Act 4: Fallen Heaven – Chapter 613: The Plan Unfolds

Act 4: Fallen Heaven – Chapter 613: The Plan Unfolds

In the darkness, Demon felt a pulsating distortion washing over him like a wave in the ocean, a magnetic force that crawled along his skin and churned his blood. Metal Ein dove into his pores and seeped inside, wriggling down his veins and reaching his core that spun endlessly in joyful absorption. A reservoir of metal Ein hovered above the core, silver in color and reflecting Ignyres's fiery glow. After several hours, the reservoir went dry, all used up. He drank another vial of grade-four elixir, refilling the reservoir.

'It's here!' At long last, after a decade and a half of isolated training, his core shuddered, bursts of blue Ein erupting along its surface that arced around, their size and length increasing every second. He couldn't delay any longer. Opening ten more elixirs, he poured their contents down his throat and growled, clenching his teeth as small puffs of vapor escaped in drawn-out intervals, his lips clamping shut to prevent the precious Ein from escaping. His advancement had arrived, and he needed every drop.

Oscar always complained about the pain, but there was none for him. Like the eye of the storm, the core rested in the center of a great movement, all the Ein swirling and reaching out to it. One of the veins on his arm popped, and blood splurted out, unrecognizable in the dark cavern. Following that, several more writhed until they burst apart, his body dyed in scarlet, drenched in blood. Contain it. He had to hold back the rampaging Ein, the stragglers too impatient to wait to be absorbed.

Through the link to Erden, he also realized the beast was also undergoing his advancement, their timings quite in sync due to their connection. Anytime the Ein seemed lacking, he drank more elixirs, frowning at the dwindling amount before him. After several days of fighting the rebellious Ein and the ravenous core, Demon found some respite as his body no longer showed signs of struggle. The core hummed a low note like a baritone voice in the chorus while the remaining Ein sparkled and danced to the tune.

Heat welled up in his chest and flowed to his fingertips, a powerful Ein shining out from under his skin. It spilled out from his eyes, ears, nostrils, and mouth, not a shadow remaining in even the smallest crevice of the cavern. The core stopped its rotation and oddly took the shape between a diamond and its former spherical form as if it were stuck, trying to determine which one it wanted to be. The process of Marshal Exalts was to mold the core into the shape of a spoke on a crown, preparing for the advancement to King Exalt, which required bringing the core out, the king's crown.

Now a Middle Marshal Exalt, Demon rose to his feet, the bloody, softened ground sinking under his weight. To avoid being annoyed by their worries, he wiped himself clean, burning away the bloody towels. It had been nearly fifteen years since the successful heist in Belnicce Port. Helen used the connections well. People were more than eager to trade and grant her favorable conditions. The initial boost from the heist, combined with the monthly tributes, bought him all the treasures and resources he needed.

At times like this, he understood why most Marshal Exalts attached themselves to factions and powers. The amount of money and resources would bankrupt anyone for a hundred lifetimes. He wore his armor and deer pelt, feeling it was right. Exiting the cavern, Demon glanced at Marcus, who opened his eyes and quickly greeted him. He sensed the Ein and neared Marcus, nodding in approval, "Have you also advanced, Marcus?"

"A week ago, my Lord. I have waited here since to await your arrival." Marcus bowed and praised, "Congratulations on your advancement, my Lord."

"Any news from the Cassidy woman?" Demon asked, walking away with Marcus following after.

"Not yet. I shall go personally to remind her." Marcus stated.

"Leave it. She is not a fool to betray me. What of the others?"

"Restel and Eve are still Lower Marshal Exalts. Auren is stuck in training to advance to Middle Knight Exalt. Kragg, Astrid, and Santen have also advanced but nearly lost control and are currently contained."

"That's why it took longer. Helen had to lock herself away for months to figure out how to combine the spear-wielding function from your destroyed golem into this one." Hector said, cursing under his breath. "Sentinel, activate!"

The blue eyes of the Sentinel shone from its visor, its limbs moving without a single creak, silent and fast. A flat voice came from within its helmet, "Acknowledged. Hector Brenton." It turned to Demon and bowed. "Master."

"Good. Now wield this and show me." Tossing the spear, Demon stayed back. The Sentinel got accustomed to the spear, swinging it masterfully in graceful yet powerful arcs of trailing lightning. Dust filled the workshop, and Hector ordered it to stop, but his words could not override Demon's orders. Waving his hand, Demon stopped it and turned it off, its eyes dimming into darkness. He stored it in his space pocket and left Hector alone to clean up the mess, ignoring the curses behind him.

'Are you leaving?' Erden asked, still in seclusion. 'I need to adjust to my power, so I can't go with you.'

'It's just a small trip. I do not need your help.' He flew away from Oldeye Island and sped, heading for the city under Aeon Peak, the mountain visible even from afar. Landing on foot, he set out on foot, adhering to the city rules, but the guards simply allowed him past since they knew his figure, their faces paling as he brushed past. In a short trek past the crowds that parted for him, he reached the Cassidy District, the former Reed District now renamed and owned by Charlotte.

None of the Cassidy guards dared to meet him in the eyes, their shoulders trembling as they hurried away from him. He noticed several figures hiding from plain sight, carefully following him, some retreating away to the palace in the center. They had powerful presences, one more Marshal Exalt than before. It seemed the Cassidy Auction benefited well from his purge.

From a distance, a black-haired woman rushed down and quickly bowed, her tidy bun now nearly in disarray, many hairs out of place. Her trembling black gaze met his gaze, fear flashing across her pupils, yet she remained focused on him, a welcome improvement from her subordinates who huddled in fear. In a clear voice, she welcomed him, "I, Charlotte Cassidy, welcome the lord to my humble abode."

"I did not come for your pleasantries. Enjoy your wealth as long as you bring me what I need." Demon slowly grasped his sword, and Charlotte's shoulders quivered.

"C-certainly. I was about to visit you and give you the information you requested." Charlotte drew in a deep breath and exhaled, her complexion improving. She held out a scroll and presented them in front of him. "One has finally emerged from our small continent."

"Truly?" Demon unfurled the document and scanned the contents. For years, he had Auren use his fantastic calculations to predict the emergence of a high-grade Exolsia in the Lunate Continent, constantly feeding off the pages of information on individuals Charlotte had provided. However, all turned out to be duds that inherited their ancestor's poor blood, none mutating into a higher being. But now, he found one.

"They kept her hidden, but when she reached fifteen and was found to be a Grade Eight, they smuggled her out of the continent to train," Charlotte explained.

"At last. I thought the only way was to go on the offensive, but with this, we finally have a justification. Gather more information on her, her friends, her connections, and the powers interested in her." Demon turned without hearing her reply. Confident of his plan, he clenched his fists and readied himself for the battle that would surely come.