[Ding!! A new type of energy has been detected!!
William frowned when he heard the notification. Why would a new type of energy pop up right now, in the midst of the conflict? What were the odds? he thought
"What is it?" He looked at the barrier of this new energy while asking Orion about what he thought.
[It is a higher version of mana. I do not know its name. You will have to find that on your own.]
A higher form of mana? It was the first time William had heard of something like that. Could energy also have superior versions? he wondered.
William tried to use stellar energy to break the barrier, but nothing happened. The barrier remained completely unaffected.
"Currently, your stellar flame is fueled by mana. A lower form of energy cannot affect a superior one."
William heard the system and thought about what to do next. Maybe using variance energy would work. With that idea, he punched the barrier while coating his hand with variance energy.
Under the impact of that punch and variance energy that did not belong to this world, the barrier shook. Ripples formed across its surface, and then it released a massive wave of energy that pushed everyone present there backwards.
William looked at the barrier breaking into particles with surprise etched on his face. He was confused about where Winston had found such energy and how he had used it.
Everyone steadied themselves and looked at the broken barrier. Marcus and Yun Long were shocked at William’s strength, while Tamasya and Annesthasia remained calm.
Still, no one asked any questions since their main attention was focused on Winston, who was hiding like a rat inside.
Almost immediately, as if reacting to the barrier breaking, a beam of light shot up from the top of the spire. Winston appeared in front of them, holding a sword. The sword looked anything but ordinary.
On the hilt of the sword, a bright yellow crystal cross remained embedded and pulsed like a beating heart, making the sword appear like a living being.
William stayed where he was. The crimson aeon in his hand trembled, and a strong warning filled his mind, telling him to run.
He quickly put the sword away, and his mind went completely silent. His heartbeat slowed, and he felt blank.
What is happening? he wondered.
Meanwhile, Winston floated in the air and spoke.
"Everyone! Let’s make a temporary truce!" he said, raising the sword.
"What I am holding is not a normal weapon. It is a weapon of the god of light, Lux. It can kill all of you here with a single strike. But I do not want to use it for something it is not meant for. Let’s call a truce for today. You can take the empire. Let me leave peacefully."
William used his omniscient eyes and saw through the lies.
"You are lying," he said calmly. "Half of what you said is a lie."
Winston’s expression darkened. He was indeed lying. The truth was that if he tried to use this weapon here, the heavens themselves would destroy him.
He did not understand how William figured it out, but he still needed to maintain the act.
"Do not make this mistake, kid. This weapon’s power is far beyond that of a primarch. You will all be reduced to dust. Let me go peacefully and do not force me to act."
William chuckled. "I wonder what your son would think if he saw you right now. I killed him like a dog, and here you are, trying to negotiate your life with me."
The pope heard this, and his expression worsened. He turned toward Anesthesia and decided to ignore William for now.
"As a mother, you should know when to protect your child. What do you think, Anesthesia? Do you want to protect what is left, or risk losing everything for revenge?"
Anesthesia frowned, but before she could respond, Tamasya spoke.
"Do not listen to him! He is trying to get into your head!" she shouted.
Winston grew even more irritated. He wanted to end this quickly and return the weapon to the altar. Just holding it was draining his mental strength.
He was about to speak again when suddenly, thunder rumbled in the sky.
Dark clouds gathered above them, while the sun that was almost set now became invisible.
Everyone, including the pope, looked up at the sky with unease .
The thunder grew louder, and lightning struck the city below, causing mass destruction. Anesthesia felt a deep sense of fear. This storm felt the same as the one she had seen sixteen years ago, the day she lost everything.
The day he had descended.
Lux had descended.
And she had lost her husband.
The storm dragon trembled nervously, and cold sweat covered its body. Marcus noticed this from the corner of his eye.
By now, Andrea had arrived after helping Klaus. Klaus also arrived, and he looked just as bad as his master.
"The storm element is unstable!" Yun Long finally said.
*RUMBLE*
The thunder roared even louder.
Far away, at the borders of Riverdale, Ming Long floated in the sky, gripping the necks of two astral wardens in her hands.
She suddenly turned her head and looked toward the massive storm forming above the Holy Sun.
Her senses reacted sharply. Her grip tightened, and the necks of the two astral wardens snapped instantly.
"Long time no see," a feminine voice said.
Ming Long turned and saw a mysterious woman standing on the ground. She was dressed like a bard.
Seeing her face, Ming Long immediately landed and bowed deeply, her head touching the ground.
"Master!!"
The woman chuckled. "I never said you were my disciple."
Ming Long shook her head. "You gave me a legendary technique. That makes you my master."
The woman did not respond. Without even moving her hands, she made Ming Long stand up.
"Have you found the fateless?"
Ming Long respectfully told her about William.
The woman nodded with a faint smile. That was enough for Ming Long to confirm her guess.
The woman then looked toward the storm in the distance, her expression turning serious.
"Follow your heart when it tries to break free from the cage of what you know," she said softly.
Ming Long immediately wrote those words in a notebook.
The woman looked at her and chuckled. "You are still too meticulous, Ming."
Ming Long did not reply. She focused on the words.
The woman smiled. "I will take my leave now."
Ming Long’s expression worsened. "But Master, you just arrived."
The woman chuckled. "If fate allows, we will meet again," she said, and then disappeared as if she had turned invisible.
Ming Long stared at the spot for a while. Then she heard a distant shout.
"Master!!!"
She turned and saw Yue flying toward her with a panicked expression.
Ming Long’s heart skipped a beat. The appearance of her master, the strange storm ovewr the holy sun, and Yue’s panic were not coincidences.
Something was about to happen.
Something serious.