The person stumbled and nearly collapsed, but no one paid any mind. Everyoneâs total attention was on the vital crystals, what did the other appraisers mean to them? All but Junâer, who was standing in the path of the representative.
The small girlâs eyes did not work, but her other senses compensated. âBe careful,â she squeaked. A tiny hand extended to help. Only just then the representative jerked away. To the outside observer it looked like they were trying to avoid bumping into the girl. Something in it grabbed the attention of the Keeper and Bookworm, though.
âNobody move.â A deep, gravelly voice hissed through the air. All eyes turned to the dagger pressed against Junâerâs throat, throbbing with purple light. The culpritâs free hand shot out, and ten vital stones suspended nearby shot into his grasp.
Suddenly a wave of crushing power filled the area, pouring from the Avenueâs two scientists. The suffocating aura ripped through like a tornado, swallowing everything up.
âI said, donât move. Youâre smart enough to know what kind of poison is on this dagger. A clean cut through her aorta, and no one could save your precious little Clairvoyant.â His voice was grim and low. The expression on the thiefâs face never changed.
âAstral Phantom!â The Keeperâs face went pale. He knew it because he could feel the protogenia flowing from him, the aura of a Paragon. Between the Keeper and the Bookworm, their holding aura was enough to make escape difficult. However not to comply was putting Junâer in danger.
The Astral Phantomâs current face wasnât his real one. The Paragon never revealed what he really looked like. His appearances were rare, and this one seemed foolishly planned. With so many Paragons, getting away seemed impossible. But the best methods were often the most direct. One little girl was stronger than a whole room full of Paragons. She was the future of Skyfire Avenue, and the Phantom knew that. He was unaffiliated and didnât fear the wrath of Skyfire Avenue. Besides, his attempt on Lan Jueâs life already put them at odds.
âWhat are you going to do now?â The Keeper growled.
The Astral Phantomâs voice was cold, dead. âNothing extravagant. Youâre going to give me every vital crystal in this place, and then Iâm going to go. Once Iâm safe the child goes free. You all know when I say something I mean it.â
The Keeper responded with a huff. âYou have two choices. First, surrender. Pledge your support to the fight against the aliens and you can have leave with a vital crystal. Submit to a series of restrictions, and when we fight the aliens maybe your deeds will outweigh your crimes.â
The Astral Phantom regarded the scientist flatly. âHas dementia already set in? Iâm the one in control of this situation. Keep your Alzheimerâs to yourself.â
The Keeper continued as though he hadnât heard. His voice stayed calm. âYour second choice is to face them. Beat them and youâre free to go.â He casually pointed to where two figures were standing, not far away.
The two bore expressions promising similarly brutal deaths, but through different methods. One was cold as ice and hard as a mountain. The other had a more elegant and refined bloodthirst. Four golden stars twinkled on the fiercer oneâs shoulder. His companion was also smartly dressed, but in place of stars he wore a mocking grin.
They were ready? The Astral Phantomâs face went dark. If this was a trap, heâd fallen for it. But what about the child in his hand?
âYouâre pretty foolish, Uncle. I am a prophet, how would I not know when Iâm in danger? I knew this would happen days ago.â Her voice sounded small and piteous. The naĂŻve tones of a child made the words much more cutting.
A light flickered and Junâer vanished from the assassinâs grip. She reappeared in the distance, bathed in ethereal starlight. The Ocean of Stars Domain was an inheritance from the former Clairvoyant. Although the manifestation of power was permanent, it only existed here in the museum. However, so long as Junâer stayed here she had access to all the benefits of a Paragonâs Domain. Benefits like teleportation and concealment.
Lan Jue smirked at the Astral Phantom. âWhen Junâer said she felt danger, you were the very first person I thought of. Youâre the only one with the skill to masterfully sneak in, then immediately do something stupid. Youâve assassinated our people, and today those accounts will be paid.â
The steely-eyed general was Lan Qing. He had come to Skyfire to participate in a high-level government meeting. His mocking companion was, of course, Lan Jue.
Junâer had told Lan Jue she didnât feel right the day before. It didnât take him long to puzzle things out. The only person mad enough and good enough to be a danger to Junâer was standing right in front of them. When it came to profits death did not concern the Astral Phantom!
Lan Jueâs eyes were strangely absent any hate as he regarded the assassin. There was only a heartlessness in his cold stare. If it werenât for this man, Qianlin wouldnât be in the state she was in. He had almost succeeding in taking the second love of his life from him, not to mention the many times heâd tried to kill his brother. Junâer had predicted his arrival and here he was, the infamous killer. Today their disagreements would be settled.
The Astral Phantom flicked his wrist, sending the vital crystals heâd stolen tumbling back out into the air. The movements were calm, almost flippant. Like he was capitulating for the greater good, rather than the potential danger.
âIf I beat the both of you, I may leave?â He didnât look at Lan Jue. The killer only had eyes for Lan Qing. He could feel it; this thorn in his side, who had survived so many attempts on his life, had broken through. His progress and determination were enviable.
âSo long as you donât run, youâll only have to deal with me.â Lan Qing took a step forward, his voice even.
When he spoke everyone looked his way. The An Lun super soldier wasnât known to everyone, but he did have a reputation.
âPrometheus, God of Wisdom and hero of the Eastern military. He is challenging the Astral Phantom?â Someone asked.
Luciferâs ears perked up. He knew those names and titles well, and the moment he heard them his face changed. The An Lun super soldier, great hope of the East â was it really him? Hadnât he been vice-admiral? Heâd heard nothing about Prometheus becoming a Paragon.
The Terminator was similarly blindsided by the revelation. However, his mind immediately turned to reports of An Lun satellite images. Was that golden aura a result of this young manâs protogenic power? If that were trueâŠ
Ordinarily Lan Qing would not have tipped his hand and revealed his ascension. Typically this information would remain secret to keep an advantage over the West and North. Now, however, things were different. The worlds of man were upended with the alien crisis, as well as the discovery of vital crystals and the exuvium process. It was as much a danger as it was an opportunity. The East â being the weakest of the Alliances â was seeking to exploit and profit from these opportunities. Surely they hoped the East would eventually surpass its two neighbors. Perhaps now wasnât the time for secrecy, instead it was time to flex muscles and make a show of what the East could achieve. With the alien menace at their doorstep, at least they didnât have to worry about overt Northern or Western aggression. The Westâs presence here was proof; despite their hateful rhetoric, how could they pass up the chance for a few vital crystals? How could they want them and at the same time say they were fake?
âVery well! It looks like youâve been promoted. Now show me how strong youâve become.â The others around them scattered back to give them space. Still there were many who were visibly frightened. This was a Paragon battle, collateral damage was likely.
However their fear was only short lived. In the starry expanse above, a single celestial body flared brightly. The starâs gentle light enveloped Lan Qing and the Astral Phantom. Right away both of them appeared to shrink. From the outside they looked like miniatures. To them, it was like theyâd been cast into a pocket dimension. Completely oblivious of everything happening outside.
Inwardly the Astral Phantom was in a sour mood. He was too bold, too careless. It was foolish to underestimate the Clairvoyant! He was dead, but managed to leave behind such a powerful tool even from beyond the grave. Too risky â in the future, he thought to himself, he would need to be more careful.
Lan Qingâs figure floated in the dark expanse of this pocket universe, facing his foe. For a moment he just regarded him. A gentle cyan light radiated around his body.