"Big brother... wait!"
It had long past my training time and as I rested my sword and proceeded to my room to prepare for the future that laid ahead of me, I found Alice pacing behind me and out of breath.
Like always she carried with her, her magic book, this time it was the one written by the Saintess of Dawn, leaving me to wonder how far she had dwelled into advanced magic.
Speaking of that, I needed to inform Abel about getting her a tutor, I remembered Miss Agnes saying she could recommend one. We could start from there.
Anyway, answering my little sister's call, I came to a halt and turned to face her.
Alice, stopping before me, shifted uncomfortably after my gaze. At first, I wondered why, only to remember my abilities were still on.
My talent gave me the skills and presence of a true warrior. The kind that could scare kids with just a look.
"Sorry!"
Switching it off, I witnessed her heave a sigh before bringing her book to her chest.
"Big brother... I... I wanted to wish you good luck."
Her words were like an arrow to my heart.
It fucking stabbed me deep and my stoic expression cracked, unveiling a smile unlike any other.
"Don't lose, Big Brother." She encouraged with a shout that strained all her vocal cords.
"I won't!"
As I declared, she leaned back and before I realized, she turned tails and fled.
I actually wanted to hug her but at least, she was too fast for me, hence I watched her figure disappear before I returned to my room.
----------
Kain Bladeheart for the first time in years felt genuine joy.
Not the kind he felt when he saw others suffer but the optimistic kind.
The sole reason was because today would be the deciding day.
Victory or failure, those two paths stood before him and frankly, he didn't care what side he took.
At the end as long as his goal was met, he would be proud, he would be ecstatic.
"Those foolish children, believing I sought your stained throne."
In the presence of dozens of maids who ran their hands over his body and dressed him, he smiled and grabbed a hold of his suit from one of their hands.
With fluid movement, he placed his arms in the sleeves and then let the hems fall over his back.
He then left the maids to button it for him before he dismissed them, leaving only Orchid, the hooded woman, in his presence.
"How are the preparations going?"
Walking to her, he inquired, his dark blue eyes leaving an after-trail.
"As you requested, I found a few of your sympathizers. Most were easily bribed with money and believing you will have high places for them in your new reformation, they wholeheartedly received the mark."
Listening to Orchid's report on the matter he assigned to her, Kain then walked to his mirror and watched his reflection.
"Accursed bastards. Greedy mutts so easily as to betray the very man who paved a way for their success."
Kain didn't consider himself a good person, maybe years ago he might have been one but not anymore, not even since then.
Was he proud of such honesty.... the answer would be yes. He didn't understand the essence of hiding his nature unless it actually suited him.
When his brother was alive, he mostly played a neutral stance to his affairs, neither liking nor hating, but after his death, who was stopping him from showing his disdain?
The other Elders; they were quite troublesome and loyal to the house, but right now as he was, they were no longer a threat.
The Emperor: That man hardly interfered in affairs outside the capital. What he was about to do might attract his attention but he would be too busy dealing with the other mess right at his doorstep.
As for Abel; he was a potential threat.
The keyword, however, was potential.
That boy, no matter how much he didn't want to admit it, was strong. A year from now he might have already reached his stage, an additional few years and he would be in the league of the other Grand Dukes, but Kain wasn't going to give him a chance to grow.
A seed that might end up becoming a weed had no place in his garden. He needed to trim it and that he was very happy to do.
"Hehehe... you see Father. The monster that you have created."
Staring at his reflection in the mirror, he muttered under his breath.
"Growing sentimental now!"
Orchid, reacting to his words, teased only for Kain to dismiss her claim with a gesture.
"Sentimental... such emotions are far beneath me."
His eyes now slitted, glowed eerily as he stretched his palms and revealed a golden ancient star shimmering at the back of his hand.
"Let it be known to my nephews then, their victory will merely be the trigger for my success."
----------
In a dark room shrouded in eerie silence, a lone girl with ashen hair and unnatural pale skin stood up from her large bed and briskly walked to the window.
"Time... is near..."
Haunting whispers suddenly flooded the once quiet room as she reached the window and gently tapped its smooth glassy surface.
"... fallen... is near... Nameless is near... Azazel calls upon you..."
Her fingers grew curled and she began to rapidly tap the surface of the window.
The frequent rhythm was her attempt to silence the whispers... the voices and the demons.
"You can't resist... You are bounded... You are mine... We are one."
A surge of aura exploded from her body, accompanied by dozens of golden stars that tattooed her skin.
A disturbing crack tore through her body and her frame bent, twisted until her limbs began to bleed.
Silent tears spilled down her eyes and her ribs exploded out of her back, accompanied by four pairs of dark wings leaking with her blood.
"Hic..."
At the end of the transformation, the ashen-haired girl fell on her knees, defeated and lost.
"... Every good. Submit and leave the rest to me."
A gentle hand patted her shoulder before her eyes lost the last of the light she had.