There was an issue with the current situation.
At the moment, Song and Valor were both unwilling to go all out. However, Mordret had made that an impossibility.
After one of the Valor Masters had defeated the Tyrant and claimed the Citadel known as the Black Skull in the Nightmare Desert, Mordret had immediately killed him and all other Valor forces, occupying it all for himself.
Then, he went to the Waking World.
In his true body, in a desolate part of Eastern Antarctica, he taunted both Great Clans, spurring them into action.
Song needed Mordret alive, both because he was a major investment and because he had the first foothold in the new unexplored region of the Dream Realm.
Valor, on the other hand, needed to kill Mordret desperately. Not only had he proven a foe who could take on three Saints simultaneously and survive while still being a Master, but he also was the greatest stain on the Clans Legacy.
Of course, the strategic value of killing him was also very high.
In the current state of the Chain of Nightmares, one would invariably be transported to the Nightmare Desert instead of their Anchor due to the distortion of all the Nightmare Seeds and their Call.
Only if they had a Citadel in the area could they reliably enter the Nightmare Desert, in an exact location. Otherwise the location would be in the region, but somewhat randomized.
Still, if a Saint took to the Dream Realm, they could override Mordret's control of the Citadel with some time. Wrenching control from another Awakened was possible, but not easy once it was bonded.
Even a Saint would be indisposed for around 10 minutes. During that time, the balance of power would be irrevocably shifted. Even if Gehrman didn't fight, Song would overwhelm Valor in such a scenario.
So both armies coalesced here.
An army of enthralled Nightmare Creatures and Echoes surrounded the Song army courtesy of Beastmaster.
The Valor army looked much smaller by comparison, though they had a number of Echoes, and powerful ones too, their number of Awakened had been whittled down.
Yet they were still led by those wielding the Lineage of War God, and thus held great coordination and confidence.
Finally, there was the Government contingent.
Wake of Ruin was joined by three Masters. Caster, the leader of the New Workshop. As well as Effie, Raised by Wolves, and Kai, the archer known as Nightengale. These three had proven to be the most powerful and effective Masters during the campaign with the exception of Soul Reaper Jet and Master Sunless.
Both of whom were still deployed as the Government's liaison with the Great Clans. Now, both of the Masters returned to the side of the Government.
Sunny looked back at the Valor party, which included Changing Star. They spared each other a glance, but could offer nothing more in the current situation.
Besides Nephis, Valor's party was made up of Morgan, Whispering Blade, Sky Tide, and Summer Knight.
Song's party was directed by Seishan and Gehrman. Along with them were Silent Stalker, Beastmaster, and Dire Fang.
Of course, Mordret also slid over to them when they did arrive.
"Mordret, you look rather pleased with yourself, but I must ask. Why the hell couldn't you just stick to the plan?" Beastmaster's fury was barely contained. Still, it was mostly for show, inside, she was completely calm and ready for war.
"I felt it was time to get everyone together. No point in beating around the bush, after all," The Prince of Nothing replied with a smile.
Then, his gaze turned to Morgan.
"Sister, you look well."
Morgan's fury was not for show.
"Shut your mouth, abomination."
"Is that anyway to talk to family?"
"You are not family, you never were. You are and will always be a monster. A Nightmare Creature masquerading as a human."
Mordret did not lose composure at all at the thorny comments.
"Oh? I wouldn't say that, I don't have any Corruption in my Soul, after all. Though, I can see why you may think that. After all, you've been surrounded by monsters all your life, I doubt you could tell the difference between human and beast anymore."
Morgan laughed.
"I don't remember you having jokes, what on this earth makes you think that you are anything less than scum?"
Mordret shook his finger at his sister.
"No, I never said I wasn't a monster myself. I am a reflection, after all. Since the world is full of monsters, so to do I become one, you're all just too vain to appreciate it. Well, I won't be accepting your dismissal. Not this time."
Mordret spread his hands and around him the air shimmered. Every single person on both sides, with the sole exception of Gehrman and Saint Madoc, took a step back.
Mordret currently only has one Soul Core, having broken his rule to keep his actual body as strong as possible. However, he was able to make up the losses of that day due to that sacrifice.
5 Transcendent Beasts and the remaining Transcendent Devil each took the form of a Saint. The three Saints of Valor and the Three Saints of Song all smiled in perfect, eerie sync.
Just like that, the tables had turned even further in Song's favor. This show of power was within the bounds of what Madoc had predicted, but it was still the worst case scenario.
Before things could get more heated, Saint Cor interjected.
He spoke for a few moments, doing his best to dissuade them.
"You have traditions in place, yes? Select a champion and settle this with a duel. Be reasonable, please!" The old man's voice was stern and gravely, but there was an undeniable desperation there.
Surprisingly, Morgan took a step forward.
"I am amenable to this. If you want a duel, I will fight it. Who dares challenge me?"
The others were momentarily stunned at the bold proclamation. She was still a mere Master after all, and though she was an exceptional one, the majority of people in this little gathering outclassed her.
Gehrman considered just taking the offer himself, sending a bolt of blood through her heart, and being done with it.
He didn't like Morgan, but he didn't hate her either. She really only seemed a beast when she was speaking to or about Mordret. There was no doubt she was raised this way, so Gehrman was hesitant to kill such a talent.
However, he was well aware of the potential cost on both sides, and was more than willing to sacrifice her to save them.
But he never got the chance.
"No," Beastmaster said coldly. Then, let her lips twist into a beguiling, seductive smile. "There will only be war."
Gehrman gave her a side eye, about to interject but Morgan cut him off with a sharp laugh.
"Alright! You want war? I'll give you war!"
She seemed almost maniacal in her response, but as she turned Gehrman realized with some intrigue that she too was completely in control of her emotions.
Before she could march fully back though, she halted and started to summon a Memory.
No killing intent was expressed, but still all tensed and assumed stances.
However, what formed was not a weapon, but a charm.
It was a tiny hourglass earring.
"Caster Han Li, you too were once of War. Right here and now I am giving you the opportunity to return as a full Knight, while also allowing your shame to be erased. You have fought and worked honorably, and it has not gone unnoticed. With you at the helm, The Han Li Clan will be reinstated as an official Vassal of Valor."
Morgan raised the Memory upward. Catching his eye like how a treat would for a dog.
Caster had long since turned with wide eyes to regard the Princess of the Clan he was once willing to kill for. She had spoken his name, called him honorable, and forgiven all debts. Not due to some trick, but because she, and the rest of Valor, recognized his strength.
"Do not be dissuaded by the petty shows of Song, they are but worms that we will crush. Our victory is already assured. With you, it will only be more comfortable."
This was already everything Caster dreamed of. It was more than that. At this very moment he could tear off the [Crows Vow], shattering the Memory, but also freeing himself to use his Aspect again.
To not only reach that speed in which he felt on another plane of power, but to also finally use his Awakened and Ascended abilities which had yet to be tried out.
Gehrman watched his mind work. His heart dropped as he realised he was going to lose him a lot earlier than he had thought.
Caster had changed, he had grown much, much stronger. However, he was also indoctrinated since birth, and like a sleeper agent he had been called back into action.
Still, he struggled against it.
"My lady, I am not yet ready to–"
"You are," Morgan said. "And you will be no more ready in the future. If you turn us down now, you will never fight under the banner of Valor again."
That promise shattered him. Gehrman could see it in his eyes. Something broke. Something…
Gehrman's eyes narrowed.
To an outsider, it was a look of scorn due to betrayal, but in truth it was something else entirely.
Oh, he has learned. Gehrman thought, smiling internally.
In a moment of supreme tension, Caster looked not to Gehrman, but to Sunny. At that point the dark eyes of the shadow and the sharp green eyes of the killer met.
They seemed to have a wordless conversation.
Perhaps they did, as Sunny did possess a Memory that allowed for such a thing. Indeed, he was wearing the tunic Memory instead of the [Remembrance] armor he had received for killing the Winter Beast.
Still, they made a show of it.
Sunny scowled as Caster left the side of the Government envoys.
Seishan unintentionally helped things with her next words.
"After everything he has done for you? You leave his greatest achievement, his ultimate creation, just to be a lapdog?" Seishan snarled. This was the first time she had broken her composure during this entire war.
"I never thought I would ever see you stoop so low, you foul–"
Gehrman raised a hand and released a slight amount of pressure, silencing everyone.
Caster's gaze grew wary, as if afraid Gehrman might smite him right there and then. However, Gehrman just smiled.
"I'm a bit peeved you couldn't wait until your successor became a Master too, but given the deadline it's understandable. Try not to let them hold you back, friend."
Caster's eyes widened, and then, for the first time in his entire life a full, genuine smile spread across his face.
He raised his hand, and tore the crow's feather from his ear. True to the Transcendent Memories nature, the breaking of the Vow would mean death. However, removing the Memory would free one from it at the cost of the powerful Charm breaking.
A shattering of sparks cracked as the powerful Memory was lost forever.
Morgan smiled and gave the old Charm that perfectly countered Caster's Flaw to the man himself.
The Memory was transferred and the earring reapered, the tiny hourglass was not hidden under his hair like it had been on the Forgotten Shore, for he had long since cut it shorter. Still, it wouldn't matter.
The shift was clearly felt.
The exact wording and limits of Caster's Dormant ability was unknown, but it would clearly be greatly magnified now that he was Ascended.
As a Sleeper, he could nearly break the Sound Barrier with his movements. Now…Gehrman suspected he could go hypersonic, much like himself.
That wasn't even to mention what other powers he now had at his disposal.
Caster let out a sigh of relief and nodded to the others before starting to walk back. However, Morgan was still not done.
"Gehrman, sorry for this, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to throw one more indignity at you."
"Poaching my talent was not enough?" he asked with an easy smile.
However, his smile strained as suddenly Mordret made a grunt behind him. It was not due to any comment or because of impatience (though he undoubtedly felt both).
"I'm afraid that your presence on the battlefield would be too troublesome, even for us. So, I'll be asking you to take your leave."
An insane thought popped into his head, but it was impossible, it couldn't be true that he was actually here.
Then he was proven wrong, because Morgan's smile turned sharp as a blade and she said the words that changed the course of the war.
"My father would like an audience with you. I suggest you venture to the Dream Realm before he decides to make his presence known here."