Zenith Online: Rebirth of the Strongest Player

Despite the situation being far from ideal, Kieran didn't feel as hopeless as before.

The Natural Inheritor's abilities involved creating a sanctuary, a zone of empowerment that could effectively sustain a bevy of combatants using what she called the World's Longevity. That ability is why the holder of this power was usually regarded as a World Sanctuary.

However, to draw out the finest augmentation, the people inside her area of effect needed to be connected.

That's where the Sacred Inheritor's endorsement came in. Her abilities could be complemented and consummate the Natural Inheritor's augments by establishing a link for her to funnel the invigoration through.

Though two different abilities, they could work in concert to achieve a singularly improved effect.

'If you bring either one to your side… you'll get a two-for-one special. Pretty neat.'

As to why this all made him less desperate, the reasoning was simple. With the Natural Inheritor successfully connected to the Heart of the World, she could draw upon its Source to feed it to others. And the first, well… only options now, were the remaining Followers of War.

And, of course, the Inheritors.

But they seemed relatively energized.

More importantly, the Followers of War could offer more than the Inheritors. Right now, the Inheritors seemed like mighty Adepts who could perhaps give some Masters a decent challenge.

Watching the two get to work, Kieran crossed his arms and stared at the Citadel of Resentment. The unsettling feeling continued to grow, but the Inheritors were preoccupied.

Luckily, Kieran was not overwhelmed by the haunting feeling inspired by the Citadel. It had yet to reach a crescendo, which spoke to a lull before chaos ensued.

At that time, Kieran suspected the entire area would inspire dread, like nonstop warnings of danger firing in his mind. That was a possibility Kieran wanted to avoid at all costs.

Kieran urged the two girls to begin their combined efforts.

It started with the Natural Inheritor suffusing the sphere with worldly energy, forming an artificial zone where Mana abounds. Inside that zone, she prioritized refueling Draegerys, Rhaenys, and Aerys.

As Masters and an Archmaster, their Mana Pools were unfathomably deep, exacting a cost the Natural Inheritor had to suffer.

The expression of pain that contorted her countenance made Kieran feel for her. She seemed on the verge of tears, biting her quivering lip. That's when he offered a hand to stabilize her swaying body.

Then, he looked to the Sacred Inheritor.

She also wore an expression of strain. Maintaining a link to Masters and an Archmaster taxed her, leaving her almost spent. It cost Mana and likely mental fortitude to do what she was doing. And while Kieran didn't know if her Realm was open, she did display signs of a Master, at least in terms of Mind and Spirit.

Kieran assumed their Mythic Class afforded them advantages others couldn't attain, at least not at their level, but he wasn't entirely sure. The relationship between Class, Type, and Tier grew more complicated as Kieran advanced.

He waited until they recovered some of their bearings, then opened himself to their abilities. First came the connection the Sacred Inheritor established, which almost rivaled the Chain itself in his Realm. Perhaps it fed off that dormant link to accomplish more than she could alone.

Then, the Natural Inheritor's energy — her accumulated worldly energy — passed through him. His blood gorged on the Mana, a new robust feeling assaulting Kieran's starved and ravenous body.

Many of his techniques previously unavailable to him returned.

Now, Kieran was left with a choice. Was he to help maul the Nosferatu rampaging on the Ravaged Plain… or would he abandon the plain and delve back into the Citadel of Resentment?

Though the situation remained dire, it wasn't as treacherous as before.

The Natural Inheritor had served her role well, offering the Followers of War a second wind. And she was now focusing on accumulating enough worldly energy to supply the other Inheritors.

As he considered his choices, Kieran decided it was best to listen to his instincts and return to the Citadel of Resentments despite the ramifications of doing so. Sure, it played into the Flame's hands, but what would the Flame do if he didn't abide by its machinations?

The Sacred Inheritor grabbed his hand before he could break away from the battlefield.

"I know what you're about to do. And I suggest you take me with you. You can't do this alone, but with my abilities, maybe you'll find some success?"

Kieran gave it some thought before agreeing with her.

He had concerns regarding the range and stability of her connections, but she asserted her power had grown much more robust and would last across long distances.

However, where they were going… Kieran didn't know how true that was.

Then again, the source of the Myths and Inheritors' power held incredible stations.

Deciding not to agonize over the small details, Kieran scooped the Sacred Inheritor over his shoulder, holding her waist before bounding forth. He blitzed into the darkness, streaking through the Citadel and across vast distances.

He arrived at the great hall, cut around the corners, and barreled for the staircase spiraling downward. The Sacred Inheritor complained about the bumpy ride, but he couldn't be bothered with her endless gripes. She wanted to tag along. Naturally, she would have to endure the ride, which… Kieran admittedly made no attempts to make it bearable.

Soon enough, Kieran reached the strange threshold leading into the Darkness Below. After examining it thoroughly, he noticed the sigils engraved across the entire arch. Linking to the Darkness Below had likely been its purpose this whole time.

He was simply too exhausted to pinpoint that piece of information before.

'Brace yourself. The place we're about to enter is… strange, to put it mildly.'

"Wait… wait! What do you mean strange? What am I getting my—…"

Before the Sacred Inheritor could finish her thought, Kieran strode through the threshold with the same abandon as earlier. Recalling the layout of this coarse pathway, Kieran ignored the unrefined balustrades and the gloaming all around.

The same couldn't be said about the Sacred Inheritor, who paled and tucked her head behind her arms.

"No… no… no. Not the darkness. Happy thoughts. It's just the dark. It's not too scary."

Listening to the Sacred Inheritor distraughtly mumble to herself, Kieran was met with an irresistible urge to torment her, which he did.

'Ah, you shouldn't be scared of the dark. It's not all that scary when you think about it. The true fright is what lurks behind the veil of that darkness. What monstrosities?'

The Sacred Inheritor whimpered and clawed at Kieran's shoulder.

"You big jerk! Why would you even do that?! No… put me down."

Kieran arched a brow and obliged, feigning as if he would drop her, but that only resulted in the Sacred Inheritor clinging onto his neck like a frightened child.

"No! Don't you dare let me go, you jerk. Stop it."

Kieran shook his head, amused.

However, that all ended when Kieran reached the vestibule of utter darkness, filled with tenebrous monoliths spewing carmine light. The pending situation forced Kieran to put down the Sacred Inheritor against her will.

At the same time, he frowned at the nearby development.

Some paces away was Adeia, but from her posture, it seemed like she was not in her right mind. Deidamia was in her right hand, pointing at one of the monoliths.

The feeling he got from the situation was not good, and for good reason. The Flame had manifested before Adeia. Only… its current appearance felt regal and godly.

'Huh? That's not… who in the hell is that?!'