Chapter 130 – Fractured Thrones, Burning Paths

The air in the Sky Refuge was heavy with the scent of ozone and ash—residue from the Temple's implosion, still clinging to Chen's skin like memory.

Around the war-table shaped from starmetal and boneglass, his closest allies gathered. The divine map Sarina had salvaged hovered above them, each of the seven system hearts glowing like fractured stars across a network of divine ley lines.

"Three are already shifting position," Sarina said, her fingers dancing through projected data. "The Flame Court is trying to recall them. If they succeed, they'll seal off every open system node for good."

Chen's jaw clenched. "Then we can't give them the chance."

Ye Yue's eyes glowed silver, her voice soft but sharp. "One heart pulses weaker than the others. The Heart of the Forgotten, hidden in the Dead Spiral. It was severed from the main system centuries ago."

Mei nodded, analyzing the feed. "Which means it hasn't been updated, and likely hasn't activated full defensive protocols."

"Then it's the one we strike," Lanmei said. "Fast, before they know it's even on our radar."

Chen turned to the others—Fae couriers, rogue gods, liberated sentients, each one drawn to their cause in defiance of the old order. A revolution forged in love, blood, and stolen fire.

"Prepare the Skybreak Spear. Ready the Heartbound teams," he said. "We take it within the hour."

Elsewhere – Cracks Beneath the Courts

Deep within the Frost Court, a report screamed across the frozen citadel's ethernet.

"Echo Temple offline. System keys compromised. Heart of the Forgotten: pinged."

The Matron turned to her advisors, her breath frosting in fury.

"They know where to strike next."

From the Flame Court, a counter-command surged like magma through divine code: lock the Spiral down. Deploy the Ash Seraphim.

And in the Emerald Court, long thought neutral, a lone councilor whispered, "The system is failing. And maybe… it should."

Back with Chen's Group – The Launch Begins

The Sky Refuge split open like a blooming flower, revealing the Starpiercer, a divine warship rebuilt with system fragments, capable of phase-shifting across locked coordinates.

Chen stood at the bow, armor laced with Soulflame threads, Ye Yue and Lanmei flanking him. Behind them, Mei activated the Voidflare drive, Sarina feeding real-time intel through their divine link.

"Next node is in the Hollow Verge," Sarina said. "The Heart is buried beneath a system ruin. Expect residual defenses."

"Then we'll tear them out," Lanmei said, her voice sharp steel.

Chen stepped forward, raising his hand. The Soulflame pulsed, and the Starpiercer surged through space.

Toward the Spiral. Toward the Heart.Toward the next blow in the war to reclaim divinity itself.