As anticipated, Hollow Lords had held their end of the bargain, and turned up in his throne room, primed and ready for him. All thirty of them and he could not help but feel flattered by all the attention they were giving him. However, he wasn't done. His goal was to return to Iris's side, and he had no plans of letting her go. This was nothing more than, just another bump on the road that they have set on together.
Ian pushed himself off his throne, confident in his abilities, and the fact the Lords were no match for him " What a pleasant surprise!" he greeted the Lords somewhat disdainful, and recalcitrant at their intrusion. He wasn't pleased at all. In fact, their little act of rebellion rubbed him the wrong way in more ways than one.
His favourite Lord stepped forward, the winner of the combat trials. None other than, Lord Huriath. He had no clue who the others were nor he cared to find out.
" Lord Huriath!" Ian feigned surprise " I must say, I'm honoured that you've gone through so much trouble to gather all the Lords, and bring them here " Ian descended his throne and stood before them " You have done a great deal for me. It saves me the effort to find them myself " Ian calmly said, but the threatening tinge in his tone was caught by some of the Lords since they evaporated in a puff of smoke. And just like that, Lords Huriath simmering anger burst into a blazing fire, clearly etched on his grim expression.
" You can flap your mouth all you want Guardian but, you know just as well as we do that you do not belong in here." Huriath hissed seething, his trembling sword was a sign that he was on the verge of losing his temper. Not that it mattered. His attempt would go up in flames. It was a lost cause.
Ian hummed "You're right " he chuckled and did a full turn on himself with arms spread wide " And.yet.here.I.am. This getting rather boring, I must say. You and your" Ian waved his hand at the Lords behind Huriath " Whatever you call them, already know that this little spectacle of yours is a two-way journey into the Eternal Flame," Ian took another step forward, and the Lords behind Huriath took a step back, but Huriath held his ground.
" It might be so, but don't forget that your time will come Guardian and I will be there to seize it, and plunge this very blade into your shrivelling heart." Huriath seethed with turpitude waving his sword in front of him.
" It is something that I look forward to since there is not much else around here to brighten my solitude and I used to live in a forest alone." Ian took a deep breath as one by one the Lords began to make themselves scarce. Understanding that he had no intention of just getting down on one knee and relinquishing his only chance to return to the realm of the living.
Standing before him, as anticipated remained Huriath, gripping tightly his shaking sword. He appeared to be deeply displeased with his resistance, fuming with anger. Silence reigned between them, eyes on each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. Huriath was bracing himself for a pointless and endless battle. A shred of hope was what he had and it was enough to keep him going and push forth in his pursuit.
" Just go " Ian broke the silence " You're nothing more than a buffoon, and I must say, that this " Ian waved his hand at Huriath standing before him" has been a delectable show of incompetence and stupidity" Ian snapped his fingers at Huriath and the Lord crumpled to the floor.
Ian sighed, clasping his hands behind his back, sauntering to his favourite place. The cliff that overlooked Hollow. Amid all the screams, wailing and keeping, somehow he found it peaceful and Hollow had its charm.
" That went well" Nobos showed his greyish mug after had stormed out like a child. Feet stomping and sulking, giving his absurd injunction.
" Yes," Ian glanced over his shoulder at the corpse on the floor " I must say, he really wants to rule this place. He is going through an awful lot of trouble for it" he added looking down at Nobos who shrugged and sighed trilling his lips.
" So, it seems" Nobos took a deep breath " What will you do now? This " Nobos pointed at Huriath " isn't the end, only the beginning. You broke your word. He will come for you and prevail." Nobos's concern for his well-being was touching. If it were real, but he was no better than the others only more shrewd. Waiting for the perfect time to strike.
" I know. I need more time, that is all. So, now that you're here and not pouting. I need you to collect the blood from Iris in case Guyhirn fails" Ian changed the subject to a more pressing matter.
Nobos sighed " At least, some of your senses have come back to you. I was expecting for you to run to her and let this place crumble and burn " Nobos sounded genuinely surprised at the fact he had shown restraint.
" Well, let's just say, that I believe in the balance of all things, and if I leave, this forsaken place crumbles because of my lack of forethought. I have a feeling that the chaos will swallow us whole. What good would that do to any of us, when there will be nothing but specks of dust left behind the destruction." he put forward his perspective of things, hoping that Nobos would understand that he wasn't looking to destroy, but uphold what already was there.
" Then, yes. If need be, I will do this task for you." Nobos seemed to think that he had a choice. He didn't, he never did.
Ian nodded pleased with the resolve. Now, he could focus on keeping a watchful eye on Iris, to find an opportune moment to send Guyhin, and get her blood.