Half of the Weave has already merged with the laws of the Mother of the Stars. The other half is still in Mystra's hands, but without the support of half the network, Mystra's Weave laws have developed huge loopholes, the coverage area has shrunk drastically, and the energy transmission efficiency has dropped sharply.
The Mother of the Stars gained not only control over the Elemental Dimension, but also the laws of the Weave itself as a "network"—connection, transmission, coverage, and penetration. These laws, combined with the Mother of the Stars' original authority over "matter," produced a wondrous chemical reaction: matter no longer passively exists in space, but can actively extend, expand, and cover through the connections of the network.
In other words, the Mother of the Stars has taken another step forward in her control over the Astral Realm.
Dale remained silent.
The Magic Pioneer's eyes were fixed on the Mother of the Stars, her pupils reflecting the rising aura and the expanding sea of stars. Her lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately no sound came out.
He surveyed the battlefield.
Golden sap still seeped from the crack in the trunk of the Ancestral Tree of Life. The projection of the World Tree stood beside it, its body almost invisible, its branches mostly bare, with only a few leaves still emitting a faint glow. Although the two Eternal were still maintaining their defenses, it was clear to everyone that they were in very poor condition.
The Ruler of the Abyss's expression was grim. The Earth Titan ravaged the Abyss, each punch tearing at its Abyss essence, and the Ruler of the Abyss's power was steadily waning. He had begun to quietly retreat—not to escape, but to find the right opportunity to tear through the Void and escape directly into the Abyss. Once back in the Abyss, he could use the Abyss advantage to counter the suppression of the Mother of the Stars.
It's even possible that the Ruler of the Abyss has already made preparations to tear the Abyss apart from the Astral Realm's mother body and create a new realm.
But as soon as He took a step, His body suddenly stiffened.
The Goddess of Fate turned her gaze upon Him.
Those eyes, veiled by a golden veil, reflected the entire trajectory of the Ruler of the Abyss's Fate. From the moment of His birth, to the moment He became the Ruler of the Abyss, to the moment He might fall in the future—all of His Fate was laid bare under the gaze of the Goddess of Fate.
Previously, the Goddess of Fate could not have accomplished this, because the power of the Ruler of the Abyss was far greater than hers.
But things are different now.
With the Mother of the Stars having nearly taken control of the Astral Realm Astral Realm, and under the blessing of its supreme rules, the river of Space-Time and Fate has actively gravitated towards the Goddess of Fate, allowing her to easily peruse the ancient and weighty books of history, including those of the Ruler of the Abyss.
The biggest difference between the Ruler of the Abyss and other Eternal is that He is an Eternity being born with the support of the Abyss Will, and His causal connection with the Abyss is too heavy. The Abyss is essentially a part of the Astral Realm, and the Abyss Will is actually a smaller version of the Astral Realm Will. Therefore, before the Abyss is completely separated from the Astral Realm, to some extent, the Astral Realm Will can exercise the authority of the Abyss Will, thereby further probing the Ruler of the Abyss's true nature and various details.
Where do you want to go?
The Goddess of Fate's voice was not loud, but every word was like a nail driven into the soul of the Ruler of the Abyss.
The Ruler of the Abyss's lips twitched, and he abruptly stopped his retreat.
It wasn't because He feared the Goddess of Fate, but because He knew that if He showed any intention to flee, the Goddess of Fate would attack without mercy. And the Abyss Warden —His nemesis who had been watching Him relentlessly since the beginning—would certainly seize the opportunity to strike as well.
In front lies the Mother of the Stars, behind her are the Goddess of Fate and the Abyss Warden, and on the sidelines, the Lord of Time may join the battle at any moment.
The Ruler of the Abyss found himself locked down.
The trunk of the Ancestral Tree of Life trembled slightly, and a subtle thought emanated from its canopy, entering the consciousness of the World Tree projection.
"Mother..."
"Should we... retreat?"
The World Tree projection remained silent for a moment.
That instant was so brief that it was almost imperceptible to mortals. But for the Ancestral Tree of Life, that instant felt like an entire era—because it was the first time the World Tree projection had hesitated during a battle.
"Prepare to retreat."
The voice projected from the World Tree resounded in the heart of the Ancestral Tree of Life, calm, heavy, and carrying an irresistible resolve.
We can't stop Him.
Staying here will only waste your life force.
"Return to the World Tree itself, heal your injuries, and then plan for the future."
The World Tree has not given up yet, because it still has its biggest trump card: Logo.
This junior who always surprises Him has secretly stored up terrifying power, but it has not yet been unleashed, and only the World Tree knows this.
The Ancestral Tree of Life did not respond. Its canopy slowly contracted in the Void, and the golden sap seeping from the cracks gradually solidified, forming a thin scab. It was accumulating power, preparing to unleash its full force at the moment of retreat.
In critical moments of life and death, the profound connection and trust between the Ancestral Tree of Life and the World Tree made their way out wider and brighter.
The other Eternal are making similar preparations.
Although the Abyss Warden had pledged allegiance to the Mother of the Stars, His gaze never left the Ruler of the Abyss. The Black Book was half-open in His hands, the sealing runes on its pages shimmering with a ghostly black light.
The God of War of the Astral Realm gripped his blade tightly, golden flames burning in his single eye, but his body was already trembling—the "Eternal Wound" had eroded too much of his life force, and he didn't know how much longer he could hold on.
The Lord of Hell dragged his mutilated body, dark red blood of original sin seeping from his wounds, transforming into burning flowers of sin in the Void. His gaze fell upon Dale, awaiting the final decision of this Magic Pioneer.
Everyone is waiting for Dale.
Because Dale was the initiator of this battle, the supreme leader of the Adrian Federation, and the most central among all the Eternal who rebelled against the Mother of the Stars.
Dale says to keep fighting, then they will keep fighting.
Dale has announced his surrender... and that war is truly over.
Within the heart of the Dale, Magic Pioneer, a fierce, soul-wrenching war is raging.
'Are we really going to surrender?'
When the thought first crossed his mind, Dale almost instinctively suppressed it. Surrender? Magic Pioneer, Eternal, the leader of the Federation, bowing down to another Eternal? What would be the point of being a "Pioneer" then? What would be the point of talking about the "future of magic"?
But the power of the Mother of the Stars is undeniable.
It wasn't a close contest, nor a narrow victory, but a crushing defeat—an absolute, despair-inducing crushing defeat. The pinnacle of the Second-Step Eternity, controlling all authority over the Material Dimension, possessing a primordial treasure like the Chaos Stele, and allies like the Goddess of Fate and the Lord of Time, allies of the Second-Step Eternity.
Meanwhile, on Dale's side, although there were many allies, each had their own problems. The Ruler of the Abyss was troubled by internal strife, the Lord of Hell had just stepped into the second step and his foundation was unstable, the projections of the Ancestral Tree of Life and the World Tree could no longer hold on, and the God of War of the Astral Realm was unable to exert his full strength due to eternal wounds. The only one who was not seriously injured, the Abyss Warden, had even defected to the Mother of the Stars.
If they continue fighting, the probability of winning is less than 10%.
No, it's not less than 10%, it's almost zero.
If Dale were just one person, he wouldn't care. If one person can't win, he can die in battle; what is there to fear in death? But Dale is not alone. Behind him lies the Adrian Federation, the Fate of countless spellcasters, and the future of magical civilization.