Chapter 14 - Godslayers

A small vortex of purple and white materialized in a long, wide, obsidian hall illuminated by a row of scones with fluttering blue flames.

A muscular, blue forearm reached out of the vortex, and in one swift slashing motion, the swirl dispersed revealing the huge frame of Xakar. He made his way forward until he reached the end of the hallway, then he walked up the connecting set of stairs leading high up. His steps echoed throughout the staircase each time his foot connected with the stone slabs. He took his time and two minutes later he was met with another hallway albeit much smaller than the one below, and a set of large, steel double doors, thrice the height as himself.

With the back of his fist, Xakar knocked on the door three times and the low, rumbling, metal clang rang across the interior. He stepped back and the doors slowly opened.

Xakar entered the room.

It was a long hall with tall pillars on each side, parallel to each other, holding up the ceiling. Each pillar had multiple engraved dragons running up around it. At the end of the hall was a platform that could be accessed by heading up a flight of glowing, red marble stairs. Atop the platform was a desk made of peach wood in the shape of an arc. Behind it was a smooth, quartz, throne-like chair cushioned with multiple pelts but the largest one belonged to a tiger. Large quantities of paper documents were spread across the wooden surface along with scrolls and thick books devoid of any title. Strangely, a bowl-sized peach was placed on the edge of the desk, where it was cleanest. Small, flaming blue wisps danced leisurely around the platform.

Behind the desk was a tall glass window with Ancient Chinese lattice designs running over it. Standing at the window and looking out was a figure wearing a leather jacket over a dark gray hoodie with the hood over his head, and white track pants with a vertical black stripe on each side.

The blue-skinned warrior walked over to the base of the platform, kneeling on one knee as he bowed and announced his arrival

"Commander,"

"Xakar, you've returned," the Hooded One replied with his back still turned to his subordinate, "You may stand while you report,"

"Yes, Commander," Xakar nodded as he straightened himself before he began to inform, "The exchange was a success. I gave the Excaliburs to Kokabiel and he offered the item you seek, but as per your order, I rejected it, saying that you will come and retrieve it at a later date. Kokabiel responded just as you predicted and desired a payment, so I gave him the Peach. He was hesitant at first but he took it in the end, that concludes the mission report,"

"Good, thank you, Xakar," said the Hooded One, "You may go home now, your wife waits for you,"

"Thank you, Commander," Xakar placed a fist over his chest as he dipped his head.

The blue-skinned warrior took several steps towards the exit before he suddenly stopped, and turned back towards his superior.

"Commander, I have a question,"

"What is it?" the Hooded One inquired while still looking out the window.

"Why are we making deals with that Fallen Angel? We could've aimed higher, like working with the Khaos Brigade. Also what exactly is that item you sought out?"

Silence fell upon the room.

"You know questions can be dangerous things in our line of work, more so than any physical weapon," the Hooded One suddenly said in a cold tone.

"...F-Forgive my curiosity, Commander, I spoke out of turn," Xakar said as he bowed deeply.

But the Hooded One simply waved his hand, "No no it's quite alright. It's this type of attitude you need in order to go far in the hierarchy. But to answer your question; I needed a guinea pig for the Project, and an interesting one just so happened to cross my path a few months back. However, first I had to gain the trust of said guinea pig, and so I did, it's that simple. Does that answer your question, Xakar?"

"Yes sir," the blue-skinned warrior replied.

"Good, then you're dismissed,"

Xakar once again dipped his head before he turned towards the exit. As he reached the doors, a nothing deep clang resonated from it, signaling that someone was outside. The Hooded One simpled snapped his fingers and the doors swung opened.

In walked another blue-skinned, humanoid being, except it was a female with an hourglass body, looking to be in her early twenties, and her skin was a lighter shade, almost sky blue with a tint of lavender. She wore a light-brown, leather cloth crop top exposing her toned midriff and also had baggy white pants. On her feet were a pair of black leather boots and black fingerless gloves hugged her hands. Like the rest of her race, her eyes were silver and pupilless, and her hair was snowy white, which was tied up in a high ponytail. Strapped to both sides of her waist were two bone daggers, one was curved and serrated while the other was straight and shone with sharpness. At the base of both skeletal blades, they were decorated with runic engravings.

As she walked in, she nodded at Xakar who returned the gesture before heading out of the hall.

"General Vizari," the Hooded One greeted without turning back, "What have I done to be graced by your presence today?

"The King has called for you, Commander," Vizari answered after dipping her head in respect.

"Is it urgent?"

"He did not specify,"

"Very well, then if that is all, you may take your leave,"

"Of course," Vizari replied and with a short, saluted bow, exited the hall.

The Hooded One inhaled deeply through his nose and slowly exhaled through his slightly parted lips. For some reason, his breath sounded rather hollow.

The sky was scarlet red and filled with armies of pale clouds that looked pink due to the reflection from the sky.

A large, eastern palace made from dark-gray and crimson stone rose high until its tips pierced through those clouds. Below, around the gigantic residential monument was the city it ruled over. Expertly crafted buildings of all sizes made of all kinds of stone material stretched all the way to the horizon.

On the highest balcony of the palace, overlooking the entire kingdom, stood a giant, hulking figure almost over five meters tall. Although the being wore a furry white bathrobe, it didn't hide the fact that he was heavily muscled. Silver hair fell to his shoulders and he had dark-navy skin. His face was chiseled, resembling that of a man in his thirties with a nearly faded scar running across diagonally and he also had a short beard. In one of his giant hands, he held a large glass of wine, gently shaking it and stirring the contents inside.

Suddenly, in a swirl of blue flames, The Hooded One appeared, perching on one of the small pillars of the stone railing, and he announced his arrival with a quick dip of his head, "Your Majesty,"

"Greetings," The King said as he turned to face him.

Underneath his hood, the Hooded One had equipped a white mask with a red rim. The mask was also drawn and painted to resemble that of a monkey.

"You wanted to see me?" The Hooded One inquired.

"Yes," The King took a sip of his wine before responding, "But I have also called for some others, so let us wait for now,"

The Hooded One nodded in understanding and he wondered who it was. His answer came a moment later when a tornado of sand suddenly erupted into existence on the other side of the balcony.

When the sand subsided, it revealed a tall, blue-skinned man with an athletic figure, a scarred face, and messy white hair tied behind him with a long black band. He had golden plate earrings on both ears and a necklace of dark teal and black plates around his neck. He wore a loose black and gold martial artist's robe tied together with a red belt. He also donned baggy, gray pants and golden sandals. Resting on his shoulders was a black jacket with a fur-lined base and sleeves.

"I'm here father," the man announced as he respectfully inclined his torso.

"Ah," The King pivoted his head to look at the newcomer, "Ardun, good to see you again, my son,"

"Indeed, it has been a long time, father," Ardun replied as The King approached him.

"Where are you're brothers? I know I sent for them too, it is time to report to me on the progress of your assignments,"

The Hooded One hopped of his perching position and strolled towards the two.

"It has been a while Ardun, you look to be in good shape," he said.

Ardun nodded, "Thank you, Commander, it has been several months, almost a year, we should go grab a drink together later,"

"Of course," The Hooded One responded before turning to and informing the King, "Jwala and Lot, must still be busy with their missions if they have not returned yet to heed your call, Your Majesty,"

"Is that right…?" The King hummed inquisitively as he stroked his beard.

"It is," confirmed Ardun, "I received transmissions from the two of them while I was coming here, my younger brothers are still buried in their work,"

"Both Jwala and Lot are securing our alliance with other factions," The Hooded One added, "The only started last year so I suppose it could take more time for them to gain their trust,"

"That's true," Ardun agreed, "Our appearance makes us suspicious, and our race has not been seen in the other realms for thousands of millennia, according to father that is. Though I am a little worried about Jwala, knowing him he could be out whoring instead of doing his task,"

"The whoring keeps him motivated, so let's allow it to continue for now," The Hooded One informed, "If it distracts him any further than necessary, we can put a stop to it,"

"How do you know this?" The King, who had turned back towards the railing to look out across his kingdom, questioned as he took another sip from his wine glass.

"I sent two clones to observe them both recently," revealed the masked figure, "Neither of them knew I was there,"

"What can you tell me about Lot?" the King asked.

"Lot and the Frost Giants are making steady progress, although sometimes he needs to control his temper in order to not accidentally stain our reputation, the Second Prince is more often than not polite and adaptable enough for the Frost Giants to like him. I suspect that they will become our allies soon in the close future," The Hooded One explained with his hands in the pockets of his jacket.

Ardun and The King nodded.

The older man then directed his next question towards his eldest son, "Ardun, how about you?"

"I have scoured the realms for any possible locations for another opening of the Gate of the Rift," he said, "I have three good candidates so far, Muspelheim and Mars are the closest ones. The furthest is on another planet on the other side of the galaxy, where it rains molten rocks,"

"Begin your search on Mars after taking a two-week break," The King declared, "And when you leave, contact Lot about it too. Tell him that when he has finished gaining the trust and forging the alliance with the Frost Giants, his next mission is to go to Muspelheim and gain an alliance with the Fire Giants while seeking any evidence of a Gate Opening,"

"Yes, father,"

"And what about you?" The King turned his head slightly to see The Hooded One in the corner of his eyes, "How goes the Divine Peach Project?"

"It goes well, Your Majesty," The Hooded One replied, "I have found a good subject to test the prototype on, a Fallen Angel who fought in the Tri-Faction War. I had Xakar deliver the test Peach to him and now the waiting game begins, but I have a feeling that he will use it soon enough,"

"What if the results of the peach are far beyond what the hypothesis suggested?" asked Ardun who folded his arms.

"Then I will go and clean up the mess myself," The Hooded One replied calmly.

The King nodded slowly, placing both hands on the stone railing and he gazed down at the kingdom.

"This is good news. All of this is good news. For hundreds of thousands of years, ever since the Cataclysm eons ago, I have waited, we, our people have waited, for a chance to rise again, and now, at last, the opportunity has arrived. The universe may have thought us to be extinct, yet we live. And as we have been preparing for our return, we have seen civilizations crumble to dust and others taking their place, watching that cycle go on and on and on. But we will watch no longer! For far too long we have been sitting idly by in the shadows. Waiting and observing. So I am certain that soon, it will be time for our presence to be known throughout the realms, and at long last! Just as they did then! All realms! All dimensions! The universe! Will once again fear the name…!"

ASURA

Chapter 14 - End

Shortest Chapter to date but it has served its purpose. One whole chapter to solely introduce the Main Antagonist Faction of this story. And after a whole eight chapters from their first reveal back in Chp. 6, I present to you… The Asura.

What's this? Ardun, Lot, and Jwala are a part of the faction too!? And they're calling the Asura King, "father,"?!

The Hooded One has been wearing a Monkey Mask underneath the entire time?! What is his tale?!

As the narrative progresses, more about the Asura will be revealed, but for now, I'll leave you guys and girls to speculate.

Chapters will now go back to their normal 8,000-10,000 word length

Oh yeah, and please don't expect Bi-Weekly Chapters to be a normal thing, this was a unique occasion and probably won't happen again for a while.

That's all for Chapter 14! Once again hoped you enjoyed it, even if it was really short!

Thank You For Reading, and Goodbye!