"Sir, it seems that a bounty has been placed on the young master by unknown individuals." Butler Fin spoke carefully, intent on staying on his master's good side. But the tone of his voice did indicate that his care wasn't because of fear, but concern for his 'master'. "The bounty wasn't limited to just the Bounty Hunters organisation, but every single organisation there is. Mercenaries, assassins, as long as they can be bought with money, all of them have received this information. And all of them would be coming for the young master." Butler Fin continued. His head remained slightly bowed, his focus on the carpet he stood on. The news he had just fed his master didn't do much in revealing who was behind the covers, but it did draw a picture on the magnitude of threats that were coming their way.
"My son is a profound realmer at the peak of his level. Any Zandorian who comes for his head would be leaving his- or hers- behind instead." Ray stated nonchalantly. Hearing that high level mortal realm experts were coming for his son did nothing to unnerve him. Since Mane's connection to the edict and chaos had been restored, Zandorians weren't really a threat to him. Well, unless his son decides to do whatever it was that caused him to lose his strength in the first place that is. His concern was for the mastermind behind the attacks.
"Indeed, most of the 'threats' hardly amount to much, but that is in relation to the threats of this world." Butler Fin agreed with his master, yet he hadn't given out all the information. Mane would have been surprised to hear this conversation. After Uncle Jake had left, he had assumed that the members of his household were now 'normal'. However, he adorably was wrong. Butler Fin did not only know his wielding level, but he wasn't in any way surprised about it. This meant that it was likely that the secretive man was far stronger than what he appeared to be. And in good reason too, for how could his parents leave him in the hands of mere mortals? The butler's words were laced with hidden meaning. His words hinted that there was something else about the 'bounty' that they had been ignoring.
"What do you mean by 'of this world'? Are you saying that Mane has an interplanetary bounty placed on him?" Ray finally understood that the situation was direr than he thought. An interplanetary bounty was just like its name, it extended beyond the boundaries of one world. This kind of bounty was difficult to place not only because of the money involved, but because to place such a bounty one had to have influence over a myriad of realms. This meant that the true threats were those who didn't belong to this lowly world. For those in Zandor, they would think that the bounty was limited to their planet, after all, they had very little idea about the universe they lived in. Many even thought that they were the only life around. Interplanetary bounties weren't omnipotent however. They didn't involve every world, just three or more worlds. It was just that from the tone of Butler Fin, it wasn't as simple as a few worlds.
"How many worlds, Old Fin? How many worlds have bounties on Mane's head?" Ray questioned. His tapped his fingers rhythmically on the only table in the room. Yet this was in no way the action of a calm man. The cracks that formed after each 'gentle' contact displayed a fury that was hidden beneath the calm exterior. Rosewood gold, one of the strongest minerals in existence unbreakable to all below the ascension realm and even to some ascenders, was being shattered mercilessly like a piece of inferior wood. This expensive mineral was slowly breaking down, bearing the brunt of Ray's anger. If not for its great structure and composition, it would have split into several pieces by now.
"37 worlds sir…and still counting."
*crack* *crash*
The sound of the heavy mineral known as the rosewood gold falling onto the ground in a small heap was deafening. Luckily, the room was sound proof or else the inhabitants of the house would be alerted. Even luckier was that the ground work was done with a material of similar quality. Similar, but slightly inferior. This was evidenced by the cracks that had formed on the ground after the precious mineral had come crashing down on it.
"Sir, I'd like to remind you that the table was a gift from the god queen Hela herself. It was her way of accepting you as her son." Butler Fin kindly informed his master and employer as the table fell apart. Ray's eyebrows twitched in annoyance at his words. While he may not fear Hera, he didn't want to disrespect her. If it was a gift from Zeus, he could even destroy it completely, turning it into ash. After all, even the Olympian god king wouldn't dare to offend him.
"Restutuere", he sighed in resignation as the previously destroyed table was restored in a matter of seconds, and standing where it previously stood.
"I think that this is a good thing." Butler Fin gave his opinion, although it hadn't been asked for.
"Oh? You do know that I would like offload the anger that has built up in me. You better speak clearly before you become a mere scapegoat." Butler Fin chuckled nonchalantly at his master's words, and proceeded to explain, "The young master is special. The more pressure he is put under, the greater his growth. With the kind of destiny that awaits him, such training is very necessary. I know Jake created a simulation for him, but that is hardly enough. Although the simulation isn't what it is, it is still better for him to have true life threatening battles so he can grow."
Ray was silent even after Fin was done with his explanation. "I know that as a father you are inclined to protect your son, as you should. But you have to allow him to grow. I know it is difficult, but it is necessary. Besides, I do know that the masters would be teaching him body wielding when he recovers. You know how brutal that training is. This kind of situation is perfect for him." Mane would have been gob smacked by the information Butler Fin was giving out. Even he had just found out that he was to undergo body wielding, so how did Butler Fin know?
Ray nodded his head in resignation, "But that doesn't mean that I cannot do anything about the miscreants that litter Zandor. Send me the coordinates for the Assassin Organisation. I would make an example of them. Oh, and the Bounty Hunter Association too. They could also do with some tutoring. No wait. Leave the Bounty Hunter Association be for now." Butler Fin smiled and replied, with his hand to his head, "It has been done." Ray's eyes turned dull for a moment, almost as if he was seeing something no one could. When he finally came to himself a few seconds later he said, "To think they were hidden so deeply."
"Indeed. It is impressive that an organisation from such a small world is so well advanced." Butler Fin averred. "And about Ares, do you know what my brother is up to?" Ray asked as he stretched lightly.
"Definitely nothing good. He was last spotted on Kelan…with the god of mischief." Butler Fin reported with a bit of worry on his face, the kind of worry that would be displayed by any person who truly knew Loki.
"Anything that Loki is involved in is never good. Continue to keep an eye on them for me, Old Fin." Ray commanded. "As you wish." Butler Fin replied.
Ray nodded his head and said, "In the meantime…"
*crash*
Butler Fin smiled wryly at the broken window as a streak of light flew through the sky at breath taking speed. "I pity those assassins", he said as he exited the room.