Linfer stood atop an observation tower, gazing upon his creation. Beside him, Nestia, the governess, presented the reports.
"We currently have nearly twenty thousand Wendigos at our service, master," she announced, a thin smile on her lips. "And the same number of normal humans, spared as you ordered. They organize, build, and obey without ever questioning."
Linfer nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping the horizon. "The foundations are solid, but our expansion is far from over." He turned to her. "What about the Astavi?"
Nesta hesitated for a moment. "They continue to grow. Our spies report that the rumor about their leader is true, and more. A new order has been established three years ago: the Inferis Order. All of them can manipulate fire."
"As I thought, there are some of us hidden within that tribe. It's time to crush them."
"As if it were done..."
"How are you, little brother..."
Nestia sensed a presence behind her before she even saw it. Without thinking, she created a lance made of blood and pivoted with a fluid motion, her lance whistling through the air, ready to pierce the intruder. But just a hair's breadth from the target, the tip suddenly stopped. Linfer, still with his supernatural speed, had intercepted her strike with a lazy hand, his fingers gripping the weapon with ease.
He sighed, shaking his head, his furrowed brow revealing his irritation. "Calm down, Nestia."
The governess bowed slightly, resuming her posture. It was the first time she had seen her master in such a restrained state. She nodded and disappeared into a bloody mist, a movement almost as swift as her lance.
Linfer stood still for a moment, observing the direction Nestia had vanished. Then, he slowly turned his gaze towards the intruder.
Linfer watched as Alderbaran approached, her black veil floating lightly in the breeze. She stopped a few steps away from him, silent.
"So, you've come to see what I've built?" Linfer said, a mocking smile on his lips.
Alderbaran did not respond immediately. She observed the Wendigos patrolling below, the human slaves working tirelessly. "I see what you call 'building'." Her voice was soft and calm.
Linfer rolled his eyes, annoyed. "What do you mean?"
Alderbaran turned her gaze away from Linfer, calmly observing the horizon. "I helped the Astavi prosper... and for that, they worship me like a goddess."
"So?" Linfer replied, his tone mocking.
"I didn't need to control them directly. They grew on their own. They don't fear me. They respect me. They are free, united by bonds stronger than fear."
"Who cares about freedom when fear is enough to make them bend? What I've done here is much faster, more efficient." Linfer scoffed, leaning on the railing. "Respect? Ha!"
Alderbaran raised her eyes slightly towards him. "But what have you truly created, Linfer? Heartless and soulless monsters. An army that lives only through your terror. The day you fall, no one will support you. You should be more thoughtful in your actions, little brother."
Linfer stepped closer to her, his smile turning more cruel. "Fall? Your words are quite ironic for a being of destruction like yourself. I don't need their respect, nor this approval that you seem to feed on. I only need their obedience."
Alderbaran remained silent, her gaze fixed.
"You know, little sister... We're a bit alike. We've both been alone, from our childhood to now. But there's a difference between us. You've always wanted to be normal, but your destructive power has prevented that. I'm not afraid of loneliness. I don't need friends or allies, just obedient slaves."
Alderbaran's veil began to flutter as a black flame enveloped her. "We'll see, little brother, where your impulsiveness will lead you. But for now, avoid touching the Astavi."
"Are you threatening me?"
"No, I'm leaving them under your guard while I go to the Elysium continent."
She began to dissolve into the black flame, gradually disappearing into the shadows.
Linfer recalled learning two years ago that the underworld was divided into two continents: one under the domination of the Infernos, and the other engulfed in war between the Elysian north and south.
He watched her leave, a carnivorous smile still on his lips. "Strength to the Elysian."
...
"I don't know if that was a threat or not, but I'd rather avoid finding myself in her crosshairs," Linfer murmured to himself as he entered his chamber.
Although he was an Origin 5, his sister, Alderbaran, just like Leviathan, were Origin 6, and the emperor Octavius, an Origin 8. Linfer was not weak compared to most Infernos or Elysian, who hadn't even reached level 4, Origin 1 was equivalent to enhancer star level 5. Yet, within his own family, he remained the weakest, not having yet understood his *Law*.
The Law was far rarer and more powerful than a simple affinity. While affinity flowed in the blood, influencing the elements one could control, the Law was tied to the soul. Not everyone possessed a Law, neither in the upper plane nor in the underworld.
At Origin 5, Linfer already had access to the Tenshi mode, but to progress further, he had to awaken and master his own Law, a task much more difficult than he had imagined.
The injustice of the universe was blatant. Some, like Leviathan, were born with their Law already awakened. His Law: Stasis, manifested in his DarkIce. Alderbaran possessed Anti-Stasis, which took the form of her black flame. Others, like Belzebuth, an Elysian from the north, were endowed with the violet flame and the Law: Devilry. Luciel controlled the golden flame through his Law: Kindness, while Uriel, with his golden lightning, bore the Law: Causality.
In the younger generation, Linfer found himself among the weakest. It was a reality he didn't like to admit, but he couldn't ignore it nor afford the luxury of acting morally.
"I must become stronger, and fast... But how?" he thought to himself. "Perhaps I should meditate more."
He spent days, sometimes entire nights, meditating alone. His thoughts were focused on awakening his Law, but despite all his concentration and perseverance, he couldn't grasp what was missing. The path to enlightenment remained out of reach, frustrating, and elusive.