“We’ll never know unless I try.” Determination blazed in Jared‘s eyes; with the power now commanded, believed could summon the lightning and carve a path to the Fourth Heaven.
Outside the Seventh Hall, Jared sat cross-legged on the vast square. He drew a slow breath. Every drop of his energy erupted at once, whipping the air into a howling vortex around him.
Jhaelyn clutched Jemima’s sleeve, eyes wide.
“What is Jared doing?” whispered. Saleto’s expression tightened. “He means to force the lightning tribulation to fall and tear open a passage to the Fourth Heaven.”
Hearing this, the two women gasped in unison.
To summon the tribulation was already courting death; to use that power to rip space apart was nothing short of wagering his life for a single throw of the dice.
A moment later, the clear sky blackened. Clouds knotted above Darkwind Abyss, silver snakes of lightning writhing beneath the ink.
Saleto muttered, “It has begun…”
Boom!
A violet bolt as thick as a dragon’s spine lunged from the clouds, scorching toward Jared.
His eyes snapped open, fierce. The Dragonslayer Sword leapt into his hand, and cleaved upward into the falling fire.
Gold sword-light collided with purple storm-fire, the explosion shaking the square and flinging raw energy across the stone like shattered glass.
The shock drove three steps back; blood streaked his lip, yet the hunger for battle only burned brighter in his eyes.
“That‘s more like it!” roared, leaping straight toward the seething clouds.
Thunder boomed through Darkwind Abyss. Bolts chased one another downward, some slim as spears, some blunt as war-hammers, others twisting like golden dragons-yet every stroke sought one target, Jared.
He met the barrage with his sword, tracing rapid arcs that sheared each charge of lightning.
Golden sword energy wrapped around him, but the storm grew fiercer, splitting flesh and dyeing his torn robe crimson.
“Jared!” Jhaelyn Haverford cried, voice cracking above the thunder. She rushed forward, only to have Saleto block path with one raised hand.
“This ordeal is his alone,” said, though worry shadowed his eyes. Jared’s breath hitched and stuttered, yet his stare burned steadily.
Every strike tempered bone and sinew; inside, his spiritual energy compressed into something sharper, heavier, stronger.
Yes… Now!
Jared poured every flicker of power into his Dragonslayer Sword and swung into the widest, golden bolt. Sword light collided with lightning, flaring so brightly that even the depths of Darkwind Abyss glowed like midday.
Crack!
The thunderclouds tore open, revealing a narrow rift. Within that seam, a corridor to some unknown realm unfolded, rippling with violent spatial energy.
He siphoned the scattered power of the fading tribulation, knitting torn flesh as strength flooded back. Then vaulted toward the waiting passage.
“Jared!” Jhaelyn and Jemima reached together, faces tight with worry.
“I have to go,” said softly.
“Take care of yourself,” Jhaelyn whispered, tears shining but unspilled. Jemima managed a brave smile. “We’ll be here when you return.”
He nodded, eyes lingering on them a heartbeat longer, then called to Flaxseed, “Mr. Flaxseed, time to leave!”
