Chương 16: The Brother
Somewhere in the Abyss…
Alex walked down a medieval like hallway with great paintings and banners plastered on either side of the walls. He was wearing a very smart looking suit that a servant or butler would wear.
"Let's see…" Alex mumbled to himself, pulling a out a pocket watch seemingly out of thin air. "10:05pm, right on time."
Alex approached a large wooden double door and pushed it open.
He entered a large room that had multiple Demoreals sitting down inside. The room looked medieval with two large torches and multiple candles lighting up the place. The Demoreal Council Members were sitting on chairs that were placed behind a large, curved wall so that they had to look down to see whoever came before them. The wall was so large that it surrounded almost the entire room.
What looked to be the Chairman sat in the middle, between the other Council Members, he looked like a normal old man with grey hair and a long grey beard however his eyes were reptilian making for an almost trippy appearance.
"I have arrived at 10:05pm exactly as you requested sirs." Alex said with a loud voice that echoed across the room.
"Very good Mr Indoles." The Chairman said in a deep and gritty voice. "We can now get down to business so please take a seat."
Alex bowed slightly before walking up a set of stairs that led to the seats where he passed other Council Members until he finally sat down on a chair that was on the far end of the left side of the wall.
"This meeting is now in session." The Chairmen announced before hitting a small wooden hammer on his desk, signalling the start of the Council Meeting. "First order of business is Viro Cosmos appeared before us a few hours before you arrived Mr Indoles."
Alex raised an eyebrow
His Majesty's father! Why did he come here? He wondered as the Chairman explained.
"He came before us and gave some very interesting pieces of information. The first one being that Nova has gained some new allies which are currently being trained to have their Ethos awakened and then get even stronger after. He theorised that The Yin-Yang King wants his allies to be strong enough to be able to affect the Chaos Void before coming to the meeting. Viro also has given us a detailed explanation of everything he knows about his Son's Omuni known as the Yin-Yang Eye. You should find the information on one of the pieces of paper in front of you."
After a quick glance Alex found the sheet on his desk, picked it up and briefly read it. The paper showed a drawing of the eye in great detail with information below it.
The Yin-Yang Eye is a very special Omuni and exceptionally powerful as well. Its main use is the ability it has to separate and combine forces as well as aspects of almost any kind of subject.
For example, the user could separate a limb from the body, fuse a wall and a person together possibly killing the subject. It's also very possible that the Eye can separate anther's powers and abilities, like Skills for example, effectively removing the subject's ability to use said skill. Although not confirmed it may be possible for the user of this Omuni to even separate an Ethos from its respective Ethereal/Demoreal. The Eye also dramatically increases the Thought Speed of the user to the degree that 1 second in real time is far over a minute in thought time.
The Eye seems to have another ability called Zero Sight which is automictically activated if the user's vision is constricted in some way. When the skill activates the user automatically (like breathing) sends out pulse like waves that allow them to see any kind of energy source including Ethos and the previous abilities will still be in place even if the eye is removed.
Good Alex thought, nodding his head slightly. They still don't know everything to do with the Omuni nor its evolution, so the lord still has the upper hand here.
"That is not all." The Chairman said catching everyone's attention again. "Viro then told us two things about Nova Cosmos that are very interesting. One is that for a long time now, just before The Yin-Yang King seemingly disappeared, he lost around 50% of his power maybe even less. The next is that Nova has agreed to accept our negotiation proposal and he will be bringing these allies along with him."
The whole room was suddenly filled with quiet voices as the Council Members chattered amongst themselves with some sounding curious while other sounded excited.
"Order, order." The Chairman said casually, hitting his wooden hammer. "Now, Mr Indoles do you know when Nova Cosmos will arrive for the negotiations?"
Alex thought for a moment before answering.
"I assume my lord is currently in The Primis's version of The Beyond meaning he will probably arrive tomorrow as no time exists within that realm so his allies will be trained up to his liking in both moments and years at the same time."
The Chairman nodded.
"Very well, send him a message about. The timings when you can and before I go on, I must confirm something with you Mr Indoles."
"What is it?" Alex wondered aloud resting his head on his hand.
"You came to be more of an overseer than anything and you won't directly interferer with our actions nor spread any information to anyone without our permission, is that right?"
Alex nodded.
"That was the promise I made to my lord before I arrived here."
The Chairman looked satisfied before turning away and called to another member of the Council.
"Akuma, can you explain the idea you told me to everyone?"
A man with dark green skin and yellow hair stood up.
"Certainly. I propose that this is our one chance to rid ourselves of Nova Cosmos completely. Better yet we hold his friends hostage."
Now that's interesting. Alex wondered in thought as Akuma continued.
"First off I think we can all agree that the claims this Nova could destroy whole Relics while in his prime are quiet frankly ludicrous. Not even his majesty The Demoreal King can do that. To add to this 50%, or possibly more, of his power has vanished leading me to believe it's very possible that we could end him ourselves."
The Council members nodded to each other, agreeing with Akuma's statements while Alex slowly smirked to himself.
Ah I see. The poor fools. The oldest people here are just over 100 years of age while my lord vanished (from their point of view) almost 600 years ago. Minus the Demoreal King and his strongest forces no one else who experienced his majesty's power is still alive to tell the tale. Alex thought to himself.
"And you Alex." Akuma said, suddenly pointing at Alex. "You were born a Demoreal before being turned into a Shadow Soldier were you not? Come join us in this liberation!"
Alex paused as the whole room went silent before Alex giggled a little.
"I respectfully decline, and I do apologise for the giggling it's just your ignorance is so amusing." Alex sighed with a cheerful smile on his face.
Akuma seemed agitated by this statement but Alex carried on.
"I am loyal and ONLY loyal to his majesty Nova Cosmos. Where any of you alive when Nova fought against your armies. No? I was. Even now in his weakened state My lord possess power that you can't even begin to comprehend."
"Such foolishness!" Bellowed Akuma slamming his hands down onto his desk. "You expect us to believe your clearly bias lies!?"
"How strong are you Akuma?" Alex asked casually.
"Pardon?" Akuma said taken a back slightly.
"From the past several years I've known you I can estimate that at you could wipe out a couple of Multiverses, maybe a Reality."
Alex surveyed the rest of the Council.
"The strongest among you could significantly effect, possibly even destroy, the Abyss's version of The Beyond. Compare that to my master's power and this idea your suggesting is rather… how do I put this delicately?"
Alex paused for a few moments.
"Retarded. Suicidal. Take your pick."
Outrage spread across the room as the Council Members hurled abuse at Alex who just sat there laughing.
"Order! Oder! Mr Indoles, are you trying to say that you will interfere with our actions!?" The chairman yelled.
Alex shook his head.
"Of course not, no. I will not breath a word of this to my master as I swore however I am giving you a little advice as I am frankly older than all of you combined and have seen his majesty's power first-hand."
Alex leaned forward a grinned.
"I am just letting you know that if you in any way try to antagonise his majesty there is almost a 100% chance, he will erase you all along with this Reality and continue the war."
We all sat down in what you could call "the chill out room" with me leaning on the table standing in front of Shion, Kuni and Lazuli along with my generals.
"What'd you want to tell us?" Shion asked curiously as I noticed her deciding whether she should get out her notepad and pen.
I explained to them my plan to accept and enter the negotiations with the Demoreals and how I wanted them to join more. I also went on to explain that I want them to awaken their Ethos and evolve into Awakened Ethereals and transcend the concept of Space-Time along with that.
"I'm very busy with some-"
I noticed the door at the other end of the room behind my friends close slightly.
"family matters you could say so I won't be able to train you personally myself."
They all looked at one another with possibly disappointed or curious expressions on their face.
"Luckily," I continued. "You'll be left in the very capable hands of these three."
I gestured to Rei, Andrea and Minerva with the latter giving a little wave.
"Kuni, you'll be trained by Andrea as per her request. Shion will be trained by Minerva as both of you specialise in Solar Magic and Lazuli will be trained by Rei as per her request and you are both the strongest out of your two groups."
Andrea gave Kuni a teasing smile making him blush slightly while Shion looked curiously and slightly concerned at Minerva who was shovelling food in her mouth that she materialised in her hands. Rei and Lazuli nodded at each other, both with enthusiastic expressions on their faces.
Good they all look ready to go.
Hey Nova, you have noticed him, right?
Yes, Duo. I have and I'm about to deal with it.
"Your training will begin effectively immediately and since time doesn't pass here, you'll be done in both moments and year at the same time. Alright let's go."
I finished it off with a clap of my hands as my Shadow Generals guided my friends out to where they'll presumably be training.
For a while I did nothing, making sure they were all gone as the door closed behind them.
"I know you're there. You were never much good with your Assassin Class compared to your Mage one." I grumbled as I turned round.
"Thought I actually got you for moment," Snickered Diablo seemingly appearing out of thin air. "But the great Yin-Yang King is just too powerful for that to happen."
Diablo was sitting the table I was leaning on swirling around a small glass of whisky. His black hair was shorter than mine with his red eyes almost blazing as he chuckled to himself. He wore black jeans with a leather jacket and a thin silver chain around his neck with both his ears having studs as well.
"New fit?" I asked already tired of looking at him.
"Glad you noticed." He grinned as I formed my own glass of whisky in my hands and drank.
"Why are you here Diablo?" I groaned.
He looked shocked.
"What? Why wouldn't I be here? It's our family home plus I get to talk to my younger twin brother who I haven't seen for sooo long." He mocked.
Not long enough clearly.
"Nice friends you got there, especially the one with the red hair and glasses. She's a real hottie." He said leaning forward.
I had the massive urge to snap his neck right then and there as he was within reach even though he'd heal straight away and wouldn't even be damaging enough to worth a resurrection. Plus, I knew he was trying to get a reaction out of me.
"Trying to provoke me with words isn't going to work Diablo." I said bluntly taking a sip from my glass.
"You're no fun." He grumbled sitting back in his chair. "Though I should thank you actually."
"Why?"
A cocky smirk spread widely on Diablo's face as he answered.
"Come on. You know how my Unique Skill works. I've gained quite the power boost since being resurrected after being erased by you along with that Outer-Realm. It's officially confirmed now that I've surpassed our dearest sister."
"Goody." I grumbled my faced buried in my arms on the table.
"Why so cranky lil bro?" He asked innocently.
"Stop that." I said looking up.
"Stop what?" He asked again, his voice sounding clueless, but his eyes begged to differ.
"Calling me your little brother. You're what? 900 maybe 1000 years old meanwhile I'm over 2000." I said irritated.
"I was born before you by 5 minutes though. Little brother." Diablo teased poking my head.
"Stop calling me that." I growled.
"I'll only stop if you cut this act, you've put on." Diablo said, his face looking serious suddenly. "It's only the two of us. The only people who really know you minus that Ethos of yours."
There was a long pause.
He's right. It is just the two of us.
Ah, now that's a face.
The one we were so used to during the many battles in the Abyss, heh heh heh.
I relaxed my face muscles after looking down and slowly blinking for a brief moment before looking back at Diablo who gave a satisfied smirk.
"There he is." Diablo grinned. "That's the expressionless face of the Nova I know. My brother, who couldn't about anything less than his own goals."
I continued to look at Diablo feeling very bored.
My brother's grin widened.
"I've almost missed those cold, godless eyes of yours."
"Is that all you came here for?" I muttered bluntly. "To see my true face again or what?"
"One more thing. Heard dear old dad surpassed you recently."
"Apparently so." I replied blankly. "I believe his claim is that he's equal if not stronger than me when I was in prime."
"He's such a coward." Diablo chuckled. "After gaining a massive amount of power in a short period of time and finding out that you actually lost half of yours, he then decides to come back and give you a good old beating. Don't blame the guy really. After getting his ass handed to him by you way back, he couldn't actually back at you could he."
"Are you referring to something?" I asked.
"The whole family knows Nova. You lost half your power when you disappeared some point after you were sent back into the Abyss Omega. Not only that but you also lost that ace in the hole Skill you had, the one that everyone feared. It's the only reason why dear old dad didn't come and fight you again after he got stronger. He only beat the shit out of you today cuz you don't have that Skill anymore. The one that made nearly every battle you had end instantly because you either used it or your opponents surrendered out of fear from it."
"The Skill Ragnarök." I breathed.
"The Skill that allowed you to initiate an incomprehensibly destructive event at any time you wanted while the event being impossible to prevent." Diablo said looking up at the ceiling.
"No matter what happens or who tries to stop it, it's completely and utterly hopeless, absolutely nothing can stop the event from happening." I mumbled to myself looking back to the time when I had it. "The reason being because any attempt to stop it becomes another reason why the event happens in the first place. Like a self-fulfilling prophecy in a way but more unstoppable and far worse."
"And now that you don't have it anymore," Diablo leered with a grin. "your free game to people who are strong enough."
I stared back at Diablo's blood red eyes, but he didn't flinch and instead looked back as if it was a challenge.
"Are you done now?" I said bluntly.
"Kinda." He responded as he got up and started to walk past me, "You looked genuinely angry at the tournament after I cut Lazuli or whatshername's back. Thought you changed but looks like you're still the same emotionless Nova I know. Think I'm gonna have some fun with them later on."
He licked his lips.
Before he completely passed me, I grabbed his arm, stopping him, so tightly that I could feel the bones groan under my grip.
Diablo didn't seem to notice as he stared at me with a shocked smile on his face.
"No way." He laughed. "You actually care about them, don't you? Oh, this is great."
"Lay one finger on them and you'll wish you were dead." I said blankly.
"Yeah, yeah." Diablo sighed rolling his eyes before I let go as a red and black portal formed in front of him.
"You know brother." Diablo said neither of us looking at the other. "It's been such a long time since we've seen each other that I forgot how much I truly hate you."
"The feelings mutual." I replied finishing the glass of whisky.
Diablo sniggered slightly.
"Guess some things never do change." He chuckled as the portal closed behind him.
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