Far away, in the hidden headquarters of Shadow Garden, Cid sat cross-legged on an ornate black throne, its carved edges decorated with ancient runes. A throne he had casually taken because it "looked cool."
Alpha stood before him, her expression firm. "Lord Shadow, the Prophet of the Cult has denounced your claim as the Hollow Emperor."
Cid sipped his tea. Nice.
This was exactly the kind of situation that made his game more fun. His legend was expanding, factions were moving, and now he had an enemy claiming he was fake.
But that meant there was only one thing to do.
Prove them wrong.
Cid leaned forward slightly, his golden eyes glowing in the candlelight. "Then let them come."
Beta, who had been furiously scribbling notes in her journal, nearly swooned. "Ahh… his confidence, his elegance…! Such an overwhelming presence…!"
Gamma adjusted her glasses. "Our intelligence suggests the Cult is diverting its forces to hunt down the Forgotten Lords. They're trying to erase all traces of the Hollow Emperor's past."
Delta growled, her tail swishing impatiently. "Should we rip them apart?"
Cid considered it. Too easy. Too simple.
He needed something grander.
"No," he said smoothly. "We let them believe they are in control." He exhaled slowly. "And then, when they least expect it… we remind them who truly rules the shadows."
Alpha knelt. "As you command."
The game was moving into its next phase.