Most of the power in the Ashen Lands was corruption; the other powers of Ashes were not particularly noticeable.
So when this anomaly arrived, corruption's agitation was the most obvious.
Its behavior was strange. It seemed extremely agitated—perhaps even somewhat panicked?
Its power was constantly draining away, and the environment of the Ashen Lands began to change as well. The surrounding power rapidly diminished, as if instinctively filling something in.
"What's going on?"
"What happened?"
"Forget the sacrifice for now! Something huge seems to have happened outside!"
This enormous disturbance undoubtedly drew the Ashes Guides' attention away from the sacrifice. The corruption in the Ashen Lands was the foundation of their survival. Without corruption, they were nothing.
"The power of corruption is draining away!"
"Toward the darkness beyond the Ashen Lands!"
"Why is this happening?"
The Ashes Guides quickly noticed it.
They were unsettled. Corruption in the Ashen Lands was calm most of the time. It had only become restless once before, but that had been completely different from the current situation.
Why was the power of corruption actively flowing into the darkness beyond?
"We have to stop it!"
Though they did not yet know the reason, the Ashen Guides quickly made their decision.
They had to stop corruption from continuing to drain away and preserve the Ashen Lands they depended on for survival.
The sacrifice could wait.
Almost at the very moment the change occurred.
Rogue, within the Spirit Candle Space, abruptly raised his head, a trace of gravity flashing through his eyes.
He now possessed the traits of the ocean and the earth.
The earth trait was exceptionally sensitive to changes beyond the fragmented regions.
At the same time, the influence that swept across all fragmented regions had struck Candlewood Island and the surrounding fragmented regions without reservation.