The Box: Fate
Chapter 32 — The Path of the Shattered Realms
The golden spires of Solis faded into the horizon as the sixteen survivors descended the mountain path The air of the city once heavy with the scent of incense and stone was replaced by the wild untamed smell of the open wilderness Their destination was clear: the Great City of Liya the legendary trade hub at the heart of the continent
But the world was vast and the road to Liya was not a straight line Between them and their goal lay a series of smaller border cities—settlements struggling to survive the encroaching darkness
We don't just run to Liya Kataki commanded his Void Sight blindfold silver against the morning sun We move through the outer cities of Oakhaven and Iron-Reach We need supplies and more importantly we need to see how far the Architect influence has spread
Zanaki walked at the front his body humming with the latent heat of the Dragon Sovereign Every few steps faint blue sparks of lightning flickered around his boots—a residue of Azureus, the Storm Dragon now fused to his soul
Hey Akira! Axel! Zanaki called out looking back at his friends Keep your eyes peeled These border roads are famous for World-Eater packs They don't care what level you are
Akira gripped his sword his face set in a hard line Let them come We need the combat experience if we're going to catch up to you three
The first two days of the journey were a blur of constant skirmishes
* Sharky Bee and Kyoshiki acted as the ultimate scout duo Sharky Bee green tracking aura mapped out every ambush while Kyoshiki Spirit Balance allowed him to predict the exact moment a monster would strike
Axel Hatanaki and Mikochi led the secondary vanguard Every time a pack of shadow-wolves emerged from the brush Axel golden fists cleared a path like a living battering ram
Murasaki and Hina worked in perfect harmony one trapping enemies in gravity wells while the other kept the group stamina topped up with celestial light
By the third evening they reached the gates of Oakhaven a city built entirely within the hollowed trunks of giant ancient trees But as they entered they saw the Hunter Guild boards were covered in Red-Label missions—the highest difficulty
The shadow is choking the trade routes the Oakhaven Guild Master told them his eyes wide as he looked at Kataki blindfold and Zanaki glowing veins If you are truly the ones who held the line at Solis we need your help The bridge to Iron-Reach has been occupied by a Void-Commander
Zanaki stepped forward a dangerous draconic grin spreading across his face He felt the Storm Dragon Azureus, stirring in his spirit hungry for a real challenge
A Commander huh? Zanaki cracked his knuckles the sound like a distant roll of thunder Tell your people to stay indoors We're going to clear that bridge before dinner
The sixteen players didn't hesitate They were a well-oiled machine of war now They moved through the forest city like a storm of their own
As they reached the great stone bridge leading toward the next city a towering figure in jagged black plate armor stood waiting He held a banner made of human hair and shadow and behind him stood an army of a thousand husks
I am the herald of the Architect the Commander roared his voice shaking the leaves of the giant trees None shall pass the gate to Liya!
Kataki stepped to the side giving Zanaki the floor He all yours Dragon-born
Zanaki didn't just draw a weapon He threw his arms wide and a massive roar erupted from his chest—a roar that didn't sound human
MANIFEST: AZUREUS!
The sky over Oakhaven instantly turned black A bolt of sapphire lightning struck Zanaki and from the smoke emerged the massive head and claws of the Storm Dragon With one sweep of its wings the thousand husks were blown back like dry leaves
Let's show them Zanaki whispered his eyes glowing pure blue what happens when you block the path of the sixteen
The battle for the road to Liya had truly begun