"This…"

Syne’s voice trembled, his eyes wide with awe as he struggled to keep his composure. His mouth hung open, drool slipping from his lips in a rare moment of utter disbelief. If any junior were to see him in this state, not even their ancestors could predict how they’d react. Syne, reduced to a slack-jawed fool.

Before him, and the two companions at his side, twelve colossal pillars loomed, their surfaces slick with a rich black sheen, each adorned with countless golden eyes that seemed to watch their every move. The pillars hung suspended in midair, defying gravity and exuding an oppressive aura that pressed down on their chests, making it hard to breathe. It felt as though the cave itself grew larger the deeper they descended.

And now, at its final depth, this scene awaited them.

The pillars floated in a vast circle, stretching for hundreds of miles. At the center, suspended in the void, was a massive sphere of energy, pulsating with an array of colors—some familiar, others entirely foreign. It was a kaleidoscope of hues, from the brightest reds to shades that Syne, even with his years of experience, had never seen. Colors that seemed to exist beyond the visible spectrum, touching on the very fabric of reality itself.

“Huh… did my bottleneck just break? Impossible...” Syne thought, unable to contain his excitement.

Simply gazing at this raw, overwhelming power had allowed him to breach a limit he’d fought for years to overcome. His mastery over Time Law, one of the most elusive and abstract forces in existence, had suddenly surged to another level. Here, now, in the presence of this unholy structure, Syne had achieved a breakthrough.

"This can’t be a coincidence..." Syne muttered, his slick purple hair whipping around in the turbulent winds swirling from the energy. His dark robes fluttering by the storm of power that roared around them.

Beside him, Ivy’s golden staff gleamed in the dim light, creating a translucent shield around them, dripping with thick purple energy, sheltering them from the violent gusts. Her head tilted in confusion, eyes narrowing at Syne’s cryptic words. "What do you mean, Syne?"

"Think about it,” he said, his tone sharp as he gestured around them. “A cave teeming with spatial crystals, powered by tribulation stones—and now this. Pure, condensed Time Law, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The potency is beyond anything I’ve encountered in my lifetime." His eyes flicked back to the center, the swirling ball of energy reflecting in his irises. "The amount of sacrifice needed to create something like this… it’s unthinkable."

Syne’s lips twisted into a bitter smile, his voice cold as he spoke. “And they call us the dogs."

Ivy stood still, her wide eyes reflecting the brilliance of the object before her. She couldn’t quite understand what it was, but its aura—profound and ancient—told her enough. Whatever this was, it was valuable beyond measure.

"Syne, what do you want to do?" she asked, her voice light and curious, the sweetness of it breaking through the heavy atmosphere. Syne stroked his chin in thought, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

"Honestly," he said after a few moments, "if this is what I think it is, then my fists aren’t big enough to hold onto such a treasure. It would be wise to contact Mael and Khalifa. Once they’re here, we can decide as a group what’s best."

Suddenly, Deddy who had been standing beside Ivy, holding in her arms all the crystals Ivy had gathered along the way, began to tremble violently. Its power rising filling the dome with a suffocating presence. The precious stones fell to the ground as the corpse puppet's arms fell to its side and a deep, familiar voice rang out from behind it's mask, startling Ivy.

"A perfect response," It said.

Syne’s eyes narrowed, his posture stiffening, but the voice had already triggered something in him. "Young Master Mael," he said with calm seriousness.

"Just then, you could have chosen many paths—deception, secrecy, greed. Yet, you submitted to reason and trust. Truly, a man worthy of my respect."

Syne’s chest swelled slightly, his head nodding in deep acknowledgment. "Thank you," he replied, his voice carrying an air of humility.

However, a frown creased his face. "Young Master, this—" Before he could finish, a second voice echoed from the puppet, cutting him off. Khalifa’s voice, calm and steady as a river, spoke two words: "Heart Switch."

The transformation was immediate and grotesque. The puppet's body began to contort and shift, bones grinding and muscles twisting in unnatural ways. The air filled with the sickening sounds of flesh reshaping itself.

Ivy, wrinkling her delicate features in disgust, covered her eyes. "Ewww…," unwilling to even look.

But in just a few breaths, the horror subsided. Standing where the puppet once was, Mael emerged. His imposing figure was clad in deep crimson robes, his large wings stretching out behind him like shadows. His expression cold, his presence commanding the air around him.

Facing Syne, Mael extended his hand towards him, his wings casting a dark silhouette behind.

Syne paused, his eyes widening at the sight of Mael’s outstretched hand.

"Young Master, please, there is no need to lower yourself to do such a thing," he said, his voice soft but firm.

Mael’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. Something that didn't miss Ivy's attention. "You're right," he replied, his voice calm but laced with confidence. "I would never lower myself for anything. This simply means that I see you as someone worthy to stand at my side."

The words struck Syne like a wave, their weight sinking deep into his heart. His breath caught in his throat, and before he realized it, his fingers brushed his cheek, feeling something wet. A tear. A single tear had fallen from his left eye. How long had it been since he had cried? Since he had felt this kind of emotion?

A smile, wide and genuine, broke across his face, filling him with a rare, profound joy. Hearing Mael's words, Syne extended his hand, grasping Mael’s firmly.

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"Good, good," Mael said, as a deep smile plastered on his face, revealing the sharp fangs in his mouth

Releasing Mael's hand, Syne’s expression shifted, the warmth in his eyes replaced by a serious, calculating gaze. "Young Master," he began, his voice low but focused.

Mael nodded, already knowing what Syne was going to say. "Yes, it is as you suspect," he confirmed calmly. "This is in fact a Space-Time Formation."

Syne’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Though he had never once underestimated Mael’s abilities, the fact that he was so many steps ahead, truly put him at a loss."

Seeing that Syne had grasped the gravity of the situation, Mael’s gaze shifted to the intricate formation before them, his once confident smile fading into a stern expression. "The female from Order will arrive any moment now," he said, his voice low and deliberate. "We could attempt to ambush her, but I’m certain she has a multitude of life-saving treasures at her disposal. And beyond that, her battle prowess is not to be underestimated." His words were cold, but they carried a sharp edge of respect for their soon-to-arrive adversary.

Syne and Ivy stood in silent attention, absorbing Mael's words. It was unusual for him to speak this way, which only served to heighten the tension. The fact that he was approaching this situation with such seriousness confirmed one thing—this woman was truly as formidable as he claimed. Also, It wasn’t just a test of power; now seeing the Space Time formation before them, the stakes had risen far higher than they initially thought.

"I have a plan," Mael continued, turning his eyes back toward the duo, his expression unreadable. "But for it to work, you’ll need to trust me completely."

Without a moment's hesitation, Ivy leaped into the air, her feet lifting off the ground effortlessly as she hovered for a brief moment before settling back down. Her bright eyes sparkled with conviction. "Of course we trust you!" she exclaimed, her voice full of sincerity.

Syne, observing Ivy's immediate and unwavering faith, chuckled softly, the corners of his lips curving up ever so slightly. He then nodded, his demeanor calm yet resolute.

"What do you need us to do?"

*************

Lilith flew through the air with speed and precision, landing gracefully on a massive boulder perched beside a vast, shimmering lake. Crossing her legs, her form had returned to its usual state—her hair once again a brilliant gold, and the cuts and bruises on her face already healed as if they had never existed. She exhaled slowly, scanning her surroundings with sharp, calculating eyes.

"I thought I'd have run into the others by now," she murmured to herself, her voice laced with a hint of irritation. "Considering that purple mutt, I was sure they'd come up with some plan to try and stop me. I even expected them to gang up on me." She paused, her brow furrowing slightly as she contemplated her next move. "Whatever the case, I need to be ready."

Her expression darkened as a small frown tugged at the corners of her lips. "This might be my last moment..." she whispered, a soft, ironic giggle slipping from her mouth. But the amusement in her tone quickly faded, replaced by an intense, determined gaze. She inhaled deeply, the air around her becoming charged with her rising power.

Silver flames began to flicker and ignite across her body, their light casting a shimmering glow around her form. Her golden hair shifted once more, gradually turning silver as her aura exploded outward, filling the space around her with pure, unrestrained power. "Watch me go out with a bang," she declared, her voice filled with a defiant edge.

[Seal Fully Open]

The moment the words left her lips, Lilith's body erupted with radiant silver flames, her entire figure glowing so brightly it was nearly impossible to look at. Her aura surged with raw, uncontrollable energy, the sheer force of it shaking the very ground beneath her. Without a second thought, she launched herself into the sky, streaking towards the lake like a comet. As she hit the water, the impact sent massive tsunami-like waves crashing violently onto the shore, the entire landscape trembling under the force of her power.

Lilith plunged into the depths of the lake with the precision of an arrow, her movements fluid and calculated. She navigated the underwater darkness effortlessly, the location of the hidden cave etched deep within her very soul, a gift from Seraphim. The path was clear to her, as though the currents themselves bent to guide her way.

As she entered the cave, her gaze swept over the mesmerizing array of shimmering crystals lining the walls. Their radiant glow painted the cavern with a kaleidoscope of colors, but she barely spared them a glance. Her mission was clear, and there was no time to indulge in distractions. With a determined burst of speed, she dashed forward, descending deeper into the heart of the cave, her body a blur of motion.

Finally, she arrived at the lowest level, her feet landing soundlessly at the entrance. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes widened in disbelief. What stunned her wasn’t the Space-Time Formation hanging ominously in the air, suspended in an intricate web of shimmering energy. No, her true shock came from the figure seated calmly between her and the formation.

Mael.

He sat cross-legged, his eyes closed in serene meditation, utterly unbothered by her sudden arrival. His white hair whipped wildly around him, caught in the fierce winds generated by the formation's power, but his expression remained composed, as if the chaos around him was of no consequence. It was as though he had been waiting for her all along.

"You..." Lilith’s voice came out in a low growl, her teeth clenched in frustration as her power surged, her silver aura igniting the cave depths with barely contained fury.