John was glad to catch Melanthina up among the Tenebach clan, as it saved him a trip to the Gloom Desolation. He only allotted himself so much time, and he didn't want to go that far out of his way if he didn't have to.

Ereli was the first to spot him- or perhaps nobody else felt motivated to rush away from the sect grounds to greet him. She took in the situation quickly, considering who was present and who was not. The news might have already reached her, even if John hadn't exactly made it public. But rather than comment on any of that, Ereli commented on him. "You carry a full portion of light now."

"I do," John confirmed.

"Are you close?"

She would be able to feel his cultivation rank, since he wasn't particularly hiding it. However, the final step between phases wasn't merely a matter of rank and spiritual energy gathered. John shook his head. "I wouldn't say so."

There was still something missing. Something more than Astrid, though he believed his connection to her had been one of the factors that propelled him this far, to the peak of the Ascending Soul Phase.

If he could find the missing piece, he could reach the Exalted Soul Phase and crush the Empire of Elements. But just because he wanted it didn't mean he could find it. Cultivation wasn't usually that simple, especially untrod ground. John wasn't certain anyone had reached the Exalted Soul Phase. Certainly not in many generations, even if one counted the entire world. Two mighty continents at least, and much more besides.

"I came to speak to your parents as well," John commented.

"Certainly. They will be glad to receive you."

-----

Part of John's intentions were to let people know that he was alright. Well… as much as anyone could be after the death of a spouse. He was not fine, but he wasn't spiralling like he had after the death of Matayal. He could still function well enough.

Seeking revenge against the Empress might seem reckless, but John also had reasons to believe that it was necessary. She was a weak point in what they had. Without her, the Empire of Elements would likely fall apart. Meanwhile, their own alliance… would probably withstand John's death. If he'd done enough right.

"The war can't continue like this," John said simply.

The continental alliance couldn't afford to fight forever, losing people a few at a time. Neither could the Empire of Elements.

Melanthina didn't even hesitate to respond. "Where do you need us?"

"Anywhere you think you would do best." Steve and Yustina would be fighting alongside him. "The two of you might be best at causing pressure on the Empire, forcing the empress to reveal herself. We just need one opportunity."

Then it would all be over. John wasn't going to think about the consequences if they lost. He intended to be victorious.

-----

Firepine Palace seemed empty without Charlotte. Still, John thought it might be taken as a snub if he merely passed them by, given their long relations. John wasn't planning on taking a full continental tour again, but he did have to pass through the area as he turned back north. His ultimate destination was the northern seas, where Tirto and Verusha were.

"Just tell us what you need, father," Tirto inclined his head. "We will do our utmost."

"We'll help you burn anyone!" Verusha said, giving a nod to her own father. It was clear that she took more after Steve than Yustina, though she had somewhat calmed down after being with Tirto. And he had become more energetic in turn, though he didn't always show it.

"I believe we need to increase the pressure as much as possible," John said. "The two of you fight well in the Molten Sea itself, so I was hoping you would join me. I've already called in some favors to get replacements here." The northern seas still mattered. It wouldn't do any good for the continent to defeat the Empire of Elements only to immediately suffer losses against the Sovereign Primacy. It was best that they never even appear vulnerable.

-----

Peace. Despite everything, John felt a fairly strong internal peace. Or at least calm, to balance out the anger and hatred. He wasn't entirely certain he wanted calm, but he wouldn't have made it far without it.

He couldn't be too calm though. If he acted robotically, it would be just as bad as overflowing emotions. He would probably break himself before the enemy got to him. He needed some amount of passion and determination to follow through on what needed to be done.

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Focusing on reliable allies, he made preparations as quickly as he could. He wasn't getting any stronger, but Aldara might be. She'd already reached the late Ascending Soul Phase when the first reports had her in the early Ascending Soul Phase. In a few years, where might she be? John was confident in his strength, but he wasn't actually looking for a fair battle. He wanted to win. His revenge didn't need anything close. Nor was it worth risking the safety of those around him for some sort of 'satisfying' match.

John didn't know if he was actually alright, but if he was going to break down it would be after accomplishing what he needed to. No ill advised attempts to break through to the next phase without even a target in mind. And no troubling his family with his actions.

He didn't like risking their safety, but it would be insulting to not call upon them when combat force was necessary. If he coddled his adult children, he wouldn't be treating them right. They were nearly as strong as him. In pairs, they might be. Ursel was strong on her own, and in the right circumstances she could dominate the battlefield. She wouldn't be facing Aldara, though. Not alone, preferably not at all. The people around her, however, were prime targets.

They just had to track her down.

-----

Maintaining a relatively small force, much like Empress Aldara herself, allowed John and the others to be more mobile. They had a dozen Ascending Soul Phase cultivators all told, and several times as many Consolidated Soul Phase cultivators. They represented a significant portion of the continent's power, though it was nowhere close to the majority.

They couldn't give up their other positions forever, but for a time they could hunt down the empress. Preferably without her knowing about it before they encountered her.

John led their forces. Steve and Yustina were those closest to him, ready to deal with surrounding threats. Tirto and Verusha would deal with those on the periphery. Deirdre and Presha were also part of the mobile force, and of course there was Ursel who was equipped with new body tempering results- with armor that appeared similar but John knew followed a different forging method. She wasn't intending to face Aldara either way, but it was best not to make things too easy for her if it came down to it.

-----

Tracking down Aldara took months. They did their best to minimize the presence of their strike team, much like Aldara was doing with her own army. They were constantly following in her shadow, visiting locations their foes had been- or sometimes places it seemed they had been. Sometimes it was other forces from the Empire of Elements that acted in a similar manner, but if there were no survivors to report it wasn't always clear.

The chase could have gone on much longer, but they were fortunate enough to catch her. It appeared that Aldara had become more active recently for whatever reason, so they only had to be close behind for a short time… and then predict where her next target was a single time.

They actually ended up near the Keleman clan's territory, in an area that could have been considered firmly under the alliance's control. It was possible to circumvent the various islands- they didn't create physical barriers- but it was risky. It could allow people to get surrounded. But the empress had sufficient confidence in her team- well placed, based on previous successes- that it wasn't unreasonable she would choose to strike deeper.

Indeed, by the time they arrived she had more or less successfully subdued the outpost. John concealed the incoming group, but he could only do so much. Less than a kilometer from the island Aldara's senses passed over them- then snapped back to their location. Then again, without John they likely would have been noticed from many kilometers away. When Aldara wasn't putting in much effort, he could sense her beyond the horizon- and a few other Ascending Soul Phase cultivators were close.

She made no move to retreat, instead forming up on the shores. It would provide a slight disadvantage to the attackers, which was sometimes all that was necessary to swing the tides of battle. John hoped to neutralize that issue as soon as possible.

"John Smith," Aldara spoke, her voice amplified to cover the hundred meters remaining between them. "I have been looking for you. I don't believe you come here by accident, either."

"Of course not," John said. "You killed Astrid. For that and so much more… you will die."

"Is that so?" Aldara asked. John felt her five elements flare. No, six elements. She still only had five totems, but like him she carried the final element within her. He lacked a light totem, and she darkness. "That is not quite how it happened, but I doubt semantic nitpicking would be persuasive. Nor will I deny my own responsibility. Then, we shall battle." She waved her hands, causing those around her to step back. "You claim no title of emperor, yet you fulfill the same role. It is inevitable we face each other, since we appear unable to negotiate in peace."

John was already walking towards her ahead of the ship, across the Molten Sea. The others with him naturally remained at a distance, but they were clearly ready to spring into action. John took the time to take in the forces around her. He spotted Roi, the elder of the Bright Trinity that he had met at the Searing Sarcophagus. With him and the other forces around her, John thought the sides were fairly evenly matched. He could bet on his own side's synergy being greater, but he couldn't help but want to do things directly. "We gave you an opportunity to do so, and look where that got us. Your empire will have another opportunity after you are slain."

They were twenty meters apart. For cultivators of their level, that was practically touching. The battle had already begun, even though the two of them had barely even raised their weapons. John kept his usual style, with a sword and free hand. Aldara carried a spear and shield.

Beneath the surface, John was boiling in anger. His desire for vengeance was high, but he wouldn't let himself do something foolish. He needed to fight with the best of his ability. Her rank was… somehow, a match for him. A meteoric rise in power. Perhaps they had already waited too long to hunt her down- but she had also been cautious earlier in the war. They had certainly tried.

Neither of them could be said to have made the first move. They moved as one, equal and opposite cultivations that would inevitably just become equal, should either of them manage to take another step. They started on opposite ends of the same road, only to meet in the middle. Or perhaps they had already passed each other and were now looking back.

John created a wave in the lava to propel himself forward. Aldara thrust her spear into the lava just beyond the shore, creating a perfect counter force that canceled out John's extra propulsion when he was barely short of the shore. That forced him to change his target, as approaching too slowly would leave him open. He instead landed to her side, the two of them arranged parallel to the edge of the island, lava lapping at the dark stone.

They had barely clashed, but John already felt something profound beneath the surface. Was this his opportunity? It seemed foolish… and yet perhaps it might be the same for her. Either way… they would have to determine who was the better among them.

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