Chapter 655: Magnum Opus
The form of their creation was something theyâd never expected they could make aloneâŠ
Its magnificence was something they thought they could never create at all.
The core body was carved from stacked high-purity mana crystals. It refracted the light and provided a mana glow around it.
Then, branches of the World Tree wrapped around the statueâs back like living wings, and the spirit stone formed a halo-like structure that radiated a calming aura around themâŠ
This was their Magnum Opus.
A monument not just to Shane, but to the people of the Eclipse Domain, and their struggle for survival.
âWhooo~ Do you feel it?â Adrian asked as he paused for a momentâŠ
Victor paused. âFeel what?â
Adrian set down his sculpting tool and stepped back from the massive work of art. âThe heartbeat. The⊠resonance. As if itâs alive.â
Victor was amused at first, but he suddenly recalled that the world they knew was completely different now. Almost anything was possible because of the system and the various mystical powers of the Foreign Survivors.
For a moment, he also went silent as he tried to sense the changes in their creationsâŠ
Soon, his eyes lit up before finally nodding at his companion.
âMaybe itâs because we didnât make this alone. This is more than our skill. The Mana in the materials⊠the Word Treeâs special power⊠and our own high-grade abilities plus Shaneâs presence⊠Itâs in this stone now.â
Victor muttered to himself.
Their statue wasnât just symbolic. The materials they usedâthe World Tree fragments, spirit stones, and crystalsâwere known to retain memory and resonate with willpower.
The sculpture itself was probably becoming an artifactâŠ
After this moment of pause, the two then continued on their finishing touches.
***
After a few moments, Mira, the logistics chief of the rear lines, rushed into the sculpture hall.
âWe donât have longâŠâ She said. âThe barriers just came back up, but we lost three outer towers. If any one of the Kings breaches againââ
Victor raised a hand. âWe know. This will be done before the next breach.â
Adrian stepped forward. âMira, has the statueâs mana aura been felt beyond the ward yet?â
She blinked, then nodded. âYes⊠actually, Commander Lukas said the auraâs been easing panic even on the front lines. Soldiers said they could feel a strange sense of purpose just being near the supply carts.â
Victor smiled faintly. âGood. Itâs already begun then.â
***
Back outside the Sculpture Hall, several survivorsârunners, medics, even a few woundedâsat quietly near the areaâŠ
They hadnât spoken much, but each one found themselves drawn to the monument that was being made inside the Hall.
Although they werenât seeing it yet, the mana it radiated wasnât just calmingâit was reverberating with power as if what they were making was a powerful weapon instead of a piece of art.
One young girl, no older than ten, who was just resting after assisting the medical personnel, couldnât help but feel at ease just by getting near this area.
âI hope I can see it soonâŠâ She muttered.
Inside the workshop again, Adrian and Victor were finally at the final stage. It was engraving the nameplate.
Adrian adjusted the etching tool while Victor was thinking about the name of their projectâŠ
âWhat should we call it?â Adrian also asked. He had been thinking a few names and there were already a few options in his mind.
However, he wanted to hear Victorâs suggestion first.
Victor looked up and considered for a momentâŠ
âHow about⊠The Heart of Eclipse.â
âUhmm⊠Is that appropriate?â Adrian asked. He was worried that they might look as if they were the ones deciding which should be the heart of the Eclipse Domain.
After all, it felt as if it was something that Shane must decide and not them.
However, it seemed that Victor had a decent explanationâŠ
âBecause when this world became infested with Zombies, itâs this shelter that became the light for many of us⊠And Shane, the image of our creation, is the one that made it happen.â
Adrian smiled and nodded. âThatâs perfect.â
Then, the two swiftly made their decision and etched a few more words on the nameplate.
The Heart of Eclipse
For all who dare to hope in the end of days.
For those who defend, believe, and rise again.
Erected by the hands of humanity. Witnessed by the world.
The moment the name was completed, a wave of soft golden light pulsed from the statue, expanding outward.
Furthermore, the leaves of the World Tree shimmered as well⊠Then, the mana crystalâs glow intensified briefly, and the spirit stone crown lit up with a haloâŠ
âBeautifulâŠâ The two Sculptors muttered almost at the same time.
Across the shelter, defenders looked up as they saw the wave of golden light spreading throughout the shelter.
Wounded men clenched their fists. Engineers felt a sudden jolt of energy as they felt that they could work once again for another 12-hour shift!
Even the leaders on the front line, Lukas, Shenlong, and others, felt the shift.
[ Congratulations! The Magnum Opus âHeart of Eclipseâ has been completed. ]
[ Eclipse Domain Gains the following effect:
Greater Morale Surge: +45% resistance to mental fatigue and fear for all defenders.
Aura of Unity: Defenders fighting within the Eclipse Domain gain synchronization bonuses when grouped.
Call of Creation: Increases the recovery speed of all craftspeople, engineers, and support staff by 50%.
Legendary Fame: Rumors of the Heart of Eclipse are beginning to spread. New arrivals will be drawn to the Domain.
Residentâs Blessing â As long as the sculpture remains in the shelter, it will provide a Blessing. All residents of the Shelter will gain a 25% increase in all of their Attributes while staying within the range of the sculpture. Duration: 15 minutes. Cooldown: 15 minutes. ]
Victor stepped back and exhaled slowly as he saw the effects.
Adrian, on the other hand, collapsed onto a bench nearby.
âSo⊠when the war is over, should we start a museum?â
Victor cracked a rare smile. âAfter this? Letâs build a new civilization instead.â
The two of them laughed together as they knew that their job was done.