Beyond the Apocalypse
Chapter 666: Eclipse Battlefield (I)

Chapter 666: Eclipse Battlefield (I)

Vlad, Janus, Agamenon, and all the other Sages were taken aback by General Tiberius’s opening statement. Many of them had heard rumors of the man’s inflexible nature and unyielding discipline, but to challenge every single one of them to a fight right upon his arrival was on an entirely different level.

Yet, by the steel in his eyes and the palpable killing intent in his tone, it was clear that this was no mere posturing. He meant every word.

Of course, none of the Sages dared to take him up on that challenge. No matter how prestigious their backgrounds might be, they knew without a doubt that General Tiberius wouldn’t hesitate to cut them down where they stood. His authority was absolute. His sword was swift. And his mercy, nonexistent.

The Legend’s eyes swept slowly over each Sage, piercing through them with the weight of command. Once he confirmed that no one dared step forward, he gave a slow nod.

"Fine. Since none of you are willing to challenge my power, you will recognize my authority. Any act of disobedience will be treated as treason, and the only sentence for treason... is death."

The words echoed like thunder. The weight of his presence grew heavier, making some of the less seasoned Sages break into a cold sweat. Many of them came from noble families, used to wielding power and giving orders—not receiving them.

While they might have shown respect and fear to someone like Marshal Maximo, some had been known to act arrogantly when dealing with ’regular’ Legends.

But none of that pride would serve them here. The message was clear: defy him, and die.

Vlad couldn’t help but nod in approval. General Tiberius’s methods might seem extreme to an outsider, but in the context of war—especially a war against a merciless enemy like the Vorometallicae—a strict chain of command was essential. A single moment of hesitation or internal conflict could spell disaster for everyone involved.

After giving the Sages a moment to process the gravity of their situation, General Tiberius continued.

"According to our scouts, the Void Heart Fortress has yet to dispatch troops directly into our path. However, it’s only a matter of time before they begin their assault. That means we have, at most, three to four days to prepare."

The brutal light that had filled his eyes softened, replaced by the calm wisdom of a seasoned general who had led countless men to war and returned to tell the tale.

"Each of you arrived in groups. Now, you will form teams composed of three groups each. Choose carefully—these men and women will be your closest brothers and sisters-in-arms for the remainder of the campaign unless something unforeseen occurs. You have five minutes."

The directive made sense. While it would have been ideal to mold the nearly three hundred Sages into a unified and cohesive force, there simply wasn’t time. Allowing them to form coalitions with those they trusted was a more flexible, pragmatic strategy. These smaller teams could adapt more quickly in the chaos of battle, and General Tiberius could still command them as units.

Vlad, Janus, and Agamenon looked at each other and nodded without hesitation. Their teams had fought together before, understood each other’s rhythms and styles, and most importantly—trusted one another.

Elsewhere in the crowd, many groups formed quickly. Friends joined friends. Trusted allies banded together. But not everyone had such bonds. Some Sages, more reclusive by nature, struggled to find others willing to join them. Others hesitated, hoping for better options.

General Tiberius didn’t care whether it was easy or hard. Five minutes later, whether everyone had finalized their teams or not, he gave the signal.

"Now that the teams are forged, we begin training. Each team will rotate through battle positions—vanguard, defensive stances, shock charge formations, support roles, and so on. Based on your performance and proficiency, I will assign your official combat positions."

He gave the gathered warriors a moment to absorb his orders before lifting his hand and shouting, "Let’s go!"

A wave of determination swept through the ranks. Every Sage present knew this was their chance to prove their worth. Those who impressed the General might be considered elite combatants, given critical missions or stronger support. Those who failed... well, they risked being relegated to disposable front-line fodder.

...

Not far from the Korokor Mountains—where Vlad and the other Sages were preparing for battle—lay a massive, mystical river. It formed a perfect circle, a natural marvel whose waters shimmered with a silvery glow. But what made it truly unique was the moon that hovered eternally over its center, locked in some strange gravitational dance.

Every day, as the sun rose and its light touched the river, the moon would slowly obscure it, casting the area into an ethereal eclipse. The phenomenon wasn’t just beautiful—it was dangerous.

The eclipse unleashed powerful psychic waves that could shut down the minds of anyone whose soul force had not reached at least the Sage Tier. The unprepared would simply collapse, paralyzed, or worse.

This sacred and volatile land had earned a fitting name: the Eclipse Battlefield.

For centuries, the Eclipse Battlefield had been the site of legendary conflicts. Hundreds of battles between Legends had been fought there, flooding the land and sky with energy so intense it permanently altered the environment. The very soil radiated power strong enough to melt the flesh of Guardian-level cultivators. But even by its own brutal standards, what was happening now far exceeded anything in the past.

Seven days earlier, over fifty Legends and nearly three hundred Half-Step Legends had marched from the Golden Sky Fortress, launching a ferocious assault upon the enemy lines. Their goal: to punch a hole through the Void Heart Fortress’s outer perimeter and begin the long path toward conquest.

The initial attack had been a brutal success. The Greacia’s force had struck with such overwhelming power and coordination that entire divisions of Vorometallicae warriors had been wiped out before they could even mount a proper defense.

But of course, the Void Heart Fortress did not sit idle.

Their own Legends had responded swiftly, flanking the attacking force and engaging them in an all-out battle that shook the sky and earth.