Darkness surged like a tide, ravaging everything in its descent.
Layer upon layer of billows became waves, coursing across the heavens and rolling without end toward that brilliant wisp of starlight.
The tide within the Vortex was rising, flooding toward the Present World. As though the sky had collapsed and crashed down upon the earth, it made all things seem like ants and drowned everything in Destruction.
Yet those waves repeatedly crashed against an invisible wall, only to return empty-handed.
The Heavenly Furnace hung high between sea and sky.
Cold light bloomed from the cane braced in his hand, illuminating the blood-soaked darkness and the mutilated corpses floating in the air.
As well as the cracks across his face, neck, the backs of his hands, and chest.
Blood wound downward and dripped, silently staining the sea scarlet in spreading patches.
His white robes were dyed red with blood, his expression blank.
From beginning to end, only a brief dozen or so minutes had passed, yet it felt as though several days had gone by, leaving every observer with their heart in their throat.
No one knew how much longer he could hold on.
Even though countless formidable enemies lurked in the darkness, compared to such an existence, they were nothing but chickens and dogs made of clay. No matter how fierce their attacks, they only made people laugh.
The true pressure came from the Vortex gradually drawing closer to the Present World.
And the Rift World beneath his feet...
In his hand, that utterly ordinary silver cane still stood firm, like an obstruction wedged between enormous gears.
Forcibly pinning the Rift World and this stretch of sea to the Present World, dragging them tight and refusing to let them fall into the ever-expanding Vortex.
Like a nail.
The so-called—[Wedge]!
But