Mag seethed with anger and fear as she faced the man before her. He stood tall, his physique lean and muscular, a stark contrast to the small, childlike form of Begenday. His skin was a pallid white, almost ghostly in the dim light of the cave. His eyes were a deep, unsettling black, devoid of any warmth. His lips curled into a mocking smirk as he looked down at Mag, his expression dripping with condescension.
"Why did you come out again?" Mag demanded, her voice trembling with a mixture of fury and anxiety. "You are not following your agreement with Begenday! You two agreed that you'll never come out again."
The man, known as Kairo, chuckled softly, a sound that sent chills down Mag's spine. He touched his body seductively, as if reveling in the sensation of being alive. "You're right," he said, his voice smooth and dangerously calm. "We agreed that I would not come out again... unless you and your stupid brother were in danger."
Mag's eyes narrowed. "Danger? What are you talking about?"
Kairo's smirk widened, his eyes glinting with malicious amusement. "You two are so weak and stupid that you fell into a trap set by the elders. I've always proposed getting rid of Luthar, but you and Begenday disagreed. Now, I have no option but to come out and clean up your mess." He smiled evilly, the expression sending a fresh wave of fear through Mag.
With a burst of his aura the magic chain that binds him was torn as if a peace of paper.
"Come out," Kairo commanded, his voice echoing through the cave. Shadows seemed to materialize from the darkness, coalescing into solid forms that bowed before him.
"In your command, my lord," they intoned in unison.
Kairo looked down at them with a mix of satisfaction and boredom. "What is happening outside Biringan?"
One of the shadowy figures stepped forward, its form shifting slightly as it spoke. "The situation outside is more dangerous than ever. The Aswang Clan has been conducting continuous assassinations against powerful beings in other cities."
Kairo nodded thoughtfully. "They have the guts to assassinate those powerful beings which means... something is happening beyond our intelligence."
Then in a moment he frowned, "Investigate the origin of Nik Owl. Find out if she was sent by other factions to infiltrate Biringan."
The shadows nodded, their forms dissipating back into the darkness to carry out his orders. Mag watched them go, her heart pounding. Despite being trapped within Begenday, Kairo had always been acutely aware of their surroundings, his influence a constant shadow over their lives.
Mag took a deep breath, summoning her courage. "Don't hurt Nik Owl," she pleaded, her voice softer now, almost desperate. Even though she was so against Nik Owl earlier, with her mind calming down she is now able to comprehend the gravity of the situation. She knew how this man before her works, if Nik Owl is lying then she's dead. However, if Nik Owl was truly the person in prophecy and she was harmed by this man, how can they progress in this adversity?
Kairo threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing ominously in the cave. "Why do you care so much about that tattooed woman?" he asked, his tone mocking. "Do you really believe that there is a prophecy that can alter what's happening and what's going to happen in Biringan? Do you really believe that she can have the power against those enemies?"
Mag clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "It's not about the prophecy," she said through gritted teeth. "There's something about her... I can't explain it, but I believe she's important."
Kairo's amusement faded, replaced by a cold, calculating gaze. "We'll see," he said dismissively. "For now, I have other matters to attend to. Stay out of my way, little serpent."
Mag glared at him, her body coiled with tension. She hated how powerless she felt in his presence, how easily he could dominate and manipulate her and Begenday. But she knew that confronting him directly would be futile. Kairo's power was immense, and he had proven time and again that he would do whatever it took to maintain control.
As Kairo turned to leave, Mag's mind raced. For now, all she could do was watch and wait, hoping that the woman who had stumbled into their lives was truly the key to their salvation.
If not, then she deserves to die a thousand fold.
Kairo, his presence an ominous shadow over Biringan, had set his plans in motion. As he moved through the darkness, the weight of his malevolent intentions hung heavy in the air. And as Mag watched him go, a sense of foreboding settled in her heart. The battle for Biringan's future had only just begun, and the true nature of Nik Owl's destiny was yet to be revealed.