"What will it be shadow prince?"
Kioku looked at Soyin with a conflicted expression, he lowered his head, his hair casting a shadow over his eyes.
'If I agree I...I gain the power to move forward with my mission but at what cost.'
"There's no other way for me to get stronger?" Asked Kioku in a heavy voice
"For our kind, this is the only way. Only by accepting the oath and ingraining it into your mind, body and soul can you advance on your path," said Soyin shaking his head.
"I see."
Soyin stared sadly at Kioku, he saw him clenching his fists and shaking and remembered how he himself had reacted. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily, he had suffered his first loss so he knew how hard of a choice it was.
'Every blessing...comes with a curse....'
"We don't have time so I'll give you the rest of the day to think about your choice."
Having said this Soyin left the room, leaving Kioku alone. Dark energy suddenly escaped from Kioku's body and started to swirl out of control, Kioku clenched his fists harder and blood started to drip from his hands
"Why," began Kioku in a furious whisper.
"Born a Godslayer, born of the most hated realm in existence, born to be a ruler, born to fight this damn war to protect people I barely know....."
"An honour, a privilege, a duty, an obligation, that's what everyone calls it but why doesn't anyone understand....," The dark energy converged on Kioku's hand as he stood up and raised his fist.
"I NEVER ASKED FOR ANY OF THIS FUCKING BULLSHIT!!!"
BOOM!
Kioku struck the floor of the room with full force, causing the building to quake violently. Kioku didn't care, in his eyes there was only anger and hopelessness.
"What the hell is going on?"
Iplis and Doran burst through the door when the shaking had stopped, they had expected to find Kioku in trouble but all they saw was him standing in the middle of the ruined room, anger seemingly oozing put of him.
"Brat, what the heck happened he-,"
"Shut up."
Doran and Iplis shivered when Kioku spoke, he had not spoken loudly, but the cold fury in his voice had stilled their very souls. Doran was about to retort but Iplis held up her hand to stop him.
"We just came to see if you were okay," She said looking at Kioku cautiously.
'This angry aura around him isn't normal, he must've kept it all inside for while but just now he let it all loose.'
"Whether I'm okay or not is none of your concern," Kioku said with a cold look.
Frowning, Iplis walked towards Kioku and gave him a hard stare before raising her hand and slapping him.
The sound of skin making contact rang through the room before silence fell. Doran looked on dumbfounded by Iplis's actions whilst Kioku looked at her with a surprised expression.
"Come with me."
Iplis didn't wait for an answer as she grabbed Kioku and dragged him out of the building and into the open road which was bustling with activity. The citizens all moved around carrying different things, spears, swords, bags of sand, Kioku followed Iplis as she walked through the crowded street and observed quietly before speaking.
"Where are you taking me?"
"I overheard what Soyin told you," a hint of slight guilt could be heard in Iplis' voice.
"Tch, there's no privacy out here huh?" Kioku narrowed his eyes as he saw a young boy wearing bronze armour and carrying a silver battle axe.
Iplis stopped walking abruptly, Kioku paused as well and looked around curiously, they stood in the middle of the city and at the moment it was the most crowded area. People rushed around with hastily worn armour, men, women and even children were dressed for war, what surprised Kioku was that none of them showed a hint of fear.
"You're hesitant to take that oath because you're scared of what it could mean for the future," began Iplis. She turned around and Kioku saw the pity in her eyes as she looked at him.
"The anger you have, it's justifiable, you're angry at all your burdens but you're also afraid, afraid of what the future holds so you always look far ahead trying to find a way to best eliminate that fear."
Kioku's eyes widened, Iplis spoke as though she had known him for ages, as if she was in his body describing his thoughts. The familiar feeling he felt when he first met her resurfaced and everything else around him seemed to find away except for her.
A warm wind blew as the pairs of eyes interlocked, ignoring the noise of the world.
"If you keep on looking at the future, you will lose sight of the you that is in the present, so Kioku, what is it you want to do right now?" Iplis Asked, her eyes glowed bright green as she smiled warmly at Kioku.
'What I want to do right now....' Kioku raised his hand and looked at the Soul Rune, remembering the deadline he had, the war he was fighting and the expectations people had of him.
In that moment he erased all those thoughts and focused on what he had to do in the present. He raised his head and looked determinedly at Iplis.
"Right now, I must survive and live to fight the battles ahead."
Kioku's voice had conviction, his voice was firm and carried an air of authority. He gave a self mocking smile as he thought of what a certain annoying companion of his would ask.
'Afraid?'
"I feel no fear."
♤♤♤
A war council was called and currently, Kioku and his group sat around a new table which had a map of the city and the surrounding area. Kioku was currently drawing marks at certain points on the map.
"Tell me again why this brat is in charge of the plan?" Asked Doran angrily.
"You never stop complaining do you big guy," replied Zeru with a sigh.
"Preposterous, this is the only time I've complained."
Laske and Iplis shook their heads in embarrassment, Doran's attitude would remain the same no matter the situation.
"Elder Nero's order, complain to him if you like," said Soyin indifferently.
"Hmph."
"Alright," Kioku raised his head after making the final make at looked at the five seriously.
"This is a plan with three stages. First, upon emerging from the forest, the enemy will encounter me and Soyin, we'll hold back their stronger fighters and let the weaker ones through."
Kioku moved his hand to the mark in the middle of the distance between the forest and the city.
"Secondly, the ones that get through will meet Zeru and Laske who will hold back another great amount of their number. Finally, Doran along with the city guards and the citizens will battle the small number of weaker enemies that manage to get through."
"Smart plan," Soyin said thoughtfully and the rest nodded but Kioku shook his head.
"It's the best I can think of right now, it allows us to defend the city whilst also preserving our forces for when Nitram's main force mobilizes."
"You thought that far ahead?" Asked a shocked Doran.
"It would be utterly foolish to exhaust all our resources on this battle alone," Kioku answered in a tone as though that part of his plan was obvious.
Doran remained silent but a slight blush could be seen on his face. He had planned to go with an all out attack, utilising everything they had.
"But are you sure you can help me hold back the stronger force," Asked Soyin.
"Excluding Iplis you're the weakest of the group."
Everyone turned to Kioku, no one had admitted earlier but it was true, each of them could sense the strength of the others and Kioku's was clearly lacking.
"Yeah, that's why I'm taking the oath," said Kioku giving Soyin a meaningful look.
Soyin looked into Kioku's eyes and saw that there was no hesitation in them, only firm resolve.
'To grow up on only a few short hours..'
"You already know what to do so I can only rely on you shadow prince since the other little princess is asleep," Soyin grinned at Kioku and stood while facing the others.
"His highness will be joining the battle late so I'll hold out till then, for now let's leave."
The other wanted to ask why but held themselves back, the matters of Godslayers were not for them to meddle in. They all stood and made for the door.
"Don't die."
Soyin and Zeru paused, only they had heard Kioku's whisper, they turned to look at him with mischievous smiles.
"You underestimate me Shadow Prince."
"Like I'd die before the mission has officially even started."
The two left leaving Kioku alone in the room, his sat down with his legs crossed and remained still as he soon entered a meditative state.
It was time to take the first step on the path of Godslayers.