Meanwhile, somewhere deep within Artemis's garden...

"I'm sorry, old friend. I had to."

Storm Rider's voice trembled as she whispered the words, staring at Dorus's corpse. His lifeless eyes—frozen in shock—reflected the sorrow she'd grown all too familiar with.

That expression… it never left her.

A gaping hole pierced the center of his chest. His blood was dark and shimmering like liquid mercury. And it had already begun to harden, transmuting into raw essence that sizzled against the cracked earth beneath him.

Storm Rider herself was no better. Her shoulder was mangled, tendons torn. Her arm dangled, barely clinging to her body.

She clenched her jaw.

'Heal me.'

She commanded in her heart, and divine flames burst from within her soul gate, wrapping around her ruined limbs. Muscle regrew, sinew knitted back into place, and her blood shimmered beneath her skin. Pain flared, but she didn't flinch.

Were it not for the Sun's lineage fortifying her second gate—expanding its limits far beyond mortal comprehension, she would've perished against the Moon Servant.

She rose slowly and looked toward Artemis's garden. The Garden was no longer the beautiful sanctuary she was familiar with. It was now a battlefield, a chaos incarnate with destruction growing everywhere.

The mortals had arrived. And with them, armies of awakened humans, storming through the once-holy ground.

The River Lord was no more—killed in its own domain. The Mountain Puppet stood frozen in eternal stillness, its body petrified into a towering statue of ice, nearly touching the twisted, swirling dark clouds overhead. And the serpent lay somewhere dead.

Above, a beast moved.

It was a creature of myth—a wingless dragon, as pale as winter frost. It soared through the darkened sky. It might be mistaken for a flying serpent were it not for its draconic jaw, flowing whiskers, and chilling breath that turned the very air to ice.

Its master hovered beside it, an ethereal woman whose beauty rivaled the moon's own. White zenshi spiraled around her, making her look like a goddess.

She now faced a tall, dark-haired man in a crimson cape, a crescent-marked longsword in his hand, and a crown glinting on his brow.

Behind him, a massive shadow loomed, waiting for the dragon to attack.

Strangely enough, none of them knew that the world was already unraveling. The Mildrith was dying. And its death had begun when Lunaris made her decision.

Storm Rider could feel it in her bones. The laws that had once held her bound to this realm were weakening.

'His freedom came… and now mine has come.'

She ignored the third and most powerful presence and proceeded to the next phase of the plan.

Storm Rider focused on her Fifth Gate and willed most of her essence into it. She tapped into the full scope of her second Domain, one tied to the higher strata of the Divine Realm.

"Now to the next phase," she whispered.

Her vision blurred as the forest around her melted away. She felt the temporary Bridge between the Mortal realm and the Divine and used it to link herself with the Vast Heavenly Realm.

She saw many places, but she anchored her mentality on one.

The night was replaced by cold darkness as a version of herself appeared somewhere in the Divine Realm.

'I made it.' She sighed with a tired expression. Omniscience was a powerful Domain, so it taxed its master heavily.

As soon as she recovered, she straightened herself and scanned her surroundings. They were…quite…interesting.

She now stood within a vast throne room, its walls carved from obsidian and night. Windows gaped like wounds in the stone, jagged holes opening into swirling void.

No torches burned—no light dared enter this place. But her eyes tore through the darkness like swords.

At the far end of the room sat a solitary throne, sculpted from onyx and serpentine metal.

A beautiful man reclined there, bare-chested beneath scaly black armor that clung to his frame like a second skin. His wet, dark hair dripped steadily, as if he had just risen from the depths of a sea that no longer existed.

He did not move until his eyes moved and locked with hers.

His deep, ocean-blue gaze was filled with lifetimes of fury and resignation.

"Fire Keeper," he rumbled, his voice echoing like waves against cliffs. "Has your sentence already come to an end?"

Storm Rider smiled faintly. "I broke the system and did a jail break. I see you're still clinging to the title of Ravenheart's ruler. Still dramatic as ever, Agrilore. This citadel suits your domain."

At the sound of his name, the man's eyes narrowed. "Agrilore?" he echoed, a trace of old memory flickering behind his gaze. "If you know that name… then the Fate's Servant must've found you."

He moved in his seat, as if acknowledging what she was. "Might I know yours?"

She nodded, golden hair brushing her shoulder. "Emily."

Agrilore let out a bark of laughter. "So you're the daughter of that old fool who challenged me centuries ago. I never thought you would grow into such a flower."

Storm took his compliment with a warm smile. She was familiar with her looks. In fact, many men from her Sect often reminded her of that.

"How is the old fool anyway?" he asked. "Did he find the Flame of Creation?"

Emily gave him a solemn look. "No…he died. I killed him."

Agrilore remained silent.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

The only sound between them was the crashing of waves against the lonely cliffs of Ravenheart—the ancient fortress perched above the sea. For Storm Rider, the noise was unsettling. She had never liked the ocean. Water muted her flames and dulled her senses. It reminded her of helplessness.

Here, in this place of shadow and tide, she was utterly vulnerable. If Agrilore so wished, he could simply raise a hand, and the ocean would rise to swallow her whole.

They were equals in rank only. Both of them were fifth gate users with powers that broke all logic both were marked by the Divine.

But Agrilore had been born in the Divine Realm, hence, his connection to divinity was stronger.

Agrilore finally leaned back in his throne, resting his chin against a clenched fist. His sculpted expression shifted into one of boredom, as though entertaining her presence were a mild inconvenience.

"Did you locate the lineage?" he asked lazily.

Storm Rider nodded. "I did. But before I tell you anything else, I need you to initiate a true Vow."

At this, Agrilore's dead-blue eyes glinted with sudden curiosity. A slow, deliberate smile tugged at his lips.

He studied her in silence. Then, with a sigh, he raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

A glowing sigil—three swirling tides intertwined—appeared on his neck. It pulsed softly, like the beating heart of the sea.

A Sea Mark. This was a divine seal crafted by the Heart Goddess herself. It bonded hearts and was used by mortals to stay true to their word. If not, they would die in case of betrayal.

Not even he, an almost immortal being, could hold it back.

Storm Rider felt a warmth bloom on her own neck. The same mark manifested on her skin, sealing their Vow.

"What do you want?" Agrilore asked, his voice now cool and precise.

***

Meanwhile.

Victor stood still in the calm corner of the forest. Any House Feng soldier who had tried to save Luna had been cut down by his sword.

He waited for almost thirty minutes, watching the last traces of crimson essence evaporate from Luna's body. The rage and power she had drawn upon were finally subsiding.

He stepped forward, lowering his palm over her chest.

With a single breath, he drew power from his second gate and reflected a healer's ability, and began to heal her.

Silver essence flowed from his hand, intertwining with the shattered fragments of her body. Bones realigned. Flesh regenerated, and her overall body returned to its normal state.

When he tried to read her thoughts, he was met by emptiness.

"She's inside her Soul. You're incredible, Lunaris Feng. It took me a year to find a way of diving into my soul." Victor's voice was steady, cold. "Show me more!"

A sinister grin grew on his face as he channeled more silver essence into her body. The threads dug deep into her body, connecting with her soul.

Then, he closed his eyes and dove into her soul.

The shift to a white, endless space hit him like a cold wind.

He stood inside her inner world, surrounded by mist and life essence. And ahead, like a ghost made flesh, stood Luna. Her dark hair billowed, and her lips curled into a wry smirk.

"I have been waiting for you," she said.

Victor's eyes narrowed.

"Luring me here was your plan. Are you stupid, Lunaris?"

"My soul gate is too weak for me to use in the outside world….but here?" The Sun Ember appeared at her command. It was linked with her soul so she could summon it, as long as she had life essence.

"Here I can fight with everything I've got. I still don't understand the mechanics of the true path and what makes us unique. But I am still determined to take you down. Thanks for healing me, by the way."

Victor glanced toward the massive ring floating behind her—her Soul Gate, glowing crimson-gold, spinning like a divine mechanism. The rest of her soulscape pulsed with energy—some of it his, but most of it hers.

This was her turf.

And yet…

He was not afraid.

He sighed and summoned his forged weapon. The longsword hummed with his silver essence. As he charged forward, the blade screamed through the air, aimed at her throat.

Luna barely dodged. His strike grazed her cheek, drawing blood, but not slowing her down.

'He's still strong even in my domain…' she thought grimly.

She willed essence into her sword, and the entire blade was swallowed by golden flames. She then moved with deadly precision and struck back.

Whoosh!

Victor vaulted upward, avoiding the arc of her blade. But Luna twisted, bringing her sword around in a tight curve.

Clang!

Luna hissed when she saw him block her calculated attack.

The gap between a first gate user and a second user was a great one. As fast as she was, he was still faster. As strong as she was, Victor was still stronger. Bit by bit, Luna was starting to see what he meant by the strongest ascender in the world.

And as someone familiar with combat, her chances of killing Victor were below 10%.

'Storm's Master said if I forced myself, I would die. She said that I can only win in my domain. But I've been trying to think and still haven't thought of a way to defeat him.'

Kuaak! Kuaak! Kuaak!

Fire and steel clashed—again and again, each impact rippling through the white void like thunder made visible.

Luna moved with focused recklessness. She parried some strikes, blocked others—and let a few pass, sacrificing pain for opportunity. It was the only way to match Victor's sheer dominance.

[I've got to say, you're quite exceptional]

Victor stepped back, breathing hard. Sweat ran down his brow, sizzling as it met the heat from her sword. Although he was stronger, the concentration of Luna's essence made it difficult for him. He was starting to see the trap.

Luna gave him a tired smirk. "Thanks for the compliment."

She was also exhausted. She had barely used much essence, but the strain was visible on her face.

Her hands were already trembling from how difficult it was to keep up with someone stronger than her. Her grip on the Sun Ember wavered with each breath.

Victor lunged once again. This time with a downward slash from above, his full strength behind it.

Luna stepped aside, and the blade crashed into the white floor with a thunderous boom. The ground split—and from the cracks, icicles erupted in pursuit of her fleeing form.

Luna slashed them away with fire, leaping to safety just in time.

Victor's eyes narrowed. 'She's… different. Steadier now. She's regained her calm.'

Luna landed softly a few paces away, her feet touched the ground gently. The jian in her hand was still covered in beautiful flames. She looked like an angel of justice while she glared at him.

"You might be stronger than me, Victor. But don't ever think that I won't come back for you…"

"Nonsense…" Victor growled. It was time to end this fight once and for all. "You piss off, Lunaris. In fact, I no longer care if you live or die. I am going to destroy you and take your lineage by force."

They vanished—swords crossing in a blink.

Victor struck first, backing his assault with a burst of gravity. Luna met it with a blazing barrier, her flames pushing back the crushing weight.

Then—chaos.

Victor's hand opened, and black lightning cracked out, wild and furious. It struck Luna, causing her form to flicker violently from the surge of pain.

Nevertheless, she shook off his attack and charged at him once more.

More bolts of lightning appeared, and Luna danced between them till she was close enough to unleash the flames in a swing.

Victor's eyes shrank when he saw the flames come at him and cover his all body.

He dispelled them with the wind. And when they disappeared, Luna was already in front of him.

Squak!

His eyes widened when his chest exploded in heat and agony.

The Sun Ember had pierced straight through him, sending him into a sea of torment.

"What the…" Victor gasped, coughing blood.

The sword's fire had dimmed, but its heat still scorched his insides. His strength was failing. And then he saw her eyes—dark, cold, resolute.

And perhaps it was the situation he was in, but Victor felt true fear as he stared into her terrifying gaze.

She then leaned close and said in a cold voice:

"I win…and don't think I won't come back for you when I'm stronger."

With a pull, she dragged the blade free and watched him fall to the ground. Killing a person with two souls was too hard. So, while in this Soul world of sorts, Luna could damage his soul.

Also, killing him came with consequences.

'And I have more things to deal with right now.'

With a thought, she cast Victor out of her soul.

When Luna opened her eyes again, she was back in the real world—bloodied, exhausted, but alive.

Victor lay beside her, unconscious in a pool of his own blood. His breathing was shallow, his body twitching faintly from the damage. He was still alive, but the wound she left in his soul had broken something vital.

She didn't even look at him.

Her eyes found Gail.

His body was still covered in blood, his nano skin armor cracked open like a broken promise. His greyed-out eyes were fixed in her previous direction, wide and hollow. There was no peace in them. Only fear.

Luna's knees hit the ground beside him.

Quietly, she began wiping the blood from his face, even though it kept staining her hands. She adjusted his body, trying to straighten him, to give him a shred of dignity. She could not bring him back to the real world. She could not carry him home. But at the very least…

She could lay him to rest.

With effort, she hoisted him into her arms and carried him away—past the bloodied battlefield, past the unconscious traitor who had taken him from her.

She found a great tree, its roots reaching deep into the cracked earth.

Gently, Luna laid Gail beneath it. He had chosen to fight beside her. He had known the risk, and still followed her into this cursed dungeon...to this floor.

And now… he would never leave it.

She gathered leaves with trembling fingers, covering his chest, then his face. Each handful made her hands shake more. Each leaf felt heavier than the last.

Luna didn't cry.

She didn't scream.

But something inside her was broken.

"I will not forget you, Gail Silverman."

She whispered it not aloud, but within the depths of her heart.

Then she turned from the tree and walked away—her steps slow, the wind catching on the edges of her soul-worn armor.

She gathered herself and started running towards the two rivers. If anything, the main battle had to be taking place there.

On the way, Luna noticed more and more corpses of men and women in red armor representing House Artemis. Many were stabbed by ice spikes, their bodies hanging like ugly decorations, while others were taken care of by weapons or magical attacks.

The smell of blood was everywhere, cries of war, and explosions that sent shockwaves in her direction could be heard from a distance.

The garden was as probably as big as island so even harder to pinpoint exactly where these explosions were coming from.

"I need to find who created this ice."

She was still running when something jumped out of the shadows and struck her with a metallic arm.

Luna was a second too late, and the surprise blow sent her flying through a few trees.

"My Luck...I just happen to find myself the unblessed one." The man who had just hit her laughed as he slowly walked to her.

Luna looked up and cleaned the blood on her mouth. She stood up and stared at the man with an indifferent glare.

"I don't need my sword to kill you." She growled and struck his metallic body in the chest with her palm. She didn't even add any qi, but the man's entire chest collapsed and vomited a river of blood.

"…You…"

He staggered and fell on his back, his metallic skin fading off to reveal a man in red armor. Luna's strength had bypassed his defense and killed him.

This was 100% of her strength. Against someone like Victor, it was nothing. But on a normal ascender, her strength was equal to that of someone with a third gate or close to opening one. This man had only a second gate user. And his naive nature led him to think that his armor and ability were enough to protect him.

Luna walked past him without even sparing him a glance. But before she could take another step—

THOOM.

Two Battle Auras descended onto Artemis's garden, their pressure crashing down like twin meteors.

Luna fell to her knees, breath stolen from her lungs, as the weight of both presences bore down on the land. The ground shook.

The source of these pressures was two beings that had appeared in the sky. One was a woman with silver hair, cold grey eyes, and white skin that glowed under the white moonlight. She held a silver Dao sword that was covered in a white hue.

The other was a man clad in crimson armor with a red cape attached to it. He had dark hair and sharp eyes that reflected the moon light as he stared at the woman with frightening intent.

These two were the leaders of the Feng Clan and House Artemis, two of the strongest pillars of humanity.

Mao Feng and Lord Artemis….

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