Book 7, Chapter 63 - What We Need Are Miracles (2/2)

Husk took the relic. The face behind his mask was expressionless, but the red eyes flickered. He then took a knee before the human with the staff in his right hand and his left pressed against his chest. It was an old tradition of the Elysian realms. One that meant loyalty.

It was as Cloudhawk predicted. When everyone suffered, the individual could not be preserved – the Eternal had their freedom but nowhere to go. Once the gods arrived there was no escape. The entire planet was at risk.

Cloudhawk was the only person who could lead them to safety. He was also the only person so far who could rally the Elysian lands against their former masters. The Eternal would bend the knee to him, and him alone.

This irritated Belial to no end. Cloudhawk’s actions spit on his hard work. Belial had created this army! How many years had it taken? How much blood and sweat had it demanded? And all this for what! They had their freedom, but they still couldn’t go or stay as they wished.

Belial spoke up. “With the Eternal under your control you could have wielded them like an extension of your own arm. But giving up power, you introduce the chaos of self-determination.”

“Elder Belial, your desire for control is too strong. It’s no good, for you or for anyone. A single person cannot accomplish great things.” Cloudhawk instructed his new subordinate. “With the Heart of Darkness the Eternal can be compelled to fight for you, but give them the right to choose for themselves and they will do everything in their power. An army of individuals, wielding focus and dignity, can produce miracles.”

Belial wanted to refute this, but Cloudhawk cut him off.

“Remember, Elder, what we need are miracles. I’m not going to pass up any opportunity to see them happen. Do you understand?”

There was no question that right now, the resistance had no hope against an army of gods. As such Cloudhawk was making his plans for a grand exodus. If humans were in a hopeless situation, what else was there but to wish for a miracle? It sounded… pitiful.

Was this why Cloudhawk gave Wolfblade so much free reign?

Belial had heard a portion of Cloudhawk’s conversation with the God King. He knew there was a delicate relationship between Legion and the new Demon King. Yet, Cloudhawk didn’t seem to care if the Elder was a threat. He even gave Wolfblade control over his entire Alliance and all its forces!

Cloudhawk did not seem to fear being a figurehead. In fact he didn’t seem to be at all interested in power. All he cared about was the final result. He just wanted to protect his people. He needed to think about how to utilize the strengths of his team to greatest effect.

He understood that his strategic ability was far inferior to Wolfblade. As such, it made sense to leave the matters of state to the Elder demon. So long as he stayed in line, Cloudhawk didn’t care about his other nonsense.

This young human. So foolish!

Cloudhawk led Belial into the base beneath the oasis. There, the artisan introduced his relic manufacturing facilities. Assembly lines were whirring away. He had used materials pilfered from the Elysian lands and Source energy to put it all together.

It was designed to be mobile as needed. Such a manufacturing base had huge strategic value.

Cloudhawk’s biggest headache now was the enormous Source Crystal right beneath their feet. It was a resource one thousand years in the making, as precious to them as it was to the gods. Now that he knew about it, Cloudhawk wasn’t about to let it fall into enemy hands.

It contained highly condensed mental energy. Properly used, it would be a great asset in defending against the divine army. If they survived, perhaps it could even be used to bring their planet back to life. The problem was how to get it all out of the ground ten thousand meters below their feet?