False gods were nothing new to Neo Arachnis. However, there was something about this man which demanded respect. Amarterasu pushed aside a wide-eyed couple and stepped to the center of the room. If there was one thing he couldn't stand, it was someone stealing the spotlight at his event.
"I think we shall survive without a god to judge us," he declared, meeting the strange man's gaze. He plastered on one of his practiced smiles. "You might not be aware of this, but crashing my party is against the law. That's because the only god in this city is me, the president."
The man lazily waved his hand, and another peal of thunder shook the building. He jumped from the window and landed neatly on his feet in front of the president, as if he had floated down rather than jumped. He smiled, a cruel but relaxed smile.
"Relax, president. Why would I want to end your party? It's been a while since I enjoyed myself like this." He waved his hands, and the shards of glass from the windows floated through the air. The people gasped as the shards floated upwards, fitting themselves perfectly into the shape of the windows they had been before. "Perhaps I should introduce myself more formally," the man smiled, "I am Feros Obscurum, the god of death. I have come to decide whether or not I should crush your society with my own hands. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Amarterasu immediately despised him. He had built up everything he had with his own hands, and he would not let some god with too-long hair take it away from him. He smiled. "The god of death? I've heard about your followers. You shall have to tell me more sometime. I am President Amarterasu Cybers, but just 'president' will be enough for you."
He gestured to the musicians to keep playing, determined to remain calm and continue his party amidst the chaos. A couple people began half-hearted conversations, however most continued to stare. He gritted his teeth. "Feros, do tell me. What are you a god of, exactly?"
Feros smiled. It was the cool, aloof smile of a man who believed he was far above the person he spoke to. "Look around you, president," Feros said. "What do you see?"
Amarterasu chose his answer carefully. He didn't know this man, which put him at a disadvantage. All the most powerful people in the city were here, and one wrong move could be exploited by each and every one of them. The game of politics never ended.
"I see a collection of friends and allies," he replied back, with a practiced smile. "The men and women who make the Arachni Union great."
"No," Feros replied. "I can see it in your eyes. You despise them, and they despise you."
Amarterasu chose not to reply.
"It has been only a few hours since I have been in this city," Feros spoke, staring at the crowd. "And yet I already understand it. It is as if I am in Ferdinand's court once again, surrounded by the glitter of wealth plundered from the masses."
It was evident that this man was very powerful. He also seemed incredibly unstable, and madmen had taken the lives of presidents before. The thoughts in his mind were quickly shifting towards escape, and the elimination of Feros Obscurum.
While he made these plans, Feros continued to speak. " I did away with your kind a year after the founding of my empire. Be grateful I am not the man I was then, for I would've simply slain you all."
Then Feros did something that made Amarterasu's hair stand on end. He floated up toward the balcony. What kind of technology did this man have? It surpassed what was available to his top assassins and spies!
"I will allow you to serve me," Feros spoke, his voice radiating throughout the hall. "If you wish to live, come before me and kneel."
Almost all the people in the banquet hall kneeled obediently. Amartarasu simply eyed Feros with a cold stare. "Who do you think you are, saying that you allow me to serve you? I serve no one."
Feros smiled. "You shall learn to serve me over time. Once you realize the difference between us it will become evident who should rule who."
Amartarasu had never been quick to violence, but at this moment the only thing he desired to do was shoot this arrogant man through his head. However, he needed a better plan than that. He glanced at the far corner of the room and saw Kaneda standing, as if Feros was the least of his concerns. He then gazed over the entire banquet hall, now filled with many kneeling people. He could not sway all these people to his side with words now.
He lightly touched a small earpiece and quietly muttered, "Kaneda, there has been a slight change of plans. Please inform the assassin that one other person has been added to the hitlist."
"Oscar hasn't been in contact for the entire banquet," Kaneda replied, his voice expressionless, though Amartarasu could hear hints of irritation.
In truth, Amartarasu had no plan in mind. All he could think was that he would keep the title of President of Neo Arachnis by any means necessary.
Throughout all of this Feros had kept speaking with his smooth, arrogant voice. "Those who do not kneel think themselves to be courageous, while they are truly foolish." he finished with an almost smug smile.
Feros Obscurum was not the only one enjoying himself, for another man perched on the edge of a huge crystal chandelier was laughing as if he were watching a comedic play. With one quick movement he swung himself around so that he was hanging upside down. Then, he grabbed two knives out of a pocket and swung off of the chandelier. His crazy smirk grew as he fell closer and closer towards the ground face first. At the last possible moment he performed a quick flip, landing lightly on his feet.
"Hello! Who wants to die today?" he asked. His tone was casual, almost childish, as if he were asking the simplest thing. "No volunteers? That's a shame, guess I have to pick them myself!"
An elderly man spoke up suddenly, his voice quivering. "This…ahem. This is the most terrible atrocity I have ever experienced. You should be ashamed of yourself, Mr. Cybers. Very ashamed, indeed. This would never have happened if a Teslamancer was in charge, I just-"
His simultaneously terrified and enraged rambling was cut off as a knife was thrown clean through his throat. "No worries Kanny!" Oscar laughed, winking, "He was on the list."