?871 Countdown
Lex looked down at Z, and found that the scrawny 'kid' had actually grown much taller recently. It was not just his improved cultivation that affected his height, or the fact that many months had passed. The extreme stress he had been under caused his body to constantly push itself to evolve.
He was nearing six feet (1.8 meters) and his frame was filling out, although his face still retained his youthfulness. Looking at Lex, Z seemed hesitant with slumped shoulders, but within his eyes Lex could see a deep fierceness that seemed even more aggressive than Luthors.
Clearly, everyone of them had grown in their own ways during this time. What relieved Lex, however, was that the stress of war did not distort his personality. The fact that he could still behave so 'timidly' in front of Lex spoke of how he had clung to his original personality.
Yet as happy as Lex was to see his store manager once again, this was really not the time to catch up and reminisce.
"It's me, Z. Unless there's something important, we should talk at the Inn. This space will only last for a dozen seconds or so," said Lex out loud, so that even the waiting Marzu would decide on what they wanted to do.
"It is important!" Z said, regaining some of his confidence as the topic diverted towards important matters. "I didn't focus on it before, because our survival was at risk, but now there's a chance. I can feel a connection to something hidden… I can feel a call, as if something connected to me is hidden just out of view. Every time space cracks appear, or a new space tear opens, I can briefly feel that connection.
"I don't know what it is, or how it's even possible that something can be connected to me, since I've never left the Inn before, but my instincts tell me it's something very important! I can barely contain myself from responding to the call every time I feel it."
Lex, who was keeping an eye on the ever expanding divine energy, and calculating various other potential dangers, paused his thoughts as a certain gleam passed through his eyes. Z could not think of why he would be connected to something outside the Inn, but he certainly could!
All the workers at the Inn were actually clones of others. If Z felt a connection to something, then it was probably something related to the person Z was originally cloned from. Lex did not have any particular interest in the history or background of his workers original bodies, for that had no reflection on his workers whatsoever.
Although, he had to admit that each and every one of them had phenomenal potential. Whatever genepool the system was drawing from was of the highest tier. After a few mental calculations, Lex looked at Luthor.
"Change of plans. Z will come with me, you head back to the Inn. Our return might be… slightly delayed."
The moment Lex finished his sentence, Luthor grappled with overwhelming mental conflict. No matter how anyone else judged Luthor's leadership, the fact that he had not foreseen the trap coming, and over the past few days could only struggle against the odds as he waited to be rescued, left him feeling inadequate.
Luthor was supposed to be the Innkeeper's secretary and assistant, but he could not even do this much. He felt defeated. The sole consolation he had was that at least no one died under his watch.
But he did not waste time. Since he was told to go back, and he knew the urgency of the situation, he immediately took out his key.
"Oh, and one more thing," Lex said, still looking at Luthor. "The Innkeeper told me to let youknow. You should start planning out a design for the prison you wanted. But… the prison should only hold souls."
Luthors fist tightened as he heard Lex's words, and for once, Lex could not read a person's emotions. He could not tell if Luthor was frustrated or pleased, or a mix of both. Either way, Lex had no more time. Luthor departed, but the Marzu had not gone yet.
"We… we just checked using a special means. Feyore… she is already dead," one Marzu said, with a look of defeat and anger in his eyes. "We must avenge her!"
"Just leave and go report her death to your seniors. As for revenge…" Lex wanted to look up at the sky, but still hesitated. He had lost his entire skin the last time he used one of Pelvailian's bombs. He refused to believe that the second one he used was so harmless.
"Believe me, no one is getting out of here alive."
Whether the Marzu took his advice or not, Lex did not care. He put his hand on Z's shoulder and rushed away from there. He neither cared about the Void Dwellers in his path, nor the demons. Why would he, when they could naught but kneel in his presence?
"I'll do my best to help you, but you must understand that the situation is about to get very dangerous. If the situation is getting out of hand, you need to be ready to leave this opportunity behind," said Lex as his mental countdown neared zero.
'13… 12… 11…'
"Which way to your allies?" he asked.
Z pointed in a certain direction as he tried to think of a possible solution.
"How… how can you still manipulate space in this place? If I can learn to do that, then our chances of survival might increase."
Lex did not have time to explain, so he just handed Z the space affinity manual and kept running.
'6… 5… 4…'
As Lex felt the pale divine energy encompass the world, he felt that it was oddly familiar. He had flashbacks of when he used the Butter Knife at full power. Even now he did not know how he had attacked with it - perhaps it was a power that he could only understand when he naturally reached the level that attack was on. But he sensed the divine being he had locked onto. Later, through studying various reports on the Henali portal, as well as interacting with the representatives of the Henali, Lex found out who he had really targeted. The Deity Ra!
His eyes narrowed. He did not know who the others were behind this attack on the battalion, but Ra was definitely behind the zealot!
'3… 2…'
"You feel safe attacking us outside the Inn, because you think the protection of the Inn does not extend here," Lex said aloud, knowing that his voice could clearly be heard by whoever was watching. "But did you ever stop to think that… outside the Inn, the Innkeeper won't stop us from hunting you down and getting our revenge either?"
'1… 0!'
The divine energy finally encompassed the entire planet and a profound change took place. The noble aura of a deity descended, and shocked every living being on the planet like a clap of thunder right beside one's ear.
All the demons and Void Dwellers were immediately stunned, freezing where they stood despite the compulsion of any orders they may have received. The Marzu, taking Lex's advice, left and so were saved from enduring such a corrupted 'majesty'. The few elves, minotaurs and other races that defended the fort were similarly stunned, as if they lost their very ability to think and perform actions.
Only a few devils who were spread across the planet, the zealot, as well as Lex and Z were able to endure and retain their thoughts. Among them, Z only survived due to Lex enveloping him in Domination.
This ability could not only intimidate his foes, but empower his allies as well.
Just as Lex was on the verge of cursing, realizing that it was impossible to reach the battalion's allies in time to save them, he saw a new law beginning to affect the planet. From his left eye he saw the law descend from the sky like rain, and target every living being on the planet. Most laws for him were difficult to fully comprehend and identify, even if he could innately identify their weaknesses, but this one he was all too familiar with.
Something was teleporting all beings and bringing them somewhere. Lex immediately stopped running, and allowed himself and Z to be influenced as well.
"Come Z, let me show you how you should thwart your enemies plans in the future," he said before their figures disappeared.
*****
In the dark room every single figure watching the projection felt their emotions undulating. The words of the man wearing a devil mask were clearly targeting them, and his unique choice of wearing a devil's mask when facing a conspiracy formed by a devil spoke of deep implications. Were they… in danger?
While everyone else was fearing for their lives, only Rocketfellow and the zealot were experiencing different emotions.
The zealot… was suppressing his rage and regret filled scream! Thousands of the Inn's employees had escaped! How was he to get his revenge if they all escaped? If he had not been so thoroughly suppressed earlier, he may have gone on a rampage.
As for Rocketfellow, he was simply smiling.
"Lex Williams, eh?" he murmured, looking at the mask.