Path of the Berserker

Book 4: Chapter 34

Fia bounced anxiously on her toes as she looked up at the night sky. She was back where Max had left her, on the topmost point of the Imperial city, the sky port that would soon welcome her Max home.She could already see the traces of the imperial transport in the night sky and the skiff that would soon descend from it. Coming here to await the fortnightly transport arrival was something she had come to do on a regular basis. Each night would be one filled with both hope and disappointment when Max did not arrive.

Tonight however she had more than hope.

She had faith.

And friends.

Kel Zhi and Yu Li joined her on the platform, braving the strong winds that blew their robes wildly as if in a typhoon. Ever since Kel Zhi had told her of discovering Max and that he was close, she had been filled with excitement and anticipation.

Fia had pegged this night, the last transport arrival before her trial as when Max had to be coming home. With his return, he could challenge the Warden and put a swift end to all her nonsense and that of her nieces. There would be no trial for her then and more than that, they could even be wed before the baby was born.

Just the thought of it all happening made her lightheaded with joy.

Yet still, her nerves were on end. “Do you sense him yet, Kel Zhi?”

Kel Zhi chuckled. “I told you, it doesn’t work like that, Fia. It’s a Bloodmoon thing. I can’t sense it while under the dome.”

“Even under a full moon?” Yu Li asked.

“It’s not quite full yet,” Kel Zhi said. “Will be in a couple of days though.”

Yu Li furrowed her brow as she looked up at the starry sky. “Looks full to me.”

“Trust me, it’s not.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m kind of an expert on the thing, Yu Li.”

“It won’t matter anyway,” Fia said, cutting short the silly argument between the two of them. “Not if Max is on this skiff.”

She pointed for them to see and indeed there was a light glowing brighter and stronger in the distance. Her heart sped with eager anticipation and excitement. Just seeing him again would be an elation worthy of fainting, to hold him, a dream.

Yu Li chuckled. “Well, it would be just like Max to wait until the very last moment to show up and save the day.”

They all laughed at that.

As the skiff touched down, Fia rushed forward along with Kel Zhi and Yu Li.

The gang plank lowered, and the passengers within began to disembark. There were several imperial officials in beige and white robes, some cultivators from the core worlds, no doubt on excursion to explore the wilds in

Sacred Soul Projection

6th

Inner World Creation

7th

Inner World Refinement

8th

Inner World Projection

9th

Sacred Soul Manifestation

I had clearly mastered Sacred Soul Evocation and Projection now. My ability to defeat while in my [Sacred Soul Projection] form was evidence of that. And my ability to inhabit my Inner World with real life artifacts was proof of my progression within the 7th Tier of Inner World Refinement.

I guessed that was where I was now.

A 7th Tier Sacred Soul Realm Cultivator.

I probably still had a way to go in terms of Inner World Refinement and then even more to be able to project my Inner World as an 8th Tier Sacred Soul Realm Cultivator, but I had been progressing steadily. Not to mention all the Spiritual training and Frenzy I had been cultivating through my daily exposure to the Cursed Star.

My Dantian had probably grown ten times in capacity since being down in the hole and the strength of my techniques had grown with it. I felt more confident than ever that I could make the voyage across Fhae I’ung.

Cursed Star Born demons and all.

“Max, are you coming or what?”

Through the window of my true vision, I saw Blue Rose staring at me with her hands on her hips. I smiled at her as I grabbed my Axe and Glaive out of the sand and then, pulling back to my true self, manifested them in a burst of lightning and sparks.

I enjoyed a quick dose of lemonade from her as I showed off my new ability.

True to self, though, Blue Rose let none of it show outwardly and merely shook her head. “Neat trick. Now can you get us across this planet and back home please?”

“My pleasure.”

After a final check, I secured my three canteens full of Blue Lemonade and took to the tunnel with [Lightning Walk]. My team followed close behind me, with Blue Rose at my side, followed by the Three-Blind-Mice trio of Wing Pho, Song De and Jei Su Long and the rear being pulled up by Wu Liang.

With the rays of pre-dawn in the air, I could already feel the effects of the Cursed Star taking hold as I neared the exit of the tunnel and looked out onto the Hellscape that was daytime Fhae I’ung.

I was used to it by now, but the moment of truth was here for my companions.

I engaged my [Sacred Soul Shield] and beckoned them forward.

The howling screeches of the demonic horde was a cacophony of violence. Teeth, bone, flesh and claws all intermingled in an alien mosaic of disturbing images. I beheld it as always, but then waited to see how Blue Rose and Wu Liang would react.

They stiffened, but didn’t flee or scream.

Wing Pho shuddered and slowly pulled down his blindfold. “I will hang on to the back of your robes, Blue Rose, if you don’t mind.”

She nodded back at him. “Whatever you need to do to get through.”

“Getting ‘through’ seems like it’s going to be the key here,” Wu Liang said sardonically while flexing his jaw. “Lead the way, Iron Bull.”

I cycled my Frenzy. “Stay close. I’ll clear a path.”

I charged into the fray with weapons drawn, sending [Frenzied Lightning] and black blood flying as I carved my way through the demonic horde. The monsters reacted to my [Sacred Soul Shield] like it was kryptonite, shrieking in pain and vehemence.

Their demonic thoughts pervaded my own.

“Tell Grandpa he can piss off with that repent shit!” I shouted back at them with [Torment of the Frenzied Flame]. “ bow to no one!”

My technique sent a torrent of shrieks throughout the horde, some of them even clawing themselves to death, choosing oblivion over my words of extreme blasphemy. I caught Blue Rose staring back at me perplexed by my words as well, but she didn’t say anything.

Perhaps she knew well enough now not to question my insane methods.

I hacked and cleaved and threw lightning, pushing ever forward and taking to the air where I could. It was much harder than when we had to cross the surface at night. There we had gaps every now and then to fly, but under the Cursed Sun the horde was relentless.

A literal sea of demons unlike anything I had faced before.

But I dare not stop.

There was no turning back now and momentum was our only strength.

“Keep pushing!” I shouted to my companions with [Struggler’s Resolve]. “Stop and we die!”

I sensed their fear turn to determination as I tapped into the core of my Twin Dao.

I was doing my master’s work and my own.

Defiantly desecrating the legions of the Hell Worlds to get back home and right the wrongs of the Crooked Empire.

The thought made me smile.

28 hours of hard running across a demon infested Hell World under the broiling radiance of a Cursed Star…the [Odds were Against Me] indeed.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We would Struggle.

But we would survive.

* * *

“…

It sensed the Shame and Indignation within the Chainmaiden.

But It would not react so basely in kind.

Such was far below It.

The Chainmaiden shuddered with terror and bowed her head immediately.

It knew naught of forgiveness, but It would stay the Chainmaiden’s chastisement a moment more. It had need of her services yet.