CHAPTER 4 : TRANSPIRING CONSPIRACIES
On the black raven throne Zero sat as usual with a dismal look on his face, which made him look like he was staring right at another world governed over by his own rules.
The room was huge and a thousand people could easily attend to his far gone futuristic thoughts and heavy orders. But this time around there were only 11 black mist shadows shriveling in front of the large throne.
"I am glad to inform you that Vertigo has succeeded in her mission. The uneasy feeling I had from the Tathya Labyrinth is now long gone. But unfortunately my link to her has been cut off too."
He said these words as if his subordinate was a plaything who went to fetch him a candy but has still not returned after the sun has set.
"Even though she completed the mission, she had proved to be weak."
"I already knew it. She did not have the strength to see our Master's great plans bear fruits of ruling over the entire world."
"Among the Apostles she was only the tenth spot, since I am eleven does that means I get to be tenth now."
"Know your place. As Two commands none shall change their position."
Several hushed voices went around after Master's declaration. Truth being told they knew that Vertigo was dead, but they had no attachment to her in any way. Not an ounce of sympathy, but words that exploited her absence.
Since the twelve apostles are blood bound subordinate to Zero, that means a severed link is a definite evidence of death. But losing a single pawn in the game had no effect in the total overwhelming power of his army's collection.
"Tell me how the Devil Generals are doing."
"Joker – (AKHIKO TOTSUKA) & Katsuragi as you commanded have headed to take control over the Norden Sea."
The plan was to take control over all the trade routes in the Norden Sea mostly in mid- North, which connected the demon continent and the human continent sea trading routes. Some of the species like beastmen and elves had started creating friendly relationships with human and strengthening their holds by creating good trade relationships.
If this continues then they won't be able to take the advantage they had when these species were isolated from the world. Knowledge gained by the enemy before us will only prove to be fatal for our future plans.
So, it was decided that Totsuka and Katsuragi will raise pirates on this sea and lead them to create chaos and hinder the trading port cities in amassing wealth.
"…And what about the other reincarnates."
"Just as you said, they started acting all afraid and taking precautions to protect their own life. It won't be long before your fear would drive them mad and at the end they would chose to side with you."
"HAAA…. Give them a show of our power and make them submerge as deep as they could in lust of obtaining true wisdom of this world and strength my dreams can bestow upon them. Make sure that none of them tries to be funny and if you find them a bit hesitating, make them disappear."
"Yes Master. Your command will be our prime action."
"Now Five, I think I will need your help as a Monster Tamer to prepare a gift for the elves."
"A gift for those long eared monkeys dwelling below the trees. I will be more than happy to."
Other ten black fogs disappeared while out of the fog at the fifth a very dark man appeared. His skin appeared to be tanned, wearing black armour and horns tucking out of his head he had a grisly look on his face. As if he found everything distasteful in this world.
Zero rose up from his seat and walked to this subordinate of his when they suddenly vanished into a dark vortex.
***
UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
CHAP. CHAP.
DRIP. DRIP.
Two unknown people suddenly reeled out of nowhere and created ripples in the ever stood stagnant water.
As they walked through a dark foyer, which appeared to be lengthier than expected, the dripping of water created a ghastly silent environment.
These are the times where an observer thinks would be a perfect place for a mad scientist's horrible research over creating a medicine to make eternal life out of human bones or the dwelling of ghosts.
But apparently at the end of foyer a huge chamber covered by an exceptionally large oval dome was introduced to these two gentlemen.
Countless beings in dark robes were loudly chanting some words from the forbidden summoning grimoire. And in between them was drawn a complicated magical circle which expanse large enough to construct another castle over it.
"BORN IN DARKNESS,
TRAPPED IN ETERNAL ABYSS,
COME FORTH TO US,
SEVER ALL THE GUILTY CHAINS,
AND PRESENT YOURSELF IN FULL GLORY,
THE MYTH SHALL REAWAKEN
& THE LEGENDS REPLICATE
PAY HEED TO OUR CALLING
COME FORTH THE RULER OF THE CURSED NIGHT SKY
OUROBOROS."
At almost the same time thousands of listless empty bodies slumped on the ground, an invisible wave of myriad energy swept over the entire underground cave.
Countless invisible wisp of mystical energy descended on the huge magic circle causing earthquakes of minor magnitude. However in the next few seconds everything quieted down as if nothing out of the ordinary happened.
Even though everything looked the same, it was not the same thing anymore. From the fallen bodies magical energy started flowing and was being absorbed in the circle. The low level water surface, started rising up and at the same time turning red. The blood of the summoners was slowly being mixed into it.
"This is a small sacrifice, which we need to pay as the cost of preparing the gift."
"Doesn't matter master, these are just low ranked devils. They were blessed to be sacrificed in our noble endavours."
This was how the conversation between the two gentlemen ended.
The red water slowly started stirring in itself and being forcefully drained at the magical circle. A whirlpool formation took place around its core centre and now the water level started descending. This blood mixed water was being sent to another dimension in exchange to draw out the ultimate power. One of the Dragon Gods – OUROBOROS.
"GRAAAHHAAAAAAAA"
The air instantly froze and deep red light sprayed all across the room and out of the bottom of abyss emerged out a long mouth, then a huge body followed by a tail and appearance of two giant pair of wings.
CLANG. SHANK. CLANG. SHANK.
Thick heavy chains rattled as they halted the movement of a mighty huge beast.
"Magnificent. Tis shall bring doom on those elves and suck dry the roots of the World Tree."
"Master I will soon move on to training this lizard. But I have my doubts. Even though he is a dragon god, but the Black Emperor Dragon who currently rules over all the dragons is the strongest dragon god. Will he allow our pet to do as it pleases?"
"I have already thought of it, so we will present Ouroboros with another offering - a relic passed down since the Great Wars will surely suffice enough for him to defeat even the Black Emperor."
"Give Eight the order to prepare the 'Mortuus Poison'. While I shall resume to my duties. The day is not far when all our plans put together would end this shitty world and help us create a new one in its place. All for the Hell and for those who were abandoned by the Divine."
***
ALICE HART [GODDESS ATHENA]
"Alice Hart"
THOMP.
After signing at the end of the request document I put the royal stamp of the Royal Hart Family. The crest consisted of shield half covered by a red cloak. It represented how the royal family was always prepared to protect the life of their people even if they have to bleed themselves to death in war. It was actually the crest designed by our great great grandfather who partook in the Great War and lead the people in this part of the continent to victory by saving all ordinary lives and homes of those who were to be burned in the flames of battlefield.
Recently the monster outbreak in the north western region has spread to the populace region of the kingdom. If not stopped soon, then the arable land will turn into barren soil. There will be huge loss of life and property.
With the condition of the world deteriorating with frequent appearance of high level dungeons, irregular pattern of monster outbreak and occurrences sudden magical disasters --- people are spending their lives in fear of their homes being snatched at any moment.
While those in power move to safe and better facilitated locations, but the common masses have to suffer the wrath of the mother nature tyranny.
This request was to the 'Bellator Guild', addressed to its guild leader Leo Luis. The strongest adventurer in the southern and mid part of the human continent.
Since the request is directly from the royal family of a kingdom, though our country being small, he has to accept this. His strength is needed along with our army forces combined to eradicate the widespread fear of monsters and to claim our land back.
There are conflicts surrounding all around the world. The nobles are fighting among themselves, some aim for the throne, other plots with enemy nation, some double cross with their own country and enemy nations. Amidst all this corruption the general public or rather commoners to speak of in this world suffers from immediate shortage of food and poverty.
But the recent reports from the Night Shadows have been most concerning. First there was that suspicious gathering of reincarnates and Gods. Which would have actually put them in a tight spot!
No one wanted to reveal their plans or true powers and yet they still went with it. Then there is a sudden missing of one of the reincarnates bound to Aphrodite. It would have been another case if they went into hiding or on a secret mission.
But it's as if their very existence has been erased. Except me no one seems to remember them. Not even the people and family of their own country, the shadows who were keeping watch on them. Everyone has forgotten about those two.
There are only two possibilities – they themselves did something to wipe everyone's memory or someone intentionally did it to hide their deeds. Either way, it must have been an exceptional artifact of sort – but it didn't affect me because I am primarily a god.
I can't even ask other reincarnates for confirmation, because of the bad taste in their mouth and our not-so friendly relation with their god contracts.
Recently even they had started behaving irrational. Their suspectful behaviour only shows that they are trying to protect themselves. But what could actually threaten those who are blessed by the Gods in the first place – they are supposed to be the strongest. I need to watch over them for a bit longer to reach at a conclusion where all the pieces fit properly. Probably they do know how their fellow reincarnate went missing.
I wonder, and I am even afraid to think about it….
What if Sachi too was caught up in something of this sort of existence eraser? Then I might be the only one who remembers hers….
I removed the thought the very next instant.
I will never be able to find a clue to where she is if I keep such a mindset. And I can still say that even when she is far, I can still feel her faint presence to be nearby. Doing her best reaching out to me.
I can't let it slip away again. Or I will never be able to tell her the secret about me, which I had kept hidden from her until now.
As a friend I wanted to tell her, but could not bring myself to. How could I tarnish the happy time she was having in the divine realm.
Alone I watched her suffer, struggle and do everything to live by in her past back on earth. No, matter how often she fell or be ridiculed in other's eyes she did not lose to their words. She always did what she believed in.
I always believed that growing up meant becoming a responsible person. But that was just a part of it. Now I know that I wanted to protect Sachi in my own childish ways. To continue watch her laugh in the present and in the future.
And the next time we meet I will be sure to tell her everything about me. That how she gave me the strength to face my deepest fears. I was first reluctant with the idea to be a part of this reincarnation plan. But when I met her in person all my doubts had been washed away.
Because I knew I was not the only one trying to conquer my past pains, cope up with present incompetence and ponder upon future prospects.