"The Dark Sword has the power to corrode the mind of all it touches. It leaves an avatar in every world it has encroached upon. Over the years it has brainwashed many people. That was how it got most of the talented people in the universe to serves its wishes. But it hasn't explicitly targeted the gods so they can do nothing about it." All these years Mane had wondered how it was possible for the Dark Kingdom to brainwash all those they captured. Initially he speculated that it was a member of the Northern Empire's royal family. But he threw that idea out of his mind after doing some investigations and finding out that every member of the royal family was accounted for. Besides, the Dark Kingdom had been doing this for centuries. If it was the skill of a person, then this skill would have been lost by now. After all, mortals didn't live forever. And even though his friend had been part of the organization for some time, even he had no idea how it worked. Mane was certain that his rank was too low to find out something like that. He reckoned that only core members of the organization were allowed access to such information.
But now he knew that it was because of this mysterious artefact. It was fascinating really. Until now Mane didn't know of such high leveled sentient artefacts. To think that an artefact was able to create its own organization. Although this entity was his enemy, Mane couldn't help but respect it. But wait, if they were able to brainwash others, then-
"Your friend would be fine." Indra saw the look of worry resurface on Mane's face. He could guess the reason for his anxiety. He was worried that his friend's fate would be the same as all before him- a puppet made for the wishes of another. It was a fate worse than death.
"If it was only the Dark Sword, you would be right to worry. But the Dark God is different. He relishes drawing those of the light into the darkness. It fills him with a sense of accomplishment. He wouldn't allow the Dark Sword to touch your friend. He would want to pull him to his side. Your friend must accept to join him of his own free will. It is a vain attribute, but it has saved your friend's life."
Mane could rest easy now that he knew the alchemist was safe. He was thankful that Seth was so eccentric. At least it was this sort of character that was keeping the alchemist alive.
"The Dark God, is he here in person?" From Indra's words, Mane knew that the Dark Sword only kept an avatar on this world. Although he didn't know why the Dark God was summoned, he doubted that the god would come here in person. After all, he refused to believe that a god had nothing better to do than to laze about on a sealed world all day long.
"If it were to be any other person I would say no. After all, no one has the time to come to a small world in person. But Seth is famed for his unpredictability. I cannot tell whether he descended fully, or just sent an avatar." Indra shook his head. That was something even his mysterious informant didn't know. Seth was so unpredictable that it was difficult to guess his movements.
"I see" Mane replied. "He is an intelligent god" Although he didn't really get an answer, he understood a few things: Seth was far more dangerous than the easily predictable Shiva; Seth was a brilliant god. Anyone whose actions could never be predicted is dangerous and intelligent. For there was no way a fool would be able to hide his thoughts. After all, fools were incapable of holding their tongues. They could never sit still without giving something away. He would have to be wary of this god called Seth.
"Yes, he is highly intelligent. His origin suggests so." Indra then went on to narrate Seth's story to the godling.
"I sympathize with him. Having to hide behind your brother's glory wouldn't be pleasant." Mane sighed.
"Indeed" Indra assented.
"Does my father know about him? Does he know that Seth is here?" Mane questioned, to which Indra replied, "He does." Mane nodded at his reply. It would make sense that his father knew.
"In fact, Seth used your father to get a new recruit." Indra continued. "Oh? How so?" Mane was intrigued by what he was hearing.
"When your bounty was released, Seth made sure that it also got to the Assassins Association. Although I have no idea how, he knew that you were weakened from your glows and had no inner energy at your disposal. And he knew that they were an efficient organization that carried out tasks in just 24 hours. He waited until he got wind of your parents' arrival, then he requested the Assassins Association to kill you. He timed everything perfectly. What he didn't anticipate was the sudden manifestation of your glow. But it didn't change the outcome he wanted. What he wanted was for your father to see you in such dire circumstances. As long as your father arrived in time, you wouldn't be killed, and he'd still get what he wanted. He knew who your father was. Your father isn't called the Brute King for nothing. There was no way he'd let an attempt on your life slide."
"Although the Assassins Organization was well hidden, their mystery is nothing to a god. As long as your father wished it, he'd find their location. And he did. He wiped out the entire organization, and planted the seed of hatred in the heart of the head of this elusive association. You see, it was the Master of the Assassins Association Seth was after. He wanted to recruit the man, but the man wasn't eager to join the god. After all, he had power, wealth, and lacked nothing. Women begged to be bedded by him, and the lives of many were held in his hands. He had no intention of giving that away to become someone's servant. Of course, he didn't know who Seth was at the time. He only thought Seth was a mysterious master. So Seth used your father to get what he wanted- the voluntary submission of a pawn."
Mane couldn't help but be impressed with what he was hearing. Although he was being informed that his father had been used like a piece of tissue paper and then tossed aside, he was still awed by the Dark God. Of course his awe wasn't to the point of submission. It was respect accorded one who walked a similar path you did. Mane was a scholar before he was a wielder. He loved to read and learn about any and everything. Just like the rumors in the Academy insinuated, he loved to use his brain instead of his fists. Seth may be his enemy, but he was one who had earned his admiration.
Mane's expression didn't escape Indra's keen eyes. The boy was more like a god than he thought. Only a god would be impressed by the skill of his enemy instead of dreading it. Any other mortal would either cower in fear or be consumed by hatred hearing Seth's exploits. But all Mane saw was a brilliant mind seeking its place in the universe. If the boy wanted to cast aside this godlike mentality like he said he would, he would have to try a lot harder to get it done. Because right now, he was thought more like a god than he did a mortal. But Indra wasn't going to say anything. It was better if Mane discovered his path himself.
"How do you know all this?" Mane wondered. "No offense, but you don't look like the type of person who specializes in gathering information." Mane was a scholar. And like other scholars, he was blessed with the discernment that came with a brilliant mind. He was able to tell when he met someone who also walked the path he did by the aura they exuded. Indra had a powerful aura. It was overwhelming, and it gave him an air of invincibility. But this aura was the aura of a warrior. It was the spirit of one who had walked over a million corpses. He didn't give off the intellectual air of a scholar. So Mane was certain that there was someone else doing all the hard work. Maybe it was the person Indra referred to as their mutual friend.
"Indeed, you are right. I didn't find these out."