The Dawn of the New World



Within the chamber, the Emperor finally stopped for a brief moment after the third hammer strike, giving Jin Wang some much-needed time to come up with a way to stop him.

The Emperor raised his left hand in the air and began inscribing extremely complicated runes into the barrier all around Hao Xuan.

Mr. Hyde was already at a complete loss and did not know what to do.

'Is there even a way to stop him without using our powers?' he asked doubtfully.

'There is always a way, you just have to think hard enough. It was my people who created the first prototype of this 'Silent Chamber' at the behest of the First Heavenly Council. It was meant to be used as a prison for powerful beings, enemies of the new Heavenly Mandate. It has been ages since I last encountered one of these things but I will think of a way around it, all I need is time.'

'The only problem is, we don't have much of that. Your wise father is doing something that goes against everything the Church of the Sacred Light stands for. If he actually has found a way to combine a non-native soul into a human body without any side-effects then they will surely intervene. The All-Father is already watching and soon his punishment will be upon us,' Jin Wang finished by placing his hands on the side walls to feel the faint vibrations passing through it.

These were coming from the outside and there was only one being powerful enough to pull something like that off. Unfortunately, that wasn't the only reason they were pressed for time as Mr. Hyde pointed out soon after.

'Those runes that he is carving into the barrier, I recognize parts of them. I have seen a few of them before when I broke into one of his research facilities. They are related to the forbidden practice of 'Soul Magic' and its manipulation. I don't know how it works or what it does but he got them from an ancient temple that pre-dates our time. That should be the spell to integrate his soul into the boy's physical form.'

With narrowed eyes, Jin Wang examined the runes a second time but he couldn't make heads or tails of them.

'I have no knowledge of such magic, you have to figure out a way to stop the spell somehow. Think back and try to remember what you saw back then. Manipulating even a fraction of a single rune could be enough to stop it.'

'Or it could kill them both,' Hyde added but Jin Wang didn't think it was that much worse than the alternative.

'That's a risk we will have to take. I will try to distract him in the meantime.'

The conversation only lasted a few seconds in reality so even with the Emperor's speed he hadn't finished just yet.

Jin Wang cleared his throat and walked around the chamber, making it seem like he was trying to talk the Emperor down while he surveyed the chamber for any potential faults to exploit.

"We both have seen enough of the world to know that plans seldom work out as intended. This spell of yours, do you truly believe it will work while that old bastard is trying to rip you to shreds? Even this chamber won't be able to stop him if he decided to come here himself."

The Emperor's hand did not stop or slow down even for an instant, constantly scribbling one rune after another that slid down onto the floor and arranged itself in a circle around Hao Xuan.

And while he was doing all of that, he could still carry on a conversation with ease.

[He cannot come here himself, I made sure of that. As for his power, yes, it could pose a threat. But I always have a plan, old friend, do not worry]

"And what of the boy? You saw what he put himself through just to save a few insignificant lives. Do you truly believe he deserves this? How does this make you any different from the Gods you so despise?"

[Noble intentions that lead only to failure. I gave him the opportunity and he did not succeed. Now I must step in and do what must be done. This spell will retain all of his abilities and powers but replace his soul with mine. I can make use of all the gifts that he wasted, and bring out their true potential. Sacrifices must be made in times of war]

"WHAT WAR!? We lost ages ago! Let's assume that this works by some miracle, then what? Do you think the Church will simply let you leave? There is nowhere you can hide from him!"

[You worry too much, old friend, I have my ways] The Emperor finished by peering at the ceiling, his gaze cutting through all the physical matter that stood between him and the All-Seeing Eye.