Under Orion’s influence, the immobilized champions rushed out from the shop, sprinting in a panicked stampede. Scott and his companions melded into the throng, as the champions scattering in different directions. Explosions echoed from towering skyscrapers, casting debris across once-pristine streets. The relentless showers of arrows didn’t return, encouraging hidden champions to join the exodus, taking advantage of the uncertain ceasefire.
Champions in their numbers flooded the streets, their movements frantic and directionless, each praying they wouldn’t fall victim to another onslaught. While death wasn't permanent, the looming danger was a grim prospect no one wanted to face.
Barely five minutes after Scott’s group took to the streets, a colossal inferno roared to life behind them. Massive, flame-engulfed serpents materialized, leaving devastation in their wake.
“Damn it,” Scott muttered, eyes darting to the monstrous creatures wreaking havoc.
The nearby champions pushed their bodies to their limits, spurred on by the appearance of the Sons of Jörmungandr.
“What the hell is happening?” Slim's voice crackled over the party channel. He could understand bounty hunters targeting them, but the intensity and scale of the pursuit made little sense.
“Save the questions for later,” Zara snapped, sprinting with supernatural speed. “Keep up or get left behind.” She blurred into motion, effortlessly weaving through the crowd.
“Not again,” Slim groaned as his clothes vanished into his inventory. Stripped down to a skeletal form, he surged forward, plowing through any obstacles or champions blocking his path.
Like Zara and Slim, Llorva darted forward, her agile form vaulting off the heads and shoulders of nearby champions, propelling her through the chaos.
Scott, in contrast, had mostly phased into the ethereal realm, materializing only occasionally as he floated toward the building Llorva had pointed out earlier. He found it hard to believe that the Sons of Jörmungandr and the Shadow Syndicate would wreak such havoc and destruction merely to apprehend him, Slim, and Orion. He believed a more sinister plot seemed more likely.
Another explosion rocked an adjacent street, turning several champions into charred corpses in mere seconds. Unlike the champions, who turned to dust upon death, the destroyed buildings magically repaired themselves—albeit slowly.
Explosions erupted in neighboring streets in quick succession, and more snakes appeared, causing chaos. Champions who had remained indoors found themselves forced to join the fray, while those attempting to flee resolved not to go down without a fight. A large-scale brawl erupted as champion after champion unleashed powerful attacks on the rapidly multiplying snakes.
Neither of Scott’s companions considered staying behind to fight nor slowing their pace. Instead, they silently thanked the champions for acting as sacrificial lambs to halt the advancing rampage.
“Ahem. Is this thing working?” A low-pitched microphone echo reverberated throughout the city, and a projection of a friendly-looking middle-aged man in black leather armor materialized in the sky.
The rampaging snakes and several stunned champions turned their heads toward the sky.
“I guess it’s working now. Ahem. Attention, all champions in Sector O: Anyone with reliable information leading to the capture of these criminals will be rewarded with at least a thousand core elemental shards each.”
Three images flanked the projection: one of a man in a blackened, ominous mask; another of a bespectacled mage; and the last of a three-headed creature seemingly engulfed in flowing magma.
“By order of the Sons of Jörmungandr, if you aid these criminals or interfere with our pursuit, rest assured you will be struck down—or worse, become enemies with—”
Thunder roared across the clear sky as a massive purple lightning bolt obliterated the projections, cutting off the transmission. Snakes across Sector O howled in despair and rage, their eyes fixed on the source of the sudden attack.
Under clear skies, a lithe figure in a loosely fitting white garment descended a series of shifting disks. For the first time in what felt like ages, not a single explosion echoed in the vicinity. Though fury still clouded the eyes of the snakes, a hint of fear lurked behind their rage as they and several other champions watched as the figure descended the makeshift stairs. The heavens seemed to rage with each step she took while lightning seemingly danced around her bare feet.
“No way, it’s her,” Slim’s voice echoed through the party channel. For the first time, most of the Hound Extermination Crew paused, raising their heads to the sky.
In an alley, Scott materialized, frowning at the sight of Ember. Of all people, I didn’t expect to see her here, he thought. He ignored the announcement of the middle-aged man; he knew they held him, Orion, and the deceased asura responsible for the massacre in the Shifting Steps Valley. The question of when and how they took pictures briefly troubled him, but he didn’t pay too much attention to it.
Scott readied himself to move, paying little attention to Ember’s arrival. Yet, he noticed the dragonkin's gaze fixed on him. Her androgynous beauty radiated a sweet smile as she whispered, “I’ve been waiting for you. I see you’ve finally used my gift. I’m glad.”
Despite the distance, Scott heard her words as if whispered in his ear.
“I didn’t know you were such a troublemaker,” she said, lips barely moving. “It’s—”
A thunderous explosion resounded in the distance, shaking several buildings. A massive sinkhole opened in Sector O, from which a colossal snake, many times larger than its brethren, emerged. Its iridescent amethyst eyes fixed on the dragonkin as its blackened forked tongue darted in and out.
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Opening its maw, a blackened orb materialized over its head, accompanied by a deafening howl. Champions within a kilometer visibly weakened, as if drained of life. Ghoulish flames rose above their heads, converging on the orb. The amethyst hue turned crimson, leaving charred corpses in its wake. The temperature soared, steel melted, and all traces of moisture evaporated.
The snake opened its mouth again, causing nearby snakes to shrink and flee. Ember sent Scott a final message: “I’ll ensure your safety and that of your friends. Head to the gate. I’ll find you soon.”
As Scott vanished, Ember turned her attention to the snake, which consumed the amethyst-crimson orb. A burst of energy obliterated several blocks as the snake transformed into a flaming calamity. Ember, on the other hand, remained unflinching.
Thunder roared, while lightning bolts streaked across the sky. Lightning sparks covered the eyes of the dragonkin, before slowly expanding to all parts of her body.
Meanwhile, the snakes howled a second time, but this time, the heavens parted, revealing a colossal lightning dragon.
“That we tolerate your existence doesn’t grant you the right to challenge a true dragon. Today, I’ll teach you the difference between a mere snake and a noble dragon,” Ember declared softly, raising her right hand.
The lightning dragon roared, seemingly eager to break free from its heavenly tethers. The snake retaliated with flames gathering around its maw.
“I lift all restrictions within my domain!” Ember proclaimed, lowering her hand. The lightning dragon descended with fury. Simultaneously, the snake unleashed a colossal fireball, colliding with the lightning dragon in a cataclysmic explosion that devastated the area, robbing numerous champions of their lives.
Perched atop a crumbling building on the brink of collapse, Orion observed the battle with unabashed glee. Drool trickled from the corners of his mouth, his grin widening with every explosion and clash of magic.
“This is truly magnificent,” he murmured, wiping the drool away with a bloodstained sleeve.
A voice broke his reverie. “How you find interest even in the most mundane of things is beyond me.”
Orion's smile brightened. “It’s not something I expect ordinary people to understand. But perhaps one day, you’ll see things my way.”
“I’d rather remain blind,” the voice retorted, eliciting a chuckle from Orion.
“Have you considered the consequences if he discovers you tipped off both factions?”
Orion turned, meeting Llorva’s indifferent gaze. “To be honest, I doubt he’d care. I have my reasons for what I do.”
Llorva’s attention shifted back to the fierce battle, and Orion’s voice replaced the silence again, “Don’t underestimate him. He may seem laid-back, but I believe he's far more calculating than you realize. There is also the possibility that he might not care about anyone but himself.”
Another shockwave erupted, yet the building miraculously stood firm.
After watching the battle for a few more moments, Llorva said, “It’s only a matter of time before his existence becomes known to all, especially the lesser gods. We must—”
Orion cut in, grinning, “You mean, you guys. I’m just an observer, remember? I have no allegiance to anyone.” His voice was flat, emotionless. “I'm only interested in the data.”
Llorva sighed, “Speaking of data, has he given you anything useful?”
“Not yet,” Orion replied, locking eyes with Llorva. “It’s likely they have contacted him. He’s keeping secrets, but that’s why you hired me. I won’t disappoint.”
Llorva rolled her eyes, “You better not. I’ll meet you at the gate.”
“Wait,” Orion suddenly called out.
Llorva paused, frowning, “Is there something else?”
“Oh no, it’s not a report,” Orion said, flashing a smile. “Think of it more as an inquiry.” Rising from his seat, he moved to a nearby boulder, a remnant of a long-forgotten building. As he shifted, a massive rod crashed down where he had just been sitting. Ignoring the deadly projectile, Orion posed another question. “I've asked before and still haven’t received a clear answer. Have you assessed the threat levels of the feline and undead?”
Llorva sighed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I can’t believe you interrupted me for such a trivial question. Neither has gained prominence in other timelines, as the codex states. So, there’s no need for concern,” she replied.
Orion chuckled softly, lifting his gaze. “Can you at least give me a hint about—”
“Stop,” Llorva cut in before he could finish. “You know I can't answer that. I've told you repeatedly that I have no knowledge of your past selves or actions. You wouldn’t be so open with me if you thought I was lying. If there’s nothing else, I’ll inform you of our next meeting.” She turned to leave but paused to face him once more. “We’ll be traveling together from now on. I trust there won’t be any mistakes?”
“I’m a professional; you can count on me,” Orion assured her. “By the way, are you sure he won’t grow tired and suspicious of you clinging to him like that? I know you’re searching for something, but don’t let your guard down,” he cautioned.
With that, Llorva walked away, her steps slowing with each stride until, on her fifth step, she transformed into a shadowy form and vanished.
Orion sighed, reaching for a small pebble nearby. Black tendrils snaked across his hand, and he found himself playing with the otherworldly creature as it emerged.
“You heard all that, didn’t you?” Orion said, watching the tendrils wrap around his finger.
“Oh, she knows I was lying. And your host didn’t help either,” Orion mused. “Handing me that item in plain sight, speaking openly—it’s no wonder they might have noticed. If only they knew the device was empty. He’s even more cunning than I realized,” he added with a soft chuckle as the tendril slithered across his fingers.
“Do I regret this?” Orion suddenly laughed, shaking his head. “Not at all. I've never felt more alive,” he declared. “But I do feel sorry for the asura. If it had followed my instructions, I wouldn’t have given away its location. Oh well, what’s done is done.”
The tendril tightened around Orion's middle finger, prompting a chuckle from the mage. “Ah, I see. You want him to grasp the gravity of his situation. Adversity often brings out the best in people.”
As the tendril curled around Orion’s thumb, the mage's face shifted from surprise to laughter. “You've even learned to crack jokes? Clever. But I won't bite off more than I can chew.”
The tendril relaxed its hold, sliding slowly over the mage's fingers. “To be considered slightly less foolish than other creatures by you is quite the compliment,” the mage remarked. He paused, then added, “So, are you going to explain why you want me to leave you here?”
The tendril pierced the mage's skin, a wry smile crossing Orion's lips. He sighed and turned to a nearby corpse pierced by an arrow. “You can stand up now,” he said.
The female corpse rose shakily to her feet, her eyes meeting Orion's. She had been one of the archers sent to eliminate Scott and his companions. She hadn't expected Orion to wipe out her entire group. Why he'd spared her remained a mystery.
“Congratulations,” Orion said, grinning. “You've been chosen for a special mission. While you may lack the talent and dedication to reach the top on your own, I'll be your patron. Your new mission: climb the ranks of the Shadow Syndicate, even if it means challenging Armando Arturo Costa himself, or partnering with him. I’ll let you decide. Now go.”
With her battered body protesting, the archer bowed reluctantly before limping away into the distance.
Orion settled back into his seat, sighing. “It's time I rejoined the group.”
Suddenly, a shockwave from the ongoing battle sent a barrage of debris hurtling toward Orion. In an instant, a lethal mix of rocks, concrete, steel rods, and other materials shredded him, leaving behind a rocky corpse.
Miraculously, the building stood firm, though it teetered on the brink of collapse. A portal discreetly opened at the spot where Orion had fallen, and three androids emerged. The tendrils sprang from the rubble, seizing one of the androids before they all vanished back into the portal.