The chamber of Pandemonium's headquarters was dimly lit, with shadows flickering across the walls. Delra, the feared guild master, sat on his throne of dark stone, a menacing aura surrounding him. Before him stood Shero, the shadowy assassin, reporting the latest developments from the field.
"The boy... Rheus Marcellion," Shero began in his usual calm, detached tone, "has awakened the magic of the Lost King. The ancient magic that only the true heir of the Marcellion bloodline can wield."
Delra's eyes widened in surprise before they gleamed with malicious excitement. "Are you certain?" he asked, leaning forward on his throne.
Shero nodded. "Without a doubt. Rheus is not just another distant descendant. He is the last direct bloodline of the Marcellions."
A hushed silence filled the chamber, broken only by the soft murmurs of the five commanders who stood at Delra's side: Zyga the Vanisher, Karen the Bloodlust, Drake the Distraction, Larries the Nightmare, and Miria the Calm Witch.
Delra's grin slowly widened, his fingers drumming on the armrest of his throne. "So... the power we've been searching for all these years is in our hands now."
The commanders exchanged glances, the weight of the revelation sinking in. Zyga smirked and spoke up, "The Lost King's magic... it could change everything. If we control Rheus, we control that power."
Karen chuckled darkly, licking her lips in anticipation. "Imagine the destruction we could cause... no kingdom would stand a chance."
Drake leaned back, his arms crossed, looking intrigued. "And it would put us far ahead of the other guilds. Total dominance."
But it was Miria who remained quiet, deep in thought. Her calm exterior didn't betray the growing unease within her. She knew about the Lost King's magic, a power that could change reality itself. It was ancient and dangerous, tied deeply to the Marcellion bloodline. What Shero had revealed was something none of them expected—that Rheus was the direct descendant, the heir to that immense power.
Miria had her own reasons for seeking knowledge and power, but this was different. Her mind raced, thinking of the implications. While the others were focused on the sheer strength Rheus could offer, Miria's thoughts drifted to Alex. Though not nearly as powerful as her, Alex possessed a gift that had fascinated her for some time—his ability to read and understand the ancient language, a skill few in the world mastered. Alex reminded her of herself, someone young yet capable of unlocking knowledge that was hidden from most.
Delra's voice broke the tension. "Alice has them under control, correct?" he asked, referring to the Succubus commander who had recently enslaved Rheus, Alex, and Luisa.
Shero nodded. "Yes. All three of them—Rheus, Alex, and Luisa—are now Alice's puppets. They were defeated and are fully under her spell."
Delra's grin grew even wider. "Perfect. With Rheus under our control, we have the Lost King's magic at our disposal. Shero, send word to Alice. Tell her to bring Rheus to me. We will ensure he never escapes our grasp."
As Shero turned to leave and carry out the command, Miria felt a knot tighten in her chest. She knew Alice too well. The Succubus had a twisted pleasure in controlling others, keeping them as her playthings. Rheus's power was important, but what about Alex? Would Alice keep him as her personal slave, bound to her will forever?
Miria's calm exterior never wavered, but internally, she was conflicted. Alex wasn't just another pawn in their game. His ability to decipher the ancient texts and languages made him valuable—especially to her. He could read what others couldn't, and that knowledge was more powerful than brute force. She couldn't let Alice toy with him indefinitely.
Delra noticed her quietness and raised an eyebrow. "Miria, is something troubling you?" he asked.
Miria quickly composed herself, her voice steady as she responded, "No, Guild Master. I was merely contemplating the significance of this power. The Lost King's magic is beyond anything the world has seen."
Delra chuckled darkly, leaning back in his throne. "Indeed. And now, it will be ours to command."
The other commanders nodded in agreement, each of them imagining how they could use Rheus's power to further their own goals. But Miria remained deep in thought. She had her own plans, and she wasn't about to let Alice—or anyone else—ruin them.
As Shero left the chamber to carry out his orders, Delra gave one final command. "Tell Alice to bring Rheus to me at once. With the Lost King's power, we will be unstoppable."
The scene cut to Alice, sitting in her lair surrounded by her enslaved warriors. She received the message from Shero with a wicked grin on her face. Rising from her throne, she stretched her arms, her eyes glowing with twisted delight.
"So, the Guild Master wants Rheus, does he?" Alice whispered, a sinister smile spreading across her face. "How interesting. But perhaps... I'll keep him for a little while longer."
Her laughter echoed through the dark chamber as she thought about Rheus and her newest prizes—Alex and Luisa. She wasn't in any rush to hand them over. After all, she enjoyed having them under her control.