Defiance of the Fall

Chapter 913: Vigil

"The Left Imperial Palace?" Leyara said with large sorrowful eyes. "And here I thought you had finally come to profess your love before riding off into battle. What a disappointment.""Be serious," Zac said.

This was a long-overdue discussion. The two of them had danced around the subject for weeks, but Zac needed some clarity before setting off for the Ra'Lashar Kingdom.

"Who said I wasn't?" Leyara winked, but her expression soon returned to normal. "I know you have a lot of questions, but I don't have a lot of answers to give you."

"You clearly know at least some of it, and you would have me use your escape treasure to get sent right into the hands of the Void Gate," Zac said. "You should understand the risk that would place us in."

This was Zac's primary concern. Using Leyara's Spatial Anchor would supposedly drag them right back to the Void Gate. If they wanted the opportunity for themselves, then he and Ogras would be delivering themselves to the slaughter. He and Ogras had even discussed fleeing in the opposite direction instead - into the Stellar Ladder and the Million Gates Territory.

Obviously, Zac wanted to avoid that solution if possible. They didn't even have any Cosmic Vessel, and his escape bangle was still on its cooldown for another nine years. He would be able to set up a Teleportation Array, but those didn't work in the Million Gates Territory, meaning they would have to make their way out themselves somehow.

But no matter how arduous such a journey was, it was a preferable option to being blasted into nothingness by a Monarch when they emerged. So the two had made some preparations with the help of Billy and Gemmy, but Zac hoped this conversation would alleviate any need for using them.

"Well, I guess I owe you that much," Leyara slowly said. "And seeing as you're a candidate, you will get to know the truth sooner or later. But you cannot tell anyone else about this. Fate is already fraught with uncertainties, and even the smallest of ripples can bring about a storm."

"Of course," Zac nodded.

"You have nothing to fear from the Void Gate. We will not interfere with you or the events that are about to unfold. Neither will anyone from our side try to gain access to the Left Imperial Palace or its nine outer courts," Leyara said with certainty. "Or meddle with the thing residing within."

The allusion to Ultom and the mention of the nine sigils pretty much confirmed that Leyara was the real deal and not just pretending to know things to extract information from him. Still, that felt as much a threat as an opportunity when she held the key to their freedom.

"Why should I believe you?" Zac asked. "Your faction is clearly interested in this stuff, and has probably been looking for them for a long time."

"I think you have figured a few things out already," Leyara nodded. "First of all, the Void Gate is not our real name. Our faction is older than the System itself, and we call ourselves the Vigil."

"The Vigil?" Zac frowned. "Never heard of it."

"You wouldn't," Leyara said. "Honestly, most of us don't know about it either. The Void Gate is just a small subsidiary force looking for clues at the frontier, and only a select few know the truth. Master only told me just before I entered the Void Star, so this is mostly uncharted territory for me as well."

"Then why wouldn't you get involved? If you've

"No point in holding back if it will get us all killed. Can you cover me?" Zac asked, and he got a reluctant nod in return.

"What are the two of you talking about?" Pretty asked.

Zac didn't immediately answer but instead turned to Leyara first. "Are you able to tell who or what maintains the shield?"

"Not from here, but I will when we get closer," Leyara nodded as she curiously looked at Zac.

"All right, I'll deal with the shield; you guys just need to be ready to blast the Hegemons when it crumbles."

"You'll deal with it? Alone?" Pretty frowned. "How long do you need?"

"It'll be over in an instant."