Chapter 1,404 – Burden

Zac was sick and tired of the twists and turns he’d experienced over the past minute, yet he could only play along. The tailor-made spikes embedded in his back were more stubborn than he’d hoped. Dislodging them in time to deal with August’s power grab was looking iffy. He needed Xiphos to lend a helping hand, which meant Zac couldn’t allow the Enkindling Sage to have a mental breakdown.

“You…” Zac said in what he hoped was a soothing voice. “You know what?”

“Everything, since the moment you called on the Empyrean Chalice. It was like a veil covering my eyes had been lifted, and I suddenly remembered what you told me on the shores,” Xiphos said, his face collapsing into a miserable smile. “It’s so weak, so alone. I understood the meaning behind my grandfather’s actions. I finally understand why there was a need for an Enkindling Sage.”

Zac cursed the loose lips of his past self. He perfectly remembered what Xiphos was referring to. During their standoff, he’d exposed the whole truth in frustration. How eons had passed since the Limitless Empire fell, how the world they saw was only a dream. Back then, the restrictions on the trial kept Xiphos from hearing Zac’s explanation.

“It’s still not…” Zac hesitated to finish the sentence, Marai’s parting words still fresh in his mind.

There was a reason why people like Xiphos and Astora were kept in the dark. Most likely, knowing too much would interfere with their resurrection when the dream ended. Perhaps it would force the person to bear a Heavenly backlash. Seeing how even the Grand Elders were walking on eggshells to avoid further entanglements, a mere Hegemon would have a hard time surviving.

The trial had safeguards in place to prevent people inside the Memories from learning the truth, but those protections appeared to be weakened at the moment. Otherwise, there’d be no need for Marai to give him that warning. There was either a problem with the Outer Courts or Sevona’s island, and it sounded like the Empyrean Chalice had directly dispelled the effect on its chosen.

Zac’s relationship with Xiphos was complicated, but the sage had undeniably appeared like a guardian angel this time. Returning the favor by taking away Xiphos’ chances at reincarnation would be too cruel. Zac needed to figure out another way to talk him down from the ledge.

Xiphos sighed, looking like he could perfectly understand the meaning behind Zac’s conflicted expression. “I’m aware. There’s a sliver of possibility that our people will be given a second chance at life. And I think that you outsiders are necessary agents of change to open that path.”

“Then—”

“Even so, I will not help you.”

“What? Why not?” Zac said with growing panic. “This isn’t the time to be joking around. I need to stop what’s happening further inside! I can tell you’re not working with the corrupted ones. I only need you to drag these spikes out of my back.”

Xiphos seemed to consider Zac’s words for a second before nodding. The chalice floating near the ceiling exploded, releasing all its remaining flames. They filled the ceiling of the lobby before expanding into corridors and side chambers. It was like the whole lodge had become holy ground, and the flame’s blessing was giving Sevona’s divinity a much-needed boost to fight back.

However, the accumulated flames weren’t enough to turn the situation around. August’s aura seeping out of the Hall of Abundance had decreased a few notches, but it was already growing stronger. The sacrifice had bought them a few minutes at most. That was good enough for Zac. Even if Xiphos didn’t help any further, Zac was confident he could force out the spikes with the additionally bought time.

It really didn’t look like Xiphos planned on assisting any further. Instead, he turned to the ball of flames that failed to follow Kaltosa Lu when he made his escape. Zac had only given it a cursory look before, but his eyes widened when he saw what was trapped inside. It was one of the Elemental’s primordial runes with a hole in the middle. Its remains were already being melted by the flames, its primordial essence consumed and incorporated by Imperial Fate.

Lompo had been right on the money. Kaltosa Lu may have walked away with Descartes’ token and a small chunk of Zac’s Imperial Merit, but he’d paid a steep price to achieve these goals. Zac wasn’t sure if it was a worthwhile trade. Every destroyed Primordial Rune was a permanent loss to the Centigrade Elementals, leaving their racial heritage slightly less complete.

“The outcome here means nothing before my purpose. I’ve told you who I am. I am the Enkindling Sage of the Order of the Empyrean Chalice,” Xiphos said as he caught the blob of divine flames. He turned back to Zac, his stare intensifying. “I’ve also come to understand who you are, why I felt such kinship since the day we met. You were chosen as our Holy Son, perhaps our very last one.

“Except the flame does not burn within you. You’ve built a wall around yourself, refusing to take on our holy mission.” Xiphos held out the flame toward Zac. “It is time for you to make a decision. Accept the responsibilities that come with your title, and I will give you the power to turn things around. Refuse, and the Empyrean Chalice shall sever its fate with you and everything you have touched.”

The meaning behind the veiled threat was clear as day. Not only would Zac lose his status, but Xiphos would retract the help that kept the loft going. It would be like the ally guarding your back suddenly fled without warning. Idiche would receive a backlash, and August would use the opportunity to swallow the Divine Core in one go.

“This is forcing me to join you under duress,” Zac said through gritted teeth.

“You leave me little choice. You should understand better than I just how fraught our lineage has become. Besides, what are your convictions worth if you’re not ready to die for them? If that’s the case, you may as well lend us a helping hand,” Xiphos countered.

“Accept the responsibility? I don’t even understand what that means,” Zac cursed.

“Neither do I. I expect the world you’re from is utterly foreign to me. However, the flame will illuminate your path, ensuring you’ll do what needs to be done,” the sage said with utmost confidence.

The non-explanation provided little comfort, but the wording gave Zac a sense of déjà vu. The description sounded very similar to those he’d heard of the Remnants. They were supposed to be spread out all across the multiverse, yet Zac kept running into them after absorbing the first set. Ultimately, he’d collected all ten within a decade.

Part of that was related to the System’s machinations. It wanted the motes of Chaos to restore the Havens. However, that wasn’t the only reason. The remnants had the power to manipulate their host’s destiny, subtly pushing them toward Atavism. If Zac said yes, his future would be influenced by the Empyrean Chalice. Maybe that would have already happened if not for his Void Road.

Zac was reluctant to inherit the will of the Empyrean Chalice, but he was also running out of time. Besides, he’d always had a hunch he’d end up this way sooner or later. Getting the assistance of the Limitless Emperor himself was bound to have consequences.

“Fine, I’ll take on your mission or whatever. However, you should know that I nurture my own Destiny. I cannot carry Imperial Fate,” Zac said, opting for transparency.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

“I’m aware. You were chosen by the chalice despite this, so who am I to judge?” Xiphos laughed, relief evident in his eyes. “Thank you for keeping the flame burning.”

“Now what do I—” Zac forgot his next words when Xiphos erupted into flames.

He wasn’t burning like Kaltosa Lu. It looked more like the sage had reverted into a memory lantern, except he retained his power and human form. And he was funneling his very essence into the growing blob of fire as he got to his knees by Zac’s side. While his right arm fused with the roaring fire, Xiphos placed his left hand on Zac’s forehead.

A nourishing warmth, many times stronger than before, swept through Zac’s body. He felt like he’d returned to the womb, except the womb was a divine chalice holding the hopes of a whole civilization. Wounds were healed and blemishes mended, and the spikes piercing his back were directly incinerated.