As they continued down the corridor, the brothers' conversation shifted from personal grievances to the strategic considerations of their current situation. Anos shared his new insights about the Cult of Diablos, and their potential motives, while Cid, maintaining his characteristic laid-back attitude, listened with a casual yet attentive expression, his demeanor reflecting a mix of interest and his usual relaxed approach.
"Wait, they actually believe you're the reborn Demon Diablos or some shit?"
"Hmm, you could say that."
"That's fucking dope, man. So, what's the plan? Gonna pretend to be their boss or something awesome?"
Anos gave a half-smile, the gears turning in his mind. "It's more complex than that, Cid. If they truly believe I'm the reincarnation, it could be advantageous. I might leverage their belief to gather information and influence their actions. But leading them? That's a delicate dance. It requires caution and strategy."
Cid nodded, his interest piqued. "Sounds like a risky game, but if anyone can pull it off, it's my little bro. Just be careful out there. These cult folks are no joke. They're like the bad guys in video games - keep popping up no matter what."
"Cid, what is a veu duo game—"
"Look, something's happening over there."
Their exchange was interrupted by a sudden commotion at the end of the hallway. A group of students, surrounded by a flurry of whispered conversations and anxious glances, had gathered around a notice board. Anos and Cid, intrigued by the unusual gathering, approached the crowd.
As they neared, the whispers grew louder, and the word "duel" was repeatedly mentioned. Anos pushed through the crowd, his imposing presence making way for him and Cid. There, pinned to the board, was a formal challenge—a duel request directed at Anos Voldigoad, issued by an anonymous figure.
Cid, reading over Anos's shoulder, whistled softly. "Looks like you've made quite the impression already, bro."
Anos studied the challenge, his eyes narrowing slightly. "A duel, huh? This could be an interesting opportunity to gauge the level of talent here, and perhaps learn more about the human Cult's influence in the Academy."
Cid nodded, a sly grin on his face. "Looks like the chance to build up your ultimate last boss persona is here. Just a heads up, don't go all out and crush the poor guy right away. Give the crowd some time to soak in the cool moments."
Anos chuckled, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "No promises, Cid. But I'll try to keep it... educational."
With a final glance at the challenge, Anos turned away, the crowd parting for him once again. Whispers followed in his wake, a mixture of awe and apprehension.
As they walked away, Cid nudged Anos with his elbow. "Yo, just saying, this might be a trap scenario. You've seen it before, right? The Cult could be using this duel to size you up or some shit."
Anos nodded, his expression serious. "I'm aware of the possibility. But it's also a chance for us to send a message. If the Cult is behind this, they'll soon realize that I'm not someone to be trifled with."
The brothers continued their walk, Cid's mind busy with questionable 'strategies' and Anos's with the complex web of politics and power that seemed to entangle the Royal Academy. Unseen by them, a shadowy figure detached itself from the crowd and followed at a discreet distance, its intent unclear.
As they turned a corner, Anos suddenly paused, sensing something amiss. He turned, his terrifying eyes scanning the corridor behind them. For a brief moment, he caught the glint of eyes in the shadows before they vanished.
"Cid, we're being followed," Anos whispered, his voice barely audible.
Cid, turning to look, saw nothing but the empty hallway. "Are you sure? I don't see anyone."
Anos's gaze remained fixed on the spot where he had seen the eyes. "Yes, I'm sure. We need to be more cautious. The Academy is not as safe as it appears."
Cid, picking up on Anos's alertness, nodded in agreement. "Got it. Let me take a quick detour and see if I can catch a glimpse of our tail."
Without another word, Cid slipped away discreetly, blending into the shadows with surprising agility. His footsteps were silent, his presence almost ghostlike as he moved to flank the unseen follower.
Meanwhile, Anos continued walking towards the location indicated in the duel notice, his senses heightened and his mind alert. The air around him seemed to hum with a subtle power, a testament to his readiness for any unexpected developments.
As he walked, Anos's thoughts drifted to the duel. It was a chance not just to assess his opponents but also to make a statement. His reputation in the Academy was just beginning to take shape, and this duel could solidify his position as a formidable force.
While Anos pondered, the Academy around him buzzed with life. Students hurried past, engrossed in their own worlds, oblivious to the undercurrents of power and intrigue swirling around them.
In the distance, Anos could see the dueling grounds, a vast arena that had witnessed countless battles and triumphs. The anticipation of the upcoming duel had already attracted a crowd, their murmurs and whispers creating a backdrop of excitement.
As he approached the arena, Anos's eyes scanned the crowd, searching for any signs of the Cult's influence. It was clear that the duel had garnered significant attention, but whether it was mere curiosity or something more orchestrated remained to be seen.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the grounds. Anos paused at the edge of the arena, taking a moment to survey the scene before him. The dueling grounds were a testament to the Academy's history and prestige, a place where power and skill were put to the ultimate test.
He stepped onto the field, his presence commanding immediate attention. The crowd's whispers grew louder, their eyes fixed on the enigmatic newcomer.
Anos's gaze was steady, his mind clear. This duel was more than a simple test of strength—it was a chess move in a much larger game, a game that spanned the hidden corridors of power within the Academy and beyond.
As he awaited his opponent, Anos felt a familiar presence nearby. From a spot strategically obscured from the crowd's view, Cid materialized from his shadow, blending seamlessly into the background. His eyes were crimson as he spoke, "No luck, bro. Our mystery follower is pretty slick at keeping out of sight. But I've got a hunch they're still keeping tabs on us, just hidden from view. However, I did encounter some cult rats lurking around. They won't be bothering us anymore, taken care of."
Anos nodded, his focus returning to the duel. "Let them watch. It's time to show the world—and our unseen observers—just what Anos Voldigoad is capable of."
The atmosphere grew tense and expectant as Anos's opponent made their way onto the field, marking the onset of the much-anticipated duel.
"...H…uh?" But at the sight of the challenger, Cid couldn't contain himself. His laughter instantly rang out, unrestrained and booming. "WHAT THE FUCK?!! Ahahahahaha—"
Anos, hearing the unbridled laughter of Cid, allowed a flicker of annoyance to cross his otherwise composed features.
Cid, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes, eventually regained some semblance of composure. Still chuckling, he clapped Anos on the shoulder. "Haha, remember? 'Let's keep the bloodshed to a minimum,' right~?" he echoed Anos's earlier words, his voice still tinged with amusement.
"Shut up, Cid." Anos was not amused as he maintained his composure amidst Cid's laughter, he then glanced briefly across the arena. Seizing an opportunity to redirect his infuriating brother's focus, he pointed towards a distant corner of the field. "Cid, there appears to be another one of your 'rats' over there," he said, his tone suggesting a mix of seriousness and a subtle cue to move on.
Cid, still smirking, followed Anos's gaze. "Oh, another little critter for me~? You spoil me, bro," he joked, his laughter subsiding into a mischievous grin.
"Cid, please go away."
With a light-hearted salute and an exaggerated bow, Cid responded, "Understood, Your Majesty." His tone was laced with a hint of jest. In the blink of an eye, he then slipped into the shadows, disappearing as quickly and silently as he had arrived.
Anos, now finally alone, turned his attention back to the duel. The arena was dead silent, all eyes fixed on his 'opponent'.
—--------------------------------------------
Lurking in the dimly lit corridors of the Royal Academy, I moved with an air of smug assurance. As a Second Named Child of the Cult of Diablos, I was indoctrinated to believe in my own superiority, my cunning far surpassing that of anyone else within these walls. My mission was to observe Anos Voldigoad, the so-called powerful target. In my arrogance, I saw this task as beneath my talents, a mere chore for someone of my abilities.
Observing the target and his brother, I couldn't help but internally deride them. To me, they were mere chess pieces in the Cult's grand strategy, nothing more. The sight of the elder brother, his attire stained with blood and offering a flippant remark about women, only elicited a sneer from me. 'Amateurs playing at a game they don't understand,' I mused contemptuously.
However, the moment Anos Voldigoad's piercing gaze swept through the corridor, cutting through the shadows that cloaked my presence in the arena, a surge of fear disrupted my haughty demeanor. The safe cloak of darkness was no longer a refuge; I was potentially exposed. This realization ignited a primal panic that quickly overpowered my arrogant facade.
Heart pounding against my ribcage, I pivoted on my heel and fled, the sound of my own hurried footsteps echoing in the otherwise silent hallway. Dashing into a secluded alley away from the Academy's prying eyes, I dared a quick glance over my shoulder, searching for any sign of pursuit.
In that heartbeat of distraction, an unforeseen horror struck. A sharp, black spike impaled me through the chest, lifting me off the ground. Disbelief and agony intertwined as the spike withdrew, bringing me face to face with the cold, unyielding eyes of the target's brother, Cid Kagenou.
His gaze was chillingly void of any emotion, his crimson eyes reflecting a terrifying detachment. The firm grip on my head felt like the clasp of death itself. His voice, devoid of any warmth, resonated with a chilling finality. "Analyze existence... Antimatter formation... Energy release control… Be gone, you insignificant cult trash." An intricate, purple-hued circle materialized over his glowing left eye, pulsating with a sinister energy.
Feeble attempts at protest fell from my lips, lost in the overwhelming presence of my imminent demise. The arrogance that once fortified my being crumbled, leaving me exposed to a stark and terrifying truth: I had disastrously miscalculated the true nature of the target and his brother.
In those prolonged, final moments, a cocktail of fear and regret flooded my consciousness. The sinister purple circle before me intensified in luminescence, its ominous energy growing ever stronger. It felt as though it was methodically dismantling my very being, piece by piece.
My surroundings began to fade into obscurity, the world narrowing until only the impassive countenance of the man and the menacing glow of the purple circle filled my vision. Abruptly, my existence, once so boldly proclaimed, was obliterated, erased by a power that defied my understanding. My involvement in the grand designs of the Cult of Diablos concluded not in victory, but in a devastating erasure, a harsh lesson in the peril of underestimating forces beyond one's ken.
As my essence ebbed away, time seemed to stretch into infinity. I was painfully aware of every sensation – the agonizing pain of the spike impaling me, the chilling touch of the man's grip, and the overpowering force emanating from the glowing circle.
Staring into Cid Kagenou's face, so close to my own, there was no hint of emotion, no flicker of satisfaction or cruelty. His eyes were like an abyss, devoid of empathy, regarding me as nothing more than a trivial nuisance to be effortlessly extinguished.
The fear that gripped me was profound, a fear not solely of death but of realizing my own inconsequentiality in the face of such immense power. All the teachings and brainwashing of the Cult paled in comparison to this moment. I was but a pawn, a mere tool, fooled into believing in my own significance.
"Atomic Magic, Antiparticle Obliteration."
As the circle emitted a final, pulsating wave of energy, a surreal detachment from my physical form overcame me. My soul seemed to be tearing away from its corporeal shell, disintegrating into the void. The alley, the Academy, and Cid Kagenou's expressionless face all merged into a fading tapestry of reality.
In my last lucid thought, the futility of my past arrogance struck me with clarity. The intricate plans and ambitions of the Cult of Diablos were insignificant against the raw, unchecked might that this man wielded. My belief in my own importance had been nothing but a delusion.
Then there was nothing but darkness. Where once there was ambition, pride, and a sense of self, there remained only a void. My existence was extinguished, leaving no mark, no legacy. The elaborate schemes of the Cult, the power struggles and conspiracies, all seemed trivial as I drifted into oblivion.
In the end, I was just another casualty in a game of powers far beyond my understanding. A game where beings like Anos Voldigoad and Cid Kagenou played roles I couldn't even begin to fathom. As I faded away, my final realization was that some forces in this world are beyond the comprehension of mere pawns like myself.