4th Day of 3rd Water Cycle[1], 1999 g.c.
The tribal village of Vivian lay nestled in the northern forests of Velonica, roughly 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Lashun. It was early morning, and the blue sun's soft light filtered through the dense trees that encircled the settlement. The village, though small, was bustling with activity as Lycanthrope Wolvens, Celestials, and Dark Elves began their daily routines. A sense of peaceful harmony filled the air. Smoke from the stone chimneys curled into the sky, the smell of fresh bread and grilled meats wafting through the village. The earthy scent of dew on the grass lingered in the air, blending with the faint sound of clanging steel from distant training grounds.
Vivian was a unique place. Unlike other villages, it wasn't just a quiet home for civilians. It was alive with the energy of warriors. Most of the men were swordsmen, their strength in numbers a testament to their skill, while the women dominated the ranks of M-Cees, their magical prowess admired within the region. The Una Clan ruled here, led by the Lycan King himself, Roman Una; a man known for his strength, honor, and leadership.
Roman was a striking figure as he made his rounds through the village. Standing at 5'9", his presence still commanded respect. His milky-white skin was weathered slightly from years of battle, and his dark wood-brown hair was neatly combed to the side, the strands short but dignified. A low-shaved beard and a goatee framed his strong jawline, emphasizing his masculine features. His golden eyes seemed to pierce through anyone he looked at, holding both the calm strength of a leader and the untamed fury of a beast. He wore leather guard pants, fastened with a split belt that hung loosely around his waist, and a one-sleeve crop top jacket that revealed his chiseled physique. Leather bracers adorned his arms, marking him as both a protector and a warrior.
As he passed through the village, Roman greeted his guards and the young swordsmen training under his command. The crisp air carried the sound of their swords clashing in practice, their focused grunts matching the rhythm of steel on steel. Roman approached the group, pausing to address the young boys and men preparing for their morning jog through the village.
"You've all worked hard," Roman said, his voice deep and firm. "Thank you for your dedication and for striving to protect those who can't protect themselves." His words were met with a round of eager salutes, the young students beaming with pride at their leader's praise.
As they took off, Roman watched them for a moment, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He was proud of them. They would become strong men, capable of defending Vivian and beyond.
Just then, a familiar figure approached from behind. Nicole Kanra, the vice-captain, sauntered up to him with a lazy yet sensual grace. Her ruby eyes gleamed with mischief as she stretched, yawning slightly, her body language both commanding and relaxed. Nicole was a stunning white golden-skinned beauty, her purple hair cascading down her back like silk. Her outfit was as bold as her attitude—an open-cropped teal vest that exposed her breasts, with matching thong armor that clung to her shapely hips. A silver belly chain, adorned with Magic Gems, glinted in the sunlight, swaying just below her pierced navel. Her legs were wrapped in teal cloth beneath black magisteel shin guards, and her fingers sparkled with more Magic Gems, rings that pulsed faintly with mana. She wore her sensuality like a weapon, and it was impossible to miss.
"Chief Roman," Nicole said in a low, teasing voice. "I thought you'd still be on that mission with your brother. I could've stayed in bed." She stretched again, her bare midriff catching the morning light as she yawned.
Roman chuckled, the sound deep and warm. "Vice-Captain Nicole, it's a pleasure to see you up this early. You're not usually a morning person."
"Nothing good comes from this time of day," she quipped, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
He laughed again, louder this time. "Haha, glad to see that cheerful attitude of yours is in full bloom."
Nicole flashed him a lazy, sultry smile. "So, is Captain Melech back too? Can I take the day off?"
Roman shook his head, his golden eyes softening with a mix of humor and regret. "Sorry to disappoint, but he's not back yet. You're still in charge of his students, today."
Nicole sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. "I knew it would be too good to be true. No problem, I'll handle the pups."
Roman gave her a rare, sincere smile. "You've been an incredible asset these past eight years, Nicole. I want to thank you for your dedication." His tone was warm but genuine, the words filled with respect.
Nicole's eyes sparkled with mischief as she stepped closer to him, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of her belly chain. "Careful, Chief. A girl might fall in love with words like that," she said, her voice dropping to a low purr, her flirtation playful yet bold.
Roman met her gaze without flinching, his golden eyes steady as ever. "Careful, soldier. I'm still your pack leader," he replied with a slight smirk, his voice firm yet teasing.
Nicole grinned, giving a quick, playful salute. "Yes, sir." Her grin was fox-like, sharp and knowing.
Roman chuckled, shaking his head as he turned his attention back to the village. The day had just begun, and there was much to be done. The village of Vivian was peaceful, but in a land as wild and untamed as Velonica, peace was a fragile thing. It took strength, vigilance, and unity to keep it intact. Roman knew this well, and so did his people. The sun continued its slow ascent, casting golden light over the village as the morning unfolded into a new day.
Back at the village entrance, a lone figure strolled down the winding path, her presence commanding the attention of even the trees. She moved with a hypnotic sway, hips twisting rhythmically as a playful whistle escaped her lips. The figure was a female nekomata, a feline humanoid demon; her multi-green eyes gleaming like precious stones in the dim light of the forest canopy. Each step she took was deliberate, her lion-like tail swaying behind her with an almost lazy grace. Her thigh-high boots, a bold mix of green and blue, tapped the ground with a soft cadence, perfectly in sync with the tune she hummed. The boots hugged her legs, emphasizing their long, toned shape as she made her way toward the village.
Her outfit was provocative, unapologetically bold. A short green and blue mini-skirt clung to her hips, decorated with a simple rope that hung loosely around her waist, drawing attention to the way her body moved. Her chest plate, an armored bra that barely covered her breasts, allowed the curves of her underboob to slip tantalizingly into view. She exuded a natural, raw sexual energy, the kind that made those who saw her linger just a second too long on every movement, every sway of her hips, every flick of her tail. And in her hand, she held a staff—a sleek, polished rod with a glowing knob at the top.
As she walked, the top of her staff began to glow brighter, creating intricate rings of light around the knob. The green energy expanded outward in gentle, pulsing waves, like ripples across a pond. Within moments, the rings released a thick, green mist that seemed to materialize from the air around her. The fog spread outward, rolling across the ground in all directions, its movement slow but deliberate. Her whistle grew louder, more commanding, as the mist reached the first homes of Vivian.
The guards stationed at the edge of the village were the first to take notice. At first, it was just the sound that pricked their ears, the haunting melody carried on the wind. Then came the mist. It drifted toward them, creeping along the streets, through the alleys, and into the open doors of houses and shops.
One guard frowned, his eyes narrowing. "Hey! Who's that?" he called out, gripping the hilt of his sword as he squinted through the mist.
But his voice faltered as the scent hit him—a sweet, intoxicating aroma, like the soft petals of the rarest flower mixed with the warmth of spiced wine. His grip on the sword loosened, and a strange smile crossed his face. His pupils dilated, and his breathing grew heavier.
In the blink of an eye, the entire village was enveloped in the mist. It was thick now, swirling lazily as it filled every crevice and home, seeping into the lungs of every man in Vivian. The once lively village fell silent, except for the soft thud of boots as more and more guardsmen stepped toward the village entrance, drawn like moths to a flame.
Nicole, lounging in one of the village courtyards, raised her head from where she'd been resting, her ruby eyes narrowing. "Where is this magic pressure coming from?" she muttered, her voice low, but curious. The air felt strange—thicker somehow, like the weight of it was pressing against her skin.
Nearby, Roman's nostrils flared as he took in a deep breath, immediately recognizing something off. His golden eyes widened in alarm. "Nicole!" he barked, his voice harsher than usual. "Beware! This mist... it's laced with magic. Inhaling it may be—err..." He staggered, the words sticking in his throat as his thoughts began to blur. His body felt hot, his pulse quickening unnaturally.
Roman tried to cover his mouth, his calloused hand slapping against his face as if trying to shield himself from the invisible force invading his mind. But it was too late. His vision swam, his muscles trembled, and a primal need began to surge inside him—a powerful, consuming lust that eroded his self-control.
"It's... like a drug..." he whispered, his breath ragged. "A powerful aphrodisiac... Nicole... you need to..."
But his warning died on his lips. He turned to Nicole, hoping she had heeded his words. Instead, he found her standing still, her body relaxed, a treacherous smile curling her lips. Her eyes were half-lidded, gleaming with a dark amusement.
"Nicole..."
Roman groaned, stumbling as he fought to stay upright. But his strength was failing, his will slipping away as the fog continued its assault on his senses. His knees buckled, and before he could resist any longer, he mentally collapsed. The last thing he saw before the world went black was Nicole's smile—cold, knowing, and victorious.
The men of the village, all affected by the mist, moved as one, their steps slow and uniform. They gathered from every corner of Vivian, walking toward the northern exit in perfect unison. Their faces were blank, eyes glazed over with the same look of reverence and lust. As they walked, the nekomata—the source of the fog—strolled past them, her hips still swaying seductively, her tail flicking with satisfaction.
Each man, as he passed her, bowed his head in silent worship, their minds completely overtaken by her beauty and her mana art. Yet, they never stopped moving, drawn by some unseen force pulling them further away from the village.
Inside the homes, women and children slumped to the floor, unconscious, their bodies limp and unresponsive. Even the strongest of the female M-Cees, those who tried to fight the fog's effects, eventually succumbed. One by one, they collapsed, the mist too powerful for any of them to resist.
Roman was the last to leave, his body moving mechanically, his mind long since overwhelmed by the green haze. Nicole watched him go, her arms crossed casually as she surveyed the scene. The village was eerily quiet now, devoid of the usual hum of life.
From the mist, the voluptuous figure of the nekomata emerged, her steps confident and slow. She stopped before Nicole, her multi-green eyes glowing with amusement.
"The Harlequin Witch, Ms. Azumi Midori. It is always a pleasure to watch you work," Nicole said, her voice laced with amusement.
Azumi tilted her head slightly, her expression one of mock surprise. "Nicole, Nicole... I knew that hideous mana signature could only come from you. What are you doing here? That angel didn't mention you being around."
Nicole laughed softly, the sound low and sultry. "Working. The same as you."
Azumi's gaze flickered briefly toward the departing men, her lips curling into a smile. "It's not work when you enjoy it."
Before Nicole could laugh, the air sizzled with sudden energy. A flash of lightning cut through the fog, quick as a returning bolt, as a sword targeted Azumi's neck with brutal precision. The blade connected with a sickening thwack, decapitating the nekomata cleanly. Her head hit the ground with a small bounce, rolling to a stop.
Melech, the wolven's captain, landed gracefully as the crackling energy dissipated around him, his sneak attack successful. He glanced over his shoulder, noticing Nicole watching him.
"Nicole, are you okay?" His voice was calm but edged with concern.
"Captain? Where did you come from?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
"Returning from my quest in Lashun," Melech replied, still catching his breath. "I bumped into the village members under some spell and followed the scent back to the caster. While I should've captured her… the sight of my brother under the spell enraged me."
Nicole nodded, her eyes still on the decapitated head. "The Harlequin Witch would've been quite difficult to capture."
"The Harle…?" Melech's voice faltered as fear crept into his eyes.
Before he could react, the severed head on the ground stirred. The lifeless eyes flickered with sudden amusement, rolling themselves to face them. A sudden silence rushed over both Melech and Nicole who could do nothing but watch in shock.
"Aww, it's a brown puppy," Azumi's voice purred from the severed head. "I wonder how I missed this one."
Melech tensed, his heart thudding in his chest as dread crawled up his spine. The blood leaking from Azumi's neck was turning into a thick, gel-like substance, moving with an unnatural fluidity. Her headless body, which had remained standing, casually walked over to the head, picking it up with a bored expression. She reattached it with a sickening squelch, her neck popping as she adjusted herself, dusting off her cheeks like it was nothing more than a mild inconvenience.
"Damnit…" Melech's voice trembled. "What is she doing here?"
Azumi smiled sweetly, but her eyes were full of menace. "Oh, look at that. The puppy's lost an eye. Oh well… he's about to lose worse."
Melech, gritting his teeth, tried to shake off the fear creeping into his limbs. He tightened his grip on his sword. "Why are you assaulting my village? Release my brother, now!"
Azumi tilted her head, tapping her chin playfully. "Are you barking at me? You want to play, pup?"
Before he could respond, she slammed her staff into the ground. A green and yellow mana ring flared out, symbols etched in the air. The earth beneath Melech trembled.
Without hesitation, Melech dashed to the side, lightning crackling along his blade as he swung ferociously at Azumi. But the witch danced around his strikes, dodging with graceful ease.
Melech's mind raced. "Why is one of the most powerful witches raiding Vivian? I have to escape when the chance is given." He needed help. This wasn't a fight he could win alone.
Azumi's grin widened. "Personal Skill, [Selene's Rose]" she whispered, her voice laced with lustful charm.
Melech blinked, suddenly disoriented. Nicole was gone. The battlefield had changed. Panic gripped him. "Nicole!? Where did you run off to?"
Azumi's voice slithered into his ears. "You don't have time to worry about another woman right now."
He turned, and his stomach dropped. Azumi was walking toward him, her body now appearing completely nude, her form seductive and alluring. Melech's heart raced, his vision blurring as his desires overwhelmed him. Every slow step she took sent shivers down his spine, and he couldn't focus. His thoughts spiraled, and Azumi seemed to multiply, her body now appearing everywhere he looked. He felt as if he was drowning on land, at the whim of an invisible ocean.
"Entangle my enemy, Earth Mana Arts: Jungle Shibari," the many images of Azumi began to whisper seductively.
Melech swung his sword, desperately trying to hit something—anything—but vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around his arm, ensnaring him.
"Damnit!" He grunted, struggling against the magical bindings. "I can't move my arm!"
Azumi, still humming that haunting tune, approached him with a smirk. The vines tightened, locking his other arm in place.
"Ahh, I'm trapped. Activate skill, Preda—" His words were cut off as Azumi's staff collided with his skull, the crack echoing in the silence.
Melech crumpled to the ground, his body hitting the earth with a heavy thud, unconscious before he even knew what had happened.
And with that, the village of Vivian fell into Azumi's grasp without another soul to hear its downfall.
Azumi barely flicked her eyes as Nicole landed beside her, the wolven soldier's skull still echoing with each vicious thud of Azumi's staff. Melech's once-proud form, now crumpled and limp, bled into the dirt. The scent of blood mingled with the dry earth, a coppery taste hanging in the air. The rhythmic, dull thudding was met by Nicole's voice, calm as ever.
"Is this your pet?" Azumi asked, not bothering to glance at Nicole, her focus still locked on the broken body below her.
"I've been walking him at night," Nicole responded, a thin smirk playing on her lips.
Azumi let out a chuckle, her grin widening as the staff came down with another dull crunch. "Didn't know you were the knotty type."
Nicole tilted her head slightly, amusement dancing in her eyes. "You should try it sometime. Second best to a Majin."
For a moment, the witch stopped, her staff hovering just inches from Melech's head. She looked up at Nicole, a hint of curiosity in her gaze. "So, do you want him back before I kill him?"
"I do need him alive. I was told he'd be the bait we need."
Azumi scoffed, twirling her staff lightly in her fingers before resting it lazily on her shoulder. "Let me guess, by that stupid angel? He's so annoying."
Nicole sighed, her eyes trailing over Melech's motionless form. "Even so, he has to remain alive. For now."
"Fine." Azumi finally backed away from Melech's unconscious body, releasing the mana arts binding him. The green shimmer faded from his limbs, leaving him in a heap on the ground. But the grin on her face didn't falter. "If I can't take out my frustration on him, I'll use these bitches."
Nicole's eyes widened, her sharp mind quickly piecing together what Azumi was planning. The scattered survivors in the village—women, children—were still out cold. Helpless. Nicole opened her mouth, but it was too late. Azumi had already raised her hand toward the sky.
"Blood Mana Arts: Vampiric Sky."
The sky above the village darkened as if a storm had suddenly rolled in. A massive magic circle formed high above them, pulsating with a sickly hunter-green hue. It covered the entire village, casting an ominous shadow over every home, every alleyway. The air became thick, oppressive, as if the atmosphere itself had grown too heavy to breathe.
And then came the horror.
The bodies, previously still and peaceful in their unconscious state, began to twitch violently. Muscles spasmed, limbs twisted at grotesque angles, and a low, wet squelching sound filled the air as blood—thick, red, and sticky—began to ooze from every orifice. Eyes, ears, mouths, even pores. It spilled forth, pooling beneath the victims, turning the ground into a slick, crimson canvas.
The screams never came. Just the gut-wrenching sound of bones snapping, of flesh being torn from the inside out. Their bodies contorted, folding in on themselves as the blood was ripped from them, like wringing a sponge dry. The blood rose into the air in twisting tendrils, joining together to form a massive, pulsating orb in the center of the magic circle above.
Nicole clenched her fists, feeling her stomach churn as she watched. She'd seen death before, plenty of it, but this... this was a massacre on an entirely different scale. The sheer brutality of it, the casual cruelty in Azumi's actions, was beyond anything she had expected.
The last drop of blood was torn from the corpses, and the sphere in the sky began to shrink, absorbed back into the magic circle. In mere moments, the sky returned to its normal hue, as if nothing had happened. But the bodies, twisted and dry, remained in gruesome piles.
"Th-That's a bit terrifying," Nicole muttered, wiping a few beads of sweat from her brow. Her words came out shakier than she intended, betraying her usually cool demeanor.
Azumi, of course, ignored the comment, her gaze already shifting back toward the village. Her smile returned, but it was colder now, more dangerous. She raised her hand again.
"Fire Mana Arts: Phoenix Bomb."
A flare of mana surged from Azumi's palm, bright and hot, taking the form of a fiery bird-like projectile that shot toward the nearest house. The explosion that followed was deafening, the shockwave powerful enough to knock Nicole back a step. The house was vaporized instantly, reduced to nothing but ash and glowing embers. Flames erupted across the village in a chain reaction, consuming everything in their path with merciless efficiency.
In seconds, the entire village was ablaze, a blazing inferno of destruction. Thick, black smoke rose into the sky, curling upward like the fingers of some malevolent spirit. The heat was overwhelming, scorching the earth beneath their feet, but no screams accompanied the devastation. The villagers were long gone, their bodies already reduced to husks before the flames touched them.
Nicole let out a long, deep sigh, shaking her head as she surveyed the scene. Her face twisted in exasperation, silently thanking The Creator she hadn't left any of her belongings in this doomed place. "Good thing I didn't have my stuff in this town."
Azumi, her eyes glinting with amusement, turned to Nicole. "Aww, were you living here? How long were you spying on them?"
"Long enough to know the regional Demon Lord is passing her title down," Nicole replied, still distracted by the carnage in front of her. "Thanks to the gossip in Lashun, we know the Devil of Velonica and the Prince of Braye Kingdom are both after a Lord Seed."
Azumi blinked, finally tearing her gaze from the burning village. "Braye Kingdom? Didn't know they had someone that strong."
Azumi continued, her tone casual, though her eyes remained watchful. "Hold up, did you just say the Devil of Velonica?"
"Yeah. I know you've heard of him," Nicole replied.
Azumi shook her head with a low laugh. "Can't go anywhere in this country and not hear about that dude."
"Thing is," Azumi said with a raised eyebrow, "no one's ever really seen him. They say he lives in the boondocks."
Nicole nodded. "He's the son of Lady Vericka Mikazuki. So yeah, he's real."
Azumi's face hardened slightly at the name. "So those ridiculous stories about how strong he is, are true?"
"From what that wolven you just knocked out said, even as a toddler, he had battle power on the edge of C-Class. So I'd take them for truth."
Azumi's eyes narrowed. "I wonder why we haven't tried to take him yet."
Before Nicole could respond, a tall figure appeared behind them, his presence almost unnaturally smooth. The long-bearded pointed-ear man, dressed in a sharp brown vest and pants, stood with his hands casually in his pockets. His reflective circle glasses caught the glint of the firelight, making his eyes unreadable.
"What the hell?" Azumi blurted, spinning around.
Nicole stiffened slightly. "Lord Orion!"
Azumi shot the man a glare. "Orion!"
Orion smiled, his voice as smooth as ever. "Ladies, I hope you're having a wonderful morning."
Azumi scowled. "The hell are you doing here?"
"I was just out for a stroll and noticed two beautiful women chatting. Thought I'd say hello."
Azumi rolled her eyes. "You're not my type, angel. I like devils."
Orion chuckled softly. "That stings, Ms. Azumi. A beauty of your level rejecting me before I even offer some advice, hurts."
Azumi scoffed. "What advice?"
His tone shifted slightly, more serious now. "Don't attempt to attack the Devil of Velonica. He'll be your demise."
Azumi's eyes flared with annoyance. "More of your 'from the future' bullshit? You think he could defeat the full force of the Panty Raiders?"
Orion sighed. "You women are all the same. Tell you to stay away from the bad boy, and suddenly that's all you want."
Azumi folded her arms defiantly. "I can do whatever the fuck I want."
Orion smirked. "You're sounding a bit childish, Ms. Azumi."
"Ya momma childish," Azumi shot back.
Orion remained calm, adjusting his glasses. "I've seen the future where he rules. You're not skilled enough to handle him in any of them."
Azumi's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. "You sound scared of him. You're just a little bitch."
Nicole, sensing the tension rising, stepped in. "Ms. Azumi, Lord Orion's predictions have been right before. His information checks out."
"All I hear is a bunch of scared little bitches," Azumi grumbled.
With that, Azumi tapped her staff against the ground, creating a swirling puddle of water. "I've already got what I came for."
Orion bowed slightly. "Safe travels, Ms. Azumi."
She scoffed. "Kiss my ass, angel."
With a final smirk, Azumi dissolved into the water and vanished into the sky.
The air was thick with the stench of burning wood and charred remains. Nicole let out a long sigh, her breath escaping as if she had been holding it for too long, overwhelmed by the quiet devastation. Behind her, the once-vibrant village of Vivian continued to burn, its silence even more haunting without the cries or wails of the dead. The absence of sound was unsettling, save for the crackling flames that devoured everything in their path. The smell of scorched earth mingled with the iron tang of blood—a grim reminder of Azumi's merciless rampage.
Orion, the ever-calm Trapper, ran his fingers down his well-braided mustache, the glint of amusement evident in his eyes as a sinister smile spread across his lips. A small glimpse of a barcode on his left wrist stalked behind the cuff of his sleeve. Even in the middle of such chaos, he exuded a strange sense of control, as though this destruction was all part of his carefully orchestrated plan.
Nicole, realizing that her job was about to get complicated, took a second to reflect on the eight years she spent in Vivian, and how she had gotten to know many of the 132,000 people that lived there. She had shared smiles and drinks with many of the women who were killed. It was now just another group of memories she would have to rid herself of, as those cons came with the job.
Nicole glanced at him, her brows furrowing in concern. "Do you think it was a good idea to antagonize her like that?" Her voice was steady but laced with unease, a lingering fear of what Azumi could do now that she was gone.
Orion chuckled softly, the sound almost lost in the background hum of destruction. "That's the only way to get a brat like her to do what you want," he replied, his tone casual, dismissive.
Nicole raised an eyebrow, her skepticism clear. "You haven't dealt with many brats, have you?"
Orion's eyes flickered with a faint, distant amusement. "Not since I was mortal," he said, his voice lowering as if the mention of his past life carried a weight even he wasn't eager to dwell on. He shook his head slightly, clearing the thought. "But enough of that. If the Panty Raiders are to play their part, now is the time."
Nicole tilted her head, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean by that?"
Orion's smile deepened, a gleam of excitement flashing in his eyes. "The book of Fate's Diary: Veni, Vedi, Vici foretells the Devil of Velonica as the one to trigger the Rapture."
The word hung in the air, heavy and foreboding. Nicole's expression turned grim. "The rumored end of Gaia, huh?" She paused, her voice hesitant. "Are you sure he's the right one? What if—"
"I'll never forget him," Orion cut her off, his tone suddenly serious, almost reverent. "His mana signature... it's unlike anything I've ever encountered. Too unique to copy, too powerful. A cold, dark void of chaos that seems to consume everything around it." He gazed off into the distance as if recalling a memory that haunted him. "I had the pleasure of laying eyes on him once, fourteen years ago, back when he was still unknown. Even then, his mana was unmistakable. He had the essence of the High King Supreme, even as a child."
Nicole remained silent for a moment, absorbing his words. The firelight flickered against her face, casting shadows that danced across her features. She finally spoke, her voice cautious. "So you really believe he'll turn out the same, even with you meddling in the past?"
Orion chuckled again, a low, knowing laugh. "From what I've seen—and what I've read—interfering will only feed his growth." His eyes gleamed with a mixture of admiration and ambition. "I'm not here to stop his rise. I'm here to ride the wave and ensure it benefits me. For once, I plan to use the future to my advantage."
Nicole folded her arms, her expression unreadable. "As long as the Kingdom of Madness survives the Rapture, the Queen will be happy to lend you her top spies and warriors."
Orion nodded, his smile unwavering. "No need to worry about the Mad Queen's kingdom. My eyes are set on the fall of Babylonia." His voice took on a sharper edge, the casual tone slipping for just a moment as his true intentions surfaced.
Nicole blinked, momentarily taken aback by the intensity in his gaze. "Babylonia…" she repeated, as though the word itself held gravity.
Orion turned away, his posture relaxed, yet his presence still commanding. "I must go now," he said, the conversation winding to a close. "When the Wolven wakes up, tell him to seek out the Devil of Velonica. He'll need his help to retrieve his brothers. There's still one last thing I need to set in motion before this ball truly starts rolling."
Nicole nodded, accepting his cryptic instructions without further question. "I understand."
A gust of wind swept through the village, carrying with it the acrid scent of burning debris. And in that same breath, Orion vanished, as if he had never been there, leaving behind only a few angelic feathers that slowly drifted to the ground, their soft white glow stark against the darkened morning sky.
Nicole remained standing, her eyes tracing the path where Orion had been just moments ago. The eerie silence of the smoldering village filled the void left by his sudden departure, and the weight of the destruction settled heavily on her shoulders. The flames continued to dance behind her, the quiet devastation providing an unsettling soundtrack to the scene.
And there she stood, alone with only the unconscious body of Melech, the crackling fire, and the slow, steady descent of the last angelic feather.
[End of Chapter]
[1] November on Earth