(En route from the Time Stilled World, Aboard the Central Command Craft, Chaosbringer’s POV)
The sky above the Time Stilled World burned with motion.
From the vast launch platforms carved into suspended stone, tens of thousands of Cult destroyers and troop carriers rose in disciplined waves, their hulls cutting through the stagnant heavens as engines flared to life, long columns of light tearing open the gray skies as the armada formed up for departure.
Ahead of them, the exit point loomed like a wound in reality.
A Dimensional Portal, wide enough to let only three ships pass at once stood waiting, as the armada passed through it in a continuous flow.
The destroyers formed a spearhead, the escorts fanned outward, while the troop carriers held tight to the center, as one by one they entered the portal in perfect sequence, disappearing into that rippling seam as though the universe beyond was devouring them whole.
At the heart of that moving formation flew a single craft, heavily guarded yet outwardly unremarkable, protected by overlapping defensive layers and silent escorts that would gladly burn themselves into ash before letting harm reach what they guarded
As inside that craft stood Leo, and beside him, the only other individual permitted to fly at his side, Chaosbringer watched the portal grow larger in the reinforced window, its shimmering surface reflecting across his eyes like liquid glass.
"You know my Lord, there are many soldiers in the army who have never seen the universe outside the Stilled World," Chaosbringer said as his gaze remained fixed on the gateway, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "This is the first time they are heading outside and they’re lucky we are heading to Ixtal, for it is the birthplace of so many legends and stories that they have heard growing up."
Leo did not look away.
He pondered about what Chaosbringer said and nodded earnestly.
"Yeah, there is a whole generation of warriors in the army now who do not have a home planet to call home," Leo said as his eyes traced the endless stream of ships slipping into the portal, their lights vanishing one after another into that impossible curtain.
"We have been stuck in the Time Stilled World for far too long."
The portal’s glow painted his face in cold, shifting light.
"And I am afraid that if we do not come out now, time will start healing old wounds," Leo admitted as his voice remained calm, almost detached, as if he were speaking about weather rather than war.
"The humiliation will fade. The anger will dull. And the masses will no longer want a war."
Chaosbringer’s smile thinned slightly.
Leo’s eyes narrowed, not with rage, but understanding.
"Revenge does not age well, Chaosbringer," Leo said as he stared ahead, already understanding the human psyche well enough to see where time inevitably led.
"It either burns hot enough to reshape history, or it cools into regret. And if we do not act now, it will cool into regret.... And I can already see it happening."
He admitted it plainly, as that realization became yet another reason behind why he wanted this war.
Leo feared that if the Cult did not fight now, they would then start to slowly grow content within the Time Stilled World, satisfied with the safety and stability they had carved out for themselves, until the desire to step back into the wider universe faded altogether.
The quality of life for the common people was improving rapidly within the Stilled World, and with that improvement would inevitably come division.
A faction would rise that valued peace over pride, safety over legacy, a group that wished to remain hidden forever rather than reclaim what was lost.
And that alone would be enough to kill the Cult’s historic beliefs in a single generation.
"Veyr’s kidnapping might just prove to be a blessing for us, Chaosbringer," Leo said as his tone remained steady despite the weight of his words.
"Even if it is difficult to predict how this will play out, in my understanding, we needed this war for our survival."
Leo shared his conclusion as Chaosbringer immediately lowered his head and began offering words of praise.
"Your wisdom knows no bounds, my Lord. To stand by your side truly enlightens me...."
Chaosbringer said as Leo scoffed lightly and shook his head.
At first, Chaosbringer’s odd behavior had bothered him. However, after decades spent alongside the man, Leo had grown accustomed to his antics.
"Not this," Leo said flatly. "Tell me what you really feel."
He encouraged him as Chaosbringer looked up and released a long, weary sigh, his expression losing its performative reverence as he gathered his true thoughts.
*Sigh*
"Mmm," Chaosbringer said slowly, "I think you are right, my Lord. Time does heal wounds if enough of it passes."
He paused.
"However, I do not think that applies to the Cult for some reason."
Leo raised an eyebrow slightly, listening.
"There are families within the Cult whose last fifty ancestors have all lived and died with only one goal," Chaosbringer continued. "To witness the Cult’s resurgence."
"So at this point, I believe it has become less of a dream and more of a compulsion," he said honestly. "Almost genetic."
"I do agree that time heals all wounds, and that if we let a century pass without acting then maybe there rises a faction who does not want to come back out" Chaosbringer added, "but I do not believe it dulls the majority’s desire to reclaim the Cult’s former glory, for to deny that dream, is to deny their blood itself."
"No matter how much time passes or how many generations rise and fall, the one constant binding the Cult together is their hunger for revenge and their dream of resurgence.
So maybe, it’s not as severe as you think."
Chaosbringer finished as it was Leo’s turn to fall silent, his gaze hardening slightly as he considered the argument.
There was merit in what Chaosbringer said. Leo could not deny that.
Yet his own conclusion remained unchanged.
The Cult needed this war.
And perhaps, in the end, it was for the best that they were finally getting it.