Chương 5: Corruption

Clenching the top part of his skull, Zireael gasped at the blatant disrespect. Drawing a deep breath, Zireael counted backward to himself.

'do not kill them, Zireael, do not kill them. Just let it go.' he muttered to himself, shooting the attacker a menacing grin.

Realizing what she had done, Talia suddenly gulped, turning back from pacifying Aurelia towards the pale rider by her side. Arching his lips, high Zireael snickered, taking his leave. With a heavy step upon the pearly floors of his estate, a large carriage engraved with small azure crystals and various golden runes appeared at the front of his estate. At the front of the carriage where the horse should be were robotic imitations of horses.

They're there bodies were rather box-shaped with slick metallic surfaces. Valmor was not remotely technically advance, but Zireael had zero interest in trying to fit into the world around him. He had no use for animals and beasts that could grow tired.

Entering his luxurious carriage, a glass of whiskey was presented to him as he took a seat, resting his still weary body. Pouring himself a glass, he took a sip, sinking deep into his seat.

Suddenly the doors of his carriage opened as the female duo entered. Scrunching his brow, Lord Zireael frowned, "Do you think it's wise to bring the girl?"

Puffing her cheeks, Aurelia stuck her tongue out, "I am Aurelia, not girl." she barked, showing her fangs.

"I do, Your Grace; leaving her inside your estate is dangerous. It's quite the miracle already she was able to leave her room and find her way without getting lost in that labyrinth you call home." Talia patiently explained as she sat by Zireael's side.

Lifting him up, Talia placed him between her legs shaking her head, "You should at least learn to do your hair."

Sensing the push of the carriage, Lord Blackwater closed his eyes, leaving Talia to her own devices as he enjoyed the short-lived silence.

"Where is papa?" Aurelia suddenly asked.

"He-H-He..."

"You already know the answer," Zireael coldly stated, taking another sip before cutting off Talia, "He sold you for a few coin; that is why you have not seen him."

"LORD BLACKWATER!!!" Talia yelled, raising her voice towards her lord.

Sending her a profound side glance Talia grew silent, "Why lie? Better she understands life is a fucked up place." Zireael carelessly said, enjoying his whiskey with grace.

Measuring the tears falling uncontrollably, the young master sneer, tossing her a silver handkerchief with strange runes upon them. "Stop those tears. You are simply wasting bodily fluids."

Wiping the tears and snot from her nose and cheeks, Aurelia shook, glaring at Zireael with a stare that did not match her age, startling the young boy. Feeling his blood begin to boil in fear, a large smile sprung from his lips as a deprave radiance gripped his heart. A rush he had not felt in years grew within his depts.

"Those eyes of yours are quite lovely." He whispered as a heavy tension began to consume the carriage. "Tell me, Aurelia, do you blame your father, or do you blame me?"

Clenching my hair tighter, Talia held her tongue as she tied my hair into an elegant ponytail fitting of someone of nobility.

"You gave pap..."

"His name is Eachann, and he took the money. All he had to do was walk away, and I would not have cared. " Zireael coldly replied, cutting off Aurelia, "To him, you were nothing more than baggage. A walking prize, and he won. For all intense purposes, you are my slave till I will you are not."

"AURELIA WILL BE SLAVE TO NONE!" The Golden goddess screamed as her eyes began to glow with mystic power.

Narrowing his eyes, Zireael shrugged, "Fine, but how about we make a deal."

"A deal?" she repeated, her breath labored with anger and bewilderment.

Opening her eyes wide, Talia hastily shook her head, "Lord Blackwater, she is far too young. Please..."

"Talia," Zireael whispered, sending a fiendish light flashing across the air, "It would seem you forget your place."

Opening her mouth wide, Talia shuttered as she felt her very organs begin to compress. Watching as her face began to twist while thick veins began to protrude from her neck. Gripping her throat, she moaned, trying to gasp for air. The light within her soul began to flicker as the rider placed its blade upon her neck.

"BIG SIS TAL!!!"Screamed Aurelia in panic, rushing to her side.

Releasing his magical hold upon her, Talia began gasping for breath as hot tears ran from her eyes. Quivering like a lost child, she didn't dear look towards her lord, much less speak.

"The deal is Aurelia Morningstar; you stay with me till your ten. During this time, I shall have someone teach you to read and write. Your education will rival those at the peak of this kingdom, and all I ask is for you to stay within my manner."

Touching Talia's ashen expression, Aurelia trembled in fear; whether it was from the sudden skirmish with Death or Zireael was unknown. Tearing her eyes off the pale beauty, Aurelia completely ignored his statement, sending a vicious punch towards the young lord.

"You're a bully!"

Surprised, Zireael tilted his head effortlessly, dodging her fist. Releasing a hefty ball of laughter, he smirked, taking in another sip of his amber-colored whiskey. Welcoming the after-burn against his throat and chest, he eyed Talia.

With silence gripping the hearts of everyone, the carriage slowly came to a halt. Rising from his seat, the doors open automatically, allowing Zireael to disembark with an indifferent expression.

"Greetings, Duke Blackwater," the voice of hundreds resounded.

Capturing everything within his cold icy eyes, Zireael nodded towards the servants dressed in official robes. Tracing his eyes over the little people, he stared at the King's Governmental building, Town Hall.

Not much could be said about Town Hall except for the whispers of sex trafficking that the Governor allowed. Valmor was not known as the Getto of Ferrum for no reason. Corruption took many forms, but in Valmor, corruption took the form of a run-down build on the verge of collapsing.

Shattered glass, dark allies, corrupted walls, and the scent of filth were clear for the world to see. Yet, Lord Blackwater did not appear disgusted as he ignored everyone around him. As long as nothing was upon his body, Zireael held an indifferent attitude. However, the same could not be said for Little Aurelia, who followed behind the boy around her height. Staring at his back, walking with confidence, a budding hue began to grow. Looking down at her hands, confusion grew, spreading its webs within the depths of her soul.

"Lift your head, Aurelia," Zireael informed, "Never lower it to those you do not know. None of these people are your friends or family; they are killers. So look ahead, and walk with grace. "