[Billion’s PoV]
I stood within the sea of black flames, hidden in their crackling roar, watching as the six grandmasters floated in the air beyond the tunnel I had carved. Their mouths hung open in disbelief, eyes fixed on the impossible path that now split the inferno.
My gaze swept across them one by one.
[Roland Max – Level 274]
[Brutus Marx – Level 269]
[Shinjo Abe – Level 273]
[Gloria Moon – Level 276]
[Horun Bloodfang – Level 284]
[Sakar Ironscale – Level 284]
It was easy to tell who belonged to which faction.
Roland wore the blazing emblem of the Sun, stitched proudly across his chest, his long cloak trimmed in gold.
Gloria’s dark silver attire shimmered faintly under the mark of the Full Moon.
Brutus bore the sharp insignia of the Dark Moon, his armor darker than iron, while Shinjo carried the subtle crescent of the Half Moon across his shoulder.
And then there were the two Ferans.
Horun Bloodfang, of the Tiger Tribe, was impossible to mistake. He towered above the others, his frame broad yet draped in a long white coat that swayed gently in the wind, an odd contrast to his bestial nature.
A polished cane rested in his hand, but I could sense it was no mere ornament. His head was that of a tiger, striped fur gleaming under the violet glow of my runes, sharp fangs glinting every time he breathed.
His amber eyes narrowed with a predator’s focus, scanning the tunnel with suspicion. Despite the coat, despite the cane, there was no mistaking the raw strength that rippled beneath his restraint.
Beside him floated Sakar Ironscale, of the Lizard Tribe. He was leaner, his posture stiff, his body covered in scales the pale shade of light blue stone.
A row of jagged ridges ran down his spine. His tail swayed slowly behind him, curling and uncurling as if tasting the air for danger. His hands were clawed, each ending in three thick fingers and his slitted eyes held a cold look.
I waited patiently, my perception locked tightly onto them, feeling every flicker of their Essence as they floated in the air before the staff lodged in the wall of flames. Their eyes were still wide, struggling to understand how such a path had been carved through something they had believed eternal.
The silence stretched, heavy and uneasy, until Horun was the first to speak. His deep, guttural voice cut through the air.
"What changed? Didn’t you say this place has always stayed closed?"
Roland frowned, his tone tight as he answered.
"Yes. This is the first time for us as well, Mister Horun. I have no idea what caused this incident."
I noticed Horun glance at Sakar, the two Ferans exchanging a look only old comrades could share. Sakar’s cold, reptilian eyes narrowed, his tail swaying lazily behind him before he finally spoke.
"We need to check the place out. A site hidden by Devouring Flames is not something we can ignore. For all we know, the answers to every question we’ve had could be waiting inside."
Horun nodded, folding his muscular arms, his white coat shifting with the motion. He turned to Roland, his tiger-like face calm but firm.
"I assume you’ll want to report this back. But why not let us explore first?"
Gloria turned the offer down.
"No. We should report and wait for reinforcements. We don’t know what caused this, and leaving the fort unguarded would be reckless."
Sakar’s forked tongue flickered once between his teeth as he retorted.
"No one said all of us need to go inside at once. Me, Horun, and Roland can enter. The rest can stay and defend the fort."
Brutus finally spoke up, his tone harsh and impatient.
"Not happening. I’ll be going too."
Roland cut in before the argument could escalate further.
"It’s fine. All of us will go together. Shinjo, can you pass the information back to the capital?"
The Half-Moon Grandmaster gave a short nod.
"Sure."
With that, Shinjo turned, his figure streaking back toward the fort, leaving the five of them hovering in the air before my weapon.
Horun was the first to move. He floated down slowly, his striped tail flicking once as he landed on the edge of the staff. Kneeling, he reached out with one clawed hand, brushing his fingers across the surface. I narrowed my eyes, wondering how much he would be able to sense.
After a few breaths, Horun finally spoke. "It’s a weapon."
Gloria blinked, drifting closer, her silver hair swaying. "A weapon?"
"Yes. A staff." Horun’s voice carried certainty. "I can feel a strange will emanating from it. Strong. Old. Ancient."
"Ancient will?" Sakar stepped forward, his light-blue scales catching the violet glow. He crouched low, pressing his clawed hand against the surface of the weapon. A low hiss escaped his throat, his ridged spine trembling.
"You’re right... I feel it too. The pressure that nearly crushed us earlier, came from this."
The group fell into silence, each of them staring at my staff, none daring to touch it further. I caught the flicker in their eyes—hunger, fear, awe, all tangled together.
’Looks like the bait is properly set,’ I thought, a grin spreading in my head.
They stayed on the edge of the staff, careful not to move any closer to the flame wall. The air between them was heavy, stretched taut like a drawn bowstring.
A few minutes later, Shinjo returned. He landed softly, his expression calm. "We’ve been asked to do a preliminary check. The fort will remain under the care of the Masters."
Then his gaze shifted to Horun.
"Mr. Horun, the emperor made it clear, you are to allow us to act as your host. Some agreements should not be broken."
Horun, who had been kneeling over the engravings on the staff, rose slowly. A grin tugged at his tiger-like muzzle, showing sharp fangs.
"Oh? Is that what he said?"
Shinjo only gave a firm nod.
Horun chuckled. "Alright then. If you say so. I won’t complain."
Roland’s voice cut in.
"Good. Give me a moment, then we’ll head inside to check the place out."
He flew back toward the fort, his orders ringing through the air. Masters from every faction scrambled into motion, taking positions along the walls and gates.
It felt less like preparation for an investigation, and more like the opening steps of a war.