I stood up and stretched as I thought over what's next. It should be time for the meeting with the other two Primordials. I think I will let Kali and maybe Blanc take this one, I want to continue while the iron is hot and get a little more done.
I was originally going to go to the meeting and essentially force them into submission. Its not exactly a bad idea and relatively easy for me, but I cannot once I come out of isolation allow myself to be dragged back into that way of doing things. There will be a time and place for that, but there are better ways of doing things.
As my Thought Acceleration kicked in I thought up of a plan. I will get those two to agree to stay out of the conflict, between me and Rouge in return they get to keep their independence. Well lets say for 500 years and I cannot force them into submission during this time. I will use my reputation and power in a way that allows for me to get what I want without needing to resort to means that may make me lose self-control an relapse.
Once this is out of the way I will track down the last loose end, Noir. He will most likely be eagerly awaiting me to go find him, knowing him and his antics. Then it is my confrontation with the Primordial Red himself.
All of a sudden, a swirling Dimensional Gate opened and out walked two familiar faces, I had let Kali know right before I left to not come see me unless the world was ending. I smiled slightly as I then turned and put the towel over my shoulder.
Those familiar faces Vert and Kali were in a heated discussion about something yet again, but as I watched them they seemed to stop their dialogue as they took in the environment around them. Smoky, desolate and completely unnatural. Like some tornado had swept through, but that was the least of their surprise, as soon as they laid their eyes on me their faces instantly reddened as they tried to look away, but failing as their eyes seemed to be drawn to my upper body.
The surprises didn't end there for them, as I joked in a warmer voice than normal. "Eyes up here ladies, don't treat me like some piece of meat"
Both of their faces and mouths that are usually throwing dirty looks and spiteful comments at each other were now equally shocked. I was a bit confused.
I scrunched my face up and looked around behind me, seeing nothing I clicked my fingers in front of them "What is up with you two? You seem like you saw an alien creature."
They both quickly straightened before reflexively bowing "Sorry master! It is good to see you again after so long!"
Kali then clarified as her eyes still wandered my new physique "We were both just surprised by your new... transformation. We thought you may have been an imposter. You even cracked a joke."
I thought things through quickly and shot back "You think I have changed that much from before? I didn't think anyone would notice. The body I get, but I guess I underestimated how much you both understand and know me." A slight warm feeling welled up in me again, just like that time with Kali before I left for training.
I reached out to them both and put one hand on each of their shoulders, they seemed to freeze, as if they dared not move or breathe, as if I may eat them or something. Isn't this a bit too much of an overreaction?
I shook my head exhaustibly "Wait was my joke that bad?"
Vert replied in a rushed manner "Oh no master! It wasn't bad, more the way you said it might make some that don't know you like we do to think you were serious..."
I mouthed an 'oh' as I said "Well Rome was not built in a day."
Kali looked questioningly "What is Rome?"
I looked at her and replied with a half-truth to my blunder. "Rome is what I may name my future kingdom or empire in the central world, a place where conquers are born and bred. A hub of culture and history in the world which will stand for eons. What do you think of the name?" I said as I stroked their shoulders, they both sank into my touch.
"It sounds great master! As expected of you!" Vert beamed with the usual devotion.
Kali who would not be outdone said "Yes a very fitting name, it will be one that is heard all throughout the world from the highest heavens to the lowest hells!"
I chuckled lowly as I looked at them with a newfound clarity. People I once saw as tools because I was scared of allowing myself to be loved and cared for since I saw those things as useless. While I found comfort in the norm I was familiar with, to a point that I tricked myself into thinking it was an okay mindset to have. How utterly stupid of me. What is life if not the experiences and relationships we find and curate along the way. Even if I might have been betrayed, hurt or abused by some in the past, I should not have allowed that to shape who I am. I should not have starved myself of connection, warmth and love because of what ifs or not wanting to seem weak to the outside world.
I pulled them closer to me and whispered "You two are my anchors in this world, I have always known it deep down, my first two servants, the first I allowed close even if I didn't realise at the time or may not have showed it. The ones that even if I drowned myself in destructive emotions and burnt the whole world down would still follow, not because of my power or intrigue, but because you were both there for me, for my character even when I treated you both so coldly."
I sighed "The others such as Blanc may follow because of that, for the power, the intrigue, the benefits or the sheer cruelty that I exude and still will to those deserving of it and that is fine by me. How stupid I am that it took me this long to understand myself and more importantly both of you."
Feeling their warmth clamed me down as I said to Kali who was wearing an expression that was one part bashful one part shocked. "You will go in my stead to this meeting, take Blanc with you, she will be useful in this department."
I stepped back as I ushered the two towards the portal. "Go on, I still have some time to improve some areas. I have also thought up a framework of a plan come back later Kali and we can go over it."
They stopped at the portal before bowing lightly "Yes, master!" before stumbling through in a comical daze.
-------------------
Other side of the portal:
Vert and Kali arrived at the headquarters of the information network situated in Verts old territory.
The two who are usually bickering or making sly remarks to each other were stood there like statues, touching their shoulders and replaying in their mind what they had just witnessed. It was like a fever dream. Just unbelievable.
Vert thought she had figured him out and then he goes and does that? Kali had the context of their previous discussion, but even then, she thought it would take a while for him to make improvements. But 30 years? That was nothing for beings like them, maybe a handful of years for a mortal. Something must have been the catalyst, maybe an epiphany while training? I heard those are things that happen Kali thought.
"Hey psycho! What the hell just happened there? Was that really master? First there was the sheer destructiveness of his power, in just such as short amount of time he improved so much! Then that body... and more importantly his way of speaking! He is so much softer to us, you can see he is still stiff as anything when it comes to expressing himself, but its progress! What did he call it again? Rome isn't built in a day?"
"Vert, you could say this was partly helped along because of me ~" She said with a slight teasing tone, breaking Vert out of her stupor.
"Hey don't get informal all of a sudden! Do not think I am like you and will use this as an opportunity to be sloppy in my work. Humph" She crossed her arms in an exaggerated manner as Kali scoffed.
"Anyway what do you mean that you helped? What could you do?!"
Kali smiled knowingly "Oh you know, I am his first servant and have been with him the longest I learned everything there was about him worth knowing, all his positives and... negatives."
"That is because you are a psycho bitch who is violently obsessive of him!"
"What? I am not!"
"Oh really? Because anytime another woman gets anywhere near him you would stare at them as if you were going to gouge their eyes out! The only reason you haven't is because you are too weak!"
"*Sigh* Okay, you win. Lets just put this, whatever it is between us aside for a second. What do you think master meant at the end?"
"Which part?"
"Us being his anchors? Does he really think so highly of us?" Kali seemed revert back to the way she is around Gris, slightly shy and gentle.
"I still do not completely understand him, I knew and understood more than others well maybe not as much as you, but he does not say things he does not mean. Even before this he was someone who spoke directly, I still think that is him fundamentally, and so yes he really thinks that highly of us."
Vert seemed to pause, deliberating whether she should say what she is thinking before going for it "I... think of him in the same... way, he was someone I first followed because I was forced too, even though my innate daemon mindset respected his strength and was captivated by him. Although it soon turned into something more as the years went on."
"You whore!! You think you are going to take him from me? He is mine!"
"Don't be so closed minded! We could both get with him. From his actions today give it a century and we will both be his in that way anyway. I could tell!"
"You can tell what? You have never been with a man how would you know what he wants?"
A slight frown found its way onto Verts face "Neither have you! You obsessive maniac! Anyway, Kali, let us try to be more amenable with each other, how many more years are you going to keep this up?"
"Don't make me out to be the bad guy, Vert."
"None of us are the bad guy, I just know your... tendencies. And I think you should ensure it doesnt cause problems for... the future" She said as she turned with a slight blush.
"Whatever, we can speak more on this later, I need to find Blanc and go and ensure I represent master to the best of my ability" She said as reverted to her professional mode. Still surprising Vert who has seen and experienced this many times over the years; like some sort of bipolar person.