Alright, so I felt really inspired to get this out here. Also, the fact that I have to make up for the fact that I missed a chapter update from last week. But finally being about to show just who the Eligos are, that is something that I have been dying to do from the start. Now, without further ado, here we go!
LordMirror: Something I need to stress here is that Rowland hates high class devils. As we have seen with Rizamor, a low-class devil, he has almost no problem with them. As for why he hates high class devils, we will soon see.
Lelouch of Zero: Well, you must remember that this is Serafall, Little Levi, that we are talking about. I think that she secretly has the Devil's Charisma if I'm being honest. Whether she gets through to Rowland, that remains to be seen.
Rowland III
The time had finally arrived. Night had fallen and the stage had been set for this little arrangement. With any luck, Serafall and her butler would be on their way after the disaster that would be this meeting. Afterwards, once he had snuck into the tower, he would kill Gorarath and display his corpse to the rest of the Eligos. Yes, all was coming together.
I will have to thank Amanozako once this was all over. Rowland thought, smiling as he buckled on his sword and dagger. He would be need them for tonight. As for the cowl, he could call for it whenever he had need of it.
The Spider had come through for him once again. As he knew that she would. Amanozako was the closest thing that he had to family left in this cesspool. She had been with him since the beginning and he would see her rewarded on the off chance that he ever succeeded in his suicide quest. However, that was neither here nor there.
I'll have to see Serafall and Kazgath to the tower before I can slip away. Hopefully, it won't be too hard. The rogue thought, nodding to himself as he looked at a mirror. To the entire world, he would simply look like an innkeeper who is being overly cautious. Good, that was what he wanted.
Rowland walked down the stairs, sighing to try and calm his nerves. It had been some time since he had gone a mission of this importance. He couldn't afford to screw anything up.
"Are you two ready to head out?" Rowland asked, looking at the two patrons sitting at the bar.
He had been sure to put out the notice that the Ebony Dagger would be closed for the night. He simply didn't have the help to be able to keep it running while he went out. Though he would be getting more than enough gold from this mission once he robbed the Necromancer's personal chambers.
"We're ready Rowl." Serafall replied, nodding in greeting. The heiress had put on her best dress clothes and looked as professional as she could. It stood in stark contrast from the way that she always presented herself as happy and childlike. If anything, he preferred her this way. "What's with the sword? Are you expecting trouble?"
"I am always expecting trouble Serafall." The rogue said, his face blank as he looked around the room. "You never know when your last day will be in this city. Only a fool would travel unarmed in Nokkzaruz."
"I suppose that there is wisdom in that." Kazgath chimed in, nodding in acceptable. No, it was more approval. Well, the old devil always seemed to be on top of things. He would have to be sure he was out of the way before he did anything. "Though a devil is never disarmed as it were. But there is something to be said of a trusty blade."
Rowland merely grunted in agreement. "Well, I think that we should get out of here. As I said, I had to pull a few strings to set up this meeting and I have some things that I have to take care of night." He said, looking back at the two. "Well, if you're ready then let's get out of here."
The two high class devils merely followed him as soon as he was done. Good, at least they could see that this was serious. It would make this whole process a lot easier.
The rogue was the one to lead their little group. He knew the streets and back alleys a lot better than the two newcomers, so it made sense. Here and there they would get a look. Sometimes from a rough looking thug, others from urchins and homeless, some from the guards and spineless merchants. They all looked away from them as soon as Rowland sent them a glare, his dark blue eyes speaking of pain if they made the mistake of testing him tonight.
He was not in a forgiving mood tonight. Hopefully, no one was foolish enough to test him.
All throughout the walk, no one had spoken. For Rowland, he was merely preparing himself for what was to come. As for the other two, he assumed that they were thinking over their little proposal.
Not like it's going to do them any good. Rowland thought, mentally scoffing at the idea. The Eligos only cared about their power. As long as Beelzebub was giving them that and not interfering in their city, they follow the Fly until their dying breaths.
It wasn't too long before the entrance to the tower was in front of them. It could be seen from every corner of this part of the slums, a huge ugly slab of obsidian. It was a constantly reminder of their lordly masters. Something for the lower classes to look up at and remember that they belonged to the Necromancers. In body, mind, and soul. They would serve the Necromancers as long as they could. Be it as workers or as materials for their vile magics.
All over the tower, various undead were bound in chains. Some human, others low class devils and even a few fallen angels. However, what was common was the dead watery look that they all peered at them with. They rattled against their constraints, reaching out towards them as they moaned in anguish.
This was the truth nature of nobles. They did not care for those that served them. No, as long as their lot in life was safe and luxurious, what did they care for the plights of the common people? They were no better than cattle that was to be killed, grain to be reaped and harvested. However, that was neither here nor there.
Rowland could note the dark purple aura that hung around the place. He had always chalked his ability to see the magic of the Eligos up to his cowl, another gift that he was all too thankful for. The barrier would not lift until the guards allowed it. He would simply have to wait for his chance when his companions entered the tower.
"This is where we part ways." Rowland spoke, the two high class devils' eyes snapping to him as he broke the silence. He could tell that Serafall was having a hard time accepting the situation for what it was. No doubt because of a similar cushy life where such things were beyond her sight. "I wish you luck in your endeavors and know that if you ever need my services again, that I will be at my tavern."
"Thank you, Mister Moechor." Kazgath replied, not looking too bothered by the sight of the undead thralls. If he was, he was simply better at hiding it than his mistress. "I wish you luck and hope that you succeed in whatever you set your mind to. It would be a shame to see a man of your potential wasted in such a place."
Serafall slowly pulled her eyes away from the tower. "Yeah, hopefully this goes well." She muttered, looking a lot less optimistic than she had before. Good, maybe she was finally learning what he was trying to tell her all along. "We'll see you when we're done here Rowl. I am not staying here; I don't care what they say." She continued, shaking her head at the idea.
"Well then, I suppose we'll meet again then." The rogue stated, nodding to the two as he turned to leave. He would have to wait until they were at the gate before he could pull this off.
Rowland walked a good way away, turning into an alley as soon as he was clear of the tower. He breathed heavily as he readied himself. He always hated the feeling that this gave.
He called forth the midnight cowl, feeling the familiar weight of the black leather mask as it took form. He concentrated as he watched the two devils walk towards the gate. His form began to dissipate into nothing, blending into the shadows in the dark alley. It always felt strange to not have a tangible form. It was as he could simply float away into nothingness with no body to keep him grounded. However, he did not have the luxury of adapting to his new form.
He needed to move out and he needed to do it now.
The rogue forced his shadowy form to catch up with the Sitri heiress. She still seemed a bit shell shocked from the sight of such depravity. Oh, if only she knew how little this was in the grand scheme of things. But no matter, she would be gone by the time that his target was dead and go back to where she came from.
"Are you alright Lady Serafall?" Kazgath asked, looking at his mistress with concern in his eyes. "Do you want me to head on alone? You don't have to force yourself-"
"This is my mission Kaz." Serafall replied, his voice steeled as the woman looked on ahead with determined eyes. "Besides, if I turn back now then this whole trip was for naught. So many people are counting on us and we cannot afford to let them down. Am I understood?"
Rowland felt a surge of respect for the noblewoman after she spoke. To look upon such horror, yet still have the courage to move forward? It was a rarity here in Nokkzaruz.
The rogue clung onto the Sitri's shadow as she approached the gates. Up close it was clear to see that there was a guard post set up on either side of the fence. A more mundane defense but, nonetheless, effective.
"Halt, who goes there?" A guard cried out, stepping forward towards the two. Though to call him a guard would be misleading. No, more a hired thug who had simply been given a sword and told to guard the place. "This is the tower of Lord Gorthrath Eligos and he don't care for trespassers. Unless you want to join the crowd." He leered, pointing at the undead horde.
Rowland scoffed to himself as he heard the guard speak. As if the third son of a third son had the right to call himself a Lord. Not that he cared for what lofty titles the Eligos chose to give themselves.
"We are here on official business with Lord Gorthrath." Serafall called back, stepping forward as she withdrew the letter that he had given her. "We have a diplomatic meeting with him to discuss terms of alliance."
The devil stepped forward, taking the letter as he quickly looked it over. He quickly nodded as he looked back to the two. "Ah, so you're the ones that the Spider had sent." He replied, nodding as he handed the letter back. "You should have just said so, Lord Gorthrath has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. It's not everyday that the Anti-Devil Faction sticks its nose in their city." He looked back to the guard post, yelling to his partner. "Open the gates! We have important visitors here!"
The black gates slowly creaked open as the guard activated the seal in the post. The magical barrier that kept the place safe lowering as soon as the gates were open "Please mind your step." He said, nodding to the two. "Getting too close to the deadheads will cause them to get rowdy."
"We'll keep that in mind." Kazgath responded, following after Serafall as they walked through the gates. As soon as the two were through, the gates shut with a might crack.
It seemed that they had really stepped up security. No doubt Gorthrath had stepped up surveillance on the grounds. Not that it would save him in the long run.
"Follow me please." An attendant on the other side of the fence said, his feeble hands holding onto a golden candlestick as he beckoned them forward. Rowland could tell instantly that he was one of the truer servants of the Eligos right away.
The man's back was hunched in a way that he seemed like a tortoise sticking its head out of its shell. His skin was a sickly pale, and his eyes had the same watery look that the corpses had. However, what truly caught his eye was the way that the bones in his forehead seemed to form a jagged crown around his head. No doubt a boon gifted to the man for his service, a ceremonial honor if nothing else.
"Of course, please lead the way." Serafall replied, nodding to the man. If she was disturbed by the man's odd look, she said nothing of it. "We are honored to be guests in your hall."
"As are we for having you Lady Sitri." The attendant said, his mouth twisting into a grotesque impression of a smile as he led them through the entrance to the tower. "It has been some time since we have had the honor of another of the 72 Pillars visit our city. We were beginning to fear that our company was not appreciated."
"Nothing of the sort." Serafall responded, shaking her head as she and Kazgath followed him. "We simply knew that your lords preferred their solitude and respected their wishes by keeping our distance. However, with how things are going in the Underworld right now, we simply cannot remain undivided."
"Of course, of course." The attendant nodded along, leading them through the dark halls. "However, such discussion should be reserved for the master of the tower. He has been dying to meet with you ever since he had heard from that little pest that you ever in the area." His lips rose in a snarl as he spoke of Amanozako. Rowland's nonexistent eyes narrowed as he watched the foul wretch from the shadows.
If he speaks ill of her again, I will have to remove his head from his shoulders. The rogue thought, already preparing a row of daggers to appear should he continue. He didn't care that he might end up blowing the mission. No one spoke ill of the last of his family. No one.
"Are you referring to the Spider that we have heard so much about?" Serafall asked, her voice blank as she replied. "We didn't get the chance to talk to her, we only were able to get this meeting through a contact as it were. We were hoping that such a meeting would have been made with a representative of the house but with your masters being reclusive for the most part..." She trailed off, the implication clear in her words.
"Of course, hoping Lord Gorthrath can make accommodations for future meetings should everything be okay moving forward." The attendant said, letting the matter drop as he led them through the dark corridors.
Here and there the moans of the deceased could be heard throughout the halls. With the space having only a bare minimum of light, it was hard to think that this place housed a member of one of the Seventy-Two Pillars. However, this was simply just how they liked it. The darkness shrouded their abominable creations, and their lonesome existence kept any who looked too closely at their work.
Occasionally a creature would come scouring in view of the group. One of the more notable ones was a humanoid spider that seemed to be shaped out of human parts. Where each of the spider's legs should be was the arm of some poor lost soul, the eyes a mismatch of varying irises that seemed to look in every direction.
Another one was a creature that seemed to stand on four legs. However, where they meet in the middle of the abdomen, it was clear that two torsos had been melded together to act as one of the two pairs of legs. The thing's chest seemed to stretch upwards, the only thing more disturbing about it was its permanent grin that showed no cheeks to conceal its grotesque mask. It had no eyes, instead a cloth was wrapped around where its eye sockets should be.
"Do not pay any mind to them." The attendant spoke, noting the silence that seemed to hang over the two guests as they saw the various creatures that roamed the hall. "They are merely familiars that my Master has crafted to guard these halls."
"If you say so." Serafall replied, shivering a bit as the spider like creature seemed to lock eyes with her. She quickly jerked away as it seemed to approach, the attendant stepping forward and waving a hand at the thing.
"Shoo, begone with you." He said, sneering at the thing. The fire seemed to scare the creature away, hissing as it retreated to once it had come. "I recommend not looking at them too closely. These creatures are prone to be hostile if they feel provoked." He warned, beckoning them to follow him once more. This time the two guests seemed a lot more hesitant, not that Rowland could blame them.
They continued for a while, twisting and turning down the dark corridors as they went. To most, it would be hard to keep track of where exactly they were. However, Rowland had lived in the dark alleys of this accursed place for so long that he had grown accustomed to such things. However, he would have to break away from them soon. He needed to get to a good vantage point where he could watch the meeting from.
It would be a good amount of time before the group came to a large set of double doors. They had travelled a good bit up the tower, so they were no doubt near the top.
Rowland smirked to himself, breaking away from the Sitri heiress's shadow as he reformed further away from the doors. From what he could see, it was a two-story room. Thus, there would have to be some stairs that he could use to get a better view of the place.
"Shall we then?" The attendant asked, bowing a bit to the two. "Hopefully, you can find what you are looking for tonight. My lords are most generous to those that they deem as allies, no doubt they would like to count you among their ranks quite soon."
"We look forward to that as well sir." Serafall replied, nodding graciously. Kazgath was keeping an eye on their surroundings. No doubt he sensed that he was not somewhere that they could afford to drop their guard. Somewhere that the master of the house had no regard for hospitality and would sooner throw them on the table and dissect them than invite them to dinner.
The attendant smiled as he opened the door, the large creaking of the hinges sounding all throughout the observatory that they found themselves on. "Lord Gorthrath, your guests have arrived." The attendant said, quickly bowing out of the way and allowing the newcomers a clear way into the room.
Rowland quickly looked around the corner, noting a set of stairs that allowed one to have a clear view of the entire room. He quickly willed himself there, electing to stay in the shadows so that he could see exactly how this meeting would play out. If nothing else, it would allow him a clear view of his target.
"Ah yes, please do come in." Gorthrath responded, offering the two a courtesy smile as he greeted them. "Do forgive the mess. It has been some time since I have had visitors and have not had the time to properly clean up." He apologized, gesturing to the numerous tables that he had lined up in the room.
On the dozen or so tables, there were various bodies spread out in a variety of positions. Most seemed to have been mish mashed and ripped apart in some form or another. On one there seemed to be the remains of a Fallen Angel, a Virtue if the three wings sticking out of her right side seemed to be anything of go off of. On another, what appeared to be the remains of a brown scaled dragon were organized professionally. On the others were the many different experiments that the Eligos had no doubt crafted recently. The stitches and flesh still seemed to have a fresh look to them as opposed to the old and withered looking husks that had been wandering the halls.
"As you no doubt are aware, we do not get many visitors here." The fat nobleman continued, still wearing that empty courtesy smile of his. "Indeed, I believe that the last time that our family left the city was during the last banquet before the Bael stated their intentions to overthrow the Satans." He walked towards the two, wiping off his red smeared hands on a bit of cloth.
"Ah yes, I do remember that banquet well." Serafall replied, nodding in an equally courtesy manner. "Though I did not have the pleasure of talking to you there Gorthrath."
"That would be because I did not have the privilege of attending." Gorthrath said, his face still blank as he stopped a few feet away from the two. "Grandfather had forbidden all of us from going except for himself and Uncle Argoneth from going. No doubt to save face, many of my family members can be downright nasty when they want to be." He bowed after he was done speaking, "Forgive me, I forgot the proper greeting. My name is Gorthrath Eligos, lord of this tower and scion of the Eligos clan. It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Sitri."
"And I am Lady Serafall Sitri, representative of the Sitri Clan and the Anti Satan Faction." Serafall responded, curtesy as she spoke. "It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Gorthrath. I am hoping that we can come to an arrangement with your household. I have heard great things about your family and would be honored to fight alongside them in the battles to come."
Gorthrath nodded his head, giving the Sitri heiress a good once over. To an average observer, he seemed to be weighing her offer in his mind and going over the idea in his head. But Rowland knew how the Eligos operated. He knew that they had already thrown their lots in with Beelzebub and would not sway their allegiance. He was looking Serafall over with a hungry look in his eyes, thinking of what he could do to her no doubt.
To be honest, it boiled the blood in Rowland's veins to see the heiress looked at in such a way. His fingers went down to the dagger at his belt, weighing the choice of killing the devil here and now. But no, he needed to wait for the perfect opportunity to strike. If not, then he would lose his prey and the fat blob would go back to cowering where he could not strike at him.
"Tristian, would you mind going and fetching that delicious little dish for me?" Gorthrath asked, turning to the attendant that had led his guests in. "I'm sure that our guests are tired and would want a look at what the Eligos have to offer. Also drop by the pits and pick up my newest toy, would you?"
"Of course, milord." The attendant, Tristian, replied as he ran off to do as he was bid. Rowland paid him no mind as he left. No doubt it was of no consequence to his mission.
"Now, please come and sit with me Lady Serafall while we wait." The Eligos continued, gesturing to the table he was just sitting at. He waited for the two to start walking before he followed, bringing up the rear. Rowland followed them from the second floor, keeping them in sight and with his hands on his sheathes.
"I am sure that it has been a long and trying journey coming here to Nokkzaruz." Gorthrath said, taking a seat at the head of the table as the two guests sat to the side. He poured out a drink for himself, sitting it down before pouring one for Serafall. "Dealing with the riffraff that lives in our fair city. Tell me, how do you find Nokkzaruz? Is it everything that you thought that it would be or is it more?"
"I think that the city is a good source of trade and no doubt shows the strength of the house of Eligos." Serafall replied diplomatically, sipping the wine a bit.
"Aye, that it is." Gorthrath said, nodding as he drank deeply out of his own cup. "Nokkzaruz is one of the great jewels of the Underworld and we have gained much by the many different houses that trade throughout the city. Tell me, why should we give up some of that trade for the Anti Devil Faction? What would my family stand to gain by making enemies of the Satans?"
"The Satans are no more than the shadows of their predecessors." The Sitri heiress responded, keeping her face and voice blank of any hostile emotion as she spoke. "If we continue the war beaten path that they wish for us to take, then our race and houses will simply cease to be. Now, I know that self-preservation is a common enough goal and that is why the house of Bael has been able to rally so many to their cause. We would wish for the Eligos to be counted among those that would be able to rise to further prominence in the new age of the Underworld."
"Pretty words for a pretty mouth." Gorthrath said, nodding a bit as he continued to guzzle down the wine in his cup. "However, you had forgotten to list the reasons why we would follow you. As I am sure that you are aware, we Eligos are the masters of life and death. The notion of self-preservation means naught to us as we can simply be brought back from the veil. What kind of arrangement could we expect to be arranged should we side with you lot?"
"What would you want in exchange for your assistance?" Serafall asked, leaning forward a bit as she sipped from her glass. "The goods that could be funneled through your city would make you rich enough."
"Ah, but we would want more than simple wealth." The Eligos replied, shaking his head a bit. He leaned forward a bit, the hungry look in his eyes growing stronger as he gave his proposal. "I may not speak for Grandfather, but I believe that a match between our houses would be more than enough. Many of my Uncles would be delighted to have your hand and when you grow tired of them…" He reached forward a bit, stopped only by the sound of the doors squeaking open. "Ah, I believe that will be Tristian with my toy." He sank back into his chair, looking content as he waited for his attendant to approach.
Rowland's eyes narrowed even further when he watched the fat slug reach his hands out towards the Sitri. He could see a similar look in Kazgath's gaze, already coming to the conclusion that Rowland had known form the beginning. There was no negotiating with these people.
"Milord, here was the creature that you requested." Tristian called out, pulling on a chain as he dragged some unfortunate soul forward. The rogue's eyes widened along with Serafall's as they saw what exactly it was that Gorthrath had requested.
A small brunette girl was following the attendant, her eyes staring down at her feet and her hands were bound in black iron chains. Her hair laid in tangles and she was barely clothed in the beaten rags that were the remains of what were surely expensive cloths. When she looked up at the table, her body immediately shivered as she saw the look that the Necromancer was giving her.
That was a good thing at least, in Rowland's mind. At least it showed that she was still alive as opposed to another one of the undead husks. He would be sure to help her escape as soon as he was done with his job here.
"Thank you, Tristian." Gorthrath replied, taking the chain from the man's hands. His left hand went to rest on the girl's head, his eyes lighting up in dark pleasure as she shuddered and tried to flee from his touch. "Tell me Lady Sitri, are you familiar with the house of Marchosias?"
"Of course." Serafall said, her eyes narrowing dangerously as she saw the way that the Necromancer seemed to play around with the girl. As if she were naught but prey for him to sink his teeth into. "The Marchosias were a house of honorable warriors that fought bravely during the Great War. It was said that they were honorable and just, their ability to command hellhounds worked in great conjunction with their martial strengths. But they were killed during the war, their bloodline snuffed out."
"Are you so sure of that Lady Sitri?" The Necromancer asked, his face turning smug as he looked down at the brown-haired child again. "Tell me dearie, what was your name again? You know it's rude for a lady not to introduce herself to guests."
"M-My name is…" The girl muttered to herself, looking up at Serafall with fear-stricken eyes as she spoke. Her eyes glanced away, she cried out when Gorthrath pulled the chain a bit and a purple light rang through the black iron. "My name is Jilriane Marchosias." She finished, the name giving the two guests a bit of shock as they turned back to Gorthrath.
"Now, I will ask you again, what could you offer us that would convince us to give up our ties?" The Eligos asked, looking smug as Serafall glared daggers at him. "Make it worth our while and I'll even talk to Grandfather about throwing in this little mutt." He jerked the chain again, Jilriane crying out in pain as the chains dug into her skin. "Because the way that I see it, you Anti Devil factionists are going to end up like this poor little puppy."
Rowland gritted his teeth as he saw how the Eligos treated that girl. He didn't know who these Marchosias were but from what he heard, they seemed to be a good lot. Besides, no one deserved to be treated in such a manner. Forget the shadows, I say just slit his throat right now. He thought, pulling his dagger from its sheathe. Just one quick swipe and he would kill the slug and free the girl. He could figure out the rest later. However, Serafall beat him to the punch.
"Put a hand on that girl again and I will freeze it off." She said, her voice like ice as she glared at Gorthrath. "I was told that I was wasting my time by coming here, that notions of peace with the Eligos was not worth it. Now I see you abuse a member of one of the most noble Maquis of the Underworld? I suggest that you think your next move carefully Eligos."
"H-How dare you!" Gorthrath exclaimed, a look of shock at the heiress's declaration turning to rage in but a split second. "I will do as I like with this pup as I will do what I wish with any denizens of this city! They exist only to bring us high class devils' pleasure so why should it matter how we treat them as long as we are pleased?!" He stood up at that, jerking Jilriane around again.
Serafall's eyes snapped up to him at that, the air around her instantly dropping to below zero as ice began to grow upon their surroundings. "I see, then I cannot be held responsible for what occurs." She said, her purple eyes looked as if they were chiseled from the deepest circle of Hell itself as she looked at the Necromancer. "You people, you're no different than the Satans. You treat those under you like trash and are shocked when they bite you back. Rowl was right. You devils don't deserve a spot in our new world. No, it would be better if you died out with the old and let the rest of us live." She stepped towards Gorthrath, the man slowly backing up as he looked at the Sitri with fear in his eyes. "Let the girl go and I will give you the pleasure of a quick death. If you decline, then I cannot be held responsible for what occurs." She spoke, her very aura seemed to leak killing intent as she glared at the Eligos.
Rowland had to hold in his shock at the sight. To think that the normally cheerful and bubbly girl could have so much power. It really forced his eyes open as he pondered what he should do. Should he cut his loses, hope the group the best and get out before the guards came running? Or should he stay, kill the fat slug, and then fight his way out? He sighed as he looked down at the still terrified little girl that seemed even more shell shocked as she looked up at Serafall with equally horrified eyes. No, he couldn't in good mind leave the poor thing here. He cursed his weak heart as he already knew what was going to happen.
Serafall was snapped out of her rage as soon as she heard the doors being beaten down, the attendant having left as soon as she unleashed her strength. The three intruders looked to the doors, the moaning and scratching at the door letting them know that they would soon have company. As soon as the heiress turned away from Gorthrath, he tried to make a break for it as he left Jilriane there as he beat it towards the door.
However, he didn't get far before his hand was impaled against the wall. To be fair, he couldn't be blamed for not noticing. The dirk was of a midnight black and seemed to blend into the dark room until it was too late. The whimpering devil reached up towards the dirk, hoping to pull it out before his other hand was impaled right next to it. His cries rang out throughout the room, the sound drawing the attention of everyone there as they turned to look at who exactly just threw those projectiles.
"I must thank you for the distraction if nothing else." Rowland called out, stepping out of the shadows as he put his hand on his sword. His voice sounded vastly different from before, mimicking one of his patrons from the inn in a perfect replica of the man's voice. "It gave me the perfect opportunity to catch my prey." He nodded his head at Serafall, hoping that his bravado would be enough to throw her off. Inwardly, he was hoping that the girl would simply cool down and see reason.
"Tell me, just who in the hell are you?" Serafall asked, her glare softening a bit as she saw that the man appeared to be on their side. However, her icy aura did not let up as she continued.
"Who I am is of no consequence." The rogue replied, drawing his sword. "My advice would be if you want to escape from this place, do it now. Those doors will not last forever and I doubt that even you could hope to match the denizens of this place." He looked down at the sniveling Eligos, the man's eyes looking up at him with such clarity that he had to know who he was.
"N-Night Scourge." Gorthrath muttered, shaking his head as he looked up at the masked man. "It's the Night Scourge! The Anti Devil Faction has been trying to kill us from the beginning!" His voice was cut off as the rogue punched him clear across the face.
"Would you please kindly shut up?" Rowland asked, shaking his head at the man. "Well, if we are to get out of here, I think it best that we at least kill this fat worm." He continued, waving his hand as another dirk appeared out of thin air. "You have no doubt already screwed up whatever negotiations you were hoping to accomplish here. So it would be best to kill the necromancer as that will sever whatever creatures lie in this place and begone from here."
It was true. The Eligos were fore and foremost necromancers. From what Rowland had been able to gather over the years, without a caster to direct the herds of undead that they will either drop dead to the floor (if the caster was weak enough) or simply go on a rampage. His bet was on Gorthrath simply being too weak for his undead abominations to be able to live without for too long. Worst came to worst, he still killed his target.
"Why should we trust you?" Kazgath asked, raising an eyebrow as he stepped forward. "What's to stop you from trying to slit our throats as soon as we put down our guard?"
"Nothing really." The rogue shot back, shrugging at the implication. "However, I bare no grudge to you or your cause. My grief is with the Eligos and I would prefer that it stayed that way. All I can say is, if you want to leave this place alive then my way seems to be the only way to go."
Serafall looked down at the crying devil, shaking her head as she turned back to the masked man. "No, I there's another." She said, walking towards the doors. They were just barely holding on and it was a miracle that they were not overrun yet.
The Sitri raised her hand, breathing out a bit as she gathered what strength she had and then simply blew air at the door. From an outside perspective, it appeared as if she was blowing a kiss. However, as soon as her finger left her lips, a giant wave of icy death seemed to breathe throughout the tower.
Rowland was forced to look away as the Sitri cast her spell. As he opened his eyes, he watched in wonderment as he saw the ice simply devour everything in the tower. And for once in the tower, he was able to hear silence. There was no more snarling or grunt, no more dead bodies throwing themselves at the door. The place was now deadly silent. He sighed as he looked back at the Eligos, the fear even more prominent.
"Alright, I think that we are done here." Rowland said, looking towards the corner where he noted where Jilriane had taken shelter. He approached the girl, picking her up as she looked at the place with the same wide-eyed look that he had.
"What about him?" Kazgath asked, gesturing to Gorthrath. "Aren't you going to finish things? You said he was your target, didn't you?"
"He's already dead as it is." The rogue replied, holding the little devil girl close as she shivered from the cold. "My blades struck him in the cephalic and basilic veins. As soon as those dirks are removed, he is going to be bleeding profusely. I fear that if he doesn't get medical attention within the next few minutes that he is going to bleed out." He smirked at the Eligos, his words resounding within the man as he stood up. "What a shame that is. Now, if you are done asking questions, I have somewhere that you can lay low. I can assure you that you just made a lot of enemies tonight my friends."
"Let's just get out of here." Serafall chimed in, looking back at the tower with disgust in her eyes. "I never want to see this place ever again."
The four left the tower behind, the weeping Eligos slowly crying to himself as soon as he realized that he was truly doomed.
"Well, it looks like things are getting quite interesting, aren't they?" Someone asked, Gorthrath turning to the voice as they approached him. His dark blue eyes widening as he realized just who it was.
The man looked to be in his late forties, his black hair combed back and with a confident smirk on his face. It wasn't the arrogant grin that the Eligos used nor was it a warming smile that one would expect from an angel. No, this simply said that he knew where he stood in the grand scheme of things and was comfortable with it.
He wore particularly bland clothing, nothing really sticking out as he walked. He carried a cane in his left hand, humming a small tune as he approached the downed Eligos.
"Ah, Gorthrath. Look at the mess that you have made for me." The man said, shaking his head at the immobilized devil. "I give you this tower, I allow you to help us with the business, I even entrusted you with the Marchosias girl. And this is how I find you." He tsked a bit as he continued. "But what can you expect from a failure. It appears that with every new generation, our line gets weaker. So much so that even someone as useless as this is considered adequate." He sighed as he lamented the Eligos's fate, not seeming too worried at the notion of the man's death.
"Grandfather please, I am begging you!" Gorthrath pleaded, sorrow seeping out of his eyes as he spoke. "It wasn't my fault! I swear it wasn't! It was because of that bastard Night Scourge and his Sitri harlot! Give me another chance, I beg you!"
"Oh Night Scourge?" The devil asked, stepping towards his grandson. His smirk grew bigger as he patted the man's head. "Well, it appears that you might be useful after all. How would you like to help me Gorthrath?" He asked, his voice taking on a more pleasant tune.
"Anything! I'll do anything!" Gorthrath yelled, smiling as he saw his salvation. He watched as the older devils' hands lit up with ethereal fire, placing his hands on his chest. His eyes lit up with the same purplish flames as he cried out in true anguish as his soul was burned away.
Lord Eligos sighed in pleasure as he absorbed the soul of his wayward grandson. He saw through the man's eyes his exchange with the Sitri girl, the sneak attack performed by the vigilante that was haunting his streets. He smirked as he paid particular attention to the masked man.
Yes, he reminded him of another thorn in his side. One that he thought that he had completely snuffed out, but it appeared that he had been mistaken. However, he was pleased to note that the man had been lying to him.
"Yes, things are really starting to look up again." Lord Eligos said, whistling a small tune as he left the frozen over remains of one of his towers. He would have to have someone clean that up shortly.
So yeah, that was a thing that just happened. If you liked what you read, like and review. I will see you all next month!