At this moment, a sudden cry broke the quietness — “Primitive Vitality!”
Qianye and Night Vision were both mildly startled; turning their heads, they saw a figure emerging from the shade — Xu Lang appeared at the entrance of the cave.
Looking at the fragment of Primitive Vitality in Qianye’s hand, Xu Lang’s eyes became instantly glued to it, his greed and avarice no longer possible to disguise in his gaze.
Neither Qianye nor Night Vision moved, except for the unintentional movement of Night Vision’s sniper rifle, its sight now aiming straighter than ever — toward Qianye himself.
After considerable efforts, Xu Lang finally tore his gaze away to scan the cave environment. Inside, chaos had followed a violent conflict: there were parts that had ceased burning but not entirely extinguished yet, remnants still smoldering. Observing Qianye’s injuries next, two openings oozed black titanium energy flows; blood soaked through hastily wrapped abdominal cloths.
With battle knife drawn, Xu Lang stated, his voice heavy: “Are you none other than Zhao Qianye from the Zhao house of Nhuok? From now on, you take orders from me. Offer the Primitive Vitality fragment, together assist in finishing off the princess of Marnot, return afterwards to the Empire and I shall ensure recognition for your valor.”
Qianye inspected the military uniform clad youth who materialized. Expression mirrored countless times over: from dark blood city street gangs to aristocratic houses hoarding the glory earned by warriors. Facing overwhelming incentives, greed devoured their reason and ethics alike to justify nearly incomprehensible measures taken.
“You command?” Qianye asked with a faintly smiling expression. “Does contradicting my prior received directives from high command ring true in my memory?”
Xu’s expression hardened abruptly, his tone frostier, “As Imperial General, command authority belongs to me. Would you dare defy this authority?”
Qianye, harboring not a single grain of trust towards the idea of fragment safely stored in empire vault if relinquished to Xu now, regarded this an utterly fragile pretense: he rose slowly; one palm cradled the vitality’s remains; another hand, now tightening around Dong Yue — declared softly: “Herein lies the law — might makes right. Here’s what you covet. Now prove you’re worth taking it from me.”
Xu narrowed his glance, darkly accusing: “Qianye Zhao… plotting treason against the Empire? ”
A disbelieving laugh rippled gently from Qianye. “The Empire? Darest you whisper so boldly beyond these cliffs where we speak? Among countless others after your bloodthirst, my legacy shall not be claimed, and thus — you are branded within my records, understood.”
With that final utterance, Xu’s disposition thickened like oncoming fog; his power rose with deliberate intent — marching against Qianye, threatening, “Your mutiny shall never see the sky’s dawn, though in actuality — I never meant to preserve your soul regardless.”
“Might I trouble your rank for identity?” Qianye inquisitively observed the scorpion crest adorning Xu’s armor insignia.
“To one soon meeting his end, names suffice not needed,” Xu coldly rebutted. Mid-retorting through step, he shifted vision towards Night Vision. “O noble blood daughter of Marnot, gravest injury marks you too. Now yet stands the last opportunity—leave, or meet eternal slumber following your ally.”
Gazing with a flick, Night Vision’s limb radiated scent of open bleeding, suggesting halted natural recovery mechanisms as a glance crossed with Qianye followed cautiously by evaluating surging currents of Primordial essence visibly pulsating across Xu; slowly, she edged towards the outskirts—observing.
Roaning thunderous laughter broke the tense silence as Xu surged towards Qianye; his blade quivered — ominously ringing — the short edge vibrating, foreboding danger. Yet his foot had scarcely completed advance when a sharp pain pierced chest. Nearly collapsing entirely amidst ground level impact; balance faltered.
Xu reacted not without skill—surge of primordial energies engulfing entire being, blade tip stabbing rock ground below—bare maintenance against collapsing further. A bitter coppery taste rose within oral cavities. Shock overtook, turning head, locking with icy, soul-piercing sight from Night Vision whose firearm barrel gleamed with deadly intent aimed for his center of thought.
No thinking; instinct honed after countless campaigns urged aerial evasive reflexes. Then again, at precise instant power applied to soar, inexplicably chest seized momentarily. Though not matching prior agony, movement wavered, launch incomplete.
A single whistling cry of force erupted within the cavern. Qianye, already activating his Vision Arts upon leaping in tandem, stepped forward as he sliced sideways, aiming precisely for Xu’s waist.
Howling a warning cry, Xu deflected. Weightlessly suspended, his blade met the onslaught, instantly fracturing while he got hurled sideways by the force unleashed.
Impoverished reserves left for Qianye, previously locked with Night Vision in mortal duel — scarce original strength channeled — though unarmed strength compounded upon weight of Dong Yue meant this was hardly a simple blow any mortal flesh could bear.
Xu, while flung sideways, straightened and accelerated earthwards, touching upon base foundation. But as he rotated head toward attackers, fear seized every limb. Qianye alongside Night Vision emerged anew, both dual-wielding fire-arms. Beams flaring, bullets tearing towards him!
Evasion against ballistics being imperative skills within every military commander — Xu calculated projected bullet arcs. Opted to absorb singular impact and escape remaining blasts. Yet mid-strides executing decision — odd aching reoccurred, central thoracic.
Already having weathered this anomaly once, reflexes remained imperfectly under control—legs hesitating, stalling.
Subtle deviation led him toward a fatal miscalculation. Receiving an extra bullet impact while airborne one faintly shimmering black-edged round altered course slightly but struck Xu all same — an impact bearing infused black titanium!
Fact being Xu’s assessment at entry: both Night Vision and Qianye remained nearly expended; power behind their projectiles was reduced at best. Then yet again, being struck thrice momentarily crushed the remnants of his defenses — particularly that blackened round; chills coursed throughout him.
Reacting decisively, he vaulted toward nearby crevice passages, seeking escape through stone corridors.
Continuous thunderstorm of lead pursued: in tandem stance Qianye and Night Vision fired second salvos down corridor — echoing down passage came another pained roar signifying yet another strike connecting at fleeing Xu.
Zhao Qianye! Your paling around with vampire swine will not escape justice from our Fatherland!” Xu spat out with venom. His voice receded into distance, lost in echo.
Turning to Qianye, Night Vision whispered concern, “You okay?”
Sliding Dual Bloom into sheathe, Qianye nodded. “Just wait… which comes first? Empire reaps or reaps revenge?”
Exchanging one prolonged glance, in that combat harmony achieved momentarily between the both was something intoxicatingly unique and profound.
Qianye further realized differences in visual arts: Night Vision harnessed immense, destructive potential capable of permeating essence fields — though upon penetration, impact diminished and required rest intervals, consuming greater quantities each usage session.
Conversely, despite comparatively less striking damage Qianye’s ocular manipulation delivered even greater primordial penetration rates at significantly lesser costs alongside rapid execution speeds. Even against Xu in battle mere seconds Qianye unleashed this technique twice during pivotal turning sequences that directly contributed to adversary failure initially.
That may be true potential hidden beneath such arts — understanding only sharpened in aftermath.
With that comprehension solidified, Qianye wasted no time further. Protected by Night Vision, focused instead upon absorbing fragment of ancient might. Drawing familiarity with prior absorption during the Tian-ghost clone crystal, process occurred without complications. Much of willful bombardment by ancient behemoth spirit successfully countered partially by residual memories stored from the Ghost.
Rousing from deep focus, Qianye observed physical ailments now healed near entirety; even severe damage inflicted upon blood-core had partially recovered alongside a fresh pinkish mineral, crystal like structure forming around the once-wounded tissues.
Though integrated within blood structure, the small crystal was different compared to micro-grains previously contained inside the core matrix. Resemble closely characteristics possessed within said fragment.
Naturally, vampire bloodcores fully transmute only upon reaching the prince hierarchy, forming blood amber — while Qianye might never have laid his eyes upon authentic specimens, his limited understanding gained from River of Blood indicated it wasn’t structured quite similarly in composition.
Dismissing temporary intrigue momentarily, redirected attention towards inner primorial conditions; fragment carried within it vast reservoirs of Void origin essence — once settled within him — instantaneously bifuracted into two components, restoring dawn essence flow alongside his crimson energies in parallel synchrony.
Even a single fraction carried massive stored force – in merely the span one focused cycle his entire being re-attained apex conditions once; overflow energy consumed entirely by the black grimoire. An enigma unfurl itself, like boundless abyss the dark volume continuously consumed all fed in its direction. As absorption terminated on complete depletion, surface etched ancient characters glowed once more atop cover.
Qianye’s reopened vision caught Night Vision nearby in sitting hugging pose — peaceful yet softened — undercurrent elations visible beneath her expression. A pressing thought had waited a very long while for words — now it surfaced: “Earlier, during despair-seeking moments; was that because of Pas’ kin?”
“And yourself?” Replied softly she questioned similarly. “Why then did you hesitate?”
Adjusting his body to a proper kneeling orientation, he placed hand gently upon shoulder drawing attention — positioning face frontally so there’s nowhere left left avoiding gaze — and responded directly with sincerity, “You already know well the truth I carried into the clash. Now allow this humble inquieter hear the echoes behind your struggle?”
The sigh of resignation escaped her, “Pas’ clan…that had everything.”
Revelations cascading thereafter: Edward—Sacred Heir’s manipulations, his coercive schemes against her flesh and soul, stoked fierce intent behind those once gentle eyes as fingers clenched possessively with protectiveness.
Placing consoling hand across his cheek: “Temper restraint… Neither he nor ourselves, we are ready yet for such an enemy — his house backing stands formidable; Empress Lilyssan’s decree seals such truths with her shadow looming over fate of all.”
Curious inquiry: “And Marnot? Will the clan not oppose such an outcome at all?”
“In time past… had Nightwing Emperor reigned, none of this betrayal could manifest so freely — yet, today paints altered landscapes. From hibernations ended, the Empress reigns supreme and sovereign under whose decrees even the mighty house of Night bows. Through five thousand years, only one stood brave against such dominance.”
“Then…Marnoth offers betrayal upon your name?”
A solemn nod sealed the truth as silence thickened between.
“What now?” Inquiry pressed gently against uncertainty.
Vacantly she replied: “No answer lingers; Father too…Return home no longer an option. Neutrality may hold shelter? I know not.”
Recollection sparking, grasping crucial element hidden — realization flashed through his thoughts, “Could council vote turn against fate’s decree upon submission of your fragment?”
Held in intensity beneath the searching gaze: under his focus Night Vision could not hold the truth in concealment long, “Perhaps so… the promise of true freedom restored once it’s given to Empress.”
Exuding sorrow: “If such truth, yet… why surrender piece of fate into these unworthy hands of mine?”
“You understand too slowly… She permits but does not hinder actions contrary within shadows.” Her sorrow surfaced, bitterness coating syllables: “Even if granted temporary sanctuary from Marnot house — I have long since stopped expecting their protection anymore. Save but my blood—father himself—who beyond kin or kind ever regarded my soul beyond its usefulness for their grasping, self-centered desires.”
Gently gathering Night Vision near, wrapping warmth against her form and smoothing strands of flowing jet-black silk cascading across, after a time he breathed his promise: “Then come with me. Together walk into whatever the morrow brings — never alone again.”
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