillars also vanished as the last few sparks jumped about.
“Your techniques are some that I have never seen before in this world. Are you from the Mortal Realm that Izroth spoke of?” Astratis questioned.
“I once was. However, my true body no longer resides in that place. I am but a mere fragment of my real self.” Tal’Nis answered calmly.
“A fragment? Real self?” Astratis muttered to himself as he furrowed his brows.
Astratis did not fully comprehend Tal’Nis’ words. If this was but a mere fragment of her true self, then just how strong was her real body?
Though Astratis had a difficult time accepting something like that at face value. After all, if what she said was true, it would imply that she was at least on the same level as the Protogenos who created their world!
“He is rather sturdy,” Tal’Nis said.
…Rmmmble! Bang!
Without warning, Ourami stood up as the rubble around him shot in every direction.
Tat! Tat!
The blue flames from Tal’Nis’ hair coiled around her body, shielding her from the incoming rubble.
Although Ourami rose to his feet with great vigor, it was clear that his limit was fast approaching.
The majority of the pillar’s silver scale-like armor had been shredded to pieces. In addition, he was covered in several wounds of various severity—a result that would not have come as fast if not for Izroth breaking through the natural protective aura of his physique.
Ourami’s breathing was labored and his left eye that showed through the crack in his visor seemed hazy—almost as if his consciousness was slipping away.
Seeing that Astratis and his unknown assailant were not faltering, Ourami’s expression darkened as he said, “Remember, it was you who forced my hand, Son of Thunder.”
Then, as if he gained a sudden burst of energy, Ourami declared, “For your transgressions against the rightful rulers of this world and blatant disregard for the consequences that will inevitably follow, you must pay the price. I, the Pillar of the West, Heaven’s Strength, Ourami, the one who presides over the Fourth Heart of the World, ask that the Son of Thunder, Astratis, be judged! This is my one decree!”
Crrrackle!
Tal’Nis narrowed her eyes as she shifted her gaze to a place far away from the Fourth Heart of the World.
At the same time, following Ourami’s outburst, the skies above the Fourth Heart of the World became covered by a thick black mist.
