Speech = ``...´´
Thoughts = [... ]
ºº
The master was dead..
Fenrir...had fallen.
Where, how and who was responsible he did not know...nor he wanted to. Anyone capable of putting down the nightmare of Midgard could not be someone to trifle with, but the matter of his now apparent lack of command had turned from a possibility to a bitter reality..
Fenrir was truly dead and with it his dreams for promotion into the rounds.
Anger flared inside of him at the shame, at the impotence and the sheer dumbstruck feeling he felt at how all his deeds, all his sacrifices all his works had been laid bare and crushed into powder before tossing aside what was left on a garbage bin, setting it on fire before finally tossing the damn thing into the depths of the ocean.
There were no words to correctly give voice to what had happened, nor he believed he would have been able to find the strength and patience to do so, because he truly had no idea of how his world could turn upside down in a heartbeat.
The false black knight fought back the urge to grimace, keeping up the facade of calmness as he walked past a group of servants in one of the corridors of the castle.
The walls had ears and eyes, and not all of them were of the cult.
He was sure that no one truly knew who was part of who inside each and every cell of the cult of Diabolos but those who were chosen to act as commanders by their respective Masters of the Rounds.
And with most of them gone…, that left everyone else below rather confuse about what was going to happen now.
Would their cell disappear? More than probable. Without Fenrir it was probable that the other clans would try to absorb whatever assets they had into their own, like vultures preying on carrion they would feast on their remains.
The thought that the group he had dedicated himself to would burn out into a puff of smoke in less than a day would have been inconceivable had anyone dared said that to his face.
Now he could only feel the sting of his past self hubris coming back to him at full force.
But sting or not, that did not change the situation he was in.
What was he suppose to do now...? To be honest that had been a question that had vexing Zenon since the bloody storm had quick off its feet into his playground and taking a piss into his food.
Everything Zenon had done had been for the sake of his own ambitions, but with the direct path to the rounds now closed…it would leave quite the wrench into his neatly made out plans.
But it mattered little…, at this moment in time it was too late to turn back, why not double down on it..? He was, after all..patient if not flexible.
He would only have to reinvent himself a little. Instead of following orders, taking instead the reins while the carcass of his former master was still warm.
To take the power for himself while the power vacuum was still there and everyone else was still too afraid to dare.
It would not last…, not nearly long enough for his liking and that was the least of his worries.
Without his patron to cover for him his plans may not get to see the light of day, they may even get him killed, be it by the hand of the other clans and their masters or his fellow members of faction as they like him would soon enough fight for the scraps that their master had left behind.
He needed to know who would join him..
He would have to find who he needed to kill.
It would be a dangerous venture, nothing was promised nor certain.., all could be lost in the blink of an eye.., but right now it was all or nothing. And well.., fortune favoured the infamous didn't it..?
In for a penny...in for a pound..
ºº
After that bitter reminder turned memory parade things had turned to a slow, silent crawl between them.
One where only two of the three of them knew about, but only one that truly understood. With only the sound of Alphas heartbeats pumping softly inside her chest, the bitter, cold breaths emanating through the masks filters and the tired howling of the wind..
The calm was fabricated, it was thin and feeble like the touch of fresh ice that could melt at any given moment with the very warmth of ones own body. Leaving a tenuous balance inside his mind….
But a shaky balance was better than nothing.
But he would lie if there was actually nothing filling the gap that the silence of their voices had brought forth.
He had sensed the way a pair of hands had tugged and brushed against him, not physically, but rather metaphorically. A touch in a pond, a shadow at the deepest corners at the back of his mind.
Slow….
Faint…
Weak…
Yet the reason why his body had not down right terminated and purged such unneeded and undesired brushes was the fact that he knew where it was coming from.
Whether it was a by product of his meddling during her treatment or just happenchance, the power infused inside her veins were acting up and calling towards the energy that was laid inside him.
Like the still, thriving form of a slime that had been cut in two pieces, one small while the other far lager. The small remnants feeling the ethereal threads to reattach themselves back into the fold of their former body. Establishing the connection between them more strongly than before,.
Perhaps she was not aware…, she was a child after all and she was probably thinking on how to stretch her hand forward towards him to help him, only for that desire to manifest into reality though not in the way she wanted.
He should have been elated to see this….
He should have felt pride to see a mere runt like Alpha grow and grow more and more by the day whether she was aware or not of her exploits. A part of him unbeknownst to him actually was..
But the sight of her abilities starting to manifest outside of the outside parameters he had set and write into the sand brought not joy, but the ghost of dread.
He could only wish that it was the energy inside her that was at work and...that the taint was not there like it was in him. That it was mere paranoia borne through the very thing he was trying to look for and hoping not to find inside of her.
….
He would have to teach her, or at least...keep a tight watch. Not promising himself that everything would end well for he knew better.
Hope...was the first step to disappointment.
``Are you okay, master..?´´
The soft, query of a voice he had not been expecting disturbed him from his brooding thoughts. Making him realize a second later that he had drawn the attention of his charge. Alphas hands holding his right hand.
The marks in her face dim and light, but still there, denoting that new flare of emotions going through her as her thoughts scattered and tried to readjust at the target of her worries.
Himself..
Had his heart held a quarter of his former self he would have found it a noble act, perhaps even make him blush, but none of the sort happened here and now.
It seemed that once again, he had ignored the connection between them and those thoughts that had troubled him had echoed back into her. Perhaps not their nature, but their feeling. Like a fish that had been swimming in a pool of cold water, only for gallons of hot steaming water been poured into it. It was bout to drawn attention anyway...
``What..?´´
``Your eyes...the listless look inside them…, if there is something I could do to alleviate the heavy burden you have just to ask..´´
Her voice spoke true and her soul was laid bare for him to see the honesty in her intent, and yet his eyes narrowed.
Those were dangerous words…, he would have to remind her of why.
But there would be time for later...
``Alpha..?´´
``Yes..´´
The girl readily snapped into attention, her voice still soft as she waited for his next command while her face fought the intertwining wishes to appear serious as-well as thrilled to be able to be of use to him.
``You asked me why I had in store for Rose, why did I went out of my way to rescue her.´´
``I did, yes…it was one of the things that I have wondered since we brought her with us.´´
``You disagree with my actions...?´´
``No, not at all…, in fact I am glad that you saved her from her perilous situation. I am just...wondering why would you go through all this effort..´´
``Because it was necessary…´´
She nodded again, apparently pleased by the answer she had been given.
``I know, each act that you do is one carefully considered and thought out. That is one of the abilities that even though I know I may never reach, I would like to attempt to get closer to such magnificence..´´
"What a nice girl, throwing compliments left, right and centre isn't she..?"
[At least someone is polite and well-mannered…, unlike someone]
"Hey! I can be a well educated lady when I want.."
[That is the problem, isn't it? When you want is more likely never to come..]
"Perhaps.., but please, smile dear...even with that iron mask I can sense that you are still frowning like an old man"
Even though he knew she would not be able to see it he still rolled his eyes inside his skull.
[I wonder why..]
He grumbled to himself, scoffing inwardly and projecting each and every small vexing sensation in the other direction of the connection. Making the purple haired witch smile and chuckled as a result.
Still...it was better than to see her features crease with sadness and pain.
Far better indeed.
Something that he would never tell her.
He did not wait to hear what she was about to say, if she even wanted to as he directed his attention back to the young elf. Alphas ocean blue eyes staring softly at him.
Always politely waiting for him..
Always allowing him the space and time he needed.
Even though he had no desire to have her tag along his vindictive path…, he would begrudgingly give credit were it was due.
Perhaps it was his way to accept her presence and not downright deny it. Placing a logical reason behind it rather than anything else that would not make sense.
An excuse of sorts...
He was glad that she was all that Aurora was not. Had the two behaved the same.., had the blood of her ancient predecessor had more hold over the young elf's mind..he was not sure how he would have been able to deal with the situation.
"You are thinking about something really rude now, aren't you?"
He didn't answer her at the purple haired witch who has glaring at him with a bemused expression, her voice was soft, almost honeyed like yet he knew that she was far more closer to jab her words into his skull than anything else with another joke...or something more indecent.
He spared his breath and mental fortitude for things more important.
There would be perhaps a day that he would managed to find out and understand the woman…, perhaps even entertain the thought of not grimacing each time she tried to fluster him with either words, acts...or both.
But it would not be today.
``I can take on the world alone…, Alpha, do not doubt for a moment that. But rarely the acts of one are everlasting against the passing of time. Words are forgotten, monuments crumble and deeds disappear from the minds of mortal men..´´
``Perhaps, but destroying the cult and purging the world of their ilk will surely made the world a better place…, nor I believe that the people will forget your acts´´
She spoke with the fortitude and belief of a young girl. With conviction…, but still green to the rules of the game. Like he had been once..
There was no shame in that reminder…, it only meant that she would have time to grow. If fate even allowed for that. The viciousness of those threads was all but ignored by those who spoke of it yet did not know their true reach.
A touch he had felt more times than he would have liked.
He shook himself from the direction his thoughts were going, his jaws clenching, not out of frustration but rather retaking their natural disposition. Still, she was not wrong.., but to call her words as true would have been quite a stretch as-well.
The world would breath in relief under the burning cinders that the Cult of Diabolos corpse would offer, perhaps the world may grow anew from its mistakes, stronger…, healthier. But more often than not that was not the case…
Destroy a foe and wait with abated breath when the next "Cult" would come to play in the board. And they were always worse than their previous iterations.
Losers hated to be losers..
Victory had a thousand fathers, defeat was nothing but an orphan work.
He could do little about it with the edge of a sword, no matter how sharp it was…, but it would not need to be.
He looked down at his fist, clenched tightly. Flashes of light making him relief the memory of their black form bathed in the red, fresh arterial ichor.
He took a deep breath, the sound of metal been dragged through the filters making it sharp and hollow, like the shriek of a ghosts.
He would be the catalyst of the change, but he refused to be the sole pillar to maintain it.
That is where the girl came into place...
Rose had become..unknowingly one of the many tools he would use to achieve that. Her status, her bloodline...one thing had led him to discover the other and had left him pondering not the probabilities of such occurrence, but rather what could he do through it.
If he had been given a nickel for every time he had found a ruler wandering in a forest he would have two. Which it was not much, but it was surprising that it had happened twice.
Looking back at those golden eyes he no longer thought of the young girl as a simple victim that he could just soothe out with a few words and kept away from the meat grinder he would unleash through this world.
He would no longer be the distant and protective shadow so that she could enjoy the end product of his work like any brat sucking the milk of their mothers would.., but someone that could be there to maintain his work.
She had first to grow…
To learn the difference between her books she loved to read and reality. And the price of ones own ideals in this and any world. The way hope turned into ashes into ones own mouth, how the world became noisy and painful to watch.
Just like so many had before them.
Just like he did when his time came.
She would fall…
But unlike in his time, he would be there to catch her.
Still, that would take time…, but he was patient. He had not spent several lifetimes basking in his own madness for nothing.
"You really are the scheming variety, eh..? Hmm...I like that, it makes you grow from the strong, silent brute archetype into the scheming, strong, silent brooding archetype.."
[Can you please stop, woman?]
"I certainly will not, I am bored, you are interesting! Entertain me, please"
Since when had he dropped his sense and pride and became her private buffoon..?
[Why do I put up with you?]
She smiled at him. That devious, devilish, playful smile that only promised mischief.
It could have been considered pretty.., it was really, but that was the last thing his mind was paying attention to.
"That..is a mystery for the philosophers…"
[Using my own words against me?]
"I learned from the best.."
He shook his head internally, grimacing at the turn of events and at the smart mouth she had.
``The cult will be destroyed, their sins will be laid bare for the world to see. That is a fact…´´
Alpha nodded.
``But we must look forward into the future…´´
She nodded, her attetion perking at that. ``If the present is not what your goals are merely focused on then...´´
Alpha started to say, her voice dying out for a moment before her eyes widened with a sudden realization.
``Wait, could it be that you mean-..,´´
``Yes, that is exactly right..´´
He grumbled, yet he could feel a small sense of satisfaction stir up inside what had been long dead as he virtually felt the way the gears of her mind finally rotated in the right direction.
There was something particular to see those youthful features light up...
`` Of course! How could not I see that..!? The cult has infiltrated every strata of society all over the world, since they have poisoned the minds of men and tainted history with their dark designs even if we are righteous in our cause..the people may not take kindly to it´´
``Yes…´´
``So your goal is not just to destroy the cult, but also teach the people of this world of the truth. To rip the veil that has been placed on their eyes and show the way things truly are´´
That was not how he would have phrased…, but he would not dissuade her from believing that.
She was not that far away from the point he was making anyway...
He took a step back, stretching a hand to his side. A talon pointing at their surroundings.
``The world needs something better than a hero, it needs something to guide them´´
``We will…, under your lead anything will be possible´´
The conviction.., the honesty in her voice.
He would not have needed to look at the determination burning in those delicate gems to know that she meant it.
``And who will I lead?´´
``All those who share my plight, those who were cast low by the cults machinations of course. We will save them and we will create a better world for us where the weak do not have to live in fear, nor families be torn apart by twisted lies...´´
He closed his eyes.
This brought memories didn't it…? Just with their roles reversed.
…
And look where that had led him. Where had led everyone who foolishly enough followed after him.
His soul felt tired, yet he forced himself to remain idle in the face of such sensation.
``You have lofty ambitions..´´
Happiness surged inside her again, her lips wrapped into a beaming smile. Warm and kind, like the soft touches of the sun in a placid day.
``My only desire is to help you achieve your dream…, that is all I ever wish to do´´
``Surely it cant be just that...´´
She halted for a second, her lips twirled in the slightest of upstrokes. She held herself firm, like an unbreakable wall…
But her heart was beating faster...
``Perhaps.., I don't know when or how we will manage to accomplish that...but I believe that one day it will come´´
He leaned closer, his eyes still baring on hers.
``What will come?´´
Her face started to heat up, her eyes slowly refusing to hold down their glare towards him.
``That..I cant say´´
``Cant or wont?´´
She can only shook her head, her face already emulating after fresh spilled blood. And it wasn't just the markings at work there.
Her heartbeat had spiked as-well, and it wasn't fear. What a strange thing to see…, not for who was feeling it, but rather to who was directed at.
But it would vanish with time…, just like any passing whim.
After what felt like an eternity did he gave a weak nod at the girl.
``I see..´´
He leaned backwards, back to his full height. He had indulged her curiosity far enough.
Now it was time she returned the favor.
``Now is my time to make the questions..´´
``Of course, what is it master? ´´
``Why were yo so hard on Rose..?´´
Even though she tried to hide he knew how her brows slowly knitted together, or the way her lips became a little more stiff, her ears twitching becoming more sparse as if they had decided to go in tandem of her own slowing heartbeat.
He was right…
There was a problem there.
``I wasn't...hard on her, master´´ He heard her state.
He heard her lie. His eyes glimmered dangerously.
``That is not the truth..´´
She shook her head, her eyes closed to a half lid. Her lips pursed with a small look of disappointment. It was not directed at him.
``You saw through that, didn't you...´´
He did not answer…
She remained silent as-well until a tired sigh interrupted it. Her features softening, her ears twitching for a moment before folding down. It was clear that this topic was not something she wished to answer.
He would have let it be had she requested it, but not this time...
``I was harsh, yes…, but not cruelly hard. Rose needs to understand her world is not my world. When I said that I did not cared about my father I wasn't lying. ´´
His eyes narrowed, his lips turned into a scowl, but he didn't speak up. He didn't even growl. He just remained there..staring at her, pupils burning two holes into her skull.
He wasn't angry.
He wasn't even disappointed…
He was just tired of their childishness. Of having to pick up the pieces…
He had thought the two of them would have similar mindsets given their relative close age gap. That the two could come up with something to relate to and argue about their stories, instead of having his presence been the only thing to link them.
That had been a mistake.
When Rose had asked that question….she had opened a can of worms he would have rather left closed. And it had not help matters Alphas reaction to it. Who would have thought that the silently pleasant elf could be so...vocal about things..?
Not him, and he should have, still...right now there was no point in crying over spilled milk.
``I never knew him, I grew up without him. if he cared...he should have been there´´
``Rose clearly has different views of what family bonds mean..´´
Alpha sighed again, this time more visible than before as she placed her hands over her hips. Slender fingers rubbing against the soft fabric of her long skirt, tugging it a little bit.
He had started to connect that act when the little elf under his care felt bothered by something.
``I know, she made that point painfully clear...´´
That she did…
In a sense, it was possible to understand were Rose was coming from. But he could not sympathize them, either it be the fact that she was a child or was just the pride of her upbringing..it was a little hard for her to just accept the views of others from the get go.
Especially if they completely crashed her world view.
The karmic fate of individuals had been one, the bonds of family had been another.
``Can you blame Rose for been who she is..?´´
Alpha shook her head, allowing her arms to fall limp to her sides, though not completely nor the act was done carelessly the way someone worn down would. There was a myriad of emotions crossing under the depths of those azure eyes, but none of them were filled with resentment or anger.
``No, of course not...in fact, I would have agreed with her completely had I..´´
``Had you not lost everything..´´
He finished for her. She gave him a weak nod.
He could sense the way her body had stiffen, how her breath had hitched.. She was still reeling from those days of pain.
The memories were still fresh..
Too fresh to their liking.
``You have the right to be angry, you have the right to question and feel jaded, to not pretend everything is fine…
``I know..´´
``But don't take it on her for that..´´
He heard himself say. He heard himself lie...
The hypocrisy never felt so raw.
Alpha rose her head, looking at him with no sight of fear...in fact, there not an ounce of regret or shame in her eyes. Only silent solemnity and...sympathy?
She bit her, placing her hands behind her back, taking a step forward. She took a deep breath.
``I didn't do it for me..´´
``Then why..?´´
``I did it for you...´´
ºº
A/N
Here is another chapter, hope you enjoy it. Review or share your ideas if you like, the more the merrier.
There was supposed to be an Alpha point of view, but given that we already went past the 4k I decided to leave it to the next chapter.
Hope to see you around and good day :)