"Do remember that these two entities have been forcibly summoned and are therefore not the same as the ones in their original realm. That's what I wanted to add. I've fought the Twilight Twins before they've even gained their pacts with their unfortunate vessels."
"And they were at odds with each other, so both started fighting against each other while the rest of us quietly made our escape, but not before both claimed the lives of a village," continued Mattheos, his emerald eyes heavy with sorrow.
"I don't recall-"
"I was with Raven for that mission as you were out to hunt down the Manticore. It was my first loss of a mission so I was greatly affected by it. I will never forget that night…"
The rabbit swiftly shook his head, struggling to stem the tide of emotions and pull himself back to the present moment. He needed to remain strong to earn back the little respect he had lost earlier.
"Interesting… So, a mere failed summoning can corrupt an entity, twisting it into a grotesque parody of its intended self?" commented Zenos.
"I wouldn't call it that way… Because from what Matt has said, I believe that the summoning did not fail since it was way before the Legion had their hands on such information. It only became the Legion's issue when the entities were forced into unwilling hosts."
"And a failed summoning would be the little pet I defeated earlier, Scylla. She harbors the same personality and behavior as what she would've been in her own realm. I called that failed because her power output should've been significantly more."
"Then what would you call it?"
"I would say that each being has the capacity to be corrupted. Each soul that has been recorded throughout universes and history has a dark and light side."
"It's up to the individual's state of mind and upbringing to determine if they are fully in the light or embracing the dark. Including the Seat Of Valour, since there's a flipside to it. That's how my Guardian comes about."
"I have no doubt that there is a pure, light version of my Guardian somewhere out there. Upon summoning an entity, mana is used to create the link between the realms, allowing it to manifest in this world."
"And mana can also influence the entity's very thoughts and essence, similar to how I would bake a cake. If I used normal ingredients, I would get a normal cake. But switch out any ingredients, the result would be changed."
"The ones that have been summoned are not weakened versions, as I've wrongly predicted but wholly different entities from the original and thus should be dealt with as such," confessed Mavislin as she faced the Viceroy.
"Very well. What's our next move? We're almost entirely in the dark about Solaris' domain, given that I haven't set foot there in years. Much could have shifted since then," said the Viceroy, placing a lazing fist under his chin.
"Give me a single night and I will propose the best move that the three of us can do without taking too much of our effort."
"Because straight after, I plan to quickly take down Lunaris by surprise or at least not give her the chance to fully mobilize," assured the dragoness, grinning with pride.
"And how will you do so? And are you sure that you would only need a single night?" asked Zenos, raising an eyebrow.
"Are you forgetting that she's the head of the Covert Ops Division?" shot back the bunny, with the same grin as his boss.
With a snap of her fingers, three slender, serpentine forms emerged from Mavislin's scalp, their scales shimmering with hues of purple and black. The serpents coiled gracefully around her arms, their movements fluid and deliberate.
Unlike the earlier set of snakes Zenos had met, these snakes were slender and devoid of fangs, their presence more elegant than menacing.
"Activate Abyss, Twilight, and Void to scout Heliomald's Vulcana. Remember to let them know not to engage in any confrontation. Be back by dawn. Retreat when needed and I will not tolerate any failure," commanded Mavislin as her voice deepened.
Her little pets hissed in agreement and scattered in different directions, ignoring physics and passing through the meeting room's walls.
"And during our battle against Solaris, I will send out the same team to evaluate Lunaris' palace," said Mavislin, as she finished her third cup of tea.
"Why not deploy your serpents? They appear far more effective than any staff…" wondered the Viceroy, as the three prepared to leave the meeting room and head to the dining hall for dinner
"I've hired those people to do a job… It would be pretty daft not to use my men to my advantage, would it?"