The ship sent to infiltrate the Exalted Quadrant had been enhanced to deal with potential difficulties. They didn’t anticipate needing to enter the planetary barrier, but if that situation should come up it was prepared to do so while maintaining secrecy. Only a small number of tweaks were made for the actual stealth capabilities, and Velvet had taken to heart the small disturbances that had allowed Lelka to notice them the previous time.

The main change was to enhance the range so that they could travel between systems less directly. Each additional system they could bypass without stopping was a significant reduction in chances of detection. Since their enemy had to be watching for them specifically, they found those features to be critical.

One moment they were peacefully traveling along, then Catarina dashed to the controls and forcibly dropped the ship out of subspace. The scale of the ship they were on was so small any of them could reach anywhere on the ship in an instant.

“What was that for?” Velvet asked. She avoided an accusatory tone, since she could easily assume there would be a good explanation.

“Interstellar sensory formations,” Catarina said. “I’m not willing to assume that they are unable to sense us.”

“Can you sense how far it extends?” Timothy asked, having followed just behind her- the whole crew was crowded around the area because of the disturbance.

“Given the curvature… it has to surround most of Exalted Quadrant space. Similar to our grand formation.”

“But worse,” Chidi said.

“Different, at least. Lower energy,” Catarina admitted. “But we’ll need to find a formation node. I would assume this is an omnidirectional shell.”

“Could be,” Velvet said. “Or perhaps they only blocked off the side they expected us to come from. If it’s for us, I mean.”

“They would-” Catarina caught herself. “I suppose that’s possible. I don’t think responsible formation masters would leave a flaw like that, but it might actually avoid other flaws. A complete encirclement has to be very carefully calculated. Regardless, we are likely to find a node so we can see some of the actual runes instead of making assumptions based off the energy flow.”

“Can we calculate another subspace route?” Velvet asked. “How much do you trust the curvature of this formation?”

Catarina sighed. “We’ll have to make small hops. One lightyear at a time, maybe less. That will be more taxing on the ship’s systems, dropping in and out like that.”

“We should have brought an engineer,” Timothy said. “But it’s too late for that.”

“Indeed,” Catarina said. “I am of course versed in technology, but not to the same level as a focused engineer. We will have to trust in the system's assessments of its energy requirements.”

-----

Three jumps later, after which they were essentially no closer to their destination, they found themselves flying through real space to try to find one of the physical nodes. Catarina and Chidi both reach the same assessment that one would probably be ‘in the area’. Though said area was quite a bit larger than they would have liked.

“If they planned this out, I’m impressed,” Chidi said. “I mean, the fact that we’d have to dredge along through standard space. But I’d bet they expected us to get caught.”

“The delay is still advantageous for them,” Catarina agreed. “We predicted several weeks of leeway, but we’re losing some of that.”

It was one more day of travel before they properly found the node- which meant that on an interstellar scale they had jumped nearly on top of it.

“How long will it take to assess the formation?” Prasad asked.

“Well,” Chidi said. “If we were being cautious, we could spend any amount of time.”

“And if you were trying to be time conscious?” he prodded.

“Then we would already be done,” Catarina said. “But since we can’t afford to tip them off to when and where we’re entering their territory, we’re being cautious. In the worst case, we can take a straightline jump to the Citadel system at the last moment. They wouldn’t be able to stop us.”

“No spatial distortion formations?” Prasad queried.

“The Exalted Quadrant might not have the knowledge to do so,” Catarina began. “But they certainly don’t have the necessary mutual cooperation or trust. If any of their sects were too secure, might they not act against the others with impunity?”

“Hmm. Perhaps I have been too long in the comfort of the Scarlet Alliance,” Prasad admitted. “I lost my sense of paranoia.”

Velvet grinned. “I can help you get that back if you want.”

“So,” Durff commented. “Do we smash that thing, or cut it?”

“Neither,” Chidi said. “Any changes we make need to be temporary.”

“Oh, okay,” Durff nodded. “And you can’t… un-cut things?”

“I-” Chidi was taken aback for a moment. “Not on my path of swordsmanship. Can you un-smash things?”

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“A little,” Durff said. “Depending on how it was smashed and what people want.”

-----

Eventually, they created a temporary hole in the barrier, doing their best not to disturb it. They used more or less the same methods they would have used without further investigations, but they were more confident in their exact style. The ship was simply pushed through the gap to avoid energy fluctuations, building up a bit of momentum to continue through.

It wasn’t the last sort of detection barrier they found, but the others were more contained. The only other one they actually had to pass through was around the system containing the Citadel itself. At that point, they were prepared to push forward and launch their attack if they felt any fluctuations from the Anchor.

“I hate to do this,” Chidi said. “But I’m going to have to alter our plans slightly. When we start, I need to make my way to the planet.”

“Will it help stop reinforcements?” Prasad asked.

“It likely should. You may sense that the planet is already cut in half.”

“By your master,” Prasad agreed. “A shame that she came to her end there. You don’t believe she could have survived somehow, do you? This isn’t a rescue operation.”

“While it would be nice…” Chidi shook his head. “I only sense lingering effects. But I feel like the remains are going to react somehow, and I need to be there.”

“It’s been centuries,” Prasad frowned. “But… I do know your master was an exceptional individual. I’m more surprised the locals haven't ground down her lingering will.”

Velvet had the answer for that. “According to our spies, they mostly just… ignored it. They’ve been treating it as two separate planets with an inconvenient hazard zone in between.”

“A Domination cultivator should have been easily able to do it in that time, though,” Prasad commented. “Unless Zaur hasn’t been in the system for some reason?”

Chidi had the answer for that. “I don’t think he could. Because the Anchor was cut apart in the same way, you see. It was unfortunately a thin slice, though. It didn’t separate.”

“You think the lingering will might have sought him out if he approached? Finished the job?”

“Something like that. And with his injuries,” Chidi shrugged.

“I thought he would have recovered,” Durff said.

“I cut off his fingers,” Chidi pointed out.

“... Can he not even grow back body parts? I mean, with the resources of a Domination cultivator.”

Chidi grinned. “I’m sure they tried very hard. But Domination cultivators are special… which makes some things harder. There’s a reason we kept those fingers around.”

“Oh. Isn’t he just going to get them back? And then be strong and dangerous? You’re not around to do it again.”

“Well, that’s sort of where you come in,” Chidi pointed out. “If you smash the Citadel, his fingers won’t matter. Also… we did think about that and we made plans. That’s why my combat buddy isn’t here.”

“Was that… a sword?” Durff tilted his head. “No, you have that. Oh, the wolf! She seemed nice. Aconite is a pretty name.”

“She’s very nice,” Chidi agreed. “To her friends.”

-----

The Domination cultivator sensors went off far before Zaur Beridze actually reached the edge of Scarlet Alliance territory. That didn’t really tell them anything useful about cultivators trying to hide themselves, because he was approaching with the full brilliance of a star. At least, compared to his actual scale. Most likely he would be blinding his own allies more than enemies at that distance, but he wasn’t known for subtlety or care.

Upon reaching the edge of the Scarlet Alliance… they were also nearly at the center. Because the spatial distortions brought the outer edge to Xankeshan. There, they had their greatest defenses ready, with guardians drawn from their many planets. But since the enemy was brought to face them head on, there was no risk of them harming other plants. There were tricks in place if they wanted to leave Xankeshan behind and attack elsewhere, but that was clearly not Zaur’s intention.

The only sign of hesitation in his demeanor was that he did not rush ahead of the surrounding fleets. Instead, he moved at the head of the Citadel of Exalted Light, Numerological Compact Ships, Disciples of the Beyond, and various other sects who were lending their power.

The local forces immediately went to face the incoming fleets, catching the intruders where their first orbital platforms could help support them. Tauno in particular rushed towards the Disciples of the Beyond, hoping to face Distortion Beasts- even in projected forms.

The Scarlet Alliance fleets appeared unable to stop Zaur and the fleets immediately around him, spearheading through the defensive forces and reaching Xankeshan itself within minutes. The might of a Domination cultivator- even one with lingering injuries- was unquestionable.

He wasted no time breaking through the planetary barrier, arriving unscathed atop a special facility made to contain a particular box. All of the damage went to the fleets being dragged along with him.

Falling Stars from Hoyt and Prospero were blasted out of the sky by beams of light as Zaur swept his good hand toward their incoming attacks. He ignored Alva’s incoming arrows, allowing them to strike him directly.

Even when she tried to sneakily slip her arrows into the space behind his energy defenses, Alva found that the Domination cultivator’s energy permeated his whole being. Then again, if it was that easy to kill one they wouldn’t be in this situation again.

Koralo and Zazil stood with the great wolves Fuzz and Spikes around Zaur’s goal. However, even with Koralo trying to steady the formations Zaur broke through. He gave no heed to the incoming attacks, moving at a speed that surpassed light even within the atmosphere of the planet, shattering the defenses of the container that held his fingers with raw power. The resulting explosion blasted away all of the defenders.

The severed thumb and forefinger appeared as pristine as the day Chidi had removed them and the connecting bit of hand as the piece of Zaur floated towards him. It fused to his body with a flicker of light- though it seemed to be imperfect, as a constant glow sealed the cracks in his body.

“Strange,” Zaur said, his gaze falling on Koralo. “I thought you had a better formation master. Did she get herself killed? Ah, no. She would be part of the group attacking the Citadel. Along with that brat,” he said, clenching his fist. “Did you really think I would be unprepared for the same ploy once again?”

Zaur turned his head. A great pulse of power gathered around him, lines of light stretching off into the distance. Everyone moved out of the line of effect, certain that he was about to perform a great act.

“You’re pathetic!” A random heckler distorted the severity of the situation. Zaur’s eyes locked on Lelka, who was grinning. “You’re the worst boss anywhere and you can’t do anything for yourself.”

“Ah. You truly did turn traitor, then. No matter,” Zaur said. “Your life was forfeit regardless for your failures.”

“I’ve heard it all before,” Lelka said. “Next you’ll say something about how your big ego makes you important somehow. Even though you’re literally about to die.”

“The strength I displayed mere moments ago should have been enough to cow a weakling like you. But if you insist on a personal demonstration now that I am whole…” Zaur merely glanced at her, and along with her surroundings she was covered in a beam of light that pierced through the planet. “Now then. I have other things to attend to.”