The double doors to Cole Blackburn's office loomed large, imposing even for someone like Belial, who had been there several times. As they opened, the two guards flanking the entrance—both dressed in immaculate black suits—barely spared him a glance. They had grown used to his presence over the last few weeks, though their silence spoke volumes. Their auras were intense, and now that Belial had a basic understanding of ether, he could sense their overwhelming strength.
These two... they're not just regular guards, he thought, narrowing his eyes slightly as he walked past them. A rank at the very least. Maybe even S.
The faint click of the heavy doors closing behind him snapped him out of his thoughts. Belial stepped into the office, his eyes immediately drawn to Cole.
Cole sat behind his massive oak desk, which was covered in chaotic stacks of paperwork. A cup of coffee rested precariously near the edge of the desk, the steam rising in lazy spirals. His blond, slicked-back hair seemed slightly grayer than the last time Belial had seen him, and the stress etched into his features was impossible to miss.
Cole's golden eyes shifted up from the pile of documents he was scrutinizing. For a moment, annoyance flickered across his face, and Belial hesitated, a faint unease stirring within him. Despite the fact that Cole had always shown him a hint of favoritism—or so Belial liked to believe—the older man's piercing gaze could still rattle him.
But before he could say anything, Belial's attention was drawn to a figure sitting to the right of Cole.
The man was unlike anyone Belial had ever seen. His sharp, angular face was framed by long, spiky black hair, with two prominent strands of stark white falling against his shoulders. Hazel eyes with vertical slit pupils glimmered like polished gemstones as he sipped tea from an intricately carved porcelain cup. He wore a black hanfu with golden patterns woven into the fabric, the design exuding an air of regal elegance.
There was an undeniable aura of power about him, an almost suffocating presence that made the air in the room feel heavier. Belial could tell at a glance that this was someone who could crush him without breaking a sweat.
Cole, who had seemed irritated just moments ago, visibly relaxed, the sharp edge to his demeanor softening.
"Hey, kid. You need something?" Cole asked, leaning back slightly in his chair. His tone was casual, almost dismissive, as if deliberately ignoring the man seated next to him.
"You're as disrespectful as ever, Cole," the man spoke, his voice smooth yet carrying an undertone of authority. "Not even bothering to introduce me?"
Belial glanced back at Cole, who shrugged nonchalantly before motioning toward the man with a faint smirk.
"Belial, meet Jin Lei. Jin, meet Belial Noctis. happy?"
Belial turned back to Jin Lei, bowing his head slightly. "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Jin."
Belial already knew his name of course, he was able to learn some of the crowns names and he knows all of their titles.
Jin Lei studied him for a moment, a faint smile playing on his lips. "So you must be the dark witch's child ..her Dark child in a sense," he said, his tone almost amused. His accent was subtle but noticeable, a unique cadence that Belial recognized immediately. It was the sound of Longyu, the ancient language of dragons.
The realization made Belial's pulse quicken. The stories he'd heard about dragons were as numerous as they were awe-inspiring. To be standing in the presence of one, felt surreal.
Jin's smile widened, revealing sharp canines that only added to his intimidating yet charismatic presence. "Seeing you up close reminds me."
Her. The word struck a chord in Belial's mind, and he stiffened slightly, already guessing who Jin was referring to. He knew that jin lei was also part of the hunters party that was led by cole blackburn.
"Tell me," Jin continued, setting his cup down with a soft clink. "How is she? I know the war couldn't have taken her out. Someone like her doesn't go down so easily."
Belial swallowed hard, his gaze dropping for a moment as memories surfaced—memories he wasn't quite ready to confront. "She's… doing fine," he replied, his tone somber.
Jin watched him intently, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. Then, as if sensing the weight behind Belial's words, his smile returned, warmer this time. "Ah, that's good to hear then!" he said, leaning back in his seat. "She's always been a madwoman, it would be surprising if death was able to reap her soul."
Belial nodded, unsure of what else to say. The tension that had briefly filled the room dissipated as Jin picked up his cup again, resuming his tea as if the conversation had never happened.
Belial shifted uncomfortably as he stood in Cole Blackburn's office. The heavy tension in the room pressed down on him as if the walls themselves were bearing witness to their conversation. Cole sat behind his desk, surrounded by towering stacks of paperwork, his golden eyes scrutinizing Belial like a hawk. Beside him, Jin Lei, with his sharp features, sat sipping tea, his calm demeanor contrasting the storm brewing within Belial.
"I went to your hidden library," Belial confessed, his voice low but steady.
Cole's golden eyes narrowed slightly, and Belial braced himself, expecting an explosion of anger. Instead, Cole leaned back in his chair, folding his arms, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"You went to my secret library?" Cole echoed, his voice laced with amusement and a touch of incredulity. "How exactly did you manage that? There's only one entrance."
Belial hesitated before scratching the back of his neck. "I… uh… went through the vents."
Cole blinked, then let out a bark of laughter that caught both Belial and Jin off guard. The sound was rare, almost foreign.
"I was planning on taking you there myself one day," Cole admitted, shaking his head. "But you found your own way in, huh? Clever. Stupid, but clever."
Belial felt a flicker of relief but pressed on. "I read about the Aeons while I was there. About their wars, their powers, and—" he hesitated, glancing at Jin, who now regarded him with a keen interest, "—about the Second and Third Aeons."
Jin lowered his tea, his hazel eyes sharpening.
"And what exactly did you learn, Dark child?" Jin asked, his voice calm but curious.
Belial recounted his findings in the library, the legends and fragments of history that painted the Aeons as beings of unparalleled power and mystery. When he finished, Jin exchanged a look with Cole.
"The book on the Third Aeon?" Cole said, shaking his head. "It's fake."
"What?" Belial blinked in confusion.
"I got it from a friend who, well… got scammed," Cole admitted with a shrug. "She swore it was genuine, and I couldn't bring myself to tell her otherwise. It's little more than a collection of wild theories."
"And the Second Aeon?" Belial pressed, leaning forward.
"Some truths," Jin interjected, his voice thoughtful, "but not entirely accurate. Even Cole doesn't know the full extent of the Aeons' history. That knowledge is kept by the gods themselves."
Belial's expression darkened as he tried to piece together the fragmented truths. "Then… is it true? Did an angel die during their war?"
Cole's face hardened, and he nodded solemnly. "Yes. One of the archangels. Uriel."
Belial's heart skipped a beat. The name carried a weight he hadn't expected. Uriel, a figure of divine might and justice, had fallen in a war that shaped the very fabric of existence.
Turning to Jin, Belial's tone shifted, adopting a hint of formality. "Do you know the Führer's name?"
Jin's sharp features twitched, his eyes narrowing slightly as if straining against an unseen force. "Of course it ******," Jin began but suddenly stopped mid-sentence, his lips tightening.
A heavy silence filled the room. Then cole snickered under his breath
"It seems," Jin said slowly, his voice laced with irritation, "he must have set up a contract or an ability of his, perhaps. I cannot say it, even if I wish to."
Belial's fists clenched at his sides. The frustration of being so close to answers yet so far away gnawed at him.
Jin set his teacup down, the delicate clink of porcelain breaking the silence. "You're not ready, Belial," he said, his tone both firm and compassionate. "You're far too weak to accomplish your mission as you are now."
Belial looked at the dragon with a mixture of defiance and desperation. "Then train me."
Cole sighed, leaning back in his chair and running a hand through his blond hair, which now carried more strands of white than before. "I don't have the time," he said bluntly, gesturing to the mountain of paperwork. "Running this guild is enough of a headache."
Jin chuckled softly, his hazel eyes sparkling with amusement. "I wouldn't mind teaching you a thing or two, little Bel, but I'm leaving tomorrow. My duties call me elsewhere."
Belial's shoulders slumped. The weight of his inadequacy pressed down on him, and his mission felt further away than ever.
Just then, a sharp knock echoed through the office. All three heads turned toward the door as it creaked open. Cassidy stepped inside, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room before settling on Cole.
"Sorry to interrupt," Cassidy began, his tone brisk, "but I have a report—"
Cole held up a hand, cutting him off. "Perfect timing."
Cassidy blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Excuse me?"
Cole leaned forward, his golden eyes locking onto Cassidy's. "You're going to train Belial for the day."
"What?" both Cassidy and Belial exclaimed in unison.
Cassidy folded his arms, his brow furrowing. "With all due respect, Cole, I'm not exactly—"
"You're one of the best hunters in this guild," Cole interrupted, his voice leaving no room for argument. "And you've got time. Consider this your assignment, I'll reimburse you."
cole picked up a paper and paused for a moment,
"Scratch that, make that a week"
Cassidy's lips thinned, but he nodded. "Understood."
Belial looked between the two men, his heart pounding. Relief, excitement, and a touch of nervousness coursed through him. This was his chance.
"Good," Cole said, leaning back in his chair. "Now get out of my office. All of you!"
As they turned to leave, Jin's voice cut through the air.
"Dark child," he called, his tone unusually serious.
Belial paused at the door, turning to meet the dragon's intense gaze.
"Don't let your desperation blind you," Jin said, his voice low and firm. "The path you're on is perilous. Strength alone won't see you through."
Belial nodded slowly, the weight of Jin's words settling over him like a heavy cloak.