The sensation of the upcoming system was a welco relief for Anton. Of any place he could be, the void between stars was the least comfortable for him. Even Aipra had its own sense of comfort from the people there and the planets natural energy, limited as it was.
Here he was, at the end of his journey. Yet Anton felt no diminishing in the sense of urgency within himself. Instead, it heightened. The tiniest strand of his energy pierced ahead, finding the strange state of Vrelts planetary barrier as he had already been apprised. He imdiately began searching for familiar energy, and within a few monts he found it. Beneath the barrier was Devon, embroiled in combat with nurous foes.
Anton was still at the very edge of the system. Or what could barely be called the system. He wasnt just a few tis further from the star than the planet he was seeking, but hundreds of tis that. He only managed to pick out Devon because he was familiar, and of course being in the Enrichnt stage helped. This wasnt a system where he had a bound star, but he still had the energy of his other stars flowing through him.
There was no way Anton would be able to reach the battle at his current speed. Devon was already looking fatigued, and even if Anton pushed himself to his limits it could still take him an hour to reach him.
Anton closed his eyes, blocking out the light of the local sun and the other stars. He allowed himself a mont to focus as he clutched his bow. Then, he drew upon the power of a place he could never reach. The dense and distant energy of ascension did not fit him. Without the techniques of Fleeting Youth it would wrestle against him, trying to overco him. But what he took was bound to his will. And what he wanted was a single shot.
What was the point of practicing a technique if he never used it? It wasnt even as far as he had previously attacked. Granted, he hadnt been able to hit a target at such distances as it was all he could do was make it maintain its form. Either way, this was the option he had. His arrow burst forward, nearly negating his coreward montum.
Then he was the arrow, flying through space. Zipping past outer planets- not that he actually drew close to most of them. Just one, slightly curving space which he allowed to deflect his trajectory.
Ti ant nothing. His attack far surpassed any reasonable limitation on speed. Natural laws could not constrain it. He reached the barrier in what felt like re monts. It slowed him no more than the surface of water, a montary hitch after which he was free from restrictions. And then he struck, the energy exploding in all directions as his attack landed.
Then Anton was back in himself. Perhaps he had put too much of himself into that shot. Both because he didnt think he could manage it again and because it was an unnecessary amount of power. Especially considering the results. His attack hadnt even hit.
-----
There wasnt a single mont that Devon sensed the arrows approach. It was beyond the limits of his senses, and then it had arrived. There was not a single mont in between, no ti for him- or anyone else- to react.
So the first thing Devon comprehended was the explosion, tearing through a portion of the battlefield. It struck between him and the Ebon Skulls, wiping out half their undead army in an instant. Devon was nearly as awestruck as everyone else was, but recognizing the enemy he didnt respond with fear. Instead, he lashed out at the nearest suit of armor- or perhaps a corpse encased by one. His chains lashed around it, taking advantage of the montarily broken connection to render one of the most dangerous targets asunder. It was just slightly durable tal and flesh in that mont, not sothing representing an Anchoring cultivators power.
The next mont, Devon shared a look with the Ebon Skulls. Imdiately following that, they acted as one, forcing their armies to converge on him. Yet at the sa ti, they themselves withdrew. No, they fled.
The Creeping Fire Sect cultivators were further from the location of impact, so perhaps they got a more subdued impression. That is to say, it took them a minute to begin their flight- a minute during which Devon had disentangled himself from the swarming masses of the necromancer army, which was now little more than a pile of scrap and corpses. Not that hed destroyed them all personally, but with their controllers getting further and further away they could not act.
Devon moved to cut off the retreat of the remaining two. Taalay and Ashildr had been fighting against them, and all seed equally worn down- which ant that the addition of Devon would spell their swift defeat. He only caught one of them- unfortunately not Anki- but he had only tried to stop one, since he didnt wish to risk both escaping. Injuring two Anchoring cultivators was worth far less than removing one from the equation entirely.
Youre smiling, Taalay comnted when everything had settled down. Did you know this was going to happen?
Devon laughed. Of course not. Otherwise I would have told you to delay for exactly this long. And yet just because he didnt know didnt an there wasnt so part of him that believed. Devons chains symbolized how he broke free from those chains, taking control of his own life. But he could have a little bit of that freedom and his ability to decide the course of his own destiny while still very much appreciating his grandpa saving his life. And to be fair, he had asked for him to co.
-----
A little more than an hour later and a man-sized hole was torn in the barrier, the local area of which was slightly weakened after having been directly punctured by a single attack. The barrier could seal itself even after the previous extre attack of the cultivator, but up close he was able to hold it open long enough to get through.
He flew down towards the Runic Complex, stopping just outside their barely functional barrier. This was the point where he would give his na and ask for entry normally. Devon! Tell them to open the stupid barrier!
Not long after, Anton found himself face to face with one of the longest beards he had seen. It rivaled Elder Varela of the Grasping Willows, perhaps even putting it to sha. There was another old woman as well, standing cautiously as he approached. And then Devon.
Devon gestured. This is Anton. Sect Head of the Order of One Hundred Stars. But you should probably address him by his na.
... Are you sure thats alright? Taalay raised a bushy eyebrow.
Dont worry, hell tell you how he feels, Devon grinned. Wont you?
Yep, Anton said. He looked at Devons arm- or lack thereof- and his face fell for a brief mont. And nows not the ti for formality. I have a very important question for you. Taalay of the Supre Silver Sect, I believe?
Taalay nodded. Of course. What is the question?
It is partially a question, partially a request. And you are one of those whose opinions matter. May I bond to your star? I would like permission.
Yes, Taalay said.
You see, the reason is- just like that? Anton tilted his head.
I was told to expect this. I havent heard the responses of everyone yet, but for my personal part I agree. You dont have to ask, do you?
I dont, Anton confird.
Then the fact that you are asking makes want to agree. Though if I could make one request here?
Tell , Anton said.
One of our companions here Cai of Marvelous Rabbit Mountain. He was separated from us on the battlefield and he hasnt returned yet.
Marvelous Rabbit Mountain Anton swept his senses across the nearby area, picking up so traces of energy. He followed them quite a bit further. Several hundred kiloters, in fact. Holding his bow in hand, he took several shots one after the other. He should be fine. Hes on his way back. So what is your request?
That was the request, Taalay said.
Hes not even from your planet, Anton pointed out.
Cai is still one of our allies. If a bit overly enthusiastic.
Hes also my ally, you know. Even if I havent fought alongside him personally, Anton said. I wouldnt just leave him. Especially not as a companion of my grandson.
I just thought it might be beneath you.
The only thing beneath right now is a bunch of dirt. And formations. And so rather extensive tunnels. Anton shook his head. Should have stopped at the dirt. Might have been funny. Regardless, Im not going to show up and then not involve myself. He turned to Devon, looking at his communicator. Whats this about information transfers?
Devon gestured towards the formation. The Trigold Cluster is transferring comprehensive information about the local post-Life Transformation stage. Its mostly complete, but we could potentially stop it. Or corrupt it.
I said only if you could take over all of them within the month, Ashildr pointed out.
I see, Anton said. Then weve no ti to lose. Taalay, you know who else we should talk to about the sun thing, correct? Anton looked at Ashildr. Also, Devon, whats your opinion on her? Shes a local for certain. But I was hearing things about conflicts.
She was doing what she had to, I think, Devon explained. Or at least what she thought she had to, while mitigating so of her actual contributions.
Fine. Your opinion then? Sa question, Anton said.
Ashildr looked sowhat blindsided.About bonding to our sun?
Thats right.
Will it cause it any harm?
It shouldnt, Anton said. Id really rather my bonded stars remain healthy. Ive done my best not to cause them any harm so far, with great success.
I suppose I agree, then, she said.
Great. Anton held his hand out towards Taalay. Grab on. Im exhausted, so we should probably get this over with as soon as possible.
Get what over with? Taalay asked, reaching forward his hand.
Visiting all of the others. Anton grasped his forearm and pulled them both upward.
-----
After a flurry of being dragged from sect to sect to personally get answers, Taalay wondered how a self-proclaid exhausted man could drag him around so easily, flying like it ant nothing. Taalay could fly if he needed to, but he was generally more comfortable with his feet on the ground. This Anton fellow was far too comfortable tearing through out of the atmosphere as he hopped from place to place.
Im not sure I got fully honest answers, Anton said to him as they took a break in the Supre Silver Sect. Taalay was sowhat worried about how things might be with the Runic Complex, but it wouldnt take long for them to return at the speed this man had been dragging him around. But Im at least glad that people have been consenting to my request.
I dont think anyone would dare to lie to you Anton, Taalay said.
Thats just the thing, isnt it? They were certainly truthful, but not without so reluctance. But I am aware my presence itself was sothing of a coercion.
I suppose so. But they really need to agree. This bond. It would make you a more effective combatant? Taalay asked.
Indeed, Anton said.
Then we have to agree, not from the threat of you but of the Trigold Cluster. Most people were leaning towards agreent anyway, and us flying in just encouraged them to make up their minds faster.
Anyone else we should see?
Well, we certainly have the majority. I guess of the important individuals Heath? I havent asked him.
Well do that in a bit. I have to go talk to soone.
Here? Taalay asked.
From our alliance, Anton said. We should have lunch.
Well, actually... Taalay had so ideas about that himself.
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