The king of the Emerald Kingdom resided in a towering castle that stood above all the other buildings. It had a vibrant mix of different materials on the outside with metal framing and even some mana reinforcement casts placed onto it. On the upmost floor resided the king's quarters.
Instead of being a massive room with a throne where the king would sit. It was designed more like an office with a desk and chair. Bookshelves lined the walls filled completely with all-knowing knowledge. A door at the back of the room led to a bedroom where the king and his wife would sleep.
The king currently sat at his desk. He had short slicked-back black hair and a little facial hair. The outfit he was presently in fit that of a noble as you would expect. He had a bundle of papers on his desk he was examining thoroughly, using his finger to guide himself between each line.
" Creeek."
He looked up as he heard the sound of his door slowly opening. A familiar figure appeared through the door. A tall man with short jet-black hair, his bangs pushed up against his forehead leaving a few hanging down the side of his face. He was wearing an all-black outfit with a baggy shirt tucked into his fit pants. Over that, he wore a white coat made out of a thin silk-like material.
"Torikksu." The king called out.
" King Zequil" Torikksu replied and followed up with a slight bow out of respect. Zequil rose from his desk and walked over to Torikksu and laid out his hand. Torrikksu looked at it confused when suddenly the king grabbed it.
" No need to bow," Zequil spoke while firmly shaking his hand. His voice was deep but soothing. Matching that of a kind leader, one who could be trusted.
He let go after a moment walking back over to his desk. Torikksu followed. The king then opened a drawer and pulled out an expensive-looking bottle of wine.
" I'm good Your Highness." Torikksu held up his hand rejecting the king's indirect offer. Torrikus's eyes danced around the room at all the books and fancy art on the wall. he specifically admired the older artwork.
" You sure?" Torikksu nodded. " Okay...Oh and by the way" While putting the bottle away he continued speaking. " No need to call me that."
Torriksu looked at him confusingly. This wasn't the first time they met but, they weren't like super close friends. Why would he allow him to drop that title?... After a moment of thought though. Torriksu narrowed down the possible reasons before the king spoke again.
" I heard from my wife...That you and my daughter are going out."
Torriksus' eyes which usually looked half asleep suddenly woke up a little. Zequil smiled teasingly at him and let out a short laugh at his reaction. Torriksus' eyes sunk back in as he began to speak.
" Were nothing official. We just went out once or twice."
" Oh. Is that so..." Zequil looked at him pryingly. Torriksu began to grow slightly annoyed as he didn't come to simply chat, but he didn't want to be disrespectful. This man was the only reason his ideal future was possible.
Perhaps seeing the annoyed expression. Zequil looked away and took a seat in his chair. Torriksu noticing his quick change saw his chance to get to the point.
" So," Zequil beat him to it. " What does the head of my 8 Deadly Swordsmen want?" He put his papers back on his desk and crossed his arms awaiting Torikksu to answer.
Torriksu met the cool green eyes of Zequil as he stood over him. Zequil had been the king for over a decade now. He demanded respect. Torikksu gave him that respect, but now, with how things are going. Zequil is going to have to change.
" You set squads already. For the coming war."
" Indeed I have." There was no doubt war was going to happen now. With the recent movements and information received about the Kingdom of Aces.
" I respect your decision to prepare early, but I have only one problem. Why isn't any of my men listed in any of the squads?"Zequil raised an eyebrow as if confused. Torikksu though stared down at him requiring an answer.
"Because your men aren't needed. We have more than enough strength to repel them-"
" No, you don't" Zequils eyes narrowed angrily
" ...Watch your tone."
"...With all due respect Zequil. You don't have the strength to combat all of them. [and you should be the one watching your tone with me."]
" How do you figure that? Torikksu." His tone had turned more serious than it was before. Toriksu wasn't concerned though. at least not about him being angry...All he needs is for him to listen.
" I had a man in the Kingdom of Aces a couple of years back. He engaged with the two current heads of the kingdom now...If what he said was accurate and they were strong enough to give him trouble then. You see what I'm saying."
" You seem to believe this man of yours is stronger than my own," Zequil responded sharply. " And why was he over there...That wasn't my order."
Torriksu's eyes remained sunken, but his face grew more expressive as his words began to carry more emotion behind them. As he spoke he became slightly more angry.
" He was over there because you got us on a hunt for an extinct species...Your obsession over demons means I've got to follow any lead. You gave me that level of authority when you created the 8 Deadly Swordsmen and put me in charge."
They each fell silent. Torikksu had raised his voice slightly and Zequil was angry. His face was tense and his green eyes began to strain. Zequil though during the silence was contemplating his words.
"There is no confirmation Demons are extinct...and if they are still around they'll come."
"Yeah," Torikksu responded sharply. " Though if they are around they aren't going to make themselves known anytime soon... And if there are any they most likely are among your ranks."
" But they could appear. Especially with war on the horizon. It would make the perfect opportunity to-"
" Yea, you're right it is perfect. This is the issue. None of my men have seen tough combat. Outside of Hebi, the one I sent. All they do is train together and maybe take down a criminal."
"...I see..." Torikksu sighed as Zequil seemed to finally get what he was saying. "You're worried that your men may not be prepared for lengthy combat...But fighting soldiers from the Kingdom of Aces isn't giving them that exact experience either. We completely outclass them."
With the intel he had gathered, he understood the power gap. But Torikksu understood more about average humans than he did. When forced into an unfair position. Like the Aces soldiers will be. They'll be forced to grow, evolve, and become stronger.
With mana, when you're forced into a tough situation. Your body will search for any mana you have. Instead of meditating to find the mana hidden away in your body. Your body will expel it resulting in a massive power boost. Some call it an awakening.
" Still," Before Torikksu could respond to his previous comment Zequll continued. " I understand your concern." He paused and thought for a moment. " I will allow you to send a maximum of two."
" Only two?" Torrikus had calmed down and was speaking in his casual deep voice again.
" It's risky to send more than that. If what you said is true and their stronger than we think. I can't afford to lose such an important component of my military."
" I see.[ This works perfectly."]
Torikksu turned and began to walk towards the exit. He didn't bother to bow or announce his exit due to the King's earlier comments, so he decided to see the extent of his newfound boundaries.
" Torriksu." The king called out. " Death is going to be all they know for a while. Can they handle it?"
He wasn't simply speaking of Torikksu men. He knew they could handle it. Most of them have already seen death. He wanted to know if the people of the kingdom could deal with it, but Torikksu didn't have an answer. He opened up the door with a creek and took a step out.
" Zequil." But before the door closed he spoke. " When does a person truly die?.... Is it when the body stops functioning? Or when the soul is extinguished?"
Before he could answer Torikksu exited the room. Leaving Zequil confused by his unusual riddle. And left with an uneasy feeling.
Zequil shut the door lightly as if leaving behind their argument. He began to walk down the hall to where another pair of doors sat with guards. Suddenly those doors burst open and a massive muscular man marched through.
The guard seemed to clear the way for him. Fearfully looking away from the man as he marched down the hall. Torikksu continued his own march towards him.
[" Who is he? A general...Is he here to speak with the king?" He thought as they came closer.
Suddenly power overcame Torikksu. A feeling he didn't think he would feel from a human. As they passed each other his eyes were drawn to his emotionless face. White hair lay flat on his head and each step carried so much power. The ground seemed to shake under his steps. Though it wasn't, but it was the type of feeling this man brought.
Torikksu then knew who this man was. Someone who he had only ever heard of. The Kings super unit. A one-man squad is reserved for a dire situation.
[" So you are him."]