A small party was thrown, celebrating Aurora’s survival. Things served and used here would’ve driven even peak rank 1s mad.
The finest of high rank 1 beasts were served as dishes. Wine brewed in the heart of Genesis’ World Tree was casually passed around.
’Asherah would be mad I stole these. No, no, steal is a big word. As the heir of Genesis, I inherited them in advance.’
As Primula, Evander, Matriarch and Hazel enjoy themselves, Aurora rubbed her hands for warmth.
It’d be a lie to say she didn’t resent Asherah. But what could she do?
Ask Varian to kill Asherah? He might do that. But that’d push all of genesis into jeopardy.
When her ’mother’ tried to attempt the fusion, Aurora had a glimpse into her deepest thoughts.
Asherah used to be an ambitious divine ranker, once. But as she embarked on the path of race creation, she’d fallen in love with life.
Today, she’s solely driven by fear of losing everything and was being crushed by the weight of all living things.
There’s no Keman Aurik to share the pressure. And not even a low rank 2 to help out.
She’s pushed to a corner and did the only thing she thought could save the day.
Varian was strong, but she didn’t seem him as reliable. He disappeared without warnings and not even he knew when he’d return.
She could not entrust the fate of the living to such a man.
With seen with pure logic, she did everything for the greater good.
’I still don’t want to see her.’ Aurora slowly stood up and walked away from the chattering of the table.
The soft evening breeze fluttered her hair, as it carried the scents of flowers and the melodies of nature.
’Where did they go?’ Aurora wondered but stopped shorting of using her perception.
Varian, Sarah, Sia, Enigma and Isadora all left before the party even began, citing an urgent task.
’He shouldn’t take anymore risks.’
A soft sigh left her lips and was carried by the wind across the lake, over the mountain and into the manor built by flowers.
’Haa!’
Varian sighed.
The short, intense session of Synergy ended. He did feel a lot better. But unfortunately, his strength only recovered to the level of Ophion, a powerful mid rank 2.
He didn’t even get as strong as Hades, who’s on the verge of high rank 2.
"Expelling that hostile aura would take twenty-four hours at the minimum. Until then, it’s difficult for you to exert the strength of a high rank 2." Sarah interlocked fingers, concern dripping in her voice.
Sia bit her lip, still immersed in Varian’s experiences she witnessed during synergy. "That bastard will pay for this."
Enigma didn’t say a word. She silently hugged him from behind and provided him her warmth.
"What does he even want?" Isadora tapped her knee with index finger rhythmically as she pondered.
The four of them had four different responses to the situation, as expected. He didn’t need any consolation. Just their presence soothed his restless mind and allowed him to see the path forward.
"I have to go. Ten more hours is the most I can spare. Any longer, Aurora would be in danger." Varian said. "We need to do as many synergies as we can manage."
"She doesn’t even have twenty-hour hours?" Sarah grasped the unsaid truth.
"No. It’s my first time using origin knowledge and I don’t know when it’d collapse. She might be fine for twenty-three hours or collapse after the fourteenth. I only know she is absolutely safe for twelve hours. After that, I do not know. And I cannot gamble."
Varian had to lie to Aurora. If she was told she might die anytime soon, she might simply give up trying.
"Her will to live can keep her alive longer. Ask her to think about something she finds worth living for. Or a wish she wants to fulfill."
Isadora nodded and waved her hand.
A clone emerged outside the manor and headed towards the wandering junior sister.
"Let’s continue."
Ten hours later, Varian left.
He recovered to the peak of mid rank 2, but was still short of high rank 2.
The Silver City changed in just those few hours. A pillar of light was blasting through the palace, striking the heavens.
A powerful, domineering aura emerged. Across all of Eden now, it’s the strongest aura.
A high rank 2.
Hades had broken through!
Varian took the assistance of slivers and maximized his stealth before sneaking into the Palace.
Ophion was floating in a protective formation, as he’s breaking through to high rank 2.
He’s obviously on guard against Hades and didn’t even give a damn about the precious treasures.
Rakz, the low rank 2, was rummaging through the many treasures still locked.
A clone emerged from Varian and strategically placed itself at the edge of the treasury.
He couldn’t stop himself from getting detected once inside. So, the only way was to lure them out with a false flag and rob the information crystal.
The clone couldn’t have the assistance of the slivers. So, he had to to weaken it greatly to maximize its stealth.
Yet, it’s strength lay between a peak low rank 2 and an early mid rank 2.
Varian planned to act first. He wouldn’t even attack Ophion. He’d just grab the slip and leave.
Rakz could be managed. Ophion might not react in time and he might not even come out in fear of Hades. That left Hades as the sole danger.
(He broke through only a few hours ago. His aura will keep climbing for a while. After it hits the peak, it becomes very unstable and forces him to consolidate. Would he risk falling back to mid rank 2 just to catch you?) Samsara suggested.
’Breaking through has that risk?’
[...Not everyone is like you. Just the act of breakthrough in divine rank takes decades and demands focus.
That treasure in the Throne Hall, if I’m not wrong, is the throne of Jai Empire. It granted him an incredible opportunity to quickly break through.
Even then, it only compressed his time and didn’t completely stabilize his aura.
When aura becomes the most unstable, there is always a risk of serious injuries and in severe cases, even the sub-rank can fall.]
’I’m willing to wait.’ Varian remained patient.
As he waited, Hades remained the throne hall as expected. But Asherah was upto something. She was slowly sneaking away.
’I see.’
Barring Rakz, she’s the weakest of them all.
Ophion was in a strong protective formation. It could shield him until he reached high rank 2.
Rakz either had a defensive treasure or didn’t even think about Hades.
’She is worried Hades would turn all living beings into Undead.’
Was Hades really so radical? Varian might’ve dismissed it if he hadn’t gone to the purgatory.
Asherah must’ve been planning for a backup assuming Hades would start a slaughter across Eden.
’She might want to protect the huge samples of life she collected. If a great slaughter really happens, the samples will help recreate the extinct races.’
Varian calmed his racing thoughts and moved his focus back onto the treasury.
Hades aura reached its peak and grew unstable.
’Now!’