Defiance of the Fall

"The Pryer?" Zac said, remembering the four Buddhist Silzurians accompanying the C-grade Golem. They were indeed a subordinate race to the Centigrade Pryer. "It seems awfully convenient to blame some dead elementals. How can I be sure one of your spies didn't install this thing? I have been forced to use the Yphelion a few times since the war started, and you seem to have both the means and knowledge."

"Explain it to him," Kator said with a lazy wave, prompting Zac to turn to Galau.

"See how seamlessly it's connected in the original blueprint, to the point it's impossible to see anything wrong? That's because there isn't. This tracker is an actual part of the Main Array, fulfilling the function it's supposed to. Removing it will cause a malfunction.

"This array is not something you can just add on. The untransformed module here could be considered a control unit of sorts. Apart from this section, you'd have to make thousands of precise alterations to the engine and surrounding pathways to generate the actual signal. It would have to be done during construction or a complete engine overhaul."

"The Yphelion has never needed that kind of service," Zac said, the veins on his forehead throbbing.

It was impossible to miss the implication. Anger and betrayal surged in Zac's chest as Karunthel and Rahm flashed before his eyes. They'd actually dared install a hidden tracker on his personal vessel as part of their modifications. Was that why his upgrade quest was so easy? Maybe it wasn't about the war; it was about protecting their investment.

"It gets worse," Galau sighed. "I checked the original schematics for the Middle D-grade version… It seems the tracker was there since the start."

Zac was even more enraged upon hearing that. He couldn't believe he had been walking around with a tracker since returning from the Void Star. No wonder they were so willing to work with him on a custom model, pushing the reward beyond what his quests were meant to give. So much for making an investment on account of his potential.

With anger came the cold realization of how close to ruin he'd come. His original plan was to take the Yphelion into the Million Gates Territory and search for seals. Staying on earth to focus on his blueprint might be the only reason he was alive. He was also lucky he'd only used the Yphelion for short stretches during the war, and never close to populated areas.

"It doesn't make sense," Zac muttered, looking at Kator with suspicion. "Only the Undead Empire and possibly the Starbeast Alliance should have known about me when I got this ship."

"Well, whoever installed this thing might not have targeted you directly," Jaol said, shieing away when Kator looked at him with interest. "We call it a tracker, but it's more complicated than that."

"It's looking for seals, isn't it?" Kator said, sounding profoundly pleased with himself.

Zac nodded at Jaol to answer. "Short version? Yes."

"And the long version?"

"We haven't figured out all the details yet, but we have a pretty good idea what's going on," Galau said. This installation uses extremely exquisite techniques to form a conditional array of a type I've never even heard of. There are no nodes, flags, or physical pathing. It's just profound understanding of energy flow, where thousands of seemingly random variables combine into something intangible and invisible."

"And almost impossible to discover," Zac surmised.

"Exactly. This particular array needs two conditions to activate. One is for the ship to be running. The other is for the Yphelion's scanners to pick up one of several specific signals. When that happens, this module will intercept the information before it reaches the navigation systems. This is where we're not certain, but we think the array actually turns the whole subspace engine into a beacon."

"And the signals it's looking for are the seals," Zac grimaced. "I was already a sealbearer before I got it."

It was very difficult to uncover whether someone was a sealbearer. For instance, Zac still couldn't find any clues of where his seal was hidden, and he'd never sensed anything from his subordinates. The only exception was Yselio and Iz, where he sensed a vague pull of fate.

Difficult didn't mean impossible, as Valsa had proven. However, the scanners he'd seized from her subordinates reached no more than a hundred meters and only gave a general direction. He doubted even the best scanners could spot sealbearers at great distances. Covering the Yphelion wasn't very difficult, though.

"That's why it functionally became a tracker," Jaol nodded. "If the ship were piloted by someone without a seal, the Yphelion would only release subspace signals when discovering the fluctuations of an unclaimed seal in the area. I'm not sure how far those signals could reach, but it's technically possible to cover a whole sector with a network of receivers.

"From there, you can build a system to triangulate all signals. With enough scanners and receivers, you would be able to tell where every single seal was located."

"You're thinking there are trackers out there?"

"If I were me, I'd cover the whole frontier and the neighboring sections of the Eternal Storm. The more data points, the better."

"Damn, we'll have to check our whole armada," Emily grimaced.

Zac also grimaced, though for another reason. He glanced down at the prayer beads around his neck. Only a third of the original beads remained. The rest had become fuel for the Beseechment Array. It was a necessary sacrifice, but he'd crushed more than he needed because he believed it was the reason the Arhats discovered him.

Even if [Lucky Beads] still worked because he'd saved the main bead, it wouldn't be nearly as effective. Furthermore, who could possibly repair it except the Sangha? It was annoying, but not all items could survive until the end. He'd traded his [Cat's Eye Agate] for the beads and the bead for the upgraded vessel. He still came out ahead.

"If you weren't a specific target before, you're definitely one now," Ogras said, dragging Zac out of his misery. "With so many sealbearers onboard, this ship must have been lit up like one of your Christmas trees."

"Could there be more trackers installed?" Zac asked with a dark expression.

"This particular design would only work next to this engine. The Yphelion's scanning arrays are nearby, so this engine is equipped with additional isolation to prevent any signal interference. The hidden module is part of that system," Jaol explained. "Of course, someone this clever should have other methods to blend arrays into a Cosmic Vessel."

"Perform full sweep," Zac said. "We can't count on the ship upgrade to have disabled any potential fallback systems. After you're done, plot a new course just in case."

"I have a few ideas on how to track these things down," Galau nodded. "It'll take an hour or two to perform a full sweep. Do you need us here?"

"Go ahead, we're fine here."

'Wait,' Zac sent a mental communication to Jaol after he'd moved out of sight. 'Investigate the scanner that picked up the sealbearer signals and see if it can be repurposed. It's probably much better than anything we have. Confirming we're safe takes priority, though.'

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'Got it, boss.'

"Not bad, huh?" Kator said. "Would have been even better if it still worked, though."

"Thank you…" Zac said after taking a calming breath. "But why are you convinced it's the Pryer that put the Creators up to this? Any of the Sealbearer factions could be responsible."

"For example, the Undead Empire," Emily piped in.

"I can't prove anything. But it makes, doesn't it? The Iliex are a bunch of craftsmen. Their ships are famous, and they are no good at fighting. They're rich, skilled, and weak—perfect prey. Even their 'Allfather' confirmed his path through craftsmanship and can be considered a hybrid cultivator at best. They would have been enslaved long ago without the protection of someone," Kator said. "Who better than the Centigrade Pryer?"

"They're aligned with the System, but I see your point," Zac said.

He didn't need to look further than Calrin and the Thayer Consortia to see how much the System's protection was worth when faced with a determined foe. Selling themselves to the System isn't enough to gain protection for their homeland. And while he hadn't heard of the connection before, it certainly made sense. The Centigrade Pryer was the natural choice of a golemoid faction like the Iliex.

"There's more. What do you know about that old monster?"

"Almost nothing," Zac freely admitted.

"Well, he's one of the Multiverse's greatest Formation Masters. And Alchemists, for that matter," Kator said.

"Dual paths?" Zac asked with surprise.

"No, he's got a hundred of them," Kator laughed. "According to rumors, his talents aren't very good. However, he's relentlessly diligent and effectively immortal. His path to the peak is mastering one thing after another. Formations are his main subject, though, and the Array Alchemy he's invented is a subset of that. So he's got the connections and skills to modify the proprietary blueprints of the Iliex."

"If he's so amazing, how did you discover the beacon? And why didn't you say something? You clearly knew about the beacon before we were intercepted."

"I followed a hunch, and it wasn't impossible to find when you knew what to look for. As for why I didn't say, why should I? We both brought reinforcements without telling each other, didn't we? I wasn't sure whether this beacon was part of your schemes. It was only after seeing the possessed elementals I realized what was going on."

"Pretty gutsy to face them alone if you thought it might be a trap," Ogras commented. "If Zac planned on crossing you, he could simply have skipped or delayed summoning the bell."

"Do you think I'd gamble my life on this troublemaker?" Kator guffawed. "Why do you think I brought two subordinates? There's more than one way to summon an ancestor. By the way, what happened to them?"

"They're dead," Zac said. "The Yphelion wasn't designed to withstand the kind of battle we just saw. There are casualties on both sides."

It wasn't a lie. Ogras had finished off the still-living captive before Kator had finished his sentence. The Reaver's core, soul, and pathways were already shattered, and K'Rav had erected a sealing formation with the help of a few spectral servants that slithered through the shadows.

It was exactly in line with Zac's initial reaction, but he hadn't given the order. He couldn't because of the agreement. Ogras wasn't under any restrictions, though, so he'd taken matters into his own hands. And Kator wouldn't care about details.

"Dead, huh? I'll miss those two," Kator said with an exaggerated sigh."You best destroy the bodies. There might be lingering threats after succumbing to a high-grade Buddhist technique. We can't have more Arhats popping out in our midst."

"We'll let the Heavens cleanse their bodies," Zac said.

"How does the Sangha figure into this mess?" Kruta interjected. "If what you say is true, we should have been blocked by the Centigrade's descendant and his elite subordinates. Not a Dharmic Golem and foot soldiers from a subordinate race."

"Shouldn't you ask your boss that?" Kator said. "They were clearly there for him, and I don't think they lied about this not being related to the pillar. I guess they want your disgusting providence for themselves."

"I have no idea," Zac said. "Is the Sangha connected to the Pryer?"

"They're not," Kator said. "The Pryer should be targeting the unclaimed Seal that belongs to the Peak of the Grand Tapestry. The Sangha already has a Seal for the Peak of Karma. I hear they're after a Throne next, likely the one belonging to the almost-mended Heavenly Peak. Those Arhats must have peered into the river of fate and realized the Silzurians had a way to find you."

"That's probably why they stopped us at such a bad time," Ogras grunted. "Between the Chaos, the Heavenly Intervention, and interference of the Imperial Graveyard, we've become incredibly hard to pin down. They couldn't wait any longer."

Ogras indicated he mostly believed Kator's explanation, and Zac felt the same way. It wasn't Kator who had installed the tracker, and the Pryer was the most likely culprit. It wasn't a good feeling to be on the radar of yet another ancient faction, but it didn't change his plans.

His Flamebearer seal was already enough reason to be targeted by the Pryer's descendant, and the scanner had been dealt with before Zac even knew it existed. There was a chance the Pryer's minions were lurking in the graveyard. Still, Zac was more worried about the variable standing before him.

"I've received your gift. Now what? Why did you go this far?"

Kator didn't immediately answer, instead turning his gaze to the others in the room. Zac gave it some thought before shrugging.

"There's no need to stay in this cramped room. There's a lounge nearby; we can have a one-on-one there."

"Lead the way, captain," Kator said with an exaggerated wave.

'You sure?' Ogras asked.

'Yes, but stay ready. Can you deal with the Revenants and make a pass through every room Kator visited?'

'He doesn't strike me as someone without an exit plan or fallback,' Ogras agreed. 'I'll bring the goblin this time.'

Zac led Kator to the unused lounge, leaving Kruta and Emily outside. He sealed the door and took out one of his Isolation Arrays.

"We're alone. What couldn't you say in front of others?"

"Nothing particular, but the Orc was right. One has to be careful when the stakes are this high," Kator said as he slumped down on a too-small sofa. "You asked me why I went this far? Simple. I want to pursue my Dao. I want to live, and I'm willing to do anything to find a road that won't end with me dead or discarded."

Zac sighed. "I guessed as much. Is the bounty you mentioned real?"

"Sure," Kator said. "It's a big one, too. Of course, I should mention that it's not the route the White Sky Phalanx landed on. They fear killing you would drive the Abyssal Shores right into the Primo's arms. It'd be a real headache if Aewo An'Azol went mad. General Nesko was tasked with bringing you back to the phalanx if you survived the pillar's ascent."

"As a political prisoner?"

"Let's go with guest," Kator said. "Honestly, I think you would have liked it there more than the stuffy necropolis of your kind. You might be Draugr, but you have the temperament of a Reaver."

"Not much chance of visiting now after you goaded me into taking out two of your Autarchs," Zac snorted.

"They're alive. Don't ask me how because I have no idea. I think they might have used some desperate method to escape into the Lower Planes. The Dao is incomplete there, so it's easier to hide from the Heavens," Kator said. "I doubt either of us will have to worry about those two again. I wouldn't be surprised if they have to seclude themselves for eons. Even then, their ladders might have cracked or collapsed."

"You sound pretty cavalier. Even the White Sky Phalanx should feel some pain from having two Autarchs taken out of commission."

"Ah well," Kator shrugged. "Like Toss said to me, any great cause needs heroes and martyrs. I guess they're the latter."

"So I'd stay with you people, and that was supposed to make the Abyssal Shores join your rebellion?" Zac said. "You overestimate my importance."

"Our strategists are rarely wrong."

"And yet you worked against their wishes."

"Everything is a mess when you're involved," Kator sighed. "One day, I'm ordered to create negative Karma. The next, to find a way of killing you. Now, I'm supposed to lead you through the trial again, and then bring you back to the Heartlands. Who knows what the future holds? I'd be in deep trouble if the winds changed while you were under house arrest."

"Why?"

"Can you imagine the backlash of breaking the Primo's writ and facing the backlash of fate simultaneously? And I can't even benefit by claiming your seal. What good is a crippled, Heaven-forsaken soldier to the elders? Someone would appear to replace me, reaping all the benefits without suffering the backlash. I'm sure one of my rivals was hiding inside General Nesko's world, just in case."

"Sounds like you'll be killed either way when you get back."

"Why?" Kator laughed. "I've fulfilled my duty. You might even say I went above and beyond by facing the Sangha to ensure the bell's descent. It's not my fault the monks came and messed everything up. And aren't I here now, fulfilling my part of the agreements?"

"History is written by the victors, huh?"

"Exactly. I don't care about the situation back home. It's just a fight over benefits like everything else. No matter the outcome, the situation won't change much for the grunts. I'm only interested in surviving and using this opportunity to grow stronger. That's the only thing I can control. The more strength I wield, the better my position will be, no matter who ends up claiming the crown."

"It sounds like you want to stay with us in the graveyard and for the mission?" Zac said, his eyes cold. "You've explained the troubles you face, but I haven't heard anything that makes me want to take you along. If anything, you've only proven you're unreliable."

"I thought you might say that," Kator said, his aura growing darker. "You've been given the carrot. Now, here's the stick."

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