"The die is cast."
Aurelian laid in his bed repeating that quote in his head for hours on end.
A flood of thoughts occurred in his mind—
*There's really no turning back is there?*
*I have to see it to the very end…*
*The Reaper cannot be negotiated with. Yes, yes that's right. He's evil incarnate. The Devil. Lord Emperor, you have chosen me for a reason.*
He sat at the edge of his bed,
*I want to protect everyone. Just like how you wanted to protect what was dear to you… Guri. That's… why.. you took the job… right?* Aurelian had slowly slid off his bed, falling asleep on the floor.
The sun rose, the golden beams of warm light seeping through the windows. Imaez quickly jumped out of bed.
"I'm not one to lie around.." He muttered.
Imaez walked out his room, heading to the bathroom to start his day.
"Hmm? That smells good.." Imaez walked to the kitchen.
"And… voila! That's breakfast for us. Oh, Imaez you're awake?" Marie tilted her head.
"This inn is awesome! It's like we get our own house for the price of a hotel!!" Marie was ecstatic.
"Let's just say, I know the owner pretty well." Imaez half smiled. "Alright get Lloyd up, let's eat and head out."
Imaez picked up a newspaper from the kitchen counter, reading a bit of the main story—
"The Royal Attack Squadron announcement! Lord Emperor has vowed to eradicate the Reaper and he has always fulfilled his promises! Days of massacres are no longer. Laveton will prevail! Glory to Lord Emperor!"
Imaez pinched the bridge of his nose, "Shit!"
He went to the bathroom, looking at the mirror. Turning on the sink and washing his face.
*Alright… it's confirmed. They linked this back to me. But how did they know it's me..? I never use my void abilities in my massacres. Only when I erase doors and entrances, and If I do use it, I erase their entire body.* Imaez had a sudden thought.
Imaez remembered what Guri told him in their fight—
"Lucky for me you have fell right into his trap!"
*So someone knew I was going to Angels.. alright. Strategic indeed. But they can't anticipate me coming to this Megacity. I always lay low and stay rural, never urban. Give or take— I have one or two days before Hell breaks loose.*
The sink was overflowing with water.
"Oh.. shit!" He turned off the tap and drained the water.
The Deathslingers had ate their breakfast and went out.
"So… what exactly is the game plan here? They formed a whole division of the Royal Army to hunt you down? And you're just calm and nonchalant about this..?" Lloyd was clearly confused.
Imaez sighed— "They won't find us here for just around a day or two. Especially since my wanted poster and sketches haven't been delivered here yet. We'll lay low and wait for the train to the North City."
Marie looked towards Imaez, "North City?! Like the city where Soul Pacts aren't weaponized? I heard that they conserved the ways of the First Emperor for a thousand years!! I'd like to go there!"
Imaez's expression turned surprised— "You study your history. Don't worry: the train to North City comes in a day and a half. We'll be in and out Greenwood."
Aurelian had sipped on his coffee, in front of him. 15 soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder.
"All of you. State your names and Soul Pacts." Aurelian spoke with seriousness.
"Hughman Janaden, Weather Manipulation!"
"Vinast Bere, Cognitive Replacements!"
"Adam Octavian, Shadow!"
"Vanessa Taoya, Sensory Manipulation!"
"Cupiditas… Ability Absorption."
Aurelian had stopped the rest from speaking.
"You 5, you will be the only ones accepted. The rest will go into the Special Forces. You are dismissed. Expect a letter in your dormitories."
The soldiers walked out, everyone except Cupiditas.
"What are you still doing here-" Aurelian was interrupted.
"I want to see Imaez Austeci erased from this earth. He's the Devil." Cupiditas spoke clearly.
*This kid knows what he wants.* Aurelian grinned.
"So, what is he to you? Seems like you know him."
"He's the one.. who gave me this scar, when we were both 14."
Cupiditas had taken off his dress shirt, showing a scar traveling from his collarbone to his kidney.
"He was, the only one to ever hurt me."
"I will erase him."