The battle between the titans raged on for a solid ten minutes, during which Zion came to a stark realization: Randan had been toying with them the entire time, viewing them as insignificant nuisances. The revelation filled him with rage as he witnessed the devastation wrought upon the remnants of the guild site by the relentless display of abilities and brute force. In that chaos, Zion found himself yearning for that level of power.

The climax of the battle came when their mysterious savior struck Randan with a powerful pillar of light, eliciting bloodcurdling screams from the creature. As black energy erupted from Randan, a swirling vortex materialized in the campsite, prompting Zion to tighten his grip on Onyx in anticipation of more monstrous adversaries.

Then, a thunderous voice boomed out, accusing Randan of cowardice before the vortex ruptured, unleashing a dark shockwave. Zion positioned himself to shield Beth and Camila from the blast, mindful of their injuries and the potential exacerbation caused by Void sickness. Examining Camila's cracked chest piece and the blood seeping beneath it, he applied more dry bandages, wishing he had access to their inventory for healing potions.

Lost in thought, Zion was taken aback as a celestial being, an angelic figure, materialized behind him with a whoosh of flapping wings “Identify yourself,” The elf demanded identification, his authoritative voice resonating in the air.

“You show me yours, and I’ll show you mine,” Zion shot back, crossing his arms. He didn't know this guy, but he wasn't going to be bullied.

“Fair enough, I forget my manners,” the elf conceded, offering a nod of apology. “I am Yon, Herald of Nova.”

Zion's mouth fell open in astonishment, his eyebrows shooting up in disbelief. The revelation that Yon identified himself as a Herald left him speechless. It meant he wasn't alone; there were others like him and the sisters out there.

"Another Herald?" Zion muttered, his mind reeling with the implications of this newfound information.

"Are you alright, young Herald? You don't seem injured," Yon approached cautiously, concern lacing his words.

"No, Yon, was it? I'm perfectly fine, but my friend isn't," Zion replied, already reaching into his inventory for his coin purse. "Could you spare a health potion? I'm more than willing to pay well above the going rate for just one," he added earnestly.

Yon waved off the offer, his hand emanating a soft white glow that bathed Camila in its healing light. Her chest wound began to close, causing the bandages to slip off effortlessly.

Another beam of light enveloped Beth, easing Zion's internal tension. A final smaller light seemed to knit his bicep wound together, and remove all his pain.He couldn't fathom why this stranger appeared, but he seemed to harbor no ill intentions.

"Thank you so much, sir!" Zion expressed his gratitude with a respectful bow. "I am Zion Herald of Ki. These are my friends, the Chosen of Lanza and Rime."

"No need to thank me, Zion. It's simply my duty to aid others in need. Allowing suffering to persist is one of the greatest failures a Blessed can commit," Yon responded humbly, dismissing Zion's gratitude with a wave of his hand. "Now, please, join me. Let's discuss the reason for my presence here."

Zion complied, settling down cross-legged alongside his companions. He was eager to offer his time in return for Yon's assistance. Moreover, if this stranger harbored malicious intent, Zion reasoned, he would have already met his demise.

“I was going to ask why another Herald was here, so thanks for beating me to the punch," Zion remarked with a wry smile.

Yon inclined his head once more, removing his partial helm to reveal a head of platinum blonde locks. "Curiosity is indeed natural. I am here because Nova forewarned me of your impending death. She provided me with the name of this Sphere and emphasized your need for my assistance to survive. May I ask why your group chose a second-level tier when you're only tier one?"

“Simple, I was informed that my resource needs would exceed what a first-tier Sphere could provide. Hell, the equipment I got from here is breaking as it is; third-tier gear seems to be the only kind that lasts,” Zion explained, gesturing to his cloak, which already exhibited small frays in the material.

"Nevertheless, Zion," Yon interjected, shaking his head, "while equipment certainly holds significance, it's not everything. I won't deny its importance, but you and your companions may be overestimating the extent of your newfound power. We Blessed may possess superior stats compared to the average warrior, but the Champions might far surpass even ours. You must grasp that they were exploiting the Weave's influence on adventurers to bolster their own strength and that of their armies."

Yon gestured with his thumb over his shoulder, indicating the spot where he had faced Randan. "That Champion was at the pinnacle of the Braid tier. He could have effortlessly overwhelmed you. The only reason I managed to engage him with relative ease was because I had the means to counter his assaults. Otherwise, I'd undoubtedly be deceased," he affirmed with conviction.

“So what are you suggesting?” Zion asked, his shoulders tightening. “That we made a mistake? Should we be slowly leveling in a Thread-tier area? We both know there is no time for that slow leveling.” He gestured rapidly at the devastation surrounding them. “We can't afford the luxury of taking our time. People are dying, and Devastation is making greater pushes!” Zion realized his voice had escalated and took a deep breath to regain his composure.

"I'm not suggesting. That's precisely what you should have done, Herald of Ki," Yon replied, his head tilting to the side in curiosity. "Ki should have provided better guidance, but instead, it seems she threw you into the deep end. Nova is rather displeased with her because, much like myself, you are exceptional, even among Heralds."

As Yon spoke, he flapped his wings while seated, and Zion suddenly realized that the wings remained intact. They hadn't vanished after the battle or diminished while they conversed. They were real wings.

“You're a different race too!” Zion exclaimed.

Yon chuckled heartily, the sound resonating like the beat of a large drum. "Yes, indeed, I am an Angel," he confirmed, noting Zion's quizzical expression. "You have every right to be perplexed. Nova displayed a rather whimsical sense of naming when she assigned my race. The legends of Angels are set to become reality, thanks to her rather... childish naming."

A small fire flickered to life beside Yon, prompting him to quickly extinguish it. "No disrespect intended, my God," he added with a respectful nod.

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“Do racial changes make us that important?” Zion asked, genuine curiosity evident in his voice as he traced a hand over his blue skin, feeling warmth emanating from within. “And if so, why didn't they do it for more?”

Yon maintained his kind smile, radiating an aura of patience. "It requires an immense amount of power to bring forth a new race. During the War of Chaos, the deities pooled their strength to create the initial races—humans, elves, dwarfs, orcs, and gnomes. It depleted their resources, but their gamble paid off; the Weave accepted them, granting the deities an army to confront Devastation.

Zion leaned in subtly as Yon posed a question. "So, if it required all their power to create the five races collectively, how daunting do you think it would be for a single deity to create a new race?"

"It would be utterly exhausting," Zion replied, recollecting the diminishing encounters with Ki. "The deity who attempted such a feat would no doubt be exhausted."

"Exactly," Yon affirmed, clasping his hands together. "Which is why you must exercise caution and level up prudently. You are a crucial asset for the impending battle. If you were to perish here at the outset of the war, your impact would be significantly diminished."

“We couldn't just let this Sphere die or let them acquire a new area of operations,” ZZion blurted out, his emotions overriding his composure. “Are you honestly asking me to watch others die?”

"Yes," Yon affirmed firmly, his gaze unwavering as he met Zion's eyes. Zion recoiled slightly at the starkness of the response. Did he really expect him to let others just die?

"Zion, had you allowed this Sphere to fall, had you not rushed to heed Ki's call without careful consideration, it would have indeed succumbed," Yon continued, his words carrying a weight of urgency. Zion felt compelled to interject, but Yon raised a hand to forestall him. "However, it would have amounted to a mere skirmish in the grand scheme of the war."

"Zion, you are a leader, not merely a foot soldier. You aren't meant to win every individual battle; your purpose is to secure victory in the overarching war," Yon declared firmly, and in an instant, he appeared directly in front of Zion, his presence commanding attention.

"There are only ten Champions, but we Blessed are far more numerous. However, we are collectively weaker than the Champions. We must bolster our strength before the true war descends upon us, or we will be swiftly overwhelmed. That means each of us Blessed must progress in levels, but more importantly, we must survive the process of leveling," Yon explained calmly, emphasizing the importance of their survival.

Zion edged back slightly, taken aback by Yon's proximity. “I understand what you're saying. But I don't know if I can stand on the sidelines while others pay for my cowardice,” Zion replied through gritted teeth. He couldn't fathom how someone could watch others perish.

"I'm not suggesting you abstain from heroic endeavors, Zion," Yon clarified. "I'm simply urging you to operate within your tier to address those challenges. These battles won't solely occur at higher levels. Even the lower-tier Spheres will face the brunt of the conflict. In fact, one such Sphere is on the brink of confrontation very soon," he added the last sentence slowly, casting his words like a skilled fisherman. And Zion took the bait.

“Which Sphere? We can go help!” Zion's eagerness was palpable.

"I will gladly divulge the Sphere to you if you make me a promise. Will you hear me out?" Yon inquired, resting his chin in his hand. Zion contemplated the proposal and ultimately nodded, agreeing to listen.

"Very well. My pledge is straightforward. You will depart from this Sphere and return to Valor, where you will procure everything necessary to prepare for the transition to Thread. And you will undertake this journey alone," Yon reiterated calmly.

“Hold up. Do you want me to leave my party? We just went through hell together, and now you want us to split up?” Zion's annoyance was evident. “I could handle getting my tier up, but I refuse to abandon my friends."

"Zion, it would only be temporary," Yon reassured him, lowering his hands in a placating gesture. "They would return to their respective homes to make their preparations, and you would all reconvene to safeguard the designated Sphere."

“But how would we even protect that Sphere if we tiered up?” Zion queried.

Yon sighed audibly. "I didn't specify a tier one Sphere. The location I have in mind is second tier and would also serve as an ideal leveling ground for your group. However, you must first agree to the pledge. In return, you will receive the name of the Sphere, a timeline, and some strategic advice."

Zion took a moment to consider Yon's proposal. It was true; he did need to tier up, and their journey thus far had been quite the journey. Their group had narrowly escaped Randan's clutches and managed to survive the perilous dungeon, largely thanks to Jura's invaluable knowledge. Without Jura's guidance, they would have surely died.

“I'll agree, but in return, I will want to ask one question,” Zion finally decided.

"Very well. Ask your question, and we shall proceed accordingly," Yon responded, visibly relaxing at Zion's agreement.

"Has your race undergone any evolution?" Zion leaned forward, awaiting Yon's response.

Yon chuckled in surprise. "That's a question I wasn't expecting. It seems your race has already begun its ascent," he remarked, shaking his head. "I can confirm that yes, my race has been upgraded, and yours will continue to evolve as well. However, I cannot divulge the specifics of these changes or their reasons; that is for Ki to explain, as Nova did for me. It would not be appropriate for me to interfere."

Zion hissed in frustration but ultimately yielded to Yon's penetrating gaze. "Alright, what advice do you have for me then?"

Yon leaned forward, his golden eyes intense. "I simply advise you to acquire more skills before transitioning to Thread. It may sound unconventional, but if you envision your future self and cultivate skills that complement that vision, ascending tiers will become much smoother. Consider professions that enhance your combat style. For instance, I pursued alchemy and created light bombs, amplifying my powers with increased luminosity."

Zion raised his hands in surrender, acknowledging the wisdom in Yon's advice. “Fine, you make your point, and I will think on it. Now, what is the Sphere?”

"The name of the Sphere is Tidus. It's a second-tier Sphere that has only recently been fully inhabited, brimming with potential. This will be where you make your first significant stand in the war. Its importance will become clear in due time," Yon revealed, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

"Now, Zion, please make your way to the pillars. The monsters are vanquished, and I'll wait with your friends," Yon instructed.

"You expect me to leave my injured friends?" Zion responded incredulously. "Not happening, Yon."

"Zion, if you wait until your friends awaken, I know one of you will convince the others to stay together. This isn't the time to cling to your party. I'll even remind the girls of the necessity to separate when they return home," Yon's tone carried a hint of irritation, his hands clenched in frustration. "You're all inhibiting each other's growth opportunities. If you don't allow them the chance to find their own paths, you'll end up leaving them behind, and neither of them will catch up. Give them the opportunity to flourish outside your shadow."

"We've only known each other for a week, and you're suggesting I'm hindering their growth? We're all at max level for String," Zion retorted, his annoyance mounting.

"And how many times have you had to rescue them?" Yon countered, causing Zion to pause. He had saved them numerous times during their dungeon exploration. While they had also saved him, the majority of battles required Zion to expend vastly greater resources to ensure their survival.

"Listen, you three are strong, but they need the chance to recognize their own weaknesses. Please, give them that opportunity," Yon pleaded. He then placed his hand on Zion's, and in an instant, they stood before the pillars. "Go, Zion, speak with Lark, and then ascend. The girls will join you there in three months' time."

Zion didn't have a chance to respond as his hand was firmly placed on the pillar, his mind already envisioning Valor at the mention of Lark's name. In a flash of white, Zion was whisked away to the location he had envisioned, cursing Yon's manipulation and vowing to repay it someday.