Defiance of the Fall Chapter 1403: Betrayal

“Chaos… Impossibl—!” Descartes’ panicked cry was cut short by the silver orb slamming into his face.

Zac was battling a thunderous migraine, his upper meridians scorched by the effort of maintaining his grip on the Hollow Chaos. His outward composure was a mask; generating Chaos Energy required more strength than he possessed, yet it was the only weapon capable of extinguishing Descartes’ final hopes.

The trial had been a gauntlet of lethal threats, forcing Zac to cycle between Oblivion and Creation. After severing the remnants from their source, their reserves were already dwindling before the hunt began. Forcing this latest sphere of Chaos into existence had left those remnants cracked and diminished. This gamble had undoubtedly cost them a portion of their permanent spirituality.

Despite the steep price, the intensity of the Primordial Chaos felt insufficient. He had prepared meticulously to bypass Descartes' spiritual and physical shielding, and he couldn't afford a failure. Since he lacked quantity, he had to maximize the impact. Fortunately, his experience against Mox’s champion had allowed him to refine his technique; practice was finally paying off.

Directly commanding such a force remained beyond Zac’s reach. In this Era’s system of cultivation, controlling Chaos was a fundamental contradiction. However, indirect manipulation was possible. He even possessed a specialized guide—the [Inverse Vestige Scripture] he had claimed from the Hidden Earth Abode.

The predecessor of Daoist Hidden Earth had perfected a way to guide the Void using sacrificial conduits. By passing through these channels, unleashed Void Energy was given shape and trajectory, mimicking a skill fractal. Zac attempted a similar maneuver now. Rather than simply letting the Chaos dissolve Descartes’ head into a state of permanent instability, Zac used Spiritual Threads coated in Void Energy to snare any escaping strands of Chaos.

Dasorm likely never envisioned his [Cosmic Forge] being utilized in such a manner during live combat. Perhaps the application was so blatant he hadn't felt the need to explain it. Regardless, [Cosmic Infusion] became the instrument Zac used to extract every drop of potential from the small chaotic mass.

Zac acted as a shepherd, ensuring not a single spark went astray. Every bit of energy was funneled downward, specifically directed into Descartes’ meridians. With Alea continuing to lock Descartes' fate onto this path of destruction, the man offered no defense. The lethal synergy caused his physical form to undergo an irreversible mutation before it dissolved into nothingness.

After tearing through his body like a wildfire, the Chaos finally slammed into Descartes’ Cosmic Core. Zac gave one last desperate shove, the pressure nearly fracturing his Soul Aperture. He might have suffered a permanent rupture if not for the blessing bestowed by the Empyrean Chalice. However, the conjured vessel had reached its limit after healing his previous wounds and sustaining him this far. When Zac’s instincts screamed of imminent peril, he was too drained to move.

Just as Descartes’ Cosmic Core reached its breaking point, Zac felt a protective embrace from behind. The core detonated like a star, releasing a tempest of energy and jagged shrapnel that tore into Zac’s skin. Fortunately, the fundamental defenses of [Love’s Bond] had been significantly bolstered since its evolution.

The chest plate shielded Zac’s vitals as he was thrown back several dozen feet, while a web of chains cocooned his head. The new damage to the armor would eventually repair itself, and the chains would regenerate within a day or two. Zac’s primary concern was Alea’s spiritual condition. She had maintained her interference far longer than was safe and had even absorbed some of the explosion's impact while retreating into the breastplate.

“I’m fine,” Alea whispered reassuringly.

Her words did little to ease Zac’s worry. Her voice was a mere ghost of itself, and she fell into a deep trance the moment she finished speaking. Zac could sense the fragility of her spirit. If this was a mitigated backlash, the full force would have been catastrophic. Since Alea was committed to this path, he needed to find ways to harden her soul. He wondered if anyone in the Mercurial Court knew techniques to accelerate the integration of Spiritual Flames.

Though his energy reserves were nearly dry, Zac was in surprisingly good shape. Compared to his previous attempts at summoning Chaos, the difference was night and day, proving his training was bearing fruit. Success wasn't just about smashing the two opposing forces together anymore.

Zac had evolved considerably since his battles with Naruk and the avatar of Mox. His Daos of Life and Death had progressed, as had his [Void Vajra Sublimation]. While the physical tempering didn't fully translate to his Draugr form, his constitution had become far more resistant to volatile energies. Crucially, his experience with the cycle of Life and Death in the Peregrine Ocean had been integrated into his Heart, deepening his resonance with the Peak of Chaos and making the process less agonizing.

As the echoes of the battle faded, silence returned to the lobby. Descartes showed no signs of returning, and only Zac’s heavy breathing broke the stillness. The shattering of the Limitless Empire’s divine chart had left a void of loss so heavy that neither Sevona’s aura nor August’s greed dared to interfere. Moonlight pooled outside the large window, yet it seemed unable to cross the threshold into the lodge.

The ruined hall remained lit by the azure seal on the entrance and the spectral glow of the Empyrean Chalice. The vessel drifted above as if its task remained unfinished. Its radiance shimmered off the thousands of spiritual fragments left from Kaltosa Lu’s broken Array Disks, casting a kaleidoscope of Dao-infused light across the room.

Zac squinted at the floating chalice. Was it demanding compensation for its help? Was he expected to offer a prayer? Even if he were inclined to do so, he was ignorant of the ritual. At the very least, no new marks or brands had appeared on his skin to signify a Karmic Debt. Deciding to deal with it later, Zac turned his attention toward Kaltosa Lu.

The Elemental appeared as though he had been the one on the front lines. The Empyrean Chalice had offered no protection to Zac’s ally, leaving Kaltosa Lu to suffer the full weight of the banner’s power. He lay collapsed on the floor, his six limbs twitching as if caught in a waking nightmare.

A surge of Killing Intent rose in Zac, urging him to finish the job. Would there ever be a better moment to eliminate this scheming Flamebearer? He dismissed the thought almost immediately. Beyond the consequences of killing a direct descendant of the Centigrade Pryer, Zac needed to save his remaining strength for whatever was happening inside the Hall of Abundance.

Descartes' demise hadn't halted August’s attempt to claim the Divine Core. The man's presence was so suffocating that Zac could barely feel Sevona’s divinity struggling against him. Just breaching the azure seal would likely demand the use of [Eye of Desolation].

Zac froze as the sound of a rhythmic heartbeat echoed through the room. Just as he began moving Miasma toward his skill, he whipped his head back toward the center of the hall. A golden heart, wreathed in clouds of providence and runes of immense merit, had materialized where Descartes had perished. It resembled the heart of a celestial being—an image that was instantly defiled.

A necrotic gash split the golden flesh, leaking black, foul blood. The tear widened as three clawed, scaled hands with obsidian nails gripped the edges and forced them apart. An ancient evil was clawing its way out.

“What in the world?” Zac gasped as a flood of degenerative filth erupted from the wound.

Within the heart, a horned entity stared at him with pure hatred. Its features were more distorted than any demon Zac had encountered, radiating a madness that was different from, yet just as terrifying as, the corruption of the Lost Era. This was a true devil, a presence so foul that [Immutability of Eoz] and [Purity of the Void] surged in response.

Despite the radical change from his human form, Zac knew Descartes wasn't dead. Not only was he alive, but the aura emanating from the shriveling heart was even more crushing than before. Zac found no joy in finally uncovering the source of the primal power hidden within his foe.

The silver lining was that his previous strike hadn't been in vain. It had forced Descartes into this second form, and the devil was clearly battered. He was missing an arm, and his body was covered in festering wounds that showed no sign of healing. Zac was exhausted, but Descartes was a cornered animal at death's door.

Furthermore, he was still entangled within the decaying heart.

As Zac prepared to lunge forward and end the threat, agonizing pain flared through his body. Twelve spikes had been driven into him, forming a sophisticated array that completely locked down his soul and meridians. Even the Void was silent. When he tried to tap into his hidden reservoir, the array generated a powerful counter-pulse that neutralized his efforts.

This seal was even more restrictive than the one used by the Eidolon Autarch at the Imperial Graveyard. It took everything Zac had just to turn his head to see Kaltosa Lu limping toward him. The betrayal was absolute, yet the Elemental’s own battered state left Zac as bewildered as he was furious.

Kaltosa Lu had planned this perfectly. Although Zac had never stopped monitoring his “ally,” the Elemental had struck at the precise second Zac’s focus was entirely on Descartes. The array flags must have been custom-made based on their earlier skirmish; they had bypassed Zac’s danger sense entirely until they were already lodged in his back.

What made the betrayal so nonsensical was the timing. Kaltosa Lu hadn't waited for the fight to end; he had acted while their enemy was undergoing a rebirth. Of the three, Kaltosa Lu was in the worst condition. Why face Descartes alone when Zac was available to take the brunt of the damage?

It didn't seem like a desperate move to cut losses, either. If Kaltosa Lu wanted Zac dead, he would have finished him before escaping. The array was designed to imprison, not execute, and the Elemental seemed perfectly content to allow Descartes to return.

“Excellent work, my friend. To think you actually forced him out,” Kaltosa Lu rasped, drawing closer. “Lompo predicted I’d need to burn a Primordial Rune to manage this. He clearly underestimated your capabilities. Chaos and Void? A truly unique pairing. I understand now why Ultom picked you.”

“Why?” Zac forced the word out, straining against the spikes.

“Think of it as insurance,” Kaltosa Lu replied with a casual shrug.

“Descartes…” Zac muttered, his voice failing him.

Kaltosa Lu gave a short laugh. “Just as I thought, this vulgar outsider belonged to the Belial Tribe.”

The name wasn't entirely unfamiliar to Zac. The Belial Tribe—or Clan—was one of the Eight Imperial Bloodlines, equal in standing to the Theomores. Only another peak family would have the audacity to hunt Astora Theomore. Another Imperial Bloodline was vying for Ultom, and Zac was caught in the crossfire.

Zac knew little else about the Belial Tribe. He wasn't sure if they were human or if this devilish form was their natural state. He had tried to research the Imperial Bloodlines after discovering the Theomore Dynasty ruled the Left Imperial Expanse, but information was scarce.

Records of the Imperial Bloodlines had been largely purged from history. Even someone as well-read as Tavza only knew the basics. It made sense that Kaltosa Lu was better informed, considering the Centigrade Pryer was a survivor of the Dark Ages. Based on Descartes’ previous insult, the Pryer had once been an indentured servant.

“I was beginning to worry I’d miscalculated,” Kaltosa Lu remarked. By now, the devil had nearly freed itself from the foul cocoon. “Belial’s elite were supposed to be paragons of Confucian elegance, not this grim idiot. I doubt the First Era’s corruption is the cause. It’s more likely the memory lanterns couldn't handle the Divine Degeneracy Bloodline.”

Zac tried to shout for Kaltosa Lu to act, but his throat was paralyzed. However, he soon noticed a subtle conflict already in progress. The mist from the shattered Array Disks was thinning rapidly, and Descartes’ aura was becoming erratic.

When Descartes finally tumbled from the cocoon and tried to stand, his arm detonated in a spray of filth. He screamed in a mixture of rage and terror, unable to stop the debris mist from flooding into his body. Strangely, the remnants weren't damaging him; they were overcharging him, causing his bloodline to spiral out of control.

Descartes took one faltering step toward them before collapsing. He stared blankly upward, his final breath carrying a single, pained word.

“Treason—”

A moment later, the devil dissolved into a puddle of corruption as his own bloodline consumed him. Kaltosa Lu chuckled softly as he approached the mess.

“My grandfather is my polar opposite. He’s a petty, vengeful man who refuses to tolerate the slightest slight,” Kaltosa Lu said, manifesting a translucent hand.

The spectral limb reached into the sludge and retrieved the token Descartes had used to avoid the Lodge’s wrath. It bore a resemblance to the [Court Cycle Token], but lacked a Flamebearer seal. Instead, it was inscribed with a foreign rune radiating massive amounts of Imperial Faith.

“Outliving his rivals wasn't enough for him,” Kaltosa Lu continued, returning to Zac. “He’s spent centuries and vast fortunes creating punishments for people who are long dead. I have to admit, the old man’s obsession paid off today.”

Zac glared at his captor, unable to waste any more effort on speech.

“You’re wondering why you’re still alive? It’s simple. I’d rather not be incinerated,” Kaltosa Lu said, gesturing toward the Empyrean Chalice. “How did you forge such a deep bond with a Templar Order? There was almost no fate linking those threads in this sector.

“It makes me wonder if your earlier bragging had some truth to it. There are whispers you might be tied to the factions of the Boundless Path. That would explain the chaos you caused at the Imperial Graveyard,” Kaltosa Lu mused. “Is that why you study the Void, even though it’s a dead end? Is it a screen for your loyalty to the cursed empire?”

Zac responded with a look of pure vitriol.

“I suppose it’s irrelevant,” Kaltosa Lu said, moving the strange token toward Zac’s left hand. “I can’t kill you, but I can certainly take my prize. My apologies, but you were right—the competition is fierce, and I cannot fail in front of my beloved. I’ll need to borrow your Fate for a while. Given how resourceful you are, I’m sure you’ll recover.”

A spear of light ignited without warning, moving with staggering velocity and turning Kaltosa Lu’s own tactics against him. Though the Elemental was prepared, a burst from the Empyrean Chalice shattered his defenses. The spear transfixed Kaltosa Lu where he stood, and flames engulfed him instantly.

“Curse it! You won't give an inch! Just wait!” Kaltosa Lu bellowed as a constellation within him flared with primordial power.

Zac watched in stunned silence as a pillar of distorted Time and Space, a meter wide, consumed Kaltosa Lu. Zac had already weakened the array flags through his resistance and had been planning his own move after sacrificing some Imperial Fate. He hadn't expected the chalice to intervene first.

The pillar of artificial Continuum contracted rapidly. It seemed to pierce through the roof before vanishing into the heavens. It reminded Zac of the Centurion Lighthouse when the [Centurion Spear] was fired. Kaltosa Lu’s pillar stretched toward infinity as it narrowed to a hair’s breadth. Then it was gone, its energy spent on teleporting the Elemental away. Only the Empyrean Flames remained.

“You?” Zac gasped as a radiant figure stepped out from the chalice. With Kaltosa Lu gone, the spikes pinning him were no longer under anyone's command.