บท 193: Ishar, Maiden of Blood
"That name!" Said Laris in a trembling tone. Even from afar, no more than a few meters, Zariel frowned, noticing the shiver that ran down this man's shoulders. He'd seen fear before, but the look that cultivated itself in this knight placed him on guard.
"How'd you hear of that name?" Continued Laris after a brief moment of deliberation.
Zariel did not answer. He allowed the silence to be his response.
"The Age of Twilight is here, '' he whispered to himself. "Has it occurred already? Have I been dead for so long? Lost in the river of darkness. Tell me, boy, does she still live?"
"No."
Laris raised his head as if to hold back something hidden behind his eyes. His shoulders shuttered, and his adam's apple trembled as he spoke.
"How long ago?"
"Two hundred years ago, maybe three," Zariel said stoically. Balancing the craving clawing at the back of his mind. " You knew her."
"Of course… We, the denizens of Noctem, owe our lives to her. It was she who helped give life to Noctem with the help of Luna and Tenebrae. Written in the archive predating anything we've seen, only one name exists. And that's Y—." He paused, catching himself. " Who the bloody hell are you?"
Dark thoughts rising, Zariel dared not speak, knowing he'd lash out. He knew if he spoke now, all he felt would burst like a flood.
" Boy… who are you?" Laris asked again, lowering his eyes to meet cold silver. "You are not of this realm. That bloodlust you hold reaches your soul. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were a Fiend from the Nine Hells."
"Who I am isn't important. What I know is. Yuki Black is dead. And what I want to know is how such a supreme being like her died after giving birth to three children?"
"She died for the Age of Twilight," Said Laris in a trembling tone. " She died for the future. I don't know who you are and what relationship you hold with Lady Yuki, and I don't care. If I find out you were involved in her death, the Lord of the Nines will have to stop me from killing you."
'Age of twilight' Zariel curiously narrowed his eyes as he turned his back. And spoke, "Do what you please."
Taking his leave, knowing he had to prepare, Zariels ashen cheeks turned even paler as a black aura began to race out of his soul. A killing intent he tried so carefully began to leak. His eyes turned colder, as did his heart, as he looked over the horizon with bloodlust.
The silver of his iris slowly began to flicker between silver and scarlet. He entered his dorm through the balcony and changed into a simple tunic and trousers. Hooking his longsword to his back, the young man stepped back to the balcony.
And stared over the horizon. Astral Force gathered within his eyes, focusing his mind. He quickly caught sight of two dragons burrowing through winds like bolts of light.
"Give me an update on my body."
"One Hundred percent functionality available," Said Anima coldly. " Injuries sustained by Aldrich are currently ninety percent healed. Cellular damage has reached critical—"
"Elder Carzen said I only have Seven percent functionality. Is he mistaken?"
"Leta Carzen did not account for the sheer willpower the user holds to push through any physical and Mental pain. Since the Young Master has the highest level of control, functionality remains unchanged."
Zariel went silent for a second, and his arms folded. "I've been allowing Aurelia the lead these past few years. That was a mistake. I gave freedom when it wasn't deserved, and now, here I am. So much time wasted." He said to himself, overlooking the amber city below. "Leta was right about one thing. I do only have two years left. Two. Not much I can do with that."
He shook his head, narrowed his eyes, and sat over the ledge, allowing his feet to dangle freely in the air. " I need to start killing. The Blood Laws will serve me well in a few days. The bodies of two dragons are such a rare treat."
"Ishar, Maiden of Blood and disciple of the first Blood Lord… it looks like you'll be receiving my offering. While I loathe the idea of offering my prey to a God, it's better than fruitlessly looking for herbs to heal my ailment. Yours was a name spoken much in the Hells. I wonder who you are?"
"Ishar"
"Ishar"
"Ishar"
The boy smiled. It was one of blood as he slid his eyes toward the guards lying downwards. Noticing the frantic way they were scribbling inscriptions down, Zariel knew they'd learned of the attack. And they were preparing.
"Perhaps in my foolish sacrifice to a devil, demons, or whatever this Ishar may be. Perhaps I'll add these lost souls to the fray. Why not damn the souls I kill to the Hells like I was. Two wrongs don't make a right, but Zariel gives zero fucks at this point. "Whatever makes me stronger. Damn this world to rot and brimstone. Let those of the heavens shine their light on the souls they deem worthy. "
Zariel sat there surrounded by a wet mist of astral essence till the sun sat over the horizon before sinking into nothingness, leaving behind only night and the frightful whispers of dread ebbing from the city below.
Hundreds of thousands of souls were moving, heading away from the West and taking refuge within the Inner Walls of Trinity. Pleading to various gods echoed, and before long, the sun had risen deep in the skies, revealing soldiers and knights armed with magical weapons.
Swords inscribed with ancient elven text to Nordic runes known throughout the many realms. A deadly air followed through the streets as, day after day, the city slowly began to turn into a fort.
By the fourth day, Zariel was sitting over the ledge, coldly watching the uncriticizable city. Ready to shed blood.
He closed his red eyes, opened them, and rose to his feet, smiling from ear to ear as he looked back towards the portrait of Tiamat surrounded by flames.
"This realm… will burn."
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