Chapter 1,254. (Patreon)

The old man appeared closely related to humans, with a normal number of limbs and features. The familiarity was a surprising comfort after standing in the shoes of an utterly alien entity as a Stellar Wanderer. He was small of frame with a slightly hunched back, only reaching to Zac's chest. His skin was grey and coarse, resembling ancient bark, and he lacked any aura.

Nevertheless, Zac could see a hint of the unfathomable power hiding within. The stranger's eyes lacked pupils and irises, only being an iridescent white. The very same white he'd seen in the Stellar Wanderer's star, and which mimicked a piece of the Eternal's gaze. This man was utterly, inconceivably powerful.

This stranger had a very different air to Sendor, the only other ancient existence he'd faced. Sendor had given glimpses of tremendous power and callousness before reverting to acting as a mischievous old man. This old monster had only briefly glanced at Zac before turning away. The look contained desolation, detachment, and deep exhaustion.

The old man radiated longing. It was like he hoped to catch another glimpse of the Eternal, yet afraid to disturb her slumbering memory. He stood with arms behind his back, looking in the direction of where the Stellar Wanderer had previously appeared. The giant was already gone, and the Lost Plane had reverted to a state closer to when they first entered.

The millions of fragmented memories and scenes were back, shining brighter and lasting longer in the old man's presence. There was no hint of the wrongness of Dead Dao, though, and nothing had taken its place. Zac couldn't even sense the Void on the small platform they stood on.

Zac's mind was already a mess from seeing the Stellar Wanderer's journey and the Eternal's awakening. Hearing the old man say he carried Karz's shadow set off new waves. It was the first time Zac had heard that name from anyone else. Even Sendor only referred to Karz as the Void Emperor. There was no time to figure out what that signified as the old man spoke up again.

"The Eternal named me Wal'Zo. It meant ferryman in the common tongue," Wal'Zo continued. "I have the honor of maintaining the Ultom Courts in Master's absence."

"You—what—" Zac stammered as multiple questions fought for precedence in his mind.

The Eternal named him? Just how old was this person? Zac already suspected remnant populations were hiding inside some of the Eternal Heritages. But Ultom? It was likely the oldest heritage around. Zac couldn't imagine a society surviving inside this twisted environment for so long. Let alone a single person, whether that was a spirit, golem, or man.

Were his senses lying to him? Was this Wal'Zo a memory rather than an actual being?

Zac gathered his wits and raised the most pressing issue. "Has Senior seen my companions? They can't withstand the Lost Plane's environment."

The change to the Lost Plane wasn't the only one. There were no sign of the others, nor of the breaches that had helped Zac orient himself. He'd even lost his other body. Zac had belatedly realized he was standing before Wal'Zo in his human form, with the quantum connection to his other half blocked.

They were possibly lying unconscious somewhere outside the platform's protective domain, being corrupted as they spoke. Not even his Draugr half could withstand something like that, let alone the others.

"Lost Plane." Wal'Zo appeared to be savoring the word. "I suppose it is apt."

The fragmented, discordant world froze before the myriad scenes rearranged themselves. Soon enough, they'd formed a resplendent city floating in space. Alas, putting everything in place only drove home how far gone the realm was. The view was incomplete, looking like a puzzle with most pieces missing. What little remained was extremely distorted.

"Time passes, memory fades," Wal'Zo said, looking at the citadel with sorrow. "This fragment you call the Lost Plane belonged to followers of the predecessor you just saw. It never took a name, so the Temple of Beginnings referred to it as Starclad. They were what you'd call a Peak A-grade Faction. Now, only shadows of memories remain."

Zac was anxious about finding the answer to his question, restraining himself from interrupting the old man's thoughts. It would do none of them any good if he angered this unknown variable.

"Too much time has passed. The Heavens are foreign, and courts are not what they once were. It has been forced to shed irredeemable fragments these past few Eras. Cutting off the leg to save the body, so to speak. Most were deposited in reality's corners to gradually erode and reincorporate with the Heavens. A few pieces strayed, erroneously coming in contact with the present as we see here."

A wave of his sleeve, and the city crumbled. "Your companions were sent through. They remain unconscious, digesting the predecessor's aura. If fate wills it, they will benefit."

Zac exhaled. So long as they were fine. "Senior brought me here. I'm ready to hear your instructions."

Kator believed it wasn't a coincidence their group of five appeared in the Polaris Vault while the others were sent elsewhere. Their working theory was that the Centurion Base's formations wanted to use them to close the breaches—an impossible task if they'd ever seen one. The breaches were reinforced with power far beyond their level. They'd already be dead if they'd insisted on blowing it up like in the Void Star.

With how things turned out, it was more likely that Wal'Zo had manipulated the teleportation gate to ultimately bring him here. The mysterious custodian couldn't act as he wished under the current Heavens. He was far stronger than Jalach, the split-up entity hiding inside the [Epiclesis Bells], and the treatment would likely follow suit.

Why the others had been brought into the Polaris Vault with him was less clear. The result would have been the same without having to risk the others' lives. Zac would have snatched what treasures he could before eventually being forced to escape through the breach.

"Of the nine Flamebearer candidates arranged by the System, you are the most disappointing," Wal'Zo calmly said.

"Uh," Zac said, his respectful expression turning crooked from the awkward situation. He didn't know what he'd expected, but it wasn't that. "I started out a bit behind the others. With time—"

"Your unrefined path is not the problem. What troubles me is your disposition." The old man turned around, his eyes boring into Zac's. "The predecessors sacrificed everything to ignite the flame of hope. What is the point of your title if you're afraid of even approaching the flame?"

Zac's heart clenched under the scrutinizing gaze. It wasn't difficult to understand what Wal'Zo meant. Zac never had any intention to fight over the Ultom Courts—what was the point? Even if he somehow bested all the monsters standing in his way, there was no way he'd be able to hold onto it. If anything, getting entangled with it was a death trap, both for himself and his followers.

At most, Zac planned on sneaking into the Left Imperial Palace with Esmeralda, targeting the smaller treasures while the other Flamebearers fought over the Eternal Heritage. If the trial forced him to directly face the other Flamebearers, he'd opt out if possible. His recent surge of breakthrough wasn't enough to put him at their level, and the benefits from the final piece of his seal wouldn't be immediate.

However, all his plans were premeditated on him actually entering the trial. Was this old man considering removing his Flamebearer status because of his lacking fortitude? Let alone being a huge hit to his plans, it also meant the agreement with the Undead Empire would dissolve. The protection and benefits were all predicated on him being a Flamebearer.

"We are running out of time, in more ways than one. I can't stand on the sidelines, even if it means putting my thumb on the scale," Wal'Zo said.

Worry turned into direct alarm when streaks of light emerged from Zac's chest. It was the three pieces of the he'd collected thus far. Should he lie? No, there was no way he'd be able to resolve this problem with an empty promise.

At the same time, Zac churned reluctance and indignation over the situation. Zac could understand where Wal'Zo was coming from, but why should his struggles until now count for nothing? Only the first piece had somewhat fallen into his lap, and that itself proved he had fate.

The other seals had come from risking his life before and during the war. He'd gone along with the rules the System set up, even when the odds were stacked against him. He'd lost count of the number of assassinations and ambushes he'd survived, and he'd even defended his seal against a fellow Flamebearer. He'd paid the price for this opportunity.

"I won't revoke your candidacy today. Severing fate will not accomplish what we seek," Wal'Zo said, perhaps sensing Zac's inner turmoil. "I've come to extend a helping hand."

Zac relaxed upon seeing the light return to his chest. He was still aware Wal'Zo's actions were intended as a warning. The message was clear. As far as Ultom's caretaker was concerned, Zac was replaceable. Zac didn't doubt this old man's ability to follow through, either. This was Wal'Zo's domain, outside the System's purview. And even if Zac escaped him now, what about when the trial started?

"I'm not sure what you want from me," Zac said, struggling to find a solution. "I have to consider the big picture. The others come from some of the strongest factions in the current Era. I'm unattached, and I have people depending on me. People who'd get swept up in the storm if I claimed an Eternal Hegemon as a Hegemon. I want power, but I'm not ready to sacrifice my people for it."

"Claim? Your appetite is large, indeed. Your ancestor was the same," Wal'Zo said, his gaze slightly softening. "Laondio had to ask my permission to borrow Ultom's strength, and he's far above the Thrones and Seals of your generation. Let alone you, no one is claiming Ultom."

"What?" Zac exclaimed. "Then what's all is this for?"

"The Left Imperial Palace, the Outer Courts, and the trial—that's Laondio's design," Wal'Zo said with disinterest. "Ultom was built with only one goal. To pass on the torch and raise the next generation of Flamebearers. We've simply been dragged into Laondio's web, and extracting the courts from his masterpiece would require too much effort. I'm also interested in observing its operation. It's among the most impressive feats I've witnessed."

"Flamebearers, plural?" Zac asked.

"Good. You grasped the important point," Wal'Zo said. "No one said there could only be one. The court opens its gates whenever the time is right. This Era was no different. What you call the Fifth Pillar's Ascent is simply the Era of Order's third Flameseeking round."

"Third?" Zac said. "The previous attempts failed?"

"There is no failure," Wal'Zo said. "Even a broken link will bring about change, which is necessary for Ultom's continuation. But you're right in that none of the candidates were chosen in the first round."

'Which means the second had at least one Flamebearer?' Zac thought.

Could the first round have been at the beginning of the Era between the Primordials or early races? It made sense they wouldn't pass. The Primordials were clearly different from the Stellar Wanderers, even if their origins were very similar. The Primordials were born flawed because the Dao was flawed after reforming. Meanwhile, the Stellar Wanderers were perfect in a way Zac doubted could exist before they reached the Era's Zenith.

"If I pass the test and become a true Flamebearer, will I be awarded special protections?" Zac asked.

"No. Fate must run its course," Wal'Zo said. "I will, however, exert some energy to make it impossible to discern who picked up the torch. I can hide it even from the System if you wish."

Zac slowly nodded. He still wasn't certain whether he should go for it, though it didn't seem as far-fetched as before. If nothing else, Wal'Zo had indirectly confirmed the trial wouldn't be a free-for-all where all the Flamebearers were directly pitted against each other. At the same time, he'd be a fool to blindly trust a stranger who popped out of nowhere. His appearance was clearly not as simple as extending a helping hand.

He had an agenda.

"May I ask why you're helping me?"

"You could see it as me being old and willful," Wal'Zo said. "And while I'm looking forward to the culmination of Laondio's promise, there's a limit to how much interference I can tolerate."

"Laondio's promise…" Zac hesitated. "How are you the only one who can remember Karz's name? From what I've gathered, his identity was made taboo."

"Technically, it was ejected from the Cosmic Destiny," Wal'Zo said. "And as I precede the concept of Destiny, it has no bearing on me. If you succeed in nurturing the seed you've planted, you might be able to return his identity to the river of fate."

"Back then, what happened—"

"It is not my place to interfere with those matters. Especially as it's a chapter yet concluded. Carrying Laondio's mark, you'll discover the truth whether you like it or not," Wal'Zo said. "I'm only here to add kindling to the fire by shedding light on certain matters related to Ultom and the First Era."

Zac held himself back from pressuring the old man. It was like he stood before Sendor again, trying to barter for information. Except, this time, Zac had nothing to trade with. Wal'Zo understood more about his origins than Zac did, and he clearly had a pragmatic approach to his search for new Flamebearers. If Zac didn't pan out, throw out the net again.

This was still a huge opportunity. Whatever his true goals, Wal'Zo seemed intent on sharing certain ancient secrets. Zac was sure the vision was the key. It wasn't happenstance he'd been shown that specific set of memories.

"The one I saw at the end—the Eternal—She was the one who built Ultom?"

It was the first time in a long while Zac had spoken that name out loud. As expected, it didn't trigger any waves of fate in Wal'Zo's presence.

"Yes, with assistance," the old man nodded.

"Is she the most powerful being to have lived?" Zac asked. "She seemed transcendent, beyond Supremacies."

"Most Eras will have a few who reach similar heights. The Stellar Wanderers were all at that same stage. The difference came from potential. Master is unsurpassed if you include that aspect."

Potential?

"You witnessed Starclad's search. The wanderers had reached into every future, finding nothing to break the status quo. The Eternal offered hope. Her awakening raised the Heavens, but it wasn't enough to accomplish either of their goals. The cage was still there, if only slightly larger. The wanderers were still trapped, and the Eternal remained at the threshold of True Eternity."

"The Eternal wasn't actually Eternal?" Zac said with surprise.

Not even the strongest being in existence had managed to fully transcend the A-grade?

"Master could have grasped True Eternity any time she desired. However, it would come at a price. She needed to consume the Multiverse and all in it, like a newly hatched dragon eating its shell for sustenance," Wal'Zo said. "That would provide the strength necessary to freely explore the endless beyond. With Eternity on her side, she could have found a higher Heaven, if there is such a thing."

"She obviously didn't, or we wouldn't be standing here," Zac said.

"What point was there in Eternity if it was stained in the blood of countless futures? She set about to create an alternative path. The wanderers assisted, seeing as it was their best option to reach beyond the restrictions of their birth. Unfortunately, they only slipped further from their goal.

"Eras didn't exist back then. What you call the Lost Era lasted more than a dozen times longer than the average despite its abrupt end. There was simply a… decline," Wal'Zo sighed, and the ruins around them took on a new meaning. "As much as they tried to stop it, the Multiverse was leaking its essence. Their efforts to elevate the quality barely countered the loss of quantity."

"Was this when they built Ultom?" Zac asked.

Wal'Zo slightly nodded. "Master didn't change her decision, even after exhausting all options. There was only one option left. To tear down the Multiverse and rebuild it from the ground up, creating a reality that wasn't in a steady decline. One that followed a virtuous cycle of rebirth. The cycle would limit the leakage, and the cycle of rebirth would continuously refine the Dao," Wal'Zo said. "And through reality's ebb and flow, the torch would be passed on."

"She destroyed the Multiverse?" Zac gasped. "Then those who lived in The Lost Era—"

"One Era had to die so that all others could live," Wal'Zo said. "Including herself and the Stellar Wanderers."