Lumina Crusade

by ColinHayworth

In the 42nd Millennium, there is only war. In the Hive World of Twilight where the promise of technology and understanding still remains but the corrupted and rotten bureaucracy in its place is threatening to destroy all of it slowly but surely. And when the threshold has finally been broken, it will take only a spark to burn all of it down. And there will be retribution...

16. Zenith Within Reach

Warning: This story doesn't exactly follow the suit of grimdark because of the way the story may develop. If you still enjoy what you are reading then go ahead.

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Chapter 15
The Zenith Within Reach

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Underhive Sector 12, Vespera, Twilight.

The duel between them has now become personal, no longer out of the order of someone else anymore. Yang is fighting with his all while the Luminaries can barely struggle to muster any equal force against the gap of martial prowess between them. Although they are both in the same major martial realm as Yang, the difference between a Late Triflower Summit martial artist compared to new-entry Triflower Summit is still unfathomably vast. Such separated qualifications exist for a reason because each stage goes beyond mere numerical increment of strength.

Octopath Illusion - First Path
Bountiful Harvest

A technique performed by two individual collided with one another with great force. Because of how similar they were, the attacks between them nullified with one another and any subsequence follow-up that supposed to be is also cancelled. Although Alphric could perform his replication of Octopath Illusion to not be immediately defeated by his own mentor, the differences in martial prowess stages still applies and he would inevitably succumb to attrition if he goes on mimicking his mentor like this without planning for alternative plan.

They are clearly still missing some crucial information but they couldn't gleam any more out of the pre-existing connections they established within the realm of connection as they resonated upon clashing with the attacks of one another. They have already come to learn the Seven Colors of emotion that resulted from the established connections between their duel.

Gold for joy, sanguine for hostility, dark blue for sorrow, violet for pleasure, pink for love. That's the basic colors of emotions that they managed to discern so far within the more complex sensations and intents. And from what they know by figuring out the most basic colors, Triflower Summit martial artists can create and channel more complex emotions from the basic building blocks, thus making their power of connection becomes more powerful with more colors of intent that they wield.

And considering the myriad colors that the aura coursing through Yang's arms as he performs his techniques, thus spoke of the prowess that they can't possibly bridge within the foreseeable future.

While the Luminaries are being battered to no end by his Late Triflower Summit level of prowess, there is one detail that Alphric didn't fail to notice as he is the primary duelist who held his ground the longest against Yang. Within those eyes of him seem to tell of his yearning for something, a detail that if it weren't for the passing comment of the certain local therapist of his previous life's occupation. That thought would have never crossed his mind otherwise.

Yang is likely aware of it too but Alphric has the feeling that what Yang consciously thought he is yearning and what his mind subconscious actually yearn is being different altogether.

Suddenly taking another blow that Alphric barely can withstood it with his Early Triflower Summit martial prowess, Kang and Mika now takes his place as they can only fight defensively against such a powerhouse that even the Inquisitor who lorded over Yang likely can't control him if he truly wanted to rebel. Taking his time to analyze the information he knew so far and the psychological deduction that he would never figure out on his own if it weren't for the teaching of his own past life.

Alphric comes to one deduction.

Yang is forcefully try to make all three of them reaching the extremity limit of Triflower Summit. While that sounds likely but it still feel extremely incomplete to him. Alphric then recalled of Yang's past and the final 'final' battle of his world where he and the Heavenly Demon herself made their desperate last stand against the inevitable outcome. But, Yang still lives so something must have happened that he could have lived through such an event and the Imperium definitely didn't spare him at all.

Revising his hypothesis again, he figured that Yang didn't just want them to reach the extreme of Triflower Summit. Yang wanted all three of them, the Luminary to transcend beyond him toward the martial realm above Three Flowers Atop Summit itself. But considering that Yang is still a Late Triflower Summit master, it is likely that the Heavenly Demon herself has ascended to that martial realm and... likely traded her life for his in their last battle in his homeworld. That's what Alphric could figure out from everything he knew so far.

It takes the Luminary only one day to steps into Three Flowers Atop Summit, it probably wasn't wrong for Yang to think and try to push them toward it even if he himself couldn't reach it.

Kang and Mika got sent flying and Alphric has to step in again. The aura manifested from his Early Triflower Summit reconsolidated again and he estimated that he can last about a few more bouts if he used the replicated Octopath Illusion martial technique but any further and he doesn't even compute of what may happen next. If he keeps treading blindly like that, he would only disappoint Yang even more.

The Lightbringers who are fighting their own battle to keep the outsiders at bay but Yang can probably disposed everyone here if he truly wanted. And there would be nothing left intact to even start an investigation with. So, the Luminaries must somehow reached that mysterious martial realm in order to appease Yang, right?

Yeah... no... The reasons that they advanced to Triflower Summit this ludicrously fast is because the knowledge involved is likely kept forbidden back in Yang's world of Wuxia, but the Luminaries continue to share and discuss whatever revelation that they figured out themselves, and then basic psychological knowledge applied and suddenly, what was supposed to be a hallmark of prestige becomes as easy as morning stroll.

But from here on out, there's nothing for them to even start, let alone figure something out. No one can figure out something out of nothing on their own if given a strict time limit at all. So the plan to reach the state above Triflower Summit met with failure before it even started. So, it's all over for them if the Luminaries were only carried by their strength alone. Power isn't even supposed to be their forte but not an Emperor-damned person in this galaxy would ever engage in a discussion without resorting to violence once disagreed.

Alphric has a plan, they themselves can't reach that whatever martial realm right now but Yang himself is actually the closest to it even if he thought that he has reached his limit. What they needed is a nudge to make him realized the method of advancement and Alphric has a clear grasp on what is holding Yang back from reaching it. The hard part however, is that he needed something that can make Yang realized it.

He has exhausted all the previous options such as resonating with Yang's attack as he clashed with the copying of his technique. So if Alphric wanted to gleam any more memory of Yang through the power of connection, then he must invent his own martial arts. Easier said than done because although he has good enough grasp on it, inventing something from scratch in the heat of moment is beyond even prodigy itself, only the absolute divine miracle can it occur.

"Isn't Octopath Illusion a martial art technique that Yang derived from his life experience? Then using it as a basis, I have to derive my own technique using Octopath Illusion itself". Alphric thought to himself as although only seconds are passing, the feeling of death in this duel approached so close that his instinct flared unconditionally.

Yang's First Path of Octopath Illusion is the memory of a great harvest and people enjoying their life. So what is his unique First Path then? Being a merchant of his previous life didn't exactly get him to own anything of worth back then or any grandiose pay that change his life, because otherwise, he wouldn't have stayed as a merchant then for a majority of his past life.

Something much closer, something more intimate. The First Path of Octopath Illusion isn't about opulent in the first place but genuine enjoyment of what you had in the moment. Before he realized it, he found his own mind wandering the down the memory lane as his perception of time only slows down.

6 years ago. Middle Hive, Hive Sector 12, Vespera, Twilight.
At the Eventide Merchant Guild's HQ

Today, Alphric and his merchant crew managed to complete their emergency delivery for this day. What makes today more annoying however is that they ended up skipping all of their meals due to emergency shift that comes rarely but always annoying to whenever so. And now late at night, their own stomachs rumble in annoyance while no one is manning the kitchen at the Guild's cafeteria.

And knowing their disposition, cooking isn't exactly their best talent at all. They could just consumed processed rations for weeks on end but their nutritional value has reached its dead end and demand that they have an actual meal already. Even the Guild Master makes this rule of having a balanced diet mandatory because he would rather pay for food than paying for replacement of manpower.

"So, I guess that we are going to splurge for some meal, I guessed". Alphric said as he enters the kitchen and looking at the whatever stock they have in store.

The first thing that caught his eyes obviously are the instant noodle packs. Usually for a single person at a time but since his friends are here too, he decided that this is a good time for hotpot. It's simple and anyone who can operate the stove can do this at anytime. You can just insert the whatever additional ingredient into it as long as it doesn't outright clash with the spice and salt.

"Hey, Mika. You should probably eat more since you're the apothecary and unquestionably endure more than all of us combined. Especially when the entire Guild relies on your ability all the time." Alphric said as he noticed her slumping over the table. There's not really any expression that she has other than the perpetual sad frown on her face.

While keeping his mood up, Alphric looked at the stack of grox meat in the refrigerator and decided that it is now valid as his payment for the emergency delivery before. Then, he quickly decided to just drop it all of them into the boiling pot of noodle broth without a care.

"I'm pretty sure that the Guild Master is going to dock your pay this month for the amount of meat you're putting into the pot." Kang said as he felt like he is going to become part of an accomplice if he is partakes in the noodle pot with Alphric. But his growling stomach convinced that whatever thought otherwise just simply doesn't matter.

And honestly, the piping smell of the hotpot is enough to convince that no matter how terrible their life may be, moments like this ultimately still make it worth all the hardships and struggles.

"Honestly though, who cares about opulent and luxury crap. This is my personal heaven and I will not have anyone say otherwise". Kang said as he dips the meat into the boiling spice broth. The taste of meat that his taste bud forgot about for weeks on end revitalized the spirit that has given into perpetual acceptance.

"Here, have some broth too, it would be unironically terrible if the apothecary is more ill than their own patients you know". Alphric said as he picks up some boiled meat for Mika. He's not exactly the most brilliant but it doesn't take genius to know that taking care of your own people is important. Yet examples are still filling the list that shouldn't be extended.

"Right, it would be my undoing if I do so". Mika said as she takes a bite out of the meat dipped in the hotpot, shedding bits by bits of her wariness and fatigue with each bite.

"Hey! What're you guy having!?". A voice spoken from the entrance of the cafeteria.

It's Anastasia, the new hired of the Eventide Merchant Guild, directly recommended and inducted as a personnel by the Guild Master himself. She dressed in near-white everything from her shirt, long pant and classy jacket. Skin as translucent white like snow, hair also white like blank slate with one bang cover one of her eyes and tied into a long ponytail. She definitely didn't look like a local here with her first impression but since the Guild Master has welcomed her, it only makes sense for them to do the same.

"Hotpot, still boiling hot. Do you want to join with, since you were a new hire here". Alphric decided that he should be courteous to Anastasia. She has that sort of mature aura that someone like her doesn't supposed to have at that age but he didn't make his comment out loud.

Anastasia looked hesitant for a moment before she nodded.

"Can I invite my little sister too? She's... a little shy". Anastasia adding in her words as the Alphric noticed the little girl peeking from the cafeteria's entrance doorway.

Same white hair as Anastasia and tied into a twin tail. Compared to Anastasia who already look like a mature adult, she was small child by comparison who seems yet to adapt to the new environment she is in. With Anastasia's words of encouragement, the little girl made her approaches to the dining table that Alphric and his colleagues are sitting.

"Her name is Elise, we just moved here recently and I'm her only guardian". Anastasia said as Elise clings onto her tightly without any intent to release soon.

You look like you already went through a lot of crap just recently. Here, have the noodles too if you want to.". Alphric said as he eats his own serving of the hot pot. Putting the worry aside as he tastes the meal that he rarely get the chance to.

And when one thought the dinner couldn't get more bustling, another guest entered the cafeteria. It was Michele who looks like she is utterly done with her life today. Working as a therapist for the Eventide Merchant Guild, a profession that is utterly thankless and unclear if it has done anything meaningful at all or not in this world where apathy run rampant like breathing air in a person's body.

She was simply tired beyond description of lexicons, the bags beneath her eyes speak of the tedium she endured. Mika at least could see her own progress on her patients, Michele who worked with the diseases of the mind simply has no such luxury or rights. Her twin long braids look messy from the hectic day before and her clothing certainly didn't look any better than her. A deep blue robe like her hair that draped over her buttoned office suit which already over a white shirt.

"Please make a seat for me while my mind is still being courteous". Michele spoke with such a flat tone that it sounds like a replication of her own usual voice through a cogitator.

The Valkyria sisters move away from her as Michele before she just chomped down on a prepared serving just for the sake of having something to fill in her stomach. After she goes through an entire dish did her complexion become slightly better.

As the memory continues to play out in his mind, the exact details become a blur as it was merely a moment of life to him. But seeing his previous life's colleagues gathered around for a simple meal, he felt at peace for a moment. The aroma of the broth, the smell of meat being cooked in it, the small talks between as they all shared this dinner together. A memory so simple yet left such lasting impression even though nothing come to stir it afterward in his life anymore.

It wasn't the meal that is the important detail, it is the camaraderie shared and how the connections between them are established and strengthened in that very moment.

Alphric remembered how Anastasia and Elise had slowly opened up that night, their initial hesitation melting away as they joined in the laughter and conversation. He remembered how Michele, despite her exhaustion, had managed to crack a smile, her eyes lighting up as she savored the hotpot. He remembered how Mika had gradually shed her wariness, her frown replaced by a contented smile as she enjoyed the meal.

That night, they weren't just colleagues, they were a family. And the hotpot was their shared memory.

That is his First Path of his own Octopath Illusion. Although he didn't exactly becoming stronger, his mind felt a rush of energy converges through his body's entirety as he closes in with his mentor again. But this time, he finally had his answer.

Octopath Illusion Reformation - First Path
Shared Camaraderie

Something that Alphric can truly call as his own. A martial path that is similar to Yang yet entirely distinct. People may move in the same path but the direction they head toward isn't necessarily the same.

If Yang's First Path of Octopath Illusion is a refined haymaker that resembles the swing of the farmer harvesting his field. Then the attack of Alphric's First Path of Octopath Illusion Reformation would be that of the hand that stirs the broth to cook the meat with. The exact move is also a haymaker but the essence within is entirely different compare to Yang's.

The two martial techniques of the same foundation clashed with one another. Within the realm of connection, the two attacks painted in color of gold collided as the connection between them resonated once more. And so too is the memory of Yang now bleeding into Alphric as he finally saw.

-1.2 214 VCM.M42
6 years, 2 weeks into Imperium's total subjugation of Wuxia.

The snowfield that they resided in has completely been drenched in blood of so many slain that it felt like they're relieving the tragedy of Wuxia's final defense. Where both the Alliance and the Demonic Cult met their fall as their each respective leader, which is Yang and the Heavenly Demon, Baek Yeon herself become the only survivors and the last few martial artists of Wuxia.

They have lost track of their kill counts by the myriads and the vast expanse of the snowfield is now overflowing in blood pooled into lakes and rivers and while corpses stacked as high as the mountains themselves. 2 weeks of endless fighting, even if their own fighting spirit is immense, they couldn't neglect their own well-being anymore even with the special physique granted by their martial path.

Yang felt his own body is groaning in demands that he can't easily fulfill anymore. There was no fresh water, there was no food around. Even if survival dictates, he couldn't cross the line because he was the Orthodox Alliance's leader and by merits the strongest of the Orthodox martial artists.

The Heavenly Demon herself so too has fought with everything she has. Her expression speaks of how she can keep going whether or not Yang can follow is irrelevant. But when he gazed at her body in general, he knew that she too is at the utter brink like him in physical necessity. How any of them are still functioning this far despite the continuous onslaught of the Imperium's endless army has no answer but it is clear that none of them will go down with a whimper.

"Yang... I have never once have a proper meal that you described. During all my time as the Heavenly Demon, I deliberately live a minimal lifestyle in order to keep my experience of suffering as vivid as possible for Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts. To this day, I have never once tasted anything more than bland grain balls for seclusion training. Today, I felt that time is moving so fast now and I suddenly wished to know just what rice tasted like before I too left this world". The Heavenly Demon herself spoke with a serene expression that hid indescribable pain and longing beneath.

The Alliance Leader doesn't know how long this moment of peace before another grueling battle will occur next. Seeing that both of them are on their last legs, he decided that if he is about to go with her too then he too will fulfill any wish that is within his capability.

The connection of pink between them still flutters within the realm of connection. Its color is so vibrant amidst the crimson snowfield that it is their only source of assurance that they have in this ruined world. If the two of them were separated in spirit, they wouldn't have kept themselves going for this long.

Yang looked at the Heavenly Demon, his eyes reflecting the crimson hue of the blood-soaked snowfield. He began to speak, his voice carrying a tired yet warm that contrasted the chilling bloodstained winds around them.

"Rice… it's a simple grain, yet it holds a universe of flavors. When cooked properly, it's soft and fluffy, each grain distinct yet harmoniously melding with the others. It carries a subtle sweetness, a hint of earthiness that grounds you. It's like the first light of dawn after a long night, comforting and familiar. It's the taste of home, of peace, of life itself."

He paused, his gaze never leaving the Heavenly Demon. "But tell me, what is your memory of starvation? What drove you to endure such suffering for your Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts?"

Baek Yeon looked at him with the eyes that with a threatening glare but the pink connection between them contradict the gaze that she gave. Long-term habits die hard.

"You know of my special constitution that allows me to stay within the cold for indefinitely, right? Even in the midst of a grueling blizzard, my body would adapt to the chilling wind whose frost bites fiercely like a rabid hound as if all of that was just a breeze that passed by. When I was a young little girl, I was left to die in this very snowfield when my own mother left me here. The intention didn't matter anymore as all I have to myself was the howling of the long winter. I have lived only on the snow itself, when an elderly woman found me by chance. That old coot was my Master, the previous Heavenly Demon before me." Baek Yeon said as if the recalled memory is both nostalgic and painful at the same time.

"Snow… it was my only companion and my only sustenance," Baek Yeon began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Each flake that fell from the sky was a lifeline, a promise of survival. It was cold, so cold that it burned. It was tasteless, devoid of any flavor. Yet, it was everything to me."

She closed her eyes, as if the memory itself was a bitter cold wind. "I would scoop up handfuls of it, pressing it against my lips. It was harsh, stinging my tongue and numbing my mouth. But it was also a reminder, a reminder of the life I was clinging onto. Each mouthful was a struggle, a battle against the biting cold and the gnawing hunger within me."

Hearing her spoke of her memories of starvation and how it meant to her, he understood just why so many met their demise as her opponents. Her memories of starvation become her driving force and initial conception of Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts which shook Wuxia by storm because of how infamously low its learning requirement are. Even the peasants can learn the first move of it alone and they suddenly can defeat a large swathe of Orthodox martial artists.

The first move of Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts, Sword of Starvation draws upon the memory of starvation. It is easily the most known and shared suffering that the common people in general knows. To draw upon the endurance that they recalled and use it as a strength to drive their martial art forward. To channel that hunger, that desperation, into every strike, every move of the Sword of Starvation.

"And now, as we stand here on this battlefield, facing an enemy as relentless as the winter that once threatened to claim my life. If there's any regret that I have this far now, it is that it takes me this long to learn basic pleasure. That I will never have the chance to enjoy life as how common people should be". The Heavenly Demon said as melancholy can be discerned within their strand of connection.

Baek Yeon is the kindest Heavenly Demon to be known in the history of the Demonic Cult, and likely the most powerful one so far. Her proliferated Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts was so easily accessible that even Orthodox martial artists have no choice but to learn and analyze it thus making Orthodox martial artists by proxy demonic practitioners. The irony didn't fail to fall on him as Yang had his hurdle in devising Octopath Illusion to counter her Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts which has never been fully utilize due to the sudden appearance of the Imperium.

It makes him wonder just what would had happened if they had meet each other in a different circumstance, none of this Alliance Leader or Heavenly Demon things that surround them. Yet as Yang started to explore this possibility, the pink connection between them strengthen as he realized that the Heavenly Demon herself also thought of the same thing. They were both embarrassed as they removed themselves from that line of thought yet it sadden them the same as they realize that such a thing will never become true at this point.

6 years, 2 weeks, 2 days into Imperium's total subjugation of Wuxia.

While not exactly a dream but... when Baek Yeon was left to die amidst the snowfield, she wished to tear apart the blizzard with the swing of her arm, she wanted to tear apart the heaven above for its unjust treatment toward her and the fate she received. Because of it, her embarked path of martial art is driven toward that distant goal. However, she soon prove her reputation as the strongest martial artist known so far and that there was no one who can be of equal match to her meaningfully, at least until Yang made his name known.

Most interactions recorded between her and her subordinates have been known as cold and distant but the her now when there's nothing left to return to make Yang questions the validity of all the previous rumors that spoke of her. To him, it has felt more like she only shows her true self after there's nothing that can possibly take advantage of it. Kindness is a privilege that only the strong truly has.

After her rampage has thrown the previous societal order out, when there was nothing left that can truly stand up to her martial prowess. And yet, the cloudy sky of the heaven above her refused to budge no matter how much she swung her sword at it. It was spoken how Extreme Triflower Summit Masters like her can dismantle mountain ranges with a single move of their own yet what she seeks is so inherently great that no martial artists so far could conceptualize the unknown above.

The level right after Late Triflower Summit is Extreme Triflower Summit where the martial artist have thoroughly understand the Seven Emotions and Six Desires thus their canvas of color that their weapon aura become extremely close to reality beyond the Myriad Colors itself. So much so that whatever attacks of theirs is imprinted in the colorless realm of connection. That their own attacks is a separated and fleeting imprint that manifest upon reality itself, thus making it so that their desire is enacted in that brief moment.

But there's one agreement between all Extreme Triflower Summit Masters about the canvas color of reality itself that they obtained at this stage. Is the fact that the colors while extremely close to lifelike is still have the missing touch that separates it from fiction to reality. The last touch that will make whatever desire they enacted in their martial arts eternal instead of ephemeral. The final barrier that separates the Extreme Three Flowers At Summit to the next martial realm that no one has yet treaded.

Today, the Alliance Leader, Yang and the Heavenly Demon herself barely make it past another attack of the Imperium's army that they were forced to fight. While their proficiency of their respective martial arts continue to develop minutely, such improvement so minimal helps too little in the face of the insurmountable threat that they're fighting. Unless a breakthrough is achieved, this bloodstained snowfield is going to become their graves.

Because of it, the two of them continue to exchange thoughts, philosophy, discourses, beliefs, everything in between during downtime as they both were in opposite roles to one another. And that by trying to expand their understanding of emotions and desires which the Three Flowers At Summit martial realm make use of, in hope that they might stumble upon an answer and a path to reach the realm above Triflower Summit itself.

"Yang... What is your idea of thirst?". The Heavenly Demon herself asked, while she herself trying to maintain her appearance despite her condition.

Preserving their strength for when inevitable combat occurs, between the two of them is a verbal duel decided by words alone as they sits directly oppose one another in the snow.

Yang took a deep breath, his eyes meeting Baek Yeon's. "Thirst… it's a longing, a yearning for something that is not within reach. It's a desire so strong that it consumes you, drives you to the brink of madness. It's a feeling of emptiness, a void that can only be filled by the object of your desire. It's a relentless pursuit, a tireless journey towards fulfillment."

Baek Yeon listened, her eyes reflecting the flickering light of their makeshift fire. "And what if the object of your desire is unattainable? What if it's something that's beyond your reach, no matter how hard you strive?"

Yang paused, considering her words. "Then that thirst becomes a source of strength. It pushes you to transcend your limits, to break through the barriers that hold you back. It becomes a driving force, a motivation to keep going, to keep fighting, even when the odds are against you."

A verbal duel that goes on as words intertwine one another like swords. In trying rebutting one another, both of them hope that one of them might come across enlightenment. But if it was really that simple then they wouldn't have struggled like dogs just to live for another day, not having their place of belonging torched into unrecognizable ash, not having to go on carry the weight of those they have failed and died at the Imperium's cruel machination.

Both of them have reached their wit's end. They were people who spoke more with their own bodies than they did with their own words at the end of the day. Yet rationality and irrationality kept intertwining and entangled with one another without a way to separate. Then, when their own infuriation at one another reached the breaking point, the Heavenly Demon made her attack first as Yang promptly send his return counter. Both of them subconsciously use their Extreme Triflower Summit as their attacks collide.

The colors of their aura-imbued attacks merged with one another upon collision, an ephemeral visage of a world that never existed revealed to them.

The bloodsoaked battlefield replaced with a beautiful landscape. No longer a snowfield stained in endless blood beyond horizon but replaced with the blanket of snow glistening under the soft glow of the sun. The harsh winds have calmed down as a gentle breeze can be felt billowing through the trees that settled around a small and cozy house.

Yang and Baek Yeon. No longer Alliance Leader or Heavenly Demon respectively but just a pair of man and woman, standing side by hands were intertwined. Their gazes soft as they looked at the small figures playing in the snow. The sound of laughter filled the air, a stark contrast to the silence they were used to.

Their children, a boy and a girl playing with one another in the snow. They then turned toward them as they calling them out with innocence and joy. "Mother, Father, look!" they would shout, showing off the snowman they had built or the snow angel they had made. Baek Yeon and Yang would smile, their hearts filled with warmth and love.

In this world, there was no Imperium, no martial arts, no battles to be fought. There was only peace, love, and happiness. They were a family, living a simple life, far away from the chaos and destruction of their reality.

But as quickly as this world appeared, it vanished. The laughter faded, the children disappeared, and the peaceful landscape was replaced by the bloodstained snowfield before.

Yang was lying on the snow while Baek Yeon lies atop of him. Both of them were in a very intimate position and all it takes is an intrusive thought for both of them to do the deed. Though once they recognized the state they were in, they quickly get themselves together again and swore not to comment about it for the foreseeable future. Yet, the visage of that world never existed lingers pained them beyond description. Something so beautiful existed as mere illusionary hallucination.

He kept holding onto it yet never exacting upon. Until it all become too late.

6 years, 2 weeks, 5 days into Imperium's total subjugation of Wuxia.

"It seems, that this really is my final limit...". The Heavenly Demon spoke in pain as something has finally penetrated through her defense of intents and connections.

Hiding behind numerous corpses stacked higher than their own height, the Heavenly Demon clings onto the wound on her waist as the possibility of her death becomes much more real now than ever. Yang himself while hasn't yet sustained any injury but he is too nearing his end like she did. All it will take is another well-placed attack to do him in much like it will do her.

Baek Yeon tried to muster her inner strength again as she tries to overcome her own ailments. Yet her own body disappointed her to no end as she could feel her own strength waning in each passing second.

"Yang... Since this is going to be our last day on this world, how about we have our final duel with one another. At least... it would be better than this dog's death end that we will have". The Heavenly Demon spoke as if she fears the prospect of a meaningless death than the idea of death itself despite being the strongest of all martial artists known.

All martial artists eventually faced with this prospect. That they will ultimately die and all that's left behind will be their legacy. Depends on them alone whether or not said legacy will withstood the test of time or not, in that way one could spoke to become immortal. The path of martial arts ultimately isn't to become immortal physically but to make the memories of them everlasting.

Upon hearing what the Heavenly Demon spoke, he too shared her sentiment. 6 years, 2 weeks and 5 days in exact that they shared a live together. At first of mere reluctance and necessity of survival but then it becomes reliance of one another before the connection between established as they grow attached to one another. Then, from that connection grows affection which their feelings started to be passively shared without direct intents.

Before they come to know it, they can no longer live without one another anymore. Yet as they come to know one another intimately, they come to learn a lot of grievances that they wished to spoke to one another. But because they were martial artists and not scholars, they ultimately can't exchange their thoughts with words alone. Yet what can't be expressed in words can be felt through actions.

Thus the two of them steps into position before they initiated their martial arts thus by proxies, their intents. It is just how martial artists communicate with one another to begin with.

Within the realm of connection where the world around remains colorless, radiating in their presence is the colors of Seven Emotions and its permutations that painted the realm of connection with their own, the hallmark of Extreme Triflower Summit martial prowess that both of them reached.

Yang finally decided that if Octopath Illusion will have a use, it is now when the Heavenly Demon is his opponent. He has made his research into the Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts and thoroughly analyzed it and its essence. And unlike the previous verbal duel that has gone nowhere, he will strike where it hurts the most possible so that the Heavenly Demon can realize her own enlightenment too.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts is a powerful martial art, but it doesn't mean that it is the invincible kind that has no equal. And Yang has to prove that the way Baek Yeon perceived life isn't the absolutely right way at all. So that she can strive to become stronger just to prove him wrong again.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts - First Form / Octopath Illusion - First Path
Sword of Starvation / Bountiful Harvest

Yang's crimson gauntlet clashed with her scarlet sword as the everchanging-color aura of theirs clashed with great power. Two martial arts derived from the manifestation of memories and intents whose true essence can only be reached at the realm of Three Flowers Atop Summit. Memories of starvation and of harvest collided as the color between them merged together.

A world that never existed once more revealed its visage to them as the colors of their attacks merged with one another again.

Two martial arts of opposite essence clashed resulted in a critical paradox that has no easy resolve. Yet despite how polar opposite they are, the two essences proceed to merge together anyway. A world where starvation and fulfillment coexisted. And that world... was just the same as theirs like it always has.

A barren field revealed in front of them yet some patches grow a resilient crop that endured the harsh drought either way. A tired farmer on his backbreaking work who looks like he is on the verge of breakdown continue to till the barren field. As wrought with starvation as his body is, even this meager crops that managed to endure will bring him in another day. With the returning path by the river which the farmer follows, the flow of water is constantly on the verge of drying out yet persisting either way. Sometimes abundance, sometimes drying out.

It is simply just life itself. It has its up and down and everchanging much like the colors that their aura become. It is the world they have always been living like they always have.

The visage ceased and they come to see themselves standing amidst the snow dumbfounded at the sight they saw. It is clear that they are heading toward the right direction as they dueled. So not stopping there, they then use their signature martial art to clash with one another with all they have.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts - Second Form / Octopath Illusion - Second Path
Sword of Forthirst / Rain of Salvation

Another ephemeral vision toward a never-existing world revealed. A desert stretched as long as one could see, the sand scorching hot yet scatters across its expanse are many oases where water flowed freely, the few pocket of lives. In the distant is a vast blue yet upon closer inspection is only a mirage. The sky was in a brilliant blue where clouds floated lazily, its shadow grants a brief respite against the blazing heat. Stood in the heart of it all is a desert tribe who lives and dies by the oasis they settle in.

The two snapped out of their visage again as the duel goes on. It is only until now that they suddenly knew the precise words to speak of one another wholeheartedly.

"Yang, I hated you. I hated every Orthodox martial artists in this world. It would have been so simple if the color of this world was only black and white. You people stayed aloof and happy while the common folks were screaming in agony. Yet that isn't what I can't forgive you about. But you people clearly have the vibrant colors of emotions like the common people. All of you can clearly desire comfort and suffering and people too. I loathed that you can act like you're a human too". Baek Yeon said as the complex connections of numerous emotions of the Seven Emotions manifested.

Within the realm of connection, Yang perceived how the pink connection of love intensified, yet manifested so too is the dark crimson of hatred and sanguine of hostility, dark blue of sorrow, together combined into numerous permutations that he couldn't assign a name to all of them. They were contradictory yet it felt natural much like how starvation and abundance can coexist.

"How can you be so cruel to others like beast yet act so humane toward yourself?". Baek Yeon said as she quickly prepares her following up of Third Form of Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts.

Yang remained silent as he knew that not every Orthodox can be righteous like he is. Vices are a common thing that spare no one, even he included. But... he knew precisely his rebuttal.

"Baek Yeon," Yang began, his voice steady despite the intensity of their duel. "I understand your hatred. The world isn't black and white, and neither are we, the martial artists. We are humans, capable of both cruelty and kindness, of causing pain and offering comfort."

He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing. His gaze met hers, unflinching.

"The cruelty you speak of, it's not inherent to any of us. It's a choice, a path that some choose to walk. And it's a path that I, and many others, have chosen not to take." He clenched his fists, his lifelike-colors of aura flaring up as he prepared for the next clash. "We are not perfect, Baek Yeon. We make mistakes, we falter, we fall. But we ultimately learn, grow, and strive to do better from those mistakes. That's what it means to be a martial artist. That's what it means to be human."

How many people can speak of themselves with being satisfied with the life they had? The choice they made and the path they have taken? Simply put, no one. Everyone has their own hands to be dealt with and they can only try their best with it. What Baek Yeon tried to do is to flip the table entirely and honestly, he understood the sentiment because of his role as the Alliance Leader as he has to overseer many people of all walks of life, both of the highest heaven and the lowliest of the earth.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts - Third Form / Octopath Illusion - Third Path
Sword of Asphyxiation / Catharsis Release

Baek Yeon's sword path was like a hurricane unleashed. His tightly-clenched fist moved like a whirlwind as he broke apart the storm of sword through its eye. The made their clash directly again as the vision of theirs of the world around shifted again as the manifestation of the Extreme Triflower Summit occured between their martial arts. Instead of vision, this world manifested directly around through the realm of connection painted by the colors of their everchanging aura of colors.

They found themselves atop a mountain peak so high that it penetrated through the exosphere, the air around them so thin it might as well nonexistent. Yet at the very height unobscured by the cloud sea, the stars shined brilliantly giving them the peace of mind no longer existed in them, a sense of relief washed over as if it doesn't matter that no one can take their breath here. As if he could hold himself in for the eternity as long as the stars still shine unhindered.

The ephemeral world ceased again as the bloodied snowfield around them reappeared. To make the matter worse, a blizzard now drenched in the same bloodstained snow now falls upon them. Yet neither of them could remove themselves from the duel that they engrossed themselves in. The path forward is slowly being revealed and neither wanted to turn away from their only hope.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts - Fourth Form / Octopath Illusion - Fourth Path
Sword of Frostbite / Breathe of Spring

The world around them transformed again, as the Heavenly Demon's sword path now penetrates deep like frozen ice, Yang's arms motioned itself to nullifies the oncoming deathblow with grace like a spring breeze before sending a counter that would have caught nearly every martial artist off-guard otherwise. The Heavenly Demon foresaw it however as they both returned to just clashing like usual.

They caught themselves near the frozen lakeside while a large tree casting its shade over them. Most likely a cherry blossom that only those most prestigious martial families know because they have coveted them all when possible.

Everything is covered in snow and the cold air felt intensely chilling to the bone despite their physique enhanced at their approaches of Extreme Triflower Summit. Yet amidst the frozen landscape they're in, they instinctively know that this is the transition from winter to spring and it is always the coldest at the winter's end.

The sky is once again blue, and snow seemingly fall without presence of clouds. It is a surreally beautiful sight that none of them can enjoy before everything ultimately vanished once more. Before the old cherry blossom could bloom did this momentary dream end in a whimper.

Back to the bloodstained blizzard once more. Their struggles only rise as they're not entirely immune to environment at the stage they're in even if they fare far better than otherwise.

"How nostalgic, this cold is exactly what I felt during my childhood when I was abandoned amidst the snowstorm". Baek Yeon said her sword path goes on unhindered despite her waning condition. As her long black hair billowing with the wind.

Yang knew that she holds herself an advantage with her special constitution that allows her to survive indefinitely in the cold.

Because of that, he initiated the following next form of his martial arts without hesitation as he is now on the offensive unlike before. Feeling the pressure of time much more visibly, he marched forward with his fist soared toward the Heavenly Demon herself.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts - Fifth Form / Octopath Illusion - Fifth Path
Sword of Overdose / Pleasure of Impure

The Heavenly Demon's sword path shifted again into unpredictable patterns of serialized slashes, thrusts and feints. Not a single one can be ignored for just one misstep can lead to slow and insidious death, much like a reflection of those who fell to substance abuse with the first dosage and unable to detach themselves from the very poison that kept them alive the same. A technique that Yang can say that he has no proper countermeasure to until very later on.

There were many reasons why people would fall to substance abuse the same, like drugs or alcohol and similar. Not even the righteous martial artists could easily abstain themselves from such pleasure other than practicing of their own arts. However, Yang knew that everything is perfectly fine if done out of moderation but people's idea of moderate can be vastly different than one another and to enforce one's standard on such thing is no different than tyranny. It would have been his end right there if he didn't devise his Fifth Path of Octopath Illusion to begin with.

The philosophy of Fifth Path of Octopath Illusion, is balance. To dictates a clear line between life-giving sustenance and deadly poisons. What the Heavenly Demons's Sword of Overdose spoke to him based its assumption to the fallacy of logical extreme. That once one have its taste of pleasure, they simply can't live without it and they will yearn for it nonstop until it becomes their own self-destruction.

Yang couldn't completely deny it since there were too many examples to say otherwise. But if what Baek Yeon presented for her argument are circumstantial evidences then he will do the same. His fist moved in a rhythm only he understood as he met each and every individual attacks of Yeon's Sword of Overdose and returned his response accordingly. Yet its true impact doesn't lie in the physical but by disrupting the rhythm of its opponents subtly. With a technique that already relies on barely-controllable chaos, just a tiny nudge and the house of cards collapsed naturally.

The two final blow collided as the world around them transformed into the reflection of their clashing martial arts. Within the red light district of a capital city, one can see people partying and enjoying the delight of physical pleasure. The intoxicating atmosphere beneath the moonless night lit by lanterns of festivity, streets lined up in ornate decorations. Men and women, dressed in colorful silks and satins as they enjoy the delight of the moment.

Yet underneath all that glamour of the red light district still lies the unspeakable side of forbidden entertainment, where pleasure and suffrage isn't mutually exclusive. The forbidden kind of pleasure that brought ruins to the future if they dare indulge which the Heavenly Demon learns and aware intimately as per her journey of the outside world. Yang too know about this but uprooting all of this bad apples take more than just barging in because they had demands for it and people are willing to pay for it. A conundrum that has no easy resolution, much like life itself.

The ephemeral world disappeared again as they continue to clash with their Extreme Triflower Summit martial prowess. Whatever turbulent thoughts displayed through their attacks reflected briefly in the imprint of reality. None of their attacks are aimless for they moved in accordance to the flow of intents and connections toward one another in the realm of connection.

Numerous threads of intents directed toward one another as they repelling them back with their own intents. Like generals sending out their soldiers to take out one another individually in a rapidly changing battlefield within their own.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts - Sixth Form / Octopath Illusion - Sixth Path
Sword of Illness / Appreciation of Life

Their respective techniques imbued by Extreme Triflower Summit martial prowess clashed once more as the aura of vast colors imbued within collide. Baek Yeon's sword imbued with the shared understanding of a patient approaching the terminal end of their life, one that is filled endless jealousy toward the still living, always unrestful as their end draws close.

Represented through the streak of slashes of sharp pain, lingering pain left behind with thrusts, and feints that represent temporary relief before a much more severe onslaught of symptoms befall. All of them combined into a sword path that is erratic and unpredictable, mirroring of a terminal patient approaching their own end. By this point, a Demon practitioner would have been virtually unstoppable to the majority of the Orthodox martial artists because very few martial artists could overcome their own terrible constitution should it happen and not accepting their own fate to learn martial arts.

Because Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts is designed to slay those who have inadequate understanding of the suffering that drive this martial art to begin with, the Orthodox Alliance suffered great damage before Yang himself could develop a countermeasure.

But Yang isn't without options either. He himself isn't a terminally ill patient but he has the learning insight of one that allowed him to conceptualize the counter technique for the Sword of Illness.

Appreciation of Life, the Sixth Path of Octopath Illusion is a fist martial technique designed to counter Sword of Illness's sword path and to argue against the philosophy that it decreed as absolute. The core philosophy of it, isn't to subdue the agony directly but to embrace the pain and turn it into something meaningful.

Represented with a series of fluid, circular movements that mimic the natural flow of life. Each punch is not just a strike, but a symbol of life's moments, both good and bad. Not forceful, but gentle and accepting, like a man embracing his fate with open arms.

The blocks in this form are not rigid, but flexible, representing adaptability and acceptance of change. Like the patients who, instead of resisting the inevitable, chooses to adapt and make the most of their remaining time.

The footwork in the Sixth Path is steady yet light, symbolizing the balance between life and death, joy and sorrow. It's like the steps of a man who, despite knowing his end is near, chooses to walk with dignity and grace.

The sequence of attacks in the Appreciation of Life is not fixed, but changes according to the opponent's moves. This represents the unpredictability of life and the need to adjust to circumstances. Just like how a terminally ill patient has to adjust their lifestyle according to their condition.

Finally, the finishing move of the Sixth Path is a powerful punch delivered with all the strength and spirit of the practitioner. Symbolizing the final moments of a dying man who, despite the pain and suffering, chooses to face his end with courage and dignity. One that carries the message of appreciation for life, to the human spirit's resilience and the profound appreciation of life, however fleeting it may be.

Of a sword that screamed in jealousy, and a fist that speaks of appreciation, two attacks of opposite nature collided as the essence of Extreme Triflower Summit bleeding into one another, turning the world around them into that of an ephemeral vision toward the nature of two opposite beliefs yet so similar at the same.

Sat in the bench of a temple's courtyard, a young man whose skin looks pale and the expression pained as he continues to wrote down something in his book. It doesn't take great observation to know that he is suffering at the hand of a deadly ailment that has no cure. Yet as the Heavenly Demon and Yang continues to fight amidst the courtyard, the terminally-ill man makes his observation of two strangers that fought so fiercely that he couldn't help but be jealous of how vigorous they are.

Nobody treated him like a normal human being when he was born with terrible constitution that only sends him nearer to death each day, only of pity and curiosity that is constantly received before it just become indifference at the very end. At this point, he doesn't want to be considered as a 'poor soul' and drags his time out anymore but taking the easy way out didn't even feel right the same.

Yet, amidst the jealousy, there was also a deep sense of appreciation. He admired their determination, their resilience, their refusal to back down even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. He saw in them a reflection of his own struggle, his own fight against the relentless march of his illness. He understood that he is simply no fighter and have none of the physical strength that his peer has but he has the spirit of one to keep trying to find a meaning in his life, one that refused to be extinguished no matter what.

In reality, he had once failed to face the reality of his life as what he wrote are the curses and resentment toward the world but once even the hate itself become tiring, he retrospectively come to his embrace with acceptance at the end.

That is his Sword of Illness if he had known of the Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts. And in his own way, he was brave and determined like any martial artists. Because of it, he realized just how much his time is moving faster by comparison now thus with haste that the dying man writes down his life in with fury at his limited mortality.

The scenery passed away once more as they returned to the bloodstained snowfield amidst the blizzard steeped in blood. They come to slowly understanding the duality between their own worlds that they have never shared with one another. One stood at the highest heaven to gaze down upon the earth, the other who lived closest to the earth endlessly stare toward the heaven above. That was the stance of both Yang and the Heavenly Demon respectively.

Before the duel between go on earnestly, their mortal enemy has found them once more and this time, they can no longer escape even if they wanted to. Having surrounded the entire snowfield with their overwhelming number, the momentary peace between each grueling onslaught has become shorter and even shorter to the point it becomes meaningless to rest.

Having recognized their immediate threat, they turned their own respective martial arts toward the enemy instead of one another.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts - Seventh Form / Octopath Illusion - Seventh Path
Sword of Trauma / Bloodstained Chivalry

Baek Yeon's sword path shifted to that of a lowly peasant being mistreated by the presiding officials. First was his money, then his livelihood, yet no amount of protest could sway as he was continuously beaten with a staff till his body broken and crippled. All to make a summary punishment, to make an example to the other lower class folks should they defy their rulership.

At the time, she saw everything that occurred. As she used the realm of connection to empathize with the emotions of the victim and his hopeless plea for help only to fall to deaf ears as everyone around does nothing but let their ruling official's tyranny go unchecked. Thus the conceptualization of the Sword of Trauma that moved in accordance to those emotions.

Unlike other previous forms of Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts, Sword of Trauma draws more upon the emotions of wielders than any form before it, with focus on memories of injustice and trauma. A martial form devised for the suffered subjects to revolt against the unjust with their own strength. Each strike focused more on the flat part of the blade than the edge thus only a weapon that could withstand such abuse can be used effectively, ironically like an official that drive their own subjects to the brink with their own demands.

Designed more defensively until a well-timed devastating counter can be sprung, one can notice how the defensive stance and footwork is tailored toward the more inadequate common folks who has no opportunity to train martial arts. And yet despite its low entry requirement, the skill ceiling it has is absurd to the point that both novice and the masters make use of the Sword of Trauma because the idea of injustice can easily be supplaced with overwhelming numbers. A martial form designed to combat against many alone.

The reason the flat of the blade is used because one must strike in accordance to retribution, not vengeance alone. Because death is easy, live the consequence is far more agonizing. Also symbolizes the blunt instruments often used by the oppressed in their uprisings, tools not meant for battle but repurposed for the cause of freedom.

With Extreme Triflower Summit martial prowess, the aura of everchanging color that imbued her scarlet sword unleashed in devastating shockwaves as it swept the enemy soldiers engaging in combat with her. Even as she penetrates deep into the enemy line, her footwork and defense remains undaunted as alone she wreaks havoc upon her enemy indiscriminately alike regardless of who her opponents is. Just like how the uprising makes no different of their enemy's distinction.

Yang quickly follows as his performs his following martial form as everchanging-color imbued his crimson gauntlet. One that originally designed to counter the 'Sword of Trauma' of Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts as its proliferation become too widely that the social order was actively disrupted and Orthodox martial artists can do little against.

Even though he was the Alliance Leader before the fall of this world, martial arts alone didn't do anything meaningful contribution-wise to society. There will always be bad actors regardless of how much he could oversee the rulings but the consequences left behind still linger like a nasty scar that never fade. Once it is done, trust can't be easily obtain again. The scent of blood remains upon the oath sworn can't be easily washed with good deeds no matter how many.

That's the philosophy of Bloodstained Chivalry, to never tolerate evil no matter how benign it may be. It is in one's nature to judge oneself by intents and others by their actions. And this martial form subjects him to have his own actions be tested so that true justice can prevail itself.

His stance stood unyielding and tall as he assess his enemies' intents in short moment, then his footwork moved in firm resolution. To confront with those who tarnished the meaning of chivalry, one can't allow hesitation to settle in their heart. Only determination spoke of an individual's true quality.

Against an opponent that have no chivalry, he can't spare any mercy to those who have none of it to begin with. What supposed to be disarming strike transitioned into a deadly series of blow, enhanced by Extreme Triflower Summit to the point that the aura surged from his clenched fist blew his enemy away in a powerful breakthrough. And when their enemy's defense is blown open, Baek Yeon dropped her defensive stride as she made her charge to deal maximum damage.

After the Sword of Trauma become proliferated amongst the populace, dissidence surged beyond as chaos and disordered damage the social fabric beyond repair. Unlike the Heavenly Demon or the Demonic Cult's practitioner, most people don't have the emotion maturity that reflected their own age. They didn't want a compromise or an answer, they wanted to rage and let their own hatred of the world around consume them. It was all a powder keg that awaited to be blown up and the Heavenly Demon simply gave the slightest spark to it.

And so, trust eroded and society only exist as it is maintained. Thus, the Orthodox-Demonic War begins in earnest as Yang deducted the culprit only after numerous investigations have been done. But by then, the damage that is done is beyond just mere rebellion.

Their memories of two different perspective converged toward that day. And yet despite looking at one another in the opposite way, their path that they wished to take is ironically similar to one another and heading toward the same destination. Yet because of the direction being opposite, they have no choice but to confront with one another. Something they only realize at the realm of Extreme Triflower Summit.

They both want justice to be enacted but there was simply no true correct way to do so. Both their ideas' of justice completely distinct with little shared ground to identify.

Their vision returned to reality once more as they paved their path forward the enemy's advance. The two in harmony surpasses one in perfection. They know their death is imminent but at least they know that... they have together.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts - Eighth Form / Octopath Illusion - Eighth Path
Sword of Incineration/ Destined Thread

Infusing the power of connection into their armaments, the pink thread of love takes its manifestation as flame wreathes their weapons. To Baek Yeon's flame represents all-consuming destruction and permanent lost into unrecognizable ashes. Following the rules of three, one can only survive being burned alive for... 3 seconds... Yet at the same time, fire is vital for life to prosper much as Yang himself come to aware as his flame-wreathed gauntlet sweeps across numerous Imperial Guardsman in his way. Without fire, human would have lived in manner no different than beast itself.

The day when the Imperium of Man arrived and descent upon their world, when they become the remaining survivors of the last stand of the unified alliance between the Orthodox and Demonic. When this endless snowfield become their only home as the Imperium's ground force scours the place. There was one constant unified them together during the coldest night, a simple campfire that can only last one night. This shared moment is what makes Yang revised his Eighth Path of Octopath altogether because it was originally very shaky in foundation and design but only now complete through the 6 years of shared life.

Baek Yeon's sword path was abrupt and swift in nature much like that of a wildfire. Incinerating the old so that the new can sprout from the remaining ashes. As scorching embers left behind in her pyrotechnic sword arcs. Its defense as impenetrable like a literal wall of flame, its motion speed are no different than a real forest fire, deceptively fast and nearly uncontrollable to the most emotionally matured.

Yang's gauntlet wreathed in golden ember as he threw his rapid barrage of blows as he clear the surrounding enemies and their defense. That's the essence of the Eight Path of Octopath Illusion. How fire becomes the connection between people, the flame of the hearth that drives the coldness away and what built community and wove the tapestry of society into existence. What it drew upon is the connections and bonds that make up of human's social existence.

Though much like any fire no matter how warmth it is, making direct contact with it is still lethal. Much like how the sun above them is crucial for life yet one will burn up if they fly too close to it. People can't live without connections but becoming overly dependent on it is a sure-fire way to a tormenting existence.

These two techniques originally meant to clash with one another now find its target toward the enemy that unified them together.

As they become engrossed in the fight, a trap laid for them bare its fang. The ground beneath them tremble as a crack started to manifest in the bloodsoaked snow. Even both of them can recognize the danger as burst of sanguine hostility emerged from the ground itself. Splitting right between them and only further widen in each second, they in the heat of moment made the mistake of separating from one another.

The crack transformed into a ravine. The jumping distance isn't impossible for them but they are the most vulnerable mid-air if they done so. Now that they were seperated from one another, their chance of survival drop significantly without each other's assistant. So many "if only" crossed their minds but they can only now face the consequence of their decision.

And in the distant, the bulk of Imperium's annihilation force have arrived, and the commanding voidship that has been taunting them since the very beginning has arrived to make sure of their demise. The connection between them strengthen in face of dire peril yet unless a miracle occur, this will be their final resting place.

A grueling battle takes place as without each other to cover their defense, the effect of attrition become painfully apparent. Even with the power of Extreme Triflower Summit can't help when one is confronted by a coordinated assault of myriad trained soldiers at once. Injury sustained, combat effectiveness waning with each passing second, they knew that this is about to become their end.

And then... something beyond Alphric's comprehension occurred. But even if he couldn't comprehend any details that happened by himself, he knew that he must show Yang the scene of that day. Yang at then was at the utter end of his spirit and couldn't get himself up to witness the scene for himself. The Heavenly Demon, Baek Yeon herself, has achieved enlightenment and breakthrough to the next realm.

The rest of the scene passed as Alphric can only take everything in at face value. His Early Triflower Summit martial prowess can barely perceive or understanding what just occurred. All he knew that this must be the source of Yang's anguish and regret and by showing him the scene of that day. However, one thought crossed his mind.

How does he existed as a separate entity to witness this memory space itself instead of following Yang's limited view of perspective? He couldn't exactly figure out a reason to assign to but simply putting it as... a side effect of Triflower Summit on one's perception of the world around. To see things not with their own physical perception but the reality around them like a consciousness domain.

The memory recalled ended there. His vision returned to reality as the clash between both of them sent one another back by a considerable distance. Which is very commendable with how vast the martial stage differences between them. Alphric however can no longer muster anything at all anymore as Yang draws close for another attack. This time however, Mika took action.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts Reformation - First Form
Sword of Separation

Much like what Alphric did with Octopath Illusion, Mika so too understood the nature of how her learned martial art worked. Although she can't exactly see herself inventing and reform all of the forms in the near future, she can in fact replicated one right now.

After all, didn't Yang say to channel upon the memories of her suffering to fuel her own attacks at the very beginning when he introduced Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts to her?

"Remember the most traumatic memory that you have. And exerts those feeling and intents into your sword. Hold nothing back, until anything responsible perished under your anguish"

Remember that faithful day when her siblings are lost amongst the horde of protesters. Remember how helpless she is to escape the tides of people in anger. Carve into her mind how the only thing left of them is their tragic keepsake as the sounds of protest turn into violent insurrection. Remember once more of the scene as it drowns in blood as war proceeds in earnest. What time in the year was it? It doesn't matter as the sky is off-limit to all Lower Hivers.

Remember of their remaining keepsake and how hard she has hold it in her hands lest it disappear from her sight if she was careless. And use that as the strength to grip a sword. Lament your weakness and resent against the heavens for its cruelty.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Art is a martial art born out of those who loathed the principles of the heavens. With their curses, they created a doctrine out of said loathing itself and thus this martial art came to its inception. It is said that they who practice this martial art can tear down the heaven and trample mountains at will on their own. To even make use of this martial art, one must completely understand the doctrine behind Heavenly Demonic Divine Art.

Mika has already instinctively perform those movement already due to circumstances of her past. Because the true nature of this art isn't the claw itself. It's the 'scream' of the anguished. Tapping into her own source of misery by her own volition and wielding it like a blade that no equal. No matter how brilliant the principle of harmony that might be, the world is still a place full of errors and resentment along with lament born from it.

Like holding someone's hand as you try to held them tightly as you can. Finding yourself trying to rescue those you wanted to. And before realizing it, the position between the rescuer and rescued shifted as it is now her being rescued by her own siblings. In reality, when one try to rescue someone else, they put themselves at risk similar to those they try to rescue and only when both the rescuer and rescued shared the same intent can there be hope of salvation for both of them.

And so her sword path shifted in accordance and reflection to that thought. As the scarlet sword she swung one-handed as it made its half-circle arc from behind her back toward the front, the sword then moved back the way it gone before in quick succession. A double-slash that is the start to a much more complex sequential attack.

The original First Form of Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts, Sword of Starvation is a series of powerful slashes to decimate anything in front of. In the first form of reformation version of Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts, the Sword of Separation is the ultimate culmination of all basic motions combined into a singular breakthrough.

Sword of Separation is the reflection of anguish when one desperately cling to their loved one, only to have them wrenched away from one's grasp at the very next. The initial double-slash represents the very shifting and similarity of the rescued and rescuer. Of the sudden severing of bond that leave ones with abrupt separation that leave one gasping at what's already gone.

Its design is the manifestation of said intents. The opening half-circle arc represents the initial reach outwards towards the person in distress. But it is swiftly followed by the reverse motion, acknowledging that in stretching out one's hand, one has already exposed themselves to the same peril. The succession of alternating slashes continues this vacillation, each stroke both giving and taking, separating and joining the fates of the rescuer and rescued. What appears as a flurry of strikes is actually an intricate dance between duality and singularity.

As the form progresses, the slashes become more complex, interweaving and overlapping. This signifies the deeper enmeshment of the two souls, moving past a simple grip and towards a true merging of consciousness. The boundaries between them blur and bend until they become two vortices in a unified spiral. Only through such complete unification, removing all separations of self and other, can the ultimate breakthrough be achieved. All before approaching the singularity point of the martial form.

Yang has been deflecting every single strike that Mika has performed with the Sword of Separation so far yet before he could analyze anything of it meaningfully, the sword path that she performed becomes ever shifting and changing without any bridge to connect. It doesn't feel like he is just fighting her alone but numerous people that he doesn't know behind her are also combining their attacks with her no matter how inept it really is.

Then, all the sword paths she did before converged into a singular blow. Mika's power of connection resonated as each illusionary afterimage carried their own color of emotions before converging at a singular point. It didn't matter if any of them are just afterimages, they were all as lethal like her actual sword swing.

The seven afterimages followed her actual sword as they combined into a singular breakthrough as Yang performed his First Path of Octopath Illusion. However, the clash was unnecessary for Alphric has found the perfect moment to intervene.

Archive of Ruins - Visualization

The power to capture one's chosen consciousness to perceive through others is one of the special abilities that the Secret Sanctuary or the base that they reach through the light beacon. Specifically, the Archive of Ruins, in which information about those who were slain by the Luminaries and their allies' hands will end up in there.

Much like how Mika comes to realized her First Form of Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts by perceiving Yang's memory of starvation. This time, Alphric will guide Yang himself toward the next martial realm above by allowing him to perceive his own memory through Alphric's perception of it.

The power of Visualization. When written words alone can't describe the emotions evoked within. When only actions that have to be perceived directly can convey the full weight behind them. Just like that, Yang inexplicably found himself draws upon to a version of his past that he never knew.

6 years, 2 weeks, 2 days, 3 hours, 33 minutes, 33 seconds into Imperium's total subjugation of Wuxia.

Yang found himself in that bloodsoaked snowfield that day once again. The memory that he tried to repress in the deepest recess of his mind resurface once again. The distinction between reality and fiction disappeared for him as if he is reliving that day again. Much as he could have wished to turn his sight away, he knew that Alphric is doing something for his sake thus, no matter how things may turn out or how he wanted to run away, the only thing he has left to do is to confront his past properly.

"Don't worry, I'm here too. You're not alone in that shared sentiment". Alphric said as he waltz up to Yang casually.

Both Yang and Baek Yeon were in critical conditions from all the accumulated attritions yet they continue to fight no matter how battered or broken their bodies become. Yet, when strength almost seemingly left their body. Baek Yeon with her tired gaze and blood smeared all over seemingly saw something that both Alphric and Yang who are now in their unseen spectator role.

Her eyes seemingly stared toward the distance beyond even as though everything else of her body moved unconsciously to her own thought. Then, she had a sudden realization.

The miracle occurs at this very moment, one that Yang in the memory missed the crucial moment that would have made him ascent to the same height she did. Lifelike canvas of colors around her body converged like a halo behind her head, and when all the colors combined together, it result in a brilliant shine before subsumed entirely through her orifices. Time ceased in that moment from there onward.

"Baek Yeon... She was truly the strongest martial artist that Wuxia have ever seen". Yang the observer said with a tinge of remorse in his voice.

The Yang who is in the memory itself perceived sudden change as he turned toward where Baek Yeon is. Then he heard singing in her voice although her lip didn't move a single slightest at all. Yet this heartfelt melody is the truest expression of her that she has hidden away from so many. And that only Yang has the fortune to listen to this final moment of her. Her truest and most brilliant self that shines yet only momentary before fading.

The sorrowful and reflective vocalize carried the feelings that have no adequate expression into words. And in before when she had struggled so much by her own lonesome self, she suddenly dispatched everything and everyone around her with contemptuous ease. Sword slashes that cleave apart everything in her way as she continues her heartfelt melody. Then, her emotions finally find their words.

With the melody that sings of my youth, in the endless expanse of snow.
Sparkles brighter than any jewel, the resilience that my spirit endowed.

Instead of lifelike colors that imbued her sword, it was pure white brilliance like the stars and as the brightest light shines, the shadow that it cast is no doubt as dark like the space around the stars. In a sort of weird epiphany, black and white is the color that one obtained when they combined every color of lights and physical. The colors of Seven Emotions, the hue of Six Desires, all combined into this sort of true limitless expanse of colors that so many martial artists yearned for.

The passion that slept deep in my memory, wordlessly welling
Rushes forth from the deepest depth of my heart.

And so, the potency of her attacks increased immensely beyond any mortal limit. And as confused screaming and yells of the enemy Imperium soldier spoke of the sudden turn of the table, the Heavenly Demon herself lay waste to what has destroyed all of the martial artists of Wuxia in their final battle. As all of the focus laid upon her, Yang back then survived because she herself becomes a beacon of power that draws upon their attention.

The arrangement of these tones washed away my sorrow, that festered my soul for so long.
Now that I shall, set out with this song. Carry with me, the heaven and earth.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts - Ninth Form
Sword of Solitary Demise

Originally, Baek Yeon defined her own death as the original fate she supposed to have on that snowfield which she was abandoned in. But her constitution enabled her survival and rescue by the Demonic Cult. But now that the world that they knew come is coming to an end, she finally realized the death that she been looking for so long.

This ceaseless passion of mine
(Throughout the Heaven and Earth)

Silently well up within.
(Alone I am the Honored One)

Yang looked toward Baek Yeon as he saw how the years before shed away from her appearance, her form becoming younger back toward the prime of her physical body. Swinging the sword as if she was innately born with it, her enemies no matter how towering or massive they are, failed to comprehend the nature of her devastating attack. Nothing they fired at her is approaching her, she was virtually unstoppable as she continues her advance toward the enemy while carrying a serene expression.

This aspiration of mine will surely be stopped by no one
I shall continue to sing wherever I found myself
And now it's time to set sail toward the unknown.

And as the bloodstained snow cleared out from the devastating attacks, the fauna that never saw the light of day beneath her started to bloom. That's when Yang back then instantly realized what's going on with Baek Yeon's enlightenment. All of her attacks are infused with her True Origin Qi or one's innate vitality. In a land that has no sufficient nutrition for anything to grow, her True Origin Qi is practically a sumptuous feast for them, even if lasting for only mere moments. But because of it, Yang realized that Baek Yeon has come to acceptance of her death in this very bloodsoaked snowfield.

Her life begins its recollection in the snow, and so too it will end in the snow.

Though I once hesitated, what fate had in store for me
These loud notes that I am singing, are the proof of my dreams.

Now that only my voices shaken, filled with all the resolve that I have
As I chose my own destiny, against the heaven's decree.

Then, she recalled of a legend that is known amongst the cult. Of how this unknown realm were supposedly reached by the First Heavenly Demon when they were at the utter end of their own life. Lamenting everything that happened while desperately swinging the sword. Even though they were the strongest at the time, they didn't want to consider it as the end of martial development thus mindlessly swinging the sword after having defeated any rival and stood alone at the desolated peak.

But only at the last breath of life did the First Heavenly Demon realized what he was missing for so long and the final time he swung the sword, was what created the ravine that the Demonic Cult used as one of their bases.

My indomitable spirit reflects back through the illusionary mirrors.
But I will, make my way through the harrowing path ahead

And so having reached the same level of legend that the first Heavenly Demon have reached, Baek Yeon gazed at the voidship hanging above the sky and she thought of only one thing. She wanted to cut the heaven apart and tore down that false throne in the sky that have brought them great suffering.

Her scarlet sword, now ensheathed with the white brilliance aura now extends beyond the original sword length itself. Reaching a height five times of her own, she swung her blade without hesitation at the voidship.

I chose to walk this path
(Throughout the Heaven and Earth)

Without any fear inside
(Alone I am the Honored One)

I will continue to fight even if all the world is against me.
(Alone I am the Honored One)

I will continue to sing
(Throughout the Heaven and Earth)
Even in the midst of the harshest storm.

From this moment onward, my journey has just begun.

The crescent sword beam unleashed by her attack made its way toward the voidship, its speed faster than any conventional ballistic developed by the Imperium. Yet as it approached the destination, it carved its slash into the hull but not enough to bring the thing down yet. But the fact that her attack has reached that voidship meant her dream is close to be enacted.

I shall accept all the sorrow and embrace the burden, as the Heavenly Demon
I push all the intimidating thoughts away, as I rose up to the fight.

Had she only need to focus on the training itself, Baek Yeon would have naturally reached this martial prowess stage on her own but having unified the Demonic Cult under a directive and taking care of her own subordinate like family, even if her own lackluster focus, she was still the strongest martial artist to have graced this world. Yang partially envied her because of it, how despite everything, she become the strongest no matter the effort put into it.

On that day, she cut down the people who sealed the path to heaven but couldn't cut apart the heaven on her own. She slain the people who left the world a frozen place but couldn't cut the winter itself.

The beauty of the flawless blades tracing its path through the air, forming into beautiful sword paths.
I commit, all the bravery that I have into this final attack.

A beautiful and peaceful melody played in place as she decided to eliminate every single of the Imperium's annihilation force present here. She swung her sword once, and millions of those Imperium soldiers perished in an instant regardless of their protection. All bisected in half regardless of orientation of the sword or distance. Yet despite Yang is close to her by proximity, he was the only one to be spared from her devastating attack.

As blood and snow flowers intertwine, the melody approached the crescendo as the resolve accumulated to a critical threshold. With the ground force completely lay ruined by her blade in a single stroke, her vision turned toward the voidship in the sky. The only last remaining obstacle between her and the peace that she yearned for.

A strong light appeared before me
(Throughout the Heaven And Earth)

It pierced cleanly through my heart
(Alone I am the Honored One)

I know there will be a tomorrow for someone like me.
(Throughout the Heaven And Earth. Oh, Honored One)

Baek Yeon sees her life played out as all of her lifespan converted into the final blow that will cut the voidship out from the sky. From being abandoned in the snowfield, to taken by the Demonic Cult become its initiate, risking the rank of the cult before unifying the entirety of the organization as a whole. The Great Orthodox-Demonic War, the Imperium of Man's invasion and the 6 years on the run together with Yang... And finally, her reaching the next realm above Triflower Summit itself.

However, she wavered a moment as she saw a visage of a world that never existed. She saw herself and Yang together as a happily married couple that already having children. She has in fact saw a similar scene before but after having reached this uncharted realm, she realized why she keep seeing this visage now.

It was her truest desire and yearning. The truth of her life. She was never solitary in the 6 years on the run with him. In fact, her ascension to such a realm is only possible thanks to Yang having stayed by her side for so long. She was indescribably happy with Yang in the visage and had she been truly alone, she would have gone mad long ago.

To the space-time farthest away
(Throughout the Heaven and Earth)

To the destined moment that I will find what I yearned
The connection that binds the past and future... all gleaming.

Yang back then who was left bewildered at the sight of the next martial realm tried to reach out to her. To try to stop her from using the last of her true vitality into the Sword of Solitary Demise. However, the essence of the Ninth Form of the Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts has been changed. Originally of a selfish desire and belief, its nature changed toward genuine connection that felt too empowering for even someone like Yang.

She turned toward Yang for one last time before the sword aura of brilliant white crashed down. Once her sword has been swung, so too is her body toward the ground. Yang caught her body which colder than even the blizzard that takes place. As Yang held onto her tightly, the entirety of the blizzard itself blew open as the voidship that hung over them in the past years were struck down by her sword.

Baek Yeon has achieved Sword Intent and thus she can now cut everything with just the motion of her fingers. Yet as the light in her eyes slowly dim away, as the voidship in the background that once flew loftily up in the sky are blowing up into a massive fireball before crashing toward the earth, Yang's gaze still fixated upon her.

The melody slowly turns down its own volume as the vocalize of the Heaven and Earth approaches its end. It was only then that he realized that Baek Yeon has died. And a smile remained on her face despite her passing but Yang's was of pained torment because he is now truly alone in this uncaring universe.

She was the strongest martial artist and Yang come to one final conclusion, that he can't ever hope to reach the same height as her anymore.

"Winter has been cut... My dear nemesis...". Yang said regretfully as the blue sky shone itself upon this desolated snowfield. A distant thing to him now that after 6 years on the run have turned him into.

This peace is only temporary for Yang as he has lost something far more important that he only realized too late.

A stream of tears fall upon as Yang who is observing the whole ordeal that took place. While the him in the memory are cradling the lifeless body. Yang stood frozen as he observes the past as an outsider's perspective of the situation in clarity. Beyond the Triflower Summit, a realm of martial transcendence that he barely comprehend its intricacy.

Through the observation of Alphric's visualization, Yang received the glimpse of the Heavenly Demon's final moment, a world that completely unlike where they are right now. Flashes of what could have been in which Yang suddenly remembered in details that now he is forced to witness again. A world of him as her husband and the children of their own. Upon realizing that yearning of her, her breakthrough was imminent.

Her regret at never be able to experience that life fueled her determination as she come to acceptance of what she truly wanted. The final step that she takes to tear the cloudy heaven above her asunder.

The final color that they missed out so long to reach toward the next realm, was the color of yearning. But because yearning can be so many things, so many colors combined that it just turned white. But most people only see white as absence of color but in reality, it is every color combined.

How many can speak for their life's aspiration without hesitation? To know what they truly wanted to do and wanted to be with their own life? Across the vast entirety of the galaxy, even with the most factual view of it, no one could speak of such a thing with certainty.

The Ninth Form, the Sword of Solitary Demise, was supposed to be an expression of selfish solitude. But Baek Yeon had recontextualized it as a manifestation of connectivity between herself and Yang, between the past she left behind and the future she yearned for, between reality and dreams. By embracing the full spectrum of her emotions and desires, she had transcended the Triflower Summit.

Upon reaching the uncharted realm, the world that they painted into the colorless realm of connection become permanent and those reached such transcendence become able to make whatever they desired real in the very moment itself, and its effect lasting beyond the fleeting enactment of said desire. When Baek Yeon wanted to cut something, it will be cut without a question of doubt, the showcasing of it through the entirety of the Imperium's annihilation force and the voidship spoke of how powerful it is.

By that very point, whatever attack she did isn't just mere aura of vitality anymore, it is her wish made manifest that imprinted into the realm of connection which then reflected back into real world itself.

Yang the observer realized of what he learned but the Yang in the memory still mourns the loss. With heavy step, he carried her cold body in his arms toward the final resting place of every martial artist who have tried to fight back against the Imperium. The journey is long and arduous but Yang with his heavy heart intended to gave her the last act of courtesy possible.

Time fast forwarded as the mournful atmosphere still lingers.

7 years into Imperium subjugation of Wuxia

A top the highest peak of Wuxia, where the horizon can be seen clearly. Amidst the numerous empty graves marked by the weapons of their own wielders, both of Orthodox and Demonic alike. At the front most of them all is a grave dug for the Heavenly Demon herself, and the grave marker being her scarlet sword that never lost its luster after so long. The cold atmosphere preserved her body from decay and as she lies there so peacefully, Yang committed himself to imprint this last memory of her into his mind.

Then, he pushed the snow into the grave as the mound of snow formed. And beside her grave is also another empty grave that Yang made for himself, however, he didn't end his life there to follow her because he was too cowardice to commit to the act itself. Placing his crimson gauntlets to mark that grave, the Yang then renounced his path of martial arts entirely as he left the place.

The visualization ceased as both Yang and Alphric returned to their reality once more. In the skyless Underhive of Vespera, the planet of Twilight where a great battle once took its place to exterminate a Genestealer Cult. An uneasy alliance fractured once the goal has been fulfilled between an Inquisition's retinue and the Luminaries that Alphric himself is the figurehead of that. As the Inquisitor and his retinue that he forcefully control to fight against the Lightbearer still rage around them with ballistic flying around.

However, Yang still stare into the vast distance through the Luminaries as if he is pondering something in his mind.

What was his yearning? His final color that will complete his canvas to ascend to the same realm as her? As streaks of bullets and mundane conflict go on around, Yang remained passive as the pandemonium goes on. A distant and inward focus upon his eyes as he parsed the insight he gained upon Baek Yeon's final transcendence.

Alphric didn't want to interfere with Yang's enlightenment since this is the critical junction his mentor-forcefully-turned-enemy is under going. But before any further thought can be made...

The melody of Heaven and Earth back then played again. As it stirs his being from his contemplation, Yang felt the ethereal notes calming his turbulence within. Then with clarity, he saw that visage that the Heavenly Demon did in her final moment.

The longing that had fueled Baek Yeon's transcendence toward the uncharted realm. The dream of a life they could have shared together, a world where martial supremacy did not come at the cost of ordinary happiness. While he had been deluding himself that the path of solitude was his destiny when the closed-off recesses of his heart ached for connection, for love, for the simplest of human joys throughout all the time he was deployed across numerous Imperium's warzones. The answer was right in front of him but he was too sorrowful to see it that day.

20 years. From mere conscript rising the rank by merit of survival then leaving his world behind on one of those ships that they fought so hard against, then getting selected into the Inquisition and fight much more localized yet no less deadly battle. 20 years, renounced his martial arts away yet the prowess can't easily leave his body like taking off one's own clothes. His past can't be easily taken off no matter how much he wished to.

His color of yearning, was the same of that of Baek Yeon.

As his epiphany completed the final color of his consciousness, all of the colors converged into one. The Seven Emotions that intertwines with one another made its complete unification.
Sanguine of hostility toward his once nemesis.
Gold for the unspoken joy they spent together during those years on the run.
Purple for all the implicit thoughts of pleasure they had at one another.
Dark vermillion for genuine hatred at the difference in value at times.
Light pink for genuine love they shared as natural development of relation.
Dark blue for sorrow of having lost his only light remain in this world.
And finally, colorless white for the truest yearning of the heart.

Upon realizing this epiphany, Yang's kaleidoscope of numerous aura colors that makes up the real world around converged into shining white halo behind his head. And its radiance last for mere moments before subsumed entirely into him. The shimmering and brilliant white light then emitted from his own eyes and then his entire arms as if he is wielding the corona of the stars on his fist. And most importantly...

The 20 years of suffering that he undergone shed away, all the weariness and anguish cast from his own body as his old shaven appearance returned to his prime. The same appearance that he has in that visualized memory that Alphric reminded him. Much like the natural rejuvenation that the Heavenly Demon underwent when she reached that same realm.

"This realm name, shall be Origin Convergence". Yang said as he raised his arms into combat stance. For all the nameless legends who reached this realm but leave nothing behind for its legacy, for they all reached the same conclusion upon realizing this uncharted realm. The realm where all states of existence flowed together in a unified stream.

The existence where one is every potential they themselves have and vice versa. Where one had complete grasp on their own fate and what they want to become.

Both Alphric, Mika and Kang is alarmed by the transformation that Yang underwent. Unsure if the path they have chosen is correct or not yet just on the deliberate side, they all attack together either way.

Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts Reformation - First Form
Sword of Separation

Octopath Illusion Reformation - First Path
Shared Camaraderie

Thousand March Footwork Reformation
Thousand Miles in One Step

The trio combined all of their attacks together and Yang simply batted them away with a single move as the three were sent flying out of the dueling ground. They didn't know what compelled to do to them but they at least know that the fight and the battle around doesn't matter to him anymore.

As he harmonized his essence more profoundly with the continuum's flows, reality itself began rewriting to accommodate his truest desires. The dreamed visions of his life with Baek Yeon crystalized around him in fragmented scenes. A tender embrace, children' delighted laughter, cherished moments of tranquility between two souls that had found completion together. The vision appeared to him once more and not wanting to waste his only chance, he made himself heard across the infinite distance in his vision.

And there she was, smiling at him with radiant warmth, seemingly coalesced from the multitudes of colors themselves. As he reached out to her, Yang knew this was no mere illusion, but the truest form of wish made real through his unification with his Origin.

Pouring every last drop of his innate vitality into the following move. His martial development reached the absolute that Wuxia has seen as he comes to create his own version of the Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts' Ninth Form. As long as one keep their aspiration in sight no matter how distant, one will eventually reach toward it. Like the guiding star that held above the sky for the wayward and the lost. As long one keep following it, one will reach their destination at last.

Octopath Illusion - Ninth Path
Fist of the North Star

Like how Sword of Solitary Demise was just a vertical downward slash yet imbued with so much power, his Fist of the North Star is also similar in that it just a straight punch. But because of the imbuement of the Origin Convergence, his punch shattered through the boundary between the Materium and the realm of connection itself.

For one transcendent instant, the two world overlapped and Yang embraced his long lost love as their essences mingled.

"You walked the path without limits, just as I knew you would," Baek Yeon's voice echoed from everywhere and nowhere. Though her manifestation was ethereal, her pride and affection enveloped Yang with profound tenderness.

Then, like the finale of a breathtaking symphony, the Fist of the North Star contracted in a cosmic rush of forces. The two realms sundered once more with a concussive backlash that shook the Underhive itself and by extension the Lower Hive, disrupting the fight between the Lightbringers and the Retinue. As the Origin Convergence's continuum faded, Yang's corporeal form fell on his back to the ground, his vitality utterly spent from the extreme expenditure of manifesting that penultimate unity.

With a crystalized tear dripping from his eyes. Yang muttered his final regret after reaching the same state as she did. Feeling both proud and empty that he has nothing left to worry in this life of his.

"Perhaps, we'll see each other again in the next life..."

Yang said as his eyes closed truly this time.

The Inquisitor seeing him not doing anything about the Luminaries despite their weakened state instantly try to lash out upon by aiming his bolt pistol at Yang but that is the final mistake that he could have done. Before the trigger can be pulled at the slightest, the Inquisitor perceived a massive fist approaching him with the size far larger than him by dozens of time over while moving at a speed faster than any voidship.

And then nothing happened but he actually felt like he had died in that very moment. Yet while still shaken, the rest of the surviving Inquisitorial Retinue started to gather around him, expressing their frustration and distaste of his behaviors. Holding nothing back on their vitriol toward him, listing everything that he had done that brought selfish agony and burden on them.

"You squandered our noble purpose with your petty grudges and unearned arrogance!" One retinue member spat.

"We gave everything in pursuit of the Emperor's will then only to be led by a craven worm utterly unworthy of the sight of heroes," Another accused, disdain dripping from their words.

And as the summation of their rage reached a breaking point, the retinue turned on their own formal master as they tears him to shred with bare hands alone. The Inquisitor's agonized screams joined the cacophony as the retinue's unceasing hatred continues to tear him asunder.

Through it all, Mika, Alphric and Kang could only gaze in mute desolation at Yang's prone form. In the silence after the brutality, Alphric spoke the words weighing on all their souls.

"There was still so much you could have shared, so many more illuminations you could have revealed," Alphric lamented, knowing the wisdom Yang had briefly glimpsed would be forever obscured to them.

"You showed us the path's beginning, and its transcendent culmination. The journey between is now ours alone to walk." Mika bowed her head.

"Wherever your spirit travels next, may it finally know the peace it yearned for, Mentor. You've more than earned it." Kang placed a solemn hand on Yang's brow.

With a last lingering look towards the figure who taught them and lead them to the martial path, the Luminaries made their vow that they will uphold his legacy that he left behind. The relationship between the mentor and their students don't fade easily.

The trio gazed toward the carnage that is occurring at the Inquisitorial side before letting out a sigh. There's still a lot to be done before they can emerge from the Underhive to the above.

---

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Metamorphosis

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?'?'?, ?'?'?'?'?'?'?'?', ?'?'?'?'?'?'?'?'?'?'?'?', Hive City Vespera?, Twilight?

Cycle 301

Sophia woke up again after that self-termination done by her own volition. The transformation she underwent was horrific to the point that she still felt shaken for it was the closest she truly fear for her own life. But now that the worse has passed, she come to made complete revision of everything that she went through.

First, she focused her thought as the world in her vision turned colorless. Within the realm of intents, she gazed toward everyone around her as the azure thread guides toward the weak point in everyone presents here. But when she looked at Dorothy however, the thread itself refused to land on her at all. Seeing the phenomenon however, Sophia decided that she would rather not make enemy of something unknown when everyone else is susceptible to her realm of intents.

Then, she retreated to the storage compartment of the delivery truck as she took out a combat knife. With initial hesitation at first, she gets over it as she unflinchingly cut her own palm open. And... a purplish blood started to pour out of the wound before would itself seal in just minutes of waiting.

"This... doesn't seem very good". Sophia said as she realized the nature of her transformation wasn't temporary. This time, she quickly need to gather the wisdom from the experts themselves.

Returning to her seat in the driver cabin, she decided to make her question clear.

"Hey, Stannum. About the Peak Masters of Wuxia that you once talked about. Is there an ordering of progression to their power or similar?". Sophia asked as she made her inquiry. Because after all, she just also stepped into this realm just now.

In Wuxia, martial artists are divided as the following: third-rate, second-rate, first-rate. From there onward is the realm of martial master and thus divided into Peak Master and Transcendence Master. However, those at Transcendence level of martial arts call themselves as Three Flowers Atop Summit because Transcendence doesn't cut it to describe the nature of their power but neither Stannum or Sophia knows about that.

Peak Master is divided into the following:
-Early Peak, ability to acclimate oneself to see either sanguine of hostility and azure of self.
-Mid Peak, can perceive both sanguine and azure intent at once. Thus from there able to draw out Qi Silk into melee weapons. However, such thing is only possible in Wuxia due to the nature of the world where it come from. Otherwise, the ability to project and perceive multiple of self-intents toward enemy at once is considered as advancement.
-Late Peak, the ability to see the intersection between intents. Creating a new color that is the combination of both sanguine and azure. Realizing the meaning of that color is necessary to advance toward the next marital realm which is Three Flowers Atop Summit.

Stannum himself remained at the realm of the first-rate during his stranding in Wuxia. And that alone allowed him to live long enough to see his retirement from the Imperial Guard.

After hearing what Stannum has to say. Sophia turned around to ask Reinhardt about the most pressing matter that she has right now.

"What happens if one were to encounter a being that bleeds not red, but a purple ichor?" Sophia said as she somewhat afraid that this question is going to ignite the powder keg that is the tension between them right now.

Silence... That's what she received at first. Before Dorothy broke the silence by answering in earnest.

"From what I heard from the Guild Master, those that bleed purple are the Genestealer or its cultists. He actually even told everyone to avoid making contact with them even if death is the alternative". Dorothy said as she spoke the long-waited answer, unclear when she got it from him at all.

A heavy silence hung in the air after Dorothy's revelation. It was Reinhardt who finally spoke, his voice grave. "Genestealers are an insidious threat, one that has brought ruin to countless worlds. They are the vanguard of the Tyranid menace, bio-engineered infiltrators capable of subverting entire populations through their pernicious genetic taint."

"Once they establish a foothold, it is nigh impossible to root them out. They breed humans into a cult of willing servants, generation after generation, until their numbers swell enough to overwhelm their unwitting hosts." Leonhardt spoke as his fists clenched tightly on the steering wheel.

"I've seen the aftermath of Genestealer uprisings first-hand. Entire hive cities reduced to charnel houses, the streets choked with the eviscerated remains of those unable to flee the rampaging hybrids." Stannum said as he shook his head grimly.

As her comrades further spoke, it become increasingly obvious that she has become something that bear the insidious curse of those Genestealers. But at the same time, something felt amiss to her the same. Using the realm of intents, she noticed the thread of azure that comes from herself but none of the sanguine threads that also come from her and directed at her own when the metamorphosis occur.

Sophia was herself and nothing else. That's when she understood how she managed to escape the clutch of her transformation.

By self-terminating in the previous Cycle, while her memory is brought over to the next, the foreign consciousness that tried to invade hers didn't when she died thus like all the previous Cycles, anything belong to it get erased without a trace. Sophia doesn't know exactly why she get carried over but she will not question gift that she is given right now when she is solely relying on it.

And by severing that connection, she defied her intended purpose as an infiltrator for the Genestealer Cult. Though ultimately unclear of why it is suddenly now that her transformation occur. As the genetic taint indelibly marked her body, her mind still a bastion that safeguard the wisdom that she accumulated.

However, she knows that she must not spoke of the fact that she herself has becoming one of them. Even though only her constitution reflects that of a Genestealer and her mind is still her, she doesn't want to place her faith that her comrades won't try to kill her because she is becoming one right now. The indelicate stigma that those who aware of Genestealer threat can't easily be overcame by just mere words of trust or belief alone.

With a pang of ache in her heart that she must now deceive her trusted allies. Reinhardt, Leonhardt, Stannum, even Dorothy who have given so much to help her across the numerous cycles and imparting their knowledge to her and fortifying her resolve in hope of making a difference. But now, with everything that has occured, there's nothing left that they can do to meaningfully alter the future. 2 hours was the total best that she did with everyone help and now, it is a solitary path from here onward.

With her Laspistol on the ready and the combat knife in hand. She intended to push as far as she can with this altered constitution that she has. With the last stand ready, Sophia then jumped from the speeding truck and landed with innate dexterity that her body otherwise wouldn't have even with training. Without the indestructible crate that protected her for so long.

Sophia steeled her resolve, pushing aside the ache of deception. She would weather this ordeal alone if she must, a solitary figure enduring the weight of her metamorphosis. For she was the Scarecrow, the guardian who stood vigil over the wisdom she had so painstakingly gathered, even in the face of existential change.

Alone by herself that not even her comrades are aware of. Soon, the assassins come for her early this time around. With steeled resolve that she has, her eyes shifted into a determined glare. She doesn't remember what color of her irises originally have but they have shifted entirely to purple as parts of her mutation, a detail that all her comrades including herself missed.

Because after all, no one get contaminated by Genestealer strain and doesn't get away with losing their own humanity. Even that is unthinkable to the most experienced in combat of the Imperium.

But now that the push has come to shove, Sophia intents on meeting her fate head-on.

A feral grin tugged at the corners of Sophia's mouth as she envisioned the confusion, the fear that would grip the assassins as they witnessed her shrug off wounds that would have felled a dozen normal humans. They would soon learn the folly of underestimating the Scarecrow, for she had become something far more terrifying than they could ever comprehend.

With poised breathes, she would ride upon the threads of intents. Following the azure of self-preservation and sanguine of hostility, her path of deliverance will be weaved by her enhanced sense as a Peak Master who know very little of what's equal to her.

"Let's dance..." Sophia said as in the distance approach the squad assassin deployed nearby. Always so conveniently close and immediate.

For the opening of the last stand. 30 human, unaugmented assassins are deployed. Without any cover for protection but she didn't need any with her altered constitution, a swift advance is made as she easily exceed the speed threshold of a normal person.

Despite the staggering metamorphosis transpiring within, Sophia's outward appearance remained deceptively human. No visible signs of her newfound constitution at outward examination. No alien carapace, no grotesque mutations to betray the insidious changes rippling through her flesh. To any outside observer, she was simply Sophia, the unassuming scribe turned warrior through sheer force of will and perseverance by each Cycle that passed.

And as the kill squad draws near, numerous sanguine strands of hostility flew toward her in the realm of intents. A grin appeared on her face with confidence speaks volume of the power that now flow through her vein. Surging with preternatural speed, her enhanced physique propelled her into the fight before any of them can respond accordingly.

With her combat knife and Laspistol in hands, as its edge danced through the air and bolt of crimson searing at distant targets. Of whirling steel and precision that carve through flesh and bone with little effort. Bullets penetrated through her clothes but her body alone withstood the received impact as her resilience form shrugging what should have felled numerous of her before metamorphosis already.

Within moments, the formidable strike team lay in pieces at her feet, their lifeblood painting the ground in garish streaks. Sophia flexed her fingers, not because of the strength that she received due to xeno transformation but out of the original indomitable spirit that she has. She may have wished that she didn't have to take on this path but there's no negotiation to someone who wanted her dead for over 300 times in total already.

The true onslaught soon followed, a relentless tide of mechanized killers intent on extinguishing her existence like they always did. But Sophia did not seek cover or retreat. She simply met their advance head-on, her blade and borrowed firearms moved in unison as the threads of hostility and self-preservation weaved together into a tapestry of violence and carnage that decimated numerous of those mass-produced Nikkes.

This onslaught goes on for two hours on end. By then, surrounding her is numerous dead mass-produced Nikkes numbered into hundreds or perhaps breaking into the thousand-threshold. For two hours, a maelstrom of violence that would have broken those of lesser resilience a thousand times over. Yet despite all of that, Sophia stay preserver no matter what.

She isn't mortal anymore, not in the naivete sense that she can't be killed but rather in the act of defiance that should have snuffed her out long ago. A being whose existence had been tempered by the fires of eternal struggle. Each wound that should have felled her only stoked the flames of her determination, her rage against the forces that sought to enslave her burning ever brighter.

Standing amidst the ruined the highway tunnel in tatter. At last, as the broken remnants of the Mass-Production Nikkes littered the earth, the Elite-class Nikke emerged as she had stood as an insurmountable wall toward Sophia's attempt of survival. But now, as she turns to face the strongest enemy so far, there are simply no trepidation in her gaze. Only a burning anticipation to finally overcome the obstacle after so long. After so much anguish has been tasted throughout numerous Cycles of despair.

This time, she will defeat the Elite-class Nikke by her own strength. Even if a lot of what she has isn't deserved at all.

---

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Aftermath

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---

And so with the feud between the Inquisitorial Retinue and the Luminaries ended. With the Inquisitor dead, they couldn't exactly come back in the same way the Retinue entered without the suspicion of mutiny befalling on them. And with his right-hand man's, Yang is also dead also nailed the last coffin with any original promise that they have, not that it has any chance of being uphold with someone so irrational like him being carried by Yang until this far.

And speaking of the way to escape the Underhive, the hive-transit elevator that connects the Underhive and Lower Hive lay abandoned and decayed yet the Genestealer Cult still congregates around it proves that it must have been able to be fixed even if the efforts required is going to be gargantuan either way. Knowing the cult's ambition, that is likely their reason of nesting here. Conveniently, there's a light beacon behind the massive elevator here that connects to the Secret Sanctuary that their only safe-haven throughout the entirety of this crusade.

The trio made their secret escapade as they placed their hands on the beacon and immediately transported without anyone else knowing.

Secret Sanctuary

Upon entering the Secret Sanctuary, the first thing Alphric did is entering the Archive of Ruin. He needed to verify something with completely certainty.

Alphric disappeared into the Archive and the first thing that greeted him is a massive array of bookshelves that line up carefully with one another. The vast expanse of books mounts and stacks on top of one another as they form a stairway to the apex itself. Every single one of them are book that contains information to those that they slain. Every secret, every little details end up in these encyclopedic-sized tomes that could replace foundation brick in terms of thickness.

Awaiting him at the wooden roundtable that is the centerpiece of the Archive, is the designated Archivist who managed and maintain everything in this Archive. With a deferential nod, he made his greeting to Alphric.

"I require full records and analysis on the subject Yang, formerly of Wuxia," Alphric stated plainly. "His life has now been offered up for our continuation. The Archive should have all the relevant datapoints."

The archivist's face remained impassive as it processed the request. With a flourish of its mechadendrite appendages, it gestured for Alphric to follow.

They navigated deeper into the labyrinthine stacks until reaching a truly monumental section. A series of shelves dedicated solely to Yang's existence. The collected tomes loomed many stories tall, their leather spines bearing archaic runes, scripts and etchings unique to Wuxia's cultures.

"The Archive recognized his life's culmination as a sacrificial offering, despite it not being directly at our hands," the archivist explained in a synthesized tone. "All facets of his being, from mortal origins to the transcendent realms he briefly glimpsed, are contained herein."

"He was my mentor, my philosophical oppose...and in his final moments, he eclipsed anything I could have fathomed as I pushed him to surpass the limit so that he would make a stand for himself against the injustice. Perhaps, I really did kill him with my action after all". Alphric said as his hand ran admirably along the ancient texts. With a bit marvel at the sheer scope and size of his knowledge acumulated.

"Indeed," the archivist replied. "The level of martial enlightenment he achieved through the Origin Convergence realm erased entire knowledge shadows we previously could only speculate existed. These records offer unprecedented insight."

With almost spiritual reverence, Alphric pulled a thick ledger from the shelves and carefully cracked open its crackling pages. The first sections meticulously detailed Yang's mortal origins - his conscription into Wuxia's Imperial forces, his subsequent departure from his homeworld, and eventual integration into the Inquisition's ranks as an elite operator.

But it was the deeper sections that sparked Alphric's intense study. The philosophies and martial arts of both the Orthodox and Demonic paths were laid bare, formulas and techniques rigorously analyzed to the deepest permutation. And deepest within his section is simply a jade scroll slip placed on a lectern, that is shining like a kaleidoscope of light, carved its title outside as Origin Convergence. When Alphric picks up to read its contents however, the light shining from it was too much to even look directly without blinding himself.

Decided that there's not really anyway to look past this light with his current capacity, he decided fold the slip back in frustration. He couldn't even glimpse any truth to himself beyond one thing that just barely readable amongst the light.

Each person's yearning is unique thus not everyone can reach the Origin Convergence in the same way even if the way is freely opened for them. It is simply up to each individual to find their own yearning and that guidance from the forerunner can only help them so far.

"There are limits to how far these records can illuminate, honored Luminary. The Origin Convergence itself seems to teether on the ineffable, truth and existences so transcendent that they strain the boundaries of coherent documentation."

"Then it falls to us to walk the path he pioneered and witness it firsthand. Yang has unsealed a frontier that could elevate us to levels unimagined... Not just us Luminaries but every single one of the Lightbringers following our examples". Alphric said as trace of epiphany still remained in his eyes.

Placing back the jade scroll once more, Alphric made his declaration short and quick.

"Tell every Lightbringer that they have complete access to Yang's section of memory. They are free to learn any martial art that is suitable for them and try their best to make themselves the best version of their own that they never get the chance before becoming Lightbringers".

The archivist bowed. "It shall be prepared as you have decreed."

Just as the archivist leave the place, Alphric caught sight of a book that is plated gold entirely which is entirely distinct from every other in the shelves. Taking it with him however, its title said as the following.

"How Wuxia Martial Artist obtained their strength, as explained by a Imperial Psychic Researcher".

Unsure where and how something like this got into the legacy section of Yang but he decided to take it with him for further research. Making his way toward the center roundtable of the Archive, he opened the first page.

As the glided pages turn, revealing of intricate paragraph and dense diagrams within them. That's when the first few pages provided background on the Imperial researcher's encounter with Wuxian martial artists during one of the Imperium's countless conflicts on the Eastern Fringe. Which Alphric soon learned from the researcher's analysis that the extraordinary that Wuxian has doesn't stem from just mere techniques or physical mastery although it likely was a considerable factor.

However, the true factor that decided their power was manifestation of their own innate psykic attunement that existed in all human beings and it can be awakened and incrementally improve by infinitesimal. All done through intensive physical and spiritual training regimens as each successive martial realm they attained represented a higher level of psykic mastery over their own soul's psykic energies.

The researcher's records showed that by the time an Wuxian adept reached the vaunted Triflower Summit realm, they were effectively operating at the effective psychic output of an Alpha-level psyker despite their actual potential being far below. And the recorded few who managed to pierce the veil into the Origin Convergence, like Yang and the legendary Heavenly Demon, Baek Yeon before him, had essentially elevated themselves to the terrifying might of a true psychic transcendent.

Perhaps, one could really become the Emperor if one follow the martial path beyond even the Origin Convergence but that is probably just wishful though and bad-faith jest at best.

As he read the researcher's awed descriptions of psychic martial artists shrugging off perils that would shatter even the most stalwart psykers. Their hyper-disciplined minds easily weathered the strain and threshold breach that birth-Psykers constantly grappled with. By following their rigorous practices, they had ultimately shed all vulnerability to the perils that plagued most psykers.

"Of course..." Alphric murmured, the realizations crystallizing. "That's how Yang and Baek Yeon could wield paradigm-shattering power without succumbing to the Immaterium's predations. Their transcendence brought them godlike psychic potential while anchoring them to their unshakable mortal core."

By following the philosophies and paths ritualistically encoded into martial arts, they had found an almost elegant, "mundane" methodology to obtain the loftiest psychic attainments. The implications for the Luminaries and by extension the Lightbringers were simply... staggering.

Just by walking the path of martial arts to the uncharted realm beyond. Their Spiritual Resolution can become extremely more effective when utilized with higher martial arts. After all, they just entered Early Triflower Summit within one day when they first learned martial arts from Yang. Which is pretty much the most unfair thing the Luminary ever did considering that there was like 4 different martial realms that they just blitzed through. Third-rate, second-rate, first-rate, Peak before eventually following up to Triflower Summit.

The knowledge of psychology that Michele who he once know back in the job in Eventide Merchant Guild of his previous life imparted to him has carried the Luminaries far but the rest of the Triflower Summit are now on their own to climb.

Alphric left the archive as he told the archivist to place it back where he got it from. Yet as his figure left the place, the archivist was confused because this golden book that he told to bring back when scanned only comes up empty when it is supposed.

Upon returning to the hub of the Secret Sanctuary, he found Kang awaits him as if there is something important to be discussed.

"What's going on here? I thought you would head over to the Manufactorum to see what heavy weapon can be produced right now?". Alphric said as he that was the routine every time they can enter the Secret Sanctuary.

"Just... head to the barrack with me, there's something that you would better see with your own eyes". Kang said as he enters the Barrack first which is usually oversee by Mika herself.

When they enter the Barrack, Alphric noticed that its size has expanded compare to the previous time he was here. Rows of cryostasis chambers where Lightbringers that are yet to be deployed are laid here in wait for the moment that they would be needed to deploy. The way that they have Lightbringers to be recruited are simply the follow: they fought with the Luminaries out of their own volition and for their sake. In fact, a lot of the Lightbringers deployed right now originally belong to the separated Inquisitorial Retinue soldiers that they come across but perished fighting together.

And as Mika looked into one of the chambers and when Alphric and Kang made their approach, they saw that one familiar figure.

"Wait... Yang!? How did- Why is he here?!". Alphric said in bewilderment as he didn't expect such turn of events or he did but not having much faith in such fortune.

"I have reached the point that I couldn't muster my surprise even if I could". Kang said as his lifetime of experience has dry out his emotion reservoir. He knows that he should feel something but even that is without.

Mika still gaze at the cryostasis chamber and seeing Yang's serene expression and features at his prime as a result of the transformation effect that he undergo at Origin Convergence. After assessing everything that they know of what transpired, Mika comes to one conclusion.

"The Sanctuary has recognized Yang as one of our own indispensable ally. Someone who even when forced to become our enemy still act in interest toward of us no matter what. He tried to propels us to the realm of Origin Convergence because he himself did not know how until we made him reflect upon his past". Mika said as she comes with what can be conceived as a proper reasoning. However, no matter the reason that they thought of, Yang is here and unquestionably one of the Lightbringers now.

Each one of them gave an exchanging look about whether or not they should let Yang kept their own peace. However, as if having a machine spirit of its own as it detected the Luminaries' hesitation, the cryostasis chamber that contained Yang immediately disengage as the frost that wrapped around Yang's form dissipate.

Yang's eyelids fluttered open as the cryostasis chamber finished its disengagement sequence. He blinked slowly, taking in his surroundings with a furrowed brow of utter confusion.

"Is this...the afterlife?" Yang rasped, pushing himself into a sitting position with evident effort. "I was certain I had expended my final vitality in that transcendent moment..."

His gaze settled on the familiar figures of Alphric, Mika, and Kang. And the somehow familiar roof of the Barrack of the Sanctuary that felt like he was always here. Then, a myriad of conflicting emotions played across Yang's weathered features. Relief, uncertainty, even a hint of annoyance.

"You..." Yang began speaking, studying each of his former students in turn. "What has become of me? Clearly I still draw breath, but how?"

Alphric stepped forward, gripping Yang's forearm firmly as the former mentor rose from the cryochamber on unsteady legs.

Here's an extension of the paragraph about Yang's awakening as a Lightbringer:

Yang's eyelids fluttered open as the cryostasis chamber finished its disengagement sequence. He blinked slowly, taking in his surroundings with a furrowed brow of utter confusion.

"Is this...the afterlife?" he rasped, pushing himself into a sitting position with evident effort. "I was certain I had expended my final vitality in that transcendent moment..."

His gaze settled on the familiar figures of Alphric, Mika, and Kang, and the equally familiar sights of the Lightbringers' barracks seemed to provide some semblance of an answer. A myriad of conflicting emotions played across Yang's weathered features - relief, uncertainty, even a hint of annoyance.

"You..." he began, studying each of his former students in turn. "What has become of me? Clearly I still draw breath, but how?"

Alphric stepped forward, gripping Yang's forearm firmly as the former mentor rose from the cryochamber on unsteady legs.

"You have been granted a new existence, mentor. As one of us, a Lightbringer. The Sanctuary itself recognized your importance, your transcendent insights critical for guiding us further along the infinite path." Alphric explained solemnly.

Yang's brow furrowed further, but he listened intently as Kang continued the explanation.

"We fight not just for ourselves, but for the dream of a better humanity unshackled by the betrayals and stagnation of this age. As a Lightbringer, you will be able to impart your uncovered truths to us and those who follow, leading the way towards more complete illumination."

For a long moment, Yang was silent, the conflicting emotions warring across his expression. The detachment and yearning for peace he had tasted remained, but the noble purpose that had driven him for decades seemed to rekindle within his eyes. Finally, he straightened, returning Alphric's firm grasp.

"I see... If it is the will of the Origin that I should rejoin your ranks, then I shall embrace this new existence. There are indeed revelations, philosophies, and attainments that I must pass on... the truths that lie beyond the Convergence's horizons." Yang said, a familiar intensity rekindling behind his gaze. This time he is back to the identity that fulfilled him the most, the Alliance Leader of the past.

Yang's features set in a look of somewhat resigned determination, nodding his agreement despite the lingering annoyance at being denied his long-sought repose.

"Very well then. Let us turn our focus to preparing the way forward, my students. The Origin's call must be heeded, its light pursued into new realities of illumination. It seems my journey is not yet complete after all."

With Yang counted amongst the Lightbringer's rank, the Luminaries turned their focus toward the main objective that they've been working on all along since their fall from the Middle Hive when the Collapse point occurred and they themselves caught within it. The objective, returning back to the Middle Hive while continue this crusade against the stagnant and decadence state that humanity found itself.

Manufactorium, Secret Sanctuary.

Assessing the superstructure that is the cross-hive transit elevator, they Sanctuary has made a complete scan of its structure and all the damaged parts that prevent its functionality. Even the Genestealer Cult were trying to make use of it but unable to because otherwise, they would have caused another incursion already instead of staying here.

After Kang's thorought assessment, he made his final conclusion on the manufactorium's holographic board for all the presenting personnel to see. This include the Luminaries and Yang himself.

The sheer scale of the structure was staggering, designed to ferry entire cargo trains vertically between the hive city's various levels. It appeared that the Underhive of Vespera used to be somewhat functional until nearly every of it left abandoned for reasons unknown to them.

"The elevator itself is mostly intact structurally. However, the mechanisms responsible for raising and lowering the massive elevator platform have sustained catastrophic damage over the years. Entire gear assemblies and pulley systems will need to be replaced or repaired." Kang reported, consulting the detailed schematics provided by the Sanctuary.

Then he shook his head grimly. "And that's not even considering the power requirements to operate something this immense. We'll need to reroute significant energy conduits lay beneath just to get the elevator's servitors functional again."

"I take it the process of restoring it to working condition will be... quite loud? Announcing our intentions to every denizen lurking in this forsaken pit?" Alphric frowned, already grasping the implications.

"Activating the elevator will essentially light a beacon for every hunger-maddened horror and ravenous cult that calls the Underhive their home. They'll come swarming like flies to a bloated corpse." Kang said as his nod was grave. Thankfully that this is a checkpoint in their journey because even their mind is on the brink of collapse of such extended combat before right now and that they're running on the thin air itself. The moment they have their long rest, they are sufficiently prepared to fight everything that tries to go against them. Early Triflower Summit has very little peer right now and they would rather have it stay that way.

"Then it seems we have found the battleground for our forces' final deployment from the Underhive," Yang stated, joining the conversation with an inscrutable expression. "The moment that elevator's power core hums to life will be the signal for an assault from which there can be no retreat until we have fought our way to its summit."

The former and now mentor's words rang with grim certainty, and the Luminaries exchanged resolute looks. While restoring the cross-hive transit would be an arduous undertaking, it is their only known path back to the surface and back to their crusade's renewed purpose guided by Yang's insights.

"So be it. We will reinforce this site and begin preparations to get those ancient machineries groaning once more. When we do, it will be an open invitation for any hungry mouths below to attend the reckoning's feast." Alphric said with resolution in his mind.

The Luminaries' expressions were set, ready to embrace the coming onslaught as the price to pay for their continued ascension from the darkness. One way or another, they would ride the fortified elevator to the Lower Hive, officially mark the prologue of their crusade.

After their brief meeting, the Luminaries eventually left the Secret Sanctuary as they appeared behind the transit elevator, away from anyone's sight at the moment. After boarding their train once more that is now armed to the teeth with numerous artillery pieces and defensive installments in order to combat against the Genestealer Cult, there was a little sense of satisfaction at the progress they're making toward.

They wouldn't have imagined themselves having such capability while still living in the Middle Hive.

Upon entering his room in his respective train cabin, the weight of his tiredness crashed immediately now that all of his mental restraint has been removed. Falling into a deeper sleep that his previous life never envisioned.

---

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Gleamed Wisdom

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---

?'?'?, ?'?'?'?'?'?'?'?', ?'?'?'?'?'?'?'?'?'?'?'?', Hive City Vespera?, Twilight?
Cycle 301

Remember all the time she succumbed to her opponent because she couldn't keep up with her enemy's rapid flurry of attacks. Remember how she has to resort to cheap tricks to overcome by mere twist of luck. Things that would never work against greater opponents that would come after. How much she has despaired and lament over her own weaknesses and how she would stuck fighting the same opponents in a maddening repetition that borderline upon insanity itself.

As whirling bullets whose power equal to Heavy Bolter in such compact size approached, Sophia can only evade as her body doesn't reach such level of strength and she neither want to mutate further into whatever monstrosity she is becoming for more power. This is enough, Sophia asserted herself as she reads the threads of sanguine that is directed to her.

Recounting all the previous Cycles where she huddled behind the indestructible crate, desperately weathering the same onslaught again and again. And each moment she would fell instantaneously from carelessness or accumulated fatigue. But... not here anymore.

Moving with the grace of a dancer as her own coalesced azure intent of self guide her path toward. As the distance between them bridge, Sophia retains her rhythm of combat as the fight moved into close-quarter. With swiftness both of them displayed, the two immediately struck one another with their own combat knife as steel spark and clash upon. Then with the other hand, she point-blanked her opponent with the Laspistol with laser precision as the Elite-class Nikke staggers briefly. The obvious critical point is the head but that's why it hyper-focused when it comes to it.

The Elite-class Nikke countered with equally deadly precision as the augmented reflex enabled it to respond at speed that left anyone regardless of training breathless but Sophia's realm of intents will always give her the best way forward as the she narrowly weave her way through the tide of sanguine hostility directed at her.

Sidestepping a brutal salvo of knife thrust, Sophia applying her Genestealer grip strength to wrench that disgustingly powerful rifle out of the Elite-class Nikke's hand. She couldn't done it before now but once the act is committed, the flow of the battle changed as the gun flew out of their immediate area. The Elite-class Nikke recognized Sophia's strength as it immediately double down into melee combat, the monomolecular knife in hand become a whirling cyclone of death.

Too much hostile threads to intercept at once, Sophia made her decision to fall back as she immediately move backward in direction toward the wrenched assault rifle. She could have tried but not even the Genestealer constitution is enough to weather the storm indefinitely. Then as she immediately picked up the gun, the Elite-class Nikke is already in the approach as the knife thrust toward her.

All the paths it could have taken converged into one singular inescapable truth. Her knife and the stolen assault rifle moved into motion of deflection. She thrusted the weapon forward, the stolen rifle toward the opposition.

The knife thrusted directly into the gun barrel itself, ruining it entirely. But that has bought Sophia some more time for a swift counterattack. As swift like a Purestrain Genestealer's scythe, Sophia's knife flashed up in a brutal overhand strike, burying itself in the unprotected joint of the assassin's shoulder pivot. Hydraulics shrieked in protest as Sophia wrenched her blade free, a grave slash wound remained upon as its arm rendered inoperable.

Before a proper retaliation can be registered, the ruined rifle's stock then promptly smashed into the faceplate much by Sophia's courtesy. If it weren't for the synthetic skin, one would have saw the delicate machinery ruined by such shattering blow that it received.

Just as she is about to use the ruined rifle to smash the Elite-class Nikke in for the execution, its leg immediately pulled back and kicked Sophia with more than enough to shatter all her teeth and lower jaw by extension. The only reason that it managed land such a blow into Sophia despite her realm of intent is because all of the grievance that Sophia has toward it for all the 100 previous Cycles perishing to it.

And that kick was the last straw that held the Pandora box in.

100 Cycles of demise that she suffered, all the frustration, all the rage, all the hatred accumulated across all of it. Within that span of a moment, something inside her snapped as the floodgate holding back all of those emotions unleashed itself without restraint. And all of it, directed toward that Elite-class Nikke that has been the prime reason for all of those suffering to begin with.

The broken teeth immediately reformed itself as the Genestealer mutation replace it with vicious incisors of the Genestealer. Her vision turned red, fury and bloodlust took hold as her body immediately move by instinct. That Elite-class Nikke just knew that it has done the final mistake as Sophia moves in for the most torturous demise known so far.

By the time she reclaimed her control over herself, was on four over the Elite-class Nikke's carcass. She thought that she got used to violence but... this disgusting sight presenting itself in front of her was the newest low. The entire frontal lobe and the brain that supposed to be nested inside is gone and as she tried to figure out a reason why, it shows itself in front of her as she noticed an insidious taste on her tongue.

And finally, the bloody smear all over her own mouth.

She could hardly believe the sight or the truth of what she had done. She wanted to vomit the content of her own stomach but nothing is coming out of it. Immediately collapsing to her knee by the disgusting act that she did, she realized just how terribly she underestimated the curse of the Genestealer constitution on her. If she ever dare lose control of herself once, she would fall to such depravity that only Genestealer would do.

What would her comrade do if they see her like this?

Although she has defeated the Elite-class Nikke on her own measure, she received no satisfaction in this abhorring victory and the act that she did. And yet as the thousand yard stare continues, memories that didn't belong to her started to flash in her eyes. Or more exactly, the Elite-class Nikke that she consumed its organic part.

From the moment their consciousness first flared up as a Mass-produced Model, then slowly as they managed to carve out an identity for their own. And by miracle, they received investment from House Lilith as she has shown promising development. Moving from undifferentiated mass, she received a unique appearance for herself and dedicated weaponries suitable for her. Numerous deployment later, she was confident that her development to greater model class is assured.

And then she just have to come across Sophia of the 301st iteration of this simulation. Even Sophia herself doesn't want to see the horrifying deed that she done from the other perspective. She never thought that she would come to know what brain matter would taste exactly like.

Even though the world around her is just a mere simulation, they still have to obtain this memory dataset from somewhere. Someone who had this much hope and aspiration like she were before getting thrown into this endless cycle of death and regression.

And so... what a terrible way for Sophia to learn that she has the power to consume the memory and knowledge of others. In a true Genestealer fashion.

Falling into a depressive state, she didn't even notice a squad of Elite-class Nikke has surrounded her. A team of 4 each has their own designated weapons and role to fulfill. Unlike one that she fought solo before, having to fight against 4 of them in tandem is nothing but short of a death wish if one alone can make her suffer for one hundred cycles.

Not having the will in mind to make a stand, she accepted her demise as this Cycle ends.

---

Battle Report

Group Physical Strength: Peak Human
Spiritual Resolution Level: Awakened Psyker
Light: 489,542,332 (489.5M)
Total Kills: 43,213

-Nemesis Slain:
-Scrap Knight (100k Lights)
-Imperial Knight (300k Lights)
-Kelermorph (300k Lights)
-Locus (300k Lights)
-Purestrain Genestealer (750k Lights)

-Abominable Intelligence (1M Lights)
-Genestealer Magus (40M Lights)
-Genestealer Primus (40M Lights)
-Genestealer Patriarch (150M Lights)

-Martial Arts learned:
+Alphric Alpheus:
-Thousand March Footwork
-Krav Magus Defense Technique

+Mika Apocrypha:
-Heavenly Demonic Divine Arts
-Autumn Falling Leaves

+Kang Jeremy:
-One-Inch Punch
-Thousand March Footwork

-Armaments:
+Alphric Alpheus:
*Weapons
-Heavy Autorifle (GM6 Lynx)
-Assault Cannon (GAU-19 / MG46 Wolfenstein)
-Break-action Grenade Launcher (M79)
*Armor / Accessories
-Flak Armor
-Heavy Ammunition Box

+Mika Apocrypha:
*Weapons
-Heavy Automagnum (Desert Eagle - extended barrel/mag)
-Brilliant Scarlet Steel Sword
*Armor / Accessories
-Flak Vest
-Magnum Bandoliers
-Liberator Magnum Rounds
-Imperial Guard Standardized Medicare Bag

+Kang Jeremy:
*Weapons
-Autohammer (Shockhammer Wolfenstein)
-Arbite Power Maul
*Armor / Accessories
-Flak Armor
-Exotic Shotgun Munition
-Grenade Bandolier

-Martial Prowess: (updated!)
+Mika Apocrypha: Early Triflower Summit
+Kang Jeremy: Early Triflower Summit
+Alphric Alpheus: Early Triflower Summit

-Spiritual Resolution:

#Mika Apocrypha:
+Broken Hope:

-Ember of Hope: Kinetic-based attacks gain incendiary effect, and heat-based weapons gain more effectiveness. Close-quarter combat can release fire burst upon injury received and inflicted.

-Burning Heart: Melee attacks gain increased potency and can cause explosions at times. Can cause friendly fire and self-harm. Can be activated and deactivated at will.

-Rise From the Ashes: Cause a massive incendiary explosion on receiving mortal wounds, nullify said deathblow at the cost of potentially losing all non-relic equipment in the said explosion. Can be activated and deactivated at will.

*Spirit Arms: 4th Blaze Match - Dying Light (information updated)

+Cherished Memory:

-Nostalgic Embrace of Old Days: All melee attacks can cause shockwaves even if fail to connect. Chance of happening increases with repetition and succession.

-Cherished Memories: Combat fatigue effect is reduced, and the most tiring combat technique known and used becomes less tiring the more usage of it is increased. Reset at long rest.

-Display of Affections: When engaging in direct combat or duel, attack potency is increased significantly. Otherwise, attacks become less in power. (Can be toggled at will)

#Kang Jeremy:
+Forsakened Servitor:

-Violence: All attacks gain a significant boost but skill-based attacks may suffer from uncontrollable violence. Can be activated and deactivated at will.

-Metallic Crush: Strike attacks or critical blows inflict permanent damage that can't be removed. Significantly increased damage dealt against mechanical and constructs.

-Chained Wrath: Gain a massive attack boost to everything even firearms, however, mobility is reduced to a near-slow pace. Can be activated and deactivated at will.

*Spirit Arms: Regret Within, Regret Without (Astartes-pattern Armor and Weapons)

+Helper Servitor:

-Overdrive: At combat start or well-rested, gain a massive increase in speed, and attack deals significantly increased damage in comparison to potency during effect.

-Recognition: When attacks succeed against enemies' attacks multiple times in a row, the next following attack has minimal fatigue.

-Momentum: The higher Kang's speed in comparison to the clashing opponent, the higher the attacking potency against the said opponent.

#Alphric Alpheus:

+Bloody Aftermath:

-Stagnant Blood: Blocking become much more effective and can withstand all blows with no agony and permanent damage.

-Scar of Sorrow: Slash attacks received deal significantly reduced damage and can nullify blows at chances.

-Pale Hands: Melee attacks can inflict shocking and revolting sensations. Extensive contact can destroy a target mentally.

*Spirit Arms: Bloodbath - Coward's End

+Endless Endeavor:

-Heart of Aspiration: Increase maximum health and endurance. Movement and reaction speed are increased considerably when activated.

-Pulsating Beat: Strength increases the longer combat extends (hard-capped at 12 hours maximum). This ability resets when the Emotion Level is reset from long rest.

-Fervid Emotions: Gain a short burst of strength, speed, defense, and indomitability when activated. May cause heart attacks if overused in rapid succession.

---

Warhammer 40k's Wuxian Guide to Martial Progression

*Martial Artist Realm:
-Third-rate:
+Early: Has learned either a Martial Art or an Internal Energy Control Art (Internal Art).
+Mid: Has learned both Martial Art and Internal Art.
+Late: Start using both Martial Art and Internal Art at the same time.

[Internal Energy Arts refer to methods of controlling one's own flow of vitality. Such as pacing your breathing or meditate to measure your own internal flow. Internal Energy Art has little effect if one isn't innately Psyker or born Wuxian although increase in stamina noticeable.]
-Equivalent: Most of the mortal soldiers of Imperium such as PDFs or Imperial Guard conscripts.

-Second-rate:
+Early: Use both Martial Art and Internal Art skillfully.
+Mid: Use both Martial Art and Internal Art extremely proficiently.
+Late: Use both Martial Art and Internal Art seamlessly without conscious input.

-Equivalent: Veteran Imperial Guardsman or specialist within ranks.

-First-rate:
+Early: Achieve freedom of movement in both Martial Art and Internal Art, allow one to perform actions independently of instruction manuals.
+Mid: Innate understanding of the essence of said Martial Art, can project Internal Art externally.
(Projection of Internal Art is more visible with Wuxian or Psykers as they can project psykic field into normal weapons. Those who are none of the aformentioned can simply wield the weapon better noticably).
+Late: Unity of Man and Weapon, wield the weapon with understanding like part of one's own body. Making projection of Internal Art more effectively and efficiently.

-Equivalent: Imperial Scholar Protégés of Schola Progenium. Such as Tempestus Scions, Commissars, Adepta Sororitas.

*Martial Master Realm:
-Peak: Begins to peer into the realm of intent as two colors (sanguine: opponent / azure: wielder).
+Early: Acclimatize one's own mind to realize and perceive intents. Can see either sanguine or azure one at a time.
+Mid: See both sanguine and azure at the same time, can project more threads of intent at once, capable of infusing intents into the attack itself
(Creating Qi Silk, a more refined and focused form of psykic field that Psykers use to imbue their attuned weapons)
+Late: Perceiving the intersection between azure and sanguine, forming purple. The path of both self and opponent.

-Equivalent: Adeptus Astarte (Space Marines) Initiate to Sergeant. Said to require at least 50 first-rate martial artists at once to overwhelm a Peak master.

-Three Flowers Atop Summit. (Triflower Summit)
Views the world of intent beyond the boundary of the self. Martial artists at this realm see a different world from those at the Peak Stage. While Peak artists only see red and blue, martial artists in this realm can see infinite colors in the wider world, and can imbue emotions into their Martial arts to make it seem alive.
Early: Realizing the meaning of purple, thus forming the power of connection. Transitioning of the realm of intents into the realm of connection (Perceiving intents as one and the same.)
From here, one start to perceive the color of connection and imbue said color into their Qi Silk, thus developing into Qi Aura. The evolved form of imbuement can easily cut through more impure psykic aura or energy imbuement.

[Basic Colors of Connection:
+Gold: Joy
+Sanguine: Hostility
+Lapis Lazuli: Sorrow
+Purple: Pleasure
+Pink: Love
+Vermillion: Hatred
+White: Yearning]

+Mid: Perform permutation with the learned colors of connections. Forming combinations of multiple colors at once. The combinations may differ but more colors channeled at once is more powerful. This aura becomes much clearer and consistently shifting its gradient that only the more perceptive could tell the colors within.
+Late: Knowing every basic colors of connection and their permutations, thus their aura formed into myriad colors. Whenever they attack in the realm of connection, their aura of myriad colors paint upon the colorless realm of intents with their own essence imbued into said aura.
+Extreme: Thoroughly understand the Seven Emotions and Six Desires thus their canvas of color that their weapon aura become extremely close to reality beyond the Myriad Colors itself. So much so that whatever attacks of theirs is imprinted in the colorless realm of connection. Their own attacks are considered as separated and fleeting imprints that manifest upon reality itself, thus making it so that their desire is enacted in that brief moment.
At this point, one view the very world

Equivalent: Adeptus Astartes Captain to Chapter Master. Any Assassin from any Officio Assassinorum Temple.

-Origin Convergence:
This uncharted realm lies beyond the farthest boundaries of the Triflower Summit's myriad colors and connections. It represents the complete merger and unification of one's essence with all 7 Emotions. Thus from basic building blocks of colors, one can form infinite array of intents and colors of connection.

Upon reaching this stage, one's body constitution immediately undergo transformation. One become a Psyker in traditional sense and definition but because of all the training discipline, one easily shrug off all the strains that born-Psykers would otherwise suffer from. Capable of detecting and perceiving spheres of consciousness of other Psykers in realm of connection and having one themselves.

Capable of imbuing Qi Aura to the flow of psykic energy, can be used as replacement cost of casting Psykic Phenomena if one wished. Their body post-reconstruction is highly optimized for martial arts.

At this elevated state, the martial artist no longer merely imprints fleeting desires upon the material reality through their transcendent aura assaults. Instead, their truest aspirations and deepest yearnings actively reshape and recontextualize the continuum in accordance with their will.

Equivalent: Adeptus Custodes Custodians to Shield Captains. Sisters of Silence. Any Grandmaster of any Assassinorum Temples.