Defiance of the Fall

Chapter 1254: The Eternal

The old man appeared closely related to humans, with a normal number of limbs and features. The familiarity was a surprising comfort after standing in the shoes of an utterly alien entity as a Stellar Wanderer. He was small of frame with a slightly hunched back, only reaching to Zacʼs chest. His skin was grey and coarse, resembling ancient bark, and he lacked any aura.

Nevertheless, Zac could see a hint of the unfathomable power hiding within. The strangerʼs eyes lacked pupils and irises, only being an iridescent white. The very same white heʼd seen in the Stellar Wandererʼs star, and which mimicked a piece of the Eternalʼs gaze. This man was utterly, inconceivably powerful.

This stranger had a very different air to Sendor, the only other ancient existence heʼd faced. Sendor had given glimpses of tremendous power and callousness before reverting to acting as a mischievous old man. This old monster had only briefly glanced at Zac before turning away. The look contained desolation, detachment, and deep exhaustion.

The old man radiated longing. It was like he hoped to catch another glimpse of the Eternal, yet afraid to disturb her slumbering memory. He stood with arms behind his back, looking in the direction of where the Stellar Wanderer had previously appeared. The giant was already gone, and the Lost Plane had reverted to a state closer to when they first entered.

The millions of fragmented memories and scenes were back, shining brighter and lasting longer in the old manʼs presence. There was no hint of the wrongness of Dead Dao, though, and nothing had taken its place. Zac couldnʼt even sense the Void on the small platform they stood on.

Zacʼs mind was already a mess from seeing the Stellar Wandererʼs journey and the Eternalʼs awakening. Hearing the old man say he carried Karzʼs shadow set off new waves. It was the first time Zac had heard that name from anyone else. Even Sendor only referred to Karz as the Void Emperor. There was no time to figure out what that signified as the old man spoke up again.

”The Eternal named me WalʼZo. It meant ferryman in the common tongue,” WalʼZo continued. ”I have the honor of maintaining the Ultom Courts in Masterʼs absence.”

”You—what—” Zac stammered as multiple questions fought for precedence in his mind.

The Eternal named him? Just how old was this person? Zac already suspected remnant populations were hiding inside some of the Eternal Heritages. But Ultom? It was likely the oldest heritage around. Zac couldnʼt imagine a society surviving inside this twisted environment for so long. Let alone a single person, whether that was a spirit, golem, or man.

Were his senses lying to him? Was this WalʼZo a memory rather than an actual being?
Zac gathered his wits and raised the most pressing issue. ”Has Senior seen my companions? They canʼt withstand the Lost Planeʼs environment.”

The change to the Lost Plane wasnʼt the only one. There were no sign of the others, nor of the breaches that had helped Zac orient himself. Heʼd even lost his other body. Zac had belatedly realized he was standing before WalʼZo in his human form, with the quantum connection to his other half blocked.

They were possibly lying unconscious somewhere outside the platformʼs protective domain, being corrupted as they spoke. Not even his Draugr half could withstand something like that, let alone the others.

”Lost Plane.” WalʼZo appeared to be savoring the word. ”I suppose it is apt.”

The fragmented, discordant world froze before the myriad scenes rearranged themselves. Soon enough, theyʼd formed a resplendent city floating in space. Alas, putting everything in place only drove home how far gone the realm was. The view was incomplete, looking like a puzzle with most pieces missing. What little remained was extremely distorted.

”Time passes, memory fades,” WalʼZo said, looking at the citadel with sorrow. ”This fragment you call the Lost Plane belonged to followers of the predecessor you just saw. It never took a name, so the Temple of Beginnings referred to it as Starclad. They were what youʼd call a Peak A-grade Faction. Now, only shadows of memories remain.”

Zac was anxious about finding the answer to his question, restraining himself from interrupting the old manʼs thoughts. It would do none of them any good if he angered this unknown variable.

”Too much time has passed. The Heavens are foreign, and courts are not what they once were. It has been forced to shed irredeemable fragments these past few Eras. Cutting off the leg to save the body, so to speak. Most were deposited in realityʼs corners to gradually erode and reincorporate with the Heavens. A few pieces strayed, erroneously coming in contact with the present as we see here.”

A wave of his sleeve, and the city crumbled. ”Your companions were sent through. They remain unconscious, digesting the predecessorʼs aura. If fate wills it, they will benefit.”

Zac exhaled. So long as they were fine. ”Senior brought me here. Iʼm ready to hear your instructions.”

Kator believed it wasnʼt a coincidence their group of five appeared in the Polaris Vault while the others were sent elsewhere. Their working theory was that the Centurion Baseʼs formations wanted to use them to close the breaches—an impossible task if theyʼd ever seen one. The breaches were reinforced with power far beyond their level. Theyʼd already be dead if theyʼd insisted on blowing it up like in the Void Star.

With how things turned out, it was more likely that WalʼZo had manipulated the teleportation gate to ultimately bring him here. The mysterious custodian couldnʼt act as he wished under the current Heavens. He was far stronger than Jalach, the split-up entity hiding inside the [Epiclesis Bells], and the treatment would likely follow suit.

Why the others had been brought into the Polaris Vault with him was less clear. The result would have been the same without having to risk the othersʼ lives. Zac would have snatched what treasures he could before eventually being forced to escape through the breach.

”Of the nine Flamebearer candidates arranged by the System, you are the most disappointing,” WalʼZo calmly said.

”Uh,” Zac said, his respectful expression turning crooked from the awkward situation. He didnʼt know what heʼd expected, but it wasnʼt that. ”I started out a bit behind the others. With time—”

”Your unrefined path is not the problem. What troubles me is your disposition.” The old man turned around, his eyes boring into Zacʼs. ”The predecessors sacrificed everything to ignite the flame of hope. What is the point of your title if youʼre afraid of approaching the flame?”

Zacʼs heart clenched under the scrutinizing gaze. It wasnʼt difficult to understand what WalʼZo meant. Zac never had any intention to fight over the Ultom Courts—what was the point? Even if he somehow bested all the monsters standing in his way, there was no way heʼd be able to hold onto it. If anything, getting entangled with it was a death trap, both for himself and his followers.

At most, Zac planned on sneaking into the Left Imperial Palace with Esmeralda, targeting the smaller treasures while the other Flamebearers fought over the Eternal Heritage. If the trial forced him to directly face the other Flamebearers, heʼd opt out if possible. His recent surge of breakthroughs wasnʼt enough to put him at their level, and the benefits from the final piece of his seal wouldnʼt be immediate.

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However, all his plans were premeditated on him actually entering the trial. Was this old man considering removing his Flamebearer status because of his lacking fortitude? Let alone being a huge hit to his plans, it also meant the agreement with the Undead Empire would dissolve. The protection and benefits were all predicated on him being a Flamebearer.

”We are running out of time, in more ways than one. I canʼt stand on the sidelines, even if it means putting my thumb on the scale,” WalʼZo said.

Worry turned into direct alarm when streaks of light emerged from Zacʼs chest. It was the three pieces of the heʼd collected thus far. Should he lie? No, there was no way heʼd be able to resolve this problem with an empty promise.

At the same time, Zac churned with reluctance and indignation over the situation. Zac could understand where WalʼZo was coming from, but why should his struggles until now count for nothing? Only the first piece had somewhat fallen into his lap, and that itself proved he had fate.

The other seals had come from risking his life before and during the war. Heʼd gone along with the rules the System set up, even when the odds were stacked against him. Heʼd lost count of the number of assassinations and ambushes heʼd survived, and heʼd even defended his seal against a fellow Flamebearer. Heʼd paid the price for this opportunity.

”I wonʼt revoke your candidacy today. Severing fate will not accomplish what we seek,” WalʼZo said, perhaps sensing Zacʼs inner turmoil. ”Iʼve come to extend a helping hand.”

Zac relaxed upon seeing the light return to his chest. He was still aware WalʼZoʼs actions were intended as a warning. The message was clear. As far as Ultomʼs caretaker was concerned, Zac was replaceable. Zac didnʼt doubt this old manʼs ability to follow through, either. This was WalʼZoʼs domain, outside the Systemʼs purview. And even if Zac escaped him now, what about when the trial started?

”Iʼm not sure what you want from me,” Zac said, struggling to find a solution. ”I have to consider the big picture. The others come from some of the strongest factions in the current Era. Iʼm unattached, and I have people depending on me. People whoʼd get swept up in the storm if I claimed an Eternal Heritage as a Hegemon. I want power, but Iʼm not ready to sacrifice my companions and followers for it.”

”Claim? Your appetite is large, indeed. Your ancestor was the same,” WalʼZo said, his gaze slightly softening. ”Laondio had to ask my permission to borrow Ultomʼs strength, and heʼs far above the Thrones and Seals of your generation. Let alone you, no one is claiming Ultom.”

”What?” Zac exclaimed. ”Then whatʼs all this for?”

”The Left Imperial Palace, the Outer Courts, and the trial—thatʼs Laondioʼs design,” WalʼZo said with disinterest. ”Ultom was built with only one goal. To pass on the torch and raise the next generation of Flamebearers. Weʼve simply been dragged into Laondioʼs web, and extracting Ultom from his masterpiece would require too much effort. Iʼm also interested in observing its operation. Itʼs among the most impressive feats Iʼve witnessed.”

”Flamebearers, plural?” Zac asked.

”Good. You grasped the important point,” WalʼZo said. ”No one said there could only be one. The court opens its gates whenever the time is right. This Era was no different. What you call the Fifth Pillarʼs Ascent is simply the Era of Orderʼs third Flameseeking round.”

”Third?” Zac said. ”The previous attempts failed?”

”There is no failure,” WalʼZo said. ”Even a broken link will bring about change, which is necessary for Ultomʼs continuation. But youʼre right in that none of the candidates were chosen in the first round.”

ʼWhich means the second had at least one Flamebearer?ʼ Zac thought.

Could the first round have been at the beginning of the Era between the Primordials or early races? It made sense they wouldnʼt pass. The Primordials were clearly different from the Stellar Wanderers, even if their origins were very similar. The Primordials were born flawed because the Dao was flawed after reforming. Meanwhile, the Stellar Wanderers were perfect in a way Zac doubted could exist before they reached the Eraʼs Zenith.

”If I pass the test and become a true Flamebearer, will I be awarded special protections?” Zac asked.

”No. Fate must run its course,” WalʼZo said. ”I will, however, exert some energy to make it impossible to discern who picked up the torch. I can hide it even from the System if you wish.”

Zac slowly nodded. He still wasnʼt certain whether he should go for it, though it didnʼt seem as far-fetched as before. If nothing else, WalʼZo had indirectly confirmed the trial wouldnʼt be a free-for-all where all the Flamebearers were directly pitted against each other. At the same time, heʼd be a fool to blindly trust a stranger who popped out of nowhere. His appearance was clearly not as simple as extending a helping hand.

He had an agenda.

”May I ask why youʼre helping me?”

”You could see it as me being old and willful,” WalʼZo said. ”And while Iʼm looking forward to the culmination of Laondioʼs promise, thereʼs a limit to how much interference I can tolerate.”

”Laondioʼs promise…” Zac hesitated. ”How are you the only one who can remember Karzʼs name? From what Iʼve gathered, his identity was made taboo.”

”Technically, it was ejected from the Cosmic Destiny,” WalʼZo said. ”And as I precede the concept of Destiny, it has no bearing on me. If you succeed in nurturing the seed youʼve planted, you might be able to return his identity to the river of fate.”

”Back then, what happened—”

”It is not my place to interfere with those matters. Especially as itʼs a chapter yet to be concluded. Carrying Laondioʼs mark, youʼll discover the truth whether you like it or not,” WalʼZo said. ”Iʼm only here to add kindling to the fire by shedding light on certain matters related to Ultom and the First Era.”

Zac held himself back from pressuring the old man. It was like he stood before Sendor again, trying to barter for information. Except, this time, Zac had nothing to trade with. WalʼZo understood more about his origins than Zac did, and he clearly had a pragmatic approach to his search for new Flamebearers. If Zac didnʼt pan out, throw out the net again.

This was still a huge opportunity. Whatever his true goals, WalʼZo seemed intent on sharing certain ancient secrets. Zac was sure the vision was the key. It wasnʼt happenstance heʼd been shown that specific set of memories.

”The one I saw at the end—the Eternal—She was the one who built Ultom?”

It was the first time in a long while Zac had spoken that name out loud. As expected, it didnʼt trigger any waves of fate in WalʼZoʼs presence.

”Yes, with assistance,” the old man nodded.

”Is she the most powerful being to have lived?” Zac asked. ”She seemed transcendent, beyond Supremacies.”

”Most Eras will have a few who reach similar heights. The Stellar Wanderers were all at that same stage. The difference came from potential. Master is unsurpassed if you include that aspect.”

Potential?

”You witnessed Starcladʼs search. The wanderers had reached into every future, finding nothing to break the status quo. The Eternal offered hope. Her awakening raised the Heavens, but it wasnʼt enough to accomplish either of their goals. The cage was still there, if only slightly larger. The wanderers were still trapped, and the Eternal remained at the threshold of True Eternity.”

”The Eternal wasnʼt actually Eternal?” Zac said with surprise.

Not even the strongest being in existence had managed to fully transcend the A-grade?

”Master could have grasped True Eternity any time she desired. However, it would come at a price. She needed to consume the Multiverse and all in it, like a newly hatched dragon eating its shell for sustenance,” WalʼZo said. ”That would provide the strength necessary to freely explore the endless beyond. With Eternity on her side, she could have found a higher Heaven, if there is such a thing.”

”She obviously didnʼt, or we wouldnʼt be standing here,” Zac said.

”What point was there in Eternity if it was stained in the blood of countless futures? She set about to create an alternative path. The wanderers assisted, seeing as it was their best option to reach beyond the restrictions of their birth. Unfortunately, they only slipped further from their goal.

”Eras didnʼt exist back then. What you call the Lost Era lasted more than a dozen times longer than the average despite its abrupt end. There was simply a… decline,” WalʼZo sighed, and the ruins around them took on a new meaning. ”As much as they tried to stop it, the Multiverse was leaking its essence. Their efforts to elevate the quality barely countered the loss of quantity.”

”Was this when they built Ultom?” Zac asked.

WalʼZo slightly nodded. ”Master didnʼt change her decision, even after exhausting all options. There was only one option left. To tear down the Multiverse and rebuild it from the ground up, creating a reality that wasnʼt in a steady decline. One that followed a virtuous cycle of rebirth. The cycle would limit the leakage, and the cycle of rebirth would continuously refine the Dao,” WalʼZo said. ”And through realityʼs ebb and flow, the torch would be passed on.”

”She destroyed the Multiverse?” Zac gasped. ”Then those who lived in The Lost Era—”

”One Era had to die so that all others could live,” WalʼZo said. ”Including herself and the Stellar Wanderers.”