"That was a long meeting," Ancestor Ice sighed in exhaustion as she dropped her tired body onto her couch. The large furniture caved in to accommodate the new weight and allow its mistress some much needed rest.
"Yeah," another voice chimed in as Ancestor Storm walked into the room. While he didn't look as worn out as Ancestor Ice, traces of exhaustion could be seen on his face.
Both were in Ancestor Ice's mansion. They had retreated here, having been dismissed formally by the oldest Ancestor. Ancestor Ice and Ancestor Storm were very close. They had grown up together in their youth and had achieved a lot individually and collectively. In fact, there was a time when their families thought the two were in love with each other because of how close they were. But they weren't. They were best friends and their friendship extended so deeply into their core that their close relationship remained even after both became Ancestors.
"I sort of feel sorry for that kid, Pier," Ancestor Ice stretched tiredly upon the sofa, emphasizing her generous curves which hadn't been slightly affected by the passage of time. Ancestor Storm only gave his friend's enchanting figure a cursory glance, uninterested in what many men would have been drawn to.
"Yeah. His fate is pitiful." Ancestor Storm agreed before sitting himself on one of the other sofas. Since all the Ancestors were of one mind to refrain from any action upon Pazuzu's return, it was indeed unfortunate for Pier who had no idea what was happening behind his back.
"The fact that he would lose those kids is heartbreaking. I cannot begin to understand what it will feel like when the time comes." Ancestor Storm added with a small sigh. As for Ancestor Ice, there was a complicated expression on her face.
While she didn't interact with the twins much, she was impressed by their dedication to their training. And from the little time she spent with them, she had come to appreciate them. She didn't love them, but she did enjoy their presence in Amalgamation. Besides, every elder adored a talented youngster.
"Storm, do you think it's too late to…" Ancestor Ice hesitated slightly when she got to the end of her sentence, preventing her from finishing what she was going to say. But Ancestor Storm was more than aware of what she was referring to. For this wasn't the first time they were having this conversation, and it wasn't going to be the last.
"There's nothing we can do about it Ice," Ancestor Storm sighed and moved to his friend's sofa. He sat down gently and began to rub her back like he was petting a kitten.
"I know. It's just that…" Ice started before trailing off again. The last of her sentence was mumbled into the couch cushion. But since Storm was right next to her, he heard it all.
"That we are letting down the world?" Storm smiled bitterly before sighing in frustration, "I know that what we are doing is despicable. But we must preserve our people. Pazuzu is a threat no one can handle. And we must learn to accept that."
Storm's face was filled with many complex emotions. There was guilt, exasperation with the current situation, slight anger at the fact that they couldn't change anything, and embarrassment from knowing that they had chosen the despicable path of betrayal.
"If only there was someone who could stand a chance – just a slight chance – against Pazuzu, I would, unhesitant, stand at this person's side." Storm couldn't help but mumble.
"Oh? I can help you then." A slightly cheeky voice forced its way into Ancestor Storm and Ancestor Ice's ears and both of them immediately went on the alert.
Their auras rushed out of their bodies as their power as Phenoms was revealed. The furniture they sat on exploded from the strong force pressing onto it, and the two fell to the ground. Both landed stably on their feet as their elements began to gather around them. Several ice fragments swiveled around Ancestor Ice like flower petals, and more froze her long hair.
Ancestor Storm's eyes lit up like a problematic electric circuit. Several bolts of lightning gathered around him as the winds began to push everything within the room aside. His eyes flashed with the blue of lightning as his gaze traveled around the room and swiftly found the intruder – no; the intruders.
"It's you?" Ancestor Storm's aura fumbled slightly when he saw the people he never imagined will be here right in front of him. Not only were they before him, they were seated comfortably upon the only couch that was not affected by his and Ice's auras!
"Ashera's Herald? Prince and Princess?" Ancestor Ice's aura also showed signs of faltering when she saw the three.
There were so many questions swirling within her head right now. There was no servant allowed within her mansion; mainly because she had too many secrets to protect. So she could afford to fortify her home's security to an abnormally high level. It wasn't difficult to break into her mansion. But it was difficult to break into it when she was around; to do so without her knowledge. Yet these three had done exactly that. Even more unbelievable was the fact that they were sitting within a powerful vortex of both her aura and Storm's but were completely fine. They didn't look disturbed by the display of power, neither did they seem uncomfortable with the situation. She could understand Ashera's Herald having the power to ignore her spiritual pressure. After all, Ancestor Origin had stated that the boy was almost around his level. But to see the twins sitting next to him so safely was highly surprising.
"Jeez, say one thing and all of a sudden they are ready to take you down," Mane sighed pretentiously with a pitiful expression on his face. The slightly nervous Lily and her largely unruffled brother couldn't help but chuckle slightly at Mane's antics. Lily even felt most of her nervousness disappear.
"What did you do? And how did you get inside?" Ancestor Storm asked with a stern expression on his face upon realizing that somehow both his and Ice's auras failed to leave the room and flood the streets. For under normal circumstances their auras should have crushed the house and alerted the others.
Besides, that wasn't the only issue. There were other questions that needed answering. How long had the three been in the house? Where they here before he and Storm came inside? Were they hiding all this while? Had they heard the entire conversation between himself and his longtime friend? For if they had, then things were a bit more complicated than they seemed. Although they didn't reveal anything in particular, they didn't want to leave any loose ends.
"Oh I created a barrier around this room when I came in so that your power doesn't go barreling out of control. We wouldn't want Ancestor Ice to sleep on the streets now would we?" Mane smiled gleefully and said, causing the eyebrows of both Ancestor Storm and Ancestor Ice to twitch in annoyance.
"Cheeky brat," Hildegarde commented from atop Mane's shoulder, but her smile suggested that she was pleased with what she was seeing. Even if she wasn't, Mane didn't care. He happily replied to her by saying "Thank you" and got back to the issue at hand.
"As for how we got inside…" Mane trailed off at the end and pointed a finger to the walkway that led to the door.
"You are saying you walked inside, yet none of us saw you nor could sense your presence? Ridiculous!" Ancestor Storm's voice boomed as several priced artefacts within the room shattered. The winds became a bit more turbulent as his power showed signs of spiraling out of control. However, Mane's barrier stood strong. It didn't show any signs of breaking under the furious Ancestor's charge.
"Silence," Mane's smiling expression swiftly disappeared and was replaced by a stern expression. Without any hesitation he resorted to Words of Power. If he was going to display his own strength, he might as well do it in the flashiest way possible.
*Poof*
"What?" Ancestor Storm had a stunned expression on his face as his power suddenly disappeared. The winds and lightning that initially responded to him suddenly grew quiet. The turbulence he summoned was swiftly dispersed, and no matter what he did he couldn't call them back!
"How is that even possible?" Ancestor Ice also had a stunned expression on her face. For Ancestor Storm wasn't the only one affected. Her power swiftly abandoned her as well. Just like Ancestor Storm, her attempts to recall it failed.
"Now then, can we have an actual conversation?" Mane returned to his jovial self and said.
His smile sent a slight chill down the spines of both Ancestor Storm and Ancestor Ice. They hadn't experienced suppression like this in their lives – ever; not since they became Ancestors anyway. For though they were afraid of Ancestor Origin, it was because of his ruthless methods and callous heart that they feared him. For though the oldest ancestor was indeed stronger than them, it would take a lot for him to deal with both of them at once. But here they were, facing a teen who had stopped them in their tracks with nothing but a word!
"You should sit," Mane chuckled and the two Ancestors smiled bitterly. Where were they supposed to sit when there were no chairs for them to sit on? They had certainly made sure of that when they lost their cool earlier. Now the only seat that remained was the one Mane and the twins occupied.
"You were saying that as long as there is someone who can match Pazuzu, you will not betray the world. Now is that correct?" Mane asked as he leaned forward slightly and stared at the two Ancestors with his attention solely on them.
'He knows!' Both Ancestor Storm and Ancestor Ice smiled wryly when they heard Mane's words. Well it wasn't surprising that Mane knew about Pazuzu since Ashera knew more about that god than they did. So telling Mane about it, since he was such a talented youngster, was no surprise. But hearing that Mane knew about their betrayal was new. And from the reaction of the twins seated next to him, the two ancestors knew that they too were aware of the current events.
"What do you want?" Ancestor Ice sighed and proceeded to sit on the floor. Ancestor Storm joined her, placing himself amongst the debris.
"Simple. I will be dealing with Ancestor Origin and the others soon. Don't get in my way."