Village Head's Debauchery

The moment the fruit left the ethereal tree and was firmly in their grasp, it dissolved into a shower of tiny particles, each glowing with a soft, shimmering light. Soon, they all felt a sudden coolness spread through their bodies, cleansing away the heat.

"Everyone, stop activating your gifts!" Orion commanded, withdrawing his hand.

The villagers promptly complied, deactivating their gifts and lowering their hands.

To everyone's bewilderment, the massive ethereal tree, which was supposed to retract into the giant sundial, remained in its place, its presence even more conspicuous.

Orion's countenance darkened with a deep frown as he observed the unusual scene. "Everyone, step back to the crowd," he ordered firmly.

The young awakeners immediately sensed something was amiss upon hearing Orion's words. They nodded in understanding before swiftly stepping backwards to join the rest of the villagers behind them.

"Warriors, escort everyone out of the Chief's compound immediately!" Orion said.

Numerous warriors emerged from the crowd almost instantly, guiding everyone out of the Village Chief's compound.

"Is something wrong?" Gina asked, her gaze filled with concern as she looked at Orion's solemn expression.

"There's no need for you to worry. It's nothing serious that I can't handle. Just stay with the others and the children, and I'll figure out what's going on and resolve it quickly," Orion responded, his expression transforming into a reassuring smile as he gently ruffled Gina's hair.

Gina nodded firmly, determination clear on her face. She quickly returned to stand near Celeste, Greta, and the others, who were personally guarded and escorted out of the Village Chief's compound.

The Village Chief and Village Chieftess, alongside Stronghold Leader Zogar, Seth, and the other Key Leaders, arrived beside Orion, followed by several more warriors who appeared behind them. Their gazes fixed solemnly on the massive, ethereal crystalline tree.

"It appears our worst fears were justified, and something has indeed gone wrong with the Pillar," Former Village Chief Brane said, shaking his head in defeat.

"True. But at least it didn't interrupt the awakening ceremony," Orion responded, his gaze unwavering from the colossal crystal tree.

Suddenly, a familiar energy surged, forming a swirling vortex around the massive ethereal tree. It grew in intensity, stunning Orion and the others.

Divine energy!

Orion, Stronghold Leader Seth, Queen Selene, and the other Key Leaders' expressions morphed into solemn weariness.

'It can't be!' Queen Selene thought, her eyes wavering and body quivering as she looked at it.

"What's happening?" High Queen Celeria asked, realizing, along with several other Key Leaders, that this event was unnatural.

"Something is about to happen, and we need to get everyone as far from here as possible," Orion responded, turning his attention to the warriors behind him. "Send a message for everyone to evacuate the vicinity around the Village Chief's compound immediately!"

He wanted them to head for the nearest border city, but given the floating island's isolation, fleeing wouldn't help if they couldn't handle what was coming.

The warrior nodded and immediately left to relay the warning to those still waiting outside.

"You all should leave as well. Only Stronghold Leader Zogar, Seth, a few warriors, and I will stay. Former Village Chief, you can return and manage the situation, ensuring there's no chaos," Orion added, addressing the other Key Leaders.

With hesitation, the Key Leaders nodded in understanding and departed individually. They knew this was beyond their control but chose to maintain serenity across the Orion's cities amidst the strange unfolding phenomenon.

Boom!

The surge of divine energy intensified around the colossal crystal tree, prompting Orion, Stronghold Leader Seth, Zogar, and the remaining warriors to step back, their bodies tense in wariness.

It wasn't that they were afraid; after all, each present was an experienced warrior, ready to lay their lives down for their territory. However, as the pressure from the divine energy mounted, they felt the Vylkr energy within them boil, becoming increasingly chaotic as their primordial energy struggled to suppress it.

The sky began to darken as rolling thunderclouds swiftly emerged, moving in every direction until the shimmering sunlight was completely obscured.

Orion and the others gazed upwards, their expressions grim. They had never encountered anything like this before. While they had witnessed various phenomena, none had been linked to the emergence of divine energy.

A sudden realization dawned on them, causing their bodies to tense even more as they braced themselves for what was about to unfold.

...

Outside the Village Chief Compound,

"Let's go. We'll leave it for Orion and the rest to handle. I'm sure he doesn't want us in the way," Fifi said, standing confidently on the icy platform she had created, her sisters gathered around her.

The platform floated atop a surge of water controlled by her gift, ensuring they were swiftly carried away from danger.

Though her expression remained calm, Fifi's heart churned with mixed emotions. She had gleaned a clue about what was happening and sensed that her sisters had also pieced it together. Surely, Orion and the others had reached the same conclusion.

The women nodded in silent agreement, their composed exteriors concealing turbulent hearts.

As they left, they observed the warriors efficiently managing the chaos. Meanwhile, the Key leaders stood watch at various distances from the Village Chief's compound, their eyes fixed on the source of the bizarre phenomenon.

….

Patriarch Rylan's Mansion

"I wonder what's going on now?" Flintor asked, her gaze fixed on the darkened sky and the churning thunderclouds that ominously obscured the heavens.

"I thought I was finally going to rest. Are you sure they didn't name this place Paradise by mistake?" Leona muttered wearily, her voice tinged with exhaustion, as she held her Gearweaver and headed towards the mansion.

"We'll continue the training tomorrow. You can go and rest now,"Leona added.

Flintor raised an eyebrow at her words. "Don't you want to find out what's happening?"

Leona shook her head quietly.

"The less you know, the better. And considering the intensity of this, I think we shouldn't––" Leif began, but before he could finish his sentence, a wave of oppression descended upon his shoulders, filling him with an incomprehensible dread before abruptly disappearing.