Chapter 1206: Fire and Ice

Chapter 1206: Fire and Ice

"What a weirdo," Catheya giggled as she lifted Zac's upper lip. "It's true! Why would getting zapped by lightning make you grow more teeth?"

"I guess the Heavens have a specific taste," Zac smiled and kissed her fingers. "You've never seen something similar on Draugr elders with multiple awakenings?"

"Never," Catheya said, snuggling closer to Zac beneath the covers. "I like the sleek model of you better. Well, sleeker."

"And you keep getting prettier."

"I have no choice. You have no idea how fierce the competition for good men is," Catheya said, looking at him askance. "Or maybe you do. I heard the Kavriels worked very hard to win your favor?"

"Don't worry, I protected my purity," Zac laughed. "If nothing else, I was busy upgrading my skills."

"Of course you'd pick cultivation over some random skirts," Catheya said. "What about you? You're not worried some dragon princeling will come to snatch your woman?"

"Not really. I've killed dragons before."

"Braggart," Catheya laughed.

They'd talked about everything and nothing for a good while, both reluctant to leave their little bubble of bliss. Eventually, they shifted to their experiences since they parted. Zac was surprised to learn Catheya had been sent to an ancient undead dragon who seemed no less powerful than Ogras' master. He had expected someone strong, but to think Sendor had found a master who matched Catheya's path so perfectly. Then again, the circles at the top might be very small, especially among seemingly unaffiliated Supremacies like the dragon and assassin.

Zac shared what he could of his experiences, mindful of the commandments Catheya was bound by. It was a punch to the gut not being able to confide some matters to his girlfriend that even some of his subordinates knew. Catheya was more than understanding of this, and they had long since developed a form of communication to skirt these sensitive matters. Zac kept what he needed vague, like how his two bodies worked. Catheya perfunctory asked for clarification in ways that let Zac know she'd been ordered to investigate before coming over.

Catheya was shocked to find how quickly things had gone south for Zecia, and she had already been debriefed about the upcoming mission before contacting him. Kator was even happy to see her teleport over to Port Atwood, telling her it was fine to stay until they reconvened in a couple of weeks. Hearing the Reaver act so accommodating left Zac more wary than grateful. It reminded Zac of how Kator dealt with Boje after their duel.

Their conversation grew a bit stilted when they finally reached the topic of their upcoming mission. It almost felt like discussing it would bring the inevitable forward, bursting the bubble. A hum from Zac's communication token eventually forced him back to reality. He leaned over the bed, fishing out the crystal from his robes scattered on the floor.

"They're here."

"What? Who?"

"Iz Tayn and Kruta."

"Tayn!" Catheya said, sitting straight up in the bed. "You're not thinking of inviting her here, are you?"

"Well—"

"It makes sense," Catheya said with an entirely too-sweet voice. "How can one of me be enough when there's suddenly two of you?"

"You know it's not like that," Zac smiled as he got up. "And you don't have to worry. Kator is keeping me on the straight and narrow. I've already agreed not to invite the Tayns on the mission to the Imperial Graveyard."

"So why does it look like you're heading over?"

"I have to go back to the ruins in six hours. Before that, I want to fetch Kruta. And while we can't bring Iz, I can still exchange some information with her. Fate is gathering, and the Imperial Graveyard is probably the best place to look for seals now. Four of my sealbearers already have quests leading there."

"You're hoping to use them as a diversion?" Catheya said, a smile tugging at her lips. "You're pretty heartless, using a renowned beauty like that."

"I'm not using her," Zac said with a roll of his eyes. "We're both benefitting. The more people that enter the graveyard, the less attention each of us will have to bear. But it's up to Iz whether she wants to join in or look for seals elsewhere."

"Is it a good idea to go in person?" Catheya asked. "Iz Tayn is a monster, and she'll have powerful helpers. She's even a Flamebearer like you. Why not send a token for Kruta instead of taking such a risk? You can't trust anyone when the stakes are this high."

"You're right, she's powerful. So powerful she won't have to resort to trickery like this if she wants my seal," Zac said. "Iz is able to find Earth, so she could just break in if she wanted."

"Fine. But I'm coming with."

"Are you sure?" Zac hesitated. "They're friendly but a bit crazy. Someone might throw fireballs at you."

"I'd like to see them try," Catheya huffed as a shimmering veil of intense cold spread around her. "Besides, Kator won't be able to fault you if I'm present as a witness. Are we going right now?"

"Lower Planes..." Zac muttered. "Interesting."

It wasn't hard to find the place. Rather, it was impossible to miss. A whole mountain was set on fire just outside the city, with dozens of Hegemons floating in the air nearby. None dared to fly close, yet they seemed reluctant to leave. Perhaps they hoped the lofty people on the mountain would need some local helper, which could be the start of having their fate reforged.

A few even tried to bar their approach. Unleashing some of his Killing Intent and aura saved Zac and Catheya from having to deal with the fools trying to take up the role of guards. It also served to announce their arrival. A gap in the empyrean flames opened, exposing a luxurious palace within.

While looking like the summer residence of a wealthy cultivator, it emitted an intense aura of fire and destruction. It had to be a flying fortress or a portable manor since there was no way it was a local residence. An enterprising Hegemon tried to follow in their wake, only to be turned into ash as the entrance closed behind them. Zac grimaced and pulled Catheya closer, fearing she might not be deemed fated by the burning barrier.

There was no clear main entrance to the palace, and there were no servants or guards to point them in the right direction. The palace almost felt deserted. Zac couldn't sense a single aura in the building; neither could his Draugr vision spot any hints of Life. It was all fire. Thankfully, they didn't have to go around knocking on doors as one opened for them.

"Acting all mysterious," Catheya huffed as the chill around her intensified.

Zac wryly smiled as they entered, where a floating flame waited.

'We apologize about the reception, Miss Sharva'Zi,' the flame said. 'The Dao here is so polluted that the young miss chose to seal the inner residences so as not to harm the training of her subordinates. She only just learned of your arrival. This way, if you please.'

"Thank you," Zac said, and they were led into the heart of the palace.

The heat grew increasingly intense and filled with profound meaning. Zac looked at Catheya with worry. "Are you okay? Should I—"

"No need," Catheya smiled. "If anything, this is a valuable experience to temper my Domain."

"If you like it, you're welcome to stay as long as you wish," a crystalline voice spread through the hallway as the final door opened. "Welcome."

"What in the..." Catheya whispered, though Zac barely heard her.

The inner sanctum was a small garden filled with flowers. Zac didn't recognize a single one, but he could tell each was worth a fortune. They were all Peak D-grade Natural Treasures, with most emitting a vague pressure indicating they had begun the transition toward the C-grade. Together, they formed an intensely spiritual atmosphere, though not one purely of flames as he'd expected.

The flowers had created an actual replica of the Heavens, forming a natural formation utilizing all seventeen Dao Peaks. With all Daos present and in perfect harmony, none stood out. Instead, the garden formed a supreme cultivation environment Zac suspected would stand out even on B-grade continents.

The display of wealth and knowledge wasn't what had taken their breath away, though it did leave Zac's cells shuddering with hunger. It was the woman sitting in the garden's center. Iz's appearance had already been blessed enough by the Heavens that it almost gained a pathbreaking feature. Zac had thought her beauty approaching the limits of what was possible, but he realized he'd been naive.

Iz outshone the field of flowers, making them look like common weeds. She had clearly advanced in both bloodline and Dao. The marks from the Dao of her family had grown more profound, but that wasn't the only thing. He could sense an echo of his own experiences in Iz's features. There was a hint of Law.

A well-aimed elbow woke Zac up from his stupor.

"Hello, it's been a while. I'm sorry we dropped by unannounced. Things have gotten a bit crazy since you left. This is..."

"Catheya Sharva'Zi," Iz Tayn said, looking at Catheya with interest.

"Miss Iz Tayn," Catheya bowed. "You're as beautiful as the rumors say."

"Likewise," Iz said, pointing at the chairs that had been set for them. "You have my sympathy. It cannot be easy being a Dao Companion to this troublemaker."

"Hey—"

"You don't know the half of it," Catheya laughed.

"Your fate will be tested so long as you stay by his side."

"Maybe. But I'd rather live an interesting life than a long one. Of course, both would be the best."

"Indeed," Iz slowly nodded before turning back to Zac. "You've changed."

"You've heard about my dual bodies," Zac said helplessly as they sat down.

"I did, and I look forward to learning how such a thing came to be. But that is not what I'm referring to," Iz said, leaning closer as the markings on her face glimmered. "Law and... Authority."