Kael came into the large hall occupied by the Void Elders, walking with a deliberate and consistent pace. He could find his way about the establishment. Though he carried the stifling energy in the air as if it were his normal state, it clung to him like a second skin. He appeared to be wearing almost nothing at all. The council centered its attention on him; even if some members were fascinated by him, others were dubious, and some were afraid of him. Simultaneously with the quiet in the room, there was an obvious sense of expectancy in the air.
Nevertheless, Lord Varyn's eyes were unbreakable, their caustic intensity capable of piercing Kael's soul. He was familiar with the room and was aware that it was a place where power plays and hidden dangers were taking place. In reaction to the circumstances, he decided to stand in the middle of the room instead of bow or shake.
The sound of metal rubbing on stone resonated loudly across the chamber, resembling Elder Sycar's words. "Kael, voidbreaker," he said softly. His sharp comments drew attention and resonated deeply. The ceremony that marked your waking has caused ripples throughout the family. Despite this, your abilities—something truly disturbing—have come to the surface. "What did you actually find?"
Though Kael's stance maintained the same, his eyes grew more focused. "The void was something I observed." More than that, though, I could observe the force tying my fate to the stars directly.
Sycar's eyes narrowed with mistrust and flickered in reaction to the circumstances during this period. "You are a young man, so you express yourself in a mysterious manner. Specifically, what observations have you made? Make sure our tolerance is not tested too much.
However, his unwavering self-assurance carried a chilling undertone throughout his words. Kael spoke with a calm tone all through the exchange. "I observed for myself a power older than the whole concept of time itself. I plan to accomplish this in a manner that no one else can match. It is the instrument; it is the void. Notwithstanding this, my power—the Soul of Nothingness—may be a deadly weapon.
The room's ambiance became completely quiet. Apart from the obvious tension, the air seemed as though it was constrained. Even Lord Varyn's appearance shifted momentarily, as though a shadow were passing across his face. This change in appearance occurred in the briefest of moments. The loyal council split as the elders argued and doubted each other. Kael did not react to the slightly chilly atmosphere in the room, even though he was aware of it. Having this ability was his birthright; hence, should he be awarded it, he would not hesitate to seize it.
Elder Velara interrupted the quiet with her forceful and commanding voice. That's enough. Kael will be the one to demonstrate within these boundaries that his power has such possibilities; it will not be questioned. Her eyes turned to Kael, and her sharp look examined him as though he were a possible competitor. Kael, let me remind you that power is not something one should readily offer. Should you fail to prove your deservingness for your post, the family will dismiss it from you.
She directed her gaze towards him, and Kael did not appear to flinch in any way. His voice held the weight of the vacuum itself, despite the fact that it was scarcely audible. "I will show myself deserving of it."
Kieran and I start arguments this way.
As Kael exited the council room, he couldn't help but consider the elderly people who were always closely monitoring him. They watched over him constantly, always wary. His father had taught him cautionary phrases that permeated all of his thoughts. Energy-related costs are quite expensive. On the other hand, Kael was beyond their reach of assessment. After awakening, he could use his ability freely.
His concentration broke up as soon as he heard the clang of weapons around the training area. Kael's keen eyes were able to quickly identify the reason for the audience's presence: Kieran was once more proving his ability by readily defeating one opponent after another, and his self-assurance stayed just as irritating as it had been in the past.
Kieran was watching Kael's approach and started to smile sarcastically. Kaiel approached more closely. Kael, likewise. You're one of the most unique members of the Void Family. Are you too afraid to confront me? Could you possibly provide evidence that your authority is legitimate?
Kael faced a task that seemed to float in the air, as though it were a gauntlet placed at his feet. It was about showing pride in what has been done, not about proving strength. More importantly, he aimed to humiliate him, thus proving that Kael was only a fresh lineage unable to challenge the established authority. Kieran wanted him to be ashamed.
One could see a cold glare coming from Kael's eyes. He let Kieran have the chance to be proactive and start first since he well understood what he wanted to achieve. Nevertheless, in this case there would be no forgiveness given.
Conversely, Kieran's frown just grew more pronounced as he kept his tongue under control. "You are beneath me," Kael said in a tone that was both laidback and commanding.
I am sure you will realize that I am more than sufficient to undermine your pride in yourself.
Kieran used his hands to create a vortex of Void energy by spinning black currents driven with wrath without uttering a single word. He accomplished this without using any character. The arena was covered in darkness at the same moment black tendrils of energy burst from nowhere and aggressively shook the air around him. The crowd let out a cry of wonder.
Still, Kael's visage did not alter all that much. He stayed still, his mind figuring out when it would be best to act. Though Kieran's attack was a display of his might, it was not particularly precise. Kael saw right away through it for what it was. The hubris Kieran carried skewed his assessment.
In an instant, Kael disappeared from Kieran's view, and he was no longer behind him. Kieran was standing right in front of him when Kael suddenly emerged, his motions so swift that they appeared to be bending space itself. The earth broke under his feet as he moved. A weapon of darkness emerged right at his side in a single second. It was the Blade of Nothingness, looking both cold and brilliant. He moved his hand to bring the Blade of Nothingness clearly before him.
The astonishment widened Kieran's eyes, and this was the first time his haughtiness had been questioned. Kael was wielding a weapon that shimmered like a blade of pure darkness, emanating void-like energy that seemed to swallow the air all about them. It seemed as though the weapon was engulfing the surroundings in a mystical mood. Kael walked inside the room, and the surroundings started to spin, as if reality had lost its power to influence them.
Kieran gave his best, but he could not react before Kael's sword hit him in the throat. The sword's edge was so near to his flesh that he could feel the cold presence of death against it.
Given Kael's observation, "You're lucky," Though his voice was scarcely audible, Kieran experienced a shudder run down his spine. Kael's remarks made Kieran lucky. I've decided that today is the day to work on self-control. Should I find myself doing it once more, I might not be as sympathetic.
Kieran stopped breathing at one point throughout that period. Kael's presence destroyed his self-assurance like glass, and finally he broke down in pieces. Kael could see in his eyes the growing awareness that the force he was opposing was much beyond anything he could grasp. Kael, too, was becoming increasingly aware of this.
Kael stepped back, and his sword vanished into thin air, dissolving right into the very air itself. He was traveling backwards at this point. He paused, gazing at Kieran twice before turning away without another glance. The most humiliating way possible had broken Kieran's dignity. Unable to control their disbelief, everyone in the audience was so startled they could not talk. Each was absorbing the knowledge they had just seen.
Kieran maintained his posture as he turned back to see Kael departing in front of him. His head was whirling, his heart and his intellect thumping. This was not your typical adversary, at least not in the traditional sense. Kael had first taught him what power really meant in its most basic form.
Just as Kael was leaving the stadium, a cold, deliberate sneer tugged at his lips. For Kieran and everyone else who believed they could challenge him, the fight served as a clear lesson and a message. The struggle had been just another education. He exceeded his Void Family heir duties and excelled in other areas. He was more than that, currently posing a threat. The Soul of Nothingness led him on his journey, and those who met him would find that his might could cross the Void.
His thoughts were moving inward from the sliver of nothingness that was growing up within him. His first leg of travel had just begun.