Chapter 119: The Vortex of Genesis
You hurried to the scene of the incident, soon finding Kratelus holding Trinnon hostage. This veteran of the Suspended Front had forced his way into the Vortex of Genesis, attempting to undergo the Titan of Strife's trial, but he had failed.
"Kratelus! Why did you do this?" Mydei roared. "Give me an explanation!"
"Because I can't wait any longer! Why haven't you taken up the authority of strife? Your hesitation has driven our people to utter despair!" Kratelus replied coldly. "Someone must become our king… to lead our clan home!"
It turned out that Kratelus did not believe in any divine revelation of creation or the Journey of Chasing the Flame. He only wanted to restore the Suspended Peak Dynasty. During the argument, Tribbie, in order to make him believe the divine revelation, proposed a suggestion.
"We want to gain the trust of your Suspended Front people. But the best way right now… is to bring you to witness the prophecy with your own eyes."
Afterward, Tribbie found you. "Orion-kun, there's something I need your help with." She looked a bit tired.
"What is it?" You put down the documents in your hand.
"We need to go to the Deep Abyss of Destiny to show Kratelus the truth of the prophecy."
Trinnon added, "Our condition hasn't been very good lately, so we need reliable people to protect us. And Orion-kun is the person we trust the most." Tribbie looked at you earnestly.
You showed a gentle smile. "Of course, I will protect you."
At the Deep Abyss of Destiny, you followed behind Tribbie and the others, observing your surroundings. "This place is really big."
"Yes, let's walk and search as we go." Tribbie looked around. Suddenly, she stopped.
"What's wrong?" you asked.
"...Nothing." Tribbie shook her head.
Trianne excitedly ran forward. Trinnon and Tribbie exchanged a glance; their connection seemed to be weakening.
Soon, you finally reached the depths of the temple. "Strange..." Tribbie looked around, her voice filled with unease. "Where is Oronis? The Titan... is gone?" Her shock was evident.
Trinnon's expression suddenly became serious, and she looked up alertly towards the entrance. "There's movement," she lowered her voice. "Do you hear it? ...It's coming this way."
"Quickly find a place to hide," you made a swift decision. But no sooner had you spoken than the space suddenly twisted and tore apart. A dense Black Tide aura surged forth, and a black-robed figure stepped out from the crack.
"It's him!" Trinnon exclaimed in terror. "The Thief of Fire!"
You instantly released Golden Thread, weaving a protective net in front of the three of them. "Get behind me!" you shouted, but in your heart, you were quickly calculating. ('Perfect, this is my chance... If I can get close to him…')
The Black Robed Swordsman moved astonishingly fast, charging towards you. You manipulated the Golden Thread, trying to block him. With a flash of sword light, your carefully woven Golden Thread snapped, as easily as cutting a thread. ('What immense power...' you appeared anxious, but inwardly, you felt a thrill, 'If I can replicate this level of ability…')
Trinnon suddenly rushed out, her hands condensing spatial power. "Trianne, don't be impulsive!" Tribbie cried out anxiously. The Black Robed Swordsman swung his sword back. Trianne grunted, and her entire body was sent flying, crashing heavily against a stone pillar.
"Trianne!" Trinnon and Tribbie exclaimed simultaneously.
Your Golden Thread surged out wildly, forming a dense web that enveloped the Black Robed Swordsman. His figure was ghostly, weaving and dodging through the Golden Thread. But your attacks were too dense, and he was eventually wounded in the arm.
'Now's the time!' You immediately moved forward to attack. The Black Robed Swordsman sidestepped to avoid, but you seized the opportunity, reaching for his arm! At the moment of contact, you activated the replication power within your body. Even while simultaneously controlling a large amount of Golden Thread, you remained at ease—these years of training had not been in vain.
The Thief of Fire's ability surged into your perception. ('...Success!' you were ecstatic, 'Although I have to wait until the day after tomorrow to use it, this power...') You quickly organized your thoughts: Golden Thread, Strife, Thief of Fire's power—the three newly replicated abilities, as of the day after tomorrow, you could call upon any one of them at any time.
The Black Robed Swordsman seemed not to notice, pushing you away. But just then, he suddenly turned—his target was actually Tribbie!
"Oh no!" Your Golden Thread shot out frantically. However, this time your Golden Thread was no match for him. At the critical moment, the heavily wounded Trianne struggled to stand.
"I won't... let you succeed!" She burned her last divine power, tearing open space with both hands. A colossal Gate of a Hundred Realms unfolded behind her, and golden light devoured everything.
"Tribbie, Trinnon, Orion-kun... hurry and go!" Her voice was weak but resolute.
"Trianne, no!" Tribbie wanted to rush over.
But the teleportation had already begun, and golden light enveloped the three of you. "Tribbie..." "See you tomorrow."
The last image was Trianne's small, determined back, facing the tall, terrifying Black Robed Swordsman alone.
In a daze, you felt yourself lying on a hard surface. "Orion! Orion!" A familiar voice sounded in your ear. You slowly opened your eyes and saw Stelle's anxious face. Dan Heng and Phainon were also nearby, both looking worried.
"That's great, you're awake!" Stelle sighed in relief.
You propped yourself up, looking weak. "Tribbie and them..."
"They're over there, all safe," Phainon pointed not far away. "But Trianne..." His expression grew solemn. "When we arrived, we only saw the three of you unconscious here."
Upon returning to Ohema, everyone quickly discussed countermeasures. It was finally decided to split into three groups—Dan Heng and Hyacine were responsible for finding the missing Trianne, Aglaea and Castorice were to remain in the Holy City to handle emergencies, while you, Stelle, Phainon, and others were to pursue the Thief of Fire and retrieve the Spark of Ages he had stolen.
The battle was exceptionally fierce; even with everyone working together, it was difficult to suppress the opponent. Just as the stalemate continued, a sound of tearing through the air came from the sky. It was Mydei—he had successfully inherited the divine authority of Strife. The immortal God of War descended from the sky, his spear imbued with terrifying divine power.
"Take this, you petty wretch!" A spear was thrown, like a meteor falling to the earth.
The Thief of Fire finally succumbed, pinned to the wall by the spear. The Spark of the Titan of Ages flew out of his body, caught steadily by Stelle.
When the victorious party returned to Ohema, news of Trianne finally arrived. It turned out that Kratelus had desperately saved her from the Thief of Fire, but Trianne had left you forever. Mydei came to his old comrade's bedside and calmly stated his decision.
"The history of Suspended Front ends here. I will return to my homeland and face the Black Tide alone."
After a brief farewell, the newly deified warrior turned and departed. His back disappeared over the horizon, solitary yet resolute.
Days later, Ohema held a farewell ceremony for Trianne. You stood in the crowd, looking at Trianne's final doll-like remains. You thought, Trianne... was it truly meaningful to go this far for the Journey of Chasing the Flame?
After some time, Stelle was invited to participate in the inheritance ceremony of the Titan of Ages. However, the trial revealed a shocking truth—she had already perished when she first fell into this land; now, she was merely a phantom maintained by memories. Oronis's test was: to reclaim the future taken by death before fifteen gate hours.
With this grim news, Stelle found Castorice. Castorice attempted to use her ability to track Stelle's wandering soul; as her palm lightly touched Stelle's cheek, she sensed a presence lingering in the void. "Her soul is still wandering," Castorice said tremblingly. "We still have a chance."
Everyone gathered in the bathhouse to discuss countermeasures. Aglaea suggested searching for the long-missing Cipher—perhaps only this mysterious demigod knew the whereabouts of the Titan of Death.
Hearing that name, your heart pounded. That companion who was once inseparable, that girl who used to roam Dolos with you, upholding justice. You were once the best partners, until she abandoned you. No matter how much you searched, she deliberately hid from you. And when you became Aglaea's lover, she suddenly reappeared, fiercely saying "I hate you the most" and warning you not to be with Aglaea. Then, she disappeared for hundreds of years again.
'Will she really come back?' You wondered inwardly. A complex emotion churned in your chest—there was anticipation, but also fear. 'For that foolish divine revelation, perhaps she will return? But now, to return and continue the Journey of Chasing the Flame? Look at Trianne's fate—she lost her life for the so-called Journey of Chasing the Flame. This is the divine revelation you believe in, this is the great cause you pursue.'
Suddenly, a twisted pleasure surged through your heart. 'If Cipher really comes back...' You thought morbidly. 'Make up? Even if she wants to, I don't. Why? She was the one who left first; now she wants to come back just like that? Let her taste what it's like to be abandoned too... Right... if I let her witness the collapse of the Journey of Chasing the Flame with her own eyes, watching her faith, for which she abandoned everything, turn to ashes... What kind of expression would appear on that face?'