The starlit sky begins to brighten.
Its cold radiance sheds onto the torn and uplifted earth.
Blood stains the soil a crimson hue, and the winds carry the scent of iron.
Empty and quiet, the battlefield witnesses its first moment of respite.
Ramparts high and resilient against the winds, now unmanned and
The first tide is finally over; the four nights of relentless violence draw their conclusion with silence.
However, the world is not yet out of the storm.
Merely in its eye, surrounded by the storm's walls like an ominous foreboding.
That which promises to submerge the lands in difficulties once again.
...
In the quiet study of a tall building, Silver Extreme is meeting with the Mortal Settlement Lord of Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement.
The Lord's appearance was aged.
Short hair tied into a bun, grey strands slicked back like tufts.
He wore a yellow robe over black, white ornaments hung from his chest and shoulders.
The visage of Iron Mountain was embroidered onto the back of his yellow robe.
Currently, he was serving tea to Silver Extreme.
"You have my gratitude for your great efforts, Friend Silver."
"Without you, our Settlement would have likely fallen to the immensity of the tides."
"I hope your people are also doing well?"
Picking up the white ceramic, Silver Extreme swirled the amber tea in the cup.
"Please, how could we overlook our friends in such dire times?"
"Although the tides were more pressing than expected, we are more than willing to help again."
"Best of all, we have not lost a single person, although our injuries were abundant..."
Sipping his tea, Silver Extreme reflected.
"More than twenty beast groups have surged forth during the first tide."
"How is the relocation process going?"
The Lord's expression faltered subtly. Breathing out turbid air, he did not hide anything from Silver Extreme.
"Not good... Not good, at all."
"Our selected habitats are already full. If we can not move them in three nights' time..."
"Then their numbers will become too much for us to handle..."
Shaking his head, he could not hide his worry.
Although this Settlement Lord was a Third Foundation Cultivator, even he would struggle to control such an immense number of beasts.
Rather, he would struggle to impose his 'Will' onto the beasts.
Overwhelming power could subdue a Will.
Numbers could also subdue a Will.
Normally, quality was greater than quantity, but an immense quantity can overwhelm quality.
That is why beasts will have multiple Beast Kings.
The same is for Mystical Beast Kings, too.
Great numbers require either a much greater power or several great powers.
Without the presence of Beast Kings, the groups of beasts captured are left without total order.
"If we wish to keep the large number of beasts under our control, we would need to allocate Cultivators to the habitats."
"Otherwise, we won't have total control over them, especially when the second tide comes."
"Friend Silver, what do you think of this idea?"
It was the obvious decision to make, but it could be detrimental to his other plans.
They needed manpower to fight off the tides.
Relocating their already small number of retaliative forces would leave them in a terrible position.
Thinking for a moment, Silver Extreme did consider the idea.
Weighing the options between controlling the beasts and retaining his manpower.
'Who could we allocate to maintain the habitat's order?'
'We also need to retain as much manpower as needed.'
'If the situation worsens...'
Thinking for a few breaths' time, Silver Extreme finally came to a decision.
...
Lying on the soft white bedding, Dawn finds herself stripped of her armour.
Shedding onto her was the gentle starlight of a new night.
Wearing only the black robes provided with her accommodation, she stares absentmindedly at the roof.
Her tired body felt like lead, as did her mind.
The first tide was finally over, and she was finally given some time to rest.
A whole week was dedicated to preparing for and fighting against the tide.
Unlike those who were cycled in and out of the retaliatory forces, Dawn was constantly on the front lines.
Fighting Beast Kings and Mystical Beast Kings.
She and the other two Third Foundation Cultivators had no time for rest.
Now, she was savouring every minute of rest.
Lazing. Silencing the world by limiting her immersion and senses.
Focusing on the faint, rhythmic beating of her heart.
Dawn found true respite by isolating her body and mind from the rest of the world.
Even though she was ridding herself of thoughts, a few still managed to slip into her mind.
'I wonder how they are doing...'
'How is Sun faring against these tides?'
'How is Selene handling the status of an Immortal Seed?'
Without having to worry about the tide, Dawn couldn't help but let her worries float elsewhere.
It would certainly be a difficult thing for Sun.
Selene wasn't fighting against the tides, but had other matters to handle.
Through these dire times--through their share of difficulties--Dawn could only hope that they would persevere.
With that thought in mind, she couldn't help but think about the other Cultivators.
This was also a dire time for them, too.
While there might not have been casualties, there were plenty of injuries.
Dawn also hoped that they would persevere.
Silver Extreme. The Settlement Lord. The people of Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement.
Life can not be without hardships, everyone is facing their own struggles.
Whether alone or together.
She hoped they would persevere.
She hoped they would survive.
With these thoughts, Dawn cluttered her mind again.
Shaking her head would only bring about a headache, so she only sighed.
Sinking further into the bed, she immersed herself solely in her heartbeat.
Drowning out her worries and thoughts with silence.
"Senior Dawn? Are you in there?"
"Hello? Senior Dawn?"
"..."
Poking in her ears was the faint sound of knocking and calling.
Dawn tiredly raised herself and approached the door, opening it to find a middle-aged man.
"Senior Dawn, I hope I wasn't disturbing anything."
"No, what were you calling me out here for?"
"Ah. Senior Silver Extreme and the Settlement lord wish to meet with you."
Dawn's expression was plain, but inwardly, she was surprised.
"What do they want with me?"
"Sorry, I do not know. I was sent to carry on the message."
"Is that so..."
"Please, I will take you to see them."
...