Tower of Heaven

"You did all of this for something like that?"

"It might be something like that to you, but that's because you refuse to listen to our story. For us, this is a matter of life or death. It isn't something that can be casually sneered about by some stranger with a little bit of power."

"You're a bold one."

"Take me seriously, please."

Jason backed down when it came to strength because he knew Atlas could decimate him. On top of that, since he wanted to maintain at least a cordial relationship, he kept a sincere and honest tone of speech.

To Atlas, it was indeed a simple matter. He only had to speak a few words to make it possible.

For Jason, however, reaching Divine Sanctuary and having the chance to gain the protection of such an influence was not a simple thing.

That kind of protection was worth more than his own life, so he was more than willing to sacrifice it.

Atlas shook his head wryly. When he noticed Jason was obstructing him, he never expected things to end like this. In fact, from the moment they first met eyes, he was prepared to kill the man.

But, if he was this desperate, if he was willing to go to such lengths, then Atlas had no choice but to respect him.

"Very well. You only want me to set up a meeting, correct? I will not be able to give you any sort of help in that, but if it's just a meeting, then it's possible."

Jason frowned slightly. Obviously, he was hoping for a bit more, but even that was also enough.

"If you can guarantee that we won't be turned away before actually having a chance to showcase our talent, then yes. That is all I'm asking for."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Atlas nodded.

"Well, that isn't too hard…"

"Swear a Heavenly Oath about it."

"You're serious."

"We don't have any trust between us."

He was correct. There wasn't anything telling Jason that Atlas would absolutely conform to his request. Only with an oath would he have the confidence to tell his comrades that he had secured them a chance at freedom.

"Still, it feels a bit offensive…oh well."

Atlas didn't say any more. He started to feel a bit hypocritical, since he'd asked several people to swear Heavenly Oaths in this life. He even had an Ancestral Pact with a God, for crying out loud.

He also remembered those words Jason spoke just a bit ago. While this was nothing for Atlas, it was a matter of life or death for him. He didn't want to disrespect the other man any more by treating his problems casually.

There, on the spot, Atlas raised his hand and swore to the Heavens that he would arrange a meeting between Jason's group and an official from Divine Sanctuary. He would ensure that through this interview, as long as they proved that their skills were up to the proper standard, Jason and his group would be considered to join Divine Sanctuary.

On the other side, Atlas made Jason promise that he would not hold anything back. If he wanted to join a Great Society, it was important for him to be completely honest about his circumstances.

Whoever or whatever was chasing Jason, Nadia, and the rest needed to be made clear to the clans of Divine Sanctuary.

Jason agreed easily. It was his intent from the start. After all, he was considering the long-term benefits of the meeting.

And, the moment he had Atlas' Heavenly Oath, Jason put away the marble he held.

He faced the Death Relic and bowed his head.

"I stand no chance against him, so I will concede."

The Death Relic whirred slightly. It had the intelligence to understand the conversation between them. However, it didn't complain about Jason's withdrawal.

It could also sense that Atlas was the much stronger one between the two. He was definitely the more preferred host.

Turning away from Jason, the artifact approached Atlas while acting coy, as if tempting him to grab hold of it and claim it.

Your adventure continues at empire

However, Atlas couldn't grant its wishes just yet.

"I will not be the one wielding you."

He told it the honest truth just as Jason had told him moments before. The artifact immediately reacted with hostility, but Atlas was quick to calm it down.

"I know how much power you possess. There is someone much better than me who can wield that power with much more brilliance."

The artifact paused, looking at him as if it was asking, "Really?"

Atlas nodded with a smile.

"Yes. That person will show you the heights you have been seeking, so trust me and follow me. You will be able to meet them soon."

The Death Relic looked at him with its big eye, weighing the weight of his words. There were absolutely other candidates it could choose from. Though it took them a bit longer, most of the Ascenders who entered the realm were starting to find the truths behind the realm.

Only…

Were any of them like him?

Did any of them free a dragon and earn its trust, capture its enemies as easily as walking, and subdue their only competition before they even fought?

None of them could come close to this Ascender here, but this very Ascender was the one saying that he knew someone even better.

The smartest and safest decision was to remain in the realm and wait for a better potential owner to come.

Only, the Death Relic didn't make it this far because it was afraid of risks.

It became this sentient and gathered the power to change its Legend because it took risks whenever it had the chance.

Without questioning him further, the Death Relic closed its eye.

Suddenly, all of the energy of the illusionary realm was gathered inside of its body.

If Atlas was promising the best possible master, then it was going to meet that person in the best possible state.

As Atlas and Jason watched, the Death Relic turned into a cloud of black energy. It became larger and larger until it consumed everything. "Death" swallowed the city. Just like in recorded history, every single natural occupant of this place was turned into energy that nourished the relic. On this day, it disappeared from the map.

But calling it consumption was wrong. This action was that of cementing the events of this realm into history.

This act was the gathering of all of the energy the Death Relic possessed being used in order to change a single instance in history.

How it was remembered in the Heavens would change today. The truth would be present as well, but it would be completely overshadowed by the story where the artifact was formed by the strength of its own desire for revenge and the help of powerful cultivators.

The illusionary realm disappeared around them. It didn't have any special transportation methods or effects. They only found the scenery around them disappearing and melting into the blackness of the Mystic Realm they'd come from.

Even from there, the Mystic Realm began to melt. It melted and melted until everything manifested within was gone, and all of the energy used in its creation was used.

The artifacts trapped within the Mystic Realm returned to their positions in the earth, and the energy of the Death Relic disappeared.

In but a few moments, all of the cultivators who entered the Mystic Realm found themselves back in the real world.

But their scramble was not yet over.