Chapter 378 (1/2)

Book 3, Chapter 115 – Swings and Roundabouts

The disaster that had just befallen Skycloud killed at least ten times as many as the collapse of the loat, but he had to admit this misfortune had saved his life The cataclysm had at least postponed his date with the flames

After two days, the order caain

Soon after he found hirand hall, only this tirave

Aside froray robes, was Governor Arcturus Cloude On the High Priest's right sat a er His hair hite but it only added to his coave the i for the moment to strike This was none other than the Commander General of Skycloud's army, Skye Polaris

Three great leaders; Spiritual, Political, Military The three most powerful men in the realm Besides them, all other notable members of Skycloud's elite were in attendance

After Cloudhawk, Dawn Polaris and Atlas Umbra were also conveyed into the hall

Daas elated upon seeing Cloudhawk alive and well In recent days, her h it all, she came to realize how much she cared for her only friend

That stuck up little shi+t is definitely so He said there was a weapon that could destroy cities, and that prophecy was proven true just before his execution

Her grandfather had only just returned to Skycloud, and already things were changing swiftly There was still hope The atmosphere in the roo – kept her mouth shut in order to avoid further problems Cloudhaasn't out of the proverbial woods yet, and today ht be his only chance She absolutely couldn't mess this up for him

The recent disaster hadn't just affected Skycloud city Every city in the realm had experienced catastrophe, and turmoil had spread across every corner of the domain There was no way for anyone to obfuscate and hide these troubles from the populace

A discussion had been raging long before Cloudhawk had arrived Right now, an old man as mostly just skin and bones had the floor

“This is the situation currently”

“In short, the traitor Sterling Cloude and his son Zephyr fled to the wastelands, where they have been living in secret Over the last few years they have worked to establish a cult of ment – referred to as the Cri the title 'the Criather support and power a the wastelanders Meanwhile, his son Zephyr has posed as a bar owner in Sandbar Outpost for five years under the na this new persona as cover, he spent that ti an elaborate attack on our realm”

“Based on the intelligence we've ather, Zephyr has extensive experience insoldiers allowed hie number of sympathizers It was certainly he who leaked the location of the Dark Ato General Aegir into attacking, as you know, the general's forces were massacred in the Blisterpeak mountains”

“As we are all aware, the border forces are powerful but spread thinly Galvanizing such a large force would of course expose weaknesses, and after losing so eneral on the border could not discover and correct all of the the aid of his confidants, exploited the situation to steal into the heart of the border wall and therein hide a weapon of mass destruction Its detonation has led us to the situation we are in today”

“Skycloud's as a ineer created by the Gods the citizens, it also kept out the filth of the wastelands and whatever residual demonic power remains It was also an important foundational structure for the domain Once the as destroyed, it caused the internal energies of Skycloud to beco disasters claimed many lives and inflicted tremendous loses While we have reestablished order for the most part, there are still many places that are still in the midst of chaos The most important fact to consider is that we have lost the protection of the border wall We are now co that lives in the wastelands”

“…”

The old ence service All while he spoke sas pouring down his brow, for the disaster at the border was clearly part of his responsibility It was a failure of Skynet's ability to foresee and act on potential threats

“Bullshi+t!” A voice like dull thunder doolared at the er froh to cut the old man in half “Why the hell do we pay you people? The resources spent on keeping your so-called 'intelligence co have been a complete and utter waste of time!”

“The General should be careful with his words Indeed Skynet failed to act in haste, but we should not forget that it was General Aegir's folly that led to the defeat in the Blisterpeaks If he had not, our borders would have remained secure”

The biting words ca near Governor Arcturus, one of the representatives of the Cloude family

Skye visibly bristled at the accusation, and he spat an angry response while glaring at the one who dared to speak it “Have we forgotten who the traitor is who caused this? Hotten who is responsible for destroying the wall that has stood in our defense for a thousand years?! A man from your family, a Cloude! Our sorry state is directly tied to the traitor and blasphemer your family produced! Cloudhawk isn't the one who should burn, it should be your whole contemptible, hypocritical bloodline!” [1]

Everyone sat in dumbfounded silence All the blood drained from the Cloude family representative's face

There was perhaps only one person in all of Skycloud who had the gall to speak like that to the greatest deeneral's rage would not be contained Nor was he wrong – who could have iht-Commander of the demonhunter forces would betray his country and orchestrate such a disaster?

Arcturus Cloude betrayed no hint of anger “We all bear responsibility for the plight of our home, but that is not e are here to discuss today We have gathered to seek confirmation, and to formulate a plan”

“I don't care about any of that,” Skye replied without hesitation “I only demand my people be released!”

Arcturus paid hiovernor turned his gaze down unto one man “Cloudhawk Can you explain what happened?”

Cloudhawk recognized his opportunity, here at last

When he was asked this question several days ago, with General Polaris out of the picture, it would have been a waste of breath to profess his innocence His hue his circuoat to pin Skycloud's troubles on, so he was marked for death from the start

Cloudhawk hadn't taken it too hard at the ti behind a happy life But this experience in particular had been an enlightening one He chose to accept this chance to keep breathing