บท 42: Incoming war

Ralak made his way to a hidden cave, deep in the mountains, a perfect stronghold crafted by the Qorveth believers with their earth-bending abilities. The cave was concealed from the prying eyes of the Void Cult, offering a secure place for covert travel and planning. The rocky walls hummed with faint vibrations of magic, as if responding to the holy power that Ralak and the other Saints wielded. His mind was focused, intent not only on wiping out the heretics from this continent but on igniting a global purge, one that would remind the world of the Primordial God's undeniable power.

One by one, the Saints of the Primordial God entered the cave. These were the most devoted followers of the church, blessed with divine power and tasked with protecting the faith. However, two notable races were absent: the Fexdrin, who lived too far away for their influence to reach, and the Ozilath, whose aggressive nature made them unpredictable and unreliable allies.

Sixty-three Saints had gathered for this mission. Towering above the others were the 20 Nyth, their slender, elongated forms and pitch-black eyes giving them a commanding presence. Alongside them stood 12 Trekan Saints, their red-skinned, spiky-foreheaded figures filled with quiet strength. The 6 Vorasis, with their four arms and six sharp eyes, glared at the group with cunning calculation. Fifteen Qorveth Saints, blue-skinned and all-female, stood in unison, their earth manipulation unrivaled. And finally, the 10 Xlydra, salamander-like beings, radiated a primal energy that reflected their deep connection to the natural water element.

Ralak raised his hand to the sky, his eyes closing as he uttered a silent prayer. In that moment, a beam of golden light descended upon him and the gathered Saints, enveloping them in a radiant glow. The light shimmered around them, enhancing their speed and vitality. It was a blessing from the Primordial God himself.

"Let's move," Ralak commanded, his voice resolute.

The Qorveth Saints responded immediately, shifting the earth beneath them and opening a wide passageway toward the Void Cult's hidden base. The ground trembled as they advanced, their movements swift and purposeful, the divine light around them guiding their way. This would be more than just a strike against the heretics—it would be the beginning of a holy purge.

They all dove into the cave, their movements swift and precise, driven by the blessing they had just received. The divine light granted them speed far beyond their natural limits, pushing them to 200 miles an hour. They moved like shadows through the tunnel, silent yet powerful, with Ralak leading at the forefront, his pace even faster than the rest. His eyes, usually calm and reflective, now burned with a cold, determined darkness, an unwavering resolve that had settled deep within him.

Ralak's mind churned with thoughts of the heretics—the Void Cult—those who not only dared to ignore the words of his lord, the Primordial God, but actively defied them. Such defiance was an insult he could never tolerate. His jaw clenched tighter with every passing second, his hands twitching with the desire to unleash the power bestowed upon him. His devotion to Carter was absolute, and these heretics would soon know the consequences of their rebellion.

The cave walls blurred past them, but Ralak's focus remained sharp. Each turn, each twist in the underground passage only brought them closer to the Void Cult's hideout. This wasn't just about spreading his god's will anymore—this was personal. They had insulted the name of the Primordial God, and he would make sure their punishment would be swift and absolute.