First Blood
Disclaimer: If you are stupid and think I own DxD, then sorry to burst your bubble. I don't. If I did, then DxD would have made sense.
I felt the impact on my head before I registered the movement. One of my undead training partners had managed to land a solid hit with its wooden sword. I winced slightly, barely ducking in time to avoid another swing aimed at my torso. These wooden swords may not be lethal, but they sure do hurt.
I focused, listening intently for the subtle cues of movement around me. The sound of shuffling feet came from my right, and I quickly sidestepped, narrowly dodging a strike aimed at my ribs. More footsteps. I ducked just in time to avoid a swing at my head.
Why am I even doing this? I wondered as another undead managed to clip my shoulder. I hissed through my teeth, feeling the dull pain spread.
Right, training my Auspex.
I had decided to focus on refining this Discipline by limiting my other senses one at a time. Right now, I was training my hearing, so I have had all my other senses magically blocked by Eirene.
This was supposed to help me rely on the sound of my enemies' movements alone. At least this should be true. This was in the instructions left by my father and expanded on by Eirene who is also good at Auspex. She doesn't have access to the more esoteric abilities associated with the discipline as she mostly focuses on its senses enhancing part.
As for why? I think she never thought a day would come when father would be dead either. Before I could continue that line of thought, I had to side step as another of the three undeads took a swing at me from 5 o'clock.
As I maneuvered around, I thought about how the last few days had gone. I'd finally completed Verdat's order. Every undead I'd created had been modified to fit the specifications she'd requested.
But, I wasn't planning on handing over the order just yet. With a one-month deadline, I wanted to make it look like I'd put in more effort and skill than I actually had. Completing the task a week early would be the perfect balance between competence and diligence.
I am sure she would be more impressed if I do this.
Suddenly, I was once again reminded why I shouldn't think about things in this training. I heard the sound of the three undead moving in at once. I spun around, ducking under one swing and sidestepping another, but the third caught me off guard. I felt a sharp thwack on my thigh, causing me to stumble slightly.
Before I could recover, the alarm sounded, signaling the end of my training session.
"Enough," I called out, raising my hand to signal the undead to stop. "Eirene, lift the sensory deprivation seals, would you?"
I blinked as my vision returned, the world coming back into focus. I was wearing a loose white robe and blue pants, both now slightly dirtied from the scuffle. I glanced at the three undead surrounding me, their wooden swords still raised but unmoving.
Eirene, who had been observing my training from the side, stepped forward with a slight smile. She wore a simple yellow dress that flowed gently with her movements. "You're progressing fast, Sethos," she said, her tone approving. "It took me much longer to reach your level with Auspex."
"Yeah, well, I still have a long way to go," I muttered, flexing my muscles to shake off the lingering tension. "Father had access to powers that allowed him to look into the future. Given it didn't always work and was unreliable but he was so advanced. I would need to be way more attuned to the discipline if I want to be safe."
"Well, you have a lot of time for that. You can try learning some of the techniques from the Discipline. Your conditioning for it is going quite well. Drinking the blood of Lilin demons has definitely boosted your Auspex and Nightmare. Remember to thank Lady Verdat later." Eirene talked to me as if she was talking to a child.
Well… I was a child. But she was speaking in an overly exaggerated voice.
I have learned from past instances that the best counter to this is ignoring her. Remaining true to the strategy, I started leaving and ushered my undead away to do whatever they were doing before.
"Set? Where are you going? Oh, are you perhaps saddened at my words! How adorable."
Even if she used her "child voice", her words were true. I was very grateful to Grandma Verdat for the blood of Lilins. They are demons or spirits, associated with nightmares and capable of mental manipulation, generally related to influencing dreams.
Their blood had properties that on consumption boosted my understanding of Auspex. Something very vital. Actually, it would be very beneficial if I can achieve the level I want in a week. If I can, then I would have additional gains when dealing with Grandma Verdat.
The garden around our mansion is pretty well maintained, thanks to magic. The clearing I was using as the training ground stood out due to lacking grass, but except it every inch of the ground had luscious grass.
In the last few days, I have definitely done quite a number on the ground. It had to be repaired many times because I kept destroying it.
As I moved towards the door, Eirene followed me and continued to utter nonsensical things.
How annoying.
[Eirene POV]
Eirene stood in the dimly lit ritual room, watching Sethos work. His concentration was palpable as he moved with purpose, his fingers tracing weird patterns in the air. The shadows around them seemed to pulse with life, responding to his commands.
One by one, the Undead stepped into their own shadows and disappeared, their forms fading into the darkness as if swallowed by the Earth. The Dread Eagles perched on the rafters above, took flight, swooping down to merge with the shadows below.
"That one's face still looks a bit too...alive," Sethos muttered, pointing to an undead whose features were remarkably human. Its eyes, although devoid of true life, held a strange semblance of humanity.
Eirene chuckled softly. "Well, you did a good job. A bit too good, perhaps."
Sethos smirked, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "I wanted them to be perfect, but maybe not that perfect."
She could attest to that. All the undeads whose appearances were changed looked distinctly human. Of course, they were easy to tell apart from real humans if one focused but as they were made to be servants, they would be in the background most of the time, so there was no need to worry.
What was worrying, however, was the fact that Sethos had been hyper focused on completing the order and hadn't slept many days due to it. She knew he actually didn't need to sleep much but it was still straining his body to work this much and continuously exhaust his reserves.
It hadn't gone to waste though. There was a noticeable increase in his mana. She just hoped he wouldn't take that as a signal to thrust himself into exhausting his reserves everyday.
She nodded, her gaze moving to another undead that had a twisted, grotesque appearance. "That one, on the other hand, seems to have quite a story behind it."
Sethos shrugged, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It was an experiment. Not every attempt can be a masterpiece, right?"
As the last of the undead and Dread Eagles were stored away in the shadows, Eirene stepped closer to Sethos. "Are you ready to go to Kur?" she asked gently, her voice carrying a note of encouragement.
Sethos nodded, though there was a slight tension in his posture.
This was his first official commission, his first real step into the world of business and alliances. She could see the anticipation and anxiety flicker in his eyes. To reassure him, Eirene placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.
Sethos looked up at her, a small, grateful smile spreading across his face.
"Alright. Let's go," Eirene said softly.
She began to cast the teleportation spell. A yellow magical circle appeared around them and started to rise.
The air around them shimmered, and their surroundings began to blur, melting away into a kaleidoscope of swirling colors. It was a dizzying sensation, like being pulled through a vortex of light and shadow.
Within moments, the colors solidified into the dark stone walls and luxurious drapes of the Lillitu Palace's teleportation room.
The room was grand and ornate, the high ceilings were adorned with medieval chandeliers. The floor was a mosaic of polished stone, each tile meticulously placed to form a sprawling, complex pattern that seemed to shift and change when viewed from different angles.
At the center of the room was a large, circular dais, surrounded by flickering torches that cast long shadows across the floor.
Waiting for them was Verdat Lillitu, flanked by her two guards, Liam and Nuere. Verdat was as always a striking figure, her presence commanding the room with an air of authority. She was currently wearing a deep crimson gown that flowed around her like liquid fire, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders in elegant waves.
Her eyes, sharp and piercing, were fixed on Sethos and her as they appeared. There was a small smile on her face that got a bit bigger upon seeing them.
"Silim," She and Sethos greeted in unison, bowing slightly.
"Silim," Verdat returned the greeting with a smile. "I trust the preparations went smoothly?"
"They did," Sethos replied, his voice steady despite the slight nervousness he felt. "Everything is ready for your inspection."
Verdat seemed to sense the tension in Sethos and tried to reign in her presence a little, so he wouldn't be intimidated by it.
"Good," Verdat said with a satisfied smile. "Let's move to the clearing outside. We'll need space for the display, I'm sure."
As they walked through the corridors of the palace, Eirene couldn't help but admire the grandeur of the place. The air was thick with the scent of incense and old parchment, a testament to the palace's long history. They passed through a set of massive double doors and emerged into a vast garden.
The garden was lush and well-kept, with rows of exotic plants and trees lining the pathways. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers with it. At the center of the garden was a large, open clearing, perfect for the display Sethos was about to put on.
Sethos took a deep breath, stepping forward. Eirene watched him closely, amused by the determined look on his face. She knew he had been practicing this display for days, wanting to make sure everything was perfect.
Well let's see how this fares out.
[Sethos POV]
As Eirene and I stood inside the grand garden of the Lillitu Palace, the tension in the air was high. This wasn't just an inspection; it was an important test. A test that would decide the future trades I have with the House of Lillitus.
The four Elders of the Lillitu House, responsible for Treasury, Business, Property, and Security, were all gathered to witness the results of my work. Each elder had a distinct presence that commanded respect.
I was also cheating here with the use of my Auspex. I have been training intensively to master a few techniques that would be very useful for me. One of them was [Aura Perception].
Every living being has an Aura unique to them. The Aura reflects many things about a person and currently I was watching everyone's Aura and was able to discern very peculiar things about them from it.
Verdat introduced us to each elder in turn. First was Elder Absalom, the Treasury Elder, a tall, thin man with sharp features and a calculating gaze. His Aura hinted to him being a very meticulous and 'attention to detail' type of person.
Next was Elder Belit-ili, responsible for Business. She was a stout woman with a sharp tongue. Her emotions seemed to be very erratic and a bit negative right now. She probably wasn't expecting much of me.
Beside her stood Elder Shulgi-ili, in charge of Property, a slender man with an elegant aura. Finally, there was Elder Lugatum, the Security Elder, a broad-shouldered man with a stern expression and a gaze that seemed to pierce right through me.
"Silim," I said and Eirene echoed the greeting beside me.
The Elders nodded in return, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Verdat then asked me to proceed. Wasting no time, I took to the center of the opening. I could feel their eyes on me, measuring and evaluating.
Taking a deep breath, I stretched out my hand and activated my shadows. The dark tendrils expanded across the ground, spreading out like a growing pool of ink. With a flourish, the undead emerged from the shadows, their forms rising in perfect unison.
"Line up!" I commanded, my voice steady and firm. The undead moved swiftly, forming three distinct groups as instructed. The servant-type undead stood to the left, the guard-type to the right, and above, the Dread Eagles soared, their sharp cries echoing through the garden. Lastly, a single female undead stepped forward, standing apart from the rest.
Elder Absalom's eyebrows rose slightly as he observed the precision and discipline of the undead. "Impressive," he murmured, his calculating gaze taking in every detail. "The servant-type undead appear well-suited for their roles."
Elder Belit-ili crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing as she examined the guard-type undead. "And the guards? Are they truly capable of protecting the house?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of skepticism.
I nodded, stepping forward to explain. "Yes, Elder Belit-ili. The guard-type undead are designed for combat and protection. They are highly durable and have enhanced strength and reflexes. They can operate independently or as a unit, depending on the level of threat. Their individual strength may be only Low-Class and Mid-Class but their bulk strength makes up for it."
Elder Lugatum, who had been silent up to this point, finally spoke up, his deep voice commanding attention. "What about their obedience? Will they follow orders without question?"
"They will," I replied confidently. "Their loyalty is bound by the necromantic spells that animated them. They will follow any command given to them by their assigned master. I am sure you're already familiar with the spell involved in changing the ownership."
They had to be. After all, my father had traded multiple times with them.
Lugatum nodded his massive head in affirmation and got back to inspecting the guard type undeads.
Elder Shulgi-ili stepped closer to the female undead, his eyes narrowing with interest. "This one… She looks almost human. What purpose does she serve?"
"Lady Verdat had asked me to design her as an infiltrator," I explained. "Her appearance allows her to blend in with humans if needed. She's equipped with higher intelligence than the others and can gather information, carry out covert missions, and interact convincingly with humans or other beings. She is actually one of my best creations."
I am still not sure why grandma Verdat had asked for its gender to be changed to female. Honestly I am unsure about parting with this one. I had to spend quite a while subduing the spirit that I used in making her. Given the scepter made it easier, but it still wasn't quite that easy.
A small smile played on Elder Shulgi-ili's lips. "Fascinating. A work of art in its own right."
Elder Belit-ili turned her attention to the Dread Eagles circling above. "And these?" she asked, her tone curious.
"They are Dread Eagles," I replied. "They serve as scouts and can induce poison and decay into living beings. Their vision is linked to mine, allowing me to see everything they see. They are perfect for reconnaissance missions."
The Elders exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of approval and intrigue. Verdat nodded, clearly pleased with the display. "You've done well, Sethos," she said, her tone warm. "This is beyond what we expected."
I bowed my head slightly, feeling a surge of pride. "Thank you, Lady Verdat. I'm glad the work meets your expectations."
As the Elders continued to inspect the undead, I stayed close, answering any questions they had and explaining the nuances of each creation. They seemed satisfied with the explanations and the craftsmanship, nodding in approval.
When the inspection was finally complete, Verdat turned to me with a pleased smile. "You've truly outdone yourself. These undead will serve us well."
I returned her smile, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thank you. It was an honor to create these for the Lillitu House."
Eirene placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You did great, Sethos," she whispered.
I felt a rush of pride at her words. The tension that had gripped me eased slightly. Eirene, standing nearby, gave me a reassuring look, clearly sensing my relief. It was satisfying to see the fruits of my labor acknowledged, especially after the effort I put into perfecting this.
As Verdat continued her inspection, she scrutinized every detail, occasionally asking questions or commenting on the craftsmanship of the undead. I followed her closely, explaining the features and enhancements I'd implemented, making sure to highlight the unique capabilities of each type. I had to admit, I was a little proud of what I'd accomplished.
As the last of the undead were examined, Verdat turned to me with a pleased smile. "I must say, this is beyond what I expected. You've truly outdone yourself."
"Thank you," I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the pride swelling inside me. "I wanted to make sure everything was perfect for you."
"And you have," Verdat nodded, her expression softening a bit. "I'm sure these undead will serve us well."
Eirene seemed to share my pride. I could see it in the way she watched me, her eyes filled with approval. This was my first major task, and I had pulled it off successfully. As we began to leave the garden, Eirene placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You did great," she said softly, her tone warm.
I gave her a small smile, grateful for her support. The night was cool and refreshing as we made our way back to the palace to discuss further plans.
As we walked, I couldn't help but feel that today had been perfect.
Phew I finally got this thing done. I wanted to get the undead order Lillitus placed done, so I can focus on other things.
As you can notice, this was my guy's first time dealing with such things. He had his first undead exhibit, got paid and complemented too. Now that he has some resources he can focus on exploring magic more. I would be going in depth on the variety and progression of his undead now.
Anyway, gimme your thoughts in the reviews.
Positive reviews and valid criticism is always appreciated.