Chapter 534: Connecting with the Shard
Luke’s gaze bore into me, his eyes narrowed and intense. My chest tightened with panic, my tail coiling anxiously around my ankles. Shards of Omniscience were the ultimate prize for the demon army. Consuming one was the only way for an eighth-level being to break through to ninth level. How could Luke, a man driven by his pursuit of power, possibly overlook this?
"Luke, please," I pleaded, stepping closer and taking his hand in mine, squeezing it gently.
He remained silent for a moment, a deep frown etched across his face. But as he looked into my eyes and saw the fear reflected there, his expression softened.
"Come on, then," he said, his voice gentle. "Let’s hurry."
I nodded, my shoulders slumping in relief. I knew this wasn’t the end of it, but at the very least, I had bought myself some time. He understood, for now, that I needed this Shard.
The island was roughly triangular, dominated by a tall ridge that cut through its center and rose a couple hundred feet above the forested edges. The trees were gnarled and ancient, their thick boughs reminiscent of the primeval forests of Heartland.
This island seemed to possess an aura similar to that of the fortress city. None of the remnants dared follow us as we approached, lingering on the surrounding islands, content to observe from a distance. The path to this island felt narrower and less stable than the others, and I found myself clinging to Luke’s hand, my anxiety growing. Through a gap in the floating cobblestones, I caught a glimpse of the endless darkness below, and a shiver ran down my spine.
Midway to the island, we passed through the shimmering barrier erected by the Shard. It wasn’t a solid shell but more of a field, with radiant mana permeating the entire area. A wave of tingling energy washed over me, accompanied by a pleasant warmth that seeped into my chilled body. The air crackled with mana, distorting the air like ripples in water. It was so thick that I would have sensed its presence even without the Oracle of Eternity.
"I need the s-shard," I stammered, glancing nervously at Luke, my finger trembling as I pointed towards the ridge where the Shard hovered.