"Fuck!" Ambrose cursed as he punched the wall in the study.
Glancing at the dead body of his cousin, Melvin, Ambrose gritted his teeth.
"How did this happen?"
He never really liked Melvin due to his extremism but that didn't mean he was okay with his death.
Given time, he was bound to change.
But… because of this incident, he was gone before he had a chance to do so.
Madeline remained silent behind him while watching as two Enforcers carried Melvin's body downstairs while another cleaned up the mess.
A few others had already left the building to find any clues on where Basar and Alex could have gone.
Of course, it was wishful thinking but they didn't want to lose any leads.
Madeline's mind was a mess as she tried to understand what had happened.
She would have never thought that despite Basar claiming to not care about the Hunter, he would end up coming for him regardless.
'He felt threatened by him?' Madelin concluded within as she could still recall the hostility Basar had revealed when talking about the Hunter.
In any case, the grand display of strength between the two parties was enough to remind her of the stakes.
She knew Basar was a powerful man but his power was beyond what she could have ever fathomed.
Meanwhile, Natasha revealed a complicated expression with her eyes closed as she tried to glean information from the residual aura left behind.
However, due to the powers behind the aura, it was hard to glean anything of tangible value.
Of course, she was able to get some things like how one aura held a corrupted side to it, similar to the abyss while the other inclined toward yin energy, almost bothering on the levels of a newborn evil god.
Canceling her search, Natasha opened her eyes as she wondered. "What would make those beings clash and no less in the home of a noble?"
No reasonable answers came try as she may.
Just then, Ambrose spoke up. "These bastards dared to come into my city and do whatever they want… Lady Ana was right, BoneHaven is facing an unprecedented disaster."
"Sir…" Madeline wanted to say something but ultimately held her tongue.
Ambrose didn't bother with her as he continued. "Judging from how both seemed to be trying to counter the other, we can deduce that they aren't allies."
"I agree." Natasha nodded. "The two forces at play still hold a hostility for one another."
Ambrose was about to say something when the Enforcers sent downstairs returned.
"Sir, we checked. They are long gone."
"Damn it!" Ambrose gritted his teeth. "That bastard Hunter killed my uncle and thinks he can just walk away?... I don't think so."
"I don't think the situation is that simple, Sir." Natasha countered causing Ambrose to glare at her.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"The tainted aura of the bandage man has a stronger presence than the Hunter. It's safe to assume that if any of them had perpetrated the act, it would have to be him."
"And who was the one with the gun?" Ambrose shot back causing Natasha to hesitate.
However, an Enforcer stepped up. "Sir, we found these while searching outside."
Pulling out a revolver with 10 used bullets, Ambrose was forced to stay silent.
It was Madeline that helped him speak up. "It would seem the Hunter came after the bandaged man had committed the act. We can assume that the reason they fought had to do with that."
"Are you painting an evil god in a good light?" Ambrose scowled in annoyance.
No one else said anything as they waited for Ambrose to calm himself.
Almost a minute passed before Ambrose released a sigh of frustration. "If I knew things would be this bad…"
What exactly would he do?
He couldn't say any more.
He was completely overwhelmed.
Rebels, two evil gods, a potential cult war.
All this in the industrial city of BoneHaven.
"We won't be able to handle this alone," Ambrose remarked after pondering his options. "Send a message to our neighbors, inform them of the situation here, and ask for reinforcements."
Madeline pursed her lips. "...Yes sir."
Taking a deep breath, he added. "Also, try to find out if the Maple family has found the blueprints yet."
"Understood."
"I'll handle the Hunter." Natasha suddenly said before adding. "He is related to the evil god I sensed in Evergarden forest."
"Alright then, but be careful. You saw it yourself…" Ambrose trailed off.
Natasha nodded. "Don't worry."
The Hunter had indeed left an impression on everyone, especially Natasha.
The black and white pulsating lights that encompassed his being was both beautiful and dangerous, revealing a level of power that Natasha couldn't think to reach.
However, if anyone was best suited to chase after the Hunter, it was her.
Ambrose was about to leave when he paused with a thought coming to mind.
"Sir, is there a problem?"
"No." He shook his head. "But assign an Enforcer to head out with a team of Royal Blues."
"Why?"
"Arrest every single person that was rescued by the Hunter and put them in holding for the time being. The fact that an evil god rescued them must have had some side effects. We can't allow corruption to spread.
"As for the bandaged man… I'll have to handle the investigation."
He didn't feel alright leaving such a powerful danger to his subordinates.
So Ambrose decided to do it himself.
Since it had already reached a level where BoneHaven was turning into a battlefield for Evil gods, he would have to go all out to prevent the good people of the city from suffering as a result.
"I will save this city."
With determination, Ambrose led the group out of the study.
***
The sound of glass breaking echoed in a dimly lit hallway.
"Ah!" Basar screamed in annoyance as he destroyed anything he could get his hands on.
Glancing at his bleeding hands, He muttered. "I failed to subjugate him… that bastard, I knew he was trouble but to such a degree…"
Trailing off, he glanced at the wall before him where the portrait of an eye with wings, floated in the sky, revealing its beautiful light to the world below.
Dropping to his knees, despite the glass shards scattered about, Basar slammed his forehead into the ground. "Forgive my foolishness, oh great beholder. I underestimated the enemy and revealed my identity before the appointed time."
Silence reigned for a brief moment before an incomprehensible voice was heard.
It seemed like so many people were talking at a time, resulting in a cacophony of sorts but Basar didn't seem uncomfortable.
Instead, his anger disappeared like a lie, replaced by pure, unrestrained joy.
"Thank you for your mercies, oh great beholder. Your servant promises you that the work will be done. All that is left is the Wing and the appointed time shall herald your return.
"And as for the foolish Hunter, I swear to sacrifice him to you as an offering."
As the cacophony returned for a moment before disappearing completely, Basar rose to his feet and putting his hands up in sublimation, chanted loudly.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the beholder is truly great!"