Faust stood within the vast, empty space that was the Namless Fortress, surrounded by rows upon rows of corpses suspended in mid-air. The air reeked of death and decay, but he breathed it in with an air of familiarity. This was his sanctuary, his place of contemplation.
As he walked through the sea of lifeless bodies, Faust's gaze drifted across the faces, each one a reminder of a lesson learned, a strategy perfected, or a foe eliminated. His eyes stopped on a particular corpse, its features eerily similar to Kojo Atari's.
"Kojo," Faust whispered, his voice barely audible over the silence.
Faust's fingers trailed across the corpse's cheek, as if tracing the contours of Kojo's own face before suddenly crushing the head in a swift clenching motion sending blood and brain matter splattering in all directions. A streak of blood fell on Faust's mask crossing from his left eye to his right cheek. He looked down at his bloodied hand
"Your history is marked by triumph, but also by vulnerability. The loss of your loved ones, the weight of responsibility... These are the threads I will pull to trap you."
Faust's thoughts turned to Krone, leader of Decorum.
"Krone, how proceeds the preparation for the grand conflict?" Faust called out to him telepathically. The Goblin who had been drowning himself in booze was not pleased to be suddenly sobered up.
" I have told you to stop doing that." Krone said in a gruff tone as he walked out of the tavern,draping a cape over his shoulders.
" My apologies. Would you rather I manifested there in person. I'm sure the Ogres would be very curious to know what had brought that on? Should I come?" Faust asked. He received a feedback of cursed and swearwords that had been said under Krones breath.
" Recent information from a trusted Source suggests that the inhabitants of Opal have discovered something."
Krone's response echoed in Faust's mind.
" Oh?"
" Apparently they've discovered a resource aside the mysuim they have been mining that apparently will boost their growth exponentially." Krone said knocking aside a hobgoblin that had bumped into him.
" And what is this resource?" Faust asked,waving his hand and causing five bodies to emerge out if the large mass and float in the open space Infront of him.
" It's a black liquid they say can be used as fuel."
Faust thought for a moment.
"Excellent. Coordinate the assault on Opal Province's key infrastructure. Draw Kojo Atari into the conflict." He said as he manifested magic circles underneath the bodies.
These were the bodies of people he'd trucked into signing a Fealty with him, bypassing the condition for understanding in order tho alter an object. Now he could freely use his special ability Redefinition to alter them as he saw fit.
" Get more information from your Informant. For this to work you need more information on Kojo's movements within Ekron. I'll also provide information on the abilities he's used so far as well as possible vulnerabilities. Your then to coordinate a large scale attack against the city when you find an opportune time."
" Why attack Ekron when our goal is to occupy the entire kingdom?" Krone asked.
" How dumb can you be." Faust replied swiping his hand and changing out the body he was fiddling with for the one next to it and pulling out a scalpel.
" You couldn't ' occupy a pigsty if your lives depended on it. You've heard of that boys accolades. You can't do anything to the royal family while he still breathes. Besides entering Opal would put you in a strategic position. Do I have to explain everything to that daft brain of yours?"
Faust heard another string of curse words from Krone who seemed to forget that they were communicating telepathically and Faust could hear him clearly.
" Ok. But if he's as strong as you say,why don't you do it yourself. Why should I sacrifice my men for that?"
" Becasue the Dark Apostles have a grander purpose for existing. As such we operate in the shadows hidden from view. Whereas Decorum is a like a conon. All that it needs to be dangerous is a direction."
" That stull doesn't justify the risk." Faust said adamnatly. He was about to decline outright when he felt a sharp pain in his head. His vision blurred and he staggered blood trickling down his nose ,ears and eyes. He fell to his knees an vomited blood.
All that was running through Krones mind was how. He knew Faust was in a far away location. So how was he able to affect him this effectively from that far away. Was it a curse?
" Your wondering how my powers are reaching you even though I'm not currently in your world. This is just a tiny display of the gap between us. Know your olace.You lot are just shallow minded pigs with no vision be grateful that we are making use of you."
The pain vanished as quickly as it had come and Krone found himself in the middle of a street surrounded by people.
" Arr you alright?" A hobgoblin said trying to help him to his feet. Krone knocked him into the nearest building and got to his feet. The crowd immediately parted making wat for him to pass.
" Now you will organize an offensive against the city of Ekron after gathering enough facts. Send your most elite soldiers to fight Kojo. Don't worry I will provide you with additional support."
Krone's thoughts resonated with understanding. "I'll prepare our forces."
" Good." Faust said cutting off the telepathical connection.
" Now you in addition to That One will be the ones to carry out this mission." Faust said as the five bodies he'd redefined stood in front of him. A large caccoon wrapped in paper inscribed with runes floated above them, chains connected to the spikes that impaled it through several parts.
"Weaver,Scourge,Mind,Phantom,Echo. You have been crafted for this purpose. But you wait just a bit longer. When your brother awakens then I'll send you out into the world."
The Five figures knelt and bowed. Faust began to laugh.His laughter echoed through the fortress, a chilling melody that foretold the champion's demise.