"A revelation?" Dian found it hard to believe. 'A revelation from where? Who?' She thought, knowing that Arthur never got in contact with anyone.
He was always either in his room or in the study room reading books.
Arthur smiled, he enjoyed looking at her pondering and serious expression. He fixed his hair into a ponytail and gestured for Dian with his head to follow him. Arthur led Dian to the mini bar on the corner of the room where he beckoned her to sit. "You're going to want to sit down for the things I'm about to say."
Arthur excitedly looked at the perfectly preserved wine bottles.
"I can't tell you who I got it from. It's too dangerous for you to know too much but I will tell you what I can. I have memories that came from beyond time and space, future knowledge and secrets that will soon take place in this world. Events that have yet to happen and decisions that have yet to be made."
Taking two wine glasses from the shelf, Arthur placed them on the counter.
"Young Master, you are not allowed to drink alcohol." She sternly said, seeing the two wine glasses. She was immediately distracted from the conversation.
Arthur found this strict side of her adorable. He knew her strictness came from the long years of taking care of him. It was in her nature to be mindful of whatever Arthur would put into his body- because of his deteriorating condition.
"It won't affect my health."
Dian shivered, indeed, she had already seen how powerful he had become. 'It shouldn't be possible for alcohol to hurt him or affect his health anymore,' she reasoned. But is he truly alright? She could tell he was having no trouble moving right now, but she wondered, 'What if it's all a ruse to stop her from worrying?'
Returning to the subject, Arthur continued "Remember the day before, when I collapsed and was declared critical?" How could Dian forget? She never stopped blaming herself for neglecting him that day. "That day an overwhelming force attacked my psyche. I've had pages and pages of future events crammed into my brain."
"Such a thing actually happened!" Dian was shocked, all this time she thought Arthur's condition had reached a critical point. But it turns out something entirely unfathomable occurred.
Arthur's back was facing her, his words were half-truth, half deception. There was no revelation; the future incarnation of himself simply transferred his thoughts, experiences, and memories into his sixteen-year-old self. However, from another perspective, it could be read as having a revelation, a revelation from his future self.
He was both his future self and his present self. He will not deny that he still has shortcomings and becomes arrogant because he acquired universal secrets that he himself meticulously and painstakingly uncovered. But it should be said that in this lifetime, he was confident to rise higher than he ever did before.
"Is that how you became so- powerful?" Dian asked. Despite hiding it, Arthur knew what she was thinking.
"That's right, with the knowledge I received I was able to overcome the curse bestowed upon me by the heavens. Inevitably… I had to become the Devil to do it." Arthur finally found a bottle of wine to his liking. A vintage and expensive wine stashed by his great-grandfather.
Dian crumpled her maid skirt-
"Is this the only way?!? What about the Garden, I sensed how malicious and sinister your power is. Is there no other option?" She was practically pleading, knowing how dangerous and how widely spread the Garden is. If one branch managed to get a whiff of Arthur all the other would swarm just to capture him. She was concerned that Arthur would suffer a destiny worse than what he is already experiencing.
"The knowledge I received is nothing to be trifled with. I am no Demon worshipper, the power I have may be similar to them but it's also not. What I have is much more profound. It won't be easy to discover me." Arthur said calmly and confidently. His whole demeanor was tranquil as he poured wine in the glass.
"Besides, I'm not the only one with the sinister power here" Arthur smiled and observed Dian's expression.
She was silent. She tightened her fists and felt a surge of power rush through her. "Am I the same as you, Young Master?"
"Are you scared?" He said, lifting his glass.
"No," Dian answered, lifting her own glass, and together, they emptied their cup.
Dian's face soured, this was the first time she had tasted alcohol.
Arthur chuckled seeing her reaction "Don't worry, what you have is different from mine. You've probably felt it by now, but your beating heart is no longer the same as it was before. It's much stronger, mysterious and full of vitality." Arthur poured a little bit more on his cup and swirled. He let the information sink in a bit before continuing. "The thing that is pumping in your chest right now is no longer a human heart- but pure demonic energy that came from the depths of Hell!" As he shared this information, Arthur smiled, and his eyes turned crescent. His demonic nature bloomed, turning his sclera pitch black however his azure eyes remained.
"!!!"
Dian dropped the wine glass and as it shattered, her mind went blank.
"Wha-" She clutched her chest that's beating loudly powered by her restless emotions. She thought she was prepared but knowing the truth made her tremble uncontrollably. A demonic heart was inside her. Her heart was torn out, replaced by something entirely different from that of a living human.
Arthur grinned but deep inside his heart ached 'It's alright, hate me, loathe me and never forgive me.'
"Did you do this to me?" She asked.
"Yes-"
"Why?" Arthur was the one she trusted the most in this cruel world. And knowing he did this to her made her thoughts run wild. 'Revelation, what did he see for him to resort to such extreme measures.'
"I had too-"
"I see" Dian's head was bent down, her expression covered by her hair. Arthur's answer gave her a hint. 'What exactly did you see?' Dian was no fool, with all the hints she had gathered, she realized something will happen in the future causing Arthur to cling to the dark side.
Arthur was prepared for whatever Dian had to say. Her hate, he was prepared to receive it.
After a while Dian looked up and smiled at Arthur, "If this heart would let me be by your side, then it's worth it. Whatever I have to sacrifice, my eyes, arms, feet, my whole body, even my soul, I would trade it willingly with a Demon to be by your side."
Arthur was shaken, he had been alone for far too long! The arduous and pain he had endured when she died was washed away with her words. Thinking back, Dian had already once sacrificed her life for him. A mere demon heart was nothing compared to what she did. He knew it was selfish of him to transplant something so vile inside of her but the thought of letting her die once more was unacceptable. Well given the timing was dire, he needed to do what he had to- but despite that excuse, Arthur knew he had defiled her body.
"Haha- HAHAHA" Arthur burst out laughing. Indeed, what Dian said was true. Arthur shook his head, he couldn't believe he would overthink this matter. Dian's loyalty simply can't be measured. "You're right, it was worth it. No matter the price I would do the same."
Dian chuckled and looked at Arthur, "So what's your next move, Young Master?"
Arthur thought for a while then drank his wine. He looked at her and said, "Dian, would you accompany me to wreak havoc on this wretched world?"
Dian curtsied and replied. "This maid is at your service my Lord."
"Excellent!"
…..
Outside the Manor, it was already 4am but night still covered the mountain like a blanket. A few hours had already passed after Arthur and Dian's conversation.
A humongous, armored truck arrived and parked itself outside the Surveillance Team's lodging.
"Phew- another boring day awaits." the driver uttered as he got off. Harry had been working for the family for a long time. He was originally a lowly guard at one of the Rory bases of operation in the Obscure Lands, a land unoccupied by humans and were home to mysterious and powerful creatures. One day he was sent here to monitor one of the descendants. He was part of the day shift team under Captain George. Usually, they would stay at the surveillance base but yesterday they were sent to retrieve a special type of capsule-bed for Arthur to use in case he experienced something critical again. This bed was a high-end restoration chamber. The family spent an unimaginable fortune to acquire this.
'Is that kid loved or despised?' the team wondered.
Based on what they could see, his existence was a blemish to the Family's perfect image of a noble and strong household with competent members. Yet despite this fact, the treatment Arthur received was nothing to scoff at.
After Harry got out, he was followed by six more personnel. They were sent as a team since transporting such a priceless item requires security of the maximum capacity. The team was originally assigned here at this place, so they were perfect for this job. After all, they weren't doing anything at the manor, so this task can be considered them actually working. Other than that, they merely lounge around while guarding, patrolling, and watching some screens.
"Enough dawdling around, is there no word from Captain yet?" Kain, the leader of this team said. He looked ferocious and battle hardened with his sharp eyes and imposing stature. 'Where are they, why haven't they greeted us?' Because of his long and rich experience, George would often consult and spar with this man. Kain knew George wouldn't make them wait, so what's happening right now is very odd.
"Jasmin, see what's happening." Kain ordered. "Roger," said a woman in her thirties, her name is Jasmin. She has a roguish look.
After a while Jasmin returned.
"No one is inside," she said before Kain could even ask.
Kain was not someone who would wait, he was someone who would figure unexpected and unplanned things as soon as possible. There was no time to waste for this guy. Kain was just about to contact the Main Estate when he noticed that there were no signals.
"Shit!" He cursed. If before he was only feeling something amiss, right now he believed that something really bad was going on. This place used to have a very strong signal but all of a sudden there was none. It might be just a coincidence for some but for Kain it was no coincidence. After all, the rest of his team was nowhere to be found and then their communication was abruptly cut off?
They were isolated!
Kain would never let his guard down, regardless of whether they were within the Rory Territory. The Rory family had a reputation for harboring dangerous, powerful and mysterious Reptile Beasts in their domain. Even though there were no indications of a battle, it's crucial to be prepared just in case. George's lack of communication was also exceedingly unprofessional, and Kain knew George wouldn't commit this kind of blunter. The Main Estate also failed to provide any information, this did not meet their standard of operation.
"Alright listen up, Harry, Shanon, start the engine! Hansel, go inside and protect the capsule." Kain ordered. "Butch! Darren! 12 and 6 o'clock, keep your eyes peeled!"
Hansel, a petite young woman, threw a Great sword toward Kain. She then took out a sniper rifle twice her size. She cocked the handle and waited, she was ready to reap lives at any given moment.
"Jasmin, try to contact the Main Estate as much as you can!" Kain commanded as he jumped on top of the truck, he then slowly unsheathed his sword, ready to intercept any aerial attack. The great sword he wielded had a blue crystal embedded near the cross guard. It glowed as neon like-lines appeared on its sharp blade.
Butch, a giant-like man with messy short hair, went into position and took out his axes. He held each one in his hands and laughed "HAHAHA I don't know what's going on but finally some action!" Just like Kain's there was also a crystal embedded on his weapons, but it was red causing his axes to glow like embers.
Darren, a man in his thirties, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, he adopted a battle stance, and surveyed his surroundings, ready to unsheathe his weapon at any moment.
All of this happened in an instant. As soon as Kain released his command the team immediately did what they were told.
Then there was a pause-
Oddly enough as soon as Kain gave his command, the insect noise around them came to a sudden halt. This phenomenon didn't escape Kain's perception, it only heightened his sense of danger. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of the engine starting.
"We're good to go!" Darren shouted as he slammed the door of the truck.
*Bang! *Bang! *Bang!
"Mount!" Kain cried out. Butch and Darren boarded the truck. Butch joined Kain above while Darren positioned himself at the opened back door along with Hansel who had her rifle positioned.
The armored truck slowly advances toward the darkness.
….
"Let the hunt begin," Arthur uttered as he watched everything from atop a tree. He blended perfectly in the shadows with only his piercing red eyes visible. He had a big grin on his face.