"The alliance in question is the New Light Alliance, currently being founded by the Ethos Crusade," Nessyra began. "They align most closely with our ideals and are quite powerful. While the other factions involved are strong, they’re not the most impressive. Still, this was the only faction open to considering us."
She paused briefly before continuing, "As you know, Humans and Demons aren’t exactly the most sought-after allies. They informed me that they would conduct due diligence to verify that we uphold their tenets and are eligible to join. I received confirmation and an invitation for further talks just a few hours ago."
Nessyra’s gaze shifted meaningfully toward Alistair and Riseth. "Our next stop will be with High Preceptor Lothar."
“Alright, let’s get to it, then,” Riseth replied, standing up from the desk she’d been leaning against. Together, they headed for the door.
They spent the next two days at Sabis Alpha Station, navigating the intricate web of diplomatic talks and alliance formations. During this time, they oversaw the growth of what would become the New Light Alliance—one of six major alliance clusters that emerged during those negotiations. While they didn’t find another faction they connected with as strongly as the Beshin Clan, they established solid and reliable relationships with all the members of the Alliance.
The Beshin ultimately joined the New Light Alliance, thanks in part to a recommendation from the Ryser Clan. The Beshin had previously struggled to secure allies beyond the Zondu Collective, who had demanded proof of strength before even considering an alliance.
Kujo, representing the Beshin, delivered a decisive victory against the Zondu’s chosen representative. His performance demonstrated their strength, earning the respect of the Collective and securing a firm alliance.
Besides the Beshin and Ryser Clan, the New Light Alliance consisted of five other factions—a colorful mix of various races and cultures. Three of these factions still resided on their home planets, supported by their Natural gods, though all had reached spacefaring capabilities, so reinforcements wouldn't be an issue if needed.
At first, Alistair had been hesitant about factions aligned with natural gods, as most of these gods were limited in their ability to intervene due to the difference in power. However, the Ethos Crusade, a faction primarily composed of High Elves and Humans, changed his mind. They made strong use of faith magic, with their Natural god, Ethos, serving as a conduit. Through their prayers and belief, they empowered their god, who then channeled that energy back to them as blessings and intervened on their behalf in the form of miracles, creating a cycle of divine power.
Alistair had heard that Sol used a similar system, though on a smaller scale. He hadn’t looked into it much, as his own affinity for faith magic was low—something Sol had pointed out during their first meeting. Earth had also joined the Coalition, having struggled to form alliances elsewhere. Now considered a fortress border world, it was still in the midst of turmoil.
Sol had been winning the war for Earth's unification, though it was still chaotic, with most of Earth being untamed wilderness filled with monsters; however, many factions chose to surrender and join rather than resist further, especially as the threat of outsiders loomed closer.
Alistair had learned of this by frequently reaching out to his friend Remo and receiving the occasional messages from him through the Coalition Network, keeping him updated on the state of Earth and reassuring him that he and his family were safe and doing well.
Overall, the past few days had been productive, but it was now up to Alistair to ensure they made the most of the upcoming challenge.
As they stepped into the grand chamber housing the illusionary arena array, their attention turned to the scheduled battle with the Zondu Collective.
Upon their rrival, a sizable crowd had already gathered to watch, and the Zondu Collective warriors were waiting in anticipation. Among them, Alistair immediately spotted their leader, which was surprising, as the Zondu leader typically stayed in their crystalline home, leaving the forging of alliances and testing of new allies’ strength to their more powerful warriors.
After exchanging bows and greetings, [Urixes Zondu - lvl 125], their usual combat representative, stepped forward to access the Illusionary interface.
He had a humanoid body, clad in thick futuristic armor that accentuated his hulking, muscular frame. His species looked like a cross between a T. rex and a triceratops—predatory in nature, yet marked by horns and facial plating. Interestingly, Urixes had two eyes on each side of his head, all of which measured Alistair intently as Alistair sized him up in return.
"I mean no disrespect, but I’m going to have to decline this fight," Alistair said, his voice firm.
The crowd responded with surprised murmurs, some jeering at his refusal.
"I want a real fight," Alistair continued, his gaze shifting past Urixes. "And the only way I’ll get that is from you." He pointed directly at [Zorrakir Zondu - lvl 135], their leader—an even more massive figure, a dinokin that had seemingly evolved into a dragonkin, likely intent on becoming a true dragon through guided evolution.
His black scales were streaked with deep red, while the soles of his hands and tail bore pale white streaks where his natural armor was thinner. Traces of his aquatic origins lingered in the spiked fins along his arms and tail, giving him an even more fearsome appearance.
The crowd's energy shifted, growing more excited as Alistair issued his challenge. Zorrakir’s fanged smile widened, and without hesitation, he pushed Urixes aside.
"Excellent," Zorrakir growled, his voice heavy with anticipation. "I accept your challenge, Alistair Ryser."
Alistair wore a confident smile. He had learned of Zorrakir's concept and studied it in the hopes the leader of the Zondu Collective would show himself for this fight, drawn out by the stories of Alistair and Riseth slaying the Hydra of Misery.
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His opponent's concept was that of deflection, which made him highly defensive and gave him access to techniques that were notoriously tricky to counter, similar in some ways to Alistair’s own abilities.
Despite the level difference, Alistair felt sure of his advantage. Zorrakir's concept didn’t connect directly to energy like Alistair’s did, so while Zorrakir could deflect attacks back at him, he likely wouldn’t be able to outlast Alistair like he would most opponents. Alistair had mastered the art of repurposing energy, meaning any attack redirected toward him would only fuel and empower him further. Zorrakir might believe he held the upper hand, but it was up to Alistair to prove how wrong he was.
As Alistair entered the illusionary arena, the surroundings shifted into a dense jungle interspersed with ancient, overgrown temple structures.
The ground was uneven, with patches of stone paving occasionally visible, though most were disrupted by thick roots that had broken through the surface, splitting the slabs apart. Massive vines snaked over crumbling stone, and towering trees framed the scene, their roots twisting around the temple ruins. In the distance, the roar of a river and waterfall echoed through the jungle, adding to the atmosphere.
Alistair was quite impressed with the illusionary environment and would ask for an imprint to add to their own arrays.
Zorrakir appeared in front of him, standing firm amidst the uneven terrain. Neither made a move to utilize the surroundings, both silently gauging each other’s strength as tension mounted.
“So, we’ve got the classic scenario—what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable opponent? Care to bet on who’s left standing?” Alistair teased, using his Vicious Mockery skill to break the silence.
Zorrakir chuckled, drawing a massive warhammer from his side. As he did, he unleashed a bloodcurdling presence that felt eerily similar to Alistair’s own. Not one to back down, Alistair returned the favor. The air between them grew thick with raw, oppressive energy, but neither seemed fazed. Both warriors stood their ground, unaffected by the other's intimidation.
“Silent type, eh?” Alistair smirked. “I can work with that.”
Alistair pulled out his poleaxe and casually strode toward Zorrakir, who mirrored his movement, slamming his warhammer into his clawed palms as he advanced. Through his Conceptual Awareness skill Alistair could see reflective barriers and shields flickering to life around the Zondu leader, the energy flowing through his channels as his power steadily rose.
Alistair activated his own empowering skills, keenly aware that despite Zorrakir’s defensive nature, underestimating the hulking figure’s potential for an offensive strike would be a mistake. He had to be ready for anything.
Time to test those defenses, Alistair mused, shifting into his stance before blurring forward with a burst of speed. Utilizing his Telekinetic Death From Above bonuses, he moved past and above Zorrakir in an instant, bringing his poleaxe down in an overhead swing. As his axe blade hurtled toward Zorrakir's thick neck, its mass massively increased.
The Dragonkin was too slow to react fully, still in the process of turning. Alistair fueled the strike with pure kinetic energy and force and activated Blazing Edge, watching as his poleaxe cleaved through a magical shield that attempted, and failed, to deflect his attack only slightly slowing his attack failing to rob his momentum as Alistair's proficiency with that particular trick was far too advanced.
Their concepts clashed violently as Alistair's attack impacted with a barrier enveloping Zorrakir's body. The intense magical reaction surged between them as Alistair’s concept crashed against Zorrakir’s, causing energy to ripple and crackle through the air akin to lighting.
The energy was unlike anything Alistair had seen before, colored in hues his Conceptual Awareness could barely comprehend, making it clear this would be no ordinary fight.
Despite his best efforts, the barrier managed to reflect his strike, redirecting the energy back toward him with enhanced force.
Alistair watched as the rebounded energy surged in his direction, but he remained unfazed. As it connected with his Kinetic Skin, the force was channeled seamlessly, kinetic spheres springing from his body, while the rest of the energy was smoothly absorbed into his ever-growing kinetic pool.
Since force was primarily made up of kinetic energy, it was one of the worst possible ways of attacking Aliatair; as Zorrakir's warhammer, brimming with raw kinetic energy, lashed out at him, Alistair made use of that as he channeled more of the stolen power into his counter strike.
Their weapons clashed with such force that the impact tore through the surrounding soil and rock, even uprooting a nearby tree.
Alistair attempted to rob Zorrakir of his momentum but quickly realized that the dragonkin was equally adept at countering that aspect of his skills. Despite Zorrakir's hulking form and baseline stat advantage, Alistair’s empowerment and the highly increased mass of his strike sent Zorrakir flying into one of the massive temple structures, with Alistair hot on his heels.
Before Zorrakir’s massive frame could collide with the heavy stone slabs, his barrier skill activated, tearing apart the terrain and halting his momentum. The force blasted the rocks apart, causing the structure to collapse around them.
Seizing the opportunity, Alistair activated Telekinetic Death from Above, massively increasing the mass of the falling debris and hurling it at Zorrakir.
Once again, Zorrakir’s barrier activated and sent the rubble flying back at Alistair, who effortlessly shattered the debris, fueling himself further with kinetic energy from the impacts.
After shoving the last stone slab aside with his telekinesis, Alistair groaned as he watched his opponent still standing unscathed. Zorrakir’s defenses were no joke, and his resistance to magic was intense. This battle was going to be a slog.
"I know it's filthy rich coming from me," Alistair called out, slight frustration and amusement lacing his voice, "but your powers are bullshit!"
This elicited a deep, rumbling laugh from Zorrakir, "You fight well! It has been a while since somebody pushed me back, an impressive feat,"
Alistair snorted at the insinuation that getting tossed into a stone building was the equivalent of being pushed.
"Well, at least we figured it's the immovable opponent that moves," Alistair teased, channeling his vicious mockery into the taunt.
Zorrakir’s eyes narrowed. A shimmering shield appeared on his arm, and he began twirling the massive warhammer in his hand, his focus locked on Alistair. He didn’t rise to the bait; instead, he stood firm, waiting for Alistair's next move, his defenses poised for whatever came next.
Alistair had by now a solid grasp on Zorrakir's abilities. The number of skills his opponent was holding back should be limited—Alistair, being a former human, had access to a much broader skill set, while Zorrakir likely had some that were entirely ineffective against him.
Zorrakir exhibited tight control over the concepts of Deflection, Force, Momentum, and Barriers. But Alistair could tell the dragonkin’s energy pool was depleting rapidly, much faster than he could replenish it, whereas Alistair was steadily brimming with more power after every exchange.
Any other opponent might have thrown in the towel by now, but Alistair respected that Zorrakir, who was likely well aware of how this battle would end if things didn’t change, still pressing on, giving him a challenging fight.
Their first clash had made it clear just how crucial tight control over one’s magic was. When two concepts collided, the one with superior control often overpowered the other—unless there was an inherent advantage in one concept over the other.
Unfortunately for Alistair, Zorrakir’s concept had a slight edge, allowing the dragonkin to deflect his attacks as long as he had enough energy to keep resisting. He needed to be careful not to let that edge Zorrakir had stab him and cost him the fight.
Alistair let out a breath, raising his poleaxe in another offensive stance.
Time for round two...