Chapter 1728 Infiltrate
Emery had never intended to sacrifice Atlas. As part of the preparation for their daring escape, he had meticulously followed Master Borin's procedure. He copied all of Atlas's memories into a specially-prepared device, then proceeded with the delicate process of transferring Atlas's spirit soul.
To further deceive the enemy, Emery inserted random dark elf souls into what was left of Atlas's body to throw the enemy off their scent and order it to operate the ship and leave.
Once this subterfuge was in place, Emery placed the device containing Atlas's memory and soul into his storage ring. With Atlas's imprinted soul well hidden, Emery could now set his attention to the next phase of his plan.
The location he had chosen was strategically close to the elf citadel. With a determined glint in his eyes, Emery transformed, utilizing every enhancement and buff at his disposal. His body thrummed with energy as his battle rating soared to an incredible 600. Every muscle, every fiber of his being, was focused to traverse the vast distance and landing at the citadel's gates in less than ten minutes.
Thanks to the information he had extracted from captured dark elf souls, Emery knew the layout of the citadel like the back of his hand.
Upon his arrival, without a moment's hesitation, he invoked one of his most formidable spells, [Jade Warrior]. the advanced version of his mineralized warriors. Drawing upon the energy of Khaos, he conjured 30 of these formidable summon to confuse the few dark elves that reside in the citadel.
Emery's footsteps echoed against the stone floor of the citadel. While his jade warriors clashed fiercely with the dark elves, serving as a diversion, Emery utilized his knowledge of the citadel's layout. He darted through shadowy corridors, avoiding main pathways, and sneaking through secret entrances known to only a select few.
His destination was a room, a place at the very heart of the citadel. Pushing open the ornate, heavy doors, he stepped into a chamber illuminated by eerie, pale blue light. It was here that he came face to face with a solitary figure: a dark elf bearing the marks of a half-moon magus, clothed in a shimmering silvery robe that cascaded around him like liquid mercury.
The magus's piercing eyes widened in sheer disbelief as they landed on Emery. "What?!" he exclaimed, voice trembling with a mixture of fear and astonishment. "How did you get here?!!"
While Emery had anticipated multiple guards or perhaps traps, the sight of just one dark elf caught him off-guard. Nevertheless, recognizing the insignia on the robe, a smile slowly crept across Emery's face. "Ah," he drawled, "You are the warden aren't you!"
The warden's fingers twitched, moving towards a device that hung at his side - a tool known to give him control over the citadel's prisoners. But to his astonishment and growing horror, the device had no effect on Emery.
"The... imprint... how?" he stammered, his eyes darting around the room, searching for an escape route.
Emery had no intention of providing explanations. With a sudden burst of speed, he lunged at the warden. The latter, in a desperate bid for defense, quickly conjured a spell, creating a metallic shield around him. The shield glimmered and sparkled, but its beauty was short-lived.
Emery's overwhelming power made short work of the shield. It crumpled and shattered as if it were made of parchment. The dark elf's face drained of color, realizing the futility of his defense. He turned on his heel, thinking of fleeing.
But Emery was faster.
With a roar that resonated through the halls of the citadel, Emery lunged, his claws finding their mark on the warden's shoulder. As they pierced the elf's flesh, a chilling power emanated [Spirit Devour].
The warden's once proud posture sagged. He could feel his very essence being drawn out, a sensation so terrifying and yet so mesmerizing. His strength was waning, and with every passing second, the reality of his predicament sank in deeper. He was trapped in Emery's grasp, powerless and at the half-blood's mercy.
"Stop... please..." he begged his voice no more than a raspy whisper. Every ounce of pride and arrogance had been stripped away, replaced with raw fear.
The air was thick with tension as Emery's claw glinted menacingly in the dim light. With a swift motion, he drove another claw into the dark elf's other shoulder, dangerously close to the vulnerable skin of the neck. "Listen" Emery's voice was low and dripping with menace. "If you value your head, you will obey every word I say."
Gasping from pain and fear, the warden nodded frantically. "Yes... anything you want... just don't...," his voice trailed off, too choked with terror to finish.
Using his impressive strength, Emery yanked the warden to his feet and shoved him towards a massive machine panel, its interface glowing faintly. "Connect me to the fortress. Now."
The warden's eyes darted from the panel to Emery, confusion apparent in his gaze. "What are you planning?"
Emery leaned in, his voice cold and sharp, "I can operate it myself if you don't want to"
Swallowing hard, the warden realized that Emery's statement was more a threat than a statement. He began to input a series of commands, his fingers shaking, while Emery watched closely, ensuring the dark elf followed the steps as revealed by the female dark elf in the spirit realm.
Moments later, a communication line was established. At Emery's insistence, the warden ordered the space fortress Umbra to stand down and not to target any departing ships. It was aiming to buy the Nephilim ship the extra chance it needed for a safe escape.
Once the order was relayed, the warden, sweat glistening on his brow, turned to Emery, defiance flaring momentarily in his eyes. "Whatever you're planning, it won't work! You'll never leave this place alive!"
But Emery wasn't interested in threats. He stepped closer, locking his cold gaze onto the warden's. "Tell me," he hissed, "did you enjoy torturing the prisoners?"
The warden's facade of bravado crumbled under that icy stare. Before he could formulate a response, Emery's blade moved in a swift, blinding arc, severing the warden's head cleanly from his shoulders.
A chilling silence enveloped the room. Emery stood there, his face void of emotion. "That was for the life you took."
But Emery wasn't done. He knelt beside the fallen warden, extending his hand to capture the warden's escaping soul. With a sinister whisper, he promised, "The torture will come later"
With the message sent to the fortress, Emery's task was completed, and now he has one last thing he needs to do, hopefully, he still has time for it.
Emery swiftly turned his attention to the next task. He ventured further into the depths of the citadel, drawn towards a door adjacent to the chamber he was in. With a fierce kick, he shattered the imposing steel barrier, revealing the room beyond.
"The Spirit Vault," he whispered, a hint of reverence in his voice.
The room bore a striking resemblance to chambers he had seen in human citadel. Two towering glass containers stood side by side, shimmering with a mysterious ethereal light. One pulsed with the souls of humans, the other with those of dark elves. A memory flashed in Emery's mind, reminding him of the intel he'd received about this place. The vault had become a cornerstone of his plan.
He counted quickly. Thirty human souls, a dozen dark elves. The numbers were lesser than he had anticipated, but each soul represented a life that had been unjustly taken or imprisoned.
Drawing his claw back, he struck the containers in rapid succession. The ethereal glow intensified as the seals were broken, and without hesitation, Emery began to channel the souls into his storage rings, ensuring their safety and preservation.
However, as he worked, a chilling realization dawned upon him. The spiritual feedback from his clones grew weaker and weaker. Which mean most had been defeated and its time for him to leave.
Using his exit strategy, the one unique only to him. To enter Khaos gate, become its champion, and use the power of Khaos to leave the planet.
Yet, a burning desire for battle surged within him. He wishes to stay for more kills.
The feeling only intensified when a taunting voice, one he recognized all too well, echoed through the vast citadel corridors.
"Half-blood! Come and face me!"
Pausing momentarily to assess his surroundings, Emery strode confidently into the citadel's open courtyard. Arrayed against him were four dark elves with dark ornate leather armor, they were the elite unit, the Voidstalkers Magus. Among them stood a figure that sent a jolt of recognition through Emery - Kieran, the dark elf assassin he promised to kill.
Their eyes met a silent challenge passing between them, promising a clash, to see who was finally the last one standing between them.
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