While Ren and his friends were relaxing and planning, far on the other side of the world eleven unknown entities were sitting around a large table. They were trying to discuss there next plan of action but right now it seemed to be an argument between there weakest member and the member that stood in a larger place in the troupes' strength. "I still think that you guys are underestimating me, I mean I could have killed all of those weaklings if I wanted too." Zalvozeth continued boasting his strength much to the annoyance of the shadow troupe member who ranked 3 ranks above him. "If you were as strong as you say then you would have eradicated those little weaklings or whatever you call them. But we all know that not only are they alive but there is a member of their ranks who has a similar energy to the man who defeated us all 300 years ago." Zalvozeth was about to continue to boast but before he did he registered Manias comment. He grew annoyed because he hated being known as the weakling of the group just because he was ranked number 10. "Shut up Mania if I wanted too I would have I could´ve" Zalvozeth was cut off by a loud imposing voice coming from the man called Arkin."That is quite enough Zalvozeth." Zalvozeth tried to argue but before he could get his first word out Arkin was already on the other side of the table in front of Zalvozeth. "If you want to be known as a stronger member then prove your strength, you constantly boast about your power but you have nothing to back it up. Even 300 years ago at the peak of our power, you were the weakest of us. Now if you are done trying to boast then let us continue our discussion. Also once this meeting is done meet me at the training area." After saying this he was back in his seat before Zalvozeth could blink. Diablo took a sip of his wine with smirking thinking about how dysfunctional this group was. Amon sighed before speaking.
"If you all are done with your childish argument let us continue. Now as we all know Zalvozeth ran into a group of shadow casters while he was on patrol killing humans. They weren't particularly special except for the kid who had the same energy as the man who defeated us all those years ago. The reason for this meeting was for us to decide what we should do about it. I, Barbatos and Diabos have agreed that we should let the child evolve so that when we kill him we can absorb his power and give ourselves a large boost of strength. Which would surely be greater than it is now since he seems to be even weaker than Zalvozeth." He took a sip of his tea before asking. "All in favor of the plan say I. '' Everyone in the room said I, everyone except Zalvozeth who still wanted to kill Ren now. Arkin turned his attention to Zalvozeth before coming up with an idea. "Alright let's make a bet, if you can find and kill that kid then you can take his power. But if you can't kill him or his friends then I get to decide what to do with you. Do we have a deal? '' Zalvozeth sheepishly nodded as Amon continued. "Now that everyone is in agreement this meeting is dismissed." After this was said everyone in the shadow troupe but Arkin and Zalvozeth shadow stepped to their living quarters.
Arkin got up from his seat and began walking to the training area of their base. He waved his hand as if telling Zalvozeth to come on. After he did this they both Shadow stepped to the training area about 15 feet away from each other. Zalvozeth got into a strange position kneeled down with his scythe propped against his back only being held up by his hand. Arkin got into a more traditional fighting stance as if he was an experienced fighter. Zalvozeth made the first move as he dashed at Arkin aiming a kick for his side which Arkin swiftly dodged before kicking Zalvozeth into a wall. This caused Zalvozeth to cough up but he continued to persevere, he shot a beam of shadow energy at Arkin but all Arkin did was stand there and swat it away. Zalvozeth got angry by this as he realized that he was getting his ass kicked. "Is this all you have? Your even more of a disappointment than I thought." Zalvozeth shadow stepped behind Arkin and tried to bring his scythe down on Arkin. "I've had enough of your constant insults! This is the end!" Immediately after hearing this Arkin caught the scythe with his hand from behind him and used a small portion of his true power. After sensing Arkins increase in power Zalvozeth felt fear, fear he hadn't felt in a long time.
Arkin broke the scythe in his hands before declaring. "You know what Zalvozeth I've had enough of these games." He immediately turned around and sweeped Arkin from under his legs making him almost flip over. He then punched Zalvozeth straight in the stomach almost punching right through him which made Zalvozeth barf up blood on Arkins arm. The force from the punch sent Zalvozeth flying backwards but in a split second Arkin was behind Zalvozeth and kicked him up into the air. Not giving Zalvozeth a chance to catch his breath Arkin continued hitting him across the air aiming for his vital areas. First his ribs, then his kidneys and lastly he kicked him high into the sky while hitting his head. Zalvozeth caught his bearings and created a large blast of shadow energy above his head. "Fuck this being a sparring match, I'll just blow you straight to heaven." He sent down the energy towards Arkin who conjured a sword made of shadow energy in his hands before declaring in a demonic voice . "Shadow counter" There was a slight pause before the energy was sent right back at Zalvozeth going through him before exploding inside his body. Zalvozeth began falling out of the air but just then Arkin was above him, he smirked at Zalvozeth before stomping directly down sending Zalvozeth flying into the ground below. Arkin sighed before going back to normal and picking up Zalvozeth who was now passed out. "Once a weakling always a weakling." He brought Zalvozeth to the healing chambers before putting him inside one and leaving.
A few hours later Zalvozeth woke up falling out of the pod. He was breathing heavily and looked around trying to figure out what was going on. Sitting on a table next to him was Mania who laughed at him. "You got your ass kicked by Arkin and it was fucking hilarous. What makes it worse is that we all saw it. But don't worry I fixed your scythe since Arkin broke it into 180 pieces." Manias laughed again which made Zalvozeth become annoyed but he couldn't say anything back since he knew she was right. Zalvozeth looked down at the ground before grabbing his scythe and declaring that he was leaving. He shadow stepped out of the base and began venting while searching for Ren and the rest of the squad. "Just you wait kid, when I find you I'm going to give you and your friends all a very slow and painful death." He began laughing maniacally before continuing his search.