Oth'kimeth's plan had been flawless.

He had intended to discretely enhance the influence of hunger madra to corrupt Cradle's essence of earth and life while channeling Chaos into the world through the opening by the Void authority.

However, Oth'kimeth was taken aback by the unexpected resilience of the Reaper's disciples. He also didn't anticipate a sudden burst of blue blinding his sense when he attempted to exert more power.

The moment Oth'kimeth caught sight of the Phoenix's flame, he realized his defeat. But that no longer mattered. He had to leave, quickly. Suriel, that bitch, would have sensed his presence, and Orziel would be right behind her.

Thus, Oth'kimeth plunged into the depths of the Void without hesitation, risking of oblivion. It was just in time to narrowly escape the piercing attention of both the Reaper and the Phoenix.

A conqueror always had the chance for another conquest, as long as he stayed alive.

=====

Emriss found their ascension portal layered with spiderwebs of deep darkness that led to a very strange night sky. Inside the black fabric, she could see stars of every color, though they buzzed and twitched like living insects.

“I will not go into this,” Miara spoke up uncertainly.

“We have to, no matter what.” Ziel and Mercy retorted together.

"Indeed, we do. " Emriss quickly explained to the young Monarchs, "Cradle's connection to the Way is weakening, and I believe our current presence is contributing to it."

But Emriss would not scold Miara for the girl's hesitation either. The destination also felt very wrong to her.

She moved forward nonetheless, and the blue edges of the portal surged. Blue light flickered between her and the empty world beyond, a film stretching across the portal entrance. The view fuzzed like a dream-aura illusion, and then she could see another world.

There was a cage across the sky, a courtyard nearby with shining pillars, and several banners bearing the animated image of a fox. A helmeted figure in white armor hovered over them, and when he saw them, he beckoned frantically. “Hurry! Do it n—”

Abruptly, the view of the other world snapped back to the chaotic void.

Emriss's heart sank. Though she was considering taking a step into this vast darkness anyway, she would also need to drag the others with her for the act to have any meaning. She was not cold enough to do that.

While Emriss was caught up in contemplation, she realized one of the closer stars, emitting a dull white halo, was drifting towards them.

It was not a star, Emriss recognized, but a repugnant colossal mass of pale substances, consisting of numerous irregular and disorganized holes, each exuding a slimy, sticky stream of shiny liquid. The holes resembled festering wounds that seemed to writhe and expand in a disgusting manner. Some were shallow while others went deep, creating a horrifying landscape of uneven craters and pockmarks.

As the mass got closer, Emriss could see the swarm of squirming centipedes nestling together in a grotesque display inside each cavity. It had a diseased texture that reminded her of a massive ball of decaying flesh, being transformed into a breeding ground for monstrous spawns.

Her Life Icon hummed to her with intense fear and disgust as Emriss couldn't help but step back from the portal. She tapped more forcefully into her Oracle Icon this time, envisioning a stable connection to Order. A blue flame lit up her consciousness, its brilliant light casting away the abyssal darkness that loomed before her.

A wave of relief washed over Emriss as the portal snapped back to the world guarded by the Abidan, who now stood on the other side of the space tunnel.

“Don’t waste another second!” the Abidan snapped.

Emriss urged the three young Monarchs to go through the portal. Despite their Monarch strength, they had to brace themselves against seemingly incredible resistance with each step. The spatial tunnel trembled with each passing moment, flickering on the edge of existence like a candle-flame in a fierce wind.

With urgency, Miara forcefully pushed her way through, while Ziel and Mercy struggled to keep up not far behind.

As Emriss entered the tunnel, it was akin to stepping into a dream, but just a thin veil of consciousness away from a looming nightmare.

"Hurry up," the Abidan shouted to Emriss as the others completed their trial.

Emriss pressed through with all her mind, evoking all of her authority to keep her grounded to the Way. But the connection was waning fast, and she could keenly feel an overwhelming devouring force of endless emptiness and painful lashes of chaotic energy on her soul.

Three hands reached out, grasping Emriss and pulling her the rest of the way. The portal tossed and churned like a boat in a turbulent sea, before drowning completely in the abyssal Void as soon as she just reached the other side.

Honestly, Emriss was too old for all this.

The white-armored man swept their portal away with an angry gesture. His helmet melted away, revealing the detestable face of Kiuran the Hound.

“You almost found yourself trapped between worlds," the irritating Hound remarked, seemingly unfazed by their recent struggle. "As the last individuals ascending from Cradle, I offer my congratulations."

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The weight of those words left the others frozen in place.

Ziel folded his arms. “We have friends back there.”

“I have family...” Sha Miara began, then straightened herself inside her rainbow disguise and spoke more confidently. “My loved ones are still in Cradle, and I would like to know that they are safe.”

“Then I hope your family is comfortable down there, assuming your world hasn't gone yet," Kiuran sneered.

Emriss focused on deliberate breathing, calming herself. She had anticipated this outcome, but she had also hoped for some assistance. However, it was clear that this Abidan lackey was incapable of solving their problem.

"We need to find Eithan," Ziel insisted. "Eithan!" he shouted, the resonance of his voice echoing throughout the entire world.

Kiuran's eyes widened. With a snap of his armored fingers, Ziel's shout abruptly ceased as if it had never been uttered. Kiuran's voice was shaky when he spoke again, not quite so arrogant as before then.

“You must listen to me. Never try that again. The worst-case scenario for you is attracting Ozriel’s attention.”

Ziel was about to shout once more but remained unable.

“I don’t know what face he showed when he walked among you,” Kiuran continued, his tone more uncertain. “But it was only a mask. Do you understand? You are quite literally calling for Death.”

Well, Emriss herself held no fear of Death. She had come to realize that Death, though inevitable, was just another grand adventure for an organized mind. Often, it was the worry for those left behind that hindered the next journey. But when that exact worry demanded her to summon the Reaper, Emriss wouldn't even hesitate for a moment.

"Eithan Arelius," Emriss called out, channeling her intent through the Way with her Icons.

Kiaran frowned deeply, trying again to twist the Way to silence her, but Mercy, Ziel, and Miara invoked their authority to prevent his working. Their synchrony stunted the Abidan briefly before he could clash back.

As the fight began, Emriss grew impatient. The annoying Hound had contributed so much to the Monarchs' disdain for the Abidan. If only ...

A black-armored hand slipped over Kiuran's shoulder, and two figures materialized from thin air. Everyone halted momentarily in awe before the absolute power emanating from the pair—a reverberating harmony of destruction and restoration. These were the true leaders of the Abidan.

“Thank you for taking such good care of my friends,” Eithan Arelius, the male Judge, said.

The Hound immediately dropped to his knee. “Yes, sir.”

Emriss's breath caught in her throat as she faced the Reaper's presence. His hair shimmered with an ethereal shade of pure white, and black armor flowed seamlessly, like liquid, enveloping his form. A profound sense of dread washed over her, overwhelmed by the aura of emptiness and destruction that surrounded the Judge. Her entire being shuddered in response.

But then, her eyes fixated on the female Judge, the Phoenix, as Emriss instinctively knew. Reassured by the ethereal light that cast a celestial glow on the world, she was filled with peace. The sight of the Phoenix's majestic wings adorned with pure white feathers, along with her ornate and shimmering armor, evoked a profound sense of wonder. Before Emriss stood the divine embodiment of life.

The Reaper’s grin kept Kiuran nailed to the floor. “I’m flattered by the respect you had for my time. You’ve been so vigilant in making sure I’m not disturbed.”

“I do apologize, Judge. I was afraid to—”

“However, I would inform you that our trip here was totally convenient,” Eithan interrupted, his voice menacing. “You see, our pursuit of Oth'kimeth the Conqueror led us to Cradle, to right under your nose. ”

Kiuran's face turned ghostly pale, as his body started shaking, but Suriel intervened: "Don't worry, we will not blame you for this. The fiend hid very well. Even us would not be able to find out, if not for fortunate circumstances."

"Yeah," The Reaper signed, before waving his hand in a dismissal manner, "You could leave."

"My gratitude for your generosity". The Hound bowed to the ground before diving away through space in haste.

"Eithan, how are..." Mercy started.

"Things are fine, Mercy. Consider how much worse it could be," Eithan interrupted, his voice filled with unexpected weariness. But then, his tone softened, his weariness giving way to an expression of pride. "And I believe Lindon and Yerin will be alright too." He paused for a moment, overcome by emotion, a side so unlike the Reaper. "I am incredibly proud of you all."

"We both are," the female Judge affirmed, her gaze sweeping over them before speaking in a comforting tone. "And welcome to Waybound. Your arrival here meant that you are Fated to bind to the Way Between World, in other words, your exceptional Abidan potential. Some among you would have the aptitude to bring immense value to my Phoenix division, should you be interested." As the Judge spoke, a serene aura enveloped them, soothing their troubled souls.

Emriss finally could sense the liberation from the stifling confines of a world no longer meant for her. While responsibilities had tied her down, her Life Icon had persistently urged her to take this next step. After all, Life should not be confined, but set free.

Now that she had entrusted her burden to capable hands, Emriss felt a surge of excitement. She was now free to begin anew, like a single branch planted in new soil. It would be really refreshing to become a student once again.

======

Suriel assessed the newly ascended Monarchs of Cradle once more. Truly, if there could be any silver lining from this tragedy, it would be these exceptional recruits, even the youngest among them, Sha Miara. It wasn't for no reason that Suriel paid attention to a naive 12-year-old following her mother's death.

While Miara may be dismissed due to her background, privilege often carried equal responsibility as well. Not everyone could wholeheartedly embraced it, which made the girl special in her own unique way.

The sight of Orziel, though, had caused Miara to collapse to her knees, her form trembling as she transformed into a lump of rainbow. It was an odd sight, and Suriel couldn't help but notice the girl's ears turning beet red.

Suriel's gaze lingered on the fearful girl, her curiosity piqued. Something was peculiar about this reaction.

Orziel approached Miara, extending a hand to help her up. "Long time since we last met," he said reassuringly. "Don't be scared. We're just old friends from the Uncrowned King tournament, aren't we?"

The girl lifted her head, her face now flushed pink, awkwardly attempting to cover it.

Orziel's expression stiffened, a slight grimace crossing his face.

Suriel sent a message to Orziel: "What did you do to that poor girl?"

He replied with resignation: "You see, sometimes my charm can get the better of me."

======

Lindon dreamed, together with Yerin, they danced in a vast, empty world.

It was a peaceful vision, woven by the gentle glow of a comforting blue flame in the boundless void.

As Lindon awakened, his eyes opened to a breathtaking blue sky adorned with a serene red haze.

[That was the scariest moment of my life. I feel worse than when Northstrider tried to tear me away from you,] Dross exclaimed, his voice filled with relief.

Lindon also sensed the presence of two familiar beings not far away: Orthos and Little Blue. And there, nestled by his side, he felt Yerin, a vague form made of crimson madra, their connection so strong it blurred the distinctions.

His Dreadgod arm had been drawing from Yerin's madra, only to return it to her in a comforting exchange of energy and impression. Her consciousness brushed gently against his thoughts.

[She's stable. But it will take time for her to reconstruct her physical body and master the abilities of the Bleeding Phoenix.] A sense of relief washed over Lindon's mind hearing Dross's remark.

Lindon knew he would have to remain behind in Cradle for years, but he wouldn't bother now asking Dross for an estimate. There were countless things he could do for this world in the meantime.

For now, however, Lindon chose to rest.