Atop the clock tower which overlooked the entirety of BoneHaven, located in the central district, Basar stood in the bell chamber.
His demeanor was calm as he slowly made his way to the edge and looked down at the city below.
Who would have thought that BoneHaven would face such a crisis?
No one would have ever believed it.
It was unlike the cities on the coast or the cities closer to the North that bordered the Northern caves.
It wasn’t even important enough for an incursion to occur.
A mere industrial city that managed to keep itself afloat all this while, it was suddenly faced with such a huge crisis, it was yet to be seen if anyone could survive.
Basar watched as the nobility tried to leave in their fanciful carriages.
Alas, he had already considered that possibility, and an enchantment had been used, creating a barrier that appeared like a dome, covering every corner of the city.
As far as he was concerned, there was no escape.
From a young boy forced to grow up in the slums to an Apostle of a great god that was about to descend, Basar couldn’t believe he was the one standing in his spot.
After learning about the decay of mankind, he despaired.
It felt like there was no way to save the innocent.
But now... a chance to make everything right was at hand and it was all thanks to that great figure that allowed him to achieve his victory.
Clenching his fist, he glanced at the sky. "Today... the truth shall be known to all once again."
"Basar!" A familiar voice called out, ruining the joy Basar felt.
Glancing at the newcomer, he sighed. "Lady Ana... You are here."
"You have to stop this. It’s not too late." Ana remarked. "I understand your pain but this isn’t the right way."
"You are wasting your breath, Lady Ana," Basar replied. "I’m quite happy right now and your presence is dampening the triumphant atmosphere."
"Tch, are you not going to stop?"
Basar met her intense gaze as he joked. "It’s quite surprising that you managed to overcome the workings of my master."
"You aren’t the only one with a useful master, I suppose."
Stepping away from the edge, he said. "I expected a last-ditch effort from your side anyway, so this is fine. Tell me, how do you hope to change the outcome of my victory?"
"Wouldn’t you like to know?" Ana muttered before exclaiming. "Now!"
Basar attempted to react but before he got a chance to, felt a sharp pain in his torso.
Glancing back, he found Natasha standing behind him, her switchblades embedded in his stomach.
"It’s over," Natasha said amidst heavy breathing.
Basar sighed. "Is that so?"
Alarm bells immediately went off in Ana’s head.
However, she was too late.
The entire clock tower blew up and its lofty structure collapsed.
Ana was left confused. "How?"
"What?" She turned round to find Basar floating in the sky.
Chuckling lightly, he explained. "Your band of merry folks thought that my ability was related to sight but you were wrong. It’s not Sight, but Perception. Why do you think my lord is known as the Eye of Truth?"
"It is because they can perceive the truth of the world. If your perception is flawed, you would not be able to see the truth and that is what I have done. I have distorted not your sight, but your perception of reality.
"Tell me, Lady Ana, can your measly powers stop me!?"
Ana was left disenchanted as she stared blankly at Basar.
Had she ever been so hopelessly outmatched to the point where whatever she did was pointless?
No, it wasn’t just a matter of being outmatched.
"We focused on the wrong thing."
Basar sighed. "Unfortunately so and as you can tell... the last trumpet was sounded not too long ago."
"Why?... Why give us hope?"
"To watch you despair as I once despaired... now, shall we begin the summoning?"
"!" Ana didn’t bother thinking anymore as she charged at Basar.
No matter what, she couldn’t let him summon the Eye of Truth.
If he was already so powerful despite only being an Apostle, how much more is the origin of the power?
Forget BoneHaven, who in Zion would be able to go against the Eye?
"I have to do this!" Her eyes burned with passion as she unleashed her will.
The Will of the World responded and a powerful enchantment was placed 200 meters around herself and Basar.
"You seek to entrap me, you crazy dragon?"
Several eyes appeared around Basar and golden beams shot out from them, completely erasing the loop.
The places where the beams passed had everything erased, leaving behind an endless blackness.
Ana gritted her teeth and attempted it once more but soon realized that Basar had already moved.
"Darn, my perception!"
Basar had a grin underneath the bandages on his face as he loudly chanted.
"Come, your servant awaits. Come down, your children await. The forerunner has set the path and now, the time has come. Upon this world... I summon the Eye of Truth, Penemuel!"
Dark clouds gathered as the entirety of BoneHaven was plunged into an intense darkness.
Then, a crisp crack was heard followed by a sharp line appearing in space.
The crack grew wider until it revealed another world, one filled with miasma so corruptive, just looking at it caused one’s mental state to fall.
Once it was large enough to cover the entirety of BoneHaven, a large eye appeared, covering the hole and staring down at the city.
Watching such a bone-chilling scene, Basar announced in a loud voice. "Judgment has come!"