Reimond arrived with his sons and explained everything, just as their leader had asked. Of course, omitting the parts he was forbidden to reveal, even to them. He had to obey.
He felt an indescribable euphoria, as if an unknown energy was coursing through his body. Never before had he felt so full, so determined. He would give his life to serve his master. Moreover, with the books he now possessed, his advancement in cultivation and pill creation would be unstoppable. He would reach levels he had never imagined.
—Father, are you sure about this? —Hernan looked at him in disbelief—.
His father had handed over the position of leader to a stranger. All for the sake of becoming a simple potions master. Worst of all, he and his sister were now honorary, not even permanent members of the cult. A deep uneasiness settled in his chest, as if the ground beneath his feet was no longer stable.
—How nice, hiupi! —Roxan jumped up and down excitedly—. With him as my leader, I'm sure I'll learn to make people kneel before me! Yay!
Hernan looked at her with resignation. A hopeless case. While he tried to comprehend the magnitude of what was happening, Roxan thought only of things completely unrelated to the situation. She silently lamented. It was hopeless.
—Let us go in. The Master is waiting to give you directions. Let's go in.
The sun was shining brightly overhead when, just before crossing the entrance to the castle, a blinding light emerged from within and rose with overwhelming intensity. Then it descended with a roar and spread throughout the sect's territory. Everything that the light touched was absorbed relentlessly, as if the whole world was bending to its will.
The glow was so strong that those present could barely make out silhouettes amidst the maelstrom of light. But most disturbing of all were the sounds: a deep tremor shook the ground beneath their feet, stones crunched as if they were being torn apart from within, and the wind roared with unearthly force.
Suddenly, the light began to dissipate, and in its place appeared silvery particles floating in the air, twinkling like tiny stars. Gradually, the particles formed a shimmering shield that covered the entire territory of the sect, pulsing with an unknown energy. Then, as if the universe itself had decided to erase all traces of the phenomenon, the shield disappeared.
Silence spread like a blanket over all present. And then they saw it.
The sect had been completely rebuilt. The houses were intact, spotless, as if they had never been touched by the passage of time. Leafy trees stood at every corner, exhaling a fresh, sweet scent. Flowers of countless species lined the paths, bathed in a warm, serene breeze. Small lakes glistened in the sunshine, reflecting the magic that had just happened.
—Hehehehe, now tell me, son, ¿do you still think I was wrong to leave my post? —Reimond smiled, with the pride of someone who had seen the future take shape before his eyes—. Imagine what the Master will achieve from here on. This is only the beginning.
Hernan listened to his father's words without knowing how to respond. Everything he had seen had taken his breath away. If this was the power of the new leader, then the sect could truly rise from the ashes.
—Wow, how beautiful! —Roxan exclaimed with shining eyes, turning in circles as she gazed at the splendour of the landscape—. ¡Decided! I want to learn how to create trees and flowers... and rivers too! I'll ask him to teach me.
Without waiting any longer, Roxan ran towards the castle.
Hernan watched her disappear inside and felt a shiver run down his spine. Not because the cult's transformation wasn't impressive, but because he still couldn't fully understand it. Something about it all felt... too perfect.
Reimond, on the other hand, stood his ground, surveying the landscape with a serene expression.
—Come on, son—he said calmly—, the Master is waiting for us.
Hernan took a deep breath and, unable to help himself, took one last look around before following his father inside.
A few hours before all this, in the distance, in the castle of the King of Mithoria....
—Your Majesty Edward, that's what happened. I made it out alive by a miracle.
As he finished his words, Edgar knelt, bowing his head in deep respect... and fear.
—Forgive me for what I say, your majesty, but we must not disturb this person. If we do, I don't think the kingdom will survive. Never, in all my battles of life and death, have I felt such fear. Forgive me if my words seem exaggerated, but it is for your sake.
Edward remained on his throne, sipping a glass of wine served by a young woman. Around him, several guards watched the scene, alert, ready to act at their king's command.
The monarch narrowed his eyes.
—Since when does a monarch have to fear someone under his rule?—, His voice echoed coldly in the hall—. Do you wish to die for daring to hint at it?
At that instant, several guards moved. They drew their swords, pointing them at Edgar, waiting for a single word to execute him without mercy.
—Forgive me, your majesty,— Edgar muttered, without looking up—, but I had to say it.
—Shut up.
The air in the room became heavy, as if an invisible pressure emerged from a corner of the room. Immediately, it crushed Edgar's body to the floor, making him cry out in pain. The force continued to squeeze him, as if an impossible weight was falling on him.
—Mercy, please! —He tried to speak, but the pressure choked his every word—.
Blood began to gush from his eyes and nose, his bones creaked... until his body, finally, broke. Life was extinguished in a single instant.
The guards returned to their position.
Edward drank from his cup, indifferent.
—Elder Sebastian, send a message to your cult, Dark Shadow. Tell them to send assassins and eliminate this person. I want him dead.
From the shadows emerged a hooded figure in black.
—Your command is my command.
As soon as he spoke those words, he disappeared into the walls, as if he had never been there.
The King clicked his tongue.
—You, get this rubbish out of here and clean the floor. The smell of it makes me want to drink.
The guards obeyed immediately.
Edward settled back on his throne, watching the sunlight filter through the windows.
—They seem to have forgotten who's in charge. When I'm done with that meddler, I'll teach them a lesson too. —He smiled cruelly—. They'll see what fear is.
His cup exploded in his hand under the pressure of his anger. How dare a mere sect defy him? More to the point, how dared an emissary of his suggest that he should bow to another?
He was the king. All must obey him.
Anyone who defied his will would have to suffer.
Suddenly, he felt a vibration beneath his feet.
The ground trembled.
He frowned. A tremor in the capital? Since when did such things happen?
He got up quickly and went to the window. His gaze swept over the city, but everything was untouched. Just a slight movement, nothing to worry about.
However, something caught his attention.
A distant glow, intense and powerful.
He recognised the place immediately.
That radiance came from the Creation Sect.
His breathing became heavier.
A shiver ran down his spine.
Unconsciously, his hand clenched into a fist.
He hesitated.
For the first time, he hesitated.
But he shook his head, as if trying to erase that moment of hesitation.
He spun on his heel and returned to the throne, dropping firmly onto it.
—Hehe... I almost fell for that fool's words—he muttered, catching his breath—. Anyone who opposes me must die.
He raised his voice, firmly.
-Bring me another glass of wine, now!
Though he spoke those words with conviction, deep in his heart... something lingered.
But it could not be fear.
No... He was the king.
There was no one who could bring him down.
Couldn't they?