Somewhere around Tartarus (Demon Continent)
In the heart of Demon Continent, Tartarus. The land loomed by darkness, the Sun never rose there, as if finally given up, It's always night, moon hung on the sky for eternity.
Amidst it's center there was a colossal fortress carved with black obsidian dragon bones. The air surrounding it was thick, nobody could withstood its presence even the strongest trembled.
Inside the fortress, a massive hall, it has no roof, the moonlight fell in igniting the grand hall with its light.
At the center of the grand hall, stood a throne—massive, excluding an aura of absolute dominance.
Seated upon it was a figure, his mere gaze could crush the will of those who dared to look in his eyes. His eyes swept over ten figures sitting in long stone-backed chairs before him.
A deadly silence loomed through out the hall.
No one dared to speak.
Then, the 'entity' on the throne spoke.
"So, how did it go?"
The question was simple, but the weight it carried was huge—almost unbearable.
A shudder ran through the group. No one dared to respond immediately.
It wasn't due to hesitation. But due to fear.
Fear of saying any wrong words.
Finally one of the 10 figure spoke, A Fallen with obsidian black wings, curled horns, sharp vampire teeth, he forced himself for an answer.
He was suffocating from the pressure.
"A-A-About that… w-we actually failed."
The temperature suddenly dropped.
A pause.
Then, the entity on the throne leaned forward.
"Hmm… And how exactly did we fail?" its voice was slow, "Wasn't it supposed to be a guaranteed feat?"
The Fallen with black wings swallowed hard.
"It… actually died, my lord."
The entity's eyes narrowed, "Died? Wasn't it suppose to be immortal?" A pause. "Then tell me—who killed it?"
The other nine figures didn't dare to move, let alone speak. They knew it better, even if they breath, then it would be an offence in presence of the one who sat on that throne.
The fallen with black wings flinched before he forced a response.
"W-We don't know, my lord… it happened today, around 3 AM."
The entity on the throne fell into thought, it fingers tapping against the armrest of its seat.
After a moment it issued a command. "Tell that human from the Hero Association to investigate this matter."
"If someone was able to take down that 'Mutated Fallen', then that individual must posses a considerable strength."
The ten figures immediately bowed.
"Yes, my lord!"
But before the meeting could disperse, the entity's eyes landed towards a member.
"Nathalia." He spoke.
A women seated among the ten members lifted her head. Her pure white skin glowed under the moon light. A blindfold of silk covered her eyes, yet her movements were precise. Her long angelic-feathers white in color rested against her back, but despite the dark atmosphere surrounding her she wore a white gothic gown, she excluded a divine presence.
"How is the teleportation mission processing?" the entity asked.
Nathalia turned her head towards the throne. "It is processing as planned, my lord. The mission will commence tonight."
The entity leaned back, an almost silent chuckle escaped it's mouth.
"Haha! Excellent!"
"Let the humans learns what happens when they refused to surrender. Let this be a lesson they will never forget."
"HAHA… HAHAAHAHHAAH!"
The laughter echoed thought out the fortress, beyond its walls and loomed over the whole Tartarus.
***
"Hmmm... Should I wear a tie or a bow?"
"A bow! You will look dashing Zane."
"But the tie—"
"Bow!"
"Ugh! Fine."
Right now me and Elise were arguing over my outfit choice.
I have never attended this kind of events before, I wasn't too sure what to wear and what not.
After I died and resurrected this is my very first time attending such kind of event.
I looked myself into the mirror, my short black hair which nicely styled, accompanied by my silver eyes which shines like diamond.
I wore a light brown single breasted suite, followed by white casual pants, and on my neck was a bow tie.
I couldn't help but nod in satisfaction.
"I look quite handsome."
After taking my dimension pouch and attaching it to my belt, I checked my reflection once more.
'I look handsome.'
Such narcissistic behavior.
I looked at the time and found I had only one hour left before the fresher party begins.
"Jeez! just go already," from behind Elise scolded me.
"Yes, sister dear, don't worry I won't be late."
"What do you mean brother dear, 'I won't be late,' you are already late."
"Hehehe, let me tell you a secret, sister dear, I can fly at a speed of jet."
"Brother dear, did you hit your head," Elise said grinning, "Mom! Zane hit his hea—ummhhmm!"
I hurriedly placed my hand over her mouth, sealing her mouth. "Alright, I understood sis, I will be going now."
"ummhh.. mnnmmmm," she tried to speak something but due to my hand blocking her mouth she failed, retreating my hand I let her go, "Fuaaa—Hey! Never again do that! Or else I will kill you!"
'Sorry sister dear, but your brother dear can't die.'
"Yeah, yeah, I will be going now."
"Take care! ~bye." Elise's smile widened as she added, "and tell Anna Hello on behalf of me. Hehehe."
"…"
I rushed to the door of my room, but suddenly my step halted, my eyes landed on my Inventory Ring which was resting on my desk.
I pondered for a bit, then I took it.
'Better be safe.'
***
"This is insane."
"There's nothing worth 'insane' about it."
Beside me Anna shared her point of view.
As a noble rich lady, her definition of 'insane' is rather… insane to me.
She looks rather insane herself, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulder reaching her waist, her white gown made up of delicate silk shimmered under the light, and those curls perfectly suits her overall outfit.
She looks magnificent.
"What are you staring at?" Anna asked tilting her head, slightly pushed both her lips together, she made a cute pout.
"Nothing , just admiring you." I teased.
"Heh, that's new," she puffs her chest, and said in rather playful tone, "did you finally realized, just how beautiful I am?"
"Yeah, I take my words back, you are not charming at all."
"Huh!? What. Did. You. Say?"
"Hahaha!" I chuckled, "chill, I was just messing with you."
"Hmph!"
We both stood beside a fountain which was placed inside a grand hall, the interior of the room was very well decorated with fancy paintings, and sculptures. There's also a stage in the center surrounded by various white color sofas, large wooden tables were filled with lots of food from various kingdoms.
All the students of mainly first and second years were scattered all over the place, some chatting, some eating, some dancing, and some… stared at girls.
'I wish for their success, good luck boys.'
Well, few of them will be heartbroken today.
"Ugh! I hate loud places." Anna once again complained, this is her third time.
"You got it rough Anna, I really pity you."
"Don't make me remember it."
It's only natural, Anna was a beautiful girl, so every boys including our classmates and even our seniors tried to approach her, but little did they know, that this very girl was a hardheaded introvert.
I am one to talk, I personally don't like loud places myself. When I was 'Hope' I rarely occurred on interviews, I hated attention.
"By the way," Anna scanned me from head to toe before she asked, "that outfit looks really expensive. Well I won't ask you where you get the money to afford this, you're not even going to answer me anyways—"
"I bought it from my hard earned money." Cutting her words, I answered.
"What? Hard earned money? What work did you did?"
"Not telling, that's a secret."
"Yeah, figures."
"May I have everyone's attention please!" A voice came from the stage.
The anchor was a second year boy, with silver hair, and black tuxedo. His voice was loud enough to grab everyone's attention including me.
Everyone's gaze turned toward the stage.
"First of all, I would like to thank all of you for attending this grand party organized by your lovely seniors. IMy name is Alex Willcrave, and I am the Rank-1 second year student. I welcome you all."
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Making eye contact with everyone Alex continued.
"We have a special guest among us, everyone please welcome— The Rank-69 hero 'The bender'"
"Cough!"
"Oh! Sorry! my bad, please welcome the Rank-69 hero 'Defender.'"
Silence.
"Pftt—hehehe," an almost silent laugh escaped my lips.
That was really something. I wonder how would he react, back at Hero Association almost everyone teased him for his Rank."
"Hey why is everyone laughing?" seating beside me Anna asked.
"Umm… it's because of his rank."
"Rank?" Anna tilted her head, "what's wrong with it?"
'Oh god, this will be so much fun.'
"Nothing Anna," I looked at her pure innocent face and answered, "Why don't you search it up on the internet? They have really great—Pftt—sorry, they provide really great examples you know."
"…"
Anna tapped her wrist band and tried searching it on the internet.
'Wait, does she really don't know?'
A few seconds later.
Anna hurriedly turned her wristband off, her motion was so fast that even I once hailed as the strongest human in existence was dumbfounded.
Her face flustered as she glared me.
"Y-You!" she turned toward me, her face was bright red almost matched her hair color, "I knew it would be something like this! I will never—"
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry Pftt-Hahaha!"
"Hmph!" she pouted.
Anna Ashborne', she is a dear friend to me, she kept my secret and never asked me more than once about my multi elemental powers, and I'm glad I have her as my friend.
As we talked with each other, the Rabk-69 hero (lol) walked up to the stage.
He stood there glaring at Alex for some obvious reasons, they he turned towards us in an addressing position.
He started his speech, "Rank is nothing just a number, it won't decide a heroes personality."
Silence.
'Yep, he still hates his Rank.'
[A/N]: Sorry for all the delays. I have a flu.
End of Chapter.