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Several moments before the fateful event,
Outside of the Dark Ruin Labyrinth, there was a change in the countenance of Irauk. He continued with his earlier actions. However, the more he did so, the more he felt an aura that unsettled him. At first, he thought it was possible an intruder was involved, but that was promptly dismissed.
The spatial barrier surrounding the area prohibited even singular Grand Master level experts from penetrating it with ease. If they wished to do so, it required both time and the ability to avoid the senses of everyone present. As for preemptive measures, only during the selection trial was this space accessible.
In other words, the Supreme Families were not the people who set up the barrier in the first place. Therefore, Irauk's mind fell to other things. First, the deeper his senses burrowed, the clearer the sensation of the aura became. It was familiar—it was Apollo. But, that wasn't entirely true.
His eyes narrowed, 'Is there an impostor disguising as that boy? No, the signature of his aura is too unique, it can't be duplicated. Then, what is it? Why does there seem to be another presence mixed in? In fact, its origins seem greater than…'
Silently, Irauk lifted his head to gaze at the Empyrean Dragon guarding this island. It was certain, the subtle fluctuations he picked up—they eclipsed even the dragon above. After ascertaining this fact, Irauk retired back to his prior devices.
Then it happened, that subtle fluctuation became not so subtle. A flagrant aura burst forth in his eyes. While the image below was shoddy at best, he was well aware—this wasn't centered around humans. Something was amiss!
Left with no other choice, Irauk rose to his feet, "We discontinue the trial now! It is growing way too dangerous inside. The stipulations of allowing these kids to go unmonitored are far too great, woefully so," Irauk said with a grim expression. The uncertainty in his heart grew by the second. It was imperative he got inside.
"I'm with you on this one, but we'll need a Grand Master level expert to breach this. Yet, even then, it'll take 5 uninterrupted minutes of channeling to complete our actions. I'm afraid that's a reserve we don't have nor do we hav-"
Irauk interjected, cutting off Sirius by flaring his monumental aura, "I am the Grand Master level expert! Now, we enter!" Irauk roared. This time, his words seemed to be a command as his eyes glowed with an amber light. It had been many years since he felt like this—angry.
"Y-you've broken through? I knew you were close all those years ago, but that was just due to your irregular spirit. In under 15 years, you have reached the concrete height of the Grand Masters? This is inconceivable. That's… on par with the…" Sirius looked at Irauk with both awe and a hint of fear.
"Yes, it is on par with the past Paragons. In fact, it is much faster seeing as my time for cultivation is much shorter than theirs. Nevertheless, that isn't what's important here. What we need to focus on, is making sure those kids are safe and not in any danger. After all, this area is something we stole!" Irauk commanded. He left no room for rebuttal as he looked at Sirius.
"Very well," Sirius nodded. Before making a move, he glanced at Odessa, then to his far-right, "Solomon, you must act as well. I know your Braum Family has animosity with Irauk, but you must also keep in mind the image we must uphold for society. Bury the hatchet and act accordingly."
Upon hearing these words, another person looked over. He appeared to be middle-aged, his silver eyes hiding great levels of vitality. He was the patriarch of the Braum Family. Better known as Sapphyr's father. His azure hair with a slight metallic sheen swayed as he took a gander at Solomon.
"I have no enmity. It wasn't me who disowned my daughter, nor it is me he quarreled with. The one you need to have this talk with is my father. Then again, do you have the gall do so? I can tell you clear as day that I don't," Solomon said calmly as he rose to his feet.
Inside his eyes, there seemed to be a vacancy. Almost as if a piece of him was missing. More importantly, his visage was lethargic. It appeared his outlook was one that was both practical and bleak. After the events that took place years ago, the lackluster outlook had become his escape.
Nevertheless, he operated within the confines of their expectations. A few moments later, he levitated side by side with Irauk and Sirius.
"Your words, why does it seem you grow more despondent with each of our meetings. Pardon my blunt words, but I fear you will lose yourself if you don't get a grip," Sirius commented, taking a glimpse at Solomon. There was a disconnect between the man in his memories and the man present next to him.
After all, he possessed a second identity—the Second General of their Army. While he was among the highest echelon, he was extremely powerful in regards to the rest. In actuality, the only one above him was Sirius before him. As for the Dongguangs, well, they were unique.
Their brutish ways and overbearing spear techniques earned them the roles of Arch Generals and Warlord. Although it was a collective effort when it came to militant actions, amid the true fighting—the Dongguangs operated on a solo basis. They utilized only the Tyrant Spear Battalion.
Shortly after, one by one, additional people appeared. They were each the matriarchs and patriarchs of the Great Families. Naturally, each of them bore the emblem of their families.
A rough-looking yet beautiful copper-skinned woman stepped forward, looking Irauk straight in the eye, "How is my son, Irauk? I know you specialize in an eye technique. You should have been able to peer inside. How is Typhir? He may be strong, but I'm well aware of the strengths of those other youths and the conflict between them."
"I can't answer that, Artemis. I haven't been able to peek inside properly. There is an obscure screen of energy preventing me from doing so properly. If I forcefully intervene, I'm unsure as to whether or not I'll provoke a foreign entity," Irauk answered.
Afterward, any other question he ignored. He didn't have the answers and any further questioning would just infuriate him. The others were aware of this, thus, they didn't press the matter.
On the contrary, they focused their aura into their hands and placed it on the spatial barrier. Simultaneously, once at their peak, each one of them overloaded the barrier. This was particularly true for Irauk whose pupil took on an irregular form. If one looked carefully, it looked similar to a reptile's elliptical eye.
After several moments, a rift in the barrier opened. And, being the brute he was, Irauk took this matter to the physical level. He wrapped his hand in something that baffled everyone.
"Y-you… have you achieved harmony between Natural and Spiritual Essence? How is that possible!?" Artemis exclaimed. Even her father had yet to understand how to enact this principle on his body. Yet, Irauk, less than 1/10th of his age had done so! The secrets surrounding this enigmatic man was far beyond what they understood.
In light of her words, he only spared her a glance before focusing entirely on the task at hand. The more pressure he put on the rift, the more his own aura unsealed. It even rivals on the brink of entering the parts that were sealed away.
Hence, he resorted to other means—his eyes. They changed completely with is back turned to the rest. Crimson scales appeared as he roared, "BREAK!" Webbed cracks formulated around the site his hands rested on.
Soon enough, the rift was wide enough to allow people inside. Without hesitation, he bolted towards the direction he sensed Apollo's as well as Nadida's aura coming from.
When he appeared, he caught sight of the black dome concealing the person of interest. Once again, he took matters into his hands. He clenched his first, summoning a grandiose image of what seemed to be a scaled claw. One strike—that's all it took for him to shatter it.
However, when he saw the state of everyone inside, his expression became odd. At the same time, all of the youths fell powerless. It was like someone had planned everything.
One thing failed to vanish, however, Irauk caught glimpse of a fading silver flame. Despite being unfamiliar, Irauk found the fire to be pleasant. Thus, he opened his mouth a swallowed it.
Then, he tended to the youths.
"Reckless fools," Irauk sighed.
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