Chương 217: The Lone Lightweaver

The book was surprisingly detailed, containing information on Lightweaver organizational structure, known bases of operation, and even breakdowns of their runic system. Of course, it was all filtered through the Skybound's biased perspective, but I could read between the lines.

"Listen to this," I said to Azure as I flipped through the pages.

"'Unlike our 'disciplined approach' to the crimson truth, the heretics of the First Light employ a fractured hierarchy based on what they term 'revelations' from their false deity. Those claiming the strongest connection to their so-called Beloved occupy positions of authority, creating a system ripe for manipulation by charismatic charlatans.'""Fascinating," Azure replied.

"Strip away the propaganda, and it sounds like they have a more fluid power structure than the rigid hierarchy of the Skybound."

"Exactly. And look here, it says their initiation rituals involve extended meditation under the blue sun, waiting for a 'touch of the Beloved's light.' Those who survive with their minds intact are accepted as acolytes."

"Suggesting a selection process based on natural resistance to the blue sun's influence," Azure noted.

"Similar in principle to how the Skybound select for those who can channel the red sun's power without succumbing completely to madness." I continued reading, absorbing details about Lightweaver training methods, common runic configurations, and their main strongholds. One passage particularly caught my attention:"The heretics maintain three primary sanctuaries, chief among them the Cerulean Spire: a mountain carved into a temple complex beneath the point where the blue sun reaches its zenith.

Their elders claim this location allows them to receive the 'purest light of the Beloved,' untainted by the red sun's 'corruption.'"" A potential location to seek out in another loop," Azure suggested.

"Definitely. Though entering such a place would be—" My words were cut short by another explosion that shook the entire room. This one was much closer than the previous blasts, and the impact sent books tumbling from the shelves. A second explosion followed almost immediately, and part of the ceiling collapsed, crushing the central table. I barely managed to dive clear, rolling behind one of the sturdy bookshelves for protection.

"I think our quiet reading time is over," I said, stuffing the book into my robes.

"That sounded like the fight is moving this way." As if to confirm my assessment, a body came crashing through the wall, trailing smoke and shards of stone. The Skybound, a woman in purple robes that marked her as Rank 3, lay motionless amid the debris, her body broken beyond repair. Through the newly created hole, I could see two Lightweavers floating outside, their hands raised as they prepared another attack.

"Time to move," I said, already heading for the door on the opposite side of the room. I'd barely made it halfway across when the entire outer wall exploded inward. The force of the blast threw me forward, sending me tumbling across the floor in a shower of stone and dust. Dazed but unharmed thanks to my Aegis barrier, I scrambled to my feet and ran for the exit. Behind me, I heard the Lightweavers enter the room.

"Check the body," one said.

"Ensure the corruption is purged."

"And the archives?" asked the other.

"Cleanse them. The Beloved's light must erase all traces of heresy." I didn't stay to witness their "cleansing." Slipping through the door, I found myself in another corridor, this one thankfully empty. Moving as quickly and quietly as possible, I put distance between myself and the Lightweavers. After several minutes of careful navigation, I reached what appeared to be some kind of armory or equipment room. The door was partially ajar, and I could see that the room beyond was empty of people. Perfect.

A place to catch my breath and reassess my situation. I slipped inside and closed the door behind me, then surveyed my surroundings. Racks of weapons lined the walls, primarily swords, spears, and other traditional armaments. Curious, given that most Skybound seemed to rely on their runic abilities rather than physical weapons.

"Training implements, perhaps?" I wondered.

"Or maybe for emergencies when their energy is depleted?"

"A reasonable assumption," Azure replied.

"Though it might also indicate that weapon-based combat isn't entirely abandoned even at higher ranks. That Lightweaver you encountered was quite effective with his sword." I nodded, moving deeper into the room. At the far end, I found several chests containing what appeared to be emergency supplies, medicinal pills, energy crystals, and even some basic food rations. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"Now this is useful," I said, pocketing a handful of the pills and crystals.

"Better to be prepared." With that taken care of, I settled into a well-concealed position between two large weapon racks, giving me a clear view of the door while remaining hidden from casual inspection. It wasn't ideal, but it would serve as a temporary sanctuary while I figured out my next move. Hours seemed to pass as I waited, listening to the sounds of battle ebbing and flowing throughout the academy. Sometimes the fighting would draw closer, the explosions making the walls vibrate around me.

Other times, an eerie silence would fall, somehow more unnerving than the chaos. I used the time to process what I'd learned and plan my next steps. The book I'd taken from the archives continued to provide valuable insights into Lightweaver society and methods. If I survived this conflict, that knowledge would be crucial for my infiltration attempt.

"The question remains," Azure said during one of the quieter periods, "why did the loop change? Was it simply the method of your departure, or is something more fundamental shifting?"

"I've been wondering the same thing," I admitted.

"Previous loops always reset to the same point, despite differences in how I died. The only unique factor this time was choosing to leave rather than being killed."

"Perhaps it's related to soul stability," Azure suggested.

"Violent death might disrupt the connection between worlds differently than a controlled departure."

"Or maybe," I mused, "the loop isn't as fixed as we thought. What if it's more like... checkpoints? Each significant accomplishment or choice creates a new starting point."

"An intriguing thought," Azure agreed.

"Though difficult to test unless you're willing to die." Our discussion was interrupted by a series of explosions that sounded different from the previous exchanges, deeper, more resonant, as if the very fabric of reality was being torn. The armory door burst open as a young Skybound initiate stumbled in, his robes torn and bloody. He didn't notice me hidden in the shadows as he frantically grabbed a sword from one of the racks.

"They're coming," he muttered to himself, his hands shaking so badly he could barely grip the weapon.

"The final great battle is beginning." Before I could decide whether to reveal myself and find out what great battle he is referring to, another explosion rocked the building, this one so powerful that the entire structure seemed to shift on its foundation. The initiate was thrown off his feet, the sword clattering across the floor.

"What was that?" I whispered inwardly, more to myself than to Azure. The answer came in the form of the ceiling simply... disappearing. One moment it was there, the next it was gone, vaporized by a power beyond my comprehension. Through the newly created opening, I could see the crimson sky, and the battle raging directly above us. The initiate scrambled to his feet, looking up with an expression of pure awe that quickly morphed to terror. I followed his gaze and felt my own heart nearly stop.

Five figures in the distinctive red robes of high-ranking Skybound faced off against a lone opponent. The solitary figure wore white and gold, marking them as a Lightweaver, but there was something different about this one, something that set them apart from the priests I'd encountered before. Even from this distance, I could feel the overwhelming aura emanating from the lone Lightweaver. It pressed down like a physical weight, forcing everyone in the vicinity to their knees, myself included.

The pressure was incredible, not just a display of power, but a fundamental rejection of anything tied to the Red Sun. I struggled to remain upright, using a fallen pillar for support as I stared upward. The five Skybound were clearly elders of the academy, their power evident in the complex runic patterns that covered their visible skin. Yet against this single opponent, they seemed almost... insignificant.

The lone Lightweaver appeared young, perhaps in their early twenties, with features that might have been considered beautiful in a cold, perfect way. Their white hair flowed around them as if underwater, defying gravity. But most striking were their eyes, pure blue, glowing with a light that seemed to pierce through everything they gazed upon.

"Who is that?" I whispered.

"Master, I…I believe that we are in the presence of a Rank 8 Lightweaver."