Kiara emerged from Lycius's shadows once more.
The moment her feet touched the polished stone floor, her obsidian eyes flickered with purpose. It was time.
Her master had given her a task, one that he had forgotten in the midst of his cultivation. But Kiara never forgot. She was an extension of his will, a part of his very essence, and she would ensure that his gifts were properly delivered.
Her first stop was the kitchen chamber.
The aroma of finely cooked meat and spiced wine filled the air, but Kiara paid it little mind. Seated at the long dining table, Lana rested one elbow on the polished wood, sipping from a silver goblet. Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, her crimson eyes thoughtful as she enjoyed the simple pleasure of a drink.
She didn't react when Kiara entered—she had already sensed her.
"Kiara," Lana murmured, setting the goblet down. "You left the shadows. Does that mean something interesting is about to happen?"
A smirk ghosted over Kiara's lips.
"Indeed. Master has prepared gifts for you and Aunt Elizabeth. I came to deliver the message."
Lana's gaze sharpened with intrigue, the lazy amusement in her eyes vanishing.
"Oh?"
Kiara nodded. "Twenty-five city lords, once rulers of their own provinces, now reduced to mere prisoners. Master intended them for you and Aunt Elizabeth but overlooked the matter."
Lana let out a soft chuckle, fingers tracing the rim of her goblet. "He's been focused. I don't blame him."
Kiara tilted her head slightly. "Would you like to claim them now?"
Lana stretched lazily, a predatory glint in her eyes. "Not yet. I'll discuss it with Elizabeth first. She might have ideas on how to best enjoy them."
Kiara nodded. "Then I shall find her."
Lana merely waved a hand, returning to her drink with a contented smile.
Palace Yard.
Elizabeth stood on the high stone balcony, arms crossed, staring out at the ruined capital beyond. The once beautiful royal capital, now reduced to crumbling structures and shattered streets, was a sight she never tired of observing.
This was the result of Lycius's power.
The air hummed with lingering aetherius, a reminder that this place had been reshaped, destroyed, and rebuilt according to her nephew's will.
She heard Kiara's approach before the shadow-walker spoke.
"Aunt Elizabeth."
Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder. "Kiara. You left your domain. Why?"
"Master's gifts."
Elizabeth turned fully, intrigued. "Oh, I had already forgotten about that."
"The twenty-five city lords who once ruled beneath him—Master intended for you and Lady Lana to claim them as you saw fit. However, he became so focused on cultivation that he forgot to deliver them to you both."
Elizabeth hummed in thought. "Understandable."
"There is… another gift as well," Kiara continued, her voice steady.
Elizabeth raised a brow.
"Master's power has grown beyond mere physical boundaries," Kiara explained. "With his refined control, his consciousness can leave his physical body and rent mine."
Elizabeth's crimson eyes flickered with understanding.
"The effect is limited," Kiara added. "Five hours at most. But… that should be enough."
Elizabeth exhaled slowly, a rare smile gracing her lips. "More than enough."
She turned back to the ruined capital, silent for a moment.
Then, she spoke.
"We'll claim the city lords soon. But before that, let's enjoy our time with him."
The Ruined Province.
The twenty-five city lords were held in a shattered province, trapped within a colossal barrier of aetherius that stretched across the desolate landscape. Though they had long since realized escape was impossible, some still clung to hope.
They were fools.
Kiara arrived with Elizabeth and Lana, standing just outside the shimmering golden barrier. Beyond the transparent energy field, the lords sat or knelt in various states of despair.
They didn't know what was about to happen.
Not yet.
Kiara extended a hand, manipulating the shadows. One figure was plucked from the mass and dragged out—the succubus who had once trespassed into her domain.
She would not be part of this.
With a flick of Kiara's wrist, the succubus vanished into the darkness, her presence removed from the upcoming spectacle.
Then, Kiara's obsidian eyes darkened further, her form flickering for a brief moment.
And when she stilled, the presence behind her eyes had changed.
Now gleaming with golden darkness. Lycius truly had arrived.
A slow, knowing smirk curled over his borrowed lips.
Lana and Elizabeth recognized him instantly.
He turned toward them, amusement lacing his tone. "Shall we begin?"
Elizabeth exhaled in pleasure. "Yes."
Lana tilted her head. "What do you have in mind?"
Lycius's gaze flicked toward the city lords.
"I wanted to show you something," he said, stepping forward. "An execution method I plan to use for those who truly deserve a fate worse than death."
A flick of his wrist, and the barrier shifted.
Five of the city lords were ripped forward, dragged out by invisible force, their screams echoing through the ruined land.
Lycius turned back to his mother and aunt. "Tell me what you think."
Then, the punishment began.
The five lords were stripped of their clothing, their backs forced against a massive stone altar. Shadowy chains bound them in place as Lycius's borrowed hands moved with precise cruelty.
A materialized blade, infused with golden aetherius, sliced open their backs.
They screamed.
Bones snapped. Ribs were broken, twisted, and pulled outward.
A grotesque mockery of wings.
Their sobs turned to shrieks as salt was poured into the gaping wounds.
Begging.
Apologizing.
Screaming for gods that would never answer.
Lycius simply watched. Amused.
The final act came as their lungs were pulled out and draped over their distorted ribs. Their breath came in ragged, wheezing gasps—until, at last, there was silence.
Lycius exhaled, then turned toward Lana and Elizabeth.
"Well?"
Lana chuckled darkly, eyes gleaming with approval.
Elizabeth smirked. "It's… beautiful."
Lycius's smile was slow, knowing.
"Then it shall be known as Malediction Execution."
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