Somewhere in the Alchemy Association.
In a hall that spoke volumes of its Master, five people could be seen bowing before what resembled a silver throne made of a metal that although looked unassuming, actually exuded a special aura that made anyone who stared at it long enough to feel as if the sharp end of a knife was pressed up against their throats.
The throne just like the rest of the room was decorated with human skulls and effigies that in normal circumstances would be disgusting however, in this particular case, the various sculptures and crafts looked, in a strange yet shocking way, beautiful. The humans whose parts were used to create the decorations were obviously no ordinary people as even in their current disgraced and deceased state, their bodies shone with a splendour unique to beings who had cultivated to a high level. Bones as well as uniquely ‘modified’ skeletons of Low level Soul-compression stage practitioners were lined up against the walls of the hall. On the ceiling, a hand stitched tapestry depicting the slaughter of a human kingdom could be seen. Despite its beauty, any human would shrink in horror upon realising that the tapestry was woven together using the internal organs of the felled human practitioners whose skeletons now serve as the welcoming party for guests of the Master of the hall.
The throne had human skulls that came from practitioners who were High level soul-compression stage practitioners. The person currently sitting on this throne indifferently gazed at the five people bowing down before ignoring them.
The five dared not make a move until they could be sure that rising would not offend the Beast before them.
“Maharevel.”
“Yes, young Master.” Said one of the five bowing Beasts. He was of fox decent but his fur was completely violet with a mixture of black, forming stripes on his back. Additionally, the aura his body released was the highest of the five, a full-fledged Mid level soul-compression stage expert.
“Maharevel, that kingdom, humans, this life, the duty that will eventually rest on my shoulders.”
“Yes, young Master.” Said Maharevel.
“Why does it all, at this moment, seem so insignificant?” asked the young Master. His head was raised looking at the tapestry that depicted how his Ancestors in the faction took action against one of the prominent human kingdoms of the time. It was only after that event that the name Warlords was given to them. After that the clash of the leader of the Beasts and the human God took place. In the aftermath, four factions were created by the descendants of the Great generals, and the Warlord faction is one of these factions, standing alongside the Shadow faction and the other two.
Maharevel did not raise his head however, his voice grew firmer.
“Young Master, she’s just a woman.”
“Maharevel, how long have you known me.” The young Master’s voice remained indifferent however, for some odd reason, his current tone sent chills through the spines of the bowing five.
“I was born to serve you, young Master. All my life I will follow your lead.” Maharevel replied.
The young Master smiled, “The halfway point of the Black core(soul-compression) realm before reaching adulthood. You can be considered a genius by many Maharevel.”
“……”
“Do you truly believe that I care so much for women? According to Ancestor…there’s something coming…. something is slowly unravelling. If that is the case then Ancestor is not the only who can feel it……my duty, our eternal war with the humans, from what he’s told me it seems like this cycle is about to just stop or perhaps it’ll just drastically change and everything in it will completely vanish. It wasn’t until now, that I realised my life really is a little insignificant. If my purpose and duty disappear, what exactly am I then?”
“Young Master, what are you talking about?” wondered Maharevel. The words of his master were beginning to frighten him. He still attributed most of this behaviour to the recent shenanigans his fiancée was pulling despite what his master had just said.
“Why did you bring these four to see me? Is it about Tusi? What is she up to now?” his tone was still indifferent.
“Young Master, we’ve located the one responsible for poisoning the Miss’s mind.” Said one of the four beside Maharevel.
“It’s the Half Breed. We saw the Miss together with him.”
The young Master, Kring, hearing those words couldn’t help but smile. He spoke to himself,
“If even Tusi wants to use him then I suppose all the commotion stirring up about the Half Breed bares some truth. Nevertheless, I cannot grant her wish. Whether or not the cycle stops, I require her body.”
The four people didn’t know what to make of his words so they opted to maintain their silence.
“Kill the Half Breed.” Continued Kring. “And in the future, for anyone who approaches her, let her get close to them before silencing them as well. Make the deed obvious that it was done by my order. Let her understand that she cannot oppose me.”
After saying that, Kring directed his gaze to the four, it was like he was staring at ants.
“Y-young Master.” Sensing his death, the one who tailed Tausi spoke up.
“There might be a better way.”
“Ohh..speak.”
Maharevel glared at the one who spoke out of turn but he didn’t dare interrupt his Master.
“The Half Breed is said to have challenged Senior Mo. The Miss is sure to go watch the fight thus if we were to aid Senior Mo in completely destroying and slaying the Half Breed before a crowd, the Miss will realise how useless the Half Breed is and then come back to_…”
“How childish…” whispered Kring before waving his hand. Instantly, except for Maharevel, the four others exploded into a bloody mist.
“Maharevel.”
“Yes, young Master.”
“Go ahead with the childish plan. Make sure that Mo wins in convincing fashion.”
“Young Master?”
“What? Lately, I’ve been thinking too much. I need a distraction.”
“I will do as you command.”
“Very good. Also, I need you to return the Divinity stone to Father. Inform him that despite multiple tests, it has failed to predict Ancestor’s suspicions and worries. Let him know, that the time table should be adjusted. We must act quickly just in case the times begin to change according to Ancestors speculation.”
“As you command. What of Miss Tausi? Should I capture and restrain her?”
“Not yet. For now, leave her to her own devices. A body that bares the seal requires time to be broken down. Only then will I be able to benefit the most from lying with her.”
“You can leave now Maharevel.”
“Yes, young Master.”
…………………………….
Purple Heart, Two Flames camp.
Zilan had just woken up. He dressed and went downstairs only to find Kifo and Fujo sitting across from each other in awkward silence.
A chunk of flesh was strangely missing from Fujo’s forehead and every time his body reacted to repair it, a white smoke would suddenly appear and corrode the flesh.
“What’s wrong with your forehead?” asked Zilan.
“What do you mean? I don’t see anything.” Replied Kifo. “Do you feel at all strange Fujo?” He asked, eyes narrowed into slits as a dangerous light escaped from them.
“Nothing. I mean, I’m completely fine. What are you talking about Zilan?” scoffed Fujo as he gulped. His words were spoken extremely quickly and his eyes widened, pleading for assistance.
Zilan shook his head at the two of them before going back upstairs.
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