"No, it's not the new path. While the new path is indeed powerful, it has no Pathstriders, especially this late into the Pinnacle War. No one has even seen or heard of its Origin. The interference comes from outside – the Noblesse. They're trying to spark a Crucible War."
Hearing her words, the master of the table smiled. It was not just relief that let him leak that rare show of emotion. It was also because the situation had aligned with something he had been planning for. And although the progress of Dreams has halted and was at risk of regressing, it was not such a huge issue. It would have been an entirely different matter if it was the new path that had caused it, but since it was the Noblesse that did it, it was within the bounds of possibility and logic, and most importantly, it was within his expectations.
"Very well. Vanquished Glory, with all preparations in Death having been completed, it's time for you to return to your home. Give the Divine Noblesse Empire a little push. Since they want a Crucible War, we shall help them out."
A Crucible War, a war of a scale that was beyond even a Pinnacle War. Whereas the latter was confined within a singular universe alone, with each universe having their own Pinnacle War, the Crucible War was a literal invasion, a siege of one universe on another. Across the history of the universes, there has only ever been two Crucible Wars. The most recent one was a minor occupation of a weaker universe by a stronger one, the war itself lasting only a few short ages. The first Crucible War, however, was still ongoing even to this moment. Vanquished Glory, hearing that he was being reassigned from his task in Death, was confused.
"What? But what about the burnt bastard?! Without him we might not be able to complete the necessary foundations for Death! I worked hard on that mission! If it fails, then I would've wasted all that time and effort for nothing! And I'll still get blamed for it!"
"Rest easy, Vanquished Glory. You shall not be blamed if ever the plan fails. Besides, the foundations are already enough. Having all of them would have been a great assurance, but it is not a necessity. With the preparations in Death complete, regardless of Ashen Bloom's decision, Death will be claimed. If he joins us, then all is well. If he opposes, then he may return to ash and dust."
With his assurance, Vanquished Glory calmed down. He was not really complaining about the effort he had put into the plan being wasted. What he was most worried about was being blamed for failure because he was transferred back to Dominion before he could complete his task in Death. The punishment for failure was not something he wanted to find out.
Vanquished Glory, although having been appeased, was still furious however. Even with the assurance of the master of the table, he did not like uncertainties. And all this was all because that 'burnt bastard', the Ashen Bloom, did not submit to him. He wanted to tear him apart until he wished he was no longer undying. After all, how could the dead die in a universe where only Death is permitted. He was already planning all the worst forms of torture he would use as punishment.
The master of the table knew what he was thinking, but did not mind. He actually preferred it. The more they feared him, the more they would work to please him. He then turned his attention to his right where a man who seemed disinterested in their discussions sat in silence. The master of the table was already used to this by now so he went straight to the point.
"Heavenly Demon, have we made any progress in Eternity?"
The man named Heavenly Demon looked at the master of the table with apathetic eyes, showing no signs of respect or fear whatsoever. Even though he was used to this already, the master of the table still found it annoying as he felt like he was being derided by this insignificant creature. But he held it in. Heavenly Demon was a strange being whom none of them fully understood. He looked like a normal human with long black robes and long white hair. His eyes were a deep crimson, their infinite coldness and apathy seemed to hide a vast amount of knowledge and wisdom.
Although the Heavenly Demon too was just an Ascendant, the master of the table would always feel a sense of danger when stared at by this man. It should have been impossible as he was already beyond Ascendants, but he has learned not to disregard his instincts knowing the kind of dangers that might potentially be in this place. For a brief moment, it seemed as though Heavenly Demon had no desire to answer, filling the air with tension. But after a few breaths, he finally responded.
"I have told you once before and I shall tell you again. Eternity is not something just anyone can touch. One does not simply tamper with it nor can one effect any change upon it that would ever leave an indelible mark throughout its course. Eternity is unlike any other Crucible. Do not pine for it for such hopes shall be met with only failure and disappointment. Even you, Relentless, shall be unable to change anything. It is inviolable."
His words rang loud throughout the isolated space, lingering in the air like an absolute law that cannot be breached by anyone, not even by gods. The others remained silent as they watched the growing tension between Heavenly Demon and the master of the table, Relentless. Heavenly Demon, despite being part of this conference, had never once been subservient to Relentless. He would always openly oppose him, especially when it came to his charge, Eternity. The problem was that no one else could replace him in dealing with Eternity because he was the one who knew it best. Not even Relentless could claim as such.
"What then is your purpose here, Heavenly Demon? If you have no intentions in contributing, then why do I need you?"
"My purpose is mine alone to fathom. All you have to know is that our objectives are currently in alignment. Which is why rather than wasting time pondering over Eternity, I would rather lend aid to Vanquished Glory. Dominion is now teetering on the brink. It needs only a little nudge to spill over. I shall work with Vanquished Glory and coordinate with Peerless to align the progress with Dreams."
Relentless' eyes narrowed as he tried to discern Heavenly Demon's motives. This man was perhaps the greatest unknown variable in these universes and it was precisely because of this that Relentless liked to keep him close. As they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. He could not allow Heavenly Demon to roam around without his knowledge as he was certain that they would be enemies in the future. He had to understand how this man ticked in order to deal with him.
"Very well. Peerless, tell Campanella to begin its encroachment. Start nibbling so that when the opportune moment comes, it would have already laid the foundations for itself to take over completely. Vanquished Glory and Heavenly Demon would provide that opportunity. And together with the chaos from Desire and Death, the Crucibles would finally destabilise. And we will be able to take the first – Somnium. That is all for now."
Without waiting any further, the people around the table disappeared one after another. They were not a group that shared camaraderie in the first place. Each of them were present with their own goals. But none of it mattered to Relentless. As long as he can make use of them, he would. Left alone at the table, Relentless fell into deep thought for a while, the silence being his only company. And after who knew how long, he raised his head before speaking once more.
"Open Heaven, have you anything to report on Heavenly Demon?"
A flash of purple light appeared behind Relentless as a new presence emerged into the isolated space. As the light receded, it revealed a hazy purple mist glowing with mystical runes circulating throughout its formless body. It seemed both corporeal and ethereal, but the runes that made up its eyes glimmered with intent. It was not a living being like the rest, but it was also sentient. Its existence was strange, but at the same time, it was completely natural.
"No, Master. Heavenly Demon has done nothing but watch Eternity."
"He did not act on anything as he said?"
"I do not know, Master. Heavenly Demon is unfathomable even to me. His eyes see more than mine. His powers influence more than mine."
Relentless became more and more solemn. He did not understand what Heavenly Demon has been doing in Eternity which was why he sent Open Heaven to keep watch. But if Open Heaven, created from the very essence of Eternity itself, could not glean anything about Heavenly Demon, then how could Relentless or anyone else. This matter was becoming more serious than he was capable of tolerating. He had to find a way to cripple Heavenly Demon soon enough before he becomes a true threat. Fortunately, he had chosen to leave Eternity on his own which would give Relentless the opportunity to scour it for himself.
"Open Heaven, have there been any strange developments in Eternity recently?"
"Yes, Master. An anomalous phenomenon has been discovered at the edge of Eternity. However, its nature is unknown. The authority of Eternity has created a boundary of dissonance around it rendering me powerless to peek into it."
"Even you? With your essence of Eternity, not even the authority of Eternity should be able to block your eyes."
"Master, the one who created the boundary of dissonance using the authority of Eternity was the Crucible itself."
Hearing those words, Relentless' eyes gleamed with an oppressive authority. In all his years watching over these universes, he had seen how the Crucibles worked. Their precepts were mostly known to him by now. But this was the first time he had heard of a Crucible protecting an anomaly within it. If that was the case, then could this anomaly even be considered an anomaly still? He did not know anymore. He was getting frustrated and impatient. His plans were already maturing, he was close to achieving his goal. Why was it that these anomalies were suddenly appearing now to hinder him?
"No matter. Keep watching over Eternity and the anomaly. Report immediately if there are any changes. Also, be ready. Once the plans are complete, you will need to become Preponderant."
"Understood, Master."
After receiving its orders, Open Heaven disappeared, returning to Eternity. Relentless was once again left alone in the isolated space, but this time, he was more relaxed. He gazed into the distance where he could two universes at war. This was the Crucible War that was still ongoing. While he left the other universes to the others, he was watching over two. And these two were among the most important in his plans. Their Crucible War must continue in order for his plans to progress smoothly. With smile on his face, he muttered to himself.
"Heavenly Demon, I may not know your purpose, but I see your cunning. Your schemes will amount to nothing before me. Soon, I will have Somnium, and the rest shall fall like a house of cards. Libitina, Desiderium, Regnum, Simulacrum, Inanitas, none shall escape my grasp. And at the end of it all, even Aeternum shall be mine. Once I've claimed all the Crucibles, the legacy of the Heaven Devourer shall be mine! By then, the cosmos will no longer be able to hold me. I shall become a Transcendent with the greatest potential of all!"
Transcendence, that was Relentless' true goal, to break free of the restrictions of the cosmos. While others were fighting wars as mere Deviants and wishing to become Ascendants, he had already gone far beyond them. He was beyond Preponderants and was beyond even most Recusants. He could have achieved Transcendence any time he desired, but he wanted to be the strongest Transcendent to ever exist.
And that all hinged on him obtaining the legacy of a mythical being who once made the entire cosmos cower in fear – the Heaven Devourer.