As Tom Smith entered the room with deliberate, heavy steps, Oswald White instinctively sensed the unusual tension in the stance of the 10th complete ethereal warrior. There was something different about Tom today, a presence that did not go unnoticed.
Tom's gaze settled on Oswald without a hint of warmth, his eyes as emotionless as ever. Without so much as a preamble, he asked, "Oswald, are you afraid of dying?"
The weight of the question left Oswald momentarily speechless. His mind raced before he finally responded, his voice steady but resolute, "More than anyone."
A rare smile, tinged with something unspoken, flickered across Tom's face. He walked over to the sofa, sank into it, and stared at the ceiling, his thoughts far away. "A war is coming—one so great and so devastating it could bring this entire kingdom to its knees."
Oswald's voice was sharp with urgency, "Who? What about the peace treaty between the three factions?"
Tom's response was slow, deliberate. "The Bog, led by Antonio Valdis's army. They possess power far beyond what anyone imagined. Unless some miracle from those monsters in the Eternal Dynasty occurs, no one in this kingdom has the strength to defeat them."
In that instant, an image of Shun flashed in Oswald's mind. He quickly shook it off, dismissing it as an absurd thought. Shun? He's just an ascended ethereal warrior. Why him?
"Mister Smith," Oswald hesitated, "Are you going to participate in the war?"
Tom nodded, the movement almost imperceptible.
"But... Didn't you just say no one has the power to defeat them? Aren't you afraid of dying?" Oswald's voice was tinged with disbelief.
Tom's smile returned, but this time it was edged with irony.
"More than anyone."
Oswald raised an eyebrow, his confusion deepening. "Then why? It's not like this kingdom has anyone you care about. Why sacrifice your life for others when you don't have to?"
Tom's voice dropped, his tone growing colder, heavier. "Oswald, I haven't taught you for long, but you're smart enough to know my character. Tell me, am I the kind of man who does anything out of duty, honour, or love?"
Oswald shook his head, a faint, rueful smile forming. His instructor was known for being self-centred, valuing personal gain and improvement above all else.
"I'm not fighting for others. Not for dignity. Not for loyalty to the kingdom. These are all foolish reasons to fight for." Tom's words hung in the air, thick with conviction. "I fight because I want to live."
Oswald stared at him, astonished. "Wh-what?"
"You see," Tom continued, his voice quieter now, "the enemy massacres every city they conquer. If they take Haven, they'll kill me too. If I fight, I'll probably die anyway, but it's better than waiting to die in my own home."
Oswald's face contorted in frustration. "Why can't you just run?"
Tom opened his eyes, and for the first time, Oswald saw something different in them—a weariness, perhaps even a touch of vulnerability. "I have nowhere to run, Oswald. This is my home. It's like the root of a tree. Without it, I may as well be dead."
Eternal Dynasty of An, Pagoda of Enlightenment, Level 80
The Pagoda of Enlightenment stood as the most revered and significant structure in the entire Eternal Dynasty. To many, it represented the very foundation of the empire, its core. Positioned at the heart of the realm, its towering spires were visible from any vantage point, its base sprawled so widely that even standing at its edge offered no view of the opposite side. No one truly understood how such a massive structure had been built—rationally, it would have taken centuries, if not millennia, to complete. Only a few elders, born before the Great War, knew the origins of the Pagoda's construction.
Legends whispered that the Pagoda predated the Dynasty itself, its origins lost to time and memory. Rational minds argued that such a colossal structure would have required centuries, if not millennia, to construct—yet it stood, timeless and immutable. Only a handful of elders, survivors of the Great War, claimed to know fragments of its creation, their lips sealed by oaths to the imperial court.
The Pagoda comprised 81 levels, each one a repository of arcane knowledge, holding millions of art scrolls said to contain the distilled wisdom and combat prowess of countless masters. Access to these treasures was not a matter of privilege but merit. After rigorous training, disciples from all corners of the Dynasty were granted a single opportunity to ascend the Pagoda, enduring trials that tested body, mind, and spirit. The higher a disciple climbed, the more powerful the scrolls they could claim—but the path was treacherous. No one had ever reached the top three levels—79, 80, and 81. Even those who succeeded in passing the trial of level 78 found their journey inexplicably halted, the uppermost tiers shrouded in an almost divine enigma.
Over centuries, the major sects of the Dynasty had amassed vast collections of art scrolls, enough to train their disciples without ever needing the Pagoda's resources. Yet the tradition endured, not as a necessity, but as a stage for competition, a crucible where the young tested their worth and sects flaunted their supremacy. To many, the Pagoda was less a treasure trove and more an arena where reputations were forged and rivalries solidified.
For all its cultural significance, the Pagoda's ultimate importance lies in its exclusivity. It remained the sole source of untapped scrolls, its depths holding techniques lost to time or never revealed to the world. In the Eternal Dynasty, even the strongest had room to grow, and the Pagoda was the only place that promised such growth.
Amid the sea of sects vying for dominance, five had risen above all others. Known as the Great Fives, these sects wielded unparalleled influence and strength. Their power was such that they no longer allowed their disciples to enter the Pagoda. For them, to seek its treasures was beneath their pride.
For the imperial court, the Great Five posed a double-edged sword. On one hand, their strength bolstered the Kingdom's military might, reinforcing its defences and power. On the other, their refusal to heed the Royal Family's command made them a significant threat. Not even the Imperial Crown, could ever truly control them.
They had become wild titans within the dynasty—guardians who answered to no one but themselves.
On this day, the leaders of the Great Fives had gathered on the mysterious 80th level of the Pagoda. In fact, it is a space reserved solely for their use.
"Let me be clear," Zhou Zihao, Lord of the Unseen Domain, spoke languidly, tapping the table in rhythm. "We have no obligation to care for Lordrixis's survival. They distorted history for temporary peace. Whatever doom befalls them is well-deserved."
"If Lordrixis falls," Cao Zhongji, Chairman of the Platinum Hall, responded firmly, "then we'll be next. With the duplicate of the Harvester in his hands, Antonio Valdis will only grow stronger if he conquers this kingdom. At that point, none of us can be sure we'll have the strength to defeat him."
"I'll pass," Du Tian, Abbot of the Reimbursement Temple, let out a sharp laugh, his tone laden with irreverence. "I have other plans. Plans that will only come to fruition if Lordrixis is destroyed… Yo, what about you, Elder Shu? Care to roll the dice on this mess?"
The room fell into a brief, uneasy silence. The others watched as an elder, known only as the Supreme Elder of the Immortality Pavilion, slowly raised his head. His age was immeasurable, yet his vitality emanated with a rare force, as if he had never felt the weight of time. His voice, when it came, was slow, yet resonated with an almost divine authority.
"Haha, no, I'll not be involved," Elder Shu answered with a light chuckle. "My sect harbours no grand ambitions. We simply wish to prolong our lives. And in that pursuit, there's no art or pill more effective than the trick of avoiding risk." He paused, a glint of amusement in his gaze. "But tell me, Shun, isn't the heir of the Starflame Community still in Lordrixis? You might find the fall of the kingdom troublesome, no?"
At this, Shun, the Head of the Starflame Community, stood abruptly, his presence overwhelming. An aura of pressure spread throughout the room, filling the space with an unmistakable weight. The other leaders stiffened, sensing the shift in the air. Though none of them were truly affected, fear and confusion still appeared in their eyes. Except for Cao Zhongji, who remained unmoved, his gaze fixed on the table before him.
Once the pressure faded, Shun bowed deeply toward the other leaders. His posture was both regal and sombre, his age contrasting with the strength and confidence of his gesture. Beneath it all, there was a hint of sorrow, like a man caught between duty and regret.
"Shun, no need for such formality," Zhou Zihao exclaimed, standing quickly to assist him. "If you seek our help, you have it. We're still comrades, after all."
"As the Head of the Starflame Community, I come with a request," Shun continued, his voice resolute.
"All humble and unassertive, that's not like you at all, Shun," Du Tian remarked, raising an eyebrow with amusement. "As Zhou said, we're comrades. Antonio's forces aren't that strong, after all."
"Please," Shun ignored him and declared, his voice firm, reverberating through the chamber. "Do not intervene in the affairs of Lordrixis. Offer no aid, no interference. This war is the only chance to avert true destruction. Everything must unfold as it should."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling like a storm cloud over the gathered leaders.