The penthouse was quiet. The city lights shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft glow on the lavish room. It was late, past midnight, and the Disciple of Flames stood by his minibar, his fingers grazing the edges of an expensive bottle of alcohol. The weight of the meeting still lingered in his mind, each moment replaying in his head like a broken record. How had he failed? How had Kael, the person who shouldn't even have been a concern, completely overwhelmed him?
He poured a small amount of whiskey into a glass and took a slow sip. The warmth spread down his throat, a bitter yet familiar feeling. His eyes closed for a moment. This was how a normal person would unwind after a day of struggle, wasn't it? A simple moment of indulgence.
[System Alert: Harmful substance detected.]
The voice, cold and mechanical, was the same as always.
"Atleast this mortals did good in one thing"
His lips curled into a small, knowing smile. He pulled up his status interface and glanced at the holographic display hovering before him.
[Name : Belmont Xalvador
Title : Disciple of flames
Race: Martial god (Demi god)
Stats ...
Str : 1807
Agi :894
Def : 1000
End : 900
Dex : 700
Int : 2000
Assimilation progress: 78.9%]
The stats were impressive, but they didn't offer the clarity he needed. How had Kael been so much stronger than him, despite his own considerable power?
The numbers on the screen glowed steadily. His eyes flicked across them as he tried to piece together the puzzle. Strength, agility, endurance—all of them ranked highly. But Kael? His power wasn't just a number. There was something more to it. Something that couldn't be quantified by the system. It was a feeling, a presence, an overwhelming force that crushed him with the sheer weight of its reality.
Flames stared at the screen for a moment longer before he dismissed it. His hand clenched around the glass, but he drank it anyway, the fire of alcohol matching the fire inside his chest.
---
Elsewhere in Central City, Kael sat alone in the grand library, the only sound the rustle of paper and the occasional honk of cars.
The library, newly built after its destruction was vast and a sanctuary of knowledge as always. The shelves stretched high, filled with books containing records of history, strategies, and the experiences of countless great minds. He had decided to take this time to think, to consider his next move, and to recall anyone from his past who might be useful. Allies, enemies, or simply those with potential, he was making a list.
As Kael wrote, his mind wandered to the past. Some names he could barely recall, others… he couldn't forget. He mumbled to himself as his pen moved across the paper, scratching out a name here, adding a new one there. He was alone, but his mind was full of noise, plans, doubts, the weight of decisions yet to come.
A soft chime rang out, and the door creaked open.
Kael didn't look up immediately. He knew who it was. Elara's presence filled the air, and behind her, Rika stepped into the room with an air of grace.
Elara's voice rang out, a playful tone evident. "You wouldn't believe it, Kael. Boys, after boys, after boys—pestering her nonstop. Had to turn off her system just to block out their voices. Like she was in a vacuum or something." She chuckled, her eyes dancing with mischief.
Rika let out a small sigh, clearly not as amused. "I didn't turn it off completely. I just isolated myself. I don't need to hear their nonsense."
Elara grinned, nudging her. "Yeah, sure, sure. You had to do something. I think you scared them more than anything."
Kael gave a small, amused smirk but didn't say anything. He let them chat, knowing Rika's discomfort with the situation. It was clear she wasn't used to being surrounded by so many normal people, but then, who would be? Especially when you had the power to see things beyond what most could even imagine.
As they chatted, Kael's attention was still on the list in front of him. His pen scratched out another name. Elara, noticing this, wandered over to peer at it. She tilted her head, her hazel eyes scanning the names.
"So, what's all this about, Kael?" she asked casually, though there was a slight hint of curiosity in her voice.
Kael didn't immediately reply, his fingers moving slowly across the paper, lost in thought. "Oh, just thinking. A few options, you know. Making sure everything's in order."
His voice was calm, but there was a slight edge to it that hinted at the seriousness of his words.
Rika's eyes fell on a specific name on the list, her brows furrowing slightly. She pointed at it.
"How did he make it onto your list? I've seen him… barely. But I know one thing—he's weak. He couldn't be of any real use."
Kael's smile remained, but it was knowing, almost secretive.
"Not for long," he said cryptically, his eyes glinting.
He didn't need to explain further. Rika didn't press the issue, but the air between them shifted. There was something Kael wasn't saying, something that lingered in his words.
Elara looked between them, her face filled with confusion.
"Who? What are you two talking about?" she asked, her voice full of innocent curiosity, though she was beginning to piece something together.
Kael simply gave her a half-smile. "I'm sure you'll find out soon enough." He didn't offer any more, but the mystery was there, hanging between them like a secret yet to be unveiled. And that made Elara really uncomfortable.
---
In a quiet manor deep within the forest. The surrounding trees created a wall of green, and the river flowing in front of the house gave the air an almost serene, peaceful quality. It was the perfect place for someone who wanted to hide away from the world. The manor was large, isolated, and yet, it felt comforting in its stillness.
Inside, a young man, no older than 19, stood before an old-fashioned freezer. His hand hovered over the contents for a moment before he chuckled to himself. He pulled out a drink and popped the cap.
" So he noticed huh?," he muttered softly to himself as he walked back to his seat in the study.
His expression was unreadable, his thoughts far away from anything normal. He was thinking of something, something that had yet to be completed. But for now, he simply sat back and enjoyed the drink, lost in thought.
---
Far above the mortal realm, in the heavens, a council meeting was underway. Mid and lower gods gathered in a large, dimly lit hall. The air was thick with the weight of decisions to be made. The divine council was in session, and the future of the realms hung in the balance.
A decree was made.
Three humans would be chosen for three tasks. One would be sent to destroy the martial gods...the very same mission Kael had once been tasked with before he defected. Another would be sent to eliminate Kael himself, to rid the heavens of the anomaly that had caused so much unrest. The final human would remain on standby, waiting for the moment when they were needed.
The decision was made, the words spoken.