Meanwhile, in the mortal realm…

The moment the rift in the sky sealed itself shut, the world fell into a strange, uneasy silence. The deafening roar of war vanished without a trace, leaving only the broken land and the hollow echoes of battles that no longer raged.

Twilight's dying light spilled over the ruined fields, painting the landscape in somber hues of purple and red. Beneath that wounded sky, every soldier left alive stood paralyzed, unsure if they were still fighting or simply surviving.

Among them, Lunaris Feng stood alone, her gaze locked on a single figure suspended in the sky. It was an avatar. One of Storm Rider's... no, Emily's avatars.

The very sight of it wrenched Luna's heart. The once-brilliant form was fading, dimming with every heartbeat. Corruption clung to it like a parasite, devouring the last remnants of life.

"Emily!" Luna roared, her voice cracking under the weight of grief.

What the hell had she just done? Had someone as powerful as a Sovereign truly sacrificed her soul for someone she'd only met months ago?

'No... no... she can't be that stupid,' Luna thought desperately, lying to herself even as warm tears spilled down her cheeks.

Storm Rider was the strongest being she had ever known. A woman who could bend stars, tear monsters apart with a flick of her wrist, and fracture fate itself if she willed it. She was invincible.

She couldn't die.

"Emily! I remember you! Please come down! The battle is over!"

Her screams shattered the heavy stillness.

Nearby soldiers turned to look, their battered faces mirroring her sorrow, their armor stained with ash and blood.

But the avatar did not move. It only drifted, crumbling faster under the growing corruption. The light that once surrounded it bled away like the last breath of a dying star.

When she saw this, desperation surged through Luna. She stumbled forward, trying to summon her essence to fly.

For a brief, painful moment, she lifted nearly a meter into the air only to crash down as her battered body gave out, agony exploding through her limbs. It felt like the world itself had slipped out of reach.

And then—

[You shouldn't be sad, Lunaris. This was my decision.]

A faint, trembling smile crossed Luna's tear-streaked face. Even now, in the end, Emily's voice carried that familiar warmth — that quiet strength.

'Typical of you to say that,' Luna whispered.

[I know.]

[But my soul is collapsing, little one. I'm currently drowning. The water is so cold. It sucks, honestly... but... I can see my efforts paying off. I'm glad you're safe, hehe.]

The laugh was so small, so tired, but it pierced deeper than any wound.

"What about you?" Luna asked, her soul shattering with each word.

[Me? Once the corruption fully takes hold, my sense of self will be lost. I'll become something else, something twisted.]

[You might even have to face me one day.]

Her voice carried a peaceful, aching sadness, a farewell wrapped in the ancient art of Great Communication.

Luna sat in silence, her fists clenching against the cracked earth.

[The world has changed so much since I last walked it. Even in chaos... It's beautiful. I'm glad I got to see it again.]

[Thank you, Lunaris. Thank you for setting me free.]

"You're welcome," she choked out, her tears blurring the world.

She had been so blind. Of course, Storm Rider would do anything to protect the Supreme One's legacy. To protect her, the last Fire Keeper.

[I know you will feel alone for some time, but there is so much more about the world that you don't know. Do not fall into despair as I once did. Keep fighting, and reach the best future.]

With those final words, the avatar shattered into a thousand dying stars, her voice scattering into the cold wind like ash.

Luna stood frozen. She faced the scarred ground, and her mind went dark. She needed to hide the pain. To bury it somewhere the world couldn't see.

But the pain was getting hard to hide. Her tears came fast and ugly, wracking her body with silent sobs.

Fate had been cruel. So damn cruel. If she had been stronger. If she were at Victor's level of strength. If she had moved faster, fought harder. Then maybe…just maybe…she would've done something to save Storm Rider. Or Gail.

A soft voice pulled her back to reality:

"Excuse me? Are you alright?"

Luna stiffened, hastily wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

When she looked up, a woman stood before her. She was covered in blood and bruises, but they were healing fast. She had a round face, emerald green eyes, and short brown hair.

Luna knew this woman, of course. Her name was August Harlon, a third-gate ascender from House Feng known as The Quick Viper.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"I'm fine," Luna said, her voice hoarse. She forced a weak smile. "Could you help me get to my sister? I'm sure backup will arrive soon."

August frowned, her face creasing with suspicion. "Your sister?" she asked, clearly puzzled. "I'm sorry... am I supposed to know her?"

Luna blinked. A cold dread crept up her spine.

"Huh? Oh, sorry," she said quickly, clutching her head and grimacing. "I must have hit my head somewhere."

She forced out a hiss of pain, pretending to be dizzy. 'Right...I'm already a Forgotten.'

The realization carved a deep hollow in her chest, far worse than any physical wound.

August froze, her instincts flaring sharper than ever. She studied the young woman kneeling before her. She studied every detail, every irregularity.

The stranger wasn't in uniform. No nano-skin armor. No insignia. No weapons. She was in a cream-colored tunic, torn and battered, and a heavy cloak stained with dust and blood, like someone ripped from another time altogether.

After everything they had just survived, August knew better than to lower her guard. Her hand inched closer to the blade sheathed at her side. "What are your names, ma'am?" she asked, voice low and urgent.

The girl hesitated for too long. A flicker of panic danced behind her glassy, tear-stained eyes.

"My name... Umm... Lana," Luna said, the lie falling out stiff and unconvincing.

Immediately, August's emerald eyes narrowed into slits. She didn't need her training to know a lie when she heard one.

In one sharp movement, she lunged.

But Luna moved faster. Much faster than any human she had ever seen.

Without hesitation, Luna's hand snapped out, seizing August's arm mid-strike. In one smooth, merciless motion, she yanked her forward, twisted her down, and slammed her face-first into the broken earth with monster strength.

A harsh grunt escaped August as the ground cracked beneath her. She struggled, but Luna's grip was immovable. It was a steel trap disguised by a young girl's tearful face.

But Luna had hesitated to act. And that single delay cost her because Ascenders clad in the white and blue armor of House Feng came rushing across the battlefield, weapons drawn, eyes locked onto her like wolves who had found prey.

"Impostor!"

August's warning had already been screamed into the wind the moment she realized Luna wasn't who she claimed to be.

Luna spun, ready to fight them all off, when a sudden, invisible weight smashed into her. The ground beneath her cracked. Her knees buckled as she struggled to stay upright, essence roaring through her veins.

"This is all your fault!" a furious voice spat.

Luna barely rolled aside before a massive, dark fist slammed into where she had just been standing, obliterating the ground.

When she regained her footing, her heart clenched when she saw who had attacked her. It was Darkness, The Warmonger.

'My luck.'

Even with only one arm, Darkness moved like a tempest unleashed. She stood straight, and a gladius appeared in her bloody hand--its blade was gleaming with twilight. She then charged, each step cratering the ground beneath her boots.

Luna reacted instantly, intercepting the brutal swing with her blade, the clash ringing out like a bell tolling the end of peace.

"What are you talking about?!" Luna shouted, parrying another crushing blow. She kept her gaze calm and tight, watching Darkness's sword, her shoulders, her footwork—reading her the way a master reads the wind.

But Darkness's bloodshot sapphire eye glowed with a fury that made the very air around them heavy.

The crushing gravity around her doubled.

Luna gritted her teeth. To counter this, she plunged her sword into the ground.

She willed the tiniest stream of essence into the blade, and flames burst forth in a spiraling torrent from the point of impact, wrapping the broken earth in a twisting inferno.

The fire forced Darkness back, her face twisting with rage as the spirals tightened toward her. She cursed and cut off her gravity surge, retreating just a half-step too late.

That was all Luna needed. She ripped the Sun Ember from the ground and seized the flames.

She charged forward and struck Darkness's sword out of her grasp in a powerful swing. She always had a weak grip around the gladius, which was now weaker because this wasn't her sword-wielding hand.

As Darkness recovered, Luna twisted her body and jumped. She landed a brutal kick to her ribs.

A sharp crack rang out, and Darkness choked out a gasp and dropped to all fours, coughing, barely able to keep herself upright. She was in no condition to continue, let alone fight.

"I am so sorry," Luna whispered under her breath, genuine pain flashing across her face.

Without wasting another second, she turned and sprinted toward the broken remains of the town.

"Get that impostor! It might be a devil."

"Get her…"

The shouts of soldiers faded into the growing roar of powerful engines. Jet-powered crafts swept over the ruined skyline, their searchlights slicing through the smoke and ash.

From their open hangars, Ascenders leapt into the air, their bodies glowing with zenshi as they dove to eliminate any cursed creatures still clinging to life.

The sky itself felt like it was on fire—yet Luna slipped through the chaos unnoticed. She darted through the broken stone, her cloak billowing, using the distraction to vanish farther and farther from the heart of the battle.

As much as it hurt her that she couldn't say goodbye to the people she cherished the most in this accursed world, Luna had made the selfish choice to fight the battle no one was aware of.

She needed to get strong. Strong enough to face her enemies in the shadows and break this curse one day. To break fate with her bare hands. And to protect herself and people she bothered to care about.

Her steps became steadier, faster, fueled by a burning resolve.

'But first…'

Luna's gaze lifted toward the darkened heavens, where the rift had closed but the scars remained.

'First, I need a way into the Divine Realm.'

***

The Divine Realm.

Lord Feng sat alone, cloaked in silence, as he gazed over the Ice Quil Garden that bloomed before him.

In his hand, he cradled a small ceramic cup, thin wisps of steam curling from its surface, carrying the subtle aroma of fresh Misk Leaves—a rare plant that only grew here, in this secluded cradle of the Divine Realm.

Beyond the wide, open terrace, the landscape of the Shen Mountains stretched into a breathtaking horizon of frozen beauty and ancient power.

He sipped quietly, savoring the rare stillness.

The Shen Mountains—named by his hand, thousands of years ago—were a land divided by nature's fierce will into three distinct dominions.

The First Head of the Great Dragon, Yondai, was a land of eternal fire and ash. Its blackened peaks smoldered day and night, casting dark smoke into the sky, while the lower regions lay hidden beneath a cursed region known simply as the Shadow. Few who ventured there ever returned.

The Second Head, Mashin, was a realm of endless rain and wild growth. Towering forests cloaked the slopes in green and white, with rivers coiling like silver serpents down to the valley floors. Yet high above, near the summit, violent nimbus clouds spun eternally, black lightning crackling across the heavens--striking anything foolish enough to rise against the storm.

And finally, the Third Head: Ralg'im, the crown of the Great Dragon. Here, above the storm and ruin, was a sanctuary carved from winter's grace. Though the air was cold and the ground was dusted in frost, the soil was rich beyond imagination. The sun bathed the peak in golden light, and here, life flourished.

It was upon Ralg'im that Lord Feng had built his domain. A great citadel, wreathed in banners of white and silver, and a Sect whose wings stretched into the furthest reaches of the Divine Realm. This was the Ice Wing Sect.

Here, amidst the ice and heavens, he ruled.

"Lord Feng…"

The elder paused mid-sip, the cup halting just before his lips. Slowly, he turned, revealing eyes as cold and piercing as a winter sky. Standing at the edge of the terrace was one of his disciples—a youth, little more than a First Gate user, but loyal to the bone, a follower of the True Path.

"Speak," Lord Feng said, his voice calm but edged with command.

The disciple bowed deeply before delivering the report.

"We have received word from the Mortal Realm. Everything unfolded according to your vision, my lord. Lunaris Feng… she is confirmed to be the inheritor of the Supreme One's lineage. Through her divine blood, she has awakened her true potential and is now on the True Path."

A thin, pleased smile brushed Lord Feng's lips. To see the pieces moving as he had foreseen was always satisfying.

"But…" the disciple continued cautiously, "there were abnormalities."

Lord Feng's smile faded. "Abnormalities?"

The disciple nodded quickly, sensing the shift in the air. "Lunaris Feng has inherited another lineage. The lineage of… Razchar."

For the first time in many years, Lord Feng's cup tilted slightly in his hand. "But that's impossible. Razchar is a servant of death, his Will…" he paused his muttering when a thought crossed his mind. In less than two seconds, he had seen through all possibilities and came up with the most real one.

"Her divine blood and the Supreme One's lineage are already working hand in hand to support her soul. Fascinating."

"There is more, Lord Feng."

The disciple's voice grew more urgent. Youthful admiration lit his eyes, but there was also fear in the tremor of his words.

"I am listening."

"Lunaris was being protected by Emily Raymond. After looking into it, we discovered she was part of the Fire Keepers who acquired the Sun God's lineage after the death of the Sun's Mortal Star. We believe this had been her goal all along, and her appearance at the Sky Castle was an act to make the Heavenly Court imprison her."

"In other words," the disciple breathed, "Emily Raymond knew Lunaris Feng would appear centuries before it happened."

"A heavy silence stretched between them.

Lord Feng set down his cup with a faint clink, his mind already weaving new threads of the unseen tapestry.

"You believe there is another player?" he inquired.

The disciple nodded fervently.

"Zheng Feng awakened the Supreme One's lineage only after receiving inspiration from an unknown source. Hamido Kashiragi betrayed this Sect after encountering the same. Whoever is behind this remains unseen by the Gaze of Fate itself. They leave no trace."

Lord Feng snorted, though there was no humor in the sound. 'Likely a Divine hiding within the broken realms… or lurking deep within the Void, beyond Fate's reach.'

"I will deal with that myself. Continue." He saw no need to share his thoughts with a mere disciple.

The disciple bowed and pressed on.

"The Heavenly Court has allied with the Fallen Ones. At the request of Everlight, corruption was unleashed to exterminate Lunaris Feng. Hundreds died in the chaos, but she survived… as did your other pupil."

Lord Feng's face darkened like a storm gathering behind a cold eye. He had carefully orchestrated Luna's awakening by manipulating Mao Feng into letting her join the Blood Tower's subjugation because of the strong Qi within the tower.

He had expected her to meet with Razchar and learn the truth and become a Forgotten. However, Lord Feng hadn't expected her to become this strong after just awakening the first gate.

Victor was supposed to retrieve her after she awakened and bring her to the Ice Wing Sect. Feng would then extract her soul and consume the awakened lineage to proceed to the next step of his journey to godhood. He had failed long ago when he faced Zheng Feng, and had now failed again.

This was a blow to his Pride as a Divine being.

"Where is Lunaris Feng now?" he asked.

The disciple's head bowed lower, shame radiating from him as he said: "We cannot find her. She has severed her thread from Fate. She could be anywhere, my lord."

Lord Feng exhaled slowly, frost curling from his breath.

"I see. Then summon the Visionaries of the Mortal Realm immediately. And prepare a summons to the Heavenly Court."

The disciple straightened. "As you command, Lord Feng."

The elder turned back toward the Ice Quil Garden, the serene beauty before him no longer warmed his cold heart.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.