CHAPTER 304: BLAME GAME BEGINS

Velra sat near the edge of the camp.

She kept glancing at Zain, who lay relaxed on one of the summoned beds.

Finally, she stood up and walked toward him.

"Master," she said, "why did you do it?"

Zain opened one eye. "Do what?"

Velra sat down beside him, crossing her legs. "Just now, you flared your ether."

Zain didn’t respond right away.

"You let your presence show for a moment," she continued.

"Then you made it vanish. Completely. On purpose."

Zain smirked. "So you caught that?"

Velra raised an eyebrow. "Of course I did."

Zain stretched his arms behind his head. "Then I guess you’re paying attention."

"But why?" Velra asked again.

"You flared it just as the heroes were escaping. They were close enough to feel it."

Zain sat up a little and looked at her with a small grin.

"Because I wanted them to feel it."

Velra blinked. "You wanted them to know you were there?"

"No," Zain said. "I wanted them to think something else was there."

Velra tilted her head. "Explain."

Zain stood up and looked toward the distant smoke where the ruined Flame God base once stood.

"I want the Hero Association to believe that the Beastkin Brood did it."

He pointed upward.

"And I want the Beastkin Brood to believe the Hero Association did it."

Velra’s eyes widened slightly.

Zain smirked again.

"Right now, Nyxa is probably reporting that heroes caused destruction."

"And those heroes are probably telling Hextor that they saw Nyxa there."

Velra let out a soft laugh. "So they blame each other."

"Exactly," Zain said. "No one suspects us. Not yet."

Velra clapped her hands once. "That’s clever."

Zain walked to the edge of the camp and stared out into the red-lit sky.

"The Flame God Cult is officially ’gone’ now," he said. "That’s what the world will think."

Velra followed him and leaned beside a rock.

"And in the shadows, we rebuild it."

Zain nodded. "Under new control. Our control."

Velra smiled. "I like this side of you, Master."

Zain looked at her with a confident grin.

"We rest now. We plan next. And when they’re done blaming each other..."

He raised his hand, and a small spark of black ether burned in his palm.

"We rise."

Velra turned back toward the tent.

"I’ll let Savra and Zelia know. They should hear this."

"Go ahead," Zain said. "They need to understand the game we’re playing."

Velra walked off, hips swaying, as the glowing collar around her neck pulsed brighter.

Zain remained still, the wind brushing past his coat.

---

Inside the high chamber of the Aether Pillar, the air was still.

Averak Kyros, the Apex Guardian, stood before a wide screen filled with reports and energy readings.

The light from the data reflected across his celestial armor.

He said nothing for a long moment.

Then a communication window opened.

Hextor Vallin appeared, standing tall and with a sharp and serious expression.

"We have confirmation," Hextor said. "Recon Unit 4 escaped safely. No casualties."

Averak’s glowing eyes didn’t move from the screen.

"And the cause?" he asked.

Hextor responded, "They reported seeing the Web Mistress. Nyxa Valmire."

Averak remained quiet.

"She was at the scene," Hextor continued.

"There was no fight, but her presence was clear."

"The team believes the Beastkin Brood destroyed the Flame God Cult’s base."

Averak slowly turned away from the screen.

"So... the Brood wants to be bold now."

Hextor crossed his arms. "It seems they’re getting braver."

Averak nodded slowly. "Braver... or confident."

Hextor stepped closer on his side of the call. "What should we do?"

"If they’re really moving against us... If this is a signal of war... then many innocents will suffer."

Averak walked toward the large window overlooking Skyreach Dominion.

The city below glowed like a field of stars.

"I know," he said.

"We can’t afford to wait too long," Hextor added. "They may strike again."

Averak stood still for a moment, arms behind his back.

"Then I’ll go myself."

Hextor’s eyes widened slightly. "Lord Averak..."

"I’ll meet them," Averak said. "Face to face."

Hextor frowned. "It’s dangerous. If this is a trap—"

Averak turned his head slightly. "Do you think I fear the Brood?"

Hextor looked down for a second, then back up.

"No. But your life is not yours alone. You carry the weight of Skyreach."

"I know," Averak said. "And that is why I will go."

Hextor stayed silent.

Averak took one step forward. The ground beneath his feet lit up with soft ether runes.

"Send word," Averak said.

"Prepare a small escort unit. Only Royal ranks. No more than five."

"Yes, sir."

"Make sure one of them is Hiera from the Celestial Choir," Averak added.

"And Varnus. The rest will be your choice."

Hextor nodded. "Understood. But... may I ask one thing?"

"Speak."

"What is the goal of this meeting?"

Averak turned toward the window again.

"To remind the Brood," he said quietly, "that the sky still watches."

Hextor didn’t respond right away.

Then he gave a firm nod. "I’ll have the team ready within the hour."

The screen closed.

Averak looked into the stars.

"I am the Apex Guardian," he whispered. "Let them come."

He raised one hand, and a soft hum filled the chamber as his armor began to shift.

The light of war was starting to flicker again.

---

Inside the deep control chamber of the Maw, the air was dim and cold.

Krovath Sal Ekros stood near the center, reading ether patterns on a floating screen.

Nyxa walked in, quiet as always. Her steps made no sound.

"I’ve returned," she said.

Krovath didn’t turn. "Report."

Nyxa raised her hand.

Thin threads rose from her fingers, connecting to the data console beside him.

"The Flame God Cult’s base is gone," she said. "Completely destroyed."

Krovath finally looked at her. "Who did it?"

"I saw four heroes at the scene. Elite. No identification data available."

He raised an eyebrow. "The Hero Association?"

"That is the most likely answer," she said.

Krovath nodded slowly. "Interesting."