The Oracle Paths

About a minute later, the radiant terraformation of the region ceased, leaving nothing but lava and desolation in its wake. Where a towering hill once stood, now only a cracked rock base under a force field remained, the sole remnant of the original grassy protrusion.

The enemy's encampment, sheltered within, didn't withstand the onslaught despite this protection, but at least Corvac and his men were unscathed. No small feat.

A feat, alas, that could not be repeated.

While the unqualified guards lucky enough to be posted at HQ were patting themselves on the back for still being alive, praising their general's foresight for such a barrier, the elite soldiers and officers who had seen the world wore ugly scowls as if they'd just swallowed a hornet. However, it was only when the light outside faded to a bearable level for their retinas that they truly succumbed to despair.

Beyond the slowly cooling sea of lava, leaving a plain of smoky, dark obsidian, their 'unharmed' target taunting them with a predatory gaze was the final nail in the coffin for their will. In addition to their target, two of his companions also encircled their barrier, triangulating their HQ. Only the flickering barrier stood between them and death.

"Is this some kind of joke, right? Tell me I'm hallucinating…" A Radiant Lord at the head of a division, hardened by thousands of battles, felt the firmness of his weapon's hold loosen in shock and fear.

This had never happened to him. Not even when Chillmire froze his entire regiment back when he was just a green recruit.

Fortunately, while this officer's case wasn't isolated, the discipline instilled in them by their spartan lifestyle down to their bones wasn't so superficial. When the domineering battle cry of their General Corvac rang in their ears, they snapped out of their stupor and brandished their weapons, preparing for the ultimate battle.

"Have the Nematode tamers done what I asked?" Corvac inquired with a furrowed brow to the giant on his right, remarkably composed considering he was the primary target of this offensive.

But above all, he was the main culprit behind this indiscriminate destruction that had killed more allies than enemies. Even if he ultimately won this battle, he was destined to be sacrificed in the public square for these crimes. Being allowed to retire from combat after that would be the sweetest of outcomes.

"They're in place," the giant whispered solemnly into his ear. The other officers, aware of what was about to happen, were equally grim. What followed condemned them to death as well.

"Then let the festivities begin," Corvac chuckled madly. "I will pray with all my heart for Lumyst's grace to smile upon you, so you may avenge this affront."

No one responded, acutely aware of their survival odds. A slight nod to acknowledge their general's farewell speech was the best they could muster.

Meanwhile, Jake, about to shatter the barrier now as fragile as glass, paused his motion upon sensing approaching troops. A glance allowed him to recognize Ceythie and her elite officers.

When she stopped beside him, panting, her helmet and armor smoking hot enough to cook a steak on, he looked at her differently. Crossing that lava and the overheated atmosphere where oxygen was scarce was no feat for him and other Players with suitable abilities, but to his knowledge, no bloodline predisposed the natives of the Duskwight Lands to such a feat. Her presence here was obviously made possible only by her tenacity and good equipment.

Moreover, Jake could almost tangibly feel her Lumyst Aura emitting a bloodthirsty and indomitable spiritual presence, fitting her reputation as an Ironsoul Berserker. This presence significantly boosted her physical condition, besides very ineffectively defending her from the scorching air.

Ineffective, because with his sharp perception, he could distinctly see the souls within her presence combust upon contact with the scorching breeze. Initially, raw spiritual energy without attributes was very volatile and vulnerable to energetic elements like fire, light, or lightning. Not everyone had a spirit attuned with the cosmos and energy in general. He was just beginning to realize how rare that was.

"I didn't think you'd come all this way," Jake commented expressionlessly. "Is it to steal my thunder?"

Keeping her visor down to not show her sweat-blotched beautiful face, the woman Great General chuckled bitterly, then responded reluctantly,

"I haven't sunk low enough to claim the merit of my men. Not to mention, you're stronger than me. However, if you'll allow me, I'd gladly take the privilege of breaking down this barrier. I can't let you have all the glory without doing anything."

Hephais and Jake couldn't care less about this futile achievement and readily stepped aside to let her vent her frustration. Excited to finally hit something with all her might after having to abandon her mount helplessly, she laughed loudly and drew her heavy war sword in one swift motion before slashing the force field before her with a downward strike of extreme savagery.

The wavering barrier was cleaved in two with a single stroke, releasing a horrific screeching distortion noise that made them all grit their teeth. On the other side, a small garrison of a few thousand enemies, mainly elites with high Lumyst cultivation, awaited them in battle stance, their radiant Lumyst Auras brimming with life force betraying their veteran status among a few lucky recruits.

And in front of this tightly arranged troop, an old bearded man in white and gold plate armor glared at them with loathing, as if they were already dead: The General of the entire enemy army: Corvac.

"Corvac! We finally meet!" Ceythie gloated with a jubilant laugh upon seeing her long-time rival lose his legendary composure.

While the Great General was too busy savoring the impending defeat of her old enemy, Jake, Hephais, and Lysanna instead concentrated their gaze on the seed containing an astronomical amount of Life Lumyst in his hand, as well as the armored giant standing slightly behind the old man.

'Huh? It seems Corvac isn't the strongest here. Is he aware of this?' Jake and the two other Players coldly thought at the same time.

The giant was a Saint! A Light Warrior comparable to members of the Radiant Conclave. He hid it well, but he couldn't fool their senses.

This put into perspective what Jake knew about the military forces of the Lustra Plains. There was what it showed on the surface, through its generals and high dignitaries, but there were always talented individuals choosing to keep a low profile in the shadows. It remained to be determined how much darkness this shadow lurking behind the dazzling light on the surface held.

Suddenly, Jake wondered if the Celestial was really the one he should be wary of, or if there was someone even more formidable pulling the strings behind him. Nonetheless, after a brief tension, he relaxed, figuring that only the present moment mattered.

'If there really is someone stronger than the Celestial, I'll deal with it when the time comes.'

As Jake came to this internal decision, Corvac's lips had slowly curved up into a sadistic grin. Ignoring Ceythie's gloating, he released with an unresolvable enmity,

"You think you've won, but it's too late. Neither you nor my men will make it out alive. What remains of this hill will become our tomb. If you even survive that... I'll accept my defeat from the bottom of my soul."

As Ceythie's mocking laughter choked in her throat, the old general's face hardened with resignation, then he took a deep breath and commanded,

"EXECUTE THE JUDGMENT!"