Bab 7: Invocation of Grim Lord (II)
The day was fading as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the world. Zhao stood on the balustrade of his room, gazing at the beautiful, idyllic landscape. Yet, despite the serene view, his mind was anything but calm. His blue eyes, not illuminated by the sun's fading rays, were instead alight with curiosity and a hint of confusion. Is the Nephilim mark bearer truly so powerful that Lord Izumi has agreed to summon the Grimlord? he wondered to himself. will another war looms now? His thoughts swirled, fully charged with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.
Emi, Zhao's younger sister, swept into the room. At 19 years old, she was a pure-blood Scorpion, her right hand bearing the distinctive scorpion mark. Her blonde hair cascaded like a crystal-clear stream, and her graceful demeanor belied her youth. Without glancing at Zhao, she rested her hand on the railing and fell silent. Finally, she murmured, "Zhao, do you believe he's driven solely by the pursuit of power, or is there more hidden beneath the surface?"
Zhao's gaze remained fixed on the fading sunset as he responded, "Certainly, he desires ultimate power. That's the driving force behind all his actions."
Emi turned to face him. "Then why does he seek to remove the Nephilim mark from the stone?"
Zhao's grin was subtle, his eyes glancing at her. "Because he understands the inherent strength of a Nephilim, regardless of its type. Lord Izumi cannot tolerate anyone surpassing him. It's in his blood—perhaps even in ours," he mused, tracing the scorpion mark on his left hand.
Emi persisted, "But why involve the Grimlord? What if the Grimlord betrays him?"
Zhao's expression shifted to a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Emi, are you truly naive, or merely pretending? Do you honestly believe Lord Izumi would summon the Grimlord without a well-thought-out plan? And is there anyone you think might surpass his power?" His voice held unwavering conviction.
Emi frowned but stood her ground. "And what about the Nephilim family? They're the ones who bound the demons within the book."
Zhao's smirk deepened. "Your own words hold the answer. And so, Lord Izumi seeks their eradication—completely and irrevocably."
Emi looked a bit confused but didn't press further.
Lord Izume stood before the Book of Dark, his return to the castle surprising him. As he gazed at the ancient tome, he sensed a whisper—a haunting murmur that seemed to emanate from its very pages. Drawing closer, he strained to listen, and the words revealed themselves:
"BORN WITH A DARK POWER, A LORD OF NIGHT. IF YOU SPARE HIS LIFE, HE'LL END YOURS IN FRIGHT. TO SAVE YOUR OWN BREATH, WHAT MUST YOU CHOOSE? IS IT HIS DEATH OR YOURS TO LOSE?"
Startled, he jolted awake. Sweat streamed down his face, and his heart raced. With trembling hands, he wiped the moisture away, the remnants of a vivid dream clinging to his consciousness. The dream—the message from the Book of Dark—had etched itself into his mind.
Now, an unfamiliar anxiety gnawed at him. The Grimlord's summoning weighed heavily on his thoughts. For the first time, fear gripped his heart—a fear of vanishing into oblivion. He glanced toward the balcony, where the sun prepared to ascend. Throwing aside the blanket, he rose from the bed, driven by a determination that bordered on desperation.
Lord Izumi sat regally upon his throne, his typical grin stretched wider than ever in anticipation of the ritual about to unfold. He remained silent, merely gesturing for the proceedings to commence. Just then, a piercing scream shattered the heavy atmosphere.
"Stop!"
A young girl sprinted into the amphitheatre, her eyes wide with panic as she dashed toward the throne, managing to evade the guards who attempted to intercept her.
"Please, spare his life and take mine instead!" she cried, desperation evident in her voice.
Every gaze in the room pivoted toward her as she stumbled, falling to her knees before Lord Izumi, tears cascading down her cheeks and pooling on the stone floor.
"Please, my Lord, I beg you to spare my brother's life," she implored, her voice quavering.
The guards instinctively moved to seize her, but Lord Izumi raised a hand, silencing them with a sharp, commanding look. He leaned forward slightly, a flicker of intrigue sparking in his eyes.
"Why do you value his life more than your own?" he asked, his tone measured, yet laced with a hint of mockery.
"Because I love him. He is my family. Please, I beg you, let him go," she responded, vulnerability etched across her face.
A chilling amusement danced across Lord Izumi's features as he raised an eyebrow.
"Love, a most powerful emotion. I'll offer you a choice."
Silence descended upon the amphitheatre, the weight of his words sinking in. With hope flickering amidst her despair, she looked up at him, wiping her tears with trembling hands.
"I'm ready," she whispered, an edge of determination creeping into her voice.
"Fascinating," he mused, his smile growing sinister. "You say you love your brother? Very well. You may die alongside him, or let him face death alone. The decision is yours."
Her body shuddered at his twisted proposition, dry sobs escaping her lips as the reality settled in. Tears fell uncontrollably as she grappled with her choice.
After the ritual concluded, Lord Izumi summoned Zhao for a personal meeting. Zhao's heart raced as he made his way through the corridors toward the room. A gnawing fear took root in his mind—what if Lord Izumi inquired how he had learned about the Grim Lord? He shook his head vigorously, attempting to cast the troubling thought aside. It couldn't be.
When Zhao finally reached Lord Izumi's chamber, he found the door ajar. He knocked lightly before stepping inside. Lord Izumi stood there, a welcoming smile on his face, flanked by his son, Goro.
"Come in, Zhao," Lord Izumi beckoned with open arms.
"I need to talk to both of you," he continued casually, but the tone soon shifted, drawing Zhao and Goro's full attention. "Tonight, you must be prepared. I want you both with me when I summon the Grim Lord."
Goro hesitated, eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "But, my lord, we can't enter the castle."
"Who said you have to?" Lord Izumi replied, meeting Goro's gaze confidently. "I will enter the castle. You two will remain outside the forest."
Zhao exchanged a concerned glance with Goro before affirming, "We will be ready tonight, my lord."
Lord Izumi studied their expressions seriously before adding, "You both have much to learn this evening." With that cryptic remark, he turned and exited the room.
Goro's confusion lingered, his brow furrowing deeper. Sensing his distress, Zhao placed a reassuring hand on his cousin's shoulder. "Don't worry; everything will be fine."
Goro shot him a glare, frustration evident in his voice. "This was your idea. You handle it," he snapped, gesturing angrily in the air.
Zhao, maintaining his calm, responded quietly, "Arguing won't help us." He then turned to leave Goro alone in the room, the weight of the impending night heavy on both their shoulders.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone