Gerald POV:
The good thing about our planet was that it contained a weyline. However, it was also a double-edged sword, as it only connected to a church operated planet. The church operated weyline planet, Atania. Only A tier planets and above received names, while others were referred to as numbers. This planet was connected to millions of others through weyline, which is how our planet was so safe as the church was lax in certain areas.
When it came to demons, they were so organized it was scary. But as far as simple inspections, they were as lazy as a bear during hibernation. Which worked in our favor as Lord Nidhogg's words echoed in my mind. We were nothing compared to the church, so much so, that I don't even think they knew who we were.
Straightening my tie, I exit the carriage onto the busy streets. I breathed in the air, feeling the difference between my own planet and this one. If I could increase the tier of my planet, I most definitely could. But it would attract a lot of attention, so we would have to be ready to face such challenges.
As I walk to the weyline, I spy a church member looking at me. He was a Deacon by the looks of his attire. Someone who is far beneath me now. But I had a mission to complete right now, and I had every intention of completing it, no matter the cost.
He begins to walk over to me, but I remain calm. I gave no indication that I with the dark affinity and I doubted that he could see my true power. But the church was known to have some powerhouses with insane abilities. On an A-tier planet like this one, I wouldn't be surprised to see some of them just patrolling.
The Deacon makes it over to me, looking me up and down before saying, "Your suit is exquisite. I must know your tailor to get me one when I'm off duty." He reaches out, touching my lapels, before I swat his hand away.
My actions cause everyone to turn to us, then they slowly back away from us, as they don't want to be associated with someone who commits violence against a church member. Knowing that I can't afford to be stopped on this planet, I try to remedy the situation.
"Forgive me, brother. I've just had a rough life and don't like people touching me unannounced. I apologize." I say while taking a slight bow. My hatred was beginning to boil over at this man, but I remained cool. I couldn't fail my first mission my lord has appointed me.
"It's fine, the fault is on me." He says, backing away. "If you wanted to keep your tailor secret, all you had to do was say that." As he walks off, I keep my anger bottled up. He better hope I don't meet him again on different circumstances.
I continue on walking through the weyline to yet another church operated A- Tier planet, Caanus. This action was repeated three more times. After stepping through to the planet, Thallounope, I pause. Stepping to the side, I watch to see if the weyline stirs to see if I'm being followed. After an hour, I made the decision that I wasn't being followed, and headed towards the last weyline I needed.
Stepping through, I find myself on a D- Tier planet, the one where I knew my teacher was hiding on. At first, I couldn't see it, but as I walked through the lush vast green fields of swaying wheat, heard the calm winds gently blowing, I knew why he chose this planet. It was so peaceful. Something dark affinity users would never know.
A tavern comes into view, and I mentally prepare myself. Walking in, I see it's not empty, despite it being the middle of the day with four others who briefly glance at me when I walk in before going back to what they were doing. The barkeeper has his back to me and didn't turn as I entered, so I immediately head to the bar, having a seat.
"What'll it be?" He asks.
"If it was a different occasion, I would have drinks to celebrate our reunion." I tell him.
He quickly turns around, eyes growing wide with surprise. He had got older, as wrinkles line his face, and he had lost the rest of his hair. His short stature did nothing to help his situation out as well, but thankfully, he was a C tier Champion of the dark affinity. "Heh. Well, if it isn't my best student, Gerald. I think I remember telling you that I didn't want to see you again, if I'm not mistaken."
"That you did. Rightfully so, if I might add." I respond. He raises an eyebrow at my words, and I continue on.
"Last time we met, I was in a bad place. I was blinded by rage that I couldn't discern innocent from guilty. I did bad things to people who had nothing to do with what I was going through. I was no better than the monsters who chased us. You were right to decline me." I tell him. He puts his glass down, sighing.
"Do you think my answer has changed?" He asked.
"In your mind, doubtful. You're a stubborn old man after all. However, times are changing, and you'll have to join me whether you want to or not." I tell him with a bit of remorse.
All patrons of the tavern pause at my words, looking at me, but he holds his hand up to stop them. "Those are some dangerous words, Gerald. You make it sound as if you're planning on forcing me to join you. At first, you came talking like you've changed, but you're just the same."
"We did it, Malcolm." I simply reply. He narrows his eyes at me.
"If you did, why is the church still parading around like they own the place. I never took you to be a liar." He says.
"No, we actually performed the summon." I announce and everyone grows quiet.
His faces changes as he goes through many emotions in the course of a couple of seconds. First, surprise that turns to a look of hope, then finally, anger. Jumping over the bar, he grabs me by my shirt, "What have you done? Willingly bringing something like that to yourself? How many lives did it take? Was the cost even worth it?"
"I did what was necessary. The cost was high, but in the end, it was indeed worth it. The church has their god, now we have ours." He lets me go.
"Is this you trying to convince me to join you, if so, you're doing a terrible job at it." He says.
"No, I'm just debriefing you on our current situation, what happens next is supposed to convince you. I apologize by the way." I say as I straighten up my suit.
"For what?" He asks. No sooner than those words leave his mouth, does the door to the tavern bang open and armored men come rushing in. The patrons struggle to draw their weapons but are immediately restrained. Surrounding us, they point their weapons at us, daring us to make a move. Knowing they're from the church, Malcolm looks around in a panic at his situation, but I remain calm. Once everything is secure, a man enters the building.
He was an older man, with black greying hair walks confidently up towards us. Behind him was the deacon I had met earlier. He smiles at me as he oozes with arrogance. The man, who is clearly in charge, looks to Malcolm.
"Well, well, well. I've been looking for you for a very long time, Malcolm Oliver. Little did I know that the answer was so very obvious from the start."
Knowing Malcolm, he was looking for a way out of the situation. In order to do so, he needed to buy some time while he came up with a plan. Sure enough, I can see Malcolm's eyes dart around as he comes up with a way out. "And you are?" He asks.
"I'm Priest David, the one appointed by the bishop to bring you in. I would eventually have done it, but this man right here sped up the process." He says as he motions towards the deacon.
"That's right. You looked too suspicious so I knew you would lead me to something interesting. So, I put a tracking rune on you and followed you. Who would have known you knew where the fugitive, Malcolm."
Malcolm looks at me like I betrayed him. Turning to him, I admit to him, "I knew he put it there and led him to you by the way."
My words leave everyone in the room shocked, but I continue on. "I can get us out of this situation, but only if you agree to accompany me."
He looks at me in rage before hanging his head down in defeat. "I promise." He says.
Smiling I turn back to the other two. The Priest steps forward. "You must not understand the situation you're in. Even if you turned your companion in, the only reward you'll get is death you dark magic using scum." He makes a gesture and the armored church members back off to let him deal with them.
I close my eyes for a second as I focus. Having a clear picture in mind at what I want, almost like a chant I say,
"I believe that through my lord, everyone from the church is dead." Instantly, a pained expression appears on both the priests and deacons faces before thuds can be heard as they all collapse. The patrons of the tavern and Malcolm all look in shock as every member who was just there, was indeed dead.
"W...what did you do?" Malcolm asks in fear.
"I won't answer that until you join us." I respond. I move to leave as we all know that with an operation like this, if they don't report back in thirty minutes, reinforcements were going to swarm this planet. A strong hand grabs my arm stopping me. Turning back to Malcolm, I see him with a defeated look on his face.
"Tell me this, what did you have to sacrifice to gain this power?" He asks.
I think back to what I was prior to meeting Lord Nidhogg. I would do everything in my power to avoid a confrontation with any member of the church. In fact, this was my first time killing someone of their ranking, despite the skills I possessed. The only people who would suffer under my spells and skills were those who had no part in the church. I was a monster, and he set me back on track towards revenge.
Turning away from Malcolm and beginning to leave, I answer, "My atrocities." They all look at each other before following me without another word. No one was stupid enough to remain in this area on this planet in the next couple of moments.
[A/N: I'm working on a cover for the story, without spoiling anything. Unfortunately, if this was a game, I put on my points into cooking and not art. So, I'm working with someone else to have it drawn so it should be done within a week or two.]