While Daisuke was in the process of refining the Source Energy Core, something else was happening in the Dark World.
In particular, inside the territory of his former life's companion.
Within the peaceful halls of Great One Illiana's Crimson Palace, a figure wrought in thick, revolting darkness permeating from their body could be seen slowly making their way into the Crimson Chamber.
The palace wasn't empty. Numerous Exalted serving Illiana had been alerted when he suddenly appeared and strutted unannounced into the palace. However, as soon as they recognized the figure, they froze where they were standing, not daring to make a move against them. They couldn't even clench their fist as it might offend the powerful.
Even if they closed their eyes, just the sheer presence of the figure could already make them shake in their boots. Like helpless sheep locked in the same space as their predator, one wrong move could spell their life and death.
