Defiance of the Fall Chapter 1408: History Repeating Itself

Zac settled back into his chair. Information on the Ultom Courts was incredibly valuable. Even if he chose not to use it personally, plenty of eager and wealthy Flamebearers would eagerly purchase such details. The issue lay in what Astora likely demanded in exchange for that knowledge. Yet, Zac knew he'd feel remorse if he didn't at least attempt to negotiate.

"Descartes did bring up that term earlier," Zac replied thoughtfully. "Sadly, he didn't have time to elaborate much."

"We'll make no progress if you keep up this facade. None of the selected ones are idiots," Astora replied with a scoff, her palm glowing brightly with immense Imperial Faith. "Do you recall this?"

"How could I not? I avoided mentioning it because I worried I'd disappointed Your Highness's high hopes for me," Zac responded, his face showing keen interest.

In their previous encounter, Astora had revealed that her lineage could harness certain providence from the Limitless Empire. Moreover, she possessed the ability to bestow that power as a blessing upon an additional ally. His journey to the Peregrine Archipelago served in part as a trial to demonstrate his worth. Zac felt confident he'd succeeded spectacularly by disrupting a significant scheme and rousing Sevona.

Considering the Arcana Division soldier slain by Descartes on that island, the blessing seemed assured. However, Zac had refrained from discussing it when he reunited with the princess. In truth, he doubted its necessity now. The original intent was to link with the Mercurial Court's threads of fate via the blessing, but Idiche's foresight confirmed they'd gathered sufficient accomplishments to obtain [Second Singularity].

Deepening ties with Astora Theomore now could introduce unwanted complications to their strategies. Besides, Zac hesitated to accept further blessings from the Limitless Empire so soon after receiving a comparable one earlier. He feared becoming a fervent devotee of the ancient Emperor without careful restraint.

"If anything, you exceeded expectations. So much so that it raises doubts," Astora remarked. "The danger exceeded our forecasts. You drove back a Late-step Celestial, and without your efforts, the entire Archipelago would swarm with tainted foes by now. Plus, you eliminated the Belial Tribe's selected contender."

"As I explained, that was—"

"A enigmatic Centigrade Elemental that no one else has faced or spotted. The thief of the [Fatesiphon Seal]," Astora affirmed with a nod. "I recall."

Zac reflected inwardly, grateful fortune had placed it in the Elemental's possession.

Despite Astora Theomore's suspicions regarding his background and intentions, she apparently overlooked his own status as a Flamebearer. Given Descartes's immediate recognition, the [Fatesiphon Seal] seemed the probable cause. It likely detected nearby Sealbearers, much like the concealed tracker on the Yphelion or the artifacts Valsa Planur employed to pursue Sealbearers in the Perennial Vastness.

"If Your Highness deems me unfit, I'll simply strive harder in your cause," Zac stated. "Regarding what you mentioned about Ultom?"

Astora countered Zac's inquiry with her own. "Do you understand the significance of your Realmsinger Seal?"

"That I share some destiny with the Mercurial Court," Zac replied with a shrug.

"Incorrect. It signifies a Karmic Link to Ultom. Specifically, to its Mercurial Domain," Astora clarified.

"What did you say?" Zac demanded, the table creaking under the unintended surge of his power.

"A monumental inheritance trial for this Era's Flamebearers and their Cycle of Protectors is on the verge of beginning. However, the Empire repurposed those Karmic Links for a different goal. Upholding balance, the Theomore Dynasty offered you Sealbearers an Equivalent Value substitute," Astora detailed serenely, as if her revelation didn't contain staggering secrets that left Zac stunned.

"So that's why you permitted outsiders into the courts?" Zac questioned, unsurprised. Ancient powers never gave freely, especially not the Limitless Empire. "Thus, we common folk lose our chance to enter Ultom directly?"

Zac had long puzzled over why Outer Court Sealbearers bore titles like Soultaker or Skypiercer, when only Flamebearers qualified for the Flameseeking trial. It became clear they were meant for the Ultom Courts, not the Outer ones, with corresponding domains awaiting within.

As for the Empire's need for those Karmic Links, speculation was straightforward. Ultom's Eternal Heritage formed the Fifth Pillar's heart, and the links aided its fusion with the Grand Array. Additionally, the Theomore Dynasty gathered all Sealbearers at the Outer Courts rather than dispatching rewards to their groups. Their attendance likely served the scheme, transforming Sealbearers into unwitting conduits linking Ultom to the Outer Courts.

Just then, a tentative voice echoed in Zac's thoughts, sparking fresh turmoil.

Esmeralda was correct. The trial drawing Zac and others to the Left Imperial Expanse mirrored the Theomore Dynasty's ancient Karmic transfer. Rather than entering Ultom's Mercurial and Hollow Domains, they claimed opportunities within recollections. They even guided to sites matching those of past Flameseeking trial's ancient Sealbearers.

The System or Limitless Empire was again extracting Ultom's Karmic Links for a colossal, defying-heaven endeavor. The prospect of the Limitless Empire rising to reclaim its Multiverse standing grew ever more plausible.

"Pardon, what was that?" Zac croaked, aware he'd overlooked part of her words.

"As mentioned, our approach isn't flawless. Firstly, our lineage depleted much Karma with Ultom. Secondly, redirecting destiny opened doors for rival families. My siblings' qualifications now hang in jeopardy," Astora explained.

"How does this involve me?" Zac probed. "I'm displeased at losing my shot, but I won't protest if it serves the Empire. I recognize the Theomore Dynasty compensated us by unlocking the courts."

"My blessing doesn't just enhance your Destiny. It designates you to my cycle and revives your Ultom link. You'd ally with me against my siblings or the fate-stealing outsiders. Nine Flameseeking slots existed originally, but six were yielded for this effort," Astora stated. "Join me, and I'll reveal all I know of Ultom. Note, I've already ventured inside."

Zac had regained composure fully, the blessing's appeal now vanished. He craved the intel, yet realized it was unattainable. "You suspect me too much for full inclusion, yet offer a trial run. Let me guess—information in trade?"

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"Precisely. What's happening? Why does my bloodline sense yours? Why this oppressive unease since laying eyes on you?" Astora demanded, her poise fraying. "Speak truthfully, and I'll back you completely. Both here and in Ultom."

Zac let out a slow breath. "I can't assist you."

"Still claiming it's imagination?" Astora snarled, seizing Zac's hand in a blur too swift to evade.

"No, I mean I can't disclose it," Zac replied, disregarding the intensifying warnings from his instincts. "Allow me a question. Do you believe in your forebears? In the Mercurial Court's elders?"

"Absolutely," Astora affirmed instantly.

"As you noted, no fools gather here," Zac said while withdrawing from her hold. Astora appeared soul-lost, gazing at her empty palms. Zac shook his head and headed for the exit, his final words aimed as much at himself as her. "Ignorance can be a blessing."

The exterior had transformed upon his exit, eight towering pillars now rising where the Hall of Abundance formerly loomed. Both he and Esmeralda had regained considerable strength, but neither desired to navigate the island's labyrinth of terrains through combat. Inquiring locally, Zac reached a nearby teleportation array that whisked him to the coastline.

Zac summoned a gondola without glancing behind. Much of Sevona's island lay uncharted by him, but his explorations revealed the verdant woods as mere illusions. No Natural Treasures had surfaced during his pursuits, and the trivial items in one Spatial Ring irked him as tokens of the island's meager rewards.

Beyond Idiche's offering, the sole worthwhile gain was Corruption Crystals. Regrettably, that deposit had depleted. Zac had felled over half the intruders personally, with the rest surely handled by the Enforcement Hall's Monarchs. As for the phantom beasts, Zac doubted their persistence post-hunt. Meanwhile, soil corruption had either burrowed deeper or been purified.

Fortuitously, Esmeralda had plundered the fallen warriors in the hall amid her search for valuables. The deathsworn attackers carried nothing appealing to her, but she contributed 53 more Corruption Crystals to Zac's hoard. Sadly, she couldn't access the Inner Worlds of the deceased Monarchs. The fierce clash had cauterized the rifts, dooming the collapsing realms to oblivion.

The world trembled as Zac's vessel departed the coast, a torrent of sensations flooding his awareness. His dual aspects had gathered vast insights and encounters since their prior alignment, requiring almost ten minutes to absorb fully. Upon recovery, Zac spotted Esmeralda at the boat's rear, gazing toward the island.

"Stunning, right?"

Sevona's island appeared utterly altered from prior views. Zac anticipated a persistent memory domain enveloping it, given their ejection upon open seas. Yet, a colossal golden crystal protruded from the waves alone. The island stood sealed in amber, its woods and peaks blurred like visions in slumber.

"The memory domain crumbled while you processed," Esmeralda noted. "The crystal predated that."

"I ponder if the island would still seal if we'd failed our task," Zac wondered.

"We've verified that deeds in memories influence the Mercurial Court's reality," Esmeralda replied.

"Those changes paled compared to this," Zac countered.

"True, but our feat this time dwarfed them." Esmeralda gestured skyward with a smile.

Zac glanced upward, noting a sixth ethereal halo crowning the Mercurial Court's pillar. Thus, the fate threads encircling the Mercurial Court filled two-thirds. Zac wondered if gates would seal then or allow further progress. After all, the Mercurial Court vied for primacy against the Daedalian Court.

Trailers lagged far. The Radiant Court had claimed its third pillar in their prior escapade, tying for last with the Starfall Court. The Farsee Court had climbed from the base too, acquiring a fourth halo last week. Hence, three fresh halos emerged in mere days—matching what Zac witnessed across three weeks in the archipelago.

Prior halos, across courts, induced time lapses of about a month. With three, including the Mercurial Court's, Zac anticipated over a year might elapse before his next memory dive. This underpinned his caution to Astora of prolonged absence. Recalling Astora Theomore prompted a sigh from Zac.

"Any regrets?" Esmeralda inquired.

"Some," Zac conceded. "But agreeing would have bred deeper remorse."

Astora's offer's pitfalls extended beyond the blessing's appeal. Trial constraints would bar revealing what she sought. Failing as with Xiphos would doom Astora's dream escape. It spelled loss either way, and Zac refused to gamble for secrets.

"Who can say? She might ally with you yet. With past and present converging, encounters in Ultom await," Esmeralda suggested. "Tread warily then. No me to rescue you."

The remark refocused Zac on their urgent concern: the failed theft and potential responses.

"Based on observations, I'll need a breakthrough before pursuing the [Second Singularity]," Zac declared, eyeing the recognizable night canopy.

"Understood," Esmeralda breathed. "How long?"

Zac would have deduced the same sans Idiche's enhanced [Peregrine Almond] guidance. The prophetic dream's failure stemmed clearly: his Void powers were essential against the [Second Singularity] somehow. His Void Energy reserves proved inadequate, compelling Esmeralda's premature intervention.

The straightforward fix was bolstering reserves. With [Force of the Void] capped at 50%, one primary path remained. Reaching Peak Hegemony would swell his Cosmic Core to contain at least fivefold current energy. As [Force of the Void] scaled with totals, his Void stock would surge likewise.

A secondary path existed, as Tavza implied feasible. One could elevate Bloodline to C-grade pre-Monarchhood. That yielded broader boosts to Void skills. Likely, a fresh talent would emerge, better fitting their quest.

Yet, this path brimmed with peril. His frame had absorbed excessive energies, triggering an unintended advance against Mox. It faltered in repose, spared backlash by nurturing soil. That occurred under two months past.

Stabilization demanded more time—time scarce. Delays heightened mishap risks. Esmeralda's state factored in too. Grand Dream drained surplus Temporal Energies from their forms. For Zac, overusing Temporal Chambers yielded lasting gains. But Esmeralda harbored a dread Temporal Treasure.

Per her account, the [Timescape Loop] intensified relentlessly until reincarnation compelled it. Reincarnation barred now, limits loomed despite Grand Dream's repeats. Peak Hegemony must suffice.

Zac pondered briefly. "Three months, if I secure the remaining items."

Many would deem Zac's schedule fanciful, and he scarcely credited it. He'd entered the Left Imperial Expanse under a year prior amid breakthrough, now eyeing the next phase. Peak D-grade core formation posed Hegemony's steepest barrier, yet he neared it swiftly, rivaling prior advances.

Most remarkably, it felt unhurried.

Tasks abounded, but none insurmountable. Final levels came via Natural Treasures or trades for pills and resources from the Mercurial Court. His blueprint required deduction time, aided by abundant corruption.

Post-Bazaar sweep in Transformation Docks, materials hit 70%, plus 5% from scavenged scraps. Remainder likely free en route through Hells and Gardens, deficits covered by spare Imperial Merit.

Sole true obstacle: his Dao of Conflict.

For Middle or Late Hegemony, a trailing Dao might pass. But the volatile energies to unleash and intertwine demanded parity; weakness in one invited chaos. Barely succeeding wouldn't do—a flawed core rendered efforts futile. Unused reserves meant little if the form couldn't wield them.

"I'll search too, and we might ease risks further," Esmeralda offered, leaping atop Zac's head. "Onward to action."