The Exalt Cultivation Fantasy

Act 4: Fallen Heaven - Chapter 745: Fallen Heaven Ends

'They got away….' Oscar thought, lowering Volten's sword that groaned in remorse. It asked for forgiveness and understanding, sounding like a child caught in trouble. At that last moment before the Caerulumen vanished, he had sensed Volten's sword cutting off its connection and refusing to take in his Ein. Instead, the Ein he had already poured into the sword rebounded and blew up in his body, which might have killed any person if not for his new body forged by Metures. He dismissed the rising impulse to rage and shout at the blade and sighed.

"I guess you're not meant for me," Oscar murmured to the sword and stowed it away in his dimensional cube. Without Volten's blood that came from the wellspring of Talos, wielding the blade cost too much Ein, and another slash could have killed him. Volten's sword knew that and forcibly halted his attack. Thus, he couldn't place the blame on the sword for trying to protect his life, but at the very least, he had hoped he could kill all the Caerulumen and survive, clinging to the fragment of life in him since that was what his life had become.

'This place is not bad.' Here, at the very top of the dark tower, he took in the sight of the eternal night resting atop a blue horizon, a magnificent sight. Lysander floated at the utmost height, pounding on an invisible hard surface that prevented him from going higher, wearing a face of rage and unwillingness. With Metures' memories, Oscar realized the barrier was set up long ago as a defense mechanism of Talos, preventing anyone with its Ein from leaving and halting anyone from the outside world to enter. Any efforts to break through were futile. The Caerulumen had barely opened a gap for their Marshal Exalts to come through despite their overwhelming strength. He breathed in the thin air and ignored Lysander, turning his attention elsewhere.

Below, his followers remained. The stragglers of Gilbert's faction and the Primal Council retreated through the open hatches after the battle had ended. Marcus, Eve, Kragg, Restel, Astrid, and Auren met his gaze and knelt, their act sweeping like a cascading tide over the others, who bowed. That was the inevitable result of forcing several Grade Nines to retreat. They regarded him with a mix of awe and zeal, the looks of hardened warriors who would gladly give their lives if he asked them for it. And the future demanded he do so. If not them, then perhaps their descendants, bound by their blood oaths to serve him.

As he brooded, a warm pair of loving arms wrapped around him, and he felt them trembling weakly. Avril nuzzled his back and gave a muffled groan of concern. He glanced backward at her small head of indigo and asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Something is!" Avril spun him to face her, staring deep into his eyes. "She wonders how Oscar became so strong. What did you give up for it?"

Hearing that, Oscar chuckled, reaching out to caress her head. "Just more responsibility." He didn't check for it when she had embraced him, but now, he sensed an erratic rhythm in her pulse, faint yet bizarre and out of place. The source of it came from her heart, and without hesitation, he poured in his Ein and forced her asleep, keeping her heart's activity to the bare minimum, quelling the excitement and concern that burned it faster. As her soft body fell limp in his arms, the people around him blinked, some eyes wide in shock.

"What are you doing?" A familiar friend rushed in. Her silver hair shimmered behind, riding the winds of her gait, and her emerald eyes glued onto Avril. Celestina stopped a few feet away, followed by other familiar faces, Charles, Phillip, and Gavir.

"It's been a long time. Almost a hundred years." Oscar bowed his head in gratitude. "Thank you for protecting Auren, Renn, and Gloria. I am ashamed to have been useless while you all fought."

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"You're welcome. My Brilliant Drake Empire failed you long ago. It was a long discussion before Fallen Heaven opened on whether we should fight alongside you or not." Celestina put on a wide grin and held her rapier by her chest in a high salute. "We reached a unanimous decision. The Brilliant Drake Empire pledges itself to your cause. As the empress, I have always sought to wash away our one shame and repay our hero."

"Empress…I see. Congratulations." Oscar closed his eyes, recalling the distant memories of the young princess who yearned to be the best ruler for her people and spouted out endless ideas for her reforms during their reading sessions in the library. "I worry for your lands and people. Will they not be vulnerable now?"

Celestina grimaced and lowered her gaze in clear shame. "With the Great Scouring in Talos while we fight in Fallen Heaven, my empire, our home, will not have the strength to defend itself from the fallen empires seeking revenge. The Primaere of the Bloodlands won't have the capacity to care for his decree and focus on himself."

It was natural. The Great Scouring was known to have rearranged entire maps and borders due to the chaos of the sudden loss of all Marshal Exalts. Even the great Primaeres couldn't control every corner of their lands and mainly used this period to consolidate their core regions. It was simply unfortunate timing for the Brilliant Drake Empire, as the ownership of the Divine Essence could have nourished their power and elevated their status as a true contender. But Fallen Heaven coincided with the worst timing of growth. His Haven Academy was safe because Carcoatl placed great importance on it for his sake, but the Farsky continent was far from the snail's influence.

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"By now, my ancestor should have uprooted the bulk of our people and migrated them over under the Snail Primaere's protection." Celestina sighed heavily, scratching her head. The stress of her home's fate and pretending to serve Gilbert's interests would wear anyone out. Little wonder her hair was unkempt and her eyes dragged by dark bags.

"You're welcome to stay with the old Pavilion Master in Haven Academy. There is always room for my friends." Oscar smiled and nodded to Charles, Gavir, and Phillip.

The disk under their feet quaked as Lysander shot down and landed, wearing a scowl. "Damned prison! Just let me leave!" His yellow eyes locked on Oscar, and he marched forward, grinning as if he had seen hope. "Hey, Oscar. Bust open this prison for me. Only a gap for a single second will be enough."

"I do not have that authority. Talos imprisoned itself for a reason." Oscar didn't bother to explain the loss of Ein that might occur if people kept leaving.

"Damn!" Lysander shouted.

"What will you do now?" Oscar extended out his hand. "Thank you for protecting everyone. You're one honorable man. Will you join us?"

"I'm not an honorable man. I do what I want." Lysander bellowed in great laughter and shook his hand. "I reject. I want no part in this war between you two. I'll search for my own way out of Talos and explore the stars until I die in a glorious flash that makes me one of them." He leaped off the edge, still floating as he gave one final show of goodwill. "Good luck on your war." With that, he vanished past one of the hatches, his laughter still echoing from it.

He felt like a host of a banquet going around to greet the guests, certainly the most dignified ones, such as a princess and a scion of an entire half of the word. Next on his list was the Caerulumen woman who helped him earlier, Charisse. Many of the people below and those nearby tensed up and focused on her as he approached, his feet slow and careful, still wary of any ploys. She glanced at Avril and then at him, her expression indecipherable.

"In a way, if Lord Issac had lived on and had you as his disciple, I reckon he and Aunt Evelyn might have arranged a marriage between us." Charisse clapped her hands together and laughed. "That was a joke, a joke. I have no intention of ruining what you already have. So? Any questions, heir of Issac and Volten?"

"Why did you betray them?" Oscar asked.

"Revenge," Charisse stated with a cold gleam in her icy pair of eyes, a far cry from the mischievous glint that permeated them before. "I have a reason to kill them, and you want to save this world." She assumed her usual playfulness and giggled, "And you are Uncle Issac's heir. Naturally, I have to side with you. For now, you have stopped them from achieving a victory here, but they will return."

"They can't hope to match everyone here, right? In the end, they'll be outnumbered and outmatched. I already know several Trigem Primaeres who won't side with them." He included Kerak, the Primaere who acted against Issac in the past. Though the one-eyed man was an enemy, Oscar could rely on his hatred of both Ancients and Caerulumen.

"That arrogant Artera believes I have no clue, but they have a great force in hiding," Charisse explained further. The Caerulumen hid and seeded many smaller realms with their loyal followers and created doctrines of faith and religion to bind them to be loyal servants, an army that endured for however long they required to return. Perhaps even Primaeres existed amongst them. Oscar's ears perked up at the mention of a golem refinery that produced warriors of iron. "Knowing Artera, he will take a while to draw up plans, but his focus will be to hold onto lands in Talos and build his influence. An army of zealous fighters and scores of golems at their command. How will you fight them?"

"Seems like a fair battle." Was it fate or destiny driving this battle? It all seemed far too coincidental that he had the same groups under his thrall. He already had an army of die-hard loyal warriors and the means to produce his own golems, weapons, and airships of terrifying potency. Like Ignyres always said, fight fire with a bigger fire. Suddenly, light burst under his feet and engulfed him, the onset of the teleportation out of Fallen Heaven. "If you truly want to gain my trust, then meet me on the Lunate Continent."

"I'll meet you there later. There are a few things I must do first." Charisse waved him off. "Don't look at me like that; it's rude to stare at a lady. I have no foul intent." The light shot up and flashed, leaving no trace of her.

Next was his turn. The light blinded him as a sting spread across his skin. He blinked several times, regaining his sight. The room was familiar. One table stood to his right, grouped with four chairs. The wooden floor underneath sounded firm and hard as he knocked on it with his knees and feet, rising to stand. It was his home in Haven Academy. In his arms, Avril groaned and rustled in his arms.

"Oscar…how dare you put me to sleep?" Avril woke up and pulled on his ear, blushing in his chest. Her breathing grew ragged as her face visibly paled, wiping away her red flush. "I'm alright."

"Don't be angry," Oscar hugged her tighter. "Please…."'

"I'm not mad," Avril pouted and stoked his cheek, smiling with a pair of dazzling gold pupils, "Welcome home."

"Yea…" His voice cracked as tears welled in his eyes. "I'm home. But I'm sorry. We might have to move again…."

"She's gotten used to it. Who cares if we move again." Avril wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him close, kissing him softly. Giving a cheerful smile that exposed her dimples, she asked, "Where next?"

"First, I want to rest with you," Oscar carried her inside their room and lay her on the bed. He joined her and placed a blanket to cover them.

"First? Then what's second?" Avril tilted her head in confusion.

"I have to get an old friend back." The time was perfect, unlike in the past. She seemed to want to know more, but he covered her eyes and told her to sleep. Oscar rested her head on his arm and placed his hand on her back, keeping her close. Soon, her faint snores landed softly on his chest. He chuckled and rested his chin on her hair, pondering the future.

Fallen Heaven was over, and the Age of Kings would begin. But for now, he wished to rest with his wife and sleep away the long years they endured. Blissful rest claimed him, and he saw no more nightmares, only a good dream of a faraway land, fields of golden grain, and him walking on a stone path toward home.