Chapter 28: Ranks Of The Immortal Realm

Earthly Crater.

If not for the terrifying gravitational force that weighted on both the body and soul of whoever enters any of the seven rings, the calm water and the seemingly quiescent giant eel would have created a false impression of a peaceful aquatic vista.

As Zax waited in the third ring of the crater, not paying heed to the experts honing their understanding of the attributes and other aspects of their cultivation paths, his ears suddenly perked as his sense of sound detected the faint whistle of an incoming projectile.

It shot faster than what a typical second level Martial Mortal could perceive and caught the attention of few, among them the Horned Eel’s. Nevertheless, since nobody noticed where it came from, perhaps only the Horned Eel, and that the object was in fact nothing special aimed at someone unapproachable, the experts who saw the projectile averted their concentration back to training.

Zax crouched and picked up the communicator that landed at his sandals. He could still sense the residues of the mist energy that protected it while flying at his direction. He put the device in his ear and a familiar, aged voice sounded in his sea of consciousness.

‘Zax Walaow, it’s good talking with you on this harmonious occasion’.’

‘Archbishop Silternja, I’m glad I get to talk to you when we can put the roles of each other’s adversary aside’. Zax responded.

‘Yes, I agree, and sorry that it cannot be done face to face, but it’s for your benefit as well’.

‘Bishop Nunsup has sworn for my safety. I’m sure everything is being done to uphold that oath’.

‘Exactly, therefore let’s allow the convention to remain as is. I assure you, apart from the instance in which I hurled the communicator; I don’t have a view of you. So please don’t try looking for me’.

‘Okay’. Zax said in compliance. He had two goals in having this conversation. First, he really was hopeful for finding a solution to his oath. Second, if not striking a sort of bargain both sides will agree on, then at the very least prolonging the church’s attention on him, instead of the relocating of his loved ones.

‘We should also end the charade’. Archbishop Silternja’s next sentence caused Zax’s heart to miss a bit.

‘What do you mean?’ Many thoughts ran through Zax’s mind. Did the church identify him? Does Archbishop Silternja know about his loved ones being led to a sheltered base of the chain? Was his interest in joining the Holy Palace deemed insincere by Archbishop Silternja in the short exchange that they had?

‘Aren’t you concerned for your family? They are being evacuated as we speak, aren’t they?’ There was a whimsical tone to Archbishop Silternja’s transmission. He had guessed why the sudden arrival of Zax and the other members of the chain to the pathway to New Earth, as did Bishop Nunsup. They both had to be really stupid to not figure it out and really cunning to postpone their response in a manner that seemed like it was not mattered whether they captured Zax’s loved ones or not.

A moment of silence. Zax knew better than lying or worse, making up excuses. He waited for Archbishop Silternja to continue with whatever condition or ultimatum.

‘It’s a good idea, sending them someplace else we can’t get to, and by “We” I mean the other four powers’. Archbishop Silternja said unhurriedly with not haste to elaborate his meaning, allowing Zax some misconceptions. Probably his way of getting back to him for the previous misconduct in the Grand Abode.

‘You are probably confused... ‘

‘Don’t play games with me’. Zax lost a bit of restraint. He could not transmit his malicious intent, but his voice was clear with meaning.

‘Mr. Walaow, I assure you, no games are taking place between us. First of all, although it is true that we discovered your identity as an indigenous to this planet, we were not certain about your lineage’. The five powers were aware of some of the information Sinister Chain’s possessed, including the knowledge that they came from outer space. ‘For a family to suddenly vanish from Kingdom Earth ... by doing a simple search into current sudden disappearances, you practically announced to us your familial connections, as well as who you really might be. Perhaps we will lose a trump card that could be held against you, but sometimes letting your enemies – I repeat, the other four powers – be certain of your real name is a graver alternative’.

Zax did not understand Archbishop Silternja’s meaning. When his loved ones would all be safely relocated it will not matter if the five powers know his real or whatnot about him.

‘Second, and this you should engrave deeply in your heart ... should either of the five powers would decide to threat the annihilation of all life in Kingdom Earth, unless you will surrender yourself to it, would you sit by and watch your kin’s extermination or give yourself up?’

BOOM!

A ripple of dark attribute energy spread from Zax’s soul, emerged from his body and stirred the water of the third ring in the crater ominously. ‘Would you dare?!’

“Roar!” At the first ring of the Earthly Crater, the Horned Eel lifted his head and snapped at Zax intimidatingly. Although he could not assess the human’s strength, he determined him being at the caliber of a third level Martial Mortal. In other words, one of those he forbade from crossing the third ring, which nearly happened with the intent that rippled from Zax.

‘I wasn’t making the threat myself, only alerting you to a certain possibility. If you don’t want to lose your life to the Overlord, you better soothe yourself’. Archbishop Silternja warned, indifferent to Zax’s mild tantrum. ‘As for the likelihood that such threat will be made ... for now eliminating all indigenous is a bottom line we, the five powers, prefer not to cross’.