Aurelian stood by the window, watching Raven's disciples pour their efforts into rigorous training. Raven's unexpected presence stirred the air, breaking the silence. "I'm not here for that; I'm here for your help," Aurelian declared, his gaze fixed on the unfolding scene below.
Raven, ever enigmatic, responded by placing a hand on Aurelian's shoulder. "Only if you could trust and join hands with me," he said, leaving an unspoken tension in the room.
"What is your plan?" Aurelian pressed, seeking clarity, but Raven remained silent, his expression betraying a hidden agenda.
"Tell me," Aurelian urged, prompting Raven to finally unveil his intentions. "If you join hands with me, I'll bring Elara down to you. I want to overthrow our mistress," he declared, dropping a bombshell that reverberated through the room.
"What!?" Aurelian exclaimed, genuine surprise etched across his face. Raven's revelation challenged the established order, pushing Aurelian into a realm of uncertainty.
"In this realm, it's either you get killed or kill, overthrow, or remain a slave. Don't be surprised," Raven stated with a grave expression, underscoring the harsh realities they faced.
Aurelian, grappling with the shocking revelation, questioned Raven about the logistics of managing the disciples and keeping their activities hidden. Raven, however, smiled cryptically, revealing a web of alliances and connections that extended across the realm. Aurelian, once skeptical, found himself entangled in Raven's intricate plot.
"I gathered them from the elders, hiding them here before they could gain human form at our mistress's sect. They're loyal, more than dogs. Once we overthrow our mistress, the sect will be safe, and we can proceed to change the realm. I am a sovereign god," Raven explained, shedding light on the origins of his devoted following.
"You once said you are a supreme god," Aurelian pointed out, seeking clarity on the apparent contradiction.
"That's when I didn't trust you," Raven admitted, inviting Aurelian to make a pivotal decision. "So, are you in?"
"I don't usually involve myself in overthrows or alliances, but I support your aim to bring Elara down and change the realm," Aurelian stated, revealing a nuanced stance that acknowledged the gravity of the situation.
"Good," Raven acknowledged, a tacit understanding passing between them.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted as Raven's words hung in the air. "Saraphim is dying; we need your help," he declared, the urgency of the situation piercing through the veiled complexities of their alliance. The unfolding events promised a high-stakes confrontation, leaving Aurelian to grapple with the weight of his decision as the chapter took an unexpected turn.