Chapter 651: Thena


    Thereon, the rulership of the Shadow Realm settled. The people, conveniently dubbed, ‘Shadows’ trained without interruption. One could say, the news of Zeus periodic slumber brought upon the mortal and divine realm peace and quiet. In retrospect, such would have been earlier deduced per Syhton’s untimely visit.


    Without much trouble, the day advance to the 7th of October. By then, Thena and Nike were used to live at the manor. *Driing,*monly rose the day, and so woke Igna in arger-than-life bed. Draconis, Saniata, and Vanesa curled and scattered throughout the map-like sheets.


    ‘Two days,’ he thought and made for the corridor, *click,* the opposite bedroom opened to fatigued looking gentlemen. “Thena and Nike,” he said, “-good morning,” a courteous hug headed for the washroom.


    “Aren’t you ashamed to share such a private moment in thepany of young maidens?”


    Amberly lit bulb warmed the sink, “-aren’t you ashamed to be taking a shower inpany of a man?” returned Igna, “-besides,” he meaningfully red to Thena’s underpants, “-I see the morning wood has yet to subside.”


    “Shut up,” the curtain pulled with arrogance. Nike breathed a chuckle and wandered through the morning routine. Downstairs, the familiar sound of breakfast hummed melodiously, the scent drew one after the other to the dining hall. There, éir brazenly tied a very feminine apron, “-good morning master,” he said in thepany of an arduously working Aceline.


    “The idol’s putting in the work,” jested Igna, “-I’ll take these next room. Wake the children in an hour or so; the night’s been very stressful.” Currently at the manor were, Igna, Aceline, éir, the children, Thena and Nike, thetter two were new and temporary... or so he thought, or would seeter on. Asmodeus and Kul took the liberty and flew north to Tale(also known as Tole), a vige recently turned town, of unwanted affairs. Far as Dostein politics cared, Tale, partly ruled by Cimier, was but a hunting and agricultural area. A twinkle of a bell projected a screen onto the wall, there, news of current events disyed.


    .....


    *Good morning everyone, I’m your favorite host, Misty from the Morning Fall show, and today, we have updates on the shooting at the musical festival. Aceline and Kinless, two heroes of the said night, spoke on the matters a few days ago. Due to some constraints, we weren’t allowed to show the full speech. In any case, more than a few million people have seen it already. Aption of the guitarist’s heroism of which had our trusted Sultrians put to shame, and the willingness to embrace death for the people’s sake is on the site for all to see. The ‘boycott Ansoft’ movement has cleared, Arcanum users have raised important questions per Igna’s speech. The way he phrased many ideas was in a way, reawakening, I, myself, the ever-shining Misty, couldn’t believe it. There are so many things we do not know about, and I, for once, want to know the full history. Despite public outrage, the Gaso Group has denied any allegations and refuses to make an official statement, save a few rudimentaryments on social media. Alphia bonded together in a time of crisis, a true sight of fraternity towards our continent. Our voice was heard by our emperor, official messengers have said his imperial majesty shall address the public once the terrorist threat is under control. In other news, Ansoft’s influence over the entertainment world has dropped substantially. Thepany’s going through a rough time, the conglomerate has paid a humongous amount for the physical damages. Good on you, Chef Amsey, great work, We from the station and on behalf of the populous, ept the events as one tragic and unlucky. Enough gloomy news, here’s one for my fellow female listeners, thedy who coordinated the investigation and supervised the rescue operation was promoted to Chief of Odgawoan, the first female public officer to reach such an influential position. Chief of Police, J Valentino Rozemal, from the very distinguished household of Rozemal, daughter of the General Dockzt Rozemal, who’s actually on the phone, good morning, Lady J.”


    “Good morning, Misty.”


    “I was surprised when I heard from my manager, the chief of police wanted to be on my show.”


    “Well, everyone here listens to the Misty show.”


    “Thank you for thepliment,” sheughed, “-you had an announcement?”


    “Yes, to the efforts of my team, we have found and tracked the location of potential suspects involved in the incidents on the 5th. The captured prisoners will be put on trial before his imperial majesty’s self. Kinless and Aceline, heroes of the 5th, Emperor Sultria VI, requests thee to be present.”


    “A public announcement,” interjected Misty, “-should this not be done officially?”


    “No,” she refused, “-staple official on an act and people think it to be political. I rather do it publicly and without restraints.”


    *Beep,* breakfast ended before the show, “-Master?” said éir, “-should I be worried?”


    “No, ignore what she said,” firmed Igna, “-tis publicity. As new Chief, she ought to show a great deal of affection to the people and safety. Trust me, her words are fleeting. The supposed trial is over already.”


    “How do you know?” narrowed Thena, “-see the future much?”


    “Common sense,” he smirked, “-would one willingly bring an unknown before the monarch. What if the body had a spell or greater offense, caution over bravado.”


    Dishes aside; the hours progressed until 10:00. ‘I don’t get this world fully,’ gritted Thena. Multiple canvasesid beautifully on white walls. The study was refurbished to be a painting station for the new resident. Materials, canvas, anything he wanted or needed was made avable. His best pieces were taken to the ground floor in a remodeled dancing hall. The open space was sliced and divided by wooden walls painted white, lighting and décor matched one of pleasantness.


    ‘Why must I have to paint...’ the lift opened, a fatigued Thena ambled his way to the gallery and hung his piece. “Igna...” he turned the corner, “-why must I paint?”


    “To pay the rent,” replied he, an open entrance gave a sense of freedom. The exquisitely cleaned marbled floor sparkled, “-didn’t I say to experience what the mortal realm has to offer,” stood behind were avant-garde paintings. Whereas the personages,ndscape, or object be centered and follow a certain symmetry, his choices were bold and meaningless. Obviously, many of her paintings followed that same ideology – very detailed and immacte reproduction of Zeus, self-portraits, and idyllic scenery only seen through a god’s eye. “I get that,” he handed a smaller piece, “-what about my other works, you’ve kept everything I deem grand and befitting my station in the study. Instead, what the gallerypromises are abstract lines and shifts... I admit I like them better, still, why?”


    “Don’t worry about the why or how,” returned Igna, “-just paint and do whatever, the only condition is for I to be the sole imant on said pieces.”


    “Whatever,” his eyes rolled, “-can we go out now?” medium-length hair drew briskly against his rxed shoulders, “-Nike’s impatient too...”


    “When they said I’m the deity of Strength...” puffed a constipated voice after the lift, “-don’t take it literally...” a hefty statue mbered to their stead, “-I can’t hold it,” the face pulsed to red, veins budged as came a painful squint.”


    “See, he’s impatient,” rebutted Thena.


    “NO, I’M...” A simple spell carried the object inside, the art room cked out. A spacious sports utility vehicle branded by the esteemed Keihizer waited solemnly at the entrance. A shadow of a beast flew over, two loud ps rustled the windows.


    “We’re going out,” said Draconis, “-pops, fighting monsters is fun,” hemented.


    “Saniata,” sighed Igna exiting the manor, “-what are you two nning?”


    “Not my fault,” she refuted, “-Lilith said for us to train in the Shadow Realm.” The pungent aura of the vortex psed, “-hey Igna,” waved Lilith, “-I’ll be taking these two.”


    “Ok...” he shrugged.


    Meanwhile, a whole province away to the silent Tale, Kul hid behind rusty blinders. “This ce is a sham.”


    “Stopining,” returned Asmo, “-I’m not the one eating fast-food...” a small television yed reruns of Autumn’s Blossom, “-look at the table, there are pizza boxes everywhere.”


    “Shut up,” returned she sharply, “-not my fault... you had to go and make a deal with Yonak. Look at us now, spying on filthy humans.”


    “They offered one million just to sit back and watch, the more information we have, the more we get paid.”


    shback to a few days ago, after thepletion with Yonak, the boss, contacted again to spy on another family. The reasoning was, ‘-Ravens are independent and don’t care about hierarchy, the leader wants money.’ Apparently, the four families were at each other’s throats in the trafficking business. “Anything to report yet?”


    “Not really,” she replied. Empty street and shabby buildings, such was the scene onto the great beyond of two blocks. No clue, and no idea, Kul watched day in and day out. “Any luck on the microphone?” asked she.


    “No luck,” he replied, “-éir’s gadget hasn’t responded...”


    “Wait, wait,” she ate thest bite,”-strange figures,” the prince quickly shuffled to the window, “-here,” they wore headsets.


    “Ha-ha-ha,st night was amazing,” the crowd disappeared into the building.


    “I know, the yellows have no idea we stole the produce fromst week’s transit.”


    “Aye, don’t speak too loudly,” yelled another, “-pack the stuff and have the produce readied for Odgawoan. Our clientele waits patiently.”


    “Boss, we got a problem,” the phone rang of which, éir’s autonomous system intercepted, “-to the dealers, we have found a new manufacturer. The Yonak’s are ending rtions.”


    “Ingrates,” a loud crash echoed, presumably, a kick.


    “What are we going to do?” articted a frightened voice.


    “Shut it, man, let me think. We stole the shipment, let’s just resell it to Saku or the Vermillion.”


    “We can’t... Cimier rules this town.”


    “Whatever man, load the trunk, we’re going on a little trip.”


    The door mmed, and off went the figures, “-what now?” sat Asmo, “-nothing’s happened...”


    “Maybe they know they’re being watched?” Kul suggested.


    “Doubt it, those buffoons don’t know anything about secrecy. I wonder what secret the Yonak wants to find out. Annoying, very annoying, I could be spending time with my harem, better yet, sendingdies to the Shadow Realm.”


    *Beep, iing transmission,* “-hello boys, I hope I wasn’t toote. Yonak’s have backed out of the agreed deal. A team’s going to attack their shipyardter today. They never realized a double agent was in their midst. They will pay greatly for the tant betrayal; us reds will never fall to their treachery again.”


    “Track the caller,” ordered Asmo, ‘-I wonder, is such an infant scheme worth 1 million?’


    “Orders confirmed... Caller, Unknown, Location, Unknown... Name, T Si. Associations, Yonak and Saku, disposition; traitorous.”


    “We got our share,” smiled Asmo.


    “No,” her mood swung to belligerent, “-those buffoons yed us for fools...” *Demon-Arts: Spirit Sense,* the walls melted in favor of the life-essence, multiple gunmen posited. One held three fingers and counted, “-get ready,” she whispered. Fist clenched, heavy boots stormed the door, “-hands up.” Easy as breathing, a sloppy horizontal swipe imploded the invaders.


    “Master, Kul, and Asmodeus were ambushed on their mission to Tale. The culprits have been dealt with, a greater scheme between the families may be profitable. Should I investigate further?”


    “Go for it,” the scenery gently swayed for the town-center, the destination, an art exposition showcasing a collector’s pieces.


    “What now?” sighed Thena, “-riding these is farfier to chariots.”


    “We’re headed to meet an art critic,” he replied, “-here’s thy chance at stardom.”


    “Really?” the shoulders rose confidently, “-I am the god of arts and craft, don’t get jealous when they revere me.”


    ‘I won’t. Trust me,’ he emotionlessly faced forward, ‘-the underworld families bother me. Why send the Raven’s to spy,mon sense says they can sell the information for more profit. Is it Esvalo’s doing or someone else. The greater reason is why – stirring the pot doesn’t equate to ambitionsing to fruition. Never mind them, Thena will learn a lesson today; art and crafts pitted against ignorance and yes men.’