Through the slits in Kulkiri's mask, an intimidating brutality seeped through. He looked down at what remained of Moriah with cruel satisfaction, putting the silver needles as long as his arm back inside his cloak. Brushing himself down, Kulkiri cast an approving gaze at Endyr as he took in the bloody wreckage the room had turned into. "Well, I wouldn't want to be the janitor here" he joked lightly.
Erich and Johan chuckled in agreement, but Endyr silently fixed her gaze on Moriah's ashen remains. "Those weapons were blessed by Seraphic?" she asked curiously. Items with Seraphic's presence were incredibly rare on both the legal and illegal markets, to the point where only the absolutely rich or powerful possessed them. Knowing Kulkiri was a scion of a powerful and ancient House made it easier for her to understand why he possessed them, but it was still rare.
"The Spears of Halderon" Kulkiri explained breezily. "A toy compared to true Angelic weaponry, but it does the job for anyone under Legendary. Against Kismet, it would do a hefty amount of damage. Of course, it would barely tickle an Angel or Dragon of the same Tier. It was given to me in case I encounter any powerful Vampires, Devils or Demons."
"Most Angelic weaponry on the Gaia Continent is rumoured to be held by House Legendry" Erich chimed in from the side, causing Endyr to turn to him with a raised eyebrow. "House Legendry? Why would they be associated with Angels?" she asked.
Johan chuckled as he answered "House Legendry and House Hyppiliote can be considered opposites. The Hyppiliotes were a Noble House that fell from grace and eventually became a secret organization. The Legendry's however, were cultists before they became Nobles."
"Cultists?!" Endyr couldn't help but exclaim. Depending on what Secret God they worshipped, cults on the Gaia Continent received different treatment. Believers of Chanteur and Ingrid were given a pass but weren't allowed to proselytize openly. Fallacy, Polydorus and Jester were illegal but not strictly reinforced depending on the region. Daemon, Aenrys, Navruavati and Seraphic were actively hunted down and purged, with the latter being especially despised due to the deep grudge Seraphic holds against Sol and Zephylte.
And since Johan claimed House Legendry possesses Angelic weaponry, Endyr could guess which God they believed in originally.
"Yep, the Legendry's were a cult that worshipped Seraphic in the Fourth Era. They weren't openly involved in the Great War, but still fought against the Fernandez, Pallez and Tartarus Empires. At some point though, they switched faiths to Fallacy and then to Weaver. This lead to a reshuffling amongst the upper echelons and eventually caused the Legendry's to take their current form."
"Since the Legendry's no longer worshipped Seraphic and held quite a bit of strength after the Great War, they managed to negotiate a treaty with the newly established Augustus dynasty. Having just been crowned over a ruined kingdom the Augustus needed all the help they could get and so agreed to the Legendry's terms. Thus they became a Ducal House on the Gaia Continent."
"After that, they completely severed their ties to Seraphic and solely worshipped Weaver, or so the rumours say. Perhaps a few members still hold onto the older faiths, like Fallacy. They kept all the blessings and bestowments they were given though, no doubt causing Seraphic to have a fit."
"What was their old name, while they were still an illegal cult?" Endyr pressed for a bit more information, her attention completely caught up in the tale. This time, Kulkiri answered after being silent throughout the story.
"The Shepherds of Dawn, but they were also called the Heralds of Twilight."
'Shepherds of Dawn...Heralds of Twilight...The names are opposite in what they signify. One means the harkening of new light, while the others means the bringers of darkness. Light for themselves, darkness for their enemies? Yes, that does fit the fanatical sense of Seraphic's believers.'
As Endyr organized her thoughts over what she just learnt, Johan snickered and turned to Kulkiri, putting out both arms as he spoke snidely. "Now that I think about it, the Karrires suffered quite a blow from the Shepherds of Dawn in the Great War. What was it again...oh yes, didn't they massacre more than half your upper echelons? I heard they actually toppled you from your pedestal and you only came back by becoming the dogs of House Cornelius."
A chilly silence descended as soon as he finished speaking, with Kulkiri and the assassin entering a staring contest. Endyr fought down the unease building in her stomach as she subconsciously took a step back. Kulkiri was emitting a type of killing intent she hadn't experienced yet since she was reborn on Orvonia. Kulkiri's wrath was subtler than others, gently sinking into her bones. She looked between the two men as the silent staring contest continued, before being broken by Erich.
"alright lads, let's not forget why we are here" he clapped his hands loudly to attract their attention, before bowing towards Kulkiri. "Please forgive my brother's words, he holds a grudge of his own against the Karrires. I promise to discipline him at a later date" Erich spoke cordially as he looked Kulkiri in the eyes without flinching.
For his part, Kulkiri withdrew his murderous intent as he snorted. "Make sure you do. You won't be the first Nightblades I've killed otherwise."
With that threat, he turned away and opened the door leading outside of the room. Unlike the first room, this one lead into a large open area that seemed to serve as a courtyard. Three marble water fountains were positioned on grass, with sectioned off gardens being placed in the four gardens. The ceiling was arched, with majestic and sombre pillars rising up to support extravagantly painted walls and ceilings.
Endyr whistled at the sight as she took in the artwork. Moons, stars and darkened skies were the main focus but Endyr also saw pyramids of flesh and blood, altars that bled blackness and dozens of figures drinking from a fountain of blood.
"Worship towards the moon, the night, Aenrys and Navruavati...And towards the Vampire Progenitors too from the looks of it" Kulkiri commented from the side as he moved past her. "I thought they would at least be an honorary mention of Volanna or Abaddon, but I guess the Old Guard are in an even worse position than I thought."
Before Endyr could ask what he meant, she detected another Mana signature approaching. She went on guard and gestured towards the others, causing them to draw their blades. As the four waited with bated breaths, the air in front of them shimmered before figures became visible. A short man with a ratty face, a woman with pink hair, a woman with blonde hair an an eye mask and a tall woman with raven black hair and heterochromia eyes.
"Well, fancy meeting you here" Aryll chuckled.