Elias suddenly vanished from sight, moving with such speed that it seemed as if he had evaporated into thin air. Constantine, however, reacted instinctively. He teleported behind Elias, manifesting Murasame in a flash of lightning. The dark blade gleamed ominously as it came into view.
Elias's eyes flickered with interest as he noticed the sword. "Murasame," he murmured, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Intriguing."
Without warning, Elias conjured a blood sword, its crimson edge looking as sharp as a real blade. The two clashed, blades meeting with a resounding clang that echoed through the room. Sparks flew as they exchanged a few blows, each testing the other's skill and reflexes.
Constantine, despite his inexperience, moved with remarkable speed and precision. However, Elias was a seasoned fighter. Spotting an opening in Constantine's stance, he moved in for a stab, letting some killing intent flow out of him on purpose.
Kento, sensing the danger, darted forward and intercepted Elias's strike with his own dagger. The room seemed to hold its breath as Kento and Elias engaged in a rapid, intense duel. Blades whirled and clashed, their movements a blur of steel and blood.
After a few moments, Elias disengaged and stepped back, a satisfied look on his face. "Enough," he said, raising a hand to signal the end of the fight. "I wanted to test your skills, and you've both impressed me."
"A test?" Kento asked cautiously.
Elias nodded. "Yes. This test was to ensure your combat skills were up to the task. Including Constantine was a whim, but his abilities interest me as well."
Kento lowered his daggers, his breathing slightly heavy but controlled. He looked at Elias with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. "Why the sudden interest in our skills?"
Elias dispersed his blood sword, his expression serious. "Kento, you owe me a debt. You violated The Underworld's rules, and I chose not to kill you. To repay that debt, you must do something for me."
Kento's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do what, exactly?"
Constantine, still holding Murasame, glanced between Kento and Elias. "Yeah, what kind of task?"
Elias's gaze shifted to Constantine. "The kind that requires both skill and strength. You possess a powerful weapon, Constantine. It will attract enemies who will stop at nothing to claim it for themselves. Consider this a friendly warning." he added with a somewhat genuine smile, his fangs slightly showing.
Kento relaxed slightly, though his eyes remained on Elias. "We appreciate the concern, Elias. But next time, maybe a warning would be nice."
Elias chuckled softly. "Fair enough. Now, let's discuss the details of what I need you to do. Follow me." He turned and gestured for them to follow. "Come, we have much to discuss."
Elias led them through a series of dimly lit hallways, each adorned with ancient tapestries and artifacts that seemed to pulse with an aura of forgotten power. The ambiance was a stark contrast to the modern world outside, and Constantine couldn't help but feel as if he had stepped back in time. When they reached Elias's office, it was like entering a room preserved from centuries ago. Dark wooden furniture, intricate carvings, and shelves lined with dusty tomes filled the space. A large, ornate desk dominated the center, and heavy drapes cast long shadows across the room. Various artworks decorated the world's - Kento notices that they seemed original.
"Please, take a seat," Elias said, gesturing to two plush chairs in front of his desk. As they settled in, Elias moved behind the desk and sat with an air of authority.
"Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Elias Ravencroft, Seventh Lord of the Night Court," he introduced himself, his voice resonating with an ancient, commanding presence. "Now, let's get to the matter at hand."
Constantine and Kento listened intently as Elias continued. "Kento, your life was spared despite your violation of The Underworld's rules. I was lenient, and, if you execute the mission well, I am also willing to allow the Outcasts to enter The Underworld freely - something that will help your organization a lot. However, this generosity comes with a price."
Kento's expression remained stoic, but Constantine could sense the tension beneath the surface. "What do you need us to do?" Kento asked.
Elias's gaze softened slightly. "I understand why you hid your identity, Kento. To be honest, I'm impressed you managed to keep it a secret for so long. But the time for secrecy is over. You must assassinate Morgana Nightshade. She has taken over Peter Thorne's operation and is causing havoc within the criminal underbelly of the Unveiled world. Her actions threaten the delicate balance we maintain."
Constantine frowned. "Why not deal with her yourself? You seem more than capable."
Elias leaned back, steepling his fingers. "While it is true that I could eliminate her, Morgana is Kento's responsibility since he's the one who killed Peter Thorne – in this very club, to say the least. Removing her requires subtlety and precision, qualities that you possess. Moreover, she is allied with the people who attacked your base, which I thought would interest you."
Kento's eyes narrowed. "How do you know about that?"
Elias gave a cryptic smile. "I have my ways. Let's just say my network is quite extensive."
Constantine's expression darkened with determination. "So this Morgana is one of the people responsible for what happened to me. I'll make sure she pays for what she did." he said with an uncomfortably intense look.
"Calm down Constantine," Elias said, snapping him out of it. "Revenge is good motivation unless you become obsessed; then it becomes a blinder. Seek justice for yourself but don't let your anger take over…you seem prone to that already. Don't fan these flames more than you need to." he concluded.
"You…you're right." Constantine replied. "Thank you."
"The two of us taking down Morgana's entire operation won't be easy, Elias." he said coldly.
Elias's lips curved into a faint smile. "I never said it would be. But with your skills and Constantine's unique abilities, I believe you can succeed. Besides…this is your fault, Mr. Salvatore."
Kento nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the task. "We may need some assistance."
Elias inclined his head. "Of course. I wish you success in your endeavor. Should you need assistance, The Underworld's resources are at your disposal."
"A location and discreet transportation will do." Kento replied.
"Your terms are acceptable and a Covenant has been struck." Elias replied.
"A Covenant has been struck." Kento replied back. They both looked at Constantine expectingly.
"A, eh,.. Covenant has been struck." Constantine muttered. Immediately he felt something within him binding him to Elias. It was a bizarre feeling. Concluding this, Elias bode them farewell.
As they left the office, Constantine couldn't shake the feeling of stepping out of one era and back into another. The task ahead was daunting, but the thought of taking down one of the mages that abducted him was simply tantalizing. The warlock was gone and it was time to get started on the rest of them.
"Keep your head in the game, Constantine." Kento cautioned.
"I will. We'll get it done," Constantine said, determination clear in his voice.
Kento nodded. "Yes, we will. And we'll make sure that before she dies, Morgana will tell us everything she knows about her allies. Time to cull that herd, don't you think?" He asked with a borderline sinister smile.
Constantine smiled back.
"Honestly, I can't wait."