"Where do you think you're scurrying off to, Zeke?"
The man known as Lord Samus belted in his usual imposing fashion. At Stage 5, Grandmaster Rank. Living over 400 years, he had good reason to look down upon most of the individuals in this world. Zeke being no exception to this rule.
The dust that loomed began to dissipate as he was able to gain a clearer view of his treacherous father. However, even before his act of deceit and betrayal, Zeke had always viewed him more as the Elemental sect's patriarch rather than a parent. With Lord Samus' hair tied in a knot, modeling a long white beard that draped over his green and gold trimmed battle armor.
His inherent golden eyes and thick brows formed a piercing scowl.
Hovering pristinely around 100 meters in the air, his artificial white wings lit the dim sky. While on the ground, Zeke lay in a bloody mess as several bones fractured through Zeke's brown skin.
"Did you think that you'd escape my wrath, after sacrificing thousands of innocents for your abominable blood ritual? Son or not, I will never show mercy to anyone who dares endanger the very lives we swore to protect!"
Lord Samus' voice reverberated, becoming its tree-rattling entity. Zeke could barely stomach the grandstanding that was being put on display as he struggled to remain conscious. Zeke couldn't help but wonder why the person who personally framed him would feel the need to put on such a blatant charade.
However, he soon answered his question, noticing a teal orb floating just above Lord Samus. Recognizing the uncommon device that could record/broadcast anything it encompassed.
' Tsk, so he plans to use me as the scapegoat while aiding in his agenda, until the very end, huh?'
Zeke pondered while getting his mind roughly in order. He managed to channel enough Qi, activating a technique unique to him, called "Blood Phoenix". Born with the rare Blood Physique, he naturally excelled at Blood Arts.
However, since it was a technique that the orthodox faction usually feared or shunned. Zeke had to always hide his main element in public, avoiding any unnecessary scrutiny.
Now, back in a corner, Zeke had no choice but to display his full strength. Beginning to glow red, his body reverted several minutes into the past. Healing the severe wounds he'd just suffered, in a matter of seconds.
" Hmph, that technique reeks of the Blood Arts! I'm ashamed that my love and negligence blinded me to the root cause of your true demonic inclinations!"
Lord Samus stated overbearingly, pretending that his blood arts were a surprise to him. Zeke stood upright, glaring at him with no fear to be found. Yet, there was no denying that he was hard pressed to find a way out of this dire situation, in one piece. By no means did he think his impromptu plan of escape was foolproof, but Zeke had surmised that his blood clone could at least buy him enough time to cross into the Northern region.
" Tell me, how long have I been dancing in the palm of your hands?"
Zeke voiced, realizing that his plans were considered DOA before having the chance to ever take root.
" My son, who strayed so far away from the light, I should be the one asking that of you. Raised with the morals to uphold justice at all costs. You eventually became a pillar of our Elemental sect. Regrettable not noticing your deceitful ways and heinous deeds hidden in the shadows, falls solely on me as your patriarch and father. However, let today's event serve as a prime example that others will soon not forget! When I take it upon myself to rectify my biggest mistake!"
Lord Samus strongly declared while simultaneously sending a Voice Transmation that could only be heard between him and Zeke,
' What a foolish question to ask. Isn't it obvious that you've been under my thumb ever since you first took a breath? You were only a mere incident born from lust. Something I could use and discard on a moment's notice. In the end, you've always been nothing more than my lowly pawn?'
'Is that so...'
Zeke said, not necessarily shocked that there wasn't any love lost between them. Naturally, his origins had always been shunned and despised by others. Due to the sheer nature of being born from a concubine and having a taboo physique.
Avoiding death's door by just a hair's length on many occasions, in-house and abroad. Yet, despite all the bad blood that pettily brewed for him over a century. Having personally achieved countless contributions to the family and sect.
Zeke had mistakenly believed that he garnered a level of significance within the hierarchy. After gaining an increase in benefits and comfort once he became an elder. However, Lord Samus' words made it painfully clear that he'd been destined to be fodder for these sheep in wolves' clothing from the jump.
No matter the success and effort exerted by him on their behalf, nothing truly changed as Lord Samus followed up.
'Very much so, but I will say that when there was none to be found, you usually had a way of exceeding my expectations. Now will just have to see if your final moments live up to those sentiments.'
'Hmph, well, who would I be to disappoint such a righteous and mighty patriarch?'
Zeke responded tongue-in-cheek, preparing for his last stand. Ending their little banter that was only known to them. Before reciting,
" For those who watch from afar, don't be fooled by those whom you view as stars. Beyond the night sky, that's where their wickedness and darkness truly shine. A place where they hide their scheming hands behind their contrived delusions, catered to the naked eye. Watch as I aim to reveal the face under these masks of lies, framing me in disguise! Shattering their grand design of misconceptions to bits! I, Zeke Samus, fight for my innocence! Shedding a light on the ugly truth that those currently in power are no heroes, only hypocrites!"
After finishing a poem, he thought off the cuff. Zeke retrieved a spatial pouch from his tattered red and black robe. With a mere thought from him, the pouch let out a slight glow as the items he envisioned rapidly flew above.
Unleashing a slew of familiar teal orbs, quickly splitting off to specific spots. While Lord Samus watched on with some curiosity. Soon enough, multiply despicable images and videos repeatedly looped, forming a makeshift dome over the huge crater.
There, the criminal acts which were depicted all ranged from taboo practices with well-known demonic members, to torture, slave trafficking, and even genocide.
Including the Elemental sect, those being incriminated were no other than prominent figures that belonged to various orthodox sects and clans. Claiming to uphold justice for every lawful citizen at all costs.
Zeke had acquired this evidence in an undisclosed location left to him by a close acquaintance from the Sword sect. One of the rare, good apples in an otherwise spoiled orchard. His friend, Jin Jo, was always determined to cleanse the extensive poison that diluted the righteous nature of the orthodox path's inner workings. However, going against the grain earned him more enemies than allies.
So, after many decades of digging deeper into the truth. Jin Jo entrusted Zeke with his inheritance, feeling that his death was near. Later on, it was discovered that he had been assassinated by someone from the demonic path. Upon hearing this news, Zeke wasn't fooled as he knew that the hit was most likely orchestrated by Jin Jo's sect.
"Well, how is this for a start?"
Zeke mocked as the projected scenes obstructed others' vision of him. While Lord Samus yelled,
"You Damn... insolent mongrel! I'll show you once and for all that fabricated gimmicks or misconceived ploys can never overcome true justice and might!"
Raising one finger into the air, Lord Samus concentrated part of his abundant Qi into a large ball of flames that resembled the sun. In the next instance, he then pointed towards the dome-like structure as many high-intensity sparks fired off. Targeting every orb, in a show of precision and overwhelming strength.
Crashing down as if they were a meteor shower, turn the teal orbs into nothing but ash.
However, to his surprise, the images and videos being projected didn't vanish but morphed into a weird crimson barrier.
Shielding the crater with bright orange lettering, symbols, and different shapes, all formed into an ironclad formation. Tinted red on the outside while transparent inside, Zeke observed Lord Samus bewildered look with some satisfaction.
" Wow, after all these years, I believe this is the first gift that I ever received from you! If I wasn't mistaken, I might think you cared for this old dog!"
Zeke shouted, making light of his attempt. Aiding in his orb's true purpose. Acting as a catalyst to the hidden formation set in place. The "gift" he referred to dealt with the ample boost of Qi that transpired from Lord Samus's fireworks. Utilizing a refining technique unique to himself. Zeke added a special trigger of absorption to most of his auxiliary items long ago.
Without Lord Samus' unknowing assistance, Zeke would never have dreamed of having enough Internal energy to activate the vaunted formation named "Blood Sanctum". A technique which was usually reserved for specialized, Stage 5, Grandmasters.
Zeke took pleasure in having this despicable father dance to his tune for once. On the other hand, he knew that his imminent death was still right around the corner.
' I hate to admit it, but he's right. My little tricks can only do so much against the behemoth that is his power. The only thing I can hope for is to create an opportunity for escape, but even that sounds farfetched at this point. '
Zeke thought, knowing that the Blood Sanctum was just a means of buying some time.