《Master of Cards. *Reborn*》


 Prologue.

    Long snow white hair, stained with blood. A handsome youth who had four swords by his hip. A katana, a saber, a Liuyedao and a Jikdo. The youth wore a black tailcoat with a black skull mask over his face. Dozens more of the soldiers stepped out to greet him with their spears.


    "You dare to enter the God of Destruction''s place?!" One soldier barked away at the youth who took out a Q-tip to dig his ear.


    "Sorry, my hearing''s bad. Still ringing from your dead commander''s cry over there." The youth answered as he readied the Liuyedao or as it was known in the common tongue, willow leaf saber. The four blades by the youth''s hip all had names.


    "Master Lee ... We can handle this if you wish." The four swords went out of his hip, drawing themselves as they showed their figures. Four women that were clad in armor and wore demon masks.


    "Thank you, I will go deal with that annoyance over there." Lee took a step forward, in that instant. The entire horde of soldiers before him were reduced to nothing. Lee continued up the grand staircase that led to the temple that belonged to the God of Destruction. Corpses of dead soldiers, weapons from ages of past, present and beyond. Living demon swords, laser guns, gatling guns and whatever one could think of.


    Two statues stood before the entrance to the temple.


    "You are not allowed entrance to the God of Destruction''s Domain!" They echoed, their voice was enough to blow anything in front of them away but Lee stood there with a sigh. The weapons, the metal armors, the corpses. Everything around him but Lee was still standing there poised and calm.


    "I am the God of Destruction''s Avatar. Did you forget that?" Lee roared back at the statues shattering them to fine powders of dust. Blown away by the wind that they used against others. Lee walked to the temple door, placing his finger in the middle of two gigantic doors. A tap was all it took. Where the doors flew away at high speed, crashing into the home of the God of Destruction.


    Lee stepped in to see the God of Destruction standing in front of him wielding a sword and covered in a black armor.


    "To think my own Avatar is present before me. So is there anything in particular that you are standing here for?" The jaws of the God''s helmet simulated the action of a human mouth yet the voice coming from it was like an omen. An omen to the destruction that this particular God could unleash by his fingertips. Even by his word he could speak the words of destruction to life.


    "Well, I''m just standing here because you called me here, remember? What is it now, Lucius?"


    "What, must a god have a reason to meet with his Avatar? You''ve already destroyed the malevolent gods. It seems that those of them who serve the Gods at my side have been giving you a rough welcome." Lucius spoke with ease as he let go of the sword, where it changed form to be a table with a marble board on top of it.


    "That explains the annoying bunch of idiots at the front door." Lee said as he walked to the table. Standing in front of Lucius who took off his helmet. Wearing Lee''s face.


    "Might I say, you are one handsome devil. Of course I would wear your face, just to piss you off." Lucius spoke with a grin, snapping his fingers as the metal formed chairs for them to sit on. They took their seats as Lucius was thinking of a game.


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    "Chess, Xiangqi or Shogi?" Lucius asked with a smile.


    "Chess." Lucius was white while Lee was black.


    "Thanks to your efforts, you''ve ruined the Malevolent Gods. You''ve stopped their schemes of beginning an armageddon for many dimensons. Hell, you''ve even killed them. I was thinking that you were going to kill me next." Lucius spoke with a smile as he moved his pawn forward.


    "I wouldn''t kill you. I was annoyed with all those asshats attacking me from entering your realm." Lee said as he moved a piece, followed by watching a pair of glasses show up beside their table. Poured with clear white liquor that smelled of roses.


    "The Gods have decided to elect me to be the Supreme God that oversees the actions of others. I find it funny, to how a human has helped me achieve this. Yet all it took was me saying that the Malevolent Gods were the ones that caused your family''s misery and plotted all of it." Lucius said as he held his glass.


    "You were the only God that said yes to me when the others said no. You asked for a bit of faith. I gave you faith, and the way I see it. You''re the only God I''ll listen to. 52 Lives that you gave me were fruitful, each one was filled with happiness. You gave me power to fight back. Yet, I could not save my first family as Kael." Lee raised his glass, a toast with Lucius.


    "Look at yourself." Lee looked at his hands followed by a mirror that showed his face. He was now back as Kael.


    "Wait...Are you?"


    "Yes... Kael Webster, my avatar. I plan to reincarnate you back to your first life. You will remember all the lives you''ve lived. You will keep your weapons inside the storage space you have in your soul. All you have to do, Kael. Is live your life the way it is. You''ve always wanted to avenge your family from the first life. So now''s your chance." Lucius said as he shared a drink with Kael.


    "This is your life, Kael Webster. I hope that you will be able to enjoy it." Lucius said with a smile, seeing Kael''s tears fall from his face.


    "Thank you, Lucius." The God smiled to Kael.


    Kael opened his eyes finding himself in an alleyway. Stinging sensation to his face, he felt some parts of his body sore and aching. Touching his head, feeling some sticky stuff on it. Then looking at his hand. A little bit of blood, and perhaps some shards of glass mixed with some liquor smell. This alleyway smelled like piss, but that was to be expected. He even found a needle to his right arm, they must have drugged him. Kael got back on his feet. Stretching his back, feeling the tension in his bones fade away. Then cracking his fingers. He had a lot to do in this world.


    Touching his ribs, he could tell two of them were broken. Placing his right palm over the broken ribs, a deep breath and a chant.


    "Minor Heal." The stinging sensation over his ribs left him. Kael left the alley, he was back in Matello Metropolis. Like the duality of man, this place was beautiful to outsiders and to those who had the opportunity. Yet when one looks beneath the cracks of it all, they can find the disgusting things that lie beneath. Criminal organizations, syndicates and people who had power. Preying on the weak and the opportunistic. Kael looked at the mark on his chest. It was the symbol of Lucius, the God of Destruction. The shattered moon, it slowly changed to that of a crescent moon with a blade that cut it in half. Supreme God Lucius''s mark.


    Kael smiled, he knew that everything will be alright. He was not going to let the mistakes of the past happen. He will not let his family suffer as before. His snake of a girlfriend, Cindy who left him for the other richer man. Rich was one thing, but the bastard was also the one who destroyed Kael''s family.


    "Just wait for me you bastards. Mess with my family, and I''ll destroy you." Kael said to himself, clenching his fists. Feeling the fire by his finger tips.


    "What date is it today?" Kael looked at the date, ''21st July 2031 19:21'' This date was important it was the succession for the Webster family. In the first life, Kael was late because he was beaten up badly and was sent to the hospital. His cousins had men attack him in the streets. Just to make sure Kael makes a fool of himself during the succession.


    "Let''s see you make a foll out of me this time."

 Chapter 1 : Home coming.

    Kael headed back to Webster Family¡¯s house. The walk to the house was easy, no obstacles. Perhaps his cousins did not expect Kael to make it out of there alive. There was no rain, just the purple sky above him with the moon being his friend on this lonely walk.


    It was not about the walk being boring, just Kael expected something to happen. Maybe a car would step out to kidnap him? Or some guys shooting him from the distance. Something to at least make Kael have something interesting to do.


    The walk to the house, Kael heard the voices.


    ¡°Hah! Lloyd! Your son is not here for the succession ceremony! I bet that spineless coward is just stuck in a ditch after being drunk!¡± Kael heard the voice berate his father. The blood was boiling but that was not the main point of it but his path was blocked by the Webster family guards. Men in suits.


    ¡°Halt. Identify yourself.¡± Kael sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯m the son of Lloyd Webster and Miriam Donnis.¡± The guard did not seem to be convinced or rather, they seemed to be in the pockets of Kael¡¯s other cousins.


    ¡°Are you going to let me through?¡± Kael asked where the guards just laughed.


    ¡°Or what? You t-¡± Kael kicked the lot of them through the door. The ruckus had brought the Websters outside.


    ¡°What is all this ruckus!?¡± A voice shouted, yet what they see was Kael standing on top of the guard who refused to let him pass. Placing his foot by the guard¡¯s neck. Kael then took a cigarette packet from the guard¡¯s pocket. Lighting it with a hinged lid lighter. Flicking the flint to ignite a flame. A deep whiff as Kael looked at the guard below his feet.


    ¡°Kael!¡± Kael turned to his father, the thin aged man who seemed worried.


    ¡°Hey dad. I¡¯m fine. The guards wouldn¡¯t let me in. So I decided to take matters to my own hands.¡±


    ¡°Please have mercy young master Ka-¡± Kael crushed the guard¡¯s neck, then turning to the other three guards that were present.


    ¡°Only reason why you¡¯re alive is because this man was your leader. If you all were of the same rank, I would have killed you the same.¡± Kael turned to his cousins that were present. Kael ignored them as he killed the cigarette and walked to the Webster Family¡¯s Patriarch and elders.


    ¡°Kael Webster greets my elders.¡± The patriarch nodded to Kael¡¯s remark. Three of them were quiet while one of them made a fuss.


    ¡°You cannot simply just kill a guard of the Webster family because he did not let you in!¡± The elderly woman raised her voice.


    ¡°So you are telling me that a Webster is allowed to be insulted by a mere guard?¡± Kael asked, his defiant tone was something that angered the elder even more.


    ¡°Watch your tone Kael!¡± One of his uncles shouted.


    ¡°You disrespect my father so easily. You berated him in front of all the Websters. You expect me to be respectful to you? Called me a spineless coward. The last time I remember, there was an etiquette to these things.¡± Kael said as he walked closer tohis uncle. The way Kael smiled as he looked at his uncle was not only unsettling but it was hilarious to see his uncle shake in his boots.


    ¡°Not to mention your son, Marcus had sent a few guys to rough me up.¡± Kael said as he played the tape on his phone.


    ¡°So you just want us¡­ To rough your cousin up? Is that it Marcus? This seems a bit too much don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°I would ask you to do worse but he¡¯s still family. So I can¡¯t just kill him.¡± Kael watched the face of Marcus wrinkle with fear to what they had heard.


    Kael took a step closer to Marcus only to watch as Marcus¡¯s bodyguard stepped in front of him with a blade. Swinging it downwards to Kael. Kael stopped the blade by grabbing onto it his hand bled but the look on the bodyguard¡¯s face? That was priceless. The bodyguard¡¯s hands were shaking, and Kael snapped the sword in half then he took the top piece. Stabbing it into the bodyguard¡¯s leg, followed by pushing the other broken piece of the blade into the bodyguard¡¯s neck.


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    ¡°If you want to live don¡¯t take it out.If you limp from here to the hospital in 5 minutes you might live.¡± Kael said as he lit another cigarette. The bodyguard fell to her knees, then the others helped her out.


    ¡°Kael. You have to understand it was just a joke. It was just a jo-¡± Kael got closer to Marcus who ended up screaming first. Kael did not even raise his fist, he merely blew the smoke of the cigarette to Marcus¡¯s face.


    ¡°Easy, Marcus. We¡¯re all family aren¡¯t we? Now why would I harm my dear cousin?¡± Kael said as he placed his hand on Marcus¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Just a little warning for you and your dad. Hurting me. I don¡¯t give a shit. But disrespect my dad or hurt my family. You even lay a hair on them and we¡¯ll have a problem. And you won¡¯t like how I deal with my problems, Marcus¡­ I tend to get messy. Do we have an understanding?¡± Kael asked as he placed his bloodied hands on Marcus¡¯s cheeks. Squeezing them until he looked like a fish, where Marcus nodded.


    ¡°Good boy.¡± Kael let his cousin go, then walking over to the dead bodyguard¡¯s body. Wiping the blood off his hand with the bodyguard¡¯s white shirt.


    Kael took a deep whiff of the cigarette, looking at his family and siblings. He killed the cigarette, looking at his younger brother. Something was off with his younger brother.


    ¡°Big brother?¡± The moment Kael went close he touched his younger brother¡¯s cheek. His mind played the sequence of the memory, one of his aunts slapped his brother.


    ¡°Aunt Deborah.¡± Kael turned to his aunt who glared at him.


    ¡°You hit my younger brother. Did he do something wrong?¡± Kael asked the question, noticing Ren¡¯s hand tugging his sleeve. Shaking in his boots.


    ¡°She said she¡¯d hurt mom.¡± Kael stretched his neck, Kael looked at the Patriarch.


    ¡°Patriarch Webster. My younger brother was hit by my aunt. I¡¯d like to at least know why and it should be justified. If the reason is because my brother misbehaved, I will let it go but if it¡¯s for some other reason. I¡¯d like to know why. Ren is shaking in his boots and he just said that my aunt would hurt my mother. We have etiquette since we¡¯re family but only thing that is stopping me from breaking my aunt¡¯s arm off is out of respect to you and my parents.¡± Kael said these words so easily where as the others would be shaking in their boots when speaking to the Patriarch.


    ¡°Brat how dare you involve the Patriarch into this matter!¡± The same elderly lady raised her voice, Kael did not look at the elder.


    ¡°Elder Mei..¡± Kael called, then gesturing silence with one finger to his lips. She mouthed the words but none of the voice came out.


    ¡°Patriarch.¡± The Patriarch stroked his beard, laughing at the sight.


    ¡°Very well. Deborah Webster. Tell us why did you hit Ren..¡± The Patriarch¡¯s words were law.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s because he over heard of something that was private.¡± The Patriarch¡¯s glare was enough to force Deborah on her knees. Gasping for air, Kael stood in front of the Patriarch, where that glare was cancelled out.


    ¡°Patriarch, thank you for asking but Aunt Deborah may not be able to speak if you kill her by accident.¡± The Patriarch grinned.


    ¡°Cheeky descendant. Well, Deborah. You were saved by the sibling of the one who threatened you. Deborah, I will let this go. But if you threaten this descendant¡¯s family. Be prepared for the consequences. Kael¡­¡± THe Patriarch raised his right arm as a saber appeared to his hands.


    ¡°Can you unsheathe this?¡± The saber was passed to Kael, who merely looked at it. It was a sword that had strings that covered the hilt and the sheathe.


    ¡°If you wanted me to unsheathe it. You should have given the blade itself, not the shadow.¡± Kael¡¯s answer earned the laugh from the Webster Patriarch.


    ¡°If you can see that far. Then you are a worthy member of the family. I had heard many things about you Kael. You¡¯re a lot like your father, if your father¡¯s strength was not taken away because of your grandfather¡¯s carelessness.¡± The Patriarch said with a smile.


    ¡°However, My advice to you. Is to reign that nature of yours.¡± The Patriarch glared at Kael only to see Kael yawn in front of him. Where the others froze in place, Kael walked on back to the Patriarch to pass him the sword.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s much of a problem.¡± Kael said to the Patriarch.


    ¡°It seems I was worried for nothing, that is merely my advice to you. Though, it is in the nature of the Webster family to protect the ones they love.¡±


    ¡°To the ends of the earth. Even if God himself chose to attack us, it is in our nature to fight back to protect our family.¡± Those words had the Patriarch smiling once more. Kael walked on over to his family, looking at Ren and his younger sister, Jenny.


    ¡°Lloyd. Your family is excused. And if you have the time. I¡¯d like to meet with you all on days when you are free.¡± The Patriarch¡¯s words were heavy on his family but it was one of grave importance. To put it simply, it meant that the Patriarch has found a family he wishes to get to know.


    Kael bowed to the Patriarch with his family, then they headed back to the car.


    ¡°Kael¡­ Are you okay?¡± Miriam asked, looking at Kael who was staring out the window.


    ¡°Yeah, mom. I¡¯m fine. Don¡¯t worry about things too much.¡± Kael answered her where he could hear his mother¡¯s sigh.


    ¡°Kael, I¡¯m not worried. It¡¯s just you came back and you¡­ You killed a person. Kael.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t make any excuses. But if they talk badly to this family then we¡¯ll have a problem. Besides, I wanted to break Aunt Deborah¡¯s arm for hurting Ren.¡± Kael said as he looked at his mother¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Being kind and cruel is not a good combination Kael. You need to know which of the two wolves in your heart that you should feed.¡± Kael smiled while his parents began to lecture him for his actions.


    It didn¡¯t matter, just hearing their voices was blessing of its own. He missed them so much. They all got home, things were quiet. Kael was in his own room but he needed to deal with something.

 Chapter 2 : Intervention

    He pulled out a scythe from his weapon storage, where the scythe took its true form. A skeleton in a cloak floating with it.


    ¡°Ice Reaper. Mind taking care of things with my family? There seems to be a few rats running around.¡± The skeleton nodded as Kael put on a black tailcoat outfit, along with a black mask. He tied his white hair to the back, then it changed its colour to black.


    ¡°Are you going to use us, Master?¡± Kael heard a voice, it was coming from his swords.


    ¡°No. I won¡¯t be using any of you when I¡¯m like this. Going to go with a classic.¡± Kael said as he pulled out a deck of cards from his pockets.


    ¡°Just make it quiet, okay Ice Reaper?¡± Ice Reaper nodded to Kael¡¯s words as Kael left. Kael phased through the wall and leapt to the roof of his house. This time he was looking for the eyes that were peering into his house. Taking out a card from his deck, the Joker. Throwing it to the direction of the ones who kept a watchful eye on the house. A snap of his fingers and Kael was right behind them. A sniper team.


    ¡°Did you hear something?¡± the sniper asked, unaware that his spotter was headless. The sniper turned to see his spotter missing a head, then followed up by feeling a hand grabbing his throat.


    When their eyes met, the sniper¡¯s mouth was covered. Seeing the glowing violet eyes staring into his soul.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be shy¡­ You can always tell me who has a mark on the Webster family. If you answer nicely, I¡¯ll let you go and you live. If you don¡¯t¡­¡± When Kael leaned closer, the sniper felt jitters all over his body. Shaking his head to Kael, trying to speak but his voice was muffled.


    ¡°Seems like you won¡¯t speak. It¡¯s fine, I can always just kill you instead.¡± The sniper¡¯s body exploded. Leaving behind a pile of blood. Then he heard the radio go off behind him.


    ¡°One of our sniper team¡¯s went quiet. Someone go check it!¡± Kael went over to the radio picking it up but not saying a word. Just letting his breathing be heard by them.


    ¡°That¡¯s the sniper team¡¯s radio¡­ What the hell¡¯s going on!?¡± Kael smiled as he readied a card. Ace of Spades, walking out of the building.


    ¡°We got contact. Unknown hostile. He¡¯s wearing the sniper team¡¯s radio! Everyone eng-¡± Instantly there were screams on the radio. The sound of flesh being pierced and ripped apart.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?! Someone report in?¡± Kael was surprised to hear a survivor.


    ¡°Someone? Burt? Ackers? Who else is alive?¡± The panicked voice was like a beacon for Kael. He left the radio on just to terrify this panicked voice even further. Such simplicity. Haunting his enemies was just something Kael was used to do when he was Lee. Or rather in the 52 lifetimes he had lived. The cards in his hands were one of the lives he had led. The Master of Cards, a figure who terrorized governments with his magic. The kind of magic that could destroy continents. All the lessons he learned in those lives had given him one thing he lacked.


    Control. The cars were a medium and he could set the kind of magic to be used. Joker was mainly one for teleportation and it was also able to help him locate the targets of his intention. The Joker card reappeared by Kael¡¯s hand, crushing it. Where the card shatters like glass. Bringing Kael to the location of the survivor.


    Unaware of Kael creeping from behind, Kael did not need to waste time with this person. Only get closer and closer, letting his footstep be heard.


    ¡°What?¡± The survivor turned, unable to see Kael because Kael was now hanging above him. Kael grabbed his head. The survivor dropped the gun, looking into Kael¡¯s eyes. Muffled screams as Kael read through his memories. Seeing the person that hired the hit. It was a business mogul who had a dispute with Kael¡¯s father. A dispute that lead to Lloyd refusing to cooperate with the business mogul on a joint venture worth half a million.


    Kael dropped the survivor¡¯s body which was nothing but a breathing corpse. The man was foaming by the lips, Kael was thinking about it. This will definitely make headlines. That was easy, and it seems that reading through a person''s memory so forcefully would kill them. Might be due to the fact they also see bits and pieces of Kael''s memories.


    Kael returned home, seeing Ice Reaper floating around the area. Phasing through the walls while holding his scythe. Ice Reaper merely waved at him, then continued to float around.


    ¡°Thanks Ice.¡± Kael then headed to his room, where the mask and clothes faded away from him. He was clean as if he did not commit such acts in the first place. Going to sleep first.


    The next day came around Kael grabbed his bag, then headed out at dawn. He needed to take the subway to his college. It would normally take sometime, roughly an hour to arrive at campus. Kael sat inside the subway, it was empty save for the lady and her grandfather. Kael could feel the powers that emitting from them. The Grandfather''s strength, it was maybe on a ratio of 500 : One if comparing directly to Kael. Save for the part the grandfather''s got some damaged mana veins in his body, it may cause him to be weaker. While the lady? Her mana veins were clear as crystal but there was a single problem. She had a lot of power but there was some stain to her powers itself.


    Kael put on his pair of earphones and leaned to the walls. Crossing his arms, tapping his fingers by his shoulders. Then seeing three masked figures stepping into the subway with blades in hand. The blades they carried were machetes and they had mana veins. Similar to those who are in the world of the Addepts. The proper term for such figures who have mana in this world? Adepts. The hidden world of swordsmanship and magic.


    ¡°Grandpa!¡± The lady ran to her grandfather¡¯s side, drawing a short sword. The masked figures ran to them, swinging their blades indiscriminately


    The lady was able to hold them off with her skills but even then it was barely enough. When facing multiple opponents, the biggest mistake one makes focusing on one at a time. She needed to be aware of the other two''s actions. Lack of experience was what made this obvious. Even lightly casting a barrier to strengthen her weakpoints, but it was too shabby. If Kael even put his pinky to that barrier, it would shatter.


    The attackers were clearly from a skilled sect. Kael was thinking about their swordsmanship, believing it to be from the 18 Blades Sect. Coordinated in their attacks, one would attack in sequence. It was not a clear pattern, it seems these three were so used to fighting together. Though Kael does not like it, fighting in a subway train like this in broad daylight? This was definitely reckless on their part.


    Perhaps Kael was used to the rules the Adepts had to live in the shadows in the many lives he had been in. Perhaps it was due to the Adepts that were fighting all out. That led to the death of his family in his original first life. The train was soon going to reach another subway station that would be crowded with people. He needed to end this quietly or things will get messy.


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    ¡°Baihua.¡± Kael whispered as the Liuyedao appeared by his side, Kael drew the blade quickly, a single swing was all it took. The three attackers were obliterated beyond reason. It was as if they had not existed. Kael then took out a handkerchief, wiping the blood off the blade. Then sheathing it.


    The lady and her grandfather looked at Kael, clearly he was distressed. Holding his cane, he was prepared to attack Kael if he was not careful.


    ¡°I am not a threat nor I did not draw the blade to help you. It was a matter of not involving the civilians.¡± Kael said as they watched Baihua vanish from his hands.


    ¡°Keep that blade hidden. Also put this on.¡± Kael said as he passed the lady a thick fur jacket, this was to ensure that some of the cuts on her clothes would not be noticed.


    ¡°Thank you for your assistance. We appreciate it. What is your name?¡± the grandfather brought forth the question.


    ¡°Kael Webster.¡± Kael answered.


    ¡°How did you learn to use your swordsmanship?¡± The lady asked.


    "I''ve learned it off a hermit who wishes to remain anonymous." Kael answered. Where the train stopped, filling it up with people who stepped inside. Kael then moved closer to the grandfather and the lady. Standing in front of them as the lady took her seat beside her grandfather.


    ¡°Please young man¡­ We¡¯re on an important mission. It is to save her parents who are being held hostage. We¡¯ve lost quite a number of our men coming here.¡± Guess Kael was steal weak when the words ¡®family¡¯, ¡®parents¡¯ or anything that was related to it. When threatened by another family, Kael did not need to hesitate. if someone went after his family. He''d butcher them too. The flood of humans inside the train had them all packed like sardines in a tin.


    ¡°Fine. Lead the way.¡± Kael said to them.


    "The station that we need to take is right after the one on the official stop. This is because it''s been empty due to a string of murders." The grandfather said to Kael.


    ¡°Baihua.¡± The blade appeared by Kael¡¯s hand as more armed individuals appeared, they wore masks and Kael could see that they were Adepts. They were wearing black jackets with a hoodie. Trying to conceal as many of their features as possible.


    ¡°Another lamb to the slaughter Mister Flare? Are you ready to watch your side of the family die?¡± Kael did not want to hear any of this shit as he lights a cigarette. These guys were just cocky, no power and no strength. A family''s life is at stake, he needed to be quick.


    ¡°If you want to live you can let us pass.If you want to die then by all means.¡± Kael cut them off as the Adepts readied their weapons. Kael took a step forward and drew Baihua forward, pointing it at the Adept that ran their mouth earlier.


    Kael then let go of the blade as it hovered in front of him. Taking a deep whiff with the cigarette. They ahd no idea to what was going on, Kael was already preparing for an attack.


    ¡°What you think that¡¯s going to scare us? You mu-¡± An Adept ran straight to Kael swinging his machete to Kael¡¯s neck. It was inches away, to Kael it seemed like forever for the swing to actually reach him. Like this person was moving in slow motion.


    ¡°Bloom, my beautiful flower..¡± Kael said where they watched the Adept attacking Kael turn to nothing but a pile of blood.


    ¡°I warned you.¡± Kael said as one by one, they turned into nothing but puddles of blood. Their blood splashing all over painted the parts of the subway station as if it was paint. There was no smell to it, their bones were vaporized completely but their blood remained. A sign that am massacre had taken place. As they began to panic, they started to realize that it was inevitable. That nothing could be done to prevent their deaths. Their clothes fell to the ground. Seemingly untouched and not bothered by the fresh coat of paint.


    Kael looked at the last Adept that was frozen in place from what he had seen.


    ¡°The world is vast isn¡¯t it?¡± Kael asked, walking up the stairs to the Adept who was frozen solid. Fear was one thing but he was unable to move or even say a word. Kael placed his hand over the Adept¡¯s face.


    ¡°Run to your masters.¡± Kael said, it caused the Adept to run away. Stumbling on the non-functioning escalator a few times. It was a struggle for the Adept to even get back on their feet.


    ¡°Mister Flare, let us get going.¡± Kael said as they walked up the broken escalator steps. They were not going to say much. Kael was able to kill that many Adepts with just a single attack.


    ¡°Patriarch!¡± There were men and women loyal to Mister Flare running to his direction. Clad in black suits and armed with bladed weaponry and guns. One of them stared at Kael.


    ¡°Who is he?¡±


    ¡°A benefactor¡­ Master Kael will y." Kael raised his hand to stop Patriarch Flare.


    ¡°Until we get your family back. I won¡¯t leave. That is a promise I made to you, earlier." Kael said.


    ¡°Thank you, Master Kael.¡± Kael stepped into the car where he held Baihua in his hands, taking a deep breath as he kept his composure.


    ¡°You have good technique, but your problem lies in the foundation of your swordsmanship. The very basics such as stance and movement. If you fix that, you can excel to even greater heights with your blade. The Flare family is known for their Rising Phoenix Style. It is a beautiful sword technique. It focuses on dispatching your enemies in a single swing. The Rising Phoenix is famous for being able to harm multiple opponents with a single swing, then to finish all of your enemies off with the last swing. Do not sell yourself short. You merely lack experience to sharpen such skills.¡± Kael said to the lady.


    ¡°Thank you, Master Kael. I¡­ I will take those words to heart.¡± She lowered her head before him.


    ¡°It is quite rare to hear someone be so well versed in the art of swordsmanship. Since it has fallen in favour thanks to firearms.. ¡± Patriarch Flare said.


    ¡°We are in a different time where swords may no longer be a weapon that can be used so easily. Adepts are a different story. Such as the idiots in front of us.¡± Kael said as they heard horns of a truck coming in front of them.


    ¡°Don¡¯t evade.¡± Kael said as he drew Baihua instantly. Reducing the truck into nothing as the driver''s body crashed on the wind shield.


    "Just keep driving. He''s already dead." Kael said as he lowered the window, then climbing up to the top of the car. Throwing the body aside. There were more vehicles on the way. Three more trucks. Kael needed to time it carefully. A deep breath to start priming his blade. One foot bending slightly forward. Picturing the swings he needed to vaporize the trucks. Then the drivers. A single draw, 12 quick swings. The trucks vaporized into nothing the drivers that operated them? Were turned into bloody sculptures on the ground.


    Soon they arrived at the location an abandoned factory, where they see a rival family. A young man who had a gun pointing to the Flare family that were hostages.


    "Lori Corazon. I thought we had an agreement!? Release my son and my daughter in law!" Kael was thinking of how he was going to do this while they began their talks.


    "Deal''s changed. Besides, if I kill you. Then there would be no one left to oppose the Corazon family!" They pointed their weapons to Patriarch Flare, his grand daughter and his men. Kael was done with thinking.


    "Baihua... Slay the enemies before me. Leave nothing." Kael said as he drew Baihua, the blade shined bright white. That bright light would be the last thing the gunmen and Adepts would see. That single swing, it showed them a thousand deaths in a single strike. Not even the corpses were left. Lori Corazon turned to Kael only to have Kael''s hands wrap around his neck.


    "I... I''ll kill you! I''ll kill your entire family!"


    "Not before I kill yours, brat." Kael said, strangling Lori Corazon until his eyes burst out with blood. Splashing onto Kael''s face.


    Soon there was nothing left. Kael lit up another cigarette, walking over to the Flare members who were hostages. They were free from their bindings, running over to Patriarch Flare. Kael then pointed Baihua to the corpse of Lori Corazon which was then turned into white powder, being blown away to the wind while the clothes remained.


    ¡°Wait, Master Kael! Is there any way for us to contact you?¡± One of the Flare family¡¯s men walked on over, showing a phone. Kael dialed in his number.


    ¡°Just let me know if you need anything, Master Kael. We are forever in your debt.¡± Mister Flare spoke to Kael with a bow.


    ¡°Thank you Master Kael.¡± They all bowed. Kael waved them goodbye as he faded with the wind.


    ¡°Patriarch¡­ Who is he?¡± One of the bodyguards asked.


    ¡°Someone who is far more dangerous than anyone I¡¯ve seen. He was able to kill that many adepts as if they were nothing. Then killing all of our attackers without them realizing it. We must always be on this man¡¯s good side and be grateful that he has given us his good graces. It was by his good nature that he came to help us. All because he did not want the normal people to be involved with the world of ¡®Adepts¡¯ .I¡¯ve not seen a man with such clear boundaries in such a long time. Do make sure that everyone that works with us is aware of who he is. He must not be offended.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Patriarch.¡±

 Chapter 3 : Annoyance.

    Kael was headed back to college. He missed two lectures, and was in time for the third. The scent of blood was gone from his hands, and Baihua was sitting in his storage space. Kael headed to class, where he could blatantly see Cindy hanging out with the rich guy driving that expensive car. He needed to get his ass to class, which he did. Kael sat down in the lecture, where people were bored stiff. Kael was literally fidgeting with the pen in his hand.


    The lecturer had as much inspiration as a used teabag. Clearly, he was bored out of his mind and was doing it because he was getting paid. Cindy was the typical hot blonde girl who was dating the nerd like Kael. Of course in reality, Kael was just a money bank for Cindy to spend a lot of money on.


    ¡°Hey Kael.¡± Cindy spoke to him after class, though he did feel a slight ember of emotion but Kael was already used to the taste of betrayal and her voice was annoying. Like someone using their nails on a chalkboard kind of annoying.


    "What is it now?" Kael asked Cindy who was holding his hand.


    "When are you going to ask for the allowance? Didn''t your dad own a factory and just got that loan of his? I''m sure you got at least some money." Kael brushed off Cindy''s hand.


    "We''ll talk about it later. I have to go settle something." Kael said as he headed out first. Then watching Cindy rush off to her friends.


    "Hey Cindy what''s wrong?"


    "It''s Kael. What kind of boyfriend doesn''t give me money? I thought he would be happy to see me. He''s all cold as ice now!" Kael was literally, literally just 10 steps away from her. She must be doing one of those little ploys of her. The drama queen act Kael remembered her for. Putting on his earphones then maxing his volume. He did not want to hear anything from their mouths. Superficial people and superficial relationships, this was the mistake Kael had made in his first life.


    Being overly friendly to everyone you meet. The world is full of snakes and even vicious people who would not care about the consequences. Kael then headed to the library. He missed out two lectures, so better revise on his own. Even stepping in the library was an annoyance. Someone spilled water over him.


    "Oh, I''m sorry." Kael could hear the most unsincerest of voices belong to the guy named Donnie Chang. This guy was looking for a reaction, Kael would normally make a fuss. Not today. Kael headed to the cubicle with his books. Then getting started on his revision.


    ''Seems like being in the world of war, I seem to have gotten slow with my maths... Then again I could never do any of those calculating bullshit anyway. Ah I''ll just... try my best.'' Kael thought to himself as he just tried again. The function or equations were things that were always tough on him. He could do basic logistics but that''s just about it, if you asked Kael to calculate stuff... Even with a calculator. Then it''s not going to end well.


    Might be the God of Mischief''s doing since Kael was good in most things. Well it was a fair balance. Kael was good at sewing clothes but he can''t sew his own clothes. He can cook for others but he can''t taste his own food. Kael is good with cards but he can read a person''s lie or tell if they are bluffing or have genuinely good cards. It ruins poker for him.


    Kael tried his best at math, and judging by this. He was just hoping to pass math subjects. Not even aiming for an A+ just a pass. Sometimes a warrior must accept that being the bare minimum shall suffice. Kael paused, that was a dumb analogy. it was not even fitting for this case.


    Fighting in a fight is much easier than doing math. Math just stresses and is capable of microwaving the frontal cortex of a human being when done enough. Especially for those, who can make a calculator. Specifically a scientific calculator say 1+1 = ERROR. Which is why Kael has to calculate most of it in basic form. He can''t even use a scientific calculator without it going haywire. Kael tried another calculator, then watching it go from ''1+1=2'' to ''1 +1 = X.'' Which meant that Kael could not see the answer even for basic calculation. So he''s going to have to do things manually. Even if it is going to cause him to be wrong.


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    Once he was done microwaving his braincells with mathematics. He proceeded to take a break, heading out of the campus grounds for a quick smoke break. By the corner of his eye, he saw Cindy who was going out with some foreign rich guy named Marc. Not that Kael gives a shit considering he already knew about it from his first life. His only concern was just to take it easy.


    A cigarette smoke break was something he needed. Particularly due to how his body was set. The God of Destruction would neeed Kael to make payments in the past. The previous payments in his previous lives were to get drunk and be doing things that would damage his body. From body strengthening pills or potions that would increase his mana treshhold. So smoking a cigarette was something simple but it was akin to an offering to Lucius. Though at the same time, it was the lightest offering. Normally Kael would get a sign that he needed to up the offering but so far there has been nothing. It might mean that Lucius is fine with Kael smoking. Smoking is better than doing drugs and losing one''s faculties.


    Kael''s faith was only for Lucius. The one God who said yes to a person who had nothing. Who was nothing. The other Gods pitted Kael in many trials yet Kael conquered them all. All 52 lives he managed to conquer them except for his original first life. Now, being able to redo this life was great. He managed to enjoy some peace and quiet instead of the conflict filled lives of the past.


    The minor conflicts he had recently were just that. Minor conflicts. Kael has been through wars, revolutions and battles in different dimensions. He has slain demons. He had slain angels and even Gods. So whatever that decides to mess with him, is literally asking to be removed from life itself. The demons called Kael the Lord of Ruin once while the Angels kept thinking Kael was the reincarnation of the Angel known as Trumpeter.


    The peace that he had in this place? The minor squabbles, the people enjoying their walks. The leaves that fell from their trees, the worms that danced beneath the soil and even the cars that pass by. 18 blue, 21 red. These were little things, things that Kael had taken for granted in all of his lives.


    "Hey Kael!" A familiar voice, one that was warm. A refreshing voice to hear as everyone else had Kael thinking they were annoyances. He turned to see the white haired girl who ran to his side with a file in her hand. The beauty of the college, where everyone would be wanting to win her favour.


    "Yes, Blake?" Blake was panting heavily, she must have ran for quite a bit.


    "I forgot to give you this. Teacher Xu says you have to finish it by today. So try your best and I''m so sorry I was slow." Kael smiled back, Blake was at the very least. Either the most sincere person he has met or someone who can fool Kael into thinking she''s sincere. Truthfully, Kael hoped she was sincere.


    "Thanks Blake. It''s fine. I''m sure you were busy too." Kael said as he killed his cigarette. Then fanning his shirt where the smoke left his clothes. As if they had never existed. Then again Kael was wrong to doubt Blake. BEfore he died, Blake was the one that brought Kael to the hospital, crying after hearing his story. Yet, Kael was able to die peacefully but vengeful as he could not avenge his family. Though Blake had to be careful with people. Blake ran off again.


    She''s the most attractive person in college, her father is a big famous industry leader in technology and she also is a famous singer. Sometimes when the college runs out of things to do, they will just ask Blake to sing for them as a means to keep things going. Then sell tickets to that performance. Though if one thinks about it. It is just the college taking advantage of Blake as a student and using her celebrity status to sell tickets to fund themselves.


    Was that evil or smart? Kael could not tell since the college was always in good shape. At least there was no embezzlement there. Kael let out a sigh. He noticed a car passing by in front of him. Then seeing Blake who had a tape covering her mouth.


    "Son of a bitch." Kael cursed as he kept a mental note on the car, then eyeing the car''s plates and the people inside. He placed his hands to cover his eyes because they would glow. A brief glow of the violet eyes and he had memorized the bodies and faces of the ones that kidnapped Blake. Now to make his way, Kael headed to the alleyways. Where his outfit as the Master of Cards formed over his body, then leaping upwards to the rooftops.


    Now what the hell was going on with this situation? A bunch of overly excited fans? Some guy wanting to kidnap Blake to use her as a bargaining chip? The possibilities were endless.

 chapter 4 : Oh, youre one of those.

    Kael had followed the people that kidnapped Blake to an eerie part of the words. The cliche kind where you would think that you''re in a video game with all the jumpscares to make you scream in surprise. Dead trees? Check. Some amount of mist or fog? Check. Every little crack sounds loud? Check. The forest''s entrance was welcoming yet Kael could feel a faint feeling of being watched.


    Instead of Baihua, this time. He will have one of his other swords. Baihua was not suited for what was going to be fighting in this place. It may be better if Kael had readied either the katana or the saber. Kuro Hana, the katana would be a better fit. It was a blade that was blessed by a thousand shrine maidens and a 100 priests. Kuro Hana was a blade that Kael had used to slain other worldly being and evils. Though it was more accurate to say he kept them at bay.


    The feeling of being watched, Kael knew what it was. They were nothing short of the horrors from the other side. Hidden beneath the mist, they will make noise to catch Kael''s attention. The smell of fragrant flowers that reached his nose was a solid distraction. Having Kuro Hana in his hands was a form of comfort.


    "Kuro. Think you can kill them?" Kael asked as he continued trudging through the woods.


    "I am unsure, master. For these demons are new..." Kuro''s answer was definitely uncomfortable as Kael continued on. His human instincts kept telling him to leave, to run. Because the problem when tackling such horrors is they attack a person''s sanity instead. Yet, Kael''s mind was still in tuned to being the Avatar of Destruction. He will just push on ahead. Then seeing a person whose entire face was covered in darkness.


    "Le-" Kael swung Kuro Hana straight to person, watching them dissolve into white particles.


    "Poor souls... You were sacrificed by fools that wish to awaken something else. I will put you all to rest." Kael said as he continued to walk through the path. The figures that tried to haunt Kael did so, yet Kael did not look at them with scared eyes. It was sorrow, for he touched the face of what used to be a young woman. Seeing her last thought being of her husband.


    Kael clenched his fist, it was not just anger but the desire to destroy what was planned here. The Avatar of Destruction shall destroy whatever cult''s ritual before this. Kael headed onwards before the path, where the spirits, the horrors did not stop him. They let him walk through, he could hear whispers.


    "Please... Set us free."


    "Please...Put us to rest."


    "Please... Give our families peace." Kael was guided by the voices, heading down the path where he heard the cultists chanting.


    "To bring our Dark Lord, Nelista to life! We offer this sacrifice!" Kael heard them chanting with Blake being chained in the middle. They were unaware of Kael''s pressence. That was how confident they were that the horrors and spirits outside would be haunting Kael. They were about to stab the knife into Blake, Kael swung Kuro Hana, slashing three of them. Their screams stopped the knife wielder from completing the ritual.


    "Wha!? How did y-" Kael did not let them finish their sentences. The moment their eyes met with his, their heads exploded. Kael freed Blake, breaking the chains open. However, the ritual was complete as Kael looked at the fabrics of reality being ripped wide open. Gigantic hands that forced their way through the hole,Kael took a look at the 10 eyes demon before him.


    "Kuro Hana. Bring her to safety." The blade took shape of a woman in a black kimono, carrying Blake away from this.


    "Human... You... You dare to kill my followers?!" it roared at him. The bodies of the cultists were sucked into its mouth.


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    "Nelista. I thought the ritual to summon you required 300 bodies at even your weakest form. Judging by the number that died. It''s lesser than that." Kael asked, this brought surprise to Nelista.


    "You speak as if you know me, human..."


    "I did rip the head of your own wife and beat you to death with it." Kael said which instantly caused the demon lord to shake. It was fear, Kael could see it sweating by its eyes.


    "Lucius''s...Avatar?"


    "If I answer your questions..W..Wil...." The demon was stuttering to even pose a question to Kael.


    "Sure. You didn''t do anything to anyone I know yet. But I can''t just let you run around and cause chaos. So you can go back to your world and be peaceful. Seems like if you were revived. Even the other demons have been brought back?" Nelista nodded.


    "Yes. The angels and demons you had slain have been revived with our memories of you intact. All of the supernatural are freely moving about in this realm. It still brings me shudders remembering what you did to me." Nelista said.


    "Just sit down, Nelista. If you''ve been summoned here, did any of the rules change?" Kael asked.


    "None.. But the souls they took. I was very sure that I required the souls of the depraved. They took innocent people.."


    "The cultists don''t understand the meaning of the texts. You''re at least in your half form. Halfway to be at your strongest. That is surprising to say the least." Kael said as he placed a cigar to his lips, where the demon gazed upon it. Lighting it for Kael.


    "Thanks."


    "To send these spirits off you have to make a call to any of the angels." Kael nodded as he stepped out with Nelista following him from behind. Kael clasped his hands.


    "Oh Lords. Your servants needs a deliverer to help put these souls to rest. They have suffered for far too long, they deserve better." Kael said where a bright light shined down upon him, following it up with a white robed, white winged figure with a halo descending down.


    "Valkis. So you''ve become a deliverer?" Kael asked where the angel nodded to him.


    "Yes, Kael. I''ve become a deliverer. These poor souls... Seems they were used to summon Nelista but... I can see Nelista is not happy with the offering... Any particular reason?"


    "I am a demon of the depraved and wicked. I don''t know why I was able to make it into the human realm anyway. Are the walls of the realms that thin?" Valkis nodded with a sad smile on her face.


    "Yes... They are far thinner than before. The supernatural leaks through them easily, even the demonic and angelic... Kael, Supreme God Lucius has a message for you. Between the Heavens and Hells, there are angels and demons that wish to start armageddon... Yes, once again. They truly believed that the Avatar of Destruction is dead. So they wish to redo this again." Valkis paused with a deep sigh.


    "How about it, Nelista? Want to stay by my side as we go deal with the wicked?" Nelista changed his form, becoming a lean build man who wore a black suit.


    "Fine. Besides, I''d rather not have a repeat of you killing me with the corpses of my children." Nelista said, then they turned to Valkis, the Angel of Deliverers.


    "I will deliver these souls to their slumber and rest. Kael, thank you for trusting this to the Gods."


    "Just remind the Gods that if they have a scheme to throw this life into another warzone. I''ll go up there and start killing them too." Valkis smiled sheepishly.


    "I will ensure that they hear your warnings." Valkis left first, where it cleared the entire forest of the mist. Kael could see the hundreds of skeletal remains that were present.


    "Ah... That''s a lot of innocent bodies. Some of these skeletal remains were from hundreds of years ago. Seemingly they used it to summon me." Nelista shook his head at the sight of all these skeletons. There was the moonlight above their heads, some of the horrors still roamed the area, sticking close to the trees. Keeping watch over Kael and Nelista.


    "The horrors?"


    "Nothing can be done for them. We put the spirits to rest. They must have something to do on this earth. Tell you what, I''ll join you after I handle what these horrors need to be put to rest. Then you just call Valkis to deliver them again." Kael was thinking about it, well he might as well agree to it.


    "Just try not to cause trouble to a few families. The ones I''m showing to you telepathically." Kael said where Nelista nodded.


    "Kuro Hana?" Kael called out.


    "Yes, master. The girl is fine, she is resting at the hospital. Is there anything you needed?" Kuro asked.


    "No, just stay with her. Nelista is going to handle with some horrors since I can''t speak their language." Kael said as he walked out of the woods. Taking a deep breath as his clothes returned to his normal form.


    "If the fabric is thinner than ever. It means we''ll be seeing a whole lot more things later on."

 Chapter 5: A visit.

    Kael was back at his house. Seeing food on the table.


    ''Just some left overs. Heard you were busy.- Mom'' Kael smiled as he took a bite of the food that was left by the table. Kael appreciated this light taste. It was something that was simple. Kael then went to sleep.


    Kael then headed to his campus again, via subway. Cindy awaited for Kael at the campus gates.


    "Hey, Kael. Are you free tonight?"


    "I might be." Kael answered as he walked past her.


    "You better make it tonight!" Cindy warned but Kael did not bother, mostly it was due to today being her birthday. Another trap that they had set.


    Kael did not want to be bothered by it, so he headed to class. A boring day of lectures but he had to stay awake. Then he went over to the nearby shop, getting some flowers and a healthy basket of fruits. This time he was going to visit Blake. He didn''t need to ask for directions since he could feel where Baihua was.  Knocking on the door.


    "Who is it?"


    "It''s Kael." Kael replied as he stepped into the room. Seeing Blake with her father.


    "Kael... Were you the one that rescued me?" Blake asked, clearly she had vivid visions of something. Maybe she saw Kael who noticed her.


    "No, I did see you being carried into a car. Then I called a friend who came to rescue you. They took you to the Blood Woods. The one that people said was haunted. Then my friend left you in here." Kael said, placing the flowers and the basket of fruits for Blake.


    "Thank you, Kael. I hope I can thank your friend too."


    "You have my gratitude for helping my daughter''s rescue... Is there anyway I can be in contact with your friend?" Kael shook his head.


    "Sorry Mister Summers. My friend prefers to keep to themselves. Not even letting me reveal their gender or anything about their identity." Kael said to them which he could see the aged Mister Summers let out a sigh.


    "Nonetheless, I''m just glad my daughter is safe. Thank you for being thoughtful."


    "I will leave you both to it, then." Kael said as he stepped out of the room with Baihua following his shadow.


    "Master, do you want me to stay and protect them?"


    "No, I''m sure you don''t like being away from me for too long." He could hear Baihua chuckle.


    "You''re so thoughtful master, yes. I don''t like being away from you for too long." Baihua whispered.


    "Vanquisher, Ravager. Protect the two of them. Anyone that tries to harm them, kill them quietly."


    "Yes,master." The weapons faded into the shadows of Blake and her father, keeping them safe from whatever threats that may try to harm them.


    Kael was thinking if he should even go to Cindy''s party? Perhaps not.Now his only thought was on dinner. Kael was focusing on something that he was craving for quite a while. Fried Chicken. Like real good fried chicken, the shop of an elderly couple who make some of the crunchiest, spiciest fried chicken ever. Kael looked at his wallet, he had 20 dollars. It was enough for the 3 piece set with a regular drink and mash potato.


    Smiling as he paid for his meal, Kael took it and sat down. The anticipation in his veins, he was excited as he looked at the vapors from the smoke. His hands were ready to touch it. He could literally taste it from his memories. The crunch, the flavor. The anticipation was going to kill him as he slowly tried to grab it.


    Only to see someone throw his plate aside.


    Kael looked up at the three burly men that stared at him.


    ¡°Your name¡¯s Kael Webster right?¡± Kael let out a sigh, he was thinking about his fried chicken.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± Kael asked, trying to keep his anger in check as he clenched his fists far too hard. Until his fingernails pierced his skin, he was bleeding a little. But that was nothing compared to the anger of his plate being thrown aside.


    ¡°Best if you come with us. Or we¡¯ll use fo-¡± Kael struck their necks in one go, the three of them fell to their knees. Then following it up with Kael placing a fork to the neck of the leader.


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    ¡°Look. You better have a damn good reason. Because you just threw a plate of fried chicken and man. I was looking forward to that.¡± Kael said where the leader was trying to speak. Stuttering as Kael''s glare was suffocating them.


    ¡°We came from the Casino owned by Garett. A girl named Cindy brought your name up.¡± Kael put the fork away.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll follow.¡± Kael got in the car.


    ¡°Yes, boss. We¡¯ve got him.¡± One of the men said on a phone call. The drive was smooth, they stopped at the casino. Where Kael could see Cindy, Marc along with the other people that were stuck.


    ¡°Ah, so you must be Kael Webster. Your girlfriend, Cindy here said that you can pay back her debt.¡± Kael walked on over to look at Cindy who was sitting on Marc¡¯s lap and Donnie who was on the floor.


    The man spoke with ease, he was wearing a three piece suit with cross shaped earrings. The man put a cigar to his lips, but his subordinates don¡¯t have a lighter. Kael walked on over to the man, lighting it up for him. He smiled.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got manners. So anyway back to her debt. She¡¯s got a debt of 2 million. Not my fault she blew it on this place. Plus the guy¡¯s debt was also at 10 million. Guess he wanted to show off to your girl eh?¡± Kael did not say much to the man.


    ¡°Well my name is Tony Garett. I own this place and I¡¯m one of the bigger underground mob bosses. I like your attitude kid, most people that see me would either cry like them or scream. You¡¯re just calm, calmer than ice. Why¡¯s that?¡± Tony asked.


    ¡°Well Tony. I¡¯m just pissed about my fried chicken.Three of your guys ended up messing up my order. I¡¯ve been craving for that fried chicken for a while. I mean you know Ma and Pa¡¯s fried chicken store right?¡±


    ¡°The one with the crunchiest, but spiciest one?¡± Tony asked where Kael nodded. Tony turned to his three men throwing ash tray to that hit the leading man''s head.


    ¡°Fuck, why!? WHy did you three mess with him in that shop!? I fucking said that MA AND PA FRIED CHICKEN. IS OFF LIMITS. WAIT UNTIL THE GUY IS DONE THEN YOU GO IN. SHIT. I mean LOOK AT HOW PISSED THIS GUY IS! HE DUG HIS NAILS THROUGH HIS SKIN AND HE IS BLEEDING!¡± Tony¡¯s tune shifted greatly shouting at the three guys that brought Kael into this room.


    ¡°Ah. I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll buy you a round of fried chicken after this¡­ How about..¡± Tony¡¯s words were cut off, he had a phone call where he picked up his phone. The atmosphere changed completely.


    ¡°Yes? Oh¡­ Yeah. He¡¯s in the same room with me. Oh. Oh¡­ Don¡¯t piss him off. Err¡­. I¡­ I understand.¡± Tony hung up on his phone. Then they watched Tony sighed.


    ¡°You know what, why don¡¯t we talk this over some food. I¡¯ll pay for that fried chicken. You feeling super zesty or just the Magma Crunch?¡±


    ¡°Magma Crunch.¡± Kael answered ,where Tony nodded with the brightest grin ever.


    ¡°Kael! Why aren¡¯t you helping me!¡±


    ¡°Why should I? I mean, you have Marc. He¡¯s rich. I¡¯m just a poor guy who wants to eat fried chicken¡±Tony laughed hearing Kael say all that.


    ¡°Hey, you three. Make sure you go back, apologize to Ma and Pa. Then get this man the fried chicken. Magma Crunch Bucket. Dorothy! I need you at the counter, sweetie! I¡¯ve got an important guest!¡± The others were surprised to hear Tony change his tune.


    ¡°So do you drink?¡± Tony asked.


    ¡°Depends on what you got. Whiskey on the rocks, some simple strong liquor with ice is fine for me.¡± Kael said as one of Tony¡¯s men brought a chair for him to sit down.


    ¡°Please have a seat. Dorothy, some strong liquor for this guy. Don¡¯t use any of that cheap ice. Give this man the one you give to Patriarch Flare.¡± Tony said as he smiled to Kael.


    ¡°Ah. So you know Patriarch Flare.¡± Kael said where Tony nodded.


    ¡°I¡¯m an affiliate of the Flare family. I mainly keep things under control in the city. Same goes for the developers and the project managers. If cops can¡¯t deal with it, I try and settle it off the record. I just got the call from Patriarch Flare himself. Now, that debt. I can let it go if you want.¡± Tony said.


    ¡°No, don¡¯t let it go. Just dial their parents.¡± Tony glanced to his men who made the phone calls. The drinks came.


    ¡°Fuck you, Kael! You¡¯re not going to help your girlfriend! You two timing son of a b-¡± A blade was over at Cindy¡¯s neck, Kael had the blade in his hands and the distance? It was roughly 50 meters but he made it there within a fraction of a second.


    ¡°I really did love you but love is blind as they say. And I finally see your true colours.¡± Kael said as he sheathed the blade, then vanishing back to the chair.


    ¡°Holy shit. If you were serious. Guess I¡¯d be dead too huh?¡± Tony said it so casually while his men were having nervous snickering and chuckling.


    ¡°I think we¡¯re on good terms. Unless you don¡¯t want to.¡±


    ¡°No. I mean, I had my doubts but now I understand why Patriarch Flare said to not piss you off. That family that threatened the Patriarch? It¡¯s one of the three big families in Matello. You just made one of the branch families vanish. The Corazons are a bit on the nutty side, everything goes on their end.¡± The men around Tony were breathing heavily, the name itself implied a lot of things.


    Marc¡¯s parents and Cindy¡¯s parents came to their side.


    ¡°Tony, look this is a misunderstanding!¡±


    ¡°Misunderstanding my ass. Your children played at the big tables even after we told them not to. They are 18. They are adults according to the law, so they can get into trouble because of it.¡± Tony snapped at the parents who kept quiet.


    ¡°Kael! Why aren¡¯t you helping Cindy!¡± Cindy¡¯s father barked at Kael.


    ¡°Last time I checked. You didn¡¯t like me, Mister Banks. You had an issue because my dad is just a small business owner. Unlike your big fat corporate enterprise.¡± Kael said as Tony passed him a cigar, then taking Kael¡¯s lighter to light it up for Kael.


    ¡°Damn. I almost feel sorry that you¡¯re dating a bimbo like her. That¡¯s a lot of love you put into her. Yet she just used you as a piggy bank.¡± Tony said as he let out a sigh, patting Kael¡¯s shoulder.


    Kael put the cigar on the ash tray, then taking a sip of his glass. When the bucket of fried chicken arrived, Kael and Tony put their cigars aside. Both of them were anticipating the flavor of the magma crunch. Picking the drumsticks, then taking the first bite. The crunch was loud enough for half the room to hear. The spice was amazing, it wasn¡¯t just spicy. It had a touch of sweet, sour and salty at different bites. The insides? Juicy and the mixed flavor was all that mattered.


    Kael and Tony devoured their meals properly, then finishing off with a drink.


    ¡°Thanks Tony.¡±


    ¡°Any time. Since you¡¯re his benefactor. Just let me know if you need anything.¡± Tony said as a bowl of water and soap was brought to them. Allowing them to wash their hands.


    Kael left Cindy with the others, letting Tony settle the debt. Good riddance to that. It will generate rumors but none that Kael would be too concerned about. He was headed out to a different direction in life anyway.

 Chapter 6 : Oh ho, threatening me?

    Kael was back at home when he got a call.


    "Hey, Kael. It''s Tony. Look I got some word that Patriarch Flare might need your help soon. Turns out the Corazon family challenged the Flare family to a duel. The kind of duel we call the Settlement. I think you''d know what it means. The Corazon family''s bringing the 18 Blades Sect, the one you trashed the other day. They''re calling for you to make your appearance. The Patriarch has a few Adepts that are working with him and things aren''t looking too good. They got trashed really badly."


    "Tell Patriarch Flare that I''m heading there now." Kael said as he went out of his room.


    "Hey, big bro? Where are you going?" Kael turned to Ren, petting his head.


    "Just going to go help out a person I owe a debt to. You going out with mom, dad and Jenny right?" Ren nodded.


    "Okay, stay safe okay?" Kael said to them where Ren waved him goodbye.


    "Ice Reaper, Black Ivy, Viento, Blitzer. Take care of my family."


    "As you command." Kael headed out of his house where a car appeared by his side.


    "Master Kael?" It was one of Flare''s men.


    "What''s going on?"


    "Master Flare was hurt in a fight, he was fighting against the Corazon family at the Pavilion. It was supposed to just be a Settlement match but it seems the Corazon wants to kill the Flare family. They''ve also taken the Young Lady hostage." Kael felt his blood boil as he got into the car.


    "Drive as fast as you can."Kael said as he thought about the blades to use for this fight. Ga-eul? Baihua or Kuro Hana? Ga-eul was the Jikdo that Kael had carried, a blade that was known for its resilience. Between his four swords, Ga-eul''s durability was what set it apart. This was a blade that could break through diamond, mytril or even specialized alloys. Many blunt force weapons that faced Ga-eul were able to withstand it.


    Kael brought out Ga-eul and he was sharpening it with a whetstone.Taking his sweet time to sharpen the blade.


    "Oh, master. You really know how to treat your blades right." Kael heard Ga-eul''s voice, she must have just woken up.


    "Hello, Ga-eul. I hope you had a good rest."


    "I did master. You always pamper the four us so much." Ga-eul said, even having a slight mewl at the end of her sentence.


    "We will always be by your side, master. "Kael heard the voices of all of his weapons. Kael sharpened Ga-eul. Kael''s weapons were unique in the sense that they were living weapons but there was also another distinction that separated them from other living weapons. They each have a title that was special to them. When Kael uses that title, the restrictions of their powers are lifted and they fight at their full power.


    The four that he carried were the ones who followed him from the beginning. From when he was the weak Kael who had been reincarnated. Ga-eul,Kuro Hana, Baihua and Banshee. They were four weapons that no one wanted, abandoned and rejected by many experts. Saying they were too temperamental. Yet Kael was able to bring the fullest potential out of them.


    They arrived at the pavilion, where Kael stepped out. This time, he was going to have all four of his swords by his hip. Wearing merely a pair of slacks with a black shirt, Kael had the four swords tucked at his hip.


    "Does the Flare family not have any more challengers?I didn''t think the Matello had nothing to offer. If this is the strongest that you have then I must say I am sorely dissappointed." Kael heard the voice speak up, seeing Patriarch Flare who was injured on stage with a blade to his throat.


    "Forget it, I might as well just kill you and your daughter. Of course if you have anyone that can kill me!" Kael walked towards the battle ring. Noticing Blake and her father in the crowd, including Patriarch Webster.


    "Ho? A young boy. Now why are you in the ring? Do you want to apologize and bow down to me? The Great Marcus of the 18 Blades?" Kael did not pay attention to the boastful swordsman, he went over to help Patriarch Flare on his feet.


    "Master Kael?"


    "You could have asked for help. Tony informed me of this."


    "I... I did not want to trouble you... You wished for anonimity." Patriarch Flare said as Kael brought Patriarch Flare to his family, then watching Patriarch Webster help the wounded Patriarch Flare to the sidelines.


    "Kael... Are you sure?"


    "It is not about being sure, Patriarch. It is about paying debts." Kael said as he turned to the boastful Marcus who wielded his pair of machetes.


    "Don''t tell me your name, you''re just another notch on my belt anyway. Are you feeling scared kid?" Kael then placed a cigarette to his lips and lighting it up. His left hand held Ga-eul in a reverse grip, waiting to draw.


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    "Ready to go?" Kael asked.


    "Yep." He heard the four swords reply.


    "What, you''re asking me? I''ve always been ready!" Marcus shouted.


    "I wasn''t talking to you." Marcus scorned at Kael''s remark, vanishing from sight. Then circling Kael with high speed. Forming illusions of multiple body doubles in the fight. They pounced at Kael at the same time, where they watched how the blades phased through Kael.


    "What?!" Kael was standing by the other side of the ring with Ga-eul drawn. He swung the blade towards Marcus, where Marcus noticed the blood on it.


    "How did yo-" Marcus could not finish his sentence. They watched how he was reduced to a skeleton just from the strike itself.


    "I didn''t need to waste too much of time. Challengers from the Corazon family and the 18 Blades Sect. My name is Kael Webster. I was the one who killed Lori Corazon and the 18 Blades Disciples that worked with him. Do not waste my time." Kael said as the elder members of the 18 Blades Sect took the stage.


    "So you were the one who has killed our young disciples... You are someone who has potential. Yet, I see it wasted in the hands of the Flare family. Tell me, who is your master?" One of them spoke to him.


    "Am I supposed to answer?" Kael asked as he whiffed his cigarette. He felt movement coming from the right, a sword was being thrust to his head. He stopped it with his fingers, seeing the masked disciple. Where Kael pointed his left finger gun. Raising his thumb, then striking down like a hammer. The disciple turned into powder right before their eyes, the clothes and mask remained. Yet the powdered form of the corpse was blown away by the cruel wind.


    The elder rushed at Kael with a sword, swinging it at him repeatedly. Kael merely stood still, but the attacks. None of the elder''s attacks were striking Kael.


    "Don''t waste your time. Come at me all at once." The other elders stepped up to the ring.


    "You arrogant fool. Don''t blame us for being ruthless! For your insolence we will kill you and your family!" Kael laughed at that line by the 18 Blade Sect Elder. His laughter was like an omen to the destruction.


    "Do you understand what that means? To threaten another Adept''s family? Let me ask you again. Are you sure you wish to stand by those words? Because by the end of this fight. You will perish but I will also destroy your entire Sect as penance for making such a remark. In the ages of old. Adepts were careful to not say such words so carelessly. To kill an Adept in a duel is honourable. That is all it means. To threaten another Adept''s family, it also means that if you die. Your family and your Sect will pay penance by blood. For blood is to be paid in blood. As Elders of the Sect. You must be sure of what you said." Kael''s voice was like an omen, and they just ignored it.


    "I stand by my words." The Elder said which Kael then threw the cigarette aside. Kael drew Kuro-Hana with his left hand and taking Baihua with his right. He took a deep breath as the 20 Elders charged right at him. Kael took the blows head on, they had a bit of strength. His feet skidded as a result of the attack.


    "Just a cocky brat. He dares to-" They turned to see one of their Elders having their skin peeled off during the fight. Then turned to another who had his body rearranged, another Elder had his spine slashed out from his body. Leaving him flat like a jellyfish. Kael''s silence was enough, he was no longer ready to negotiate. he was going to make their deaths slow. Another elder had his entire face peeled off. Kael''s swordsmanship in this moment was not to kill. Killing them too easily was far too kind, he was going to let them experience torment.


    They tried to attack him, yet their strikes phased through him. Kael was like a ghost, he was there visually but physically? Physically how can it be explained that their attacks missed the Kael that was seen to be in front of them? Another Elder had watched his arms be cut off, leaving them as skeletons. One by one, the Elders did not experience a quick death. They were suffering, but in reality. They stood still and Kael was walking past them. Screaming, falling to their knees. Their minds were living in the injuries that Kael has made it.


    Kael snapped his fingers. The Elders were fine, they were back to normal. They turned to Kael who was behind them, he smiled at them and they exploded. Painting the gray battle arena with their blood as a fresh coat of paint. Kael turned to the other 18 Blade Sect members that readied their blades, Kael drew Kuro-Hana first. Three swings, then sheathing it for Baihua. Two slashes with Baihua, then swapping to Ga-eul. Four diagonal swings, sheathing it and then taking out the Banshee Saber with one horizontal strike.


    The members of the 18 Blade Sect tried to move, they had their entire flesh stripped away from them. Leaving them nothing but skeletons stuck in their motions.


    "The 18 Blades Sect!? They...They''re... They''re all dead!?" A Corazon spoke to them. Where Kael could see women, children and elderly among them.


    "If you have any other challengers you want to fight against me. You can try." Kael said.


    "Master... We''ve found threats against your family. We''ve interrogated them. They are said to have come from the Corazon family." Ice Reaper appeared beside Kael, floating behind him with the bodies of the soldiers sent by the Corazon family. Kael readied his blade as he was going to slash the Corazon family.


    "MASTER!" The voices of his weapons stopped him.


    "You''re letting your anger take too much from you. You''ve never fought with anger. Your calm is just as important master." Kael let out a sigh then he sheathed Kuro Hana.


    "Corazon family. This is my only warning. If any of your associates go after my family. I will slaughter you all. Be it woman, be it child, be it elder. Anyone with Corazon in their name shall be killed. Patriarch Flare, as this is a matter between you and them. You are free to deal with it as you please." Kael said as he turned to Tony who passed a cigar to Kael.


    Tony then lit up the cigar then clapping to Kael''s win. The others did the same, soon an echo of claps to Kael where he stepped down from the battle arena. Having blood over his clothes, Kael then turned to Patriarch Webster, then seeing Blake and her father.


    "Kael." Blake called out.


    "I wasn''t the one who rescued you." Kuro Hana unsheathed itself then appearing as a woman in a kimono.


    "She was the one who rescued you." Kael said where Kuro Hana curtised to Blake. To which then they see Ice Reaper floating above Kael, where he scratched the chattering skeleton''s head.


    "Thanks Ice Reaper." Kael said.


    "You are welcome master. I will return to your family''s side." Ice Reaper vanished.


    "From now on people of Matello We serve at Master Kael Webster''s wishes. Take note of the Master who had just defeated the 18 Blades Sect and who has shown us his prowess. We of the Flare Family shall swear our loyalty to Master Kael Webster!" Patriarch Flare declared as people began to bow to Kael.


    "Patriarch Flare. I will leave things to you. If the Corazon family swears loyalty to me. Then you let me know." Kael then turned as one by one, the influential figures of Matello began to introduce themselves to him.


    "Keep things under wraps. I don''t like to stand out." Kael said as they watched him vanish from their sights.

 Chapter 7: Shh.

    Kael was back with his family. This time they went to a business gala, where Lloyd was invited to give a presentation to potential investors over his project. The project that Lloyd had planned was the creation of a low budget housing apartment that was not only comfortable but focuses on access. Easy to access transportation, easy to move about.


    Kael was wearing a black tailcoat where as his dad wore a black suit to match with Ren. His mother and Jenny wore blue dresses that complimented each other well. Patriarch Webster, Patriarch Flare including Mister Summers were present for this. This was not a planned meeting, Kael made it clear that if anyone wants to invest in this project. It will be something that they need to show interest in and not due to Kael is Lloyd''s son to get on his good side.


    At the gala, Kael was standing with Blake who watched his father''s presentation. It earned a lot of nods from the many investors that were present. Where Lloyd had shown the transportation including busses, subway stations, even the new monorail transit systems. There was even a special route that was being designed to bring the people from the housing apartment to the airport or port.


    Blake and Kael did not say much to each other, she just seemed to prefer staying in his company. It was as if Kael was a deterrent from the many men that wanted to get to know her. Most of them are just there for Blake due to her financial stability and her beauty which is the full package. Kael was fine with it,Blake just held his hand as they sat down.


    "Sorry, Kael. Might need your help with this. They don''t seem to understand I don''t want to get to know them better." Blake said, this was the first time he had seen Blake be so emotionally drained.


    "It''s fine Blake. I don''t mind being your plus one if you need it. Besides, if they spend time being busy dealing with me. I doubt they won''t have time to talk to you." Blake smiled, then she squeezed Kael''s hand. Leaning to his shoulder. Where Kael touched his coat that phased through his hands, placing it over Blake''s shoulders.


    "There''s a room for you to take a break nearby. Best if we head there so you can rest." Kael said, Blake nodded to him as Kael helped her on her feet.


    "Thanks, Kael. I''m sorry." Kael helped Blake to the break room, it was meant for guests who needed a break from the atmosphere. There were water bottles in the room. Blake needed to take her rest, Kael waited inside the room. Tying a blindfold to his eyes as Kael went into a dream like state.


    Inside he was standing to see his mirror.The Avatar of Destruction, Lee Myers. They stood on the lake, the lake was deep yet they did not fall into it. Kael readied Baihua then watching Lee ready Baihua. They charged at each other, upon making contact. A whirlpool appeared from below, great winds were eminating from their sword strikes. Kael needed to do this, to see how much his stance and posture was off.


    A piercing attack from Lee, Kael ducked to dodge it. A counter slash to the right arm, then charging Lee away with his shoulder.That helped to push Lee back for a moment. Kael then let go of Baihua, this time drawing Ice Reaper. Lee did the same as they both chased each other down, swinging their scythes. The scythes clashed, sparks eminating from the sheer contact as they both try to steer their blades off course.


    Kael kicked the Lee''s scythe rod, then punching the neck. Following it up with swinging the scythe ot Lee''s head. Lee''s head was cut off from it, Kael took a moment to think. He returned back to reality. Taking off his blindfold, he turned to see Blake who was still asleep and seeing Mister Summers who was with her.


    Kael left without saying a word to Mister Summers, seeing Patriarchs Flare and Webster getting along was good. Then seeing his father meeting with many investors. Ren was enjoying food with Jenny while his mother was happily talking to the other women in the gala. Kael felt a surge of bloodlust coming from the service elevator, he decided to go take a look. Hearing clicks of sorts.


    The door opened where Kael could see them wielding firearms in their hand. Their eyes met with Kael who gave them a smirk. Vanishing from their senses then reappearing inside the service elevator.


    "This is bad night, for you lot to cause trouble." Kael said as the elevator doors shut themselves. Their screams were not heard by the people outside. Seconds later, Kael was done with the slaughter. Fixed his ribbon, he had a bit of blood by his fingers and his cheeks. He managed to wipe them off and even got rid of the scent.


    Stepping out where he could see Tony was with his men.


    "Sorry, seems like our security got a bit lax."


    "It''s fine. Seems like some people are getting a tad bit more aggressive. Send me the details later." Kael said to Tony, while Tony''s men were feeling the shivers from what Kael had done. Tony was ice cold as he stepped into the lift.


    "If you can''t stomach it. Then stay outside and make sure no one gets in. Just be glad it wasn''t our asses on the chopping block." Tony spoke to his men. This was just another day in the office for Tony and it was a gruesome sight but work is work.


    Kael headed back to the table where Patriarch Flare had given him a card.


    "This is a Platinum Card for all of the Grand Blue Hotel. I suggest you take your family members there. We''ve had our Adepts prepared and since I''ve been informed of a breach. I apologize for the issues." Patriarch Flare said with a bit of concern.


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    "It''s fine. We are not perfect. Do your best." Kael said as he walked to his family, inviting them to celebrate the success at the Grand Blue.


    "Kael, the Grand Blue is expensive. And I don''t think we can afford that." Lloyd said to his son only to see Kael smile back at him.


    "It''s fine, dad." Kael said as he took the driver seat of their car. His father sitting in the passenger seat, Kael could see a disembodied head floating in front of his car. It was staring at Kael showing its tongue, then Kael pointed his finger gun and said ''Bang''. The head vanished as Kael drove the car to the Grand Blue.


    Arriving at the Grand Blue, Kael showed the card to the Grand Blue. The front desk was easy, no issues as they got the VIP seat.


    "Pick whatever you want. I''ll handle it later." Kael said as they all enjoyed their meals together. Kael was helping Ren with his steak, then cracking the crab for Jenny. Just your typical, overly caring big brother stuff. They celebrated Lloyd''s success.


    "Kael, how did you even get the card?"


    "I just started working with some good people. Some opportunities worked out. It was just pure coincidence." Kael said.


    Unknowingly, there was someone who was watching Kael''s family.


    "That''s him. That''s the guy that messed with me! You have to do something, big bro!"


    "Oh I will Donnie. Just let your big bro handle this."


    Ren followed Lloyd to the toilet. It was supposed ot be a simple walk, though what had happened? Kael heard some glasses shattering from outside, then seeing a waiter verbally bullying his younger brother.


    "You brat! Don''t you know how expensive these bottles are!" THe waiter slapped Ren, it left a red mark. Kael''s blood was boiling bit by bit. He walked on over, stopping the hand from another slap.


    "Those battles that this brat broke costs 5 thousand dollars!" The waiter shouted.


    "Dad. We''re done with our meal. Take my phone, press the speed dial on 1. Tell him I''m at the Grand Blue." Kael said as Lloyd went away with Ren.


    "Hey come back here, I''m no-" Kael struck the waiter''s jaw. The manager and the other staff including security came up.


    "Why don''t you tell me how much those bottles were?" Kael asked.


    "It''s roughly three hundred thousand dollars. For hurting my waiter''s jaw.. It''ll be more. Now we can do this easy. Either you kneel down, beg forgiveness. Cut off your pinky and we''ll call it even. " Kael then put a cigarette to his lips.


    "Just make sure you know what you''re saying. Mister manager, because your waiter slapped my younger brother. Just be sure of your words." Kael''s voice was an omen.


    "Hah? A brat like you wants to act cocky? Don''t you know that this is Patriarch Flare''s property? This place is being protected by Tony. I have nothing to fear against a brat like yourself! Nobody will fuck with Patriarch Flare''s family. Especially not a nobody like you." Kael smirked as he heard that.


    "Just remember, you just said something as dumb as that." Kael said as he lit a cigarette. Kael stood still as time passed by, Tony came.


    "Mister Tony? Why are you here?" Tony ignored the manager, walking ahead to Kael.


    "Oh, these people are still alive? I thought they''d be dead by now. Don''t your normally just strike first, ask questions later?" Tony asked Kael.


    "I wanted to but, my family was here. I didn''t want to make a big mess out of it."


    "Well, Patriarch Flare is here." They turned to see Patriarch Flare with his grand daughter eyeing the manager.


    "Master Kael." They greeted Kael, in that moment the manager had realized the destruction that was there.


    "So the waiter slapped my brother, and the manager here. Threatened to have me cut off my pinkie. I know that the Grand Blue is one of your finer establishments, Patriarch." Kael said where Patriarch Flare was sweating bullets just from that remark.


    "Do you mind if I handled them? Though I have to say, I am about to be a hypocrite. But then again, when people talk crap about my family or hurt them. I tend to lose a bit of control." Kael said as he took off his coat, where Tony offered to hold it.


    "Yes, by all means. Master Kael." Kael then walked to the waiter.


    "So you got a family of 5 to support. That''s a shame really. If you weren''t such a piece of shit. Maybe you would still be alive." Kael said, placing his hand by the waiter''s shoulder. They watched how the waiter''s body slowly wrinkle.


    "Please! Please no! I have a brother!"


    "They had a brother." Kael corrected the waiter as the body shriveled to become a dry aged corpse.


    "Patriarch. I have just killed the bread winner of that family of 5. I''d like to ask you to support their education. To thank them for their services up until today." Kael said where the Patriarch nodded. The fact was unreal for the ones that just ganged up on Kael.


    "Tony, can you bring this guy''s entire family here?" Kael asked where Tony nodded.


    "Wait! Please please don''t do this!" The manager said, begging on his knees before Kael.


    "You said I am a nobody. What has been said cannot be taken back. Tony, do you have the footage?" Tony showed the footage to the manager, showing how the waiter crashed into Ren and the slap. Then it showed another recording where the manager had told the waiter to do that to Ren and Lloyd.


    "No mercy." Kael said as moments later, the family members of the manager were brought before Kael. Tony passed Kael another cigar, lighting it up for him. Patriarch Flare stood beside Kael as Kael readied one of his blades.


    "Baihua." Kael called out for the blade to his side, then looking at the manager with his family members. He drew the blade, then he dialed the last number on the phone. Putting it on loud speaker, waiting for it to connect as Baihua remained floating while Kael rolled the sleeves of his shirt.


    "Hey big bro? Did you get it settled!?" Kael slashed the head of the father first. Then Donnie heard the manager screaming.


    "Damn it! Damn it! A-" Another scream as Kael slashed the mother''s head. Leaving the younger two brothers remain. Slashing them both, Kael made sure it was painless but the effect was clear as the manager was bawling with his hands tied behind his back.


    "So... Who was it that put you up to this?" Kael asked the manager who kept on crying.


    "DOnnie... It was Donnie ch-" Kael did not let the manager finish as he sliced the manager until he was a torso. The blood painted his shirt red, his cheeks and a bit of blood on his lips.


    "Better sleep with one eye open. You might start seeing things in the middle of the night Donnie." Kael said as he wiped the blood off his blades with his sleeves.


    "Thank you Patriarch Flare. For the rest of them. Do what you need. Just as long as they remember to not piss me off. Tony, about Cindy, Marc and that Donnie guy. Did they settle the debt with you?" Tony nodded.


    "Cindy was only halfway with her payment. Marc is at a quarter and Donnie... Well Donnie''s part of the Chang family. The Chang family are rich but that''s about it. They have mercenaries and they may be trying to start something since the guys at the gala were theirs." Tony answered.


    "it''s fine, Tony. I''ll handle it." Kael said as he grabbed his coat and walked out of the hotel.

 Chapter 8 : Make sure you sleep with an eye open.

    Now that he has the information that the Chang family has sent some of their people to attack Kael. There seems to be need to make an example out of them. This time, Kael was going to go give Donnie Chang a good scare. Not a jumpscare but genuinely put fear into him. First step? Head to Donnie Chang''s room.


    Using the Joker card, he teleported to the Chang family residence. This time, heading straight to Donnie Chang''s room. The body guards? They did not notice. The family members? They did not notice. Donnie on the other hand was cowering in the sheets of his room. He then received a video that showed the execution of the manager, one of the guys he called big brother. Donnie wanted to take it to the police but it was Grand Blue, owned by Patriarch Flare and there was no evidence to the identity of the killer.


    He did hear the screams of his ''big bro'' and heard those final words. Sleep with one eye open? Just what did it mean? Kael was stepping into the room. To which Donnie flinched as he pointed his flashlight at the door. Not seeing anything, but the door was left ajar. A loud creak from the hinge as Donnie mustered the courage to get up and close the door.


    Donnie shut the door, locking it 10 times. Perhaps his paranoia had kicked in. Then he checked the blinds, there was nothing standing outside. Kael was standing on the ceiling itself, Donnie was unaware of it as he crawled into his bed. Covering his head with the blankets. Though Kael was thinking about how to mess with Donnie. He could make Donnie see corpses of his ''big bro'' the entire time. That was going to be one thing. Then Donnie heard somone tapping their footsteps. A loud clap was heard, Donnie''s blankets flew away from him.


    Then Donnie opened his eyes to see Kael standing there with the bloodied outfit. A grin as he rolled his sleeves.


    "Remember what I said, Donnie? Better be sleeping with one eye open?" Donnie tried to scream but the voices are all muffled. He could not hear his voice, he tried doing something else but nothing was making noise. He tried to kick Kael who stood by the edge of his bed. Nothing was working, the kick just passed through Kael as if he was not here.


    Kael walked towards Donnie, placing his hands by Donnie''s head.


    "It''s just the beginning, Donnie." Kael said as he vanished. Donnie woke up from his bed, he was breathing heavily. It was as if his heart was in a fight or flight response. Donnie got up, walking to his bathroom. Everything looked normal, then he heard something fall down from his bed. He went to check it, only to be pounced on by a skeletal torso that was covered in blood. The head kept twitching at Donnie, then it chattered. Biting off Donnie''s face then ripping Donnie''s limbs apart.


    Donnie woke up on the bed again, he touched his body. Thinking he had died, but he was alive? What the hell did Kael mean when he said it was just the beginning? Donnie went back to the toilet, taking a quick bath. Then stepping out, nothing. There was no skeletal torso that tore his body apart. Everything seemed normal, even talking to his family everything was normal.


    Donnie then walked to campus, only to see Kael who was standing outside with a cigarette.


    "What the hell did you do to me?!" Donnie shouted, seeing Kael glance at him then staring back at his phone.


    "Answer me!" Donnie punched Kael, then seeing Kael''s face melt off. Revealing the black void that was inside. Only two pupils were visible, this was not Kael.


    "Oh ho... It seems master is letting us mess with this one." The darkness swallowed Kael whole then revealing a jet black figure wielding a pair of machetes.


    "Start running." Donnie was pierced by the machete, then he looked to the ground where a gigantic mouth closed in on him. He was in the beast''s mouth, razor sharp teeth that turned his body into mince meat. He felt the pain continue.


    "Someone help me!" Donnie blinked, finding himself standing in the middle of the street. Hearing a truck horn before running him over.


    Donnie blinked again, now finding himself in the library.


    "I must be too tired. There''s no way this is real." Donnie walked ahead to bother Kael, only to see another Kael with the bloody uniform pulling out a book.


    Showing the book to Donnie it had his name. ''Donnie Chang : A thousand years of death.''


    "Wait!" The book was thrown at Donnie''s face, the impact itself was enough to cause Donnie to have a concussion. Then seeing the grin on Kael''s face.


    "Everyday. You will live in this hell, Donnie. You''re going to see a lot of things happen. You will be powerless to stop it. If only your Chang family didn''t bother with mine. Then everything would have been okay." The bloodied Kael said as he kicked Donnie''s stomach. Causing his whole body to explode.


    Donnie woke up in class.


    "Mister Chang! Pay attention to class!" The lecturer shouted, throwing a pencil that pierced into Donnie''s skull. Another moment Donnie woke up, this time tied to the hospital bed. Seeing Blake with a knife.


    "We need to operate. He is losing his mind." Donnie was shouting only to be cut wide open. Every minute of Donnie''s life was going to lead to his death. One way or another.


    In reality? Donnie was screaming in his bed. His family tried to move him but it was like Donnie was glued to his bed. He was screaming loudly. Even scratching his body until he was bleeding. Kael was watching from the distance as the Master of Cards. He was not going to kill Donnie. Letting Donnie suffer like this was a first step. The next step? Was to deal with the Chang family.Kael was thinking about how many corpses did he need to put into the Chang family''s office.


    "My dear weapons... I''m sure some of you are antsy. So why don''t you all go out and hunt down people that work for the Chang family. Then later hang their corpses into their houses. Fill the houses with them." Kael said as he felt his weapons vanish from his body. Now all Kael needed to do was wait. His phone was vibrating, it was a call from Patriarch Flare.


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    "Master Kael. There''s an auction for a variety of items at a nearby auction house. Would you like to attend with me?"


    "Sounds fun, Patriarch. I will join you. Where should I meet you?" Kael said as he got rid off his Master of Cards outfit.


    "At the Wyatt auction house. I''m sure you remember my granddaughter, Flora? She will be there waiting for you. I am on my way there now."


    He felt his weapons return back to his shadow.


    "Oh, you''re back." Kael spoke gently to them.


    "It wasn''t too fun master. I could literally just speak to them and they''d die. I was expecting more." Kael heard this voice, a voice that silenced the other weapons.


    "Oh, I thought you were asleep... My dear Black Symphony." The voice was alluring, the kind of devilish temptation that would drive people to give their soul for. It was not destruction but rather the beauty that lurks in the chaos. She appeared by his side, a beautiful black dress with a fur coat jacket. In her hand was a thin pipe that she would smoke out of it. Silk black hair, this woman was the definition of temptation.


    "Hello, my dear Maestro. I am always ready to play the songs that you wish." Black Symphony spoke, placing her hands by Kael''s cheeks.


    "So this is the world where you came from? It seems to be much calmer than the ones we knew. Peaceful, the kind of peace that has so much evil within its layers. I love it." Black Symphony said as she puffed out the smoke from her pipe. She turned to Kael puffing the smoke to Kael''s cheeks.


    "I truly think you look much more handsome in this life. Even when you were Lee, you were devilishly handsome too but... You look far too innocent." She spoke as before.


    "Hey! Don''t just tease master like that, Symphony!"  Black Symphony chuckled to Baihua''s voice.


    "Baihua... Oh, my dear younger sister. So lovely, so adorable and so diligent to our master. Thank you."


    "I.. I didn''t do it because of you dummy!" The others kept quiet for a reason, it was because Black Symphony was just that. Her voice was the one who could silence the ohter blades, every weapon in Kael''s hand would listen to her diligently.


    "May I accompany you, Master Kael?" Black Symphony asked as she put on her black lace masquerade mask to cover her face. She had her right leg forward, the slit of her dress was just below her thigh, right above the knee. In between them.


    "Let us go." Kael and Black Symphony arrived at an alley just in front of Wyatt Auction House. Where Kael stepped forward while holding Black Symphony by hand. The guests who were waiting for the auction house to open turned their heads to her. Be it man or woman, or whatever one''s gender or sexual orientation. One cannot run away from the carnal desire to see someone as beautiful as her. The lace mask only covered her eyes, yet the charmed people could not stop looking at her.


    "Who is that beauty?" Kael accompanied her up the staircase. Then Cindy, Marc along with their other friends noticed Kael being present.


    "What is Kael doing here? ANd who is that!? I bet Kael''s been cheating on me with that broad!" Cindy was raising her voice.


    "The Auction House is open!" People headed inside. Kael walked with Black Symphony to the sofa. Immediately there were people that walked on over to Black Symphony.


    "I''m Michael Sven. I''m sure you must have heard of us." They introduced one by one, yet Black Symphony did not seem to take notice of them.


    "My name is Marc.." Marc went over to introduce himself to Black Symphony who glanced at him for a second then looked back at Kael.


    "May I ask why do you wish to stay with him? When there are better options such as myself." Marck spoke carelessly which Kael sighed, looking at Black Symphony who broke the metal pipe in her hand. Then she pulled out another metal pipe from her coat.


    "May I ask for your invitiation?" Kael looked at the manager who walked on over to him.


    "I''m waiting for someone." Kael said.


    "If you don''t have your invitation. Then I must ask you to leave." The manager said as the guards walked on over to their side.


    "Black Symphony. Stay still." Kael reminded her as she sat closer to Kael, even leaning to his lap.


    "For your cockiness... I will ensure that you will be kicked out of here. Your friend will be allowed to stay but not you." The manager said where people snickered at Kael. They heard footsteps, rushing to their position.


    "Black. I know I said that you can stay still but must you lay your head on my lap?" Kael asked, ignoring the manager.


    "Stop!" The people turned to the voice, it was Flora Flare who was sighing heavily.


    "Mister Kael! I''m so sorry that I was late... Did you get into trouble!?" Flora asked, her sweat was dripping to the floor.


    "Oh. I was telling the manager that I was waiting for someone but it seems that I have to leave. So what should I do?" Kael''s question was innocent and the manager knew that he had wronged someone important.


    "Ah, sheesh? Another ruckus? Hey, anyone here dead yet?" Kael heard Tony''s voice, seeing Tony walk with Patriarch Flare.


    "Mister Kael. It is always a ruckus with your situation. I''m sorry once again." Patriarch Flare gave a brief bow to Kael.


    "Oh, who''s the woman by your lap? Your lover?" Tony asked where Black Symphony turned to look at them, she smiled and waved.


    "Black. I need to greet them."


    "Yes, maestro." Black Symphony got up, then taking off her coat. Placing it over Flora''s shoulder. She had burgundy arm sleeves, a simple pendant and a rose tattoo by her neck. Kael shook hands with Tony and Patriarch Flare.


    "Manager Xi?" The manager stood still while shaking in his boots.


    "This man is my guest. Perhaps that was not clear." Patriarch Flare said only to see Kael stop the Patriarch from saying anything further.


    "Mister Kael?" Kael then looked at the manager.


    "Just be glad. That your men didn''t touch her. Because if you bothered her. A lot of people might die today. And It''s not going to be by my hands." Kael said to them. Where they see Black Symphony grin to them. The manager and the guards blinked, seeing their body parts thrown all around and Black Symphony drinking wine out of the manager''s head.


    They blinked again, they touched their bodies to ensure everything was in its place. Black Symphony then turned to Marc, leaning close to his ears.


    "Try that again, and I will be sure to feed you to my pet dogs at home. They seem to be a bit hungry for human flesh." Marc was unsettled by that remark.


    "Oh, Patriarch Flare... May I ask for a favour? I would like to ask you to remove these people from the auction house. They seem to be looking down on your esteemed guest. I think that needs to be corrected. Don''t you think?" Kael looked at Black Symphony who said it so easily to them.


    "Mister Kael who is she?" Kael shook his head to Black Symphony, who let out a dissappointed sigh.


    "I will explain when we head inside the auction. You have your own room?" Patriarch Flare nodded to Kael as they headed up the stairs to the viewing platform meant for Patriarch Flare''s family and associates.It was just them in this room.


    "Black Symphony. Return to your form." Black Symphony changed back into her true form, a single edged long sword without a cross guard. Her blade shape was similar to that of a shashka but her length was that of a long sword.


    "Oh... She''s a Weapon Spirit?" Tony asked, seeing Patriarch Flare and Flora raising their eyebrows.


    "Not quite. See... Black Symphony is considered as a Living Weapon. Same with my others. Baihua, Kuro-Hana, Banshee and Ga-eul." Kael said as the other four made their appearance with Black Symphony reverting to their humanoid form. Baihua was wearing a cheongsam, Kuro-Hana in her black kimono, Banshee who wore a white wedding dress with the sweetheart neckline and Ga-eul wearing a yellow hanbok.


    They bowed to Patriarch Flare, Flore and Tony. Then turning to Kael to just hug him. The tallest among them was Black Symphony, while Baihua was the shortest. If one were to look at this scene it was more of a man with his friends rather than lovers.


    "Master... May we stay to observe the auction?" Kael nodded.

 Chapter 9 : Weapon spirit vs Living Weapons.

    Kael took his seat beside Patriarch Flare, Tony and Flora. Tony''s men were on watch to keep things secure. Kael''s living weapons were standing behind him, observing the auction.


    "Alright ladies and gentlemen. Our first item for this auction is this Pot! This is a pot from one of the Qing Dynasties! It is said to be imbued with much spiritual power." Kael looked at Baihua.


    "Oh that? It''s just a pot that people used to cook. Are people really that gullible?" Baihua said as she poked Kael''s head. Perhaps due to it being boring.


    "Next item on our list! Is the famed White Finale blade!" Patriarch Flare seemed interested but they turned to Kael.


    "If you are wondering if that is the genuine article. Then I can vouch for it being the genuine article but it is not White Finale." Black Symphony answered in Kael''s stead.


    "Then where is White Finale?"


    "White Finale is in his roster. Despite its name it is not qualified to call itself a Living Weapon." Ga-eul said as she poked Kael''s cheeks. The Living Weapons were poking Kael''s cheeks as if trying to get his attention.


    "That is a weapon spirit. It does not have a name and it may be one of the new ones. Try and bid for it. I wouldn''t pay any more than 1 million if I were you." Kael suggested, where they began to bid it. Securing that first was good.


    "This is a Demonic Sword known as The Slumbering Chaos!" People seemed to be amazed by it but Kael? Kael was sighing.


    "That is definitely not Slumbering Chaos. That is Slumbering Chaos''s descendant Ravine Chaos. Slumbering would never let himself be out here. Ravine is a bit different since she likes to mess around a lot." Kael said.


    "So are the items in this auction fakes or not up to par?" Tony asked.


    "No. Most of the items are the genuine article. Only thing is it''s been misread. Nobody can read the names or hear the weapons themselves. Ravine is a sleep so it makes sense to why she gets confused for her ancestor." Kael commented.


    "Do you need to be a skilled person to hear them?" Flora asked.


    "No. Every weapon in this world can be a Weapon Spirit but to be a Living Weapon is different. When a weapon, even some firearms. When made have a chance to become a spirit. Every weapon is nameless, but enough time and if given the proper respect. It will allow the name to be heard by its wielder. How the wielder treats their weapon signifies their bond. A weapon can turn out differently if it is abused." Kael said as they see the next item that was being auctioned.


    "This is a Colt 1911 that has survived World War 1 and it is a beautiful firearm. !"


    "BId for it. This is not a Weapon Spirit. It''s a Living Weapon." Kael said turning to Tony who was looking around. Shaking his head.


    "Tony. Look behind the pistol.Do you see a person?" Tony nodded.


    "Yeah. It''s a skeleton in a blacksuit. It seems to be wearing a fedora, placing it by its chest? Has a scarf hanging by its shoulders.


    "That weapon is calling for you. So throw some cash to get it. Don''t lose it." Tony did as he was instructed. Securing the bid.


    "So we''ve got two weapons... Seems interesting." Tony said as they watched a new bid be made.


    "Master... Isn''t that?" The sight of this weapon had Kael uneasy. That is an all white katana. Kael blinked twice and he already knew something was amiss. It''s true form was a bloodied katana that had a white exterior. Safe to say this katana was a blade that was lying to its owners.


    "This is a katana that was forged by the One Eyed hermit. Bidding starts now!"


    "That''s a cursed katana. Bid for it." Kael said.


    "It''s cursed isn''t it? Isn''t it a bad thing?" Flora asked.


    "A cursed weapon isn''t bad if someone knows how to handle it. I can handle it but if an amateur gets their hand on it. It might kill a number of people. Symphony?"


    "That is one of the Legendary Blades belonging to Japan. This particular one is nameless and was once wielded by a legendary slasher whose name was not recorded but they mentioned that he was the Dragon of Suwa. It is a cursed blade because of the abuse the sword has taken and it has driven its owners mad. The legendary slasher was killed by his own blade for his crimes. It may be why the blade turned cursed." Black Symphony elaborated.


    "Cursed blades are a bit of a problematic child. They tend to go gung ho and if they taste blood. They try to overwhelm their user to satisfy their craving. I was akin to that myself." Black Symphony said as she patted the heads of Baihua and Ga-eul. Securing another bid. One by one the many items that were brought were said to be lesser than their value.


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    Another blade was brought before them. It was a straight saber with a single edge. No handle guard. The sword was brought out from its sheathe, holding a golden blade. The hand grip design was shaped to be like a falcon''s head.


    "That''s a genuine article. It''s a Living Weapon. Patriarch. I think this weapon will be useful for your grand daughter." Kael said.


    The bids were made, the weapons were brought before them. Tony grabbed the 1911, pulling the slide to look at the chamber.


    "Barrel''s a mess. Rifling''s damaged. The grip''s texture is faded. Trigger is stiff. There''s a lot to fix." Tony said, turning to Kael. Flora grabbed the falcon blade.


    "It should tell you its name soon. But they are weak. They can barely be visible to you. To do that, you need to fix them up. Sharpen the blade, practice with it. For Tony, well living weapons that are firearms. You just have to fix whatever that needs to be fixed. Living Weapon''s like to wear accessories too." Kael said to them. Where the 5 swords behind Kael showed their accessories to them.


    "I see then what about this Weapon Spirit?" Patriarch Flare asked as he took it, holding it in his hand. Then watching a white skeleton in a white tuxedo appear before them.


    "Ah it has been quite some time when I was awake. Oh dear. By the Hells... Is that Black Symphony?" The skeleton asked, putting on a monocle to the right eye. Then turning to Patriarch Flare. Back to the swords. Then back to Patriarch Flare. Repeating the glances.


    "Oh by all the Hells I''ve been living in. That is Baihua...Kuro Hana... Ga-eul and... Banshee. Oh what luck. If you four are here... Then that means he..." Kael tilted his head, he was confused with how this skeleton was acting.


    "Please tell me I was not brought out to fight the five of you? If upi did I would tell the person who brought me out here to get a refund. Because there is no plausible way can I actually fight them. Let alone even one of them." The skeleton spoke up, perhaps it knew who Kael was.


    "Oh no. It''s just, Master Kael suggested that I buy you to see what sort of Weapon Spirit you are." Patriarch Flare corrected, where the skeleton then let out a sigh with relief.


    "Ah, that is good news. If you''d ask me to fight them. I''d rather just kill myself. There''s better ways to die than fighting them." the skeleton said.


    "Your name?" Patriarch Flare asked.


    "My name is Jagataria Bones. Seems I am a weapon spirit of sorts. Though I suppose you''re able to draw me out because of your experience. I will serve you, as your blade." Jagataria returned to his blade form and sheathed himself, then forming itself to become a cane for Patriarch Flare.


    "A cane blade would serve you far better. I can also mask my metal body so it would not be alerting anyone else of my pressence. Not even metal detectors can find me." Jagataria spoke as Patriarch Flare held it with the cane.


    Kael then picked up the cursed katana. Even drawing it a little, he watched as the monstrous aura tried to wrap itself all around his body. Skeletal hands yet Kael did not seem all too bothered. They heard voices calling for death. Calling for slaughter.Kael sheathed the blade completely.


    "This one will take some discipline. Looks like I''ve got a bit of work to handle in my stead. There''s always something with these swords. Oh Flare, Tony. The weapons that you both have, treat them well and they will treat you well. Treat them badly and they will treat you badly." Kael said as he held the nameless katana in hand.


    "Thank you for your wise words, Master Kael." The three bowed as Kael headed out first. This time he was the center of attention, well when a man walks around being surrounded by beautiful women. Of course it would leave other men feeling jealous but some of the women were feeling even more jealous of Black Symphony.


    Leaving the auction house, Baihua placed a cigar over Kael''s mouth. Then Ga-eul lit it up for him. Kuro Hana took his coat. He felt a large surge of mana coming from another location. It was enough to cause all of his swords to react to it.


    "Symphony?"


    "That was not anywhere near here. It was in the continent. That surge of mana.. It''s a mixed bag of things, Kael. It''s not just a Weapon Spirit... I''m sensing creatures of the Divine and the Demonic roaming around freely. Master..." Black Symphony wanted to say something but Kael stopped it.


    "You don''t need to tell me twice. Humans are idiotic. I"m not surprised if any of those countries are going to try and find these things to tame them or use them. Symphony. Try and find it first. Let''s hope none of the countries are foolish enough to mess with them." Kael said with a sigh.


    "There''s more to it. I''m hearing a scream... One from my sister... The one you sealed away all those years ago. No... Master, it seems there are more screams. Not only my sister..." Black Symphony''s words were nightmare fuel for Kael. The Living Weapons that he had sealed in his previous life times were meant to be sealed for a reason.


    "My eldest brother." Baihua added.


    "My father." Kuro Hana spoke.


    "My mother." Ga-eul added on.


    "Banshee?"


    "My husband seems to be awake. I recognize that screaming for a long time." Kael sighed, he had to think.


    "Which one''s seal is breaking?" Kael asked them.


    "My sister''s seal. Radiant Sonata... She''s... She''s in another metropolis."


    "Then we''ll have to get them back." Kael said as he looked at the nameless katana that tried to swallow him whole.


    "I''ve got no time to play with you, child." Kael spoke to it, instantly stopping the darkness.


    "Be obedient, and you will be rewarded." Kael said as he walked with his swords. They headed home but with a heavy heart on their minds. Kael arrived in his house. Looking at the swords that were tasked to protect his family.


    "With the threat of this magnitude. I''ll need you at your best. Ice Reaper. You will be leading the ones here. All communications will be reaching to me via telepathy. The others, report to Ice Reaper directly." Kael said where they nodded.


    "I release you from the chains that bind your strength. I allow you to return to your true natures and to do what needs to be done. In order to protect those that are under my protection." Kael said as they see spirit chains that bind the living weapons shatter to pieces.


    "Thank you master... If other Living Weapons or Spirit Weapons appear... Do you want us to do something?" Ice Reaper asked.


    "I think you know my answer." Ice Reaper nodded to Kael as Kael headed to his room. The swords changed back to their weapon forms and slung to Kael''s hip. Kael knelt and clasped his hands.


    "To the Gods, your humble servant is unable to go through this alone. I seek guidance." Kael whispered.


    He opened his eyes to see Lucius sitting with a cigar in hand and a chess board in front of him.


    "Shall we talk, my Avatar?"

 Chapter 10 : More than nothing.

    Kael took his seat in front of Lucius.


    "Lucius. I''m guessing a lot of things went wrong here." Lucius nodded to Kael.


    "Very much so. You''ve slain 500 Gods that tried to pull the stunt in the last one. A total of roughly more or less 2 thousand Gods slain by your hand but let''s forget the kill count. Looks like there''s more at play here than what I''d expected Kael.It''s not another armageddon. It''s a major malfunction. If you knew how messy this place''s organization was. You''d seriously want to just kill all of us." Lucius said.


    "How bad is it?" Kael''s question had Lucius letting out the deepest sigh Kael has ever heard. If that sigh were to be translated on earth, it would mean an entire ocean would be flying into the atmosphere.


    "Kael. Some of the Angels and Demons... Actually opened a file that caused the weapons you''ve sealed away to reappear. That and another demon actually found the Earth''s supernatural seal to be in a sorry state. It can break in one or two years. So I''m giving you back your powers, including the power to reseal weapons according to your wishes. You also can use magic to tame the beasts be it Demonic or Divine to aid you on your quest. Again Kael. I would apologize. I''m trying to sort out the problems on my end but it seems to be never ending. You can hear the screams of all the Gods, the Angels and Demons who are... Peculiar." Lucius said as he snapped his fingers, showing the other Gods who were hard at work with documents. The angels that was helping the gods of law and neutrality. The demons helping the gods of chaos.


    "Ah, finally we have some order in hell. I wished the God of Destruction became the Supreme God a long time ago. See now we have documentation, we have proper protocol before we do anything stupid. We also have emissaries that are trying to retrieve certain missing artifacts." Lucius was drinking his tea ended up spitting it out to the side at that sound.


    "Did you hear artifacts?" Keal nodded, seeing Lucius who smacked his own face with the glass. If the phrase ''I am so done'' was a God. It would be Lucius.


    "Heavens and Hells are so fucking incompetent. They don''t even keep track of missing items and missing artifacts. At least all the ones that could start armageddon are all accounted for but still. It''s a.."


    "It''s an artifact. When used by humans it can be used to be the worst thing possible because they don''t realize how twisted the artifact''s nature is." Kael said it with a tired expression.


    "If more humans were as sensible as you are. We wouldn''t be in a bind like this. I can keep the earth from exploding or heading into another armageddon. But I can''t stop anything that is already there. I''ve set special rules on earth that if something is already there, you cannot take it out. The many beasts move around freely, one that you know. The Sky Lord, Veriskua the Iron Dragon. The beasts are there as a result of the seal being damaged. Even the ones from the many other lives you lived.. Especially on the many alternate worlds that you have seen which has magic... Some beasts have found their way there. I''ve managed to keep things like Orcs, goblins and such out. But the beasts... They were a bit tedious to deal with and the Gods that reside those worlds... Are doing a bang up job of keeping them out." Lucius was definitely tired.


    "This is selfish of us to ask a mere human to clean up the mess. An Avatar of Destruction who must protect others by destroying. How ironic is that?" Lucius asked.


    "Says the former God of Destruction that brought order and bureaucracy to the realm of Gods. We both are ironic in our right." Lucius smiled.


    "Your old armors. The three Smithing Gods decided to fix up your gear. You''re going to need it." Kael watched as the items flew into his body they merged with his current gear on hand.


    "You got your cards with you?" Kael showed the deck of cards that he had. Where they had a white base with black and red colours depending on the suit.


    "They seem to be a tad bit weaker before. Let me fix that." The card''s base turned to black with white markings. The cards feature white roses by the sides of the card.


    "I''ve removed the restrictions. So you can use any card however you wish. They do have their strengths and weaknesses. It is up to you how you use it. Oh and your mask... You need to wear something fitting as my Avatar..." The skull mask that Kael had worn transfigured into a black ram skull mask.


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    "How you accomplish your tasks is up to you. Or if you just want to let humans destroy themselves. By all means. No armageddon or any sort of interdimensional bullshit to mess with your plans. You just have to get ready for a fight." Kael nodded as he put on the skull mask. Forming his Master of Cards attire.


    "There''s also this deck. The Tarot deck. It''s mainly use for conjuring elements if you wish. The minors help out with setting intensity and purpose. The majors are for stronger spells that you want to unleash and of varying gratitude. Each of the Tarot card had skeletons on its design, befitting the God of Destruction''s Avatar.


    "I''ll be off then. I''ll comeback if I need guidance." Kael said as Lucius nodded.


    Kael returned back to the real world, it was already morning. Kael scratched his head, this was a disaster. A very big disaster. Hearing a loud scream. Kael stepped out of the room. Seeing Ice Reaper just leaning to the wall in a pale blue suit, Black Ivy wearin a pair of jeans and a punk jacket.Viento wearing a green shirt and matching pants while Blitzer was wearing a normal teeshirt, slim fit jeans with the multiple piercings over his face.


    Then he could see his family being afraid.


    "Mom, dad... Jenny, Ren. You might want to sit down for this." Kael said as they sat down.


    "There''s something I need to do and it''s not going to be easy. I''m thinking about traveling somewhere for a while. The ones that are standing behind me? Think of them as your protectors and bodyguards while I''m gone. This traveling business is going to require me to do some heavy stuff. The kind that deals with supernatural things." Kael said.


    "Oh, I''m sorry. Kael did you say the supernatural? It doesn''t exist right?" His mother was skeptical. Kael let out a sigh, then he snapped his fingers. They see his left hand that was burning a black flame.


    "Magic exists. Supernatural stuff exists and these four behind me. They are part of the Supernatural. Living Weapons. They have personality and they talk. Right now, they''re being visible to you. T-" another figure appeared, taking a seat beside Kael. It was Nelista in the black suit.


    "Oh. Hi."


    "So did you talk to your god?"


    "Yeah. All armageddon tools area accounted for. So this is my family." Kael introduced.


    "Hello." Nelista greeted with a bored expression.


    "He''s a demon. A demon lord. He''s fine, he won''t make a mess. Right?" Kael''s question for assurance was met with a nod.


    "He''s a demon lord? He looks human." Lloyd said only to see Nelista remove his face. Then they see the black void in it, along with the 10 eyes that was inside. Nelista put on his face back on.


    "Normally if humans saw that, their heads explode. Only reason why your heads did not go splat like a watermelon to a baseball bat. Is because your son was able to maintain your sanity." Lloyd and Miriam were about to faint.


    "Nelista. Mind staying over here to help my family? Be their butler or something?"


    "If some other human said that to me. I''d have their heads blown off. Just be glad that it''s you, Kael." Nelista snapped his fingers as he wore a footman''s uniform.


    "Good. Ren, Jenny. I know you''re being bullied at school. It''s okay to just tell me. If they hit you. Just hit them back. If they want to cause trouble and bring mom and dad into it? Just tell mom and dad to call Patriarch Webster, and talk to Patriarch Flare. Okay?" They both nodded.


    "Kael... Just how did you get close to Patriarch Flare?" Lloyd asked.


    "Patriarch Flare was going to go save his son and his son''s wife. I met them at the subway station, people were attacking them. I joined to stop the fight. Then he told me that his family was in danger. And honestly, I couldn''t turn them down. So I helped him. Then the other day someone attacked him and tried to hurt his grand daughter. So I helped him again too. Then I rescued Blake Summers, that''s how Mister Summers helped organize that gala for your works. The people there?Investors who he filtered out that actually wanted to help you. He already knows I can''t stand when people who have bad intentions deal with my family." Lloyd was unsure of what to say and he turned to Miriam who was worried.


    "Mister Webster and Misses Dorris. Take my advice. Your son can take care of himself but you lot? You need extra protection. That''s where those Living Weapons come in." Nelista said as Kael got up.


    "Hey Kael. You just gonna bring the 5 of them?" Nelista asked.


    "They''re more than enough. You know that." Kael said where Nelista nodded.


    "You can leave the other weapons here too. You''ll definitely need space." Nelista said as Kael pulled out a metal box from his chest. Then placing it down.


    "Ice Reaper. You lead them."


    "As you command, Master Kael." The voices echoed all over the room. Kael left the house first, there was no need to explain furhter. Nelista can deal with it, Kael can''t give them too much information or they''ll become targets. The first thing Kael had to do is find the Metropolis that had Black Symphony''s sister.


    "I might have to let you all let loose at some point. When I do.Put on your armors" Kael said where he could hear the 5 of them chuckle.


    "Oh master, you shouldn''t tease us like that." Baihua said.


    "Just say things like that, and you really want to let us destroy everything, now don''t you?" Kael smiled at hearing Ga-eul''s words.


    "Some days. It does make me think the human race has no hope." Kael answered.

 Chapter 11: Allensphere Metropolis.

    Allensphere Metropolis. Place looks squeaky clean. Every building he has seen so far has been well maintained. The people on the bus ride seemed welcoming. They all had smiles and it wasn''t the ''friendly kind'' it seemed like they were forced to be welcoming. Kael stepped off at the bus station.


    "Hello, Outsider. Coming here for a trip?" He turned to a police officer that was speaking to him.


    "Yes, officer. Just visiting." The officer nodded as he asked for some ID. Kael gave it to him without much protest.


    "Alright. Just stay out of trouble. Feel free to explore where you want." The officer said as he walked away. Kael walked around the bus station, seeing a few eyes that were staring at him from the shadows. Not ghosts, or horrors. Just people. Kael needed to look for some lodging, moving around as he looked for signs of a hotel or anything of the sort. His dad gave him 500 dollars worth of cash and a few credit cards.


    The thick scent of iron was strong, it was everywhere he went. Kael walked to a nearby alley, usually it would be one of the few places where homeless people would be. There was nothing. It was clean and it smelled a lot like antiseptics and lots of cleaner liquids. He found the scent here, there were a few dumpsters but even then they smelled unnaturally clean. Kael looked underneath, finding a pendant. He took the pendant and could see blood stains on it.


    "Mommy... I''m so..Sorry. Please forgive me." The voice was in his ears, Kael could not help but feel sorrow in his heart for what he heard. Kael put the pendant aside. Footsteps were heard from behind, Kael had a card ready. Hearing slides of pistols being racked.


    "Give us your wallet outsider. Or we''ll shoot." Kael let out a breath.


    "2 of Hearts. Blood burst." Kael whispered,hearing loud thuds from behind. Kael did not need to check the bodies. He continued walking onwards, following the strong scent of blood. Another alleyway, Kael veiled his pressence with Jack of Hearts.


    "Damn. It''s not easy these days."


    "Yeah, I mean we''re supposed to clean the city up. Taking the homeless away is a good first solution isn''t it? Besides getting paid to kill sounds fun. I mean they''ve got no family or anyone else for that matter. We even took some of them to work at some of our places too." Kael''s blood was boiling and his anger might reach peak soon but he can''t jump the gun. He has to investigate and figure things out. Letting those figures move away, Kael moved on. He needed to find a hotel.


    Checking in at the ''Noveltree Hotel'' that was a pun of a name. Logo of a tree made with the alphabet N. A bizarre logo choice but it was the only one that he could find that was closest to where he was. Kael headed to buy a room for the week. 250 dollars for the week. That''s a solid dear, and the place does look expensive. Though Kael did book the smallest room they have. It was enough, he did not need anything far too expensive.


    The small room was just a bed and a toilet. That''s good enough, Kael went to take a shower first.


    "You 5 better stay outside. No peeking." Kael said, then hearing the 5 of them grumble loudly to him. In the shower he was thinking about what he would need to do. Where he would need to go. He did not have connections in Allensphere and as tempting as it is to just go gung ho. Kael did not want to involve civilians needlessly. Not much can be done so he''ll just have to figure things out as he goes along. Kael stepped out to see the 5 swords just floating in their weapon forms.


    "We''ll keep watch. You should rest, master. It has been a long day for you." Kael put on a pair of shorts and went to sleep.


    Kael woke up the next day, this time it was for him to just have a look around the metropolis. Scouring for more information. The people walking by the streets seem to be cheerful. Like they were brought under a spell of sorts. The buildings were much nicer to look at in broad daylight. Even through the darkness, Allensphere''s buildings were a lovely sight. Not a sign of discolouration, not even a sign for any damage to the buildings. The missing homeless people has Kael wondering about where did they go? Some were killed and some were not. The places where the homeless were brought for work.


    The streets would not help him at all but there was something else that helped him. The surge of mana that he was experiencing by his feet. It was like a shockwave that would cause a great wind to brush against people in the metropolis. He literally just watched a girl''s skirt blew up as if the wind was right below her feet. Kael was embarrassed at what he had seen but he had to focus. Where did he need to go? The problem was that the mana shockwaves are coming from a few directions.


    "Symphony?"


    "I am trying to find her but my sister''s voice seems to be distorted. It''s bouncing around... Master. Be careful it seems that we are being watched." Black Symphony''s words were for caution. He could feel 3 but there might be more than he could sense. Being in a crowd of people can be said to be similar to a double edged sword. They can''t track you so easily but you can''t track them easily either.


    "If they know what Radiant Sonata is... They definitely will know that you are her sister." Kael said as he moved through the crowd.


    "Master, we trust you." The swords spoke as Kael continued to walk into a park. It was just him, he felt the figures that were tailing him vanish. It wasn''t that they gave up chase, it was more of they chose not to do anything.


    "Master... I have a suggestion. Try to not give chase and paly into their hands." Kael grit his teeth, he did not like that plan.


    "Symphony. Can I trust you?"


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    "I will restrain myself. Trust me." Kael nodded as he walked towards a park bench and sat down. The numbers of the people that were creeping to his position. They were increasing, starts out with 10 heartbeats. Now it''s spiking up to a 100. They were armed with rifles, while Kael just placed Black Symphony on his lap.


    "Four of you, be on standby. Hide your pressence from them. Stay in my storage." Kael whispered as they stepped closer.


    "We''ve got the subject. What do you want to do Chairman?" One voice spoke up, pointing the rifle to Kael''s face.


    "The chairman is instructing us to bring you in. Will you comply?"


    "Sure." The leading figure lowered his rifle, then he brought out a pair of cuffs. Another soldier picked up Black Symphony, in its weapon form.


    "Sorry, but it''s a precaution." Kael offered his hands with no questions asked. They then put a bag to cover his face. Followed by a prick to his neck. Clearly they were injecting something into his neck, so Kael pretended to be knocked out. Closing his eyes, hearing his heartbeat echo in the darkness. Forming the path of where he was going. The sounds were now slightly echoey. Perhaps he was in a tunnel. Only the heartbeats of these soldiers were around.


    Then he was brought into some sort of lab. Kael could still see through the bag over his head. It was some sort of lab, men in lab coats. They were studying weapons and armors of the past. Kael was then brought into an elevator.


    "Just what was it that the chairman needed from this kid?"


    "I don''t know, but he said to bring the sword."


    "Why were all 100 of us were activated anyway? Just 5 would have been enough."


    "That''s not it. He evaded our eyes so easily. That''s the problem. Anyone who can hide from us is dangerous."


    They later removed the bag off Kael''s head, bringing him into an office of a woman.


    "Chairman Cyan? We''ve brought him." The woman in the suit turned to Kael while one of the soldier''s passed Black Symphony to her.


    "Excellent work. To think the other piece of the puzzle would come before me." The woman said, she had blue hair with a scar over her neck.


    "Tell me child. How did you come into possession of this blade?"


    "It''s a blade I have a promise to." Kael said where Chairman Cyan nodded as she pulled out the blade. Glancing over its finer details.


    "Such fine blade should not be in the hands of a child like yourself. What say I take this off your hands? Besides, you will be helping Allensphere Metropolis if you do so." The chairman spoke with a grin.


    "It''s not for sale. I''ll keep my promises." Kael said where the Chairman laughed.


    "You think you can negotiate? My boy, you are sorely mistaken. Take him to join the people working at the mines."


    "Just remember Chairman Cyan. If you think of controlling White Sonata. Be sure to watch the consequences of your actions." Kael said it, where a soldier smacked his head from behind. Kael was not here to reason with them, he just wanted to see more. Once again, he had to pretend to be unconscious, they dragged his body into a room. He found himself wearing nothing but rags. They did not even give him under wear and everything smelled like dust.


    "Oi. Get your ass up and start working." Kael followed with the instructions, seeing people with pickaxes. Some of them were beyond malnourished, some barely had the strength to stand. Being beaten by the guards that kept watch on them.


    They were given dry biscuits and a cup of water as rations. Those bickets were dry it might as well compete against the desserts and a cup of water would taste like heaven in this place. Kael grabbed the pickaxe, headed to the assigned area and began to whack through the rocks before him. They were orichalcum, no wonder it took some time for most of these people to even chip away the stones.


    These people, their spirits were broken and they seemed to be like living corpses. Eyes void of life, tired aching hands that were all they had. You can''t rest. You have to keep working or you get beaten, this was similar to one of Kael''s previous lives. Even the set-up. There was a loud horn, where all of them were brought out to their rooms. No roommates and no  sound was tolerated.


    "Now good night you lazy bums. That''s what you get for being worthless in our society!" The lights went off, Kael just leaned to the wall with his hands cuffed. Kael heard a baby crying loudly.


    "Ah! I said no sound. What are you deaf?! Shut that baby up or I''ll kill both of you!" Kael then heard gunfire.


    "Hear that!? Any more of you bums make noise I''ll just shoot ya!" Kael was thinking, how low can humans go? Somehow they could go even lower than this. Kael heard muffled screaming from the room in front of him.


    Sounds of gunfire bothered Kael''s meditation. The muffled voice from in front of him, he could see the corpses of people being dragged out. Two teenage girls who were Jenny''s age, then another woman. Whatever the bastards were doing, Kael wasn''t going to let any of them get away with it.


    Kael stepped out, he continued to pick at the mines. Then hearing more gunfire and the laughter.


    "Dance for me! If you don''t you might not even get any of the food we''re offering." Kael heard followed by a gunshot.


    "Oh whoops. I think I killed the mother. I was aiming for the kid." They joked about it so easily.


    "Master." Kael heard Black Symphony''s voice.


    "You okay?"


    "Yeah. I''m fine. Chairman Cyan... She''s trying to control my sister. She''s breaking my sister''s mind. They''re electrocuting her... She''s trying to do the same to me." Kael let out a sigh as he worked on the fields.


    "Still want to play it cool, Symphony?"


    "You''ve always believed in the good of humanity, master... That''s why Symphony made that suggestion." THe four swords echoed for Kael.


    "Alright, all of you step out for role call." They followed where Kael answered his roll call, the ones that couldn''t were put before the firing line. Kael then walked over to the firing line.


    "Baihua. I release the seal that bind your powers. Show them what it means to bloom in death''s stage as my Celestial Executioner.


    Kuro-Hana. Unchain the seals that you put on your own body, put these animals down as the Divine Slayer.


    Ga-eul. As your name means Fall, then rain destruction upon them as my Seraph Destroyer.


    Banshee, sing me a melody. Lead me to temptation and bring me desecration as my Angelic Whisperer." Kael said as the four blades appeared by his side. They wore the dresses,that formed the armors over their body. Kuro Hana wore a twisted smile while Baihua smiled with glee. Ga-eul laughed with joy while Banshee wore a grimace.  The four blades went after the gunmen by the firing line.


    Not with their blades, with their bare hands. Banshee ripped one soldier in half then using the skull to smash the head of another soldier. Baihua dismembered another soldier, then beating him to death with his own hands. Screaming ''WHY ARE YOU HITTING YOURSELF'' at the soldier. Ga-eul merely used her fingertips to raze the soldiers to pieces. Banshee sung a melody for the soldiers that caused them to walk to their demise as set by the four blades. Banshee kept singing while the soldiers realized that they were going to die and there was nothing that they could do.


    Kael tapped his chest as his outfit changed to be the Master of Cards, with the ram skull mask.  Kael pulled out the World Arcana.


    "Trap my enemies in their domain. Never to let them escape my wrath." Kael shut the card, feeling a large barrier that covered the entire metropolis.


    "Girls... I''ll leave it to you. You can go outside and kill the ones involved. We''re going to massacre them all." Kael said where the four weapons bowed to their master then vanishing.


    "Next time. I''m just going to kill these bastards. Forget reasoning with them." Kael said as he walked on ahead.

 Chapter 12 : I told you so.

    The alarms blared out, footsteps moving everywhere. Guns were being racked, vests being zipped up. They all were checking their radios.


    "Attention to all members of Allensphere Defence, we''ve got a breach. Multiple guards have gone missing in the mines. Please confirm the situation. This is not a drill. I repeat this is not a.." They heard the announcement over the intercom turned quiet for a second.


    "What.. What are you?! Stay back!" They heard gunfire. Then followed by a loud scream that lasted for an entire minute.


    "Oh. So there''s at least... A few thousand of you in this building? Now isn''t that adorable. Like little lambs coming to the slaughter. Just remember, I have no intention of running away. I''m going to be butchering all of you. After all, what I''ve seen in this place. I should not make it quick."The voice spoke over the intercom.


    "Load up anti-mage bulelts. This muust be a mage. He thinks he''s powerful because he''s cocky." A team leader said to his team as they stepped out of their armory. All geared up and taking into formation, they stepped out to the main hallway. Seeing the corpses of their follow soldiers to be in pieces, thrown around like they were just toys used by a naughty child.


    "HQ... This is S-" The leader felt something touch his cheek. He touched it, seeing blood. Then turning behind to see the figure with the black ram skull staring at him. His entire team was gone, it was just him.


    "Anti-mage bullets. Well that would work, but you see the problem is. I''m just too fast for you to track." The voice spoke as it kicked the team leader''s leg, causing him to fall. The figure then placed his hands by the team leader''s cheeks. The team leader was panicking his voice was being broadcasted to the other radio channels. The target before him had the radio clipped to the chest collar.


    "Shh... Hush little baby don''t you cry.." Kael sang a lullaby as he used his thumbs to gouge the eyes out of the team leader. The radio was filled with his screams. Kael then twisted the neck until the team leader''s head was facing backwards while his body faced the front.


    "Ah. I''m sure you''ve all heard my lullaby. I am coming my dear lambs. Just as you toyed with the people who were trapped in your mines. I will toy with yours. Anti-mage bullets. Can''t say that they are useless... They do work but I''m afraid you have another problem. You may encounter environmental hazards that will leave you unable to operate well." Kael said as he went downstairs to the next floor. Drawing the Ten of Swords from his Tarot cards.


    "Ten of Swords, be my wind blade." Kael crushed the card where a great wind caressed his body.


    "Page of Cups, freeze the ground beneath my footsteps." Kael crushed as he looked at his footsteps, seeing the floor being encased in ice. Kael was ready he walked towards the door, opening it as the great wind rushed to the dozens of armed soldiers in front of him. The wind slashed through their necks, leaving their necks spewing blood all around while the others were trying to operate their weapons. Hearing a loud click, pulling the charging hammers. Taking out the magazine, trying to figure out why their rifles suddenly died. The ice beneath Kael''s feet blanketed the entirety of their weapons turning them useless. One of them drew the pistol, where Kael took out another card. One Pentacles, holding it in reverse. Pointing it to the soldier that drew the pistol.


    "Try it." The soldier pulled the trigger only to have his head blown off by his own pistol. Kael then walked straight through them. They surrendered raising their hands.


    "Oh please. If you think that will bring sympathy to me. You are wrong. Far too wrong." Kael said as the ice crawled beneath their feet, piercing into their skin as they slowly became ice sculptures screaming loudly to their allies.The Tarot cards returned to Kael''s hand, where the effects of their magic had ceased.


    This time he held his deck of playing card, sifting through his cards to pick out.


    "Jack of Hearts, burn my enemies away. Queen of Hearts, vaporize my enemies and King of Hearts, burn my enemies away in a black flame." Kael said watching the three cards burn themselves back to his fingers. Kael stepped through the tunnel, throwing the Jack of Hearts at the first group of soldier. Watching their bodies become victim of spontaneous combustion. The Jack of Hearts returned to Kael''s deck in his left hand while the cards sorted themselves out carefully.


    "There he is open fire!" They fired their bullets at Kael who held the Queen of Hearts in front of him. Crushing it which caused the soldiers that shot at him be turned into nothing. The Queen of Hearts card faded away with its use. Kael then had the King of Hearts ready. The next path opened where Kael had soldiers from all around him. Even the turrets were ready, yet Kael could taste that fear in the air. Oh that sweet, sweet fear. The anxiety that lurked in their hands, their tongues that had been swallowed up by the thoughts.


    "Well, what are you waiting for? An invitation to shoot me?" Kael asked them as he held the King of Hearts. The card burned itself away as the black flame appeared by Kael''s hand. The bright lights were absorbed away by the black flame in Kael''s hand. The vision was blurred and then they heard screaming from the black flames itself. Kael stepped to the next room as the black flame did his bidding, taking the shape of a large skull head, it sucked the humans into it. Chewing them as it grilled them in his flames.


    "I''m sure you hear the screams of your friends too. I don''t know how many I''ve killed, but hey. I might as well keep going." Kael said as he stepped into the laboratory, seeing the scientists all cowering. Most of the weapons here have no special properties, in fact Kael found it funny that despite all of their technology, they did not find a single weapon here that was even considered to be a Weapon Spirit or a Living Weapon in the first place. Though he did hear something, Kael turned to a tomahawk that was floating in a tube.


    "Your design... Definitely something that has quite an age." Kael said as he walked on over to the tube. Tapping it, the glass casing around it is solid.


    "That glass casing is made of orichalcum! You can''t break it." Kael looked at the woman that said it, he bowed to her.


    "Observe." A single punch and the entire glass casing shattered. Kael grabbed the tomahawk. Oh this was definitely a Living Weapon, it had a feisty nature to it. Even holding it was like tugging with an animal of sorts. Then he noticed it, it was a large white wolf.


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    "AH, a great white wolf." To everyone else Kael was tugging the tomahawk alone, they could not see this weapon spirit.


    "It''s fine boy. Calm down. Mind if I borrow your strength for a bit? I need to deal with some problems." Kael said as the wolf released the grip over Kael''s hand. The wolf howled, then climbing over Kael to lick his mask.


    "Alright, thanks." Kael smiled beneath his mask, a tomahawk. This was a bit rare compared to the other weapons he has used previously. A tomahawk that had the same accessories such as the feathers and attachments by its original user.


    "I''m sure it must feel bizarre. To be held in the hands of someone else. Someone who is not of your kin, but I can promise you. That whatever that threatens people. I''m not going to do nothing... I will tear them myself." Kael said as he watched swordsmen appear.


    "Flaming Javelin!" They launched javelins of fire to Kael who took the hits head on, they watched as the flames gathered to his left hand.


    "For a flaming javelin... That''s a bit weak. Try this." Kael said, throwing it back at them. The javelin pierced one of them, then they watched as the flame javelin then exploded pulling all of them together. Leaving them nothing but skeletons. Kael then went ahead to find an empty open space. It was some sort of underground battle arena. Where he could see Chairman Cyan with her best soldiers. They were a mix of mages with swords and other weaponry. Though Kael''s concern was seeing Black Symphony and Radiant Sonata in their weapon form being electrocuted.


    "Stop there or you will die." Kael let out a sigh, hearing that one magician''s words. Kael took out a Page of Pentacles from the Tarot deck.


    "Ah. A magic spell with wires all around me. So you want to tear me open with it. How cute." Kael said as he flipped the card in reverse. The magician''s body exploded before their very eyes.


    Kael took off his mask then he looked at Chairman Cyan.


    "You?!"


    "I just came to collect those two." Kael said as he lit a cigarette.


    "Collect them? Those swords are vital to this metropolis! I will control it!"


    Kael looked at Black Symphony.


    "Black Symphony. I allow you to take of the restraints that bind you, so come alive with me in this moment. Tear my mind asunder with your Hellion Harmony." Kael said where they watched the chains that bound Black Symphony be shattered to pieces, she appeared back at Kael''s side.


    "Thank you, master." Black Symphony said as she readied her blade.


    "I''ll go deal with your sister." Kael said as he walked to the direction of Chairman Cyan. Her best fighters stepped up to attack Kael, she had a smile on her face. Kael did not do anything this time, he just dodged their attacks. Her best fighters had their limbs flying into the air, Black Symphony was wearing full black armor with a mask that was the epitome of anger.


    "Oh, that was a waste. Here I thought you were worth something... But perhaps you''re nothing." Black Symphony said, where Chairman Cyan turned to run away. Each step she took, she was stopped by Black Symphony. Being pushed back to the center.


    Kael used the tomahawk to break the chains that bind Radiant Sonata. Hearing her scream, to which she appeared as a woman in a tattered white dress. She fell on her knees, only to be caught by Kael. Her eyes, nose and mouth. She was bleeding red blood, then opening her eyes to look at Kael. Wrapping her arms on him, she was shaking.


    "Sonata... I got you." She leaned onto his chest, bawling. Kael patted her back. Sonata''s white hair had black stains to them. Her cheeks had cracks, she was breaking.


    "I''m scared... Please.. Please don''t put me back there." Kael felt his heart explode just by looking at her. This was the exact same way he found her the first time they met. She was crying.


    "I''m damaged goods. I can''t help you. I''m worthless. Please... Please don''t leave me behind." The cracks in her voice, were nothing compared to the broken pieces of Kael''s heart when he saw this. This was painful to see and because he knew who Sonata was and how she was.


    "I won''t. We''ll take you home. Symphony!" Symphony then appeared by Kael''s side.


    "Take your sister, bring her out of here." Kael said, turning to Chairman Cyan.


    "What about you?" Black Symphony saw the glare within Kael''s eyes. Anger was far too tame of a word to describe it. Fury was merely a tenth of what it was. It was like the rage that Kael was far greater. Chairman Cyan started running, Kael put on his mask. He did not give chase, he teleported right before her. Kicking her left leg, breaking the shin.


    "Stop! Stop! What is it that you want?! Money? Power?! Fame?! Women?" Kael did not stop as he healed her. Chairman Cyan was confused.


    "Wha-" Kael struck her throat. Chairman Cyan fell to her knees, then he broke her knees too.


    "See it would be too nice if I just killed you, Chairman Cyan. Radiant Sonata is a living weapon that is kind. I sealed her away because people abused her. The same kind of shit that you''re doing. She''s broken, and she is afraid. Do you know why her Elder Sister let me handle you?" Kael asked as he kicked the Chairman to the wall, breaking her ribs.


    Kael then healed her again.


    "I have anger issues. So right now, I''m going to keep breaking every bone in your body and let you suffer something far more permanent. Good luck... Try and survive." Kael said as his hands covered the Chairman''s face, fear completely took her over. What was standing before her could not be human, there was no way this was human. This was something far worse. In his eyes, Chairman Cyan could see the destruction of worlds in the hands of this figure. It seems, she has struck a beast that is far worse than anything they ever have.


    Meanwhile, in the Realm of the Gods.


    Lucius was drinking his cup of coffee. Then he heard voices panicking, an angel and demon ran into his office. The stacks of paper Lucius had neatly put on the table had scattered. A great tornado passed through his office and everything was a mess except for Lucius''s coffee.


    "Supreme God! Something is going on! We might be facing an armageddon!" Lucius put on his reading galsses as the pair showed the document.


    ''Destruction Prediction meter : 99.99999999%''


    "This is for which planet and dimension?" Lucius asked as he opened his cabinet behind him. The mug, coffee pot inside were not shaken by all the commotion. Lucius poured himself another cup, then took another sip.


    "Oh that''s a bit too cold." Lucius said as he tapped on a button by the handle to reheat the mug.


    "Supreme God, can''t you take it seriously?!" An angel shouted.


    "This might spell the end for the planet!" A demon raised their voice.


    "I asked which planet and dimension. Answer me that first." Lucius said, as he sipped the coffee.


    "Earth. Dimension 01AE." Lucius nodded to them.


    "There is no trouble. It''s just someone has pissed my Avatar off." The angel and demon glanced at each other.


    "Do you mean... The Lord of Ruin?" The demon asked as his eyes widened, gasping louder and louder.


    "It''s not Trumpeteer... Is it?" the angel''s wings turned black and his face turned paler than white.


    "Correction. He''s not Tumpeteer. He''s my Avatar. The Avatar of Destruction. For him to be that angry, oh I do hope that poor soul is prepared. Because it has been quite some time since I saw that reading." Lucius said as he sat back on his chair.


    "So what shall we do?"


    "Nothing. He''s going to fix the problem on earth. Let him do it his way. Besides, it''s not as if any of you can convince him to tone it down. I''m not going to do it. I''m not going to send any of you on a suicide mission to convince him to ''take it easy.'' Lucius gestured to them.


    "I understand, Great one. We will inform the others to leave this planet''s readings alone." the angel said.


    "Wise decision." the angel and demon left, where Lucius let out a sigh. They shut the door, Lucius sipped on his coffee as he looked at the stacks of paperwork in front of him. Lucius put the mug and the coffee pot inside the cabinet, then picked up all of the scattered documents.


    Hearing a couple knocks on the door.


    "Come in." Lucius said where he looked at the number of Gods that were staring at him with concern. Showing the same document as the two stooges from earlier.


    "Oh. That. It''s fine. Just that someone pissed my Avatar off. It''s not any of you so don''t worry. No,he''s not going to destroy the planet. He''s just...Really...Really angry." Lucius informed them. Answering any potential questions before the Gods were able to inform him of their troubles but the relief of hearing that it was not any of them was good. Yet, it begs the question. Who was it that was able to piss off the Avatar of Destruction?

 Chapter 13: Youre not expendable.

    By the time Kael was done with her, Chairman Cyan was reduced to be nothing but a woman of insanity. Kael disconnected the right piece of the lower jaw part of his skull mask. Letting him put a cigarette to his lips. The blood over his boots, the blood over his hands. The blood over the mask. These things combined together added to be a recipe for fear to those that saw Kael. It was not because he was strong or overpowered. It was because they all heard the screams of Chairman Cyan over the radio.


    The soldiers gave up, fear had already won over them. Some of them shot themselves in the head because it was easier than hearing the torture their chairman went through. The rest merely cowered in fear, even Kael''s footsteps were enough to throw them into turmoil. This may be perhaps to how Chairman Cyan was viewed to be like an unwavering woman who was determined in her goals. Or perhaps due to her iron fisted rule. Yet, she was put down in her place by a single person within just a few days. Kael was going to leave Allensphere to its fate. It will be up to the people to decide what to do next. The entire thing with Chairman Cyan torturing a young woman to power the city was all that was seen by the crowd. Then seeing the state of Chairman Cyan in the condition that she was in? The fact that Chairman Cyan was cowering and sucking on her thumbs like an infant?


    It merely added fuel to the fire for the residents of Allensphere. The magic barrier that stopped them was gone, the corpses of the many people involved with Chairman Cyan''s work had their corpses hung over the buildings. Their crimes written in blood by Kael''s four swords. Police officers, SWAT and even the army soldiers made their way to the scene. Pointing their guns at Kael who kept smoking his cigarette. The four swords returned to his side, floating as they were ready to fight.


    "Lay down your weapons and surrender!" The leading officer spoke. Kael raised his left hand then he pointed upwards. It caused all of them to float up, unable to find their balance. Kael continued on his walk, this time looking at the tallest building in Allensphere. The Cyan Corperation''s tower and then he was looking for a spot that was somewhat close in height but more natural. Seeing a mountain that was roughly the same height just a bit off by give or take a few hundred meeters. He walked past the police, SWAT and the army soldiers then he put them down. The four weapons just kept floating by his side.


    "Master are you angry?" Baihua asked, she said those words so innocently that Kael couldn''t be mad or even snap at her.


    "Yeah. Radiant got hurt. She was badly hurt... The kind that we met for the first time. So after I told Symphony to bring her out... I just had to let loose all of that anger." Kael said to them.


    "Master... We''re just... weapons." Kuro Hana said.


    "You''re not just weapons. You''re living weapons. You think. You feel. You have emotions. You feel pain. It''s not simple. You''re not a nameless weapon that is not alive. You''re alive. I told you four before. I treat you like my friends. You are my friends. I care about you. Every living weapon or weapon spirit that joins me. It will always by their choice, never did I force them to come with me." Kael raised his voice, the four weapons kept their silence. Perhaps they started to realize his anger, meant care and that him raising his voice. It was to get it through their thick skulls.


    Kael walked up to the nearby mountain, where he found Black Symphony comforting her sister, Radiant Sonata.


    "Master." Black Symphony greeted.


    "How is she?"


    "She''s stable but... You can still see she''s not strong enough to keep her form." Black Symphony looked at Kael her eyes were watering, Kael wiped her tears away with his fingers.


    "Symphony. I won''t let your sister die." Kael held Radiant Sonata in his hands, where she reverted back to her weapon form. A white longsword with a fancy crossguard. He could see the cracks show up on the blade, on the crossguard. Kael stared at the Cyan Tower, he was feeling the rage culminate into his veins. His eyes were glowing violet, leaving streaks of violet in the air. Kael was readying his swing, Radiant Sonata had a weird weight fluctuation. It was heavier than he remembered.


    Kael readied his swing, seeing the tower''s top floor be sliced right off but leaving the rest of it in once piece. Radiant Sonata was sharp but it was lacking its true strength from before. Clearly the damage was one thing but it seems that her confidence as a blade is lost. Which affects its damage.


    "Symphony. Let''s leave your sister in her blade form for a while." Black Symphony nodded to Kael as the others reverted back to their weapon forms. They slotted themselves to Kael''s hip carefully, where Kael sheathed Radiant Sonata and holstered it to his back.


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    "That should be enough chaos for now." Kael said as the clothes and weapons vanish. Radiant Sonata was now wrapped in a thick cloth. Think of it as a way to keep it warm. Kael remembered how cold she felt in his hands. Even after prolonged periods, the grip of the long sword was not getting warmer. It was getting colder. This means that if Kael has to spend time with Radiant Sonata, and he can''t put her away because she might freak out.


    Damaged Living Weapons need to cared for like a sick patient. It takes a lot of time and effort by the wielder to help it. This isn''t like a gun where you can just swap the parts out and you''re all dandy. Kael headed back to his hotel, hearing the chaos all around Allensphere intensifying. It seems that the people were in the midst of a riot. There were hooded figures that were wielding firearms and wore a shirt ''Rebel Against Cyan.'' Kael could not blame them at all, they threw rocks. They were making make shift riot shields out of crude metal. This was an interesting development, Kael thought as he headed to his hotel. Seems like they boarded everything up carefully. Kael just went inside heading over to the cafe side of the area. Where there was no one present, Kael then typed stuff out in a receipt. Put money in the cash register as he grabbed a box of cream puffs and a bottle of iced tea.


    A guilty pleasure. Kael just sat back in his hotel, switching on the TV.


    ''We are live from Allensphere Metropolis. An unknown attack has caused the Cyan tower to be damaged. The top part of it was split in half. We also found word that people are showing their anger to Cyan and the Allensphere Defense forces because of what had been done to the homeless. There is also word that...'' The reporter kept speaking, then hearing gunfire that caused them to run off.


    The destruction was soothing to Kael, gunfire. Smoke in the air. Perhaps because he was used to being the cause of such things, the misery and fear within the ones involved. The human determination to kill one another, these minor details help to build the entire list of things Kael has to keep himself in check. They were part of the many things Kael had indulged in during his time as an Avatar of Destruction. Though now, Lucius does not require Kael to destroy everything as part of his duty as the Avatar.


    Technically Kael is still the Avatar of Destruction but there was also something he had found. Kael heard more explosions, sounds of glass breaking and he was looking for things on his phone.Searching for another interesting detail. Which was a series of murder case. The finer details were quite specific to be written out.


    Specific organs had been taken out. Bodies were carved with miissing organs on their body. One or two bodies had been skinned alive and Kael caught a glimpse of some of the corpses that were being vividly shown. No wonder the article had more than a dozen trigger warnings at the top. Kael was trying to think if this was a cult or a ritual of sorts. Kael left his room, heading downstairs to see hotel staff giving a refund for the guests that want to leave. Kael took whatever he could get back. Maybe half of the money but still better than nothing.


    Kael stepped out of the hotel. Watching pickup trucks drive past him with masked figures wielding homemade weapons. Some of them carried guns they purchased prior or even procured from some of the soldiers. Kael went on a walk to the bus station, the chaos that was occurring all around him did not stop bother him. Walking through a shopping mall. Watching a Defence Force member be shot in the head, the people celebrating their kills. A humvee appeared from the front with a machine gun on top, Kael ducked as the machine gun unleashed its hail of lead that destroyed the cover that most of them had relied on.


    The chunks of their cover was flying everywhere with dust spreading in the air. Kael kept close to the ground, literally crawling as he heard the gunfire zip past his head. He looked up to see a girl wielding a bazooka. She fired at the humvee which caused another set of explosions while she tumbled from the recoil. Kael literally just went inside a corridor and lit a cigarette. Seems like the entirety of Allensphere has turned into an actual warzone. The gunshop that was across him was being opened. The owner passing guns to everyone, they really want to fight against them.


    Not Kael''s problem but the smell of gunpowder and blood in the air. Charred flesh. The sounds of a burning vehicle, along with the sound of a struggling voice. Kael walked on over, that voice was in their last moments. Kael knelt to the heavily charred woman, she was coughing blood and looked at him.


    "Who do you pray to?" Kael asked.


    "Aerith." Kael nodded.


    "Aerith, Goddess of Salvation. Save this soul before my eyes, I pray that this soul shall reach salvation. To rest peacefully in your domain where the believers will never see death ever again. I pray for this soul''s salvation in your arms." Kael prayed as he held the woman''s arm. She could not smile or say anything. Her strength was waning and she finally let go.


    Kael then headed to the bus stop. He could have just teleported but he wanted to see Allensphere''s fate. This was something, a habit that he carried from when he was the Avatar of Destruction. In all the lives he had lived, he must observe the destruction and await for the fates of these people. Judging by the situation, it may change for the better. Though they will be an anarchy based state for a while as they figure out their political allignments. Normally, Kael would expect people to take advantage of the violence.


    Though today, it''s different. He will have to come back to Allensphere one day, but at the very least. He has Radiant Sonata with him and it would be best to leave.

 Chapter 14: Return to Matello

    The bus ride back to Matello was smooth. Kael had texted his parents that he managed to get out from the fighting. He did get caught up in it for a bit. Kael held Radiant Sonata in his hands, he could feel her shaking bit by bit. Blanketing the sword in a cloth was a good thing. Stepping off the bus, Kael had brought Radiant Sonata with him.


    Kael got himself cleaned up, then headed for campus. Kael arrived in campus and he had no choice but to keep the Radiant Sonata in the cloth. The security guard just gave Kael a nod as Kael headed in. Kael went to class, keeping the sword resting over his shoulder. His left hand was writing down notes while his right hand was petting it.


    Radiant Sonata was still sobbing bit by bit but her voice was only heard to Kael. He carried Radiant Sonata everywhere with him today. The people at the cafeteria were a little confused with that piece of cloth over Kael''s shoulder. Kael ignored the glares from Cindy, where Kael did not even acknowledge his existence. Kael had a can of soda and that was enough for him.


    "Kael." He turned to Blake who greeted him. Obviously because of Blake''s celebrity status there were eyes all over him.


    "Here some notes for the stuff you''ve missed for the past three days." She gave him her notes.


    "Thanks Blake. I appreciate it." Blake smiled broadly to him, then glancing at the cloth he was holding.


    "Kael what''s that?"


    "Just a friend. A friend that I need to check on. So see you later." Kael said to Blake as he walked away, he had a block of whetstone in his bag and he went up to the rooftops. He did not have anymore lessons for the day, so he might as well get to work. Taking a look at Radiant Sonata, the cracks on her blade were gone but the one in the crossguards are still present.


    To the swords, sharpening them felt like a nice back rub and depending how intense it is. It can make them friendlier and feel less hostile. Sharpening Radiant Sonata was something Kael was unsure whether it was a good memory or a sorrowful one.Black Symphony was protective over her sister. Radiant Sonata was never meant to be used in a war, she was more of a ceremonial blade. Though humans are cruel, they then realized she was a living weapon. Tried to use her power and forcing her into submission.


    This repeated trauma will leave Radiant Sonata in a state of confusion, delusion and damage. A broken Living Weapon is still dangerous because it will be on a rampage. Kael was going as gentle as he could, because too much force might hurt Radiant Sonata. At the very least the blade will still work but the crossguard may take more time and care. Kael covered the blade with the cloth.


    "That will be all for today." Kael headed downstairs, where he could see Marc who was waiting for him with Cindy. Kael walked past them, he did not have the time today.


    "What you think you''re some bigshot now!?" Cindy shouted, where Kael continued to walk away only to be blocked by Marc''s bodyguards. Three dozen men standing in front of him.


    "Marc. Cindy. We can do this another day. I''m not in the mood to deal with your shit right now." Kael said as he took a step forward, where a bodyguard pushed Kael. Kael kicked the shin, causing the bodyguard to fall. His other hand held the bodyguard''s tie, they hear the bodyguard choking which Kael then stomped on the back as they heard a loud crack.


    The bodyguard fell motionless, Kael turned to Marc. Walking towards Marc with silent footsteps. Cocking his head to the side, Kael stepped over to Marc. Not a grin, just eyes that were filled with his rage. Kael placed his hands over Marc''s face. Marc''s bodyguards moved closer only to see Kael glaring them down. It was enough to stop them from advancing further.


    "If you continue. I will kill you, Marc. And I will be sure to wear your spine over my neck like a nice scarf. Do I make myself clear?" Marc was barely able to speak, he nodded and Kael let go of Marc. Then turning to Cindy.


    "Run your mouth again. And I''ll rip your face off and wear it like a mask." Cindy was choking in the atmosphere, Kael was not blinking. He was serious. Kael was raring to go, all he needed was for the two of them to make a move.


    "I don''t exist to you. You don''t exist to me. I don''t bother your life, you don''t bother mine." Kael warned, walking away from them. He did not want to hear anything else. He was too busy being angry. This was a problem about being the Avatar of Destruction, his patience was thin and right now. That patience is non-existence. All it needs is for someone to piss Kael off and he will just start swinging.


    Kael headed home, seeing the door left ajar.Kael stepped in to see blood all over the walls. Body parts on the ground and some of them were frozen to ice. Some had their bodies be lacerated by a whip made of thorns.


    "They''re safe , master. We''ve brought them away to Patriarch Webster''s place. An unknown group of Adepts came to attack us." Ice Reaper informed via telepathy.


    "Tell me about the Adepts." Kael asked as he knelt to see the blood on it.


    "A mixed bag. Seemed like they were assassins and mercenaries mixed together. According to one we tortured. This is something different. Turns out it''s because the Donnis family want her back. Turns out they''ve also been harrassing your brother and sister too at school. It''s an elaborate scheme. They''ve been tracking her for years and want her back but want you guys dead." Kael heard it from Viento.


    "Then I''ll head there now." Kael went over to Patriarch Webster''s home, where Kael found Ice Reaper playing with Ren. Just carrying Ren over his shoulder as he hovers all around him. Seeing Jenny in the garden, watching Black Ivy create flowers for her to look at.


    Kael went inside to see his mother, father and Patriarch Webster.


    "Kael." Miriam spoke to him, he could see the tiredness in her eyes. He had never seen his mother this tired before, she looked like a living corpse. Kael glanced to his father, Lloyd was better but it was like looking at a broken plate trying to fix itself. Looking at this, it reminded Kael of a scene he had seen before. A husband and wife that held hands as they were killed by oppressors. Their corpses smiled, but their bodies were spat on and they were burned together. Insults hurled at how they died like ''dogs''


    Kael pictured his parents during that scene. Now looking at his mother''s eyes. He had her face and Lloyd''s eyes. Kael knelt before his mother, clenching his fists as he looked up to the ceiling. His patience was being tested.


    "I''m going to try and talk to them." Miriam said where Kael let out a sigh.


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    "The way I see it. They just want to kill us and bring you back. Mom, I''m going to be honest with you. Do you really care for them as a family?" Miriam looked at Kael. Her hands were shaking by her lap.


    "I''ve always wanted to earn the respect of my father... But today... It''s made me realize how they don''t see me as anything more than just a walking birth factory." Miriam''s voice was shaking and she clenched Lloyd''s hand tightly.


    "The Dorris family are strong Kael. They rule over an entire country." Patriarch Webster said, only to see Nelista serving tea to the family.


    "Patriarch Webster, do we have any political ties to their country?" Kael asked.


    "No. They are known for their Adepts. The Donnis family... They have Adepts that are stronger than the 18 Blades Sect. There''s a lot of different martial arts, magic and various disciplines in that country. It won''t be as simple." Patriarch Webster spoke to him, then seeing Nelista laugh.


    "So, Kael. Are you going to reason with them?" Nelista asked. Perhaps it was an obvious answer to Nelista but he wanted to hear Kael say the words.


    "Why should I? They came with their Adepts to kill my family." Kael answered.


    "Kael, you may be biting more than you can chew." Lloyd warned, where they watched the hundreds of Kael''s weapon appear before him kneeling before Kael.


    "Your orders, my master?"They echoed.


    "Protect my family. I release all of your bindings. Become the other version of you that has to be tied down." Kael said as the chains appeared to bind them were shattered. Patriarch Flare also came by.


    "Master Kael?" Flare called with a bow.


    "Patriarch Flare, do you have any assets at the country where the Donnis Family leads?"


    "We don''t. We used to deal with them with Adepts... The Adepts of Machen.... They are stronger.. Master Kael... Are you going there?" Kael nodded, to which he took out the tomahawk from his equipment. Letting the white wolf appear before him.


    "You''re free to go where you want. Don''t get caught again." THe Wolf howled to Kael.


    "It wants to stay master." One of the other swords said to Kael, then it jumped back to Kael''s hand.


    "My name is Wa ya." Kael watched as the tomahawk transfigured to take a more modern shape, with the accessories of its past owners still be there.


    "Wa ya... We will use the memory of your masters, to fight for the people." Kael said as he holstered it to his chest, turning to his family.


    "I''m off. Don''t worry about a thing." Kael said with a smile. Walking out to see Blake standing by the gate.


    "Hello Blake." Kael spoke to her.


    "Hi. Kael... Are you going somewhere?"


    "Marchen. It will take sometime if I go there. Is there anything that I can do for you?" Blake gave Kael a photo of a woman and her father.


    "That''s my mother... I heard after she gave birth to me. She was taken away by the Donnis family. Is it wrong for me to want to see her?" Kael shook his head, passing a handkerchief to Blake''s teary eyes.


    "I''ll get your mother back. I promise." Kael said to Blake, then she fell on his chest. Hugging him tight, sniffling as tears wet Kael''s shirt.


    "Blake. I owe you for so much more. Than you will ever know." That caught Blake off guard as she took a step back, Kael then smiled to her.


    "I''ll go now." Kael''s clothes changed back to his outfit when he was Lee. The Four katanas hung by the back of his hips.


    Kael walked over to a forest that was far from any city area, this was necessary for what he was about to do.


    Kael turned to the sky, all four of his blades unsheathed themselves floating in his pressence. Kael pointed his hand to the sky, a deep breath. Energies swirled to Kael''s right arm, fire,water,ice,wind,earth,lightnihg,light,darkness and null.


    "Clear the clouds." The blast created a whole in the sky, clearing the clouds of all directions. Then seeing a dragon flying above. Veriskua the Iron Dragon, 15 meters long. Red rings that ran across its body, indigo fins with its gunmetal gray body. The Iron Dragon rushed to Kael who leaped to face it. Opening its jaws to bite Kael, Kael used Ga-eul to strike its fangs away from him. Roaring to his face, as Kael kicked the dragon aside. It lunged at him with its fangs. Opening its mouth as a black energy formed over it. Firing a blast of energy towards Kael.


    Kael slashed the energy blast with Kuro Hana, then pouncing straight at Veriskua. Breaking its fangs, where it raised its hand to stop the fight.


    "Ah, I just went to the dentist. I thought my teeth would still be fine but I suppose you still have the power of your past." Veriskua spoke to Kael in a different tongue.


    "Well I don''t remember much about dragon tongue but you still understand me right?"


    "Reminds me of our first meeting. So this is earth? Well the air is slightly polluted bu then again I roam by the o-zone layer. Always running away from those rockets you all launch out in space. And yes I do understand you despite speaking in human tongues." Veriskua was touching its fangs.


    "Shall we form a contract?" Veriskua suggested.


    "I wasn''t going to ask you for a contract. Just wanted to ask you for a favour."


    "I''d rather be contracted to you than anyone else, Avatar." Kael touched the dragon''s snout as it roared.


    "Well, I like those eyes of yours. Avatar, and the God of Smiths wanted to give you something..." Veriskua spoke as a black ball of energy appeared by its hands, moving to Kael.


    Then seeing the energy dissipate, leaving behind a scarlet falchion. Where it changed to a deep red haired beauty, in a white dress. She smiled to Kael.


    "Scarlet.." She knelt before Kael.


    "My king, Forgive me. I still wanted to be of some use to you, even after my passing." Kael shook his head as he looked at her.


    "Scarlet. You should have went to paradise. You deserve it, why did you come back? You were stabbed by a thousand blades! You died on the battlefield. So why return!? I asked the God of Destruction to promise you rest!" Kael raised his voice to her, but she did not falter. Standing on her feet and held his hands.


    "Because I still wish to serve you. As I promised you before." Her left hand traced his cheeks.


    "Even if you do not look the same as King Vulcan of Mistia... Your soul is of King Vulcan''s... You are still my king and I am still your blade." Scarlet interlocked her hands with his.


    "Fine." Kael said as Scarlet changed into her blade form to his hands, Kael turned to Veriskua.


    "There are others from your past lives. They wish to stay by your side. To repay the deeds and to serve you. I''m sure you must be confused. Lucius is unaware because the Gods have made the arrangements with the beasts that roam here. We carry a Living Weapon made of the ones who served you in the past. Your past comrades and your family." Kael raised his eyebrows.


    "Wait.. You''re telling me. That my wives and children became swords?" Veriskua nodded.


    "IT is because the Gods that watched you told your tale to them. All of the lives you lived. How despite all you went through, you never let go of that kindness. They want to be here, to secure that happiness. And your children came with their spouses. Even the grandchildren you''ve not seen... They are here as well. They''ve inherited the swordsmanship techniques and magic that you taught them and thanks to the many gods they''ve mastered it all." Veriskua said. Kael then watched as Scarlet formed behind Kael, hugging him. Then a peck on his cheek. Kael was still trying to make sure his brain does not explode from the confusing words that had been said. This practically meant in the 52 lives he had, the ones with a family will join him. Even his comrades.


    "I couldn''t say that I loved you. You the loneliest King who died on the battlefield against a Malevolent god, but you left behind a legacy. Because I knew that if I told you that I loved you. Your heart would hesitate to go through that fight. You won agains tthe God but you lost your life." Scarlet said.


    "Well. Then will you accompany on my new endeavours?" Kael asked.


    "Of course, My King." Scarlet said as she returned back to her weapon form.


    "You girls got a problem with that?" Kael asked.


    "Nope. We''re fine. Besides we did tell you that Scarlet had a crush on you anyway." The swords echoed.


    "Though she''s a bit more bold. Since she goes around kissing you. Well, she''ll get a pass." Black Symphony said to Kael.


    "I see your anger has returned to you, Avatar. Is it because of your next task?" Kael nodded to Veriskua, then proceeded to tell the details of his plan.


    "Ah, those fools. They''ve not seen what you did in your prime. How you destroyed an entire country with just a sneeze. Or the time when you punched the God of Conquest in the face. Then beat him to submission. I did feel what you did in Allensphere. Oh the shivers you sent... Well, Marchen. I believe there were two beasts roaming Marchen. One is the Hydra of water, Iriskil and the Beast of Purification, Raizel." Kael sighed, this will be a bit confusing to explain to his family.


    "I can drop you within Marchen''s borders. Feel free to call me if you want to destroy them. Which I have a feeling you will." Veriskua chuckled sheepishly.

 Chapter 15: Marchen.

    Riding on Veriskua''s back was something Kael enjoyed. He was literally flying high up into the sky. Kael could see Marchen from where he was. It was pretty big. From what Kael understood Marchen had conquered three countries to form it. The capital was a fortress.


    "We''re here. Call me if you want to turn this place into hollowed ground." Veriskua said as Kael slid off the dragon''s back, diving deep into the oceans below. In Kael''s hand was the pendant his mother gave. One that he needed to prove that he was his mother''s child. Breaking the surface of the water, Kael could see the beautiful corals, the marine life that shied away from Kael''s pressence. Kael repositioned himself, trying to make sure he wasn''t losing his sense of direction.


    Kael was swimming upwards, breaking the surface of the water with his head. Taking a deep breath. He looked at the fortress walls just meters away from him, yet there was something that stopped him. Kael looked at the barriers, and realizing why. A sophisticated barrier. One that Kael was familiar with, this was similar to the Priestess of Water. It''s one that Kael could not break. Because if he did it would destroy the priest and there was another reason.


    The Priestess of Water, was Kael''s wife. If this is the original priestess, then it would be someone he cannot harm simply. Kael could break it, but the damage to the Priestess would be irreversible. He remembered because he watched the Priestess die in his arms when the barrier she made was broken. In an essence, it was a cruel 2nd life for Kael.


    Kael then swam away from the barrier, this time looking for a place that was not covered in the barrier. Kael reached land, getting up on his feet. A snap of his fingers, the clothes he wore dried up easily. In his hands was Scarlet Vow, a blade of vows. Kael walked on ahead to a nearby town. There was no guards but he felt mana pulsing in the air. Mana was plentiful and abundant here, and it may be why a lot of people here are Adepts. Kael walked into the town, they turned to see Kael who had four swords hung over the back of his hips.


    Perhaps they could vaguely sense that the weapons Kael had were unique. Kael could hear the sounds of hammers being struck. Black Symphony was currently in his heart with Radiant Sonata, comforting her dear sister. The heat of the forge was reaching Kael, he turned to the building on the right. Watching a woman pull out a blade to quench it. Kael walked into it, glancing over at the weapons that have been made. Beauty in craftsmanship.


    The woman was busy with her work, not a glance to look at Kael. He walked out from the building, then looking everywhere else. Seeing teenagers practicing with their weapons, embracing their magic. A sphere of flames went ahead to Kael''s direction, where Kael caught it with his hands.


    "Sorry, mister!" The child spoke up, Kael passed the sphere back to them as they kicked and punched it. Perhaps they were still practicing their control. Kael moved on ahead as he walked to see more of this town. The sight of seeing the Adepts embracing themselves was a good thing for Kael to see. They practiced magic freely, Kael even ended up in front of an Adept Sect Training Grounds. Reading the sign.


    ''Path of the Lotus, Training Ground.'' Kael vaguely remembers what Path of the Lotus was, a swordsmanship technique that used the Jian, which is a sword from the Eastern countries. The Sect was a fortress on its own, perhaps to discourage outsiders from coming in. Though Kael watched as the gates opened. An invitation of sorts as Kael went inside. Seeing the students in white uniforms practicing with their blades.


    They turned to watch Kael who walked in with the Victorian Tailcoat, tying his white hair into a tail. It seems his hair grew far too quick and he only noticed when his sensors were not going through an overload. Stepping through the gates of the Sect had calmed his senses. It must be due to the fact that Matello and Allensphere did not have as many Adepts nad mana was not as abundant.


    Kael was a foreigner as he walked the path of stone towards the main building. It was as if something was calling him.Something was luring him here, three more figures stepped in front of Kael. They readied their blades, shouting words yet Kael did not hear them as he continued moving forward. They moved towards him yet to Kael, his senses were going through something. His ears had gone deaf and his vision was blurring. Only thing he could rely on was sensing the figures before him. They were covered in mana, Kael drew his blade to stop the trio''s attack. Breaking their blades in the process, seems as if Scarlet Vow understood his intentions. Kael moved into the building, his vision cleared up and all he could see was an indigo Yanlingdao or ''Goose Quill Saber'' before him. There were figures that got up to stop him.


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    "Baihua!" Baihua was in her cheongsam, slashing the figures away. Not killing them, and Kael grabbed the indigo Yanlingdao.


    "Xuehua." Kael drew the blade, immediately his vision was cleared. His senses were now back to normal. He let go of the blade as it formed as a man wearing a blue-ish hanfu. Tying his hair with a chopstick.


    "Eldest brother!" Baihua jumped to hug her brother that ended up falling.


    "Meimei. Good to see you. I just woke up, why did you pounce on me like that." Xuehua said as he stroked his sister''s head. Then looking at Kael.


    "Xuehua... I remember your outfits being a bit more bloodier, why did they turn blue?" Xuehua chuckled to Kael''s question.


    "I suppose this must be different. You did see me stained my clothes with red." Xuehua said as he got up, his sister still clinging on to him. It was clear to see Baihua was attached to her elder brother.


    "Ah... Now I remember this place. This was where the Lotus Blade''s School is..."Xuehua looked at the other swordsmen that were lying on the ground, groaning in pain.


    "I had a rought time you know. You were making my senses lose their mind. I nearly killed these people because I thought they were hostile." Kael said where Xuehua chuckled.


    "Well, it is to prevent outsiders from taking me unless they are worthy. Even if they did take me it still meant that they are not worthy to wield me." Xuehua said, stretching his limbs while Baihua clung on him like a koala. Kael stepped out to see more the uniformed students wielding their blades against him.


    "Outsider! You have tresspassed and attacked the Lotus Blade School! Prepare to die!" They leaped at Kael. Kael just shut the door on them. Watching the blades pierce the walls, then turning to Xuehua. Who pointed to the koala clung on his back.


    "Baihua?"


    "NO! I''ve just been able to see Gege!" Baihua spoke up as she pouted.


    "Hey, I need to help your master." Baihua gave in as Xuehua walked out of the door.


    "You look just like the Lotus Blade!" Xuehua then turned to the painting on the right. Face palming himself, perhaps there was something that he did not tell.


    "What''s wrong?" Kael asked.


    "My idiot of a master decided to have an image of me painted instead of hers. Urgh she just wants to leave me with all the work." Xuehua was grumpy, just as Kael remembered. Baihua was hard working while her brother, Xuehua was mainly a lazy sword but when in use. Xuehua was a force to be reckoned with but Xuehua is just lazy.


    "I am not the Lotus Blade... Wait, why are there no women here?" Xuehua asked, genuinely surprised to see mainly men that were practicing the swords.


    "The Path of the Lotus has been said to be a led by a man is it not?" Xuehua turned to Kael, passing a bat to him.


    "Please hit me in the head as hard as you can." Kael looked at Xuehua with confusion.


    "Wait. You''re not serious right?"


    "Just do it. I need to make sure that I''m not drunk." Kael did as he was asked. A mighty swing that broke the bat.


    "The Path of the Lotus is mainly oriented towards women you fools! The Path of the Azalea is meant for the men. AGH!" Xuehua screamed as he ran straight out of the gates. Kael could hear another set of screams from where Xuehua was, Kael followed Xuehua. Hearing him scream again.


    "This is all wrong!? Why are the women in Path of Azalea!? What is this!? This is wrong!" Xuehua walked over to look at the portrait, it was the portrait of a woman.


    "That is my twin brother. Yueliang Hua! Where is he?!" Xuehua broke through the gates of the main building. Kael followed from behind, seeing Xuehua grabbing the other blade. A pure white blade that was similar to Xuehua but was struggling to open it.


    "Xuehua." Xuehua turned to Kael, passing the blade to Kael who unsheathed it easily.


    "Yueliang hua." The blade appeared as an androgynous figure wearing a white hanfu. Hair that covered the bangs, Yueliang Hua stretched his neck. Baihua went over to hug Yueliang Hua who embraced his younger sister happily, even swinging her around with his arms.


    Yueliang Hua then put his younger sister down, then looking at the women inside the building.


    "Wait... This is Path of Azelia. Why are there women here?" Yueliang Hua turned to Xuehua who shrugged. The same shouting reaction was heard as Yueliang Hua pierced his head through the door. By pierce, literally just broke through a chunk of the door with his head.


    Baihua pulled Yueliang Hua out of the door, then pushing him out to see the women that were practicing outside.


    "She''s just like the founder!"


    "EXCUSE YOU, SISTER! I AM A HE!" Yueliang hua shouted at a disciple then looking at the women. Then turning to Xuehua. Then they both stood in front of each other.


    "Maybe if we headbutt each other enough the world will change."


    "I agree. Then let us do it brother." They both proceeded to head butt each other as hard and as fast as they could.


    Kael looked at Baihua. Who was laughing at her brothers antics.


    "Remind me again. That these two are the Lotus blade and the Moon Flower Blade. The Lotus that was used to kill Demons and the Moon Flower that was used to slash through the angels." Kael said, looking at Baihua who just shrugged to Kael.


    "They''re my brothers. Besides they don''t have their master. Too much time has passed. Aren''t you glad that I''m not like that?" Baihua asked, leaning over to Kael''s shoulder.


    "Aside from being an overaffectionate little sister and you don''t react so weirdly like they do. So I think we are fine." Kael said.


    "Go spend time with your brothers. I''ll go look for an inn." Kael said.

 Chapter 16: The situation of Marchen.

    Kael went ahead to find an inn while Baihua was dealing with her brothers. Kael looked at Scarlet Vow as he walked through the town''s busy nightlife. Hawkers selling their wares. Grilled octopus, yam cakes, fried oysters, honey coated chicken wings. It was a night for feasting, that was the bigger part of it. There were a variety of thirst quenchers being sold, herbal tea, mana infused drinks to help refill mana and even some desserts like beer ice cream or others. They were marketing their wares loudly, it was a breath of fresh air for Kael.


    "Is there something wrong, my liege?"


    "Nothing, Scarlet. Just taking in the atmosphere." Kael responded as he continued on his walk. This particular town, according to its common tongue is named ''Blue Garden'' for its famed flowers. It was only at night that he could see the flowers bloom beautifully. Kael could not find an inn that he could use, but he did find a shopkeeper that was selling a sleeping bag and a tent. That was good enough for him.


    "My liege, are you going to sleep outside? Is it not too cold?"


    "It''s not that bad Scarlet. Sleeping outside with a sleeping bag and a tent can be fun." Kael said as he walked by the outskirts of the town, to look for a spot to pitch a tent. He was thinking about how the situation is not as simple as he expected some trouble this time but the situation leaves Kael with little to do. If he breaks the barrier he may kill the Water Priest who may or may not be innocent in this matter. He can''t simply just go break things for the sake of it.


    After he pitched the tent, he hopped in. Zipped the opening and unrolled his sleeping bag.


    "My liege... May I ask. If you have met anyone in this life?" Scarlet asked.


    "No, Scarlet. In this life, I don''t know who am I supposed to meet. This is the life I had failed a long time ago. Before I became the King." Kael said as he rolled himself into it.


    "I understand. I... I hope you are not too angry with my pressence."


    "I was, Scarlet. Because you deserved your peace. Same as Qiao Shu who was the master of Lotus Blade and Moon Flower Blade. Qiao Shu has passed on and I think it would be best if she did. You deserved your peace for all the times you fought on the frontline with me. Yet, it is comforting to see you once again." Kael said as he closed his eyes. Drifting his mind and heart to sleep.


    In his dreams Kael could see the past once more. The past where his parents had died, his younger siblings went missing and he was dying of starvation by the streets. Kael remembered seeing Blake cry for him. Then it went to him standing in the realm of Gods. Naked, he heard their words ring to his ears.


    "He''s useless."


    "What is there for him? His whole life was a mess?"


    "A fool."


    Those words had been uddered yet a hand reached out to him. The hand of Lucius, the God of Destruction. he gave Lucius his faith and so. He will follow through with it. The many lives he lived, each time. He would choose Lucius. No matter how many Gods offered him better, he still chose Lucius.


    All the 52 Lives he had. He''d choose Lucius. When Lucius learned of the Malevolent Gods plan to start an armageddon, he asked Kael to be his Avatar. In the lives of the Avatar, Kael had watched the love and many things be destroyed before his very eyes. He watched how his lovers, children and comrades would die. With him being the cursed last survivor.


    That was fine, he was able to render those Gods into ruin by himself anyway. The last part of his dreams? It was seeing all the 52 Lives stand before Kael and nodding to him. Kael woke up the next morning to hear some munching sounds by his tent. Unzipping to see group of people having a barbecue. They turned to look at him, blinking their eyes repeatedly. Kael stepped out without a word, snapped his fingers as the tent put itself into his bag, then he left. Not wanting to say a word to strangers, keeping his distance as Kael was thinking of a way into the Capital of Marchen, Oranto.


    There were other things that he needed to consider. If he needed to pay someone off to enter the barrier? Or if he needed to acquire a job to enter the barrier? Or if there was something else. If Marchen had Adepts, surely they would have tournaments. That may be Kael''s ticket to head into the capital. Kael went to look for it. ''Battle Tournament Qualifying Rounds. People who qualify will enter the Capital''s Battle Tournament.'' Kael went ahead to see the Battle Tournament''s Qualifying Rounds, the location was at an old stadium. For this Kael needed to change his appearance, changing his appearance to a different character. The black haired mercenary with the braided hair. Cyprian Wish, the face was to resemble the face of King Vulcan.


    "Scarlet. We''ll be entering the tournament. Do not break away from blade form at any time until it is over." Kael said.


    "Of course... Ah, I see you''re wearing the face I first met you. Is it nostalgia my lord?"


    "No, Scarlet. Just want you to be encouraged." Kael said as he stepped forth into the arena. There were many figures, some of them were heavily armored. Some of them are not even armored at all. As Cyprian, his armor was clad in black with a helmet that had a beast like motif. With the horns portruding upwards A fur collar by the chest, skull shaped pauldrons, knee guards with skulls. White cloth that was situated by the waist where the faulds were. In Kael''s hand was Scarlet Vow, the falchion that was to be wielded two handed yet kael or rather Cyprian will be wielding it with one hand. Seeing the accessories that was by the pommel. A piece of white cloth with black rose embroidery. The name of the armor was ''''Midnight Haunter''


    "The embroidery you gave to me on the eve of my birthday when I asked to spend a day with you." Cyprian nodded Scarlet Vow''s words as he headed to the Battle Tournament''s Qualifying Rounds. Registering his name as Cyprian Wish, an outsider that hails from Allensphere. Where some of the people asked him of his opinion to the revolution there. Cyprian merely answered that was not his place. He was coming for the tournament and he could not be deterred by the goal.


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    "Cyprian. Step up. You will face fighter Luo Meng." Cyprian stood with the blade in his hands, looking at his opponent Luo Meng that was not even coverred in armor. Wielding a liuyedao, not a bad choice for his stature. Luo Meng bowed to Cyprian with blade in hand. Cyprian responded the same way, it was important. Showing respect to a fellow warrior is good.


    "Begin." Luo Meng went with a piercing thrust to Cyprian''s chest. Cyprian stepped to the side but was nearly taken off guard by Luo Meng''s upward swing. Luo Meng was fast but was he nimble? Cyprian swung the blade downwards, Luo Meng tried to block it. Cyprian could see the sword bending a bit, there was a lot of stress from Cyprian''s swing. Luo Meng threw a jab at Cyprian''s helmet, Cyprian''s other hand blocked it. Headbutting Luo Meng back, causing Luo Meng to lose his footing. Followed by a narrow swing that merely grazed Luo Meng''s chest.


    Luo Meng got back his footing quickly, he was definitely not going to try the same tactic again.


    "Flame Spear!" The flame spear went straight to Cyprian who took it head on, the smoke blocked their vision. Luo Meng was still cautious but he was not suspecting a hand to grab him from the smoke. Cyprian had Luo Meng in a headlock, a tight grip to put Luo Meng down. His opponent had fainted, Cyprian was announced the winner.


    Another fight, but this was not even worth for Cyprian to even take seriously. Cocky bastard with some fancy armor. It was clean, unlike the one Cyprian wears. Cyprian''s Midnight Haunter had marks of battle, blade scratches. It was one that had taken the brunt of it. The fight? The fight was over far too quickly, a fast strike to the shoulder, followed by pulling the blade to the neck.


    He still had to continue for another 10 fights. Cyprian braced himself for it. He was expecting for some decent fights like Luo Meng but all he got? Was just a waste of time. Most of the other 10 fighters were poorly trained. Either in their foundation, mana manipulation or combat stance. At the very least, Cyprian would be able to head into the capital.


    "Here''s the spending money for you. Since you beat all the fighters in a row. You get a big bonus. Most people bet a lot so you might have enough to save you for a few days. Take this Jade Pendant. Show it to the guards at the gate. They''ll let you through. That Jade Pendant means you''re a contestant in the Battle Tournament. Go on ahead." The man that handled the qualifying round said.


    "Thank you." Cyprian said with a bow, then he turned to Luo Meng who was going to try again.


    "You fight well. Your caution is good but do not head too close when you unleash that attack. Those of us that are opportunists like myself will use it as a means of a counter attack." Cyprian said to Luo Meng.


    "Thanks for the compliment. I''m going to try for the next round." Cyprian looked at the bag of money he had received. It was roughly 5,000 Macel.


    "Here." Cyprian gave Luo Meng half of what he had earned.


    "What''s this for?" Luo Meng asked with surprise.


    "When I find a worthy opponent, I was taught to give my respects properly. Think of this as my way of showing respect." Luo Meng got on his feet, giving a bow to Cyprian.


    "Thank you, I will take heed of your words." Cyprian then headed off to the direction of capital. The town and the capital were quite a distance away.


    "You three, go ahead and go to Baihua. Make sure she stays out of trouble." The three blades left Cyprian as he continued to make his way to Oranto''s borders. The fierce fortress before him, the walls were combined minerals that were mainly of stone yet mixed with something else. They had guards that were heavily armed with high powered guns and even a few Adepts that were using magic scanners. Though, it would not work much on Cyprian since Cyprian could literally just bypass through them with putting his stuff in the chest storage.


    Showing the Jade Pendant, the guards did not bother stopping Cyprian, they just let him through. The capital of Oranto''s appearance was hidden and it was clear to why. The place was beautiful, the people who were here seemed to have lived lavish lifestyles. Everyone carried a weapon of sorts, be it concealed or not and magic was used here freely. Some people pay to be teleported to certain locations and to go on an experience with float or fly magic.


    Yet, there was a lot of things that bothered Cyprian. Normally rulers of a country would have their own building. Either a Castle or a Special Building with the proper designation for it. However, Oranto does not work that way. There are numbers of skyscrapers but none of them stick out from the rest. It was literally just looking at a bunch of french fries on a plate. They may not have the same height or size but they are identical. This was not a needle in a haystack problem, this brought on a few other problems that Cyprian has to think about.


    But first, he needed to find the lodging.It felt like he was brought to another world. It was bizarre as people used magic within the walls to move themselves or avoid bumping into each other at a crowd. Cyprian kept on moving to look for an inn. Showing his pendant, the people were telling him of a few inns that will not charge people that are for the competition. It was a piece of good news but the other reason why Cyprian needed the place to take a break and to think about his next step.  Mana was abundant, he could hear mana flowing from the limbs of many individuals without much hassle.


    Found the inn, they offered him a room at no charge. Cyprian headed up to the room, fresh seats. Everything smelled fresh with all the floral and citrus fragrances to help relax the body. Cyprian was inside the capital, the use of mana just made things a tad bit more difficult. There is too much of it flowing everywhere which leaves Cyprian in a bind if he wanted to use mana to locate anything here. Mana location can only work well if there is no fluctuation or any similar mana types. Then the other issue, Cyprian''s mana is too rigid and too raw which means if he is not careful. Everything can be traced back to him.


    Seeing a note on the table with a pen, Cyprian jot down the plans he had in mind. A plan to sneak around would work well, problem is he does not know what is he looking for. A building that would tell where the Donnis family were would have been a blessing but he does not have that information.


    Second problem? Cyprian needs to confirm the identity of the Water Priest. Because if the Water Priest dies, the barrier shatters and it could lead to more damage to Earth which may include the seal of paranormal to break or even worse, the rampage of the contracted beasts.  If it was the Priestess of Water it may be worse because of that past trauma may kick in. If it was a Water Priest that Cyprian does not have to care about then it will be fine.


    The third problem? How to deal with the Donnis family. Cyprian may just want to kill them all then bring Blake''s mother home.Then another issue arises, there are two beasts. Raizel and Iriskil. If they are forced into a contract or pact by the Donnis family, then Cyprian has to kill them to break it.  Though breaking it means that the two beasts will go on a rampage. The other method is to form the pact that overrides what the Donnis family is doing.


    The fourth problem? How much of his power must he limit during the Tournament Fights? Quite a bit and he will have to keep his anger in check before he does anything.

 CHapter 17: First Day of the Fight.

    Cyprian was already making his way to the colosseum. Where the tournament is going to be held, holding Scarlet Vow to his chest.


    "I am ready my liege." Scarlet spoke to him as Cyprian went to register for the fight. Showing his pendant, then instructed to join the fighters in Block E. Majority of them were fully armored, they were bigger in size compared to Cyprian. Cyprian put the blade on his lap, then he clasped his hands together. Not of prayer or a call for hope, rather it was preparation for what he will have to do.


    "Check out that guy''s armor. It looks like it went through hell."


    "That''s a lot of damage on it. Is that armor even functioning?"


    "Of course it functions ya dimwit. It must be an heirloom. Clean armor means nothing."


    They called for Block E contestants to fight, Cyprian walked on ahead with his weapon in tow.


    "Contestants. To qualify for this battle you must fight until only 10 of you remain standing. We have activated the simulated combat system. All injuries will be reflected. When the system detects you''re dead, you will be teleported out of the fight." Cyprian heard the announcement as he drew Scarlet Vow.


    "I am always by your side, my lord." Cyprian heard Scarlet''s words as two contestants swung their axes at him. Cyprian parried them back, steering their blades off course. A shoulder charge to the one on the left, then a swing to decapitate the one on the right. That is one out, he still had to fight a hundred more. A battle royal like this was going to be chaotic as magic was going to be used all over. Cyprian heard something zip past him, stabbing Scarlet Vow to the ground. He knelt and held it tightly as a great explosion was occurring all over the arena. 25 were out, Cyprian pulled the blade to see a lance jousting at his direction. Two steps to the side, the lance missed him by an inch and that gave Cyprian enough time to strike the head.


    Another one down, a pair of axes were swinging from behind him. Cyprian kept on the defensive, looking for an opening. Or specifically when the wielder was going to strike with both axes. The moment this contestant gets careless, it will take one parry and a piercing strike to the neck. The mistake was on the axe wielder''s part, trying to strike Cyprian down with both axes. A parry first, Cyprian then moved behind to strike the axe wielder down.


    While the others were busy fighting on their own, Cyprian just stood in wait. No use for him to search for trouble when they were all occupied with each other. Cyprian just waited as the contestants in his Block continued fighting. When one of them had won their duel they went after Cyprian. A woman that wielded a pair of sabers. They nodded to each other as they engaged. She vanished from sight with her first step. This meant that even in her armor she was fast, Cyprian had to keep looking around to figure out what to do with this one. Even trying to sense her mana was not an option, so Cyprian''s going to take the next one. He could sense her blood lust, she was reeking of it. Cyprian moved to the side to dodge a strike, then going for the piercing strikes against her.


    The strikes were enough to push her back, when she tried to attack with her other blade, Cyprian countered with the sheathe. Her skill was evident, she could still steer her blade to graze Cyprian''s armor. Cyprian turned his back to her,using wind magic to blast him at her direction. This was a trick just to mess with her, Cyprian was actually readying himself to strike her from the left side. She was struck and sent out of the arena.


    While the chaos was unsuing there was only 15 left. Cyprian went on ahead to just sheathe this weapon and wait for the others to fight their opponents.Even taking off the lower part of his jaw as Cyprian rolled a cigarette with his left hand. Lighting it as he awaited the chaos of the battle arena to end. The other 15 fought until 9 of them remained. Cyprian joined as first of the 10. It was a good fight. Not sticking out was definitely a good choice on his part.


    Then later there were other contestants from the different blocks coming over to form their lines. Where Cyprian was finally able to see the Donnis family, the Royals of Marchen. The VIP seats yet Cyprian could not see who was the Water Priest or the Priestess of Water. This was annoying, he knew that it would not be as simple. But he did find Blake''s mother. Where everyone else was wearing blue, Blake''s mother was wearing black. However, there was something familiar about a woman that stood beside Blake''s mother. The face was new but the soul? Something about the soul was different. Frighteningly similar to the soul of the Priestess of Water.


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    King Donnis of Marchen began to speak but to Cyprian it felt like every word out of the man''s mouth was pure arrogance and utter garbage. The very fiber of his existence was enough to fuel Cyprian''s anger and hate. Clearly debating if he should rip the man''s mouth off. Cyprian headed out after the whole speech. He could barely contain his anger, it was as if the Gods chose to make King Donnis the one to make Cyprian wish he turned deaf for a moment.


    Leaving the colosseum, Cyprian went over to take a break. Taking the money he had earned from the bettings. Fighters get a 25% on the bettings. Seems as if the people who bet on him were winning big. Whatever it was, Cyprian needed to head out and figure out a new plan. Going back to the inn, Cyprian had already figured out a few things. The Priestess of Water''s soul may be part of the key and if memory serves. The Hydra and the Beast that purifies the waters will serve her as per their previous contract and pacts.


    Cyprian took a shower, then he readied himself for anything else. Not wearing his armor out but Cyprian had to keep the Jade Pendant on to prove he was a contestant in the Battle Tournament. So he put his armor aside but wore a different helmet. The one with a detachable jaw piece to let him eat. Cyprian was going to make the story that it was part of a religious culture. Most people wouldn''t ask any further if it was part of a religious ethic.


    Cyprian sat down while he smoked a cigarette by the balcony. His thoughts were in the ocean ahead of him. Vast, endless and beautiful. Perhaps it would have been better if man did not go deeper into the great blue. For some creatures are better left undisturbed, though knowing the greed of human beings. There will always be a choice but most humans fall into that depravity.


    "Hello, Excuse me? Cyprian?" Cyprian opened the door to see the Priestess of Waters. She stepped in and took a seat. Cyprian shut the balcony and the curtains.


    "I needed to see you, to confirm something." The Priestess said as she showed a ring to him, Cyprian knew what it was.


    "The Wedding Ring between Ayane Sterling and Richter Harling." Cyprian said where it confirmed who she was.


    "Richter." She called, holding his hand. Placing it over her cheek as their eyes met.


    "So Ayane. It''s you but a different face. A descendant?" She nodded.


    "I know you must have some reason for being here. But..."


    "I came here to just deal with King Donnis, and then get my friend''s mother back. He attacked my family. Only reason why I didn''t destroy anything is because I know how dangerous the barrier is to you. If it was someone else, I wouldn''t care. But since it is you, then I would have to think twice." Cyprian said as he took a seat by the bed.


    "Well you did give birth to three children but why are you here?"


    "I... I''m powerless, Cyprian. Iriskil and Raizel are being held captive and King Donnis has turned them both berserk and into weapons." Cyprian grit his teeth at hearing it.


    "The Hydra has a lot of warring potential. Makes sense to how he was able to take over two countries. Then have Raizel use its purification magic to help the people into submission. He made you sign a blood oath didn''t he?" The Priestess of Water nodded.


    "So you can''t disobey him. And I''m guessing you want me to kill you?" Tears fell from her eyes, her beauty was wrinkled away by the sadness that was formed over it.


    "I''m sorry... I''m sorry." She kept apologising, rubbing her eyes as she watched Cyprian kneel before her. His face changing to Richter Harling, kneeling before her.


    "I''m just going to hurt you again? I''m s.." Cyprian held her hand, the fingers of his left hand wiped her tears away.


    "My dear beloved. I''d rather let you die, than live miserably being used as a weapon. Water is formless, shapeless and you''ve always used yours to protect others." Cyprian said to her, kissing her hand. Holding it close to his face.


    "I love you, Richter." She said as Cyprian drew Scarlet Vow, raising it above his head.


    "I love you, Ayane." Cyprian cut the Priestess of Water down before him, the blood splashing over his clothes. It was painless, she fell in an instant with a smile.. The barrier shattered as Cyprian held the hand of Ayane, kneeling before it.


    Clasping his hands together, Cyprian was a wreck. The slash was easy, the kill was easy but the aftermath. He was reliving another trauma, but the pain for his heart was worth it. Because Ayane deserved better.


    "Dear Gods. Please... Please, I beg of you. Put her to rest. Stop dragging her back on earth and break her heart again. Please... Let her rest. So she doesn''t wake up screaming in the middle of the night or be tortured by what she has done. Lucius, if there is a god behind this. You give me his name and I will rip him and bring him to you for your judgement." Cyprian prayed but his last sentence was beyond anger. Alarms were blaring all over.


    "Warning! Warning! The Protective Barrier of Oranto has been destroyed!"


    Cyprian ditched his outfit and returned back as Kael. This time he put on his Avatar of Destruction''s clothes. The black tailcoat with silver embroidery over the collar. To represent the destruction itself ,Kael must prepare to leave behind the path of destruction in his footsteps. Which he was ready, now all he needed to do. Was wait for the storms.


    Scarlet Vow stood beside him, along with Black Symphony while Kael grabbed Radiant Sonata in its blade form.


    "Tell the others to be ready. We''ll begin soon."

 Chapter 18 : To be the Avatar of Destruction.

    Adepts ran to the apartment seeing Kael carrying the Priestess of Water''s corpse. They readied their weapons rushing to him.


    "I have no time to play with you." Their weapons shattered, their armor were crushing their wearers.


    "Scarlet Vow, Black Symphony. Join with the others and bring Blake''s mother to safety. Radiant Sonata won''t do." Kael said as he passed her back to Black Symphony.


    "Master, then what will you use?"


    "The Cursed Ones." Kael said as the waepons appeared by his side the Nameless Katana, the Odachi, two shashkas, a longsword and a set of knives. Kael walked out with the weapons that followed him from behind. They were cursed weapons and the ones Kael would use when his wrath was at an all time high. They float all around him as Kael carried the body of the Priestess of Water in his hands. Kael stepped out of the inn, walking forward to the ocean.


    "There is the culprit! Kill him!" The Adepts leaped to Kael,they struck him. The were very sure it would stop him. Yet it did not, their weapons broke. The cursed swords merely float behind Kael, not doing anything or even responding to the fact their master was attacked. They kept attacking, their weapons failed them. The Adepts with the rifles took aim, watching their guns fail them. Jamming with every shot. Kael continued walking to the water, where a large tide began to form over the distance creeping over the Oranto. It must be due to Iriskil and Raizel that were in a rage because of their contractor''s death.


    The tide was amassing to become a tsunami, Kael kept walking towards it as the people were running from it. The Adepts were drawing their weapons to the people.


    "Stay and help us stop this! Use your magic!" Kael ignored them, he was going to deal with them later. The first thing that was on his agenda was to bring Ayane back to the water. Where she belonged. Just when the tsunami was going to reach Oranto, Kael let out a whisper.


    "By the grace of flames. I extinguish you." A single line that turned the water into nothing but vapor. The tides became tsunamis, coming again and again.


    "If this place were to be destroyed. It will be by my hands, not yours. Do I make myself clear!?" Kael''s voice roared throughout the continent. That roar had brought everyone to their knees. Carrying the corpse of his wife who had been reborn into this young woman. This was the second time, yet the trauma. The guilt, the anger and sorrow were like a body of water that kept swirling in Kael''s heart. His footsteps reached the pier, where he could see Iriskil the Hydra appear with its many heads, glaring at Kael. While Raizel the Beast of Purification had shown itself. Its shape was that of a griffin that commanded the waters and it glared at Kael. The two of them roared at Kael, who responded back with a roar.


    The roar silenced the two beasts as they watched Kael lay the Priestess of Water down into the waters.


    "From the oceans that gave birth to the powers that you have. To the rivers that quell the pangs of your heart. To the rain that dances to the tune of your fingertips and the lakes that have grown because of your actions. To the oceans will you return, to be taken by the ones that govern the waters and to bring you peace. So rest, dear heart. Dear ocean that calms even the darkest waves of mine. I pray and ask that your powers will never be used against your will. Ever again." Kael chanted as he took the Priestess''s hands, placing it to her chest. Pushing the Priestess away by her feet where Raizel and Iriskil turned to her, rubbing their heads to her cheeks.


    "Take care of her you two." The two beasts nodded to Raizel as they accompanied her body far into the distance. Turning his back on them, Kael readied the World Arcana.


    "Trap my enemies in my domain.Never let them escape my wrath." The whole of Oranto was now blanketed in a barrier.


    Drawing the long sword as the Adepts turned their attention to him. Two charging straight at him, Kael parried the first Adept. A kick to push the Adept back. It distracted the 2nd Adept as Kael pierced the blade through the second Adept''s chest. Kael elbowed her back then grabbing the long sword by the blade and swinging it to decapitate her head. He moved to the street.


    More of them came to strike him, Kael focused on taking them on. One went at Kael from the front, Kael pierced the blade to the neck. Ducking a thrusting attack from the front, grabbing the longsword by the blade. He swung the hilt that pierced to the neck of the Adept. Kael let go of the blade as he grabbed a machete from a dead Adept. Two were trying to strike him from behind. Kael dodged the first and stabbed him in the back. A twirl to dodge the second attacker, but grabbing the attacker''s head then driving it to his longsword. Kicking the attacker''s body where it was split in half.


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    Picking up his blade, Kael then used his left hand to wipe the blood off. Three of them imbued mana to their hands, unleashing elemental javelins to him. Kael grabbed another hostile Adept, and lifted them up. Using them as a shield.


    "How cowardly!? You dare to use another one of our teammates as a shield!?" Kael threw the body aside then he reappeared by the Adept that said that. Skewering thw other two Adept magicians with the blade. Kael''s eyes glared into this solo magician. Headbutting the magician, then placing his hands by the jaw of the Adept magician. Kael roared as he ripped the skull and spine off. The blood gushing out as Kael threw the remains aside. His roars were the stuff of nightmares, even the strongest Adepts were terrified.


    "He''s wide open! Shoot him now!" A storm of lead was shot right at Kael who merely stood still with no regard to it. The bullets were expected to hit their targets, yet they were still. Literally centimeters away from their target but were hovering before Kael. Kael clapped once, and the bullets turned back. Kael clapped twice and mists of red were sprayed all over the fortress walls.Kael pulled out the longsword and leapt downwards. Facing the other Adepts. They hesitated, hands were shaking.


    "The Marchen Knights are here!" They were figures clad in red armor and blue cloaks.


    "So you are the one that attacked us. We the Marchen Knights will face you!" 5 of them went to attack Kael. Kael ducked then he pierced his right hand into one of them. They all jumped to save their ally, seeing the hole in the armor of their comrade.


    "This armor was made with Black Carlil Ore! How... How?" Kael did not answer the leader''s questions.Kael then drew another blade. The Odachi, swinging the heavy blade down the Marchen Knights. The path of the entire street was damaged as a result. A big cloud of smoke appeared along the path, the Marchen Knights turned to see the entire street of people, the other Adept soldiers to be dead.


    One of the Knights fell to their knees, muttering the word monster repeatedly over and over. Kael then pulled out a knife from one of the cursed weapons, placing it to her hand.


    "You''re a monster." Kael bowed to her as she slit her own throat. The other knights are down for the count that single swing was enough to weaken them. They all got back up.


    "We''re going to attack him together! Miles, Veronica! Stay out of it. Run! You need to warn the King about this threat! Protect the King!" The Marchen Knights were readying their magic as they formed gigantic spears made of the elements above the sky. Kael just looked at it, he nodded to it. Not going to make an attempt to run or to flee.


    The blast struck down, causing even greater damage to the city. The members of the Marchen Knights still stood on their feet as they awaited for the dust to clear. Seeing Kael who was unharmed in the process. Kael put the odachi aside and took back the long sword. As two of the Marchen Knights went after him, Kael struck the first Knight by the neck, then he spun to decapitate it as he readied for a downward slash that stopped the Second Knight. A strike to the jaw which Kael then grabbed the Second Knight by the head and smashed them through his blade. Decapitating them.


    Kael watched as two of their knights, the youngest.. Miles and Veronica draw their blades to strike Kael. Only to watch Kael punched them in the chests, which caused them to stop. Then Kael put them both down. Kael did not bother with the others, much to their surprise.


    "Who are you!?" One of the knights shouted.


    "I am the Avatar of Destruction." Kael said as he took his steps forward.


    "Why!? Why are you not going to kill us?!"


    "You misunderstand me. I am an Avatar of Destruction. Destruction does not mean physical destruction alone, it also means destruction of my foes will to fight. You are far too terrified to fight me, and even if you stood on your two feet. You will fall. I have no intentions of killing you lot. Because by the end of the day. The Donnis Royal Family will disappear and the country will have to decide what it wishes to do. Then when they die I will leave." Kael answered the leading Knight.


    "Why? What did the King do to you?!"


    "It is not about what he has done to me. It is the fact that he has used the Beast of Purification and the Hydra as a weapon against their wills. Along with forcing a Priestess of Water to a blood oath. Such a thing has its price and I am the price. That must be paid to the ones that has allowed it to happen. It is also why I shattered your barrier." Kael said as he swung the odachi to another street, destroying it completely.


    "I just need to leave a path of my pressence. So it becomes a reminder to the many. There are many things that one can be accounted for. If what he had done was merely hurt something so simple. I would have wanted to reason with him. But if you start harming the creatures that are responsible for the many matters of the divine or demonic. Then we have a problem. For if they chose to serve him, then I cannot do anything but if the contract maker or pact maker has told me otherwise. Then I must act. Living Weapons, Weapon Spirits and many others. They understand why I do this. For a ruler''s mistake, is not only to be reflected upon them but their country as well. I can safely say that the people of Oranto... Are drunk with their current situation. Sometimes... A good wake up call will help change things." Kael said as he snapped his fingers where strong gusts of winds ripped buildings off the ground. Throwing them around, yet miraculously in all of the chaos that has occurred. No one has died.


    Kael then proceeded to continue on his path. To hunt down King Donnis and their family, to rid them of the earth.

 Chapter 19 : The Destruction.

    Kael''s footsteps were an omen. His very pressence had sparked fear to the eyes of all who have seen it. Like a great beast of the forest that is patrolling. His pressence has kept many people to hide in their homes. A child threw a rock at Kael.


    "You''re a bad guy!" Kael nodded to the child.


    "Yes, I am a bad person. So be sure that you grow up, get stronger. Then stop me. That is the only way to stop someone like myself." Kael said to the child as he continued walking ahead. Following the path that leads to the underground tunnel. Where many of Ontaro''s residents observed from the shadows. Seeing the bloodied outfits of Kael and the blood dripping from his ram skull mask. The Avatar of Destruction, Kael turned to see the many buildings that had turned to rubble. Perhaps the fortress of this place was nothing more than just sands.


    Following the path to the underground tunnel there were more Adepts lying in wait.


    "Attack him!" They readied their guns with anti-mage ammunition. Yet, they kept missing. Kael was already within attacking reach with his longsword, slashing through their bodies. Leaving a bloody mess over his body, Kael wiped the blood off his blade with his left hand then continued moving forward. More Adepts were coming. A shoulder charge to throw one off course, he ran straight to the three people running at him from the right. Skewering them to the wall as Kael grabbed the Nameless katana. Slashing the limbs, then going for the head. Four heads flew into the air, Kael pierced the katana into the chest of an Adept. His body faced the target then pushing the sword upwards to free it from the body.


    Downward swing that cut another Adept in half. Kael continued moving forward. Impaling his katana to an Adept Magician by the entrance. He ran to grab his longsword, spinning to the right. Freeing the blade and slashing through more Adepts. Timing his swing carefully as Kael swung the longsword diagonally from low right to upper right. Tearing through the Adept magicians.


    In Kael''s mind his only thoughts were how brutal love was. When love dies, there is no body, there is nothing left. The same applies to what had happened between him and the Priestess of Water. The love he had for Priestess of Water was still there, it was within his life. The nostalgia of being married. The love that she had for him and the love he had for her. Justifying it would make Kael feel better but clearly this is vengeance in its most unrestrained form. To destroy an entire country because of it, Kael was ready for it.


    He went after the Malevolent Gods that screwed his life as Kael for the same reason. Kael stepepd through the entrance as machines guns fired at him. The bullets stopped before they reached him. Clapping twice and the bullets returned to the ones that fired it. Turning them into pure red mist. Their allies watched their comrades die before their eyes. Kael took gentle steps as he moved to them. Not a care in the world as he proceeded to maul the remaining Adepts in the room. Their corpses decorated the room.


    Kael walked through the room, seeing the Adepts that have completely lost their will to battle. Falling to the ground with fear, perhaps realizing that everything was worhtless.


    "The Marchen Kingdom is invincible! We cannot falter because of this attacker! Ready yourselves!" One of the officers spoke up, rallying their fellow Adepts to fight. The despirited Adepts got their act together forming barriers and raising their shields. It was not an act of futility that Kael had seen. Rather one of desperation, they were loyal to their country.


    "Dulce et Decorum Est... Pro Patria Mori." Kael said to them as he pulled out the Ace of Spades.


    "Break the barriers down by path." Kael whispered, shattering the card as the barriers shattered before him. Running straight at them with his longsword, Kael made quick work of them. His footsteps echoed inside the tunnels while the screams of his victims were head throughout the entire path of the tunnel. Kael smelled something familiar from the path.


    "Ah.. So Vampires? Now aren''t we getting cute." Kael said as he looked at the pale skinned creatures with their razor sharp fangs and claws.


    "Human!? We will kill you!" the vampires charged at Kael, only to watch how he slashed them through with a single swing.


    "Normal attacks... They shouldn''t work!?"


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    "Ah, you forget one important detail. This is a cursed blade and I am injecting mana into it." Kael said as the longsword was covered in blue flames.


    "Vampires hate flames. But I personally like blue flames when it comes to killing creatures like yourself. See, blue flames tend to burn through your defenses... Particularly mine." Kael said as he continued his onslaught, moving on his path as he went deeper and deeper.


    This time he found a statue of Lorbis, one of the 15 Gods of War. King Donnis and his family were praying to it.


    Kael let out a sigh.


    "Huh?! Who goes there?" King Donnis turned as he watched Kael took off his mask.


    "You? Kael Webster?! Why? Why have you come?!"


    "Originally to try and deal with you because you attacked my family and tried to go after my mother but after seeing what you did to the Priestess of Water and causing two beasts to go on a rampage. I realize that your family is worth nothing." Kael said.


    "Guards!" Kael shook his head.


    "Your guards are dead. Your knights are broken. Your entire city is now just rubble and thanks to you. I know who I need to deal with." King Donnis raised his hand.


    "Do you think that you''re a god?! You can''t go against the wills of the Gods! Your mother should have stayed with us! And she gave birth to you and you should have joined us!" Kael laughed at those words.


    "I''m the one that scares the Gods. You see. Try and make a call to Lorbis... See if he answers?" Kael made the suggestion as the Donnis family prayed to Lorbis. Only to see the statue crumble to dust.


    "What!? Why?! Why did this happen?!"


    "It''s because Lorbis has forsaken you." Kael said as he readied his balde.


    "You... You can''t do this! You can''t! We are the strongest Kingdom in the world!" King Donnis spoke up.


    "For the strongest kingdom, all I see before me is a King who is a coward. Along with his family... Don''t worry... I won''t kill you."


    "You... You won''t?"


    "That''s only half of it. The bad news is... I won''t kill you." Kael said.


    Meanwhile in the realm of the Gods.


    Lucius was in a meeting with all of the other Gods in tow.


    "Can someone fucking explain to me. How did the Priestess of Water''s soul be brought back there?" Lucius asked, where none of them were to answer.


    "I promised him that she would be granted rest. Do you guys want to watch him come up here and massacre you? Because I won''t stop him. I won''t. I promised my avatar yet one of you allowed this to happen?"


    "Supreme One.. Allow me to explain." Lucius turned to the Goddess of Souls, Maybellestra to speak.


    "When I finished my collection of souls and readied to send them... There was a mistake in the order of how the souls were meant to go."


    "Go on." Lucius said as he held his mug of coffee in his hand.


    "By that time... Mitara came to see me and he said that a soul had been misplaced in his domain... So when I..." The ones present felt a shake in the environment and Lucius got a phone call.


    "Oh. Oh, so there was a name to it? Oh... So one of Lorbis''s domain was in danger. Ah... I see." Lucius then turned to Lorbis who was stroking his beard with a grin on his face.


    "Lorbis. One of your statues on Marchen was destroyed. It seems they were praying for you to attack my avatar." Lorbis''s stopped and looked at Lucius.


    "Oh."


    "Turns out that person you gave your blessing towards, kidnapped my avatar''s friend''s mother. And tried to kill his family to get my avatar''s mother."


    "Oh." Lorbis just looked at the document by the table.


    "It isn''t your fault but I am going to warn Mitara. Because I promised my Avatar that I will grant him the name of the deity that messed with this." Then they watched as Mitara stepped in with a smile.


    "Oh, wait. We''re having a meeting?" Lucius looked at the red skinned deity who shot of a smile.


    "Mitara. Did you take the soul of the Priestess of Water?"


    "So what if I did?" Lucius let out a sigh.


    "I''m going to be giving your name up to my Avatar. Expect him to find you."


    "Your avatar?! Are you mad?! You wish to forsaken us because of your Avatar''s wishes?!" Mitara shouted back.


    "You are a deity Mitara. Only reason why I didn''t kill you back when you were a God because your role in the armageddon was minor. But you did take the Priestess of Water''s Soul." Mitara laughed.


    "So what should I be afraid of this human? Just because he has slain a God?!"


    "Mitara. My Avatar butchered your family, and I think I should have let him butchered you as well." Lucius said.


    "Hah, do you truly think that scares me?" Mitara continued barking his protests.


    "Need I remind you. He has slain thousands of Gods? Even the former Supreme One himself?" That shook Mitara to the core.


    "When he went to slay the Supreme One. I told him not to do it but he did it anyway. I warned him but he made me promise him. That if the Supreme One was dead, we''d make a decision together to decide who oversees the Gods as a whole. Well, I think this time... Mitara. I am going to handle you myself." Lucius said as he stood up, Mitara was brought to Lucius''s hand, choking him.


    "One of you tell my Avatar that I''m going to deal with this God myself. He''s done enough. Lorbis, go see how much damage my avatar has done." Lucius ordered as the Gods left the room to Lucius and Mitara alone.


    "See... My Avatar... He''s given me some form of inspiration. In the art of breaking the ones who wish to claim to be unbreakable. So pardon me, but you''ll have to be the test subject for this Mitara." The doors closed on them, as Mitara''s screams were heard.


    The angels and demons outside were uneasy, they were very uneasy. Some of them were jittery, and some of the Gods told them.


    "Put on your special ear protection. You''ll need it." They all heard the voice of Aerith reaching them.

 Chapter 20 : End of Marchen.

    The Marchen Royal family had their corpses on display. Their crimes were told to the people of Marchen.


    ''For the sins of using a Priestess of Water for greed and power. One must pay the price of those sins.''


    ''Using the Beast of Purification to suppress people against its will is a crime far greater than anything else.''


    ''If such things were to happen again, then I will return and destroy Marchen.'' The Avatar of Destruction''s warning was heard by all. Heck, it even became the talk of the entire world. Where many countries have decided to put the Avatar of Destruction on the terrorist watch list. The dangerous nature was also highlighted by the fact that Allensphere Metropolis had gone through some things as well as a result but with a figure that uses cards instead of swords. The conclusion that was made was it was a group of people working together.


    There were people that garnered support as the Avatar of Destruction has left the trail in those countries. Exposing the crimes of Allensphere treating the homeless people like vermin and Marchen''s enslavement of the Priestess of Water. Kael was not enjoying the attention and thankfully nobody would be none the wiser to his pressence as Kael Webster.


    At the very least Kael Webster is an established figure in Matello, then leaving a trail of destruction as the Avatar of Destruction in Marchen and Master of Cards. Three identities yet with different goals. The Avatar of Destruction will leave behind a trail of destruction only while Master of Cards can act as a liberator of sorts.


    Was it going to be perfect? No but at the very least he managed to do what he had set out to do. If the Donnis family did not use that barrier of the Priestess of Waters, Kael would probabbly not have destroyed the entire capital. It would just be a minor dispute but using Priestess of Waters like that once again? When he has seen the aftermath of the previous attempt?


    It was better to quell it straight away rather than leave it for later. Kael observed the devastation when he took the bus ride from the outskirts of Marchen. It was a bus journey of 20 hours. He could not take a boat because the Beast of Purification and the Hydra had forbid anyone from moving close to bring the Priestess of Water to rest. Kael watched how news helicopters took note of the two beasts staying close to the Priestess of Water''s body, the Beast of Purification was literally trotting on top of water. The two beasts were moving abreast to the Priestess''s body.


    Kael sighed, thinking about what it must have been like for the Priestess. She was alone and she was from his earlier lives. Within the early dozens, which meant she must have been here for a while. Kael needed to wait for things, he needed to wait for an answer from Lucius. Somethings are just tougher to deal with. This was one of it.


    Kael was not as invincible as he thought, it may have been easier to get to him. The troubles of the world did not concern him unless there was a reason for him to be concerned. The Living Weapons are a cause of concern for him. So far nothing is too dangerous but if the other ones that were on his mind were present. It would lead to a lot of destruction and not the kind that Marchen suffered. Think of a weapon that could wipe out an entire nation just by imagining it. There were many Living Weapons but there was another problem.


    Kael closed his eyes, finding himself standing by the lake. Seeing Xuehua and Yueliang Hua arguing over who loves their sister the most.


    "I care about meimei more than you!"


    "No I care about our younger sister more than you, you androgynous prick!" Xuehua was shouting at Yueliang Hua while Baihua was standing beside Kael.


    "Baihua... Why don''t you go discipline your elder brothers?" Baihua hugged Kael then she readied her blade.


    "Ah, turning our sister against us! You evil bastard!" Xuehua shouted.


    "You ugly bastard!" Yueliang Hua added on as they both drew their blades.


    "Hey, no calling my master ugly or evil!" Baihua went after them. Standing by the lake itself, Kael watched how then they made contact. The entire body of water splashed everywhere leaving nothing but the wet ground to their feet. Baihua was facing her two brothers and their strength was clearly superior. Baihua had the speed. Blocking Xuehua''s piercing attack with her sheathe, then parrying Yueliang Hua''s attack. Steering her brother''s blade off course. Head butting him, then kicking Yueliang Hua back.


    Xuehua went after his sister, going for a slash to the chest. Baihua rolled back, a kick to her brother''s face.


    "You''re both so careless!" Baihua shouted as she went against her brothers again. Kael then turned to the other blades, seeing Scarlet Vow sleeping on a bed. Black Symphony stil nursing Radiant Sonata in another room. Kuro Hana was playing with a bunch of cats and Banshee was just looking at a photo of her husband.


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    The rooms behind Kael were unaffected by what was going on with the trio ahead of him. This place? Think of it as another realm. The realm for Kael''s heart that houses them. They all have their own spaces for their own uses but the open lake area is where they spar against one another to compare skills and take notes of each other''s weaknesses.


    Kael headed back to the real world, the journey on the boss would take longer but that was just how things were supposed to be. He could use a teleport but that is not something Kael would want to use too often. The bus ride was a nice change of pace, the scenery outside was good to see. Fresh green sceneries are pleasant to the eyes.


    Another 10 more hours, Kael closed his eyes to rest his head and his thoughts. Kael had a bottle of water for the trip. Taking sips of his drink just to make sure his lips are not dry. The bus trip continued to be uneventful, just the way Kael likes it. He''d rather not have it any other way. The bus made a few stops which Kael did not seem to mind. He just stayed in the bus, not even needing to use the toilet. Closing his eyes to sleep the fatigue away, waiting for the bus to arrive at the intended location. Then he got up, then moving out to search for a toilet to relieve himself.


    At the very least, Kael should not be dealing with any sort of family trouble. Kael headed to Patriarch Webster''s place, where he found Lucius smoking outside.


    "Lucius?"


    "Hello Avatar. Sorry about the Priestess." Lucius said as he offered a cigar for Kael, then lighting it up for him.


    "Was there a God behind it?"


    "Yes, Avatar. There was.. I''ve dealt with it. Dealt with it the same way you dealt with it. That God has been dealt with." Lucius said as they both savored a good cigar. The cigars they had were velvety smooth, easy on the mouth and when inhaling the heavy smoke. They both did not let out a cough. A slight touch of mint to the tastebuds.


    "Good cigars."


    "Handrolled them myself, Kael. Enjoy it." Kael and Lucius stood with their backs turned to the gates to Patriarch Webster''s place.


    "I''ll try and keep the Gods in line but if they make a direct move on earth. Don''t bother talking, just do what you must." Lucius said.


    "Some of the minor deities have been stepping over their boundaries. Some have descended to earth. I''ve killed a few on my way here. Saw the mess you made at Marchen. Seems like you showed a lot more restraint." Lucius complimented as Kael puffed out the smoke from his lungs.


    "Seems like they really just want to bother me, huh?" Kael asked where Lucius took a deep whiff of the cigar, then nodding.


    "Fraid so but I''m not worried since you''re here. It''s up to you to decide whether you want to trust the ones that came to earth or not. I also made it clear that the only power they have being here is power to protect themselves and to not die. Seems like a lot of gods are coming here for a vacation and having you around is a reminder that if they fuck up, they might be seeing you skin them alive." Lucius explained.


    "You mean?" Kael knew what all this meant and he needed to hear those words from the Supreme God himself.


    "Yes, Kael. The barrier between the paranormal and this one has shattered. So Gods and many deities just roam freely. Nothing much can be done since the Priestess of Water''s soul was the key needed to break the seal. So don''t be surprise if horrors or spirits roam freely. I''ve talked to some of the Chaos Gods that are trying to sort it out. Some of them may seek you out to do justice, but you can leave that to Nelista." Lucius said with a sigh.


    "Sure. Then what''s going on up there?" Kael asked Lucius as they both tapped their cigars to ash it.


    "They asked me to come down for a timeout. Mitara... Well, Mitara''s nothing but brain dead at this point. But he is still a deity that is worshipped and if he goes away, some other things will happen. He''s been reduced to nothing but a drone. I broke his free will with some pages I took from your book. Ripping off the fingers then stabbing them with it. Then crushing the ribs into their own organs. Skinning them alive repeatedly... It seems human ingenuity surpasses that of the Gods in some areas." Lucius said with a smile to Kael.


    "Asking you for a timeout.. You must have went on a rampage, up there."


    "I put down 58 deities with my bare hands. All of them are mentally broken and are unable to even think. Apparently Aerith''s salvation was not enough. Most of the other Gods are thinking I''m too much like you." Kael nearly choked on the smoke of his cigarette hearing that line.


    "Isn''t it supposed to be the ohter way around, Lucius?" Kael asked.


    "Don''t worry about any of the Gods. Even the Gods of War know when to steer clear of your path. I think all the Gods are trying not to step on your toes. I mean... We all did see what you did to the Supreme One. I did not know a head could twist that far... Or how a ribcage could be used as a weapon, or how you ripped off your right arm and beat him to death with it. You were just... Angry." Lucius said with a chuckle towards the end.


    "There''s always more trouble... But for the next 10 days. I''ll try to make sure nothing otherworldly tries to mess with your family. Oh, I''ve asked the God of Luck to do you a solid. Your college might be burning down tomorrow and it might get rebuilt soon. So you''ll have 10 days for a holiday." Kael was laughing when he heard that.


    "You''re joking, right?"


    "You know me, Kael. I''m bad at humor. It was the dumbest Idea I''ve ever had but the other Gods thought it would be funny. No one will get hurt. I''ve had angels literally scare people away from the building." Lucius spoke with a serious expression.


    "I understand, thanks Lucius."


    "You are my avatar and I am your God. Originally I wanted someone to inform but wouldn''t you know it? Turns out Mitara''s bullshit has left me with more paperwork and talking to the Leading Gods of Chaos, Law and Order about how to sort this whole mess out. Then I got so angry and just beat all 58 deities into submission. The others are too spooked to talk to me and everyone is scared so I''m down here for a bit. I''m going to just move around and see what humans are like in this 10 days." Lucius said as they both finished their cigars. Throwing them into the nearby dustbin.


    "Have a good rest, my avatar." Lucius said to Kael as he walked away while Kael headed inside. Seeing Blake being reunited with her mother, and seeing Nelista greeting him. His other weapons appeared to greet him as well.


    "A 10 day vacation huh? Maybe I''ll figure things out." Kael said.

 Chapter 21 : He was right.

    Lucius was right, the entire college burned down and it resulted in everyone receiving a ''Pass by Disaster'' because the entire college campus was literally and not figuratively, wiped off from the face of the earth. Which lead to a crazy investigation involving Adepts, researchers, scientists because there was bizarre footage of the campus growing a pair of legs and walking away. Another photo showed a figure that snapped the building out of existence.


    Kael was trying to understand if the Gods were into divine comedy or were they just reading a bunch of earth made comics and books that gave them the idea of ''Snapping'' something out of existence. Kael was unsure how to react to that, but due to everything going missing including all files related to examinations and the entire syllabus has gone missing. Everyone would pass by disaster. It was not easy, trying to wrap his head around all of what has happened.


    Who would believe that a literal God just snapped the entire campus out of existence or the campus grew legs to move itself around. Kael was trying to decide if he wanted to laugh or cry at that news report. Kael went to the living room, seeing his family being more relaxed. They were enjoying some TV. Kael notices Ren sitting on Ice Reaper''s shoulder while Black Ivy brought drinks for them.


    "Seems like you''re all getting along." Kael said, then they watched as the door opened with Nelista''s whole white outfit being a mess.


    "You okay Nelista?"


    "Oh just peachy. Saw some horrors on the way to Ren and Jenny''s school. Of course I''ve taken care of it." Nelista said as he walked on over to the bathroom to get cleaned up.


    "Horrors?" Ren asked.


    "Spooky monsters." Ice Reaper answered the young boy.


    "Are they scarier than Ice Reaper?" Kael shook his head.


    "Ice Reaper and Black Ivy are scarier than those horrors, so you would not have to worry Ren and Jenny. If I recall... Ice Reaper was the one that took down the army of ice trolls while Black Ivy had taken an entire forest of treants to their end." Nelista said where the two figures nodded.


    "They exist?" Lloyd asked, Kael nodded to his father.


    "Yeah, which makes my life a bit harder. Nelista the pararnormal barrier is completely gone." Nelista raised his eyebrows to that remark, pursing his lips.


    "Nelista?"


    "Yeah yeah... Well. That explains the vampires, elves and some of the beastkin. I''ll handle them. By the way, why don''t you go to the beach?" Nelista suggested.


    "Why?"


    "Get some rest. Besides Patriarch Webster just gave me tickets to a theme park that we can go for tomorrow. So you might want to go and take it easy." Kael turned to his mother who nodded.


    "Yes, Kael. You should go to the beach. Go and relax. We''ll just stay at home for today." Kael sighed only to see his swords appear behind him.


    "Can we go too?" His usual four, Xuehua and Yueliang Hua, Scarlet Vow, Black Symphony and Radiant Sonata stepped out.


    "Sonata. You okay?" Sonata spoke, unlike Black Symphony who had a mature beauty, Sonata was more youthful. A young woman that wore a white blouse and black pants.


    "I... I''ve felt better but thank you... For not leaving me behind again." Radiant Sonata said as Kael grabbed a bag.


    "Come on, you lot. Let''s go buy you some clothes. Wearing all that to the beach is going to make your clothes all sandy." Kael said as they followed from behind, the moment they got on the bus. People were staring at the group. Of course Xuehua and Yueliang Hua would be the ones that the ladies focus on, two handsome men in Han-fu? What''s not to like? Kael was holding onto the rod while Scarlet Vow was leaning on his shoulders.


    A moment later, they arrived at the mall.


    "So this is what they call as a shopping mall." Kael introduced. Of course to most people it would seem like Kael''s Swords were cosplayers with their unique outfits. He went to bring them to the shop, seeing credit cards that was courtesy of Mister Summers and Patriarch Flare. Black Symphony was looking for something. She looked at the one piece with a frill by the shoulders while Scarlet Vow seemed to be bothered by the bikinis.


    "These are so skimpy. How would one feel safe?" Scarlet Vow asked.


    "Scarlet. Try this." Kael brought her a red one piece swimsuit, it was in deep red but Scarlet had a blush on her face. Clearly she was bothered by it.


    "If it''s too much, you can always just wear a pair of shorts and a shirt and not play near the waters." Kael said watching Scarlet Vow take the swimsuit then heading into the dressing room.


    Yueliang Hua and Baihua were arguing about what their younger sister should wear. Both were holding one piece swimsuits while Baihua ignored them.


    "No, I believe our younger sister would look better wearing this white swimsuit!"


    "No that is far too tight! It needs to be a little loose! That''s why we should this one. Yueliang Hua protested.


    "That is worse than what I picked!" Xuehua argued while Baihua just grabbed a white bikini set and headed to the changing room. Radiant Sonata was having a hard time making her decision, then turning to Kael.


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    "Which one makes you feel the prettiest?" Kael asked, where she pointed to a one piece swim suit that had floral patterns.


    "But I''m afraid my sister won''t like it." Then Black Symphony stepped out in the one piece, clearly it was hugging her in all the right places.


    "Why would I? Wear what you wish my dear sister. I will support you." Black Symphony said as she hugged her sister from behind.


    Yueliang Hua and Xuehua went to pick out their outfits, only to see Baihua throw them both a pair of shorts.


    "No speedos. If you do that I''ll kick both of your asses."


    "Okay, meimei." The two brothers replied, Kael thought Baihua was bad but those two are overly protective of their sister.


    Kuro Hana took a simple swimsuit while Banshee seemed very disinterested in swimming. Merely taking on some floral clothes to wear for the trip.


    The nearest beach was at Miliana Point, white sands that was flooded with people. Kael was definitely the center of attention with everyone staring at the beauties that surrounded him. They searched for a spot, pitching an umbrella for their stuff. Xuehua and Yueliang Hua were completely glaring daggers at anyone that looked at their sister. Baihua went to play with Kuro Hana while Banshee just sat to take care of their stuff. Black Symphony splashed water at Radiant Sonata as they both proceeded to swim. Kael? Well Kael just had a sip of soda as he helped Scarlet Vow ease herself to the water.


    "It''s the first time... I''ve seen such nice sand and oceans."


    "Well the oceans we were from were always covered in blood so that''s understandable." Kael said to her as Scarlet Vow eased herself to the wwater, it was warm and welcoming.


    "Hey that girl''s pretty cute." A guy spoke as he tried to approach Baihua, only to see Xuehua holding his hand.


    "Hey buddy... Just dont get too close to my sister. Or I''ll break your bones." Xuehua said with a grin, and it caused the guy to run away in a panic.


    Kael sighed.


    "Freaking siscons."Kael said, at the very least today will be eventful. Whether it will be fun or not is a different story, he sat in the water with Scarlet Vow, who held his hand.


    "I don''t need to be married to you, just being able to spend a bit of your day with me like this is enough." Scarlet Vow said, leaning over his shoulder.


    "No fair! I want to lean on his shoulder too!" Baihua leaned over Kael''s shoulder, then Kael looked to see Radiant Sonata that sat in front of him, then leaning to his chest. Kael then looked at Yueliang Hua nad Xuehua who was glaring at him. Those weren''t knives it was like a million blades were floating above Kael''s head.


    Kael snapped the blades away and signed to the two siscons.


    "Try that again and I will throw you both to the next continent." The two brothers grumbled away as they played volleyball with some other ladies.


    Baihua did not seem to mind so much, but Yueliang Hua was being hit on by men and women alike. Black Symphony was being hit on, with all the men offering her drinks. Even some women offering her some drinks.


    "Good luck getting her drunk." Kael said as they watched the glasses, the bottles of alcohol that had been brought to Black Symphony be empty. Roughly a few dozen bottles. Spending time at the sea like this was relaxing, kael then watched Kuro Hana who invited the others for some volleyball.


    Kael then headed back to their spot where Black Symphony and the others joined in. Leaving Kael and Banshee, Banshee had a lot of heavy liquor in her bag, passing one to Kael. Banshee then got up, leaving for a bit because someone else came to say hello. Kael turned to the right, the grizzled figure of a man. If veterans of war were to look like someone, it would look like this figure. Neatly trimmed hair, although he was wearing a pair of shorts and a shirt. Kael could see the pistol that was tucked by his appendix. The figure sat beside Kael with a pair of sunglasses and a baseball cap to his head.


    "Lorbis. What brings you on earth?"


    "Just a little RnR. I came to just watch what all the fuss was about on earth. The multiple wars where human greed is waged and watching them spend so much money on war. The waepon makers pray to all the 15 Gods of War. Their offerings being the battles themselves and we watch. Most of the Gods had to leave the domain since Lucius was busy trying to unFUBAR the situation."


    "FUBAR?"


    "Fucked Up Beyond All Repair. It''s a saying some soldiers say often. So I just came here. Just came back from watching a few wars happen. We keep telling them not to involve civilians. I don''t like innocent people crying." Lorbis said as he popped a beer for Kael and one for himself.


    "I heard some of them came down to mess with my life."


    "Oh them? Don''t worry about it. Aevery the God of Duels had dealt with it personally. Lucius said anything that was a deity or similar that is trying to bother you was open season for us. A lot of the Gods came down to this place. We''ve never been on earth. The Gods of Smithing are enjoying alcohol and well some of the younger Gods are looking into those idol groups you know so well." Lorbis said it so easily.


    "You mean those girl groups and boybands? The Gods are interested in those?" Lorbis seemed embarrassed to even nod to Kael for that matter.


    "Yes... And some of us are watching people stream video games and watching a lot of things. The Goddess of Romance is enjoying human romance novels to the point she is writing fan fiction of it... The God of Lust is enjoying the.... Sexual side of the internet and all the things people do. Though I''ve actually seen the God of Lust be very uncomfortable with what humans have done."


    "The God of Lust. Being uncomfortable with human... Fetishes? I... I never thought I''d hear those sentences out of your mouth Lorbis." Lorbis smirked.


    "And I never thought I''d say it either but it is what it is. Aerith, the Goddess of Salvation is watching over funeral processions. She is also roaming the battlefields, granting salvation to the many souls that were taken by the same weapons that the Gods of War have given their blessings too. She does it without much thought or question, granting the many souls peace." Lorbis said as they both sipped on their bottle of beer.


    "How do you feel about it?" Kael wanted to understand more from Lorbis''s thoughts.


    "It is in the nature for humans to always be in war but I prefer my wars clean. Not involving non-combatants but watching how these non-combatants pick up weapons and turn into combatants... Awakening their primal nature to desire the death of their enemy. I cannot help but be amazed and unsure of how to feel about that." Lorbis spoke up as he let out a grin.


    "Only thing the Gods can do on earth. Is watch. We have our immortality but we can only watch. Can''t do a damn thing. I mean, hell I can see why the 21 Gods of Peace are pissing their pants because nobody in politics are even talking... Sorry, Kael. Seems I''m rambling to you." Lorbis said as he passed Kael a cigar.


    "It''s fine, Lorbis. I mean I just destroyed a place that worshipped you. This is the least of my worries." Kael lit the cigar for Lorbis first then only for himself.


    "When you leave a path of destruction, it always seems to bring something else with it. Hope and change. The people of Marchen are reorganizing to become better. Allensphere Metropolis is stopping its facade of being a utopia and going to focus on being honest with its citizens. I wish I could understand the madness of your actions." Lorbis puffed the smoke out of his mouth.


    "I don''t know. Most of the time I try not to repeat my actions but humans can be unpredictable." Lorbis nodded to Kael''s words with a grin.


    "Understandable." Lorbis said as the two of them sat by the beach chain smoking cigars and chugging on alcohol while the others played volleyball.

 Chapter 22 : Theme Park

    Kael was out with his family, he was holding Ren and Jenny''s hands as they walked together by the theme park. Kael stood before one of the most horrorfying things to ever grace mankind for entertainment. It had multiple wheels. It had multiple carts and it would fill people up with screams. All the 52 lives Kael has lived.. It has not prepared him for the terror that is the roller coaster.


    Jenny and Ren gave Kael an expectant expression, hoping that Kael will be joining them on this ride.


    "Please?" The way they held the please for an entire 10 seconds was enough for Kael to give in. For his siblings, he will brave even the roller coaster. As he got into the seat, literally feeling every fiber of his body feel a fear. He could ride a dragon, he could ride a serpent but Kael is afraid of roller coasters.


    Kael was strapped in by the worker. Then looking to his right it was Lucius, Kael blinked 10 times to make sure he was seeing Lucius.


    "Don''t ask."


    "I wasn''t going to." Kael said as they both braced themselves for the rollercoaster. When it set off, the roller coaster bolted forward as Kael felt his stomach rise up. Climbing up the peak slowly, the anticipation was killing Kael and he could see Lucius bracing himself for the drop. When they reached the peak, Kael and Lucius looked at how steep it was going to go and it was definitely horrorfying. The roller coaster stopped at the top, teasing them as it went downwards where Kael and Lucius screamed their lungs out.


    "This was a terrible idea!" Lucius and Kael screamed as the roller coaster went down. Then it went into the loops, the two of them continued their screaming. As they watched the movement go to another loop. They took a deep breath, where everyone else was screaming with glee. Kael and Lucius were screaming in despair. The wheels of the roller coaster were like screeches of otherworldly beasts. Thick vapors covered in front of them, as they were swallowed into a tunnel. The tunnel was not the scary part, the spiraling track that was at the end of the tunnel was what made it worse.


    When the ride ended, Kael and Lucius stood on solid ground for 10 minutes. Perhaps to enjoy not having their heads or stomachs be upset with the intensity of the roller coaster.


    "This is the idea of human enjoyment? Is it the thrill?" Lucius asked Kael who nodded.


    "I only did it because of my siblings, why are you doing it?"


    "I was dared by Lorbis. I dared Lorbis to ride the carousell." Kael and Lucius turned to Lorbis who was smiling like a madman by the carousell.


    "Then there''s.... Well. Them." Kael recognized some other Gods that were riding the spinning cups. They had fun but afterwards they were so dizzy they fell down the stairs in unison. Where people came to help them, the Gods merely brushed their injuries off and did not think much of it.


    Lorbis walked on over, smiling to them. Ren and Jenny came back with ice cream.


    "Oh hi, mister. What''s your name?"


    "Lu-" Kael elbowed Lucius, who understood what that meant.


    "My name is Lee. And what''s yours?"


    "I''m Ren!" Ren introduced with his messy mouth. Kael knelt to wipe his little brother''s messy face.


    "I''m Jenny! Are you a friend of Kael''s?" Lucius nodded to them, then seeing Ren offer a spoonful of his ice cream to Lucius.


    "Ren, don''t offer people you don''t know ice cream!" Jenny was cautious but of course she would be, Kael was literally standing beside strangers.


    "You seem nice, so I wanted to give you ice cream." Lucius took the spoon and then looked at Kael. Kael just shrugged his shoulders.


    "Ren, Jenny! Let''s go for bumper cars!" Lloyd invited them as Ren and Jenny made their way back to the parents.


    Lorbis and Kael looked at Lucius who must have felt that to be a bizarre experience.


    "I totally understand why you will destroy everything for your younger brother. Oh me, your brother and sister are so adorable. I finally understand why Aerith calls you sort of a helicopter sibling." Lucius said to Kael who laughed as the three of them went to the bumper cars. It was a big place, Lloyd was riding with Ren, Miriam with Jenny. Kael, Lucius and Lorbis went at it alone. Where they all bumped into each other, where Lorbis laughed at watching Lucius struggle to even steer.


    "Wrong way, Lee!" Lorbis joked as Lloyd and Ren crashed into Lucius. Kael merely smirked only to see him bumping into Aerith who pouted. Then she went after Lucius a few times.


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    "Ah, leave me alone Ari!" Lucius said where Aerith kept smirking, despite her blue hair and gentle smile. She was having the most fun here. Even Lorbis was beaten by Aerith''s skill with the bumper cars. Kael found it hilarious to see Lucius struggle with bumper cars and as the SUpreme God and God of Destruction, would be in an interesting things he has seen.


    "Kael? Are they your friends? Why don''t they join us for laser tag?" Lloyd invited them where Kael could see Lucius and the others joining it as fast as they could. Things will be chaotic not for Kael but for the Gods. A few other Gods also joined the game. The darkness, strobing lights and just playing laser tag was fun for them.


    The Gods were smirking thinking they had the advantage. Unaware that Lloyd and Miriam were the reigning continent champion in laser tag. They were about to be schooled by mortals and so they did. Ren and Jenny were working well with Lloyd and Miriam. Kael was laughing as he watched the Gods be so nerve wrecked from the experience. Watching how easy it was for them to be eliminated through the use of cover and angles.


    Lorbis was playing a simulated war game yet he, one of the Gods of War was losing to mere mortals. Lucius was laughing at Lorbis only to be shot by Miriam as Kael''s family was prowling the entire laser tag arena. This meant that people could see everything and watch the chaos and disaster occur. Aerith was doing better compared ot her brothers. The others played happily, despite being schooled by the mortals.


    They left and had fun, even taking a huge photo at the end with Kael''s family. When they met Ren it seems that he had won them over as well.


    "Want to have some?" Ren offered the drink to Aerith and Kael could see that Ren has won her over with that little gesture. To which the Goddess of Romance leaned to Kael.


    "Easy there tiger, your younger brother might break hearts when he grows older. This might be fun to watch and wait." The Goddess of Romance, Mayala said with a smile. Mayala had tan skin and she was the opposite of what people would think. The Goddess of Romance was deemed to be white but in reality Mayala was born from the love of two forbidden figures and she chose to embrace that to the best of her abilities.


    "And you say it like it''s a bad thing?" Kael spoke to Mayala who laughed at that remark.


    "He might be good enough for a God. If you want me to be honest, Kael. Your brother might grow enough to cause Gods to be interested in him.  Same goes for your sister but... It may not be bloody. Might be for something else though." Mayala joked to Kael.


    "As long as they don''t go through the hell I went through. Then it''s fine. Same goes for the ones I care about. As long as they don''t piss me off." Kael said then looking at Lucius who gave him the nod.


    "If anything happens to them, we''ll make sure that they get their rest and if they do somehow end up being put to a reincarnation cycle. We''ll make it fun for them instead. Not like yours." Lucius whispered.


    "That''s all I ask, Lucius. They can''t handle it. They''re not like me." Kael said to them as he watched them from the distance, Lucius then pulled out a document for Kael to read.


    "This is a dossier about what happened to your siblings before your reincarnation cycles." Kael had a brief glimpse into it. Human trafficking that focuses on prostitution.


    "They are still around and they are doing it to a lot of people." Kael kept the dossier in his heart as he looked at Aerith who said that to him.


    "I can''t leave this to my swords. I need to handle this myself. Well, at least I got something interesting I can do." Kael said as he moved away from them, walking back to join his family as they all went into a haunted house. Miriam and Lloyd screaming loudly and holding each other while Ren was laughing at them while Jenny was trying to calm herself down. Perhaps it was because Ren was used to seeing Ice Reaper in his skeleton form that brought him that sense of comfort. Of course, what would be able to scare his brother now? No horror would dare to even get close to anything that was within Ice Reaper''s reach.


    Afterwards, they ended the day with spending time on dessert. Where Kael could see Lucius spending time with Mayala, while the other Gods were seated elsewhere. They were... Poor in their attempt of trying to be discreet. Perhaps they were trying to set Lucius up? In all of Kael''s lives he had not heard about Lucius having a family or a lover. Perhaps it has to do with the fact he is the God of Destruction.


    Then again, a mortal may marry a God if they fulfill the right conditions. Though such a mortal would take aeons to come to their lives. Kael could see the other Gods being careful, trying to not get caught by Lucius. He received a text.


    ''I''m getting love advice... From Mayala.'' Kael nearly choked on his drink as he read that. He had to wipe his mouth while typing with his left hand.


    ''Did you find someone?''


    ''No but it seems that the Gods are insistent that the Supreme One must have a partner. Kael, as my avatar. I must ask. When you married the women in your other lives... What was it like?''Kael was trying to think of an answer. Some ended in a tragedy like Priestess of Water, but it taught him something.


    ''Love when it is with the right person. Is utter bliss. Yet, when that person goes away. The love does not. Love does not die on its own, it dies when both sides let go. I''ve had lives where my wives died but the love I had for them... It did not fade. Even now, when I came back here. When I saw the Priestess of Water. I remembered the butterflies in my stomach, I remembered all of that nostalgia and how I lost her... I lost her the same way but at least, I put her out of her misery. Love is beautiful yet it can be ugly. Peaceful yet like a war. It can be healing and can be destruction.'' Kael typed as Lucius read it, then taking a deep breath.


    When Kael got up, he walked past the table. Briefly hearing some parts of the conversation.


    "Look, Lucius. Don''t do what those super hot guys do in the romance films okay? Some of it is cringey and some of it is downright stalker like. You do that, and we''ll be on a police drama episode or a psychological horror. So if you want to approach a woman you ha--" Kael did not hear the rest of it but he could see Lucius being unimpressed or perhaps. The better word is not much belief in it?


    The day ended as they all went home, Kael was driving back to the house since his father was tired. He tucked Ren to bed, and had Ice Reaper by his side while leaving Ren with Yueliang Hua and Xuehua.


    "Yes, master?" Ice Reaper asked Kael as they stepped outside.


    "Seems like there''s some toruble and we''ll need to deal with it." Kael said as Ice Reaper turned into its pale blue scythe.


    "I am by your side, master."

 Chapter 23 : Reaping Heads.

    Kael was out with Ice Reaper, this time holding the pale blue scythe while wearing his Master of Cards mask and a white tuxedo.


    "Shall we?" Kael asked.


    "Let us go, master." Kael leaped to the buildings with the scythei n his hand. Searching for the buildings that were connected to this particular group of human traffickers. The data that he got from the Gods? It was far better intel than anything. The details of their stomping grounds, the number of members. The members that were connected and the headlines of their crimes. Even down to their Modus Operandi.


    There were rumors that circulated Matello of such groups and Kael did not learn of their fate until the many lives later. The human trafficking group were known as the Pied Pipers. Like the famed Piper of Hamelin who took the children away and they were never to be seen again. Only these kids were to be ''adopted'' by the depraved souls with the money for it.


    The money would be given to an offshore account which cannot be traced and this was an easy way out for things to continue. Sometimes Kael has to think about how depraved humanity is as a whole, if given the opportunity even the kindest of souls could become devils. Kael had seen it with his own eyes. Being the Avatar of Destruction another offering Kael could do, would be to step into battlefields and watched the destruction that was left behind. He watched how a mother used her body to protect her infant child from gunfire. Another instance, was when Kael watched a father screaming as he carried the corpse of his child in his hands.


    Such scenes turned Kael to be cynical, making him realize that evil is best to be cut off before it festers. Ice Reaper was the best one for the job, not because of its name but because Ice Reaper was far more independent than the other blades. The most stable and calm. Kael found himself on a ship that was leaving Matello. Kael felt people being put inside of cargo containers, they were all cramped in like canned sardines. Despair, anguish, fear and uncertainty. Anxiety. Many emotions were running from them and they were feeding directly to Ice Reaper.


    Kael was standing atop the radio, he was tiptoeing on it.


    "I can understand the coolness factor of such a stance... But Master, isn''t this too much as one of your cartoons and those foreign animations?" Ice Reaper spoke up as Kael observed the cargo ship''''s crew. Armed to the teeth with assault rifles, they will be no match for an Adept.


    "I never thought I''d be hearing that from you. Well, shall we?" Kael jumped down and began his work. The soldiers turned, catching a glimpse of the pale blue scythe. A quick swing that tore bodies in half.


    "Contact! We''ve got an intruder! Target i-" The one who spoke by the radio was taken out by another figure. It was Ice Reaper wearing his cloak, running at the other threats. They fired into the skeleton, not seeing it stop as its pale blue hands tore their limbs apart. The glowing red eyes contrasts with the plae blue skeletal frame. This was Ice Reaper in his natural habitat, going after all of them. It has been a while since Kael saw Ice Reaper let loose, perhaps due to the knowledge that Ren was someone who had been endangered by these people in a previous life.


    Ice Reaper ripped a soldier in half by the shoulders, then smashing a person''s face with his fist. Turning another soldier into ice.


    Despite being brutal, Ice Reaper was not roaring. The primary focus was to destroy them and he did. Kael did not even need to do much as Ice Reaper had blood over his cloak and hands by the end of it. Kael opened the doors to the containers. The people stepped out as he destroyed the shackles that held them.


    "Yo." Kael heard a familiar voice. He was sure he dialed the emergency line.


    "Tony? I was calling the cops."


    "Don''t bother, turns out majority of the higher ups are corrupt. They knew about the Child Trafficking plan. I mean, I know I am not a saint but putting people in a cargo ship like a can? That''s low... Even for my standards." Kael heard Tony firing his pistol in the background.


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    "Oh yeah, by the way. The gun''s name is Wyatt. You were right. After I fixed the gun up, it''s been talking to me ever since. Makes a good conversation buddy. That and the gun shoots better than anything I own." Tony informed as Kael as he saw a boat from the distance.


    "By the way, some smoking hot woman named Vartin gave a tip that you were going to hit the port tonight. So I sent my boys via a boat to help you sort that out. As for the people? I''ll try and figure something out. They deserve better... Most of them are our own people anyway. Thanks for helping them Kael. Now, sit tight. I gotta sort out some corrupt cops for a bit." Tony hung up as Kael watched the boats arrive, they knew who Kael was when Kael took off the mask.


    Some of them were a little antsy, perhaps because they''ve heard the rumors and the stories. Perhaps some of them watched Kael that manager at the hotel. They handled the scared victims carefully, not by force. Vartin... Vartinius. One of the Three Gods of Lust and Depravity. Kael was trying to understand the logic behind it. Kael thought that the trio would be fine with what has happened but this was a bit bizarre.


    Kael headed home, only to see three figures by the door. A woman and two men. One of the men was handsome and masculine to a fault while the other was androgynous that if he wore a dress nobody would be at fault to mistake them as a girl. This was definitely it, the three Gods of Lust and Depravity. Vartinius, Alaika and Itri. Vartinius was a bombshell to a fault, if one were to ask the definition of lust. It would be her, anyone that sees her will see her as their ultimate sexual desire in a woman. Alaika is for the men and Itri is for those who swing both ways.


    "I think it''s a bit weird. Why you gave the information to Tony." Kael said where Vartinius stepped close, placing her hands over Kael''s chin.


    "Why would it be?" Alaika asked as he scratched his neck. Even when stretching his neck, unintentionally flexing his muscles out. That is the God of Lust and Depravity for you.


    "We may not look like it Kael... But we do disagree with a lot of the things we''ve seen here. Especially if it involves children." Itri spoke with a gentle voice, hesitant to even say the word ''Children'' completely. Then it took a moment, Kael understood why. All three of them are parents when they were mortals. Prior to their ascension.


    "It''s one thing if it is a group of adults just losing themselves to the temptations of sexual desires... But it is another thing if they force it on children. I became the God of Lust because I watch it destroy the many things that corrupted bastards build." Vartinius said, scorning the words out of her mouth as she crushed the can in her hand.


    "I''m sorry Kael... We did not mean to bother you." Kael then pulled out his phone to show something.


    "An Erotica Festival? Put on your masks so that you can enjoy yourself without needing to worry about naything too much." Itri read then looking at Kael.


    "It''s a place for a lot of things. If you want to read erotica stories, comics, novels or even just watch people do all the... Stuff I don''t want to talk about. Try going there. You can sweet talk the owners of the festival tomorrow morning. I''m sure they''d enjoy more with you. That and the Festival has its own perks with everyone to their needs." Kael said where Vartinius smirked.


    "Oh you handsome devil. We''ll go and have fun. Take care, Kael." Kael headed back into his house, seeing Yueliang Hua and Xuehua just sitting by the living room watching a chinese drama. One that if memory serves, is the story of them. It must have been interesting to see how badly wrong the show did. Yueliang Hua is as beautiful as a woman and handsome as a man but the show depicted him as a woman.


    Such is the fate of legends but it''s not a big issue. Kael looked at Ice Reaper who was floating by the room, seems that Ice Reaper is resting after an eventful evening. Kael needed a break as well, though he was unsure about how to feel knowing the Trio of Gods are going to be at that festival tomorrow. Will it be chaotic or reach a point that it will have to be banned?


    The next day, Kael could see the chaos as Lloyd told the family that they would be moving somewhere bigger. It was going to be a villa, one that was awarded by Patriarch Webster for Lloyd''s recent venture and the success of it. It was still in the city and it will not change Ren or Jenny''s school. The move? It was fast becuase the swords helped out completely, and when they went to the villa. What they found was that it was a secluded villa. No neighbours, nobody and a plot of land that was large.


    The entire property, heck the villa''s location is in a private property thaThen there was another problem that Kael found. The entire area had this strange sensation lurking in it. Felt like they were being watched. Even Kael''s swords were reacting to it. Particularly Radiant Sonata and Black Symphony.


    "Master... I think we''ve.. Got something else to worry about." Kael stepped out to see a few beasts roaming the property.


    "This is going to be a long day." Kael said to himself.

 Chapter 24 : New Pets?

    Lloyd, Miriam, Ren and Jenny were also joining Kael outside. Clearly they were seeing the many beasts that were before them.


    "Kael? Are those wolves?" Miriam asked. They had a wolf''s appearance but they were far bigger.


    "Hon... I don''t think wolves are supposed to be the size of pick-up trucks." Lloyd said.


    "They aren''t wolves... They''re Fenrirs... They are the servants of Father and Mother Nature... Why are you here?" Kael asked, the Fenrirs were like jewels in terms of their beauty. Wolves were known to be majestic but Fenrirs are a class of their own. Diamonds when compared to the wolves. Yet, they did not seem hostile. Instead they went closer, giving soft growls to Kael. Followed by sniffing Kael''s hand, then pouncing on him. Licking his face off.


    "Kael!" Lloyd panicked only to see Black Symphony stop him from going any further.


    "It''s fine, they are just greeting him. The Fenrirs are a playful bunch." Black Symphony explained as the Fenrirs just kept pouncing over.


    "Alright alright! Get back for a bit." The Fenrirs then went on over to Kael''s family, they circled them around. Where a Fenrir pup in cobalt blue moved closer to Ren, wagging its tail as it rubbed its head on Ren''s leg.


    "It''s okay, they''re friendly..." Ice Reaper formed a stick of solid ice and passed it to Ren. Ren threw it away, seeing the cobalt blue pup run to the stick, picking it up with ease. Then running back to Ren passing the stick back to him.


    "Seems like that one''s friendly with you Ren." Kael said, then watching a violet Fenrir go to Jenny, nuzzling its nose to her fingers.


    "Kael? Is this safe?" Kael nodded to Jenny as the Fenrir jumped over her, nuzzling her face as it tails wags happily.


    "Seemingly a bit friendly for a bunch of fenrirs? I''m used to them trying to eat my face off." Nelista said as some of them growled at him.


    "Of course nothing has changed... We are still the same as before." They heard the voice, the other Fenrirs moved away. The largest among them rivaled a 3 storey building, the Fenrir stared at Kael. This particular one was midnight black with its majestic blue eyes that could gaze into the souls of many.


    "It has been many cycles since I''ve seen you..." Fenrir said as he leaned close to Kael. Rubbing its snout to Kael''s cheeks.


    "Hati... Where is Skoll?"


    "Here!" Kael was thrown up into the air as a white Fenrir leaped up to get him. Where Kael had grabbed the coat, as the Fenrir landed back to the ground.


    "You''re too playful, Skoll." Kael complained while Skoll just laughed it off like it was nothing. Kael got off Skoll''s back then looked at the dozens of Fenrirs.


    "Why are you all here?" Kael asked.


    "We''re just... Comfortable here... It''s like a nice resting station." Skoll said as they heard a roar from above, it was a dragon.


    "Is that?! Is that a dragon!?" Lloyd panicked as he grabbed Ren and Jenny.


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    "It''s okay dad, he''s a friend." Kael said, though the assurance was not easy for them to accept it.


    "So this is your family, Avatar?" Veriskua the Iron Dragon spoke to Kael. A voice that was deep, shaking the earth with his very whispers.


    "Try whispering a bit lower, old friend. You might destroy our new house over there." Kael said as Veriskua nodded.


    "Is this better?" The voice was lower and at least it did not shake the earth, that was a lot of control on Veriskua''s part. Then Kael noticed two dragons that were small, they were far too small to be considered as dragons in the normal spieces. These little ones could fit in your hand similar to a normal reptile.


    "These two are the off spring of my younger sister. Ventulga, the Faerie. These two are known as Pixie Dragons." Their roars were like little chirps, their scales were not sharp but it was smooth and had a delicate sensation to it. The two Pixie Dragons approached Ren and Jenny. Flying into their hands and laying down.


    "Oh.. Seems as if they like the energies that are being emitted by your siblings... Though Hati and Skoll... You two seem to be staring at the Avatar''s father." Veriskua spoke to Hati and Skoll.


    "Well, we are the grandparents to most of these Fenrirs. It would seem more fitting that we stay by their sides don''t we?" Hati spoke while Skoll was just grooming the younger pups.


    "How are we going to feed them all? Do we have enough money for this?!" That was Miriam''s concern, which was quite comical if you think about it. You have magical beasts that are in your lawn, and the only thing you think about is whether you can feed them.


    "They do eat food but if this place is a place for them to rest. Then they won''t necessarily have to eat food anyway." Kael said as Hati, Skoll and Veriskua nodded.


    "Your son has just answered your question. Not to worry about us. With how vast this place is, we can make the soil grow fertile to plant things." Hati said.


    "Yeah, so don''t worry about us. The fruits here are nicer too. Meats can be nice to eat once in a while. Besides...I''m kinda... Gaining weight." Skoll spoke up to the remark.


    "Little Ren and Young Jenny. Those Pixie Dragons seem to like being around you. So why don''t you just bring them inside. Not to worry, if they need to use the toilet. They will just step outside. Pixie Dragons are a bit more temperamental with food. Delicious food is enough for them. They can''t speak yet, but they will soon." Veriskua said as he covered his wings to his back, then laying his body down to the earth.


    "Our descendants will just roam around and play around." Skoll said as Kael turned to his mother.


    "Mom. If you want to plant anything or grow any kind of veggies. Just talk to the Fenrirs. They''ll help you. And don''t worry about plowing the land. They can do it too." Kael said as the Fenrirs howled in affirmation. The Pixie Dragons woke up, then they climbed over Jenny and Ren''s shoulders. Chirping to them as they rub their heads over Jenny and Ren''s cheeks.


    "Very affectionate aren''t they?" Veriskua whispered to Jenny and Ren.


    "Yeah. Erm.. Can we keep them?" Ren turned to Lloyd who was still trying to wrap his head around the entire situation. First there were the wolves but they aren''t wolves, they''re Fenrirs. Now there''s a dragon and then there''s the two little dragons.


    "Just think about how much fluff... That they can provide." Kael said as the Fenrirs came closer, fur that was softer than sheep yet fluffier than anything they have ever touched. Lloyd was slowly losing the argument as the Fenrirs were very friendly. Coming closer to be petted or have their fur stroked. They were wagging their tails like whippers of a car that had been set to auto on max speeds. They were far too happy to be near humans and this is a surprise even for Kael.


    Fenrirs don''t behave like this. They are majestic, they are noble and powerful. Yet, what Kael was seeing in front of him were just these goofy balls of fluff that demands affection. This has completely shattered the opinions of Fenrirs that he had previously.


    "I swear this must be some elaborate shitpost." Kael whispered to himself as he continued petting the Fenrirs. Even watching them do tricks such as rolling over, playing dead, shaking hands with people.


    "Oh, we had that prepared. Because according to Father and Mother Nature. Humans make pets do tricks." Skoll said where Kael let out another deep sigh. Seeing his blades seemingly happy to have them around. Radiant Sonata threw a stick which three Fenrirs went after it. They were fast, leaving trails in their movement.


    "Dad?" Lloyd raised his hand, then he fainted from the sight.


    "This''ll take some time." Kael said as he brought his father into the house, where the Pixie Dragons followed Ren and Jenny in.

 Chapter 24.5 : Dont mess with the kid.

    Tony was eating some fried chicken from Ma and Pa. Savoring the crunch, the heat from all of the peppers used. Tearing that fried chicken with his bare hands was satsifying. Tearing that full drumstick into nothing but bones was great. Though after that he had to wash his hands.


    "Hey boss!" Tony turned to one of his men.


    "We got word someone''s put a hit out on Kael. Contract of up to 5 million!" Tony sighed as he grabbed Wyatt from the table. Loading it with a 15 round magazine of 45.ACP. The pistol had a more modernized look to when Tony first grabbed it. Putting on mahogany wooden grips, ambidextrous slide release. A ported slide with underbarrel laser sight/flashlight.


    "Who did it?" Tony asked.


    "The Roberts family. They issued it via Mistral." Mistral, now that''s a name Tony hasn''t heard in a while. That''s where professional assassins and hitmen would go for contracts. Freelance ones that are not affiliated to any of the families or any group.


    "This is going to be a shit show but at the very least most of them aren''t Adepts but we might have a few people trying to make that contract." Tony said as he holstered his pistol.


    "What do you want us to do boss?" One of Tony''s men asked, clearly they were worried. Maybe worried for Tony''s life if he tries to deal with this matter. What if he fails to stop the attacks on Kael? Would that leave Tony in trouble? Would that Kael guy come over and fuck everyone up? Those were the things they all were thinking. Whether they said it or not is a different story/


    "Put a call for out to Dorothy." Tony said as one of his boys readied a phone for him. Dorothy was at the front in a suit with a bag in hand, she was wearing a full tactical gear. Fast helmet with night vision goggles at the top with a cigar in her mouth.


    "Been a while since we went hunting boss. What are we hunting?" Dorothy asked as she opened the door for Tony outside. Where Tony looked at the armored trucks with soldiers in full black kit. They were carrying black bags in their hand and wore ski masks with skull markings on them.


    "You guys know Mistral right?" The soldiers gave a slight nod to Tony.


    "Yeah, seems like our boy Kael''s gotten into some trouble by the Roberts family and they issued the contract via Mistral. Now, I am going to send you lot to go deal with some of these guys. I''m going to go meet Roberts and see if I can''t convince him to rescind this contract." Tony said as he stepped into the car with a convoy of heavily armoured trucks with 50 cal machine guns at the ready.


    "Tony, they want to know the Rules of Engagement." Dorothy asked, she needed to confirm it for the people that were surrounding them.


    "Put a bullet in every single one of them." Tony''s answer was wenough as she gestured to the passing cars. They slowly broke out of formation, leaving Tony, Dorothy, the driver and passenger alone.


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    "Just us, boss?" The driver asked.


    "No, Dorothy I want the other squad leaders to meet us at the Roberts residence with a truck." Tony said where Dorothy nodded.


    Soon, they arrived close by with a huge truck lying in wait. All of them were fully armoured and decked out with Tony lighting a cigar as he looked at the 20 figures before him. Dorothy was their leader and Tony was the boss.


    "Ho, boss. You seem pissed as shit." One of the squad leaders spoke up to Tony, who let out a nod. Exhaling the smoke from his mouth.


    "Yeah. I am pissed. The guy that they''re trying to kill could literally fucking sneeze and we''d be dead. He''s also taking a relaxing day off with his family. And the last time someone went after his family? He fucking destroyed a country." Tony said as geared up.


    "Shit." The other squad leaders chorused.


    "Besides, once this is over. I''ll just let him handle Mistral. Let that guy enjoy time with his family right?" Tony said as they all got in the truck.


    "So what''s the plan?" Dorothy asked.


    "Fucking ram this into their house. Then we just shoot all of them except the Roberts." Tony answered as the driver floored the truck crashing through the walls and into the house. The right side of the truck opened up,giving Tony and the squad leaders the chance to fire their guns. The smells of gunpowder in the air, blood splashing everywhere tony did not blink. What he needed to care about is to deal with the idiots in the Roberts house.


    Three Squad Leaders readied their shields as they formed a barrier in front of Tony, then taking pot shots at whoever they could see from ahead.


    "Boss, go on ahead. We''ll take care of things here." Tony headed upstairs while Dorothy settled everything downstairs. Wyatt was like a cheat in a gunfight, the moment someone took aim at Tony, Wyatt will be aiming at them. Most of the time Tony was a good shot but he could relax more with Wyatt in his hands.


    The sounds of gunfire were like a symphony down below, the entire floor was silent as Tony stepped to the safe room. Tapping away at the keypad to unlock it. Then seeing the Roberts family inside.


    "Who!? Who the hell are you?!" The elderly Patriarch of the Roberts spoke up, only to see Tony took off his mask. Looking at them.


    "Tony? What did we do to you?!"


    "Mistral''s supposed to run through contracts through me. You just bypassed me. So I''m here to sort this out. Terminate this contract." Tony said as he reloaded Wyatt in his hands. Instead of the usual swing magazine away reload like movies do. Tony would merely swap the magazine, holding the full magazine by the palm and swapping it.


    "Terminating the contract!? You think that''s going to be simple?! THat kid messed with my grandson!" Patriarch ROberts shouted to which Tony could see who it was, that Marc guy he saw the other day. Dorothy and the others arrived where she passed Tony a cigar.


    "Look if you want to fucking die, go right ahead. But just know this guy scared the Corazon family to submission. Now, we both know how those bastards work. So you have to just imagine how fucking dangerous that kid is, to make the Corazon call him ''Master''." Those words were enough to send a chill down Patriarch Roberts''s spine.


    "Oh and just remember. This is my only warning to ya. You mess with that kid, you''ll watch your whole family disappear over night. Like that Chang family. I only heard that the Donnie kid is alive with his family... But everyone else in the Chang family? They''re dead." Tony ran that sentence through his mouth so simply. Like the destruction of an entire family was nothing. The silence was enough to make them remember the horrorfying details of the Chang family members to be found in their houses hanging by the ceiling.


    Tony was done, he turned to the others and headed out. Dialing a number.


    "Hey, kid. How''s it going?" Tony asked.


    "Oh, just fine. We''ve just moved in to a new house. What''s up?"


    "Nah, just checking in on ya."

 Chapter 25: new housemates.

    Kael woke up the next morning, seeing Scarlet Vow lying in bed beside him. She was clinging to his hand,well this was something Kael had to accept. What would be worse if he saw some of his other wives and children? Would it be a harem? Would it be a mass ball of confusing relationships? Is he going to be called a cheater? Is he going to be laughed at by the Gods in a new episode of their reality TV show called ''Avatars In Awkward Places?''


    The Gods do have their own reality TV show called Avatars in Awkward Places. Kael had starred in it for 10 seasons, before they decided that Kael was far too brutal to be on that show. So they put Kael in the Avatars of Power show instead.Each season lasts an entire life of a human being. Though now, the deities in entertainment are following through with things being done from earth.


    Kael stepped out of his room to see the pixie dragon just nuzzling its head to Ren then trilling at him in a happy tone. Jenny''s pixie dragon on the other hand was helping her clean up the dishes. Kael''s mother? She was busy gardening where the fenrirs were helping her with it. They were digging the ground, even using their paws to form the plot and using magic to help fertilize the land. His father? Hati and Skoll were helping Lloyd wash the car. The two fenrirs were just opening their mouths as they unleashed water on the car. It was not saliva but rather moisture from the air being condensed into liquid form.


    Seems that despite the fuss of the other day, things are starting to look brighter for the family. Though Kael was thinking about where to go from here. He needed to figure out what else that he could do, since he did graduate by disaster. His grades were nothing too impressive, but Kael needed to think about where to go from here. His phone vibrated in his pocket, where he opened it to see a text from Patriarch Flare.


    ''I heard you graduated from college. Although by disaster. Someone asked for you to join a very interesting place.. Come meet me later today.'' That sounds like a fun idea, Kael went on to tell his dad about the meeting. Using one of his cards to bring him to the location of Patriarch Flare''s tower.


    "Oh." Patriarch Flare was caught off guard by Kael''s pressence along with his guest.


    "Teleportation magic? That''s... Impressive." The guest spoke up, it was an elderly lady who wore a black uniform with a sword tucked to her side.


    "Master Kael. This is Principal Ardjent Erisa of the Adept Training Academy. It is one where thsoe who have been recognized as Adepts are brought there to be trained. However..." Kael suspected there was something to it.


    "We seem to have trouble with matters related to swords. In our academy the Chief Instructor uses a blade known as Midnight Howl. We are having trouble with the sword class because no one is able to draw Midnight Howl." The woman said as she placed her fingers to her temple. Massaging herself as she tried to look for a solution.


    "Midnight Howl. It''s a tachi made by 15 masters of East, West, North and South of Japan.That blade is perfection and it a sword that had been wielded by many figures in the past. Their karma follows the blade and it will refuse to be used by someone who does not qualify it. It''s a unique blade in the sense that it can force other Living Weapons or Weapon Spirits to submission. The other problem with it is that to even unsheathe it. There''s a specific technique and draw stance. God, now that''s a problem child." Kael said as he scratched his head.


    "You seem well versed with it."Ardjent spoke, she was intrigued by the way Kael described the blade. Sounded as if Kael knew this blade like he made it.


    "Ask your friend by your hip. I think he would know best. Stop pretending to be a quiet weapon,Damocles." They heard a laugh, then seeing a figure wearing black centurion armor appeared before them. Wielding a gladius that had been stained in blood.


    "You were able to tell that I am a Living Weapon? That is far too perceptive for someone your age." Damocles spoke as he pointed it to Kael''s face. Kael rested his cheek to his right arm, he was not bothered by Damocles''s idle threat.


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    "You won''t even be able to lay an inch to my neck." Kael said as Damocles made the move, thrusting the blade to Kael''s throat. Only to see his blade disintegrate before his eyes. Damocles threw a fist at Kael, watching how Kael stopped Damocles just by how their eyes met.


    "Do you understand the difference between us, child?" Kael whispered again which caused Damocles to fall to his knees. Damocles could not even raise his head to look at Kael, he was reduced to all fours and planted his own face to the ground.


    "Is your master telling me all there is or is there anything else that I should be aware of?" Kael asked.


    "There is another matter. Aside from Instructor, the students are having trouble to tame their weapons." Kael was even more annoyed at that response.


    "Untamed Living Weapons could actually kill people. There''s a reason why they are picky. This sounds like a bunch of idiots forced these weapons on the Adepts despite not being qualified to wield them. I take it the previous instructors used Gray Gems to force the weapons to appear?" Damocles nodded.


    "Then are there any of the instructors still present?" Damocles nodded again where Kael let out the deepest sigh he had. Turning to Ardjent.


    "I''ll take the job at the academy. Full autonomy on swordsmanship classes. If I have to beat the instructors that are there to prove my worth so be it. Letting unprepared Adepts run with Living Weapons or Weapon Spirits is the same as giving cavemen nuclear bombs. On your feet, child. Make sure to not make the same mistake with me again.." Kael was stern to the blade as Damocles returned back to Ardjent''s side.


    Ardjent turned to Patriarch Flare.


    "When you say he is strong. I understand. Damocles is a blade with a fierce temperament and he just... Made Damocles submit to him. Here''s the contract." Ardjent passed the documents as the staple that held it was vaporized away. Then the pages float in front of Kael. One glance over each page and he understood the entire contract and what it meant. His signature burned itself onto the paper, where Kael clenched his nails to his palm, as few drops of blood filled the signature with colour.


    "I''ll head there tomorrow. Oh and another thing. It seems you''ve got students that are contracted to some interesting Beasts and Summons. I''ll handle them too." Kael said as he got up, turning to Patriarch Flare.


    "Thanks for the work Patriarch. At least I am going to be doing something I don''t need to make a billion introductions with." Kael said as he used a card to teleport back home.


    When he did, it surprised his family that were seated by the dining table. Having their evening tea, where Ren stuffed his face with cake.


    "Whoa! You can teleport!?" Ren asked


    "That is to be expected. He is our master, so where did you go?" Ice Reaper asked as he wiped the mess off Ren''s face. Kael could not help realize how protective, Ice Reaper is to his younger brother. The way that Ice Reaper took down the soldiers on that human trafficking boat after realizing Ren had been a victim in Kael''s previous life. That rage was something Kael had not seen since his time when he began as the Avatar of Destruction.


    "Got work. Turns out there''s a school for Adepts... Now problem is... They used Grey Gems to force the Living Weapon and Weapon Spirits to wake up and submit. I don''t have to spell it out do you?" Kael asked where Ice Reaper nodded.


    "Of course not. Basically to put it in simple words, think of cavemen carrying nuclear bombs in their hands instead of sticks. That is trouble waiting to happen, I take it that you wish to rectify the problem yourself, Master?" Kael nodded to Ice Reaper''s words. It had to be Kael, anyone else would have made an even bigger mess.


    "Ah, humans. Why must they be so careless?" Kael heard Baihua speak up as she pulled apple pies from the oven, with her elder brothers doting over her to make sure she would not injure herself at all.


    "Well, congratulations dear!" Miriam said with joy as the fenrirs leaped on Kael to celebrate his success.


    "Kael, do you want to take us with you?" Kael heard the voice of Hati staring at him from above.


    "You''ve got a bad temperament with children. So I wouldn''t take you. Veriskua and Skoll may be better. You''re a bit on the rougher side Hati." Hati nodded.


    "Then I will stay by your father''s side. Along with the others. Which sword will you bring to the Academy?" Hati asked, which Kael had not thought much about it.


    "I can''t bring all of you because you will attack those swords because of their lack of control. Symphony, it''ll be you and Radiant Sonata. Scarlet, stay here. Okay?" Scarlet Vow nodded to Kael, but he could see the sadness in her eyes.


    "Scarlet. I won''t be staying at the academy. I''ll be using teleportation to come back here." Kael said which made Scarlet Vow smile and hug him.


    "Well to be technical she is supposed to be one of his wives if she didn''t die." Black Symphony said to them, Kael could see the visible confusion on his family''s face.


    "Baihua, Kurohana, Banshee, Ga-Eul just tell them the story. I''ll be spending the night there to make my assessment. See what else that needs to be dealt with. Veriskua and Skoll. I''ll summon you there." Kael said as he vanished with Black Symphony and Radiant Sonata in hand.

 Chapter 26 : The Summons.

    Kael was now standing by the entrance of the Adept Training Academy. The aura was putrid, he could feel Black Symphony being annoyed by all the rattling she made by his hip. Radiant Sonata was fine, this was due to the elemental contrast. Black Symphony does better when things are grim and dark while Radiant Sonata preferred the


    "Hear me..."


    "Why did you leave me?"The voices were warbled, distorted and desperate. Clearly not a good sign.


    "Nobody hears us." The voices were beyond recognition of human hearing. They were broken that much.


    "Were we flawed creations?" Kael heard the screams, the voices of the weapons that had suffered. Blades that had been broken, their sheathes that could no longer hold their forms. A Grey Gem forces an awakening, but it comes at the cost of the Weapon Spirit or Living Weapon''s control. It is not common for such swords to fall apart. A forced awakening is unnatural with unrefined power. Such unrefined power may cause the blade to cut someone else or to kill its user during use. It can turn many blades into a cursed blade if they weren''t careful. Standing even at the entrance itself Kael could feel the anguish of these weapons. Even the firearms were mistreated.


    These people were playing with fire and they had no idea. Kael was just standing by the entrance, if he could feel this much from here. There is definitely more inside. Kael stepped in, where he could see Ardjent waiting for him inside.


    "Mister Kael Webster." She greeted Kael as he stepped through the doors. Watching them shut as fast as they opened.


    "Please... Stop this pain." Kael shook his head, there was too much darkness as a result of the pleas that fell on deaf ears. Kael clenched his fists, this is what happens when you have fools that wield tools far stronger than what they can withstand. Kael heard a scream from beneath the ground.


    "I take it underground is where you have the summons?" Kael asked, where Principal Ardjent nodded to him.


    "I''ll go to the summons. Open the door for me." Kael said as he approached a gate with a goat skull as its handle. Ardjent opened the door for Kael, tapping Radiant Sonata and Black Symphony as they both stepped out beside him.


    "Master?"


    "Go back to the house. There''s far too much for both of you to handle." Kael said as he put on a different mask and wore white robes as his right hand held ritual staff that had 50 rings on its piece. The mask he wore was pure white like the innocence of a pure heart. Kael took his first step, he watched as 50 rings turned to darkness. His mask turned to black.


    This was a clear indicator that there was more than summons down here. Possibly horrors or souls that could not gain rest. Kael began his descent down the flight of stairs where he saw a creature that crawled up the staircase. Merely a torso with hands and long hair. The hands touched Kael''s shoes. Looking up at him, it could not be called a face. It was rotting, decaying, putrid flesh that had human skin stitched to it. Kael continued walking down, seeing the walls having humanoid eyes. Blinking as they followed Kael''s every movement. Kael lifted the mask as he lit a cigarette. Watching human hands rip open a sort of portal from above him, as a humanoid torso emerged. Grayed out skin with eyes that teared black.


    Kael lit a cigarette as he took a deep whiff of it. They appeared, they were floating and their hands reached out to Kael. It went pass Kael as he continued to venture deeper. A human child with twisted limbs appeared before him, it was twisted to the point beyond recognition. Kael could see the blood stained bones stick out from the sides.


    "Have mercy..." The voices spoke up as Kael continued to venture deeper and deeper. Seeing a curled up figure who was crying loudly. Kael''s footsteps awoke her, she turned to Kael. Her teeth was showing through her skin, eyes were writhe with white. Body like a corpse that had been taxidermied with the skin looking stiff. Kael needed to find the source of all of this. Kael took off his white robe, letting his skin be seen by these creatures. Their hands touched Kael''s skin. Leaving behind their marks, scratches and bruises. Kael continued onwards, the horrors kept on with their acts. Not hearing Kael scream or even cry of pain. Not a grunt, not a word. He merely kept smoking the cigarette.


    Kael then looked at a skeleton appearing before him, it was pregnant and yet it was still alive.


    "Kill her! She is a demon spawn!" The creatures stopped trying to grab Kael, it was like they were frozen in place. Kael stepped closer.


    "Her husband, that Sylvain bastard has left. She will be vulnerable! We must do this for it is the order of God as conveyed by our Priest!" Kael knew who this skeleton was, this was painful even for him. His heart was writhing with all the pain.


    "Josephine Chevalier." The skeleton twitched to look at him, her flesh appeared. She was going to fall, Kael caught her.


    "Sylvain." She held Kael''s cheeks. Now this was a poor taste in Kael''s mouth. This was his wife and unborn child. Kael was told that she was murdered by a group of bandits. Well the life of Sylvain Chevalier was that of medieval times. Kael carried her up.


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    "Where''d you like to rest my love?" Kael asked, Josephine pointed to the direction Kael needed to proceed. Kael looked to all the horrors before him.


    "Do whatever you want to my body, but if you even touch a hair over my wife. I will be sure to make you crawl back to the hells you came from." Kael warned as the horrors stopped, letting Kael walk past them. They twitched, they stared and they just kept looking at where Kael went. Josephine leaned on Kael''s chest, she was crying tears.


    The path led Kael to a bed where he laid her down. And holding her hand, he realized what she was. His wife had been turned into a summon along with his child. He remembered hearing Lucius say that Josephine was bearing two children so perhaps they must have been twins. Kael wondered if it was like or unlike twins.


    "Sylvain... I''m sorry. I''m sorry I died... I''m.." Kael hushed her softly.


    "I will always be proud of you as my wife. Forgive me Josephine... I was not there when you needed me the most." Kael said wrapping his hands over hers, tears in his eyes. His tears were turning red with his own blood.


    "I''ll always be... Sylvain Chevalier... The wife of Lame Rouge." She spoke with a smile. Kael stayed still, as Josephine went into labour. Kael did not leave her, he stayed by her side as the other horrors came over. To aid Josephine in the delivery. Kael watched as more of the horrors appeared but they were hostile. Perhaps they were the spirits of the ones who tried to kill Josephine.


    "Josephine. No matter what happens. I will be here." Kael said as he changed his figure to the blonde haired man that Josephine knew so well. Watching Kael ready his blade to face against these spirits. Kael roared as the spirits were pushed bakc. He stood by her side, his left hand held Josephine''s. Hours past as Josephine was struggling, but it came to fruition as Kael heard the voices of two infants cry out. The horrors that helped Josephine had a more human appearance, still decayed corpses but they passed the children to Josephine. Kael knelt to Josephine, hearing the coos of the two infants. Two girls.


    "Violette and Emeline." Josephine named the two girls, then looking at Kael.


    "Thank you... For being here... Despite how I look.." Josephine spoke with tears in her eyes.


    "You''re still as beautiful as you were on our wedding. You''re no monster, my dear. You''re my wife and nothing will ever change that." Kael said as he kissed Josephine''s forehead.


    "Will you allow us to stay?Or will you want us to rest?" Josephine asked Kael where Kael looked at her.


    "I''ve always told you. Whatever you choose, I will support you. Mon cheri."


    "Then let us stay... So we can be with you again." Josephine spoke as a bright light blinded Kael. He found himself standing by what seems to be an all white room. Seeing the books on summoning, diagrams on creatures to summon. Kael found a pendant on the ground, it was skeleton that held two infants.


    "Master... That summon... Is your wife. She is not an easy summon..." Kael understood why, this summon was clouded in darkness. Basking in it while the children were of light.


    "Josephine Chevalier." Kael called out, where he saw his pale skinned wife wielding a pair of Estoc while wearing a black mask and white tailcoat.


    "Violette... Emeline." Kael called out to see two figures that stepped out of Josephine''s shadow, black armored knights wielding white blades while their helmets were half white on either right or left. Violette''s was left while Emeline''s was on the right. Violette and Emeline walked over to Kael, where Kael petted their heads.


    "I will call you when I need you, Josephine. The same goes for you two. Rest first." Kael said as they three of them vanished. Kael then sat down where he pulled out a rolled set of scriptures. They were not in human language but in the language of Angels and Demons. A common tongue that was meant to help put souls to rest. Kael read through the scriptures as the horrors returned trying to stop him from doing it, yet some of them were stopping the others from attacking Kael as he read it.


    The mantra of the scriptures turned the horrors into spirits instead, spirits with faces and human appearances from when they were alive. By the end of it, the spirits had been to rest. Kael watcheda s the scriptures turned to dust. When chanted by an Avatar of Destruction, it will leave behind nothing but dust.


    Caveats for being an Avatar of Destruction. Holy objects that are not used for war or battle will turn to dust if Kael just held it. Kael went upstairs, where he opened the gate. There were students who were present, staring at Kael''s chest which was riddled with wounds.. Kael lit a cigarette as he stepped out, staring at them.


    "Erm.. Who are you?" A student asked, they could not be anymore older than he was. Maybe a few years younger or older, give or take. Kael did not answer as he walked away from the door. Then he noticed something, there was a prayer room in here. Which Kael decided to take a look, lo and behold there were statues of every God and deity that was here. Including the names of Angels or Demons that served them. Kael saw Lucius''s statue being the biggest and then seeing the newly named Goddess of Destruction. It was a deity that was young and childish but Lucius was like that in the early days according to the scriptures. There were also instructions on how to pray to the Gods and the offerings that they accept.


    Seems like this place was going to be an interesting work place for Kael. The newly named Goddess of Destruction was Velaya. A deity that was under Lucius''s care when she was rejected by many others. Though a new Goddess of Destruction was named, Kael was still Lucius''s Avatar of Destruction. That won''t change unless Lucius wishes for it. Which Kael thinks it''s a waste of time since certain Gods can only keep a few Avatars. Lucius was only limited to one.


    "Came to make an offering?" Kael turned to a man who was sweeping the floor.


    "You could say that." Kael said as he read an offering on Velaya. Which was actually quite simple. Crush an object. That was actually far simpler than whatever Lucius had Kael do. Kael then looked at Lucius. ''No offerings needed'' I suppose being a Supreme God has its perks.


    "Excuse me. Does the Supreme God Lucius have any offerings?" Kael asked where the old man nodded.


    "He does, but from what I understand. Lucius already has someone who gives him offerings. According to the many Diviners and Prophets, Lucius is a Supreme God who does not answer the calls of others. He answers to the call of few but when the Gods require his aid. He will be there to assist them." The old man spoke, and Kael could tell that the someone who gives him offerings is none other than himself.


    Perhaps that is why Lucius will never change Kael as the Avatar of Destruction.

 Chapter 27 : The blade.

    Kael left the prayer area, then heading towards the Sword Training Hall. Where he still had the cigarette to his lips, stepping in to hear the screams from before. He could hear the sounds of swords being swung, a few instructors barking orders.


    "Hear me."


    "I thought you cared."


    "Why? Why did you force my awakening?" Kael could hear the swords speak out while Adepts that wielded them were in training. The instructors were a mixed bag of fighters. Foot work was decent, their swings did not waste much motion. Their training of the Adept was far from perfect but it was better than what he had seen from the others. The 18 Blades Sect still had their weapons right and their training to be better than here. But that was to be expected.


    "Huh? Who are you?" One of the Instructors spoke up to Kael.


    "Just a visitor." Kael said as he looked around, searching for the Midnight Howl tachi. Kael was scratching his head and tied his hair back to a tail. Looking at the black tachi that had was floating to him.


    "Hey get back from it! It''s dangerous." Kael watched his cigarette be slashed in half, Kael kicked the sword to the wall. He clicked his tongue, taking out another cigarette to his mouth. The tachi drew itself and went after Kael''s throat, Kael slapped the blade to the side and grabbed it by its hilt. Throwing it back, to its sheathe. Where Midnight Howl showed its form. A figure wearing blue yoroi armor, taking a stance as he charged at Kael once more.


    Kael watched turnedd to the side, watching the tachi be thrusting forward. Kael used the friction of the blade and his cigarette to light it up. A kick to the chest, sending Midnight Howl out of the Sword Training Area through the wall. Kael then turned to the set of weapons by the side, they were left here because they were deemed useless. Kael picked up a pair of katanas. They were dirty, muddled and rusty.


    "Why? Why did you pick us up?" The katanas spoke to Kael.


    "You are swords. I need a pair to break that guy''s pride." Kael said as he imbued mana into them. One full swing that removed all of the dirt, mud and rust off instantly.


    "Just need you to last until I beat that guy to submission." Kael said as he stepped out, scratching his head as he looked at Midnight Howl that was furious with him. Charging back at Kael in full view of the entire academy. Kael responded in kind as the blades collide. Leaving sparks as Kael was matching Midnight Howl blow for blow.


    "How can such blades with stand my strength!? I am a blade forged to be the best! Those pale imitations can never best me!" Midnight Howl roared back at Kael, where Kael was annoyed at how it spoke to these pair of katanas. Clearly, it must have grown as many say ''Salty'' for not having an owner.


    "You''re full of bitterness." Kael said as he headbutted the Midnight Howl, the recoil pushed Midnight Howl back. Then Kael pierced the katanas into Midnight Howl''s shoulders. Kicking the two blades through Midnight Howl''s shoulder joints. Kael then grabbed Midnight Howl by the head.


    "I... I refuse to yield to a bastard like you!" Midnight Howl cursed as Kael threw him aside.


    "Master!" Kael looked up to see Kuro Hana falling into his arms.


    "Convenient." Kael said as Kuro Hana looked at Midnight Howl with contempt.


    "Not everyday I hear you growling Kuro. What''s with you?" Kael had to ask since Kuro isn''t hot headed like Baihua or Ga-eul.


    "I just want to tear this blade apart. Being so disrespectful to master." Kuro Hana wore her full black Yoroi to match with Midnight Howl.


    "You dare to send such an inkling of a Weapon Spirit against me!?" Kael chuckled at those words, underestimating Kuro Hana is what leads many to their downfall.


    "Kuro Hana isn''t a Weapon Spirit." Kael said to Midnight Howl who was sent flying to the wall with a single strike. Midnight Howl dashed forward with a swing from below. Midnight Howl was sure that this will be enough. Yet, when their blades made contact. The difference was clear as night and day. Kuro Hana slashed Midnight Howl in half.


    "I expected you to be better. What I got was a brat of a sword." Kael said as he walked on over to Midnight Howl.


    "Your masters were proud warriors but to see you. Reduced like this? Acting like a child that refuses to acknowledge that you''re just angry because you''ve lost your masters. You''re nothing more than a brat throwing your tantrum that you can''t see what is in front of you." Kael said as he kicked Midnight Owl to the head, then watched as Kuro Hana returned back to blade form.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "Do you understand the difference between us, you brat?" Kael asked as Midnight Owl saw everything, watching the many lives that Kael had lived. Midnight Howl then placed his blade in front of Kael, then lowered his face to kiss the ground as a sign of submission.


    "Quite an introduction, Mister Kael but was that necessary?" Principal Ardjent asked from above.


    "We greet Principal Ardjent!" The students and instructors turned to her, bowing their heads in a greeting.


    "Of course it was necessary. I did tell you that this one is a problem child right? He can make any Living Weapon or Spirit Weapon submit to his will. Only reason why Kuro Hana isn''t affected is because Kuro Hana is stronger than him." Kael said as he picked up Midnight Howl, pulling the string that wrapped the hilt and scabbard together. Kael flicked his wrist as he drew the blade.


    "Midnight. I think my draw is a bit off. Was I off by 5 degrees in angle or 2.1 degrees in angle?" Kael asked.


    "No. You were correct with the draw. It is due to my size and curvature as a tachi that had thrown you off for a moment." Midnight Howl corrected Kael, seemingly docile compared to before.


    "Students, Instructors of the academy. This is Kael Webster. He will be the Chief Instructor for Sword Training and Chief Instructor for summoning. Do you have anything to say Mister Kael?"Principal Ardjent said to the others, which there was surprises all over.


    "He''s no older than some of the students! Do you think he can teach!?" One of the instructors argued.


    "Yet, he managed to tame Midnight Howl to submission when all of you could barely lift it."Ardjent corrected the instructor.


    "How can he be handling summoning! He is someone who is not qualified to do so!" Kael did not even have to say it, Skoll apepared before the protesting instructor growling heavily at her.


    "Speak badly about my master... And we''re going to have a real big problem. Do I make myself clear?" Skoll growled as his fangs were just an inch away from the summoning instructor''s face.


    "Skoll." Skoll faded back to Kael''s side upon hearing his name, Kael then looked around. Scanning the expressions of the many people all around him. The students were not happy with the change, and the ones who wielded swords just glared at him.


    "You used Grey Gems. Forcing an awakening of these weapons to become Weapon Spirits or Living Weapons. And you can''t even hear them screaming." Kael said.


    "To strengthen ourselves we need the weapons to do that! We can''t just go around and fight with nameless weapons!" A student protested, he grabbed the saber by his hip.


    "Then tell me the name of your saber." Kael asked, seeing the student hesitate to even speak. Shuddering and perhaps uncertain to what this meant. Kael could see the Weapon Spirit was a fox that was bruised far beyond recognition. Malnourished, it''s fur was unkempt and dirty.


    "I''ve used many Grey Gems to awaken it! But it refuses to awaken!" Kael shook his head as he held Midnight Howl in his hands. Tapping the blade twice, where they were able to see the Weapon Spirit and Living Weapons into view. Bruised, tattered and weak.


    "The reason why they do not wish to be seen by you. Is because you have failed them.Take a good look at their scars. Do not avert your eyes." One of them looked at the Weapon Spirit of a knight wielding a long sword. The entire armor was broken, the knight''s helm was damaged. The visor could be seen. The Weapon Spirits nor Living Weapons glanced at their masters, when the girl tried to reach for the Living Weapon that was her saber. The figure slapped her hand away and grabbed her by the throat.


    "You fool. I would have given you power if you were worthy of it... But you''ve made me realize that there is no hope for someone like you." The figure said throwing the girl to the wall. Kael sheathed the tachi, which brought the weapons over to his side.


    "Your weapons have rejected you. Until you win them over, you will use normal weapons. I forbid you from using any of the Weapon Spirits or Living Weapons in your possession." Kael said as the weapons float on over to Kael''s side.


    "This is bullshit! Now they show themselves towards us!? When we''ve been begging for them to s-" The student''s own blade was at his neck, it was intercepted by Kael who stopped it with Midnight Howl.


    "That is my only act of kindness I will grant you. If you wish to continue speaking, I will not stop this blade from going after your head." Kael said as the student stepped back. They looked at their new chief instructor.


    "To be a swordsman. You must have the discipline and respect for it. Lacking in both will lead your own blade to wanting to kill you and perhaps hunt your entire family. Unlike humans, blades do not care about morals or consequences. They are made to kill and they won''t hesitate. If you are in the room with them, they will determine the order of how you die. It will always be, Grandparents. Parents. Siblings. Niece and nephews. Then you. If you are alone, they will just kill you. But they will make it as painful as possible." Kael explained, letting out a sigh as he turned to the other instructors.


    "Instructors that fail to heed my orders. I will kill you on the spot. Students that use the gray gem on their normal weapons, if that weapon goes rampant and attack you. I will simply let the weapon attack you until you either die or become a cripple. I don''t care which family or sect you come from. If they have an issue with how I handle things. They are welcome to fight me to prove me wrong in a duel. Be it to the death or a friendly duel. Just understand that restraint is not within my vocabulary." Kael briefed them all to his terms and then he looked at the summoning instructors.


    "Same goes for summons. Treat them with care and you will be rewarded. Treat them badly, they will treat you badly. Though for Summons... Just be remember that if you hurt them enough, you may end up having the wrath of the deity or God that was their creator." Kael warned, those words were enough to send chills down their spines.


    "Classes with me will start tomorrow. I will be in the forge." Kael said as he headed to the forge, where the blades followed Kael from behind. Kael sat down to look at them, they were close to breaking permanently. This was bad, some of them had their blades coming loose. Their scabbards were broken, their grips were loosing their friction. Kael readied the whetstone.


    This was going to be a long day. He needed to sort the blades out first.

 Chapter 28: A lot of work.

    Kael spent the entire day, sharpening the blades. Getting the rust off, giving the blades a proper cleaning session. Cleaning every aspect of the blade, even if it meant that he had to supplement the blade by using its original smithing techniques. They were not easy but at the very least, the Weapon Spirits and Living Weapons looked better.


    Their armors were in better shape, the bruises or any form of injury has left them. Though throughout the entire day, Kael was thinking about Josephine. Finding out how she died was an eye opener for him. It made Kael realize a lot of things. What if the same had happened to his other family? Were there still lies to how they died?


    Those thing bothered Kael but at the very least, he had gotten some truth to one of them. Josephine appeared, where she leaned on Kael''s back while he was working on the weapons. Perhaps Josephine preferred not to speak, this time she was able to rest. Night had came around as Kael walked out of the forge. Seeing a student staying outside of the forge, it was the owner of the blade that housed the fox from earlier. Kael did not say a word as he walked past her and used teleport magic to return home.


    Seeing Baihua, Yueliang Hua and Xuehua working in the kitchen. Xuehua was working the wok like no tomorrow with the high heat. Kael joined his family by the table.


    "So Kael... We heard about everything." Miriam said with a shaky voice.


    "And erm... Who is that?" Lloyd pointed to the door. Kael turned to see Lucius just standing outside the door.


    "That''s.. The Supreme God, Lucius. Scarlet, let him in." Scarlet Vow opened the door as Lucius walked in.


    "Supreme God Lucius?" Kael''s family bowed to him, where as Ren ran up to him. Lucius picked Ren up easily.


    "Kael, I heard you got a new job." Lucius spoke to Kael with a smile.


    "Kael... Your family seems to have... Gotten a lot of attention... From them." Lucius pointed out where Kael could see the various Gods just staring outside the sliding door. Aerith, Lorbis, Mayala and the others were staring at him. Kael turned to the other Gods that were staring at him.


    "Fine. Come in." They all came in.


    "The people at the theme park! Wait, Kael they are gods!?" Lloyd panicked as he looked at the table. It was far too small. Then seeing Hati bow to a child who petted their hands.


    "Thank you for taking care of my servants, Webster family." The child said, which Kael knew it was the child of nature. Eretus who is the son of Father and Mother nature.


    "Oh, Eretus. Seems like you''re taking care of a lot of things for your Father and Mother?" Eretus nodded, the boy was wearing a pair of shorts and a wolf pelt over his body. Kael petted Eretus''s head who then turned to Ren. Lucius put Ren down as the two of them played rock paper scissors.


    "What''s going on? Kael asked where Lucius let out a sigh as the other Gods were speaking in their language trying to figure out what to say to Kael.


    "The Avatar of a few of a few Gods have been... Reincarnated... They will be headed to your school. We''ve said that their friend is there. The Avatar of War, Avatar of Duel, Avatar of Summer, Avatar of Spring, Avatar of Winter and Avatar of Fall. Their reincarnation... Well..." Kael let out a sigh and raised his hand to stop Lucius from continuing.


    "I know. We went through the same 52 cycles. I know because we shared the same problem. Our lives were so screwed up, that''s what sparked us to be reincarnated. The Avatar of War was a child soldier. Avatar of Duel was a fencer.. Avatar of Summer was beach model. Avatar of Spring was a gardener, Avatar of Winter was a singer and Avatar of Fall was... Was a dictator of a country." Kael explained which made it easier for Lucius to accept it.


    "They will be headed to your direction soon. They need some help. And you were their leader." Kael scratched his head as he looked at Aevery who went to the kitchen, taking a look at what the three swords were making. Aevery was not a bulky man, but an athletic figure who seemed to be disinterested in everything.


    "That and... There seem to be False Avatars that are going to be running around... Oh by the way I forgot to introduce you to the new Goddess of Destruction." Lucius said as he pulled the girl, Velaya. She bowed to them and Kael was surprised. She literally looks like Ren''s age. Ren seemed shy as he hid behind Kael''s, tugging Kael''s shirt.


    "The Goddess of Destruction and my brother''s shy. By the way Lucius, seems like you don''t accept prayers of the common people." Kael said.


    "Praying to me alone is what led to the cause of many gods to lose their powers and be forgotten. That is why I only limit myself to you anyway. I only hear your prayers, my avatar. For you were the one who gave faith to me. Besides, if it''s you. You bypass the Gods and you can let me know if there''s any problems on this earth. Though seeing Ren being shy, it must mean he must like my ward." Lucius said as he patted Velaya''s hair.


    "Ward?" Kael was a bit confused, he never heard about this part.


    "She''s not my sister. More like an adopted daughter. There is a lot to it but it had to do with her crimson hair. So I took her in, and made her the Goddess of Destruction. Besides her offerings aren''t that crazy like mine were." Lucius ended that sentence with a laugh, though he noticed Kael wasn''t laughing and stopped. Coughing for a bit before looking at Kael again.


    "Ren, just crumple a piece of paper and offer it to Velaya." Ren did as he was told, showing it to Velaya who smiled at it.Watching the paper fade and turn into dust.


    "Kael... I was wondering if this may be troublesome. I was thinking of having Velaya learn what it means to live among humans. As you know, most Gods and Deities were human prior to their ascension but Velaya... She has not had such an experience."Lucius asked where Kael raised his thumb, pointing it to his parents.


    "They raised me. If you want the me who is naive and innocent. They can help you with that. Besides, most of the kids I raised were warriors." Kael answered as Josephine appeared by his side, Violette and Emeline walked on over to Kael. Tugging the sleeves of his shirt.


    "Ah.. I see. Josephine Chevalier and the twins. Kael.. .This must be hard for you." Maybellestra said as she stood with an umbrella in hand, dressed in black lace. To which Emeline and Violette were transformed into a pair of infants in Kael''s hand. Kael looked at Maybellestra and Intresa, the Goddess of Summons who both did something.


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    "When not in battle, Emeline and Violette will behave like infants. When in battle the armors that they wore will fight on their behalf. You can raise them but as they are summons. They mature quickly. We can skip the infant stage if you want." Kael turned to Josephine who was uncertain of what had been said by the blue haired Intresa in the trench coat.


    "Is that really okay, Goddess?" Josephine asked.


    "Of course. You are the Avatar of Destruction''s wife when he was Sylvain. Feel free to speak your thoughts." Josephine was crying as Kael grabbed a tissue, then wiped her tears.


    "Mom, dad. Are you okay with adopting Velaya with us?" Kael asked where Lloyd and Miriam were still trying to wrap this situation around their heads. The Gods were standing before them, Kael has a wife? Now they have two infants? Lloyd and Miriam were going to faint from all of this and they did.


    "Jenny?: Kael could see Jenny had fainted with her eyes open and holding a cup of tea in her hand.


    "Aerith." Aerith snapped her fingers and it woke them all up.


    "Mister Webster. We will pay the fees for Velaya''s stay.  Is it okay? Because we wish for her to learn what it means to be among humans." Velaya looked at Miriam with her eyes. It was pure innocence, she seemed to be of a pure heart. Lush crimson hair, eyes full of curiosity and careful manners.


    "Yes!" Miriam shouted as she ran over to hug Velaya.


    "Honey?" Lloyd questioned what had happened.


    "We are adopting her! She is a cinnamon roll that must be protected!" Kael turned to the Gods, he needed to make sure he heard it right. A cinnamon roll? Velaya is the Goddess of Destruction and his mother just called the Goddess a cinnamon roll.


    "What''s a cinnamon roll?" Velaya asked, which immediately triggered Miriam. Bolting to the kitchen faster than Kael could even say a word, she then shouted out.


    "WHICH ONE OF YOU IS GOOD WITH COOKING!?" A God and a Goddess raised their hands.


    "GET OVER HERE! WE''RE MAKING HER A CINNAMON ROLL!" The God and Goddess ran to the kitchen to help with Kael''s mother. The others were trying to comprehend what was going on. They just watched the God of Food and Goddess of Cooking listen to this mortal and they were cooking with her in the kitchen.


    Lloyd, seemed to have given up as he knelt in front of Velaya.


    "Well. Velaya, is there anything else you want us to get you?" Velaya was unsure to what Lloyd asked.


    "I.. I want to do something with colour..." Kael heard that and went to his dad''s room, pulling out a large paper board.


    "Good thinking, son. Let''s paint." Lloyd said as he brought out the colour pencils and crayons.


    "Just draw anything." Lloyd said as Velaya started to draw, what she ended up drawing was Lucius holding her hand. A vivid portrait with a background of the snow. Kael looked at Lucius who seemed to have thought of something sad. THey watched as Velaya took that painting she made and passed it to Lucius.


    Lucius smiled but as Lucius''s Avatar, Kael could literally see his thoughts pop up above Lucius''s head like speech bubbles. Lucius was literally screaming at the top of his lungs. Kael could hear it but the other Gods couldn''t hear it.


    ''That damned Artisan better keep his mouth shut or I''ll blow his head off for insulting this.'' Kael chuckled, it seems that even Lucius has a soft side. Perhaps because of what Velaya represented.


    "Kael... I can see where you get your assertiveness from and the gentleness from."


    "So... I get a younger sister?" Jenny asked, where Kael and Lucius nodded to her. Jenny went over to her room and grabbed a pink teddy bear, walking over to Velaya.


    "What''s this?" Velaya looked at the pink teddy bear with confusion. She is not able to understand its meaning.


    "It''s a pink teddy bear. Normally people keep teddy bears to keep monsters from hurting us." Jenny said only to see the teddy bear change to become a pink bird that sat on Velaya''s head. The teddy bear was still in Jenny''s hand. They turned to a child that held the teddy bear in her hands.


    "She''s the Goddess of Dreams. Alanait. Wait... Ala you''re not." Lucius was cut off when they watched the child with the teddy bear grabbed Jenny''s teddy bear. Booping its nose twice. Then they watched it change to a pink anthromorphic bear with a huge axe on his back.


    "Mister Cuddles?" Jenny called out.


    "Yep. Oh. Goddess.." The bear turned to Alanait.


    "The story about Teddy Bears protecting people is part of my existence. People that believe a certain item wards of demons or any sort of evil. When given to a child, it will be given life when given care and attachment to its owner. That is why Mister Cuddles changed. Velaya got something that was said to protect her. It is a falcon but it is currently in its more child friendly form. Thank you, for offering Mister Cuddles to her but as you can see. Mister Cuddles refuses to be away from you." Alanait said with the child like voice, playful and acting all coy.


    "Well. We may come around from time to time. Especially the child like deities since they will be coming a lot to play." Lucius said to them as they bowed.


    "We''re going to need an extra room for her." Lloyd said then he could see Mazik the God of Builders and the Kizarti the Goddess of Architechture appear to Lloyd.


    "We can handle it but... Let''s see what you can do?" Lloyd went on ahead to take out a piece of paper and sketched the entire room. From the top plan view to the rough sketch of what the room is going to look like. Through out the entire ordeal Mazik and Kizarti were going ''ooh'' and ''aah'' to what Lloyd was doing.


    "We might need more materials for it." To which Lloyd then was turned to Mazik and Kizarti who had stars glowing in their eyes.


    "Kael! Your dad''s going to be our Avatar!" Mazik said.


    "An Avatar?" Lloyd asked with confusion. Now Kael was literally seeing question marks over Lloyd''s head.


    "Being an Avatar means that you are the God''s represntative on this earth. Basically buildings and architechture you make. Will essentially be able to withstand a lot of stress. Mazik and Kizarti were the ones that build the realms of many planets and dimensions and worlds. If you take it, whatever building you make. Can only be destroyed by someone who is an Avatar of Destruction." Kael explained to his father.


    "Which means your son. Or anyone Velaya chooses." Lucius added on. The others turned to the kitchen seeing how Miriam was correcting the Gods with how they were cooking. Their technique was bad, their workings in the kitchen was bad. Miriam''s assertiveness was holding the God and Goddess hostage but they seem to be amused by her. Then watching Miriam plate the cinnamon roll with vanilla ice cream. Cutting a piece and then bringing it to Velaya.


    The young goddess took a bite. Hook, line and sinker. She was cooing happily to the taste. Velaya turned to the others with that beaming smile and the Gods and Goddesses put on their shades. Kael could see speech bubbles appear above their heads.


    ''AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH'' From Lucius.


    ''The mortal was right. I finally understand why... Velaya is a cinamon roll.'' From Aerith. The others were internally screaming at how adorable Velaya was.


    "She deserves the best. Miriam Donnis. Dorris? I am unsure of how to speak your surname. Whatever they stopped eixsting. Back to the point! You will be our avatar. Because we wish to make sure that Velaya gets to eat good food everyday." Miriam turned to Kael.


    "Basically being the Avatar of both God of Food and Goddess of Cooking. Literally means any ingredients that you pick out from the store will always be fresh. Food does not spoil. Food has more nutrition in them. Er..." Kael paused then turned to Lucius.


    "Basically. Food made by you will always taste surreal and Godlike.. And when you cook for your loved ones, they will always turn out perfect. You also master every culinary technique. You could cook a poisonous snake and the snake''s posion will just leave its body when you make it. Though I have to be surprised at you both. Bodaine and Palia. I can''t believe you would do this so easily." Lucius said.


    "Don''t question us Lucius." The two rebutted at him angrily.


    "I will allow you both to be the avatars. Take care. We will come around the villa from time to time." Lucius said as he vanished. Kael then turned to Josephine who was holding Violette and Emeline, Kael took Emeline.


    "Let''s go. We should put them both to sleep." Kael said as they headed to the room where it was remodeled with baby cribs and toys. This has to be the work of the God of Fatherhood and Goddess of Motherhood. Doting parents, Kael then sang a lullaby for the two infants that cooed at the sight of the unknown figure but perhaps they recognized him as their father by the soul.

 Chapter 29: Morning.

    Kael was tending to both Emeline and Violete while Josephine was in the kitchen making their bottles of milk. They were cooing at the sight of objects floating all around them, while some of Kael''s other blades were there. They were helping Josephine to the best of her abilities. This time Josephine was able to talk and she does not seem to be so stressed or in pain. However, Scarlet Vow seemed a little uneasy with the sight.


    "Jealous are you?" Black Symphony''s question had surprised Scarlet, causing her to jump.


    "I''m not jealous!" Scarlet Vow snapped at Black Symphony.


    "It''s alright to be jealous." Josephine said to Scarlet Vow as she shook the milk bottles in her hands.


    "Why are you so calm about this!?" Scarlet Vow snapped at Josephine who was still shaking the milk bottle in her hands.


    "Because he is my husband. He is your lover. You were his first love when he was King. You wanted to be his wife but... If it''s any consolation. He did tell me that you were the one he wanted a happy ending with as well." Kael then stepped out.


    "What''s going on?" Josephine walked past Kael without explaining a word while Black Symphony has her lips sealed as she walked on ahead.


    "I''m just... Jealous that she is your wife and I''m not yours." Kael scratched his head and looked at Scarlet Vow.


    "Look. I would have married you. But you died on that mission I told you to not take. Besides." Kael pulled out the ring for her.


    "I would have wanted us to be married with your family present." The ring was made of Anitarh Gold with a beautiful ruby that had a glint of silver within.


    "That silver was from that silver sword you carried. The one you beat me with the first time we met? Then I broke it. I saved that piece and put it there." Kael said as he slid the ring on her finger.


    "I nearly thought I got the size wrong. Look, it''s going to get complicated. You might meet more of things like that. In my last life, romance was not in the cards for me after my 52nd Life. I''m just content being here with people I know. We can talk about it. Okay?" Kael asked her, where Scarlet Vow nodded to him. She bolted away first perhaps needing time off.


    Miriam went to the kitchen.


    "So how are the two kids?" Miriam asked.


    "I was trying to keep them entertained. Josephine is handling it. Along with my other swords that are going to go with her. Gotta head to work now, mom." Kael said as he pulled out a card.


    "Wait! I made you some boxed lunch. Mac and cheese with a bit of veggie tempura. Your favourite."


    "Thanks mom." Kael said as he pecked his mother''s cheek and snapped himself to the academy.


    This time Kael could see the same student still sitting in front of the forge. She was asleep, Kael was just looking at her. She was drenched with water, it took a moment for Kael to realize that it had rained here. There were a few puddles made thanks to the rain. Kael looked at the forge, seeing the blade of the fox which had taken into a proper shape as a saber be floating there. Staring at its owner that was shivering in this rain.


    "It depends on you. If you truly believe your master has earned your respect and trust. You may return. It is only made by your choice. The same goes for all of you. I am not the judge of whether or not they deserve you. It shall be you, to decide." Kael said to the blades. Taking out the Sun Arcana from his pocket, Kael placed it on the girl,immediately her clothes are dry and she was no longer shivering from the rain.


    The fox ran to its owner arms. Waking her up.


    "Well done. Sword and User are now one. Your name?" Kael asked the girl.


    "It''s Hana Li."


    "Good, Miss Li. Please follow me to the training room." Kael said as she followed him from behind. The other students observed to see Hana with her saber that housed her fox. The other instructors were staring at Kael, some were glaring but the weakest class. Swordsmanship Class F were beaming with enthusiasm and their instructor as well.


    "Chief Instructor! May Class F observe your training?" The instructor a woman with the name tag ''Ebonwing'' spoke up to him.


    "Of course." Kael said as the students paused to observe Kael who called for Midnight Howl and drawing it.


    "For me to assess you Miss Li. I will require you to face me in combat. This is to ascertain your mastery of your sword." Kael said as Hana drew her blade, she was a little worried but she watched as the fox that is her Living Weapon jumped over her shoulder. Forming a fox pelt that covered her head and gauntlets.


    "Good. Assimilation. Being one with your Living Weapon. Come." Hana pranced to Kael''s direction. Clearly she was creating multiple copies of herself. This is good, she is using the abilities of her sword and utilizing it as a strategy. Few people her age think that way. Her blows however, leave much to be desired. Kael was using minimal effort to redirect her swords elsewhere but her balance was good. Normally when parrying or misdirecting the blade to another direction, it sets the user off balance but Hana was able to maintain her balance. Using any falling or tripping to her advantage and adapting by changing her leg positions. When one foot was in the air, she would bend her knees and adjusted with the other foot. Never letting an opening for long.


    Kael went on the offensive, clearly Hana is not good in this department either. She was lacking as Kael''s blows were able to cause her feet to skid a few centimeters but she was calm. Seemingly she may have had a plan to deal with it. One blow and it sent her flying to the wall where she flipped. Placing her feet and lowering herself to the wall. Then springing at Kael. That was a good strategy but it was lacking in its form. Kael''s blade was right next to Hana''s throat.He sheathed it and smiled.


    "The fox has chosen a worthy master. Though I recognize the name, it is you who must learn its name for yourself. Such combat strategies are unique. I will teach you how to care for your swords carefully. This in turn helps to build the relationship between you two. You are weak but that is where every swordsman begins their journey." Kael said which Hana bowed to him.


    "Instructor Ebonwing. May I take over your class?"


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    "But they are F-Rank... Are you okay with that?" Kael nodded to her as he stepped towards them.


    "Practice 10 swings. I will watch and correct you." Kael said as they kept on swinging. A lot of wasted motion, they were wriggling at the joints. Movements were far too stiff.


    "I''ve seen enough. Your movements are too stiff. Your swings wriggle with too much noise in your joints. Observe." Kael said as he borrowed a sword from one of them.


    "Midnight Howl be ready to counter my swing." Kael said as Midnight Howl held the tachi straight at him. Kael swung the blade once,the wind that followed that swing was causing Midnight Howl to skid,on his feet trying to break it. It sent Midnight Howl flying to the wall.


    "I apologize, Master. I was lacking." Midnight Howl spoke to him, kneeling before Kael.


    "It is fine. Now we need to do some stretching. To help you with that." Kael snapped his fingers as Yueliang Hua, Xuehua, Baihua, Ga-eul, Kuro Hana, Banshee and Black Ivy appeared in their usual clothes.


    "Help them with their stretching. By the way Yueliang Hua is a man not a woman. Just need to make that clear before you misgender him." Kael said the swords proceeded to help the class F students with their stretching. Some of them were turning red as tomatoes from the intensity but that is to be expected. The stretches were extreme because it was too loosen the msucles that are tense and failing to do so will lead to a lot of mistakes. The other classes heard their screaming and were concerned but Instructor Ebonwing was not worried about it, rather she was taking down notes on what Kael was doing.


    The swords bowed to Kael and left.


    "Swing 10 times." The swings were quiet, they were smooth and no wasted motions. That change surprised them.


    "Midnight Howl." Kael called who knelt before Kael at all times.


    "Yes, my master?"


    "Train Hana Li in my absence. Once she has reached a certain aptitude with her abilities. Then swap with me." Kael ordered as Midnight Howl went to Hana Li with his tachi at the ready.


    "Hana, the point of that training is to keep going. Listen to your weapon''s voice as you go along. Try your best to not damage your partner in the process. That will be all. F-Ranks. The stretching that you''ve been given will be your first step. Focus on practicing what has been taught by Instructor Ebonwing. What she has been doing for you all is correct, it is also the key fundamentals. I will now be off to observe Summon Training." Kael said to them.


    The students of F-Rank deep bowed to Kael, if their heads could go any lower they would. Perhaps due to how they were treated previously at the academy which is a sign of how the academic still holds their weird classification.


    "Thank you Chief Instructor." Kael nodded as he proceeded to step out. Seeing two more students standing outside of the forge. Two males who were standing by, waiting for their Longswords that were in armor. The longswords did not seem to be happy about it, looking away from their masters. Kael continued heading to the Summon Training area, where Kael noticed a mix of beasts, demons, angels and a few other beings.


    One of them summoned a horror, it was a gigantic face that showed its teeth. There were many other horrors that were lying within its jaws, their fingers were slipping through the gaps in between its teeth that had acted like a gate.


    "Ah, a Gate Of Severance. How peculiar." Kael said where the Gate of Severance immediately started to sweat at the sight of Kael. Perhaps this was one of the few Gates that had watched Kael tear it apart with his bare hands. Or had seen Kael destroy multiple gates with a single swing.


    "Hm... Aren''t you... Herlona, one of the Angels of Duel?" The white winged, blue robed woman nodded. Letting out a sigh as she looked at Kael, sheathing her blade as she knelt before Kael.


    "If my master is learning under your tutelage. Then they will be fine. Did you clear out the thing that was lurking in here?" Herlona asked Kael who nodded.


    "That thing is now my summon and I''d rather not call them unless I am desperate. It is not the kind of summon I would want to use very often." Kael said to Herlona who nodded, then the Gate of Severance was still sweating in the form of rocks tumbling off the mossy head it had.


    "Relax Gate. I won''t harm you. Unless you let those horrors in your mouth out without permission." Kael informed it, which it let out a sigh of relief.


    "Erm... Chief Instructor?" A student wielding a staff spoke up to Kael. A timid fellow with bangs that covered his face. Even his stature was something people would view as lacking but the darkness that he had in his veins was enigmatic.


    "The Gate is yours?" The student nodded.


    "Do you fear the darkness?"


    "No.. I.. I actually like it but... They say darkness is bad." The student replied.


    "Darkness is bad? Hah, that''s a funny joke. Must be all of those cartoon tropes that say it. Darkness isn''t bad kiddo!" Kael heard a voice as he turned back, to see a black haired figure with an ebony cane in his hand.


    "Still walk like an old man, Jonah." Kael said as he high fived Jonah. Jonah was the Avatar of Fall, a dictator of a country known as Baltokia. Kael could not help but be impressed at the statue, Jonah was a handsome devil and an even better mage than Kael. Kael could destroy things but Jonah excelled at everything aside from destruction. Using magic to reconstruct buildings as if they had never been touched, using magic elements to put out fires and for rescue. Kael remembered watching Jonah used his magic to lift an entire battlefield''s swords away to stop a fight. Hell, he even put armies of 10 factions to stasis while their leaders had to sit down for a negotiation.


    Jonah looked at the student.


    "Darkness can be beautiful. It can be frightening but you. Oh my boy the darkness within you is far too gentle." Jonah said as the student watched as the darkness surround Jonah in a form of spears yet they never ever came close to him.


    "I can teach you what it means to control such darkness. And in due time, you will be able to control the Gate that you have as your summon and the horrors that lurk within it. Never view darkness as evil. Darkness is just like any other element but it is an element that dives deep  into your soul. Uses your suffering, and makes you embrace the wickedness that is within the element. Embrace all of those things. To become stronger." Jonah spoke to the student who smiled brightly to him.


    "Kael. May I take him off your hands?"


    "Hey up to you Mister Dictator. So how are things in your current life?" Kael asked where Jonah shot off the biggest shit eating grin he had.


    "Oh fun. So I found out my sister poisoned my parents right?"


    "Right." Kael responded.


    "Then I found out she tried to have her friend rape me in my sleep. Nearly worked but there was one problem." Jonah said as he showed his fist to Kael. Then placing his left hand beside that fist and in a motion of reeling a fish. Jonah showed his middle finger to Kael.


    "I became a problem to my sister by saying ''Fuck That Shit.'' So her friend that tried to rape me had her ovaries explode from within. Then I broke her face, then I snapped her neck. So then I marched over to my sister who was declaring that I died. And strangled her in front of everyone. The guards kept shooting me. I took the hits because I did not give a damn. Then.." Jonah liked pausing, this was just one of his ways of messing with Kael.


    "Stop killing me with the suspense, Jonah." Kael groaned where Jonah continued smirking to that remark.


    "Then I just took a page out of your book. I just killed all of the guards with this cane. I literally just kept smacking them with it. It got bloody but I finally got the satisfaction I wanted. Then taking another page out of your book. I decided to fix the entire government. I am a dictator but I killed every corrupt bastard that annoyed me and had their executions done at the hands of the people they wronged. I also speak out on any bullshit policies they put that will harm the people in the long run. Oh, I saw your handiwork in a few places. You tamed quite a bit. I expected more of a wipe a place off the map kind of thing." Jonah continued to ramble on while Kael was just happy to see his friend.


    "My name is Azi." The student introduced to Jonah.


    "Well Azi. Are you a Baltokian?" Then Azi just remembered, he put the staff aside and knelt before him.


    "Forgive me.. Great Leader!"


    "Hey hey.. It''s fine. I got rid of that title. Just call me Jonah. Outside the country I''m just a normal person." Jonah said, helping Azi on his feet.


    "You keep forgetting that you''re a damn head of state you jackass. You can''t just say it like it''s nothing. That''s not how being a Head of State works." Kael scolded Jonah who was still smiling.


    "Mind if we talk for a bit Kael?" Jonah asked, his tone shifted greatly. From that classic joker to a serious Jonah. This shift? It was normal for Kael, because Jonah has always been a shifty bastard but when he changes to the serious Jonah. It has even made Kael realize how dangerous Jonah is. Jonah was a great leader in the many lives he was given as a King, people followed him without question. Even when they questioned. He made it clear what the plans he had for them were. So this conversation, was at the very least going to be interesting.

 Chapter 30 : A conversation.

    Kael and Jonah stepped outside where Jonah passed Kael a cigar. Kael could see multiple figures that were hiding in the shadows. He felt something off about his shadow, the two of them were standing in the middle of the academy''s open area. Kael watched as figure in black popped out of his shadow to light Kael''s cigarette.


    "You''ve trained your men well. I didn''t realize that one of them was in my shadow." Jonah chuckled.


    "Wanted to surprise you for a bit. The ones in our shadow are my two best officers. Loyal to me and fought to the bitter end when I woke up. They were in a dungeon. You just imagine how pissed I was." Jonah said as dark energy formed over his body. Kael smacked Jonah''s head.


    "Oww. What gives!"


    "YOu want to kill your two best officers? Tell them to leave our shadow. They can''t handle this much pressure." Jonah nodded as the two officers jumped out of the shadows.


    "How''s it feel being reincarnated?" Kael asked.


    "Great I guess. I managed to avenge my parents. Killed my bitch of a sister. Saved my other elder sister who should have died in labour. Manage to stabilize her with a shit ton of mana. Found my wife that was of the kelpie race being alive. She''s a summon along with my two kids. Then my other wife from when we were the Master Rebels who is now a gun." Jonah answered, he was smiling as he gestured to Kael.


    "Yours?"


    "That mess I made at Marchen? Turns out one of the Deities messed with my wife. Priestess of Water. Blood oath and used Irakil and Raizel as weapons to suppress the people. I killed her, then put her to rest into the oceans." Kael responded.


    "Marchen should be glad.If it was your previous life as the Avatar of Destruction. You would have destroyed the entirety of Marchen without leaving a mark on it. Seems like you mellowed out."


    "Rage is one thing. Revenge is another but most of the people are just innocent people who were doing what they can. I did kill most of them but I did see people who were worthy to lead the country in their soldiers." Kael remarked where Jonah tapped the cigar to ash it.


    "Believe it or not. That country is rebuilding. Marchen even reached out to form a treaty with Baltokia. I recognized it was your handiwork by the images. That Avatar of Destruction... All you leave behind is ruin, but yet. You destroyed something other than the buildings. You actually destroyed a corrupted Royal Family and ended a fascist regime. Your destruction brought forth happiness to those people later on. I find it quite poetic. By the way, Allensphere? I''ve got to thank you. Turns out some of the people that went missing over there were slaves in Allensphere in their mines.I''ve got a lot to be thankful for, old friend." Jonah said as he put his hand on Kael''s shoulder.


    "If I knew that you had people there. I wouldn''t have bothered being nice. I would have just killed them straight up. So I take it you have been visited by the Gods?" Jonah nodded.


    "Yeah, Lucius came to say hello. Then I found out Lyosha is his Deputy God and looks like Lyosha''s following the same rules as Lucius. Only taking whatever I offer. Lyosha was the God of Fall. The God of leaves, yet in actuality is the one who governs the darkness. Kinda ironic don''t you think? I thought he was wind but nah. Just plain old darkness. I''ve been able to meet with many Adepts in my country and train them well. People look at me and go ''Oh he''s just a kid'' but when I catch on to their bullshit. They piss in my ear and tell me it''s raining. Though I normally just set them on fire. I can''t do that on earth. Too many regulations and I''d rather not be a dictator that just destroys shit like my entire family."


    "Well congratulations on breaking the cycle then." Kael said to Jonah as they both laughed.


    "You up for a spar?" Jonah asked.


    "Sure. I''m sure my students would want to watch too." Kael answered as they both headed to the special training arena. Jonah''s men invited everyone to come and watch. They watched as Kael and Jonah took off their shirts. Stretching their necks, with Kael wielding Midnight Howl.


    "Students of the Martial Arts class! You should observe Great Leader Jonah!" Kael shouted as Jonah was ready. He was doing baby jumps with his toes. The students marveled at Jonah''s chiseled body that was full of scars. Surgical stitches and staples. It was like his body was someone''s pet project but Jonah did not care. Kael''s body had the scars he got from the horrors where he met Josephine but this was just how they liked it.


    "Ready?" Kael asked.


    "Ready!" Jonah replied. As the system counted them down from 10 seconds.


    "Midnight Howl. Don''t look down on this guy. I''ll need to coat you in your element of wind for this."


    "Master... He''s barehanded."


    "He''s a CQC specialist with magic skills. His fists are like mountains if you''re not careful." Kael warned as Midnight Howl understood what that meant. At 5 seconds Jonah''s fists were coated with darkness.


    "That''s his element. He''s not coating it with darkness his fists are one with the element." Kael said.


    "0. Begin!" Kael and Jonah charged at each other. Where Midnight Howl made contact with Jonah''s fist. The audience could see sparks being emitted from contact. Jonah shifted his body to the right, lowering his left hand that made contact with the blade. Readying his right arm for a jab to strike Kael. Kael was falling off balance but he managed to dodge that jab of Jonah by a hair. He felt his skin be scalded just from the brief after wind of the darkness. Kael headbutted Jonah back, turning with a roundhouse kick. Jonah stopped it, even countered the blade of Midnight Howl.


    "Dispel my enemy." They both chanted as they both exploded. Leaving behind a cloud of smoke with Kael and Jonah leaping back to recover it. Kael looked at Midnight Howl.


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    "Master... You were right. He is a mountain... I could barely withstand his attacks. I''m sorry." Midnight Howl said as Kael sheathed the tachi and threw him to the audience stands. Where the audience looked at the amount of damage that Midnight Howl had suffered. The armor that it wore proudly was cracking.


    "A martial artist when trained properly your fist can become even more dangerous than steel. When using the element you have mastered. It can even break weapons of your enemies." Jonah said to them.


    "Ga-Eul!" The blade appeared by Kael''s side.


    "Ooh! We''re fighting Mister Jonah! Please please please!"


    "Yeah, I need you. Seraph Destroyer." Ga-Eul changed as she was instructed and returned to blade form as Jonah smirked.


    "Good. Wait give me a minute. Honey!" Jonah said as they watched the barrier turn green, seeing the pale green skinned woman with hair that reached to the floor.


    "Thanks." The woman blew a kiss to Jonah which Jonah blushed for a moment. Then seeing the two young adults beside her.


    "Hey, I''m fighting in front of them. I can''t embarass them okay?"


    "Why did you think I brought this one as Seraph Destroyer!?" Kael shouted as he ran straight at Jonah.When their blades made contact, the audience could feel the shockwave from it. It was enough to shake the stadium. The dust within the stadium was blown away from where they stood. Kael swung his blade in a myriad of combos while Jonah took his time to parry and counter the attacks. It reached to the point the dust that was part of the ground had been grinded into fine powders. They were moving by the centimeters with each strike but they both were not going to let the other push them back.


    Kael swung the blade downwards to Jonah. Cracking the ground beneath as the audience took note of them both smiling. Their fight itself was different. The stadium was now bare of any dust or dirt. The ground cracked into peices that float in the air, as Kael threw Ga-Eul at Jonah, who slapped it aside. Only to see Kael reappear with the blade, swinging it upwards. Sending Jonah flying upwards. Kael flipped to fix his direction, springing off the ground upwards. When the blade met the first, another strong shockwave was felt by everyone on the ground. The ground was rumbling as they both landed opposite of each other.


    Kael used his left hand, wiping any dirt or grime on the blade off. Jonah wiped the fist and mucus off his fist. They watched as Kael closed the right hole of his nose, then blowing the blood and mucus out from the other hole. Jonah raised his right hand as spears of darkness surrounded Kael. They were like sharks that were awaiting the orders from their master, circling Kael just to mess with him. Playing with him like a toy. Kael pulled out an Ace of Hearts. Showing it to Jonah. A bright light emitting from it. Cancelling the spears out where Jonah laughed loudly. Charging at Kael, throwing a fist. Kael ducked to dodge it, swinging the sword from the right.Jonah stopped it with his left hand. Kael took the opportunity to elbow Jonah''s face. Dropping the sword as he threw another jab to Jonah.


    "Not bad." They went into a brawl, Kael and Jonah traded blows. The students watched as teeth were chipped out of their mouths. Their bodies were swelling. Kael and Jonah were matching each other in their strength, like a mirror facing each other. Kael put a bit more strength in his kick that stopped Jonah dead in his tracks. Then a punch to the rib which recoiled Jonah back by a step. Jonah then tackled Kael to the ground putting his body weight over Kael''s chest. Stopping Kael from wriggling away from Jonah.


    "Extinction Blast!" Kael and Jonah shouted. A red light shined between them, followed by a loud zipping sound in the air. Another explosion that shattered the barrier. Kael and Jonah were then standing in front of each other where they were smoking cigars together.


    Jonah turned to the students in the martial arts class.


    "Tell me what did you understand from the fight?"  Jonah asked, where the others murmured as if they were unsure of their answers. Yet a girl raised her hand first.


    "Yes." Jonah acknowledged her.


    "I noticed that in the fight your fists were coated with the element of darkness. Yet your body was able to withstand from strikes of the sword. I was also curious about how you were able to damage a Living Weapon like Midnight Howl." The girl spoke.


    "Good observation. The theory behind that is body tempering. Martial artists use their entire body as a weapon. Kael." Kael then picked out a knife from his pocket.


    "Ordinary knife. Not a living weapon or a weapon spirit." Kael informed them as they watched Kael slice his palm and they see the blood trickling out of it. Kael swung the knife at Jonah''s neck which shattered.


    "Body tempering is not for the weak. It has to be refined to a certain level to withstand it. I''m at Olympus Temper. Which is why to some weapons I am a mountain. Skilled swordsman will see my fists as the biggest threat because of the fact I''ve broken quite a number of blades. Sorry about that Midnight Howl."


    "None taken. It is a valuable lesson for me, even as a blade." Midnight Howl bowed to Jonah.


    "I can use every other element but I am more comfortable with darkness. This requires high aptitude. It can be done with other elements with varying effects. But I prefer darkness because the benefit is that my attacks leave my opponents with wounds that won''t close easily." Jonah pointed at Kael''s fists that were still bleeding and the one by his left trap and shoulder area.


    "I also noticed that before any attack you would take in a deep breath of varying durations. Is there a reason?"


    "Brilliant observation. You have good eyes. It''s more of a habit. Because I prefer taking in oxygen and tense my body up during attacks. Sometimes it results to my butt cheeks clamoring a bit of my pants." Jonah spoke it out without any care in the world only to be elbowed by Kael.


    "You can''t say stuff like that. You''re still a Head of State."


    "Ah who cares. I''m with martial artists. I shouldn''t give a shit about my status. When you step into a fight or a duel. Status and background goes out the window. What matters is how you fight. I''m originally a magician but I picked up martial arts because I did not have a knack for weapons. But in a fight like what we both just did. It''s not about weapon or no weapon. It is about skill, discipline and creativity. I don''t use magic against him because he can nullify my magic with his cards. But he has to be careful with which blade he uses because I can break them." Jonah explained to them.


    "He''s broken quite a number of my blades. If any of my sword classes went after you, you''d leave their weapons traumatized." Kael said where Jonah whistled away sheepishly.


    "Oh you bastard. You did not think about it."


    "Ah why so pissed?" Jonah joked with Kael placing his arm over Kael''s shoulder.


    "Hey I''m still injured." Kael complained.


    Then they both saw their wounds healing themselves. Jonah pulled out a mirror out of nowhere and looked at his teeth, everything was back in its place.


    "Ah.. I swear, you two. Every time it''s always a brawl." They turned to see a lady hovering to their direction. Yep, that figure was the one that every woman wanted. The envy of women is what led to this lady to her death. She had the curves, she had the face, she had the hair. Bad hair days don''t exist in this lady''s book. She landed between Kael and Jonah. Using her arms to push them both aside.


    "Heya Ciara." Jonah greeted where Ciara flicked Jonah''s head, then smacked Kael''s head.


    "You doing alright Ciara?" Kael asked, where she just nodded.


    "I turned my psycho stalkers and exes lose their manhood and womanhood. It''s fine. Also crashed my ex-boyfriend''s wedding with proof that he was a murderous scumbag. So I think I''m good." Kael and Jonah immediately grabbed their crotches. So did the people in the audience. Even Midnight Howl and Ga-eul.


    "Hey, why so afraid?"


    "Ciara. You can''t just go up and tell people that. It makes them so jumpy!" Kael scolded her yet she just shook her head.


    "You''re nothing but a nag. But... I missed you guys." Ciara said as she hugged them both.

 Chapter 31 : Training.

    Jonah and Kael''s wounds had healed up thanks to Ciara. The opinion of the students had changed when they saw how Kael fought. To which Jonah turned to make a declaration.


    "Observant girl! What''s your name?"


    "It''s Jia Qi!" The girl answered.


    "I will come to this academy weekly with assignments for you to complete. With your observation skills. The martial arts that you learn here is useless to you. You are not weak. Your power lies in a martial arts that focuses on observation and senses." Jonah pulled out a book.


    "Come here." Jia Qi leaped from the stands to stand in front of Jona.


    "In this book, it is known as the Dragons of Southern Cross. You must only train one page a week. There are many volumes but depending on how well you perform. You may be able to finish this book faster than I did. My master only gave me half a page!" Jonah laughed loudly.


    "That''s cause you were an idiot that was a battering ram." Ciara corrected.


    "True, but anyway. Jia Qi. I am a Master of the Dragons of Southern Cross and I have chosen you as my sole disciple. I will come here weekly to assess you and assist in your training. The Dragons of Southern Cross is a martial arts technique that focuses on observational skills. By observing your opponent and destroying the opponent''s possibilities to attack you. Break weapons, break their wills. Break their wills, opponents become nothing but insects. The nature of the Dragon is tempered by its wielder. I have tempered it to be fully offensive. You can temper it to be defensive or be in the middle It depends on your purpose for power." Jonah explained to her as he gave her the book.


    Jonah then turned to Azi who was in the crowd.


    "Azi. Darkness is what you make of it. There''s a lot that you can do with it. No element is inherently truly good or evil. I''ve seen people commit evil with light. What matters is how you shape the elements. Always remember that. Do not listen to those who do not understand darkness. Focus on your own path even if it is alone." Jonah said as he put on his shirt, stretching his neck as he pulled out a pistol from his pocket.


    "Every element has people that use it for good and use it for evil. The reason why most academicians feel that darkness is evil is due to them being victims in the past thanks to the element itself. But Azi. A mage must forge your own path. Jonah, you are going to teach him right?" Ciara asked Jonah who was shaking his head at her words.


    "Sure." Jonah said.


    "Besides, Jonah''s seen quite a number of those religious bastards that abuse power. Like the Head Priest right?" Ciara asked.


    "Oh him? Yeah, I hung him over the church when he said that I was unfit to be king and a tyrant. Then I literally told people. I''m cutting down their taxes. I made trade agreements and turned it to a utopia. Oh by the way Azi. Your parents worked in the mines right?" Jonah asked.


    "Yes, Great Leader." Azi spoke with his head facing the ground, not looking Jonah in the eye.


    "Well I got rid of the mines. All those mines have done is cause pain to our people. Your parents are currently going through an education phase to make sure they are not illiterate and that they understand the law. Your siblings are now in school and not working at the mines. If you are here because you want to be an Adept soldier to give them a better life. Then there''s no need for you to stay here. What is it that you want to do?"


    "I.. I want to be a scholar." Azi spoke to Jonah, looking at Jonah in the eyes.


    "I can''t believe my family''s bullshit is leading to this... A kid who wants to be a scholar chose to be a fighter at the front lines. Hey, Principal Ardjent!" The Principal turned to Jonah.


    "I''ll be taking this kid back with me. This place trains warriors. Not Scholars. I''ll pay for the termination fee." Principal Ardjent nodded to Jonah.


    "Azi. You are in good hands. Jonah isn''t a tough trainer like I am. So are you done interrupting classes for the day? They need to get to training." Kael asked Jonah who chuckled.


    "Fine fine. Sheesh. I pity the ones training under you. You''re near spartan level of training." Jonah said as he appeared beside Azi and offered his hand to Azi. Azi grabbed it.


    "Oh by the way. Kael, if you''re ever in Baltokia. Just gimme a call. Bye Ciara. Glad to see you''re doing well." Azi and Jonah vanished like ghosts, their pressence was gone. Even the soldiers that had accompanied Jonah had gone missing.


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    "Alright. Back to class. Midnight Howl, I''ll need to fix you up before anything else." Kael then turned to see Hana Li who was injured but she was still sitting in the audience.


    "Oh, poor girl. She''s hurt. You train people too hard." Ciara said as she waved a rod to Hana''s direction, healing her wounds with just a gesture.


    "Best way to train them. They used Gray Gems to abuse the weapons." Kael could see Ciara''s face writhe in fury, she was terrible at hiding her emotions when not on the runway or in her photoshoots.


    "Hey easy. Their instructors did it. Now anyway, Hana. Come follow me. I''ll need to teach you how to care for your sword." Kael said as Hana and Ciara followed Kael out, heading to the forge as the blades were staring from the outside. When Kael stepped in with Hana, the other swords kept their distance but they went close to Ciara who started to polish them.


    "The first step is to understand how to polish your sword. Living Weapons and Weapon Spirits may break but they will repair themselves in due time. As you can see Midnight Howl is cracked by the spine and warps at the upper blade. These will treat on its own but the most important part. Is to provide the blade with enough rest. It is as simple as this." Kael sheathed the blade.


    "Leaving the blade in its sheathe will allow it to heal the defects on their own. Unlike normal weapons that require you to grind them out and to do other things. When the blade has returned to its proper form, then you have to sharpen it. During this period, do not draw the weapon while it remains in its sheathe." Kael explained to them as he put Midnight Howl aside.


    Hana watched the fox that was on her shoulder jumped back into the sheathe. Ciara on the other hand was seemingly loved by the swords as she inspected them all for cracks.


    "You managed to tame them so easily. Some of them need their break to stay here. It''s a good thing that they didn''t push their luck. Any longer and these swords would have turned cursed." Ciara said, grabbing each sword gently. Taking a look at its construction, trying to see if there were cracks, signs of fractures by the spine, or if there were grains that had not formed properly.


    "I only could do that with Midnight Howl. Any one of my other swords they would just attack them until they are destroyed. Living Weapons would prefer to not see their own kind be tamed by abuse. Allensphere was abusing Radiant Sonata to power the city. She''s broken as a sword. Far too afraid to be used in battle." Kael answered.


    "Right, because your blades have killed too many of their own they cannot differentiate between a sane and an insane weapon."Ciara said as she held another blade, taking some iron powder and rubbing over it. Smoothening it over the cracks of the blade to help form it into its body.


    "Hands of the smith. Her own hands are smithing tools, she can create a fire that goes even beyond the forge." Kael said as they watched how Ciara repaired every blade with just taking the same material and melting it to the damaged parts. Her hands were straightening the any warps, bending and evening out any excess pieces.


    "Consider it a freebie, Kael." Ciara said as she was her powers as the Avatar of Summer and Avatar of Forge had faded from her hands.


    "It''s fine. Thanks for calming those blades down." Kael said as they watched the blades appear, kneeling before her.


    "Oh, Kael. By the way.. I came here for another reason... The 18 Blades Sect. Word has it that you killed the people that are contracted to the Corazon family. "


    "I did, Ciara. Why?"


    "They were looking for you to settle things. Though word reached to Luca." Kael raised his eyebrow, Luca was the Avatar of War. He was a child soldier from the war torn nation of Abazmantisk. Luca was bred for war, he killed a man at age of 7, then fought as a rebel against one of the larger empires on earth. The Avalon Empire, Kael was surprised to hear that about Luca.


    "So were means they were dead?"


    "Yes. Luca killed them with nothing more than a scalpel." Kael coughed for a moment.


    "A scalpel? Wait, did he take on Avalon yet?"


    "No, according to what I heard Luca''s magic veins and mana control has gone down. He can barely do anything. All he can do is temper his body. He''s at Everest but nowhere close to Olympus." Ciara explained.


    "I am going to find Luca and heal him, but he may want to go against Avalon." Ciara said as they spoke in a different language. Ones that can only be understood by Avatars.


    "Hana. That will be all for today." Hana headed out first as Kael put Midnight Howl aside and looked at Ciara.


    "Tell Luca that if he needs me. I''m just a call away. Besides, it might be a fun time for me to use back my cards. Besides I''d like to see you leading that orchestra of yours back into the fight." Kael smirked to Ciara who chuckled.


    "I''ll go to Luca then." Ciara vanished from sight.


    Jonah would most likely want to join the fight. Besides Kael has always seen Avalon Empire''s evil and cruelty yet the many nations in this world. Despite their sovereignity would bow down to Avalon''s Might. There were contenders but a war with Avalon would be one of atrition. Not everyone is financially prepared for such things. Many countries were ready for war but will they be able to handle after the war? Avalon housed many of its economies but truth is. Economies were nothing compared to the deaths of many.


    Blood and war economy, weapons, vehicles and armors of war. These were necessities. Progression and an industry that is among the powerhouses of earth''s economy. But to the Avatars that served with Kael. Their many lives that they lived had changed them far too much. They hated the idea of reincarnating into war torn lands, and did not have much. But soon, they proved worthy. Accepting the call to become Avatars and reveling in their powers.


    There was a time when Avatars of all the Gods were called for a war. Not one of choice but one to ensure the fate of the worlds they chose. Kael and the few whom he trusts went ahead to stop the war by killing the Supreme God. Leaving the decisions to Lucius who had been elected.What Lucius had done, changed many things. The many Deities were free to be worshipped by humans and nature.


    Kael, Luca, Jonah and Ciara. The four of them were always reincarnated together albeit at different ages but they fought together at the end of each life and it brought many changes to their next ones. The Avatar of Destruction, War, Fall and Summer were known for their prowess. Yet their allies that are Duel, Spring, Winter and others are just as powerful.

 Chapter 31. 5 : Luca.

    In the distant mountains, there lies a temple. Swordsmen were made in this particular temple with the name of 18 Blades to be left. In this place, the Adepts of the 18 Blades. The sounds of swords being swung, magic elements spiraled over their temple as the disciples were practicing. Yet they were unaware of a figure that was lying in wait in their inncer sanctum.


    "We''ve found the name of the person that killed our Elders and disciples. His name is Kael Webster." That name had awoken the lying figure in the shadows. None of them have noticed him, perhaps the difference was obvious.


    "I hear his family is in matello. Let us deal with i-" The figures that spoke about it had their throats slit. The thuds of the bodies had alerted everyone in the temple. Seeing a figure with blue hair and a white cloak, wielding what seems to be a piece of metal.


    "Who... Who are you?!" The blue haired figure did not answer as he threw the cloak aside. His body had tattoos of beasts all over it with a neck that had a slave collar tattooed on.The boy did not answer, he faded from their senses. The throats of the ones that tried to face him were now riddled with holes.


    "Attack him!" They drew their blades, the blades did strike the boy. Yet for some reason it as like they were striking a something like an anvil. Their blades were warping, bending and even chipping off from making contact with the skin. A jab to the face that turned a face into mush. A swing with that piece of metal in hand that was able to cause blood to splash all over. The boy''s figure was nothing to scoff at. Even martial artists can''t hope to compete. Movement wise, it was not sloppy. Calculative and every strike he made. Not a single movement of it is wasted. The expression? Not a smile or a frown, it was like a blank as a piece of paper.


    It was odd, when he chose to dodge the boy was able to weave through the attacks. Striking the joints to break balance and momentum of the martial artists. Yet to the boy, their movements were like watching snail trying to move. Calling them a tortoise would be a compliment. Tearing through the waves of these swordsmen was nothing.


    They started to blast away their magic. Javelins made of the elements, though lightning was not a bad thing as the boy used that piece of metal in his hands to channel the lightning to his path.


    "I can''t use magic right now but what I can do. Is use lightning against yours." A snap of the fingers and the lightning errupted to all of the magicians present, electrocuting them to death until their bodies exploded. The entire temple grew quiet. Only the blue haired boy was present to watch all of this happen.


    "Hello. Luca." Luca turned to see a familiar face, it was Jonah.


    "So your magic veins are in bad shape. We''ll have to call Ciara for that but I am always a fan of your work. Why''d you kill them?"


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    "They wanted to go after Kael..." Luca spoke with ease, then seeing Jonah drop some stuff for him.


    "Some gear. I know you''re going to head to Abazmantisk. You''ll need some gear at least." Luca took a look at what had been given.


    "Avalon soldiers carry 5.45X39 for their assault rifles. 6.5 Creedmoor for their rifles. Pistol calibers in 45.ACP" Luca put on the digital urban battle dress uniform, putting on chest plate with pouches for the magazines. He was taking a knee as he geared up. Checking the rifle.


    "I remember your fondness for Slavic weapons. So I made you an AK. It''s a prototype AK of my country. This particular model has been handfitted and upgraded accordingly. I know you don''t like it if I tinkered your AKs like an AR." Luca was pulling the side charging handle, taking a look at the rifle bolt. The insides were a bit different. This rifle was made to be heavier, a little bit heavier than what Luca is used to. A rail system for attachments and whatever that Luca needed, and the sights? The sights were titrium glow in the dark sights. Luca took a moment to get a feel for the trigger. The reset of the trigger to when it will be ready to fire the next shot was too quick.


    "I''ve personally had it tested for you but I couldn''t find you. I''ve shot 4000 rounds through it, it''s broken in and has only had 2 malfunctions. I''ve made the reset to be near instantaneous. The safety has set for full, semi and safe. So if you need to use semi it won''t take too long for the reset." Jonah explained. Luca did not say a word, merely a nod and a thumbs up to the rifle.


    "The rifle. It will be an AR-10. I know your distaste towards rifles made by the people of the West. But this is a rifle that I''ve tuned out for you. It''s been zeroed in. Jams a few times if the carbon build up doesn''t get cleared. Ease of maintenance since you can pop the trigger assembly to clean it." Jonah continued while Luca opened the rifle up, seeing how the condition of the barrel. Looking at the mechanism inside. Luca closed it but that sour look on his face was enough for Jonah to understand that Luca was not a big fan of the platform.


    "The next up. Is a pistol. It''s a Baltokian made. PL15. 16 round magazine 9mm parabellum. Match grade trigge and parts for extensive use. Serrations at the front and back. Aggressive stippling just in case your hands and gloves get a little dirty." Luca was checking the pistol out. A suppressor was attached, underbarrel flashlight and laser. Luca pulled the slide then shot out to the dead bodies behind him. Perhaps having a feel for the recoil. He brought the gun close to his neck area. Swapping the old magazine with a new one. When the magazine is locked into place, Luca could see the glint of the brass in the chamber. Right thumb flicking the slide release.


    Back on target within the milisecond. Luca holstered the pistol to the thigh. Then grabbing the AK. Firing off a few shots, tasting the recoil. Making an assessment to how he will have to approach his reloads. The fire rate was moderate and recoil manageable. The approach that Luca is opting is to swap magazine and move his left hand underneath to pull the charging handle on the right sound.


    "Luca. When you want to fight for your country and against Avalon. Just wait for Ciara to heal you, then you let Kael and me know." Jonah said.


    "Jonah... You''re a leader. Is it not dangerous to go against Avalon?" Luc asked, seeing Jonah shake his head. Followed by a porcelain mask over his face that was painted in the colours of fall with a brown victorian tailcoat.


    "I will go as the Avatar of Fall as Kael will be the Avatar of Destruction." Jonah said as Ciara appeared by their side.


    "Hi, Ci." Luca greeted, only to be slapped by Ciara.


    "Don''t go into a fight when you''re not healed. Just let me clear up your magic... Jonah, help me."

 Chapter 32 : Second day at work.

    Kael was now back at his house. Josephine was taking a break to do some knitting while Velaya and Ren were watching some cartoons. Velaya''s eyes beamed with admiration to all the things that was going on with the animated pictures before her.


    Kael went over to check on Violett and Emeline, only to see that they''ve grown into toddlers.


    "Daddy!" They pounced on Kael, normal humans can''t push Kael down. Considering they are both summons it does make sense to why it had happened.


    "Hey you two." Kael scratched their heads, then seeing Scarlet Vow holding up food to put to the table. The scent of the food was far more delicious than it ever was. Kael felt his mouth be full of saliva because of the smell itself. Just how potent was the cooking? Which reminds him, he forgot to savor his food properly because of the fact Ciara, Luca and Jonah are back. Kael needed to thank Luca for what he did and he needed to figure out what to do to thank him.


    "Master. There''s someone standing by the tree." Kael turned to see the blue haired teenager, speak of the devil.


    "Let him in Scarlet. That is a friend." Scarlet Vow placed the plates to the table, then opened the sliding door.


    "You can come in." Luca dropped down, he was fully geared with an AK, AR-10 and the pistol tucked to the side of his chest. His face was covered by metal mask that followed the shape of his face. With a pattern of a white skull etched over the black paint.


    "Luca." Kael greeted as Luca lifted his mask.


    "Kael." They shook hands and Kael pulled Luca close.


    "I''m glad... I''m glad you''re alive Luca. I heard about your home country. Your magic veins... Have they been fixed?" Kael asked, though he was hugging Luca a bit too tightly.


    "Kael.. I might ch-" Kael let go of Luca quickly.


    "Whoa, sorry about that. I just... I got more emotional there." Kael said where Luca nodded.


    "Oh, Kael? We have a visitor?" Miriam asked as she was cooking in the kitchen.


    "Avatar of War, Luca. He''s from Abazmantisk." Jenny came out of her room as Kael introduced Luca, then seeing Luca take off his mask and helmet. Jenny''s eyes beamed at Luca''s handsomeness. Kael caught wind of that and smirked to his sister.


    "Stay for dinner Luca. And take your gear off. Just keep the pistol." Luca nodded as he took out the magazines of his rifles, pulling the bolt to eject the bullet invside the chamber. Then taking off his combat vest and putting it aside. Lloyd returned home.


    "I''m back. Oh, who''s that?" Lloyd asked.


    "My name is Luca." Luca introduced much to Kael''s amusement.


    "Luca, that''s my dad''s seat. Why don''t you sit in front of me?" Luca did as he was told, which was beside Jenny''s seat. Kael could see Miriam and Lloyd smirking at him, they understood Kael''s intentions.


    "Your family does not seem surprised to see that I am with a weapon." Luca said to Kael as he was going to take a seat beside Kael.


    "Why would she be, Avatar? Her parents have been acknowledged and they met the Gods." They turned to see Mister Cuddles walking out with the axe on his back. Stretching his paws and legs, then laying down by the couch.


    "Food''s ready!" Ren and Velaya went to join the table with Velaya sitting beside Luca and Ren sitting beside Kael. Spaghetti carbonara with smoked duck, now that was a wondrous taste with some fresh fruit punch. Elegant mash potatoes and some beef ribs.


    Jenny watched Luca take the steak knife and carved through the ribs clean, then placing it over to Velaya''s plate.


    "Would you like some?" Luca asked Jenny, where she passed her plate to him. Kael was making sure Velaya was getting her portions, then tending to Ren.


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    "Thanks big brother." Ren said with a smile. Kael watched how Luca was taking care of Velaya when she had so much of the carbonara sauce on her mouth. A slight smile to it, but Kael understood it well.


    "Kael... I have to say. It would be bad of me to ask you to join me in my fight for my people. You have family here." Luca said as he put his utensils down. That smile faded away unnaturally, almost forced.


    "Where War goes.. Destruction follows." They turned to Nelista speak as he carried 20 bags of groceries over his arms.


    "As humans say, one trip is all you need." Nelista said.


    "It isn''t up for debate, Luca. If you''re going into this. I''m going with you."


    "You have family, Kael. People to go back to..." Luca spoke as he took his plate to the kitchen.


    "That doesn''t change a thing Luca. You went after the 18 Blades Sect and you erased them to protect my family. I will do what I can to protect yours." Kael said as he got up.


    "Not just him. Even us." Luca turned to see the other Avatars. Fall, Summer,Spring, Winter and Duel. They were wearing the Avatar Tailcoat, with the embroidery and chants to their Gods all over their outfits. Kael''s Avatar of Destruction mask appeared. Their masks and helmets took form of what symbols they chose.


    "Windgates... We are going after your empire, you know that, don''t you?" The Avatar of Duel held his rapier in hand, with the raven mask over his face.


    "I know, but as a Prince to the Avalon Empire. I stayed silent to all the devastation my country has caused. My allegiance has always been to my fellow Avatars. We who fought for peace and stopped the worlds from ending. When the Gods asked if we wanted to return. We made our choices." Windgates said as he sheathed his rapier and raised his arm where Luca responded with his. They bumped their arms together.


    Violett and Emeline stepped out to see the others.


    "Uncle Luc and Uncle Windy!" The two of them pounced on Luca and Windgates, obviously they were confused. They had no idea whose child it was. Then they saw Josephine stepping out.


    "Kael. Can you make their milk before you go off on another adventure." Josephine said.


    "Josephine?" Ciara hugged Josephine tightly.


    "Koniva? It is good to see you my sister." Ciara held Josephine''s cheeks, she was crying in tears as she looked at Josephine.


    "Right. This is Kael''s wife when he was Sylvain!" the Avatar of Spring finally realized it as he had a shear tucked to his pocket.


    "So then... The two kids?" Luca and Windgates used their magic to bring the kids to float, then using magic to create toys for them. Two teddy bears, one black and one white.


    "My daughters. Violett and Emeline. Turns out my wife wasn''t killed by bandits. But by the townspeople." Kael said it so easily as he shook the bottles of milk formula. Winter chuckled as he readied his guitar, then seeing a few more Avatars standing outside.


    "Death? Souls? Peace? Salvation?" Kael was surprised to see them as they came into the house. These were the other Avatars that were present. Souls was wearing his jeans and looked bored to death. Peace was wearing a white dress with a thick furcoat by her shoulders and Salvation was wearing a full black suit with a cigar in hand/


    "Didn''t you guys chose to not come back?" Kael asked them.


    "We did, then while we were chilling out and relaxing. We heard about false Avatars making their way out. Seems like Avalon''s been using these False Avatars to make a mess. We asked Lucius if we could come back. Help sort out this mess. He said sure but we can''t go back up there but we''ve got our shit to settle." Souls spoke casually, it was how he has been anyway.  The others turned to see how the Avatar of Peace''s beautiful face was red with fury.


    "Avalon has an Avatar of Peace. Yet she does not advocate against what has been done in Avalon. You have to understand, that as the Avatar of Peace. I cannot tolerate that!" The others felt their bodies shudder with how Avatar of Peace said it. Kael passed the bottle to Josephine who kissed Kael''s cheeks. Then followed by Scarlet Vow who kissed Kael''s cheeks.


    "Kuro-Hana, Ga-eul, Baihua, Banshee. Black Symphony and Radiant Sonata. You''ll be the ones I need for this." Kael said as his original four slotted themselves to Kael''s hip, while the other two on the back.


    "Oh right. This is my family." Kael introduced while his mother ended up filling bottles of fruit punch and even packing them a box of cookies each.


    "Kael, make sure your friends come and take this before they leave okay? I can''t just let you all go on your trip without snacks." Miriam said to them.


    "Stay safe, Kael." Kael turned to his dad who was calm about it.


    "You''re not going to stop me?" Lloyd shook his head.


    "Are you going to listen?" Kael shook his head.


    "There''s your answer. Just make sure you come home safe and what about work?" Lloyd asked, which Kael took a moment to nod. Then seeing Yueliang Hua, Xuehua and Scarlet Vow stepped out. Hati and Skoll appeared outside.


    "We''ll handle it. Go make some chaos." Scarlet Vow said to Kael as Kael turned to Ren and Jenny.


    "Take care big brother." Ren spoke, well Kael patted his younger brother''s head. Then looking at the other Avatars who grabbed the bottles of fruit punch and the box of cookies.


    "Thanks Misses Webster." They all said to the Webster family as they put the cookies and fruit punch into their spacial storage. They stretched their necks as Avatar of Spring swung his hoe to the air, creating a large rift that showed the capital of Abazmantisk. Abada. They all headed inside.


    Looking up to the crack of dawn, gunfire ravaged every where. They watched a building in front of them crumble by a shot from a tank. A drone flew past them, firing a missile aimed to their direction. Winter just took out a wand, then directing that missile back at it. Screams from all over the area.


    "That has to be the most expensive ''No You'' I''ve ever seen." Jonah said as he whistled.


    "Now shall we start?" Kael asked the others as they nodded.

 Chapter 33 : Abazmantisk

    Luca was running straight into the streets, his hand held the rifle. Taking aim, setting the rifle on full auto. Leading the storm of hail to his enemies, forcing them to stay down. Pulling out the pin of a grenade, throwing it. Watching it bounce off a wall and into the corner.


    "FRAG!" A loud zip was heard, following it up by an explosion. Luca looked to the left, watching Jonah punch an APC sideways. Then digging his fingers to rip a hole to see the Avalon soldiers inside.


    "Get away! Get away!" They screamed as they fired their guns at Jonah, yet Jonah was laughing at them. A sinister laugh, and the darkness slipped into the hole of the APC.


    "Come here you bastards!" Jonah stepped inside, Luca just watched body parts fly out of the whole. That was just how Jonah was, always gungho and running into things like a battering ram. Luca turned to see Ciara who placed her hands onto the cheeks of an Avalonian soldier, where they watched her body burn into black flames. Screaming into the soldier which caused them to melt into a pool of flesh and blood.


    Ciara was not a combatant like the others, she was more of a ''Horror'' kind of fighter. Kael on the other hand was slashing through the soldiers. They fired their guns at Kael, watching him dodge their shots at him. Kael dashed through the gunfire, trying to close in the gap between himself and the Avalon soldiers. He went for the limbs instead of heads, their screams were fuel. Not for Kael but for the Avatar of Souls.


    Luca continued with using his guns, using magic just to cause an EMP wave to disable their electronics. A tank battalion ahead of him stopped moving. Luca gathered lightning bolts to his left hand, readying to blast another shockwave ahead. Then watching Kael and Jonah jump above him. Luca swapped the AK for the AR-10 rifle. Channeling lightning into his arms and through the rifle.


    Pulling the trigger. The shot struck a sniper at the building that was roughly 3 kilometers. A shockwave that disabled all forms of technology within a 3 kilometer radius, Jonah pulled out the pistol. Joining the others on the front line, he was going into this at point blank range. Firing the pistol into the neck of an Avalonian soldier. Pushing the soldier aside, emptying the rest of his magazine into the others that were stationed behind. A quick reload. Luca went on ahead as he collected residues of electricity from all around him.


    Kael was wielding Baihua with his right hand. Kuro-Hana in the left with a reverse grip. Kael took a deep breath as he bent his knees, looking at the dozens of Avalonian Soldiers before him. Dashing with the speed of light, Kael moved his hands and body to strike the enemies at their intended positions. Their limbs were reaped away like a child taking out the limbs of toy soldiers. The gunfire echoed all around them, echoing a melody inviting war and destruction. Kael continued ahead as he swung the blood to a tank that was in front of him. It took aim, firing its 120mm cannon at Kael. There was no smoke, but two explosions in the distance instead. Kael held Baihua in his hands.


    "Bloom, my beautiful flowers." Kael said as petals surrounded the entire area. Kael sheathed Kuro-Hana, black cherry blossoms blanketed the area before him .Turning all of the Avalonian soldiers into nothing but skeletal remains. Their flesh, skin and souls had been robbed by the blade.


    Luca was running on ahead with lightning by his feet, leaping into the air as he fired off lightning charged bullets. The sniper positions that the Avalonians had were destroyed. The entire buildings were vaporized from existence. Leaving nothing behind. The reporters and journalists took note of it all. Watching Luca land in front of her, then raising his hands to the Avalon battalions behind her. Clenching his fists as large hands of earth emerged from the ground. Grabbing a hold over the tanks and pulled them all down into the earth. Luca continued on, leaping to a building.


    Luca took notice of Jonah who created spheres of darkness. Encapsuling the Avalonian Army officers and they seem to be mad. Not angry, but insane. Though that was how Jonah has always worked, fueling the darkenss of his with fear allows him to shift it all to the Avalonian army with ease.


    "Where are our fighters?! We need air support!? Ground troops are getting pushed back!" Luca heard it on the radio by his earpiece.


    "Who is attacking us?! Weren''t we able to push these damn Abazens into surrendering!? What''s going on!? We should have the upper edge!" They then heard a voice of one of their own. Pleading for mercy, asking for a quick death. Yet, the voice on the other line spoke.


    "Did you give mercy to the ones you killed like dogs? You hurt the women and children. You left traumas over these people. Yet you are asking me for mercy." Luca heard the voice, and he already understood who it was. Avatar of Peace, Serenity. Avatar of Peace but also of the unavenged. The voice of the one who begged for mercy, was heard. They heard his screams and no matter how they tried to change the frequency it did not stop.


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    This is the thing about Serenity, the Avatar of Peace has a blood thirst greater than the others. Kael would only view these soldiers as nothing but lambs. Jonah views them as toys and Luca views them as targets. Serenity however, views them as insignificant specs of dust. Luca watched as the fortress that housed the greatness of Avalon Military in Abada was now filled with screams. The entire capital could hear their screams, this was the Avatar of Salvation''s doing.


    Windgates appeared in front of Luca.


    "Luca. I''d like to run a plan by you." Windgates asked.


    "Shoot." Luca said as he fired a shot into the head of an Avalon soldier. The body was instantly turned into a bloody mess with the skull being left on top. Etched with name and crime that they had committed.


    "I plan to go back to Avalon after we''re done here. Just to piss off my family and make a grand public speech."


    "You''re going back to Avalon to detest your country''s action?" Windgates nodded to Luca.


    "You know they''re going to throw you into prison and never let you see the light of the day." Luca spoke as he reloaded the pistol.


    "I wish to believe in my family, Luca. If they cannot be swayed then I do not mind killing my own family for it to work." Windgates said, he could see the worry in Luca''s eyes though Luca''s face was blank as a piece of paper.


    Kael appeared to join their conversation with his entire outfit stained by blood.


    "Heard about your plan,Windgates. You sure you are up for this regicide?" Kael asked, not out of concern but because Windgates was someone who had been dealing with matters such as regicide. He would kill every one related to the nobility or cabinet. Every time being incarnated as a person related to a tryannical rule, a dictator, a fascist or whoever that held the most power.


    "Seeing this at first hand. It makes me wonder if I should have just killed them when I reincarnated. People in Avalon live far too comfortable. Besides I''ve already seen their fake Avatars. They have a total of 200 Avatars. All of them, obviously are false. Even the 72 of them at their full power would not even do anything for any of us." Windgates said to Kael.


    "Have fun, Windgates." Windgates smirked as he vanished. There was silence in the capital of Abada. The silence as people stepped out of their homes and rebel warriors turned to see the figures that had aided them. Luca kept his mask on, but spoke to his people. Their language was far different than what the others had heard. It was akin to a language that was on its way to deaht, yet by these people were it on its last legs.


    Yet Luca spoke to them peacefully, as Serenity had not reacted negatively to anything that was spoken. The Avatar of War did not call for war, but he called for the people to prepare themselves for their oppressors will never take anything laying down.


    "He''s a damn good speaker." Serenity spoke to the others.


    "Can you translate? The rest of us are barely able to keep up." Ciara said.


    "He used an old proverb here. Just because a lion''s fangs may be taken away. It does not change that it is still a beast. He''s also telling them that he is not calling for war. He just wishes for the people of Abazmantisk. To be free. To not hide and be afraid. To be a country. They have tried to be peaceful but the oppressors refuse to give reason." Serenity translated for them, she paused as Luca continued.


    "His voice is cracking."Serenity let out the remark, it brought concern from the others. They were trying to figure out if that was a bad sign and if there was something else that was bothering Luca.


    "He''s happy." Kael said to the others.


    "Remember what Luca said in all the times we met during our 52 cycles? He wished he had power to save his people. Now he''s got it. He can liberate his country." Kael spoke to the others.


    "He''s telling them that we are his allies but we do not take off our masks." Serenity translated as they all float to the ground, landing on their feet in complete silence. Luca was actively speaking with them.


    "Thanks to you guys. We managed to avoid major casualties. Though I''m sorry if we aren''t hospitable." Luca said to them, as they watched how a kid walked up to them and tore a piece of bread. Passing it to Luca, Luca knelt to the girl taking off his mask. Speaking to her in his own tongue.


    "Hey. We should do it." Jonah said to the others, Ciara, Spring and Winter understood what he meant. The four of them stood in front of each other, beginning their chant. Speaking languages only known to their Gods.  To the people it sounded like harmonious singing but to the other Avatars. It was the call for many things. Many blessings. Pure rain that would bathe them all. A gentle wind that blows to keep them cool. The sun''s radiance that gives them warmth and watching the trees that were dying turn to ash. Slowly sprouting into seedlings.


    "I''ll stay up and remain watch. Luca. Go ahead and do what you need to do. These people will need a leader." Luca looked at Kael who was floating to the sky.


    "Baihua. I release the seal that bind your powers. Show them what it means to bloom in death''s stage as my Celestial Executioner.


    Kuro-Hana. Unchain the seals that you put on your own body, put these animals down as the Divine Slayer.


    Ga-eul. As your name means Fall, then rain destruction upon them as my Seraph Destroyer.


    Banshee, sing me a melody. Lead me to temptation and bring me desecration as my Angelic Whisperer.


    Black Symphony and Radiant Sonata. Where there is light. There is darkness. Where there is life. There is death. One cannot exist without the other. I shall undo your seal, Radiance of Gray." Black Symphony and Radiant Sonata held hands as their foreheads connected. The two blades combined together as Kael float above the ground. Kael flew to the position of the Avalon army that was making its way to the capital.


    Kael looked at the army. An army of 5,000 soldiers. 25 tanks. 30 APCs. 10 helicopters and even 5 squadrons of fighters.


    "Radiance of Grey. Erase my enemies before me." Kael said as he swung the conjoined blades once. Erasing the existence of such a force, but leaving behind their equipment intact. No signs of blood. No signs of struggle or even anything else for that matter. Kael''s other blades went on ahead to fight in their own fronts. The seals unleashed means they could go as wild as they wished, but as per their master''s wishes.

 Chapter 33.5 : Windgates.

    Windgates was putting on his suit, he was at a party that was being hosted by the Avalon Royal family. Many of the nobles and members of the administration of the Avalon Empire were present. Dukes, Duchesses, Barons and Counts. However, to Windgates he equated them all to one word.


    ''Vermin'' Standing here with a glass of wine in hand. Proud faces and delighted expressions when talking about money. The waiters and waitresses here were treated like shit. The men would grab the waitresses, and the women would harass the men. Talking against them or even retaliation could mean disloyalty to the Royal family, to the government and to the Empire. Yet Windgates is here, downing his entire glass in one go because he did not want to be bothered with thinking any further.


    Windgates was thinking about what is going to be said tonight. A broadcast that was being broadcasted to all countries that were within the Avalon Empire. He looked at his father who had a bright smile yet it pissed Windgates to know end. This is what happens when one goes against whatever policies that were available or anything.


    "Your Highness. Please head to the stage." Windgates did as he was told by the butler, not before keeping a flask full of the purest spirit in Avalon. The Excalidew. It is said to be a spirit so pure that it can polish swords from their rust.


    "People of Avalon. I have just gotten word that the capital of Abazmantisk... Abada was attacked by unknown soldiers. They are warmongers that wish to bring ruin to our great Empire!" Windgates stopped listening as his father and family members began to talk about these people. The unknown soldiers and having their savior complex showing itself far too much.


    "The people of Abazmantisk have been ravaged by the Nomads that call themselves heroes but no! We have saved them from the rebels! We are the righteous ones as the Gods will bear witness to our deeds! For the Avalon Empire is righteous!" They continued, this time demonizing the people. Stating that civilain casualties were due to them using civilians as shields. Child soldiers and other matters.


    "What about you, Windgates?" The cameras turned to Windgates who took out the flask and drunk it all down in one shot. The taste... Surprisingly for a spirit, he expected it to taste bad but it tasted sweet. A bit of bitterness in the after taste, the cameras and reporters awaited for Windgates''s words.


    Windgates stepped to the front, walking down the staircase as he put the flaask aside.


    "21 412 dead inclusive of women, children and elderly. Shot by our Griphen C9 Multiroles with hellfire rockets. It was stated to be a bomb run on a terrorist compund. That was the mission that was designated to the pilots. However, the pilots when they found out about the devastation they caused killed themselves out of grief. The order was carried out by His Majesty. He knew that it was just civilians there but at the end of the day. You all chose to demonize the people of Abazmantisk. And you claim righteousness? An Avalon soldier shot a family of 5 because they threw a rock that broke his nose." Windgates said it out loud, there was silence.


    "You must be drunk, Windgates. Why don''t you rest?" One of the guards touched Windgates hand, trying to pull Windgates aside. It was different, the guard could barely keep a grip on Windgates, it was like he was slipping through the hands. Windgates elbowed the guard''s face and then pulled out a pen from the guard''s chest pocket. The sharpness of the fountain pen''s point was a millimeter away from the guard''s eye.


    "Call your Avatar of Duels." Windgates said as he helped the guard on their feet, then placing the pen to their chest pocket. There were 5 Avatar of Duels that rushed into the room with their weapons drawn.Windgates took off his coat as he put it aside, unbuttoning his shirt and taking it off. He turned to the 5 Avatar of Duels. Not impressed, not even by a bit. They had the form but it was safe to say they were just people masquerading as the Avatar of Duels. Aevery would be disgusted by their form and even by how they wielded their blades.


    "Windgates! What are you doing?!" His Majesty spoke out as they watched Windgates put on a ring. It was unfamiliar to many figures but familiar to Windgates. This particular ring, is special. It housed the blades of all the 52 Lives Windgates had lived as the Head of State.


    "Just committing Regicide. Besides, having a live audience is good. Domain of the Monarch." The entire area was covered in metal. Everything changed, the entire ballroom was terraforming into something else. Their minds could not make sense of it but for Windgates. The dueling area was made and there were chairs like a colosseum of sorts. The question to all of them, was who were the spectators?


    Various humanoid figures came, they seemed to be human yet, they were Demons and Angels. What was important was Windgates noticing Aevery that was sitting by the VIP viewing section. The world was watching this entire spectalce as they viewed figures seated by the VIP.


    "Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Dueling Arena! Today we have a special match up! The 5 Avatar of Duels against Prince Windgates Avalon. This is a battle to the death ladies and gentlemen! And we also have the more interesting guests. The Avalon Royal Family and the wager?! The Wager is that if Prince Windgates Avalon wins the match he will kill the entire Avalon Royal family with their guests! Oh just look at how confused these humans are." The voice spoke openly, of course Windgates could see the smirk on Aevery''s face.


    Luca was present, joining Aevery as the Guest of Honor with the other Gods of War.


    "Thanks brother." Luca mouthed to Windgates, who banged his chest two times to Luca.


    "The odds are ?!" They watched the slots shifting repeatedly with the odds being at Windgates favor and none for the Avatars of Duels.


    "Oh ho. Looks like our audience does not seem to think that the Avatars of Duels can even win this battle! Now isn''t that funny?!" The voice laughed, openly mocking the so called ''Avatars of Duels''


    "Now now.. Let''s introduce ourselves to the audience! Ladies and gentlemen! I am Hicks!" The voice that introduced everyone to the arena spoke up.


    "And I am Ticks!" The other voice who mocked the Avatars spoke up.


    "We''re both your Dueling Arena Commentators!" the two of them chorused.


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    This was just how Aevery liked it. The outside world of the Avalon Empire was recording all this. Even the pressence of Aevery was seen. Windgates did not wear a shirt or even any sort of protective garment like the Avatars were wearing. Correction, the fake Avatars. The idea that these fakes were even compared to him was an insult of its own. The first to step forth was a longsword wielder.


    Windgates drew his longsword but he bowed to his opponent. It was a common courtesy when facing a fellow swordsman in the Dueling Arena. Of course, the false avatar wielding the long sword did not know it. The First Avatar charged at Windgates. It gave Windgates a chance to analyze things properly.


    Form? Not too bad. Grip style? Northern trying to pretend to be a Westerner. Is the swordsmanship formiddable? Actually, it might be. Windgates''s longsword made contact with the First Avatar''s, their strength is gone. In the Battle Arena, Aevery did not like it when the difference in strength is leagues away from each other. So he will allow the strength to match up to at least Three Fourths of the stronger one. Speed is also given Three Fourths to the slower one. So in general, the strength and speed is no longer a concern. What was the primary concern were how they fought in a duel?


    Windgates pushed the blade back , then kicked the First Avatar in the stomach. It would be seen as crude by many swordsmen because it is said to be underhanded. But in a duel before Aevery, anything goes. Honour goes out the window. All that matters here is skill. The First Avatar swung his blade at Windgates, Windgates responded by parrying the blade away. Changing its course so that it would be diagonal, but the recovery of the sword was fast.


    This swordstyle was reminescent of using a zweihander, but its referred as Northern because of the Nords of past. The Avatar dashed to Windgates, a full powered combo of swings which had Windgates taking a few of the blows. The Avatar''s confidence was rising as he watched Windgates struggle with the attacks. Yet, to Luca and the others. It was a performance that Windgates was putting up. This whole idea of a performance as a swordsmanship had intrigued Aevery for Windgates to become his Avatar of Duels.


    Windgates lost his balance, slipping backwards as the Avatar continuing the swing. Surely believing he would win, only to be struck by the shin by the blade. The armor managed to take the damage but of course it hurt. The earlier swing had tumbled as a result of the shin interruption. Windgates managed to slap the blade away. Freeing him from the danger. The commentators were speaking in the common tongue of the audience. Windgates used his longsword to flip his opponent''s weapon back.


    The Avatar of Duels was a bit different from the others. In war all things are fine. In a duel however, it is different. Always show respect ot the opponent no matter what you think. Do not provoke or respond to provocation. Draw your blade to fight. The First Avatar picked the blade, this time going for a set of thrusting attacks to Windgates. Aiming for his chest, yet the lack of control over the motion was going to tire the First Avatar out before long. It gave Windgates the change to go in for the kill. A downward swing followed by pulling the blade from the First Avatar then hacking the head off with the hitl.


    Windgates then stood to attention wiping the blood off with his blade.


    "Ladies and Gentlemen! We Have our first victory! Now Windgates has to fight another four more! Can he pull it off!?" Tick shouted.


    "I don''t know, Tick! But I know one thing for sure Prince Windgates is not just some royal. He''s not just some weakling the humans think he is." Hick added to that shout, then waving at Windgates who waved at them.


    The Second Avatar got up on stage, drawing a rapier. Windgates did the same as he bowed to the Second Avatar.


    "Oh ho. Fencing? The Second Avatar may not even have a chance. This is Prince Windgates favourite weapon and followed by him inheriting the Avalon swordsmanship style with the many weapons. Thou art blessed!" Hicks shouted as they watched the two fencers took the stage. The Second Avatar went on the full offense, not going to give Windgates even a second to breathe. Faster speed compared to the previous Avatar, but there was more fun to be had here. Windgates broke the momentum by guiding his opponent''s rapier upwards. Then unleashing a single swing to the Second Avatar.They watched the armor be peeled off the Second Avatar''s skin. The woman turned to see Windgates place the rapier to her throat.


    "A pity." Windgates said as he slashed the Avatar''s head. Then turning to face the remaining Three Avatars, wiping the blood off his rapier.


    "Oh ho! Ladies and gentlemen we''ve gotten a request! Shall we spice things up for a bit!? Make Windgates face the remaining three Avatars at once?!" Ticks call had brought cheers from the audience.


    The three Avatars were called to the Dueling Arena, readying themselves as Windgates put the rapier aside.


    "Exdeath." Windgates whispered as they see a pair of Cavalry swords. The handles were pure white but the blade was black.


    "Oh ho! Exdeath! That is the blade of Windgates when he began his journey. The blades were originally white but after a total killcount of 7.2 million enemies. The blade seems to have turned black with the blood off his opponents. Not that it can be washed off, considering Windgates did the 15 Deeds that granted him the title ''Sword Master''. His kill count isn''t as impressive as the others but it''s because Windgates enjoys sword fighting." Hicks was shouting.


    "Now... Now, let''s begin our commentary. In human language. Since they must be confused. Now with our special guest. Luca." Luca sat in the commentary box with Hicks and Ticks. As the battle began, the three Avatars charged at Windgates first but he focused on dodging.


    "So why is Windgates dodging here? I''d like to understand a bit better." Ticks said,as the camera turned to Windgates swirling through their attacks. He was literally just dancing through the swords of the three Avatars.


    "You have to understand. Unlike War or Destruction or any of the other Avatars. Windgates is bound to a certain battle doctrine. He must fight gracefully when in a duel. If it was me, I''d just blow them up but if we''re in the dueling arena. The battles must always have a grace and finesse to them. Brute force means nothing here." Luca explained as they watched how Windgates stopped three attacks. Two with the blades and one with the scabbard, using his elbow to angle the scabbard to block the blade from behind.


    "A three pronged attack would work on anyone but him. He reads them all as a whole. So every motion they make, Windgates can make a guess and prepare for 30 attacks all at once. His mind works 50 times faster than a normal person''s mind." Luca added on. The battles shifted tremendously, Windgates was on the offensive on one of the Avatars. The other two tried to attack him from behind but were stopped by Windgates who used the scabbards to strike the chins.


    "Oh... Striking the chin usually leaves opponents in shock. Even if they are in heavy armor, those scabbards are painful." Luca commented.


    "Why is that?" Ticks asked.


    "It''s because they were made with Varentite. The blades were made with Alenite. These two ores don''t match together well and when they are used as a weapon, it tends to cause disharmony in the weapons. Swords not being to be sheathed properly or te scabbard damaging the blade." They watched how Windgates shattered their blades and slashed them all for the killing blow. They died standing like statues within their armor, blood oozing from below the gaps of it.


    "Splendid show." They heard Aevery''s voice. Windgates then had his Avatar Robes cover him with Exdeath in his hands, the camera pointed at the Avalon Royal family.


    "The Highest honor for me. Is to be the one to right the wrongs done by my family." Windgates spoke as he slashed the limbs off his family members.


    "Killing you is far too kind. I''ve got a better punishment for you. I''ve taken out 5 of your Avatars without breaking a sweat. I''m sure that you sent the rest of them to face the ones in Abazmantisk but I will say this. That may be your biggest mistake. I am Prince Windgates Avalon of the Avalon Empire. I shall declare war on the Avalon Empire. ." Windgates''s declaration was heard by all, the Domain of the Monarch faded away.


    Leaving them back to where they were. The other nobles and administrators looked at Windgates with fear.


    "I am the Avatar of Duels. I declare today that I will send this country into turmoil. Starting with the people in this room." Windgates drew Exdeath and began to fight.

 Chapter 34 : Avatars against an army

    Luca returned to the others, seeing Jonah setting up magic barriers around Abazmantisk. While Serenity was giving aid to the people. Ciara, Winter, Death and Souls were busy with providing security measures around the barriers. Kael on the other hand was still floating in mid air.


    "Luca. Everything alright?" Kael asked, passing a bottle of water to him.


    "Yeah. Windgates just decided to declare war in Avalon on his own."Luca scratched his head, he was more confused to why Windgates acted so drastically. It was unlike him.


    "It''s fine, but the False Avatars are coming at us. Were they strong?" Kael asked as he polished Radiant Sonata, Luca could not give a proper answer.


    "I don''t know, Domain of the Monarch messed with my senses..." Luca said then they heard trumpets being blown across the horizons. The hymns of guns being racked. Armored vehicles convoyed like ants to the outskirts of Abada. A melody of guns was heard from where they stood.


    "Guess they''re here." Kael said as he stepped out of the barrier with the others. Seeing the vast army of a 50 thousand before them. 500 armoured vehicles. 50 Helicopters and 75 airplanes that was flying above them. The situation looked grim, the odds. If one were to go by the numbers. It would be illogical for a small group to face these numbers.


    Yet, Luca turned to the others. Their eyes were a giveaway to how they were faring. Not fear or even hesitation. They all braced themselves for the forces above them. Were they the Goliaths or were they the Davids in this situation? The saying goes ''Those that take on giants, rarely live to tell the tale.'' Kael readied two of his blades, Jonah was injecting energies into his fists. Ciara was turning into a maiden of flames. Death had his scythe ready, Serenity held a crystal ball. Souls and Salvation were preparing their lanterns. The lantern of souls and the lantern of salvation, both of them were not meant to be used as weapons but nonetheless. There is a way for them to be used as tools of war.


    One housed the memories of all warriors before they died and the other housed the souls that did not deserve salvation. They can be used to conjure these souls into battle once again or for defense. Yet, Luca brought forth a Dane Axe out from his weapon set. Ripping off the clothes off his body. Putting the rifles and pistols aside. It was time for Luca to return back to an older time. Carrying the Dane Axe, and then Luca took a deep breath.


    Kael and Jonah placed their hands on Luca''s shoulders. The others placed their hand on Kael and Jonah''s shoulder, creating a form of connection among the Avatars.


    "Lead us to battle.... Avatar of War." Kael said to Luca. In that moment Luca unleashed a roar. The roar that shook the ground, the roar of the Avatar of War was not like the others. It was the beginning of a war. Luca''s roar shook the ground. It was like a beast that was right before them. If the Avalon Army were mere knights in armor than Luca would be the greatest beast that was before them. That roar was something the entire world would feel in that moment. The call to arms, the call to fight.


    Luca led the charge, running straight through the army. They were like specks of dust being blown away by the wind that was Luca''s might. Guns fired at Luca, yet by the might of his axe. They fell. A swing that caused victims to splurt their blood and organs up into the air like fountains spraying water. Kael was behind Luca with Radiant Sonata and Black Symphony, the two blades were different. Black Symphony was blood thirsty while Radiant Sonata was focused on fighting. The sharpness of Black Symphony was evident, perhaps due to the craving of blood for its hands. The tanks and vehicles were easy to cut through then following it up with Radiant Sonata that slashed through the bodies inside.


    Their guns were silenced by the Luca''s pressence. The storm of lead left much to be desired. The airplanes came crashing down like birds being shot by hunters from below. They crashed down to their allies. Panic ensued, Jonah had fired off his magic while he was down here. The planes crashed into their allies. Causing more chaos on the battlefield. Kael went on to slash through everything, then conjuring cards of his element.


    "World Arcana! Stop my enemiese from leaving the battlefield!" Kael said, slashing the world Arcana as it froze the enemies in place. Luca roared once more, shattering their armored vehicles. Leaving them all bare and exposed. They watched as Luca charged in with his swings, Kael with his blades and Jonah with his fists.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.The Avalon Army finally understood what it was before them. It was more than just a set of small threats or targets. They were monsters, something further than anything else. They did not look human, their helmets formed to become the beasts they were made to resemble. Luca wore a lion''s skull over his head, with the collar forming the mane. Another roar echoed throughout the world. The entire earth felt that fear. The Avalon Citizens in Avalon must be feeling it. Serenity had used her butterflies to convey the scenes to all over the world.


    Where the world was watching the destruction of this great army of Avalon. The Avatars that fought in the frontline had blood trickling all over their outfits. This was not a battle, this was a slaughter. Greater beings toying with humans as if they were nothing, perhaps that sensitivity came from the Avatars seeing the worst of humans in the many cycles they lived. Perhaps that is why, they do not hesitate to kill. Kael was fighting without anger, only the calm that was in his veins.


    He unleashed the elements with his deck of cards.


    "King of Swords. Turn my foes to ash!" Kael shouted as flaming swords appear above him by the hundreds. Kael raised Radiant Sonata and swung it downwards. The hail of flaming blades descended upon the earth, turning the Avalon army into ash while they screamed the pain of their last fleeting moments.


    "To wage war in an era of peace. Such foolishness. More foolish to those that believe in the Avatars of Avalon. Avalon is not blessed. No country is blessed greater or lower than the other. However, to take over a country and force your rule upon thme. Oh Avalon. You''ve reaped what you sow and now your Prince stands against you. As the Avatar of Duels and as the Ancient of Rites. The Ancient of Rites, the one who has taken the trial of the Monarch. Prince Windgates of Avalon, the one that stands before you who wages war against his own people... It is done as a reminder, that the Avalon Empire''s righteousness still lives on by his blade. To wage war against his own people to correct the wrongs that has been made. Such is the fate of the Ancient of Rites, for when the people refuse to believe in reason. It is up to the Ancient of Rites to correct this wrong with his blade." The world heard Serenity speak up.


    Then showing them images of Windgates slashing the administrators and nobels of the country. Leaving them as limbless torsos that were bound to scream in pain.


    "Exdeath is a blade that follows its master. It has decided to leave those struck by it, to be in agony until the day they die... The day they die? It shall be determined by the Goddess of Death, and they are at her mercy." Death added on. Then showing the current state of the battlefield near Abada.


    The entire army had fallen and only three of them were needed. The rest of the Avatars made barriers and chose to not fight. The camera turned to Luca who then knelt with the Dane Axe raised. He was chanting prayers for the soldiers that participated in the battle. While Souls and Death readied their lanterns to bring them to where they must go. Salvation merely eased the process for their souls to be brought on to their rest. Kael wiped the blood off his blades and sheathed them on his back. Jonah passed a cigar to Kael. The two of them did not light it, they waited for Luca to finish the prayers for the soldiers that participated in a battle.


    When Luca finished, Kael and Jonah turned to Death, Souls and Salvation. Who gave a nod to them, Serenity just let the sight be seen by the people. Then ending it when the others finished their prayers and duties.Kael and Jonah lit their cigarettes, then turning to their allies.


    They nodded as Kael and Jonah lit the cigar, taking a deep whiff as they lifted their masks to show their mouths.


    "The Ancient awaits eh?" Jonah remarked to Kael.


    "It''s been a while since I''ve heard the name of Ancient." Kael remarked to Jonah.


    "Serenity how is Windgates doing?" Kael asked Serenity who shook her head.


    "He''s just handling things the way he is." Serenity explained to them.


    "You good, Luca?" Jonah helped Luca on his feet.


    "I think Windgates plan is to have Avalon''s Attention. He''s trying to buy us time." Luca said to them.


    "What makes you say that?" Kael asked, he was not clear as to what Luca was trying to say. So were the others but Jonah seemed to have picked up on it.


    "The fact that he used the Domain of the Monarch, stating his intentions. Then now he''s attacking Avalon itself. It only makes sense that he''s diverting all their attention back to him because all of the armies that are affiliated with Avalon will turn to face him instead. He''s smart but he''s reckless." Jonah said to the others.


    "Avatar of Duels but he''s not meant for long battles. He can''t fight any longer than 240 hours." Serenity said where they see Kael turn to Luca. Luca''s face was worried even if he was wearing that mask, Kael could see through the facade. Luca was concerned for Windgates.


    "Luca. If you''re that concerned. Jonah and myself can go aid him." Kael was trying to ease that worry for Luca.


    "Kael''s right. Luca, you gotta stay here and guide your people. Don''t worry about old Windy too much. I think Kael''s got this. Avalon''s an Empire but the home country itself is small." Jonah suggested to them as Kael''s blades returned to their sheathes.


    "Hey. We got fakes that are using our names remember? I just checked the list. Looks like there''s 30 Avatars of War. 5 Avatars of Destruction. One Avatar of Peace." Death spoke up as he showed the list to them.


    "Master... We do not mind staying behind." Kael turned to his Living Weapons in their unsealed forms. Black Symphony hugged Radiant Sonata, then patting her head.


    "Master, please take Radiant Sonata with you." Black Symphony said, Kael looked at Radiant Sonata who seemed a bit worried.


    "No. It''s best if you two remained here. My cursed weapons will do the job." Kael said as he turned to Spring that opened a portal to Avalon.


    "Let''s go!"

 Chapter 35 : Reals vs Fakes.

    Windgates was standing before a military checkpoint before him. The soldiers pointed their guns at their prince, seeing the blood stains over his robes. Prince Windgates kept that blank expression like paper. Wielding Exdeath in his hands, Windgates was far more prepared for it.


    "Open fire!" The soldiers fired their rifles, their thoughts were a mess. They kept shooting at Prince Windgates, confident that their shots had hit their target. Windgates did not have to put much effort, dodging against the bullets was a bore. Piercing the neck of a soldier then throwing the other sword into another soldier''s neck. Windgates pulled the pistol out of the soldier''s holster. The Glock 17 was fine as Windgates had shot off the entire magazine into the other soldiers. Not aiming to kill them, but just to hinder them from annoying him with their rifles.


    The other sword retruend to Windgates''s hands. He continued walking alone, with his own people running from him. Hiding in their homes, cowering in fear at the sight of their own Prince. Then Windgates saw the pressence of the False Avatars that were standing on the rooftops.


    "You''ve left us with no choice." A dragon made of the elements was surging from the sky. Windgates merely put his hand to his chin, admiring it. Trying to make such a thing requires plenty of control but he could see one or two of the False Avatars struggling to control it.


    "It is kinda c-" The dragon rushed to Windgates. Turning whatever that was in the middle of the road into a cloud of smoke that blanketed the city.


    "That was dissappointing I was hoping for more of a challenge." One of the Avatars said, only to watch the smoke dissipate. Seeing Windgates lifting his helmet, lighting a cigarette.


    "That... That was made with all of the elements?! How are you still alive?!" An Avatar asked.


    "Simple. Because you''re all Avatars that are fake, I''m not amazing with magic but.. You''re about to get a rude awakening." Windgates spoke with a slight chuckle.


    "Oh? You are alone, Prince. Do you truly believe that you alo-" The Avatar that boasted to Windgates had their voice muted. Then skeletal hands with human eyes pulled them into a dark portal that swallowed them whole. Windgates then turned to look behind him. Seeing the other Avatars walk over to his side.


    "I can''t believe we''re wasting time with these brats. They can''t even handle that? That was like my weakest spell against fellow Avatars." Jonah spoke up, placing his hand over Windgate''s shoulder.


    "To think you''d come here. Why?" Windgates asked, slapping away Jonah''s hand.


    "You really believe in that whole Noblesse Oblige thing too much. Besides, our Avatar of Peace needs to beat their Avatar of Peace." Souls spoke as they watched how Serenity was glaring to their Avatar of Peace. Drawing a revolver,loading the bullets manually while keeping her glare to the False Avatar of Peace. Serenity''s voice was twisted, she was growling the entire time. Her thoughts leaked out in the form of mumbling words.


    "I don''t like using the word Bitch. But the Avatar of Peace is a man that should have his genitals ripped off and forcefully shoved down his throat. Fucking bitch. Piece of shit... Fucking.. The fucking cross dressing piece of shit dares" Serenity kept on cursing, even her mask that was of pretty porcelain started to crack and turning black.


    "Avatars of Death? These brats? These little cunts think they can be the Avatar of Death?! They have not even gone through the rites I went through." Death was triggered as well, but who wouldn''t be? Kael was quiet but that did not mean he was not angry.


    "Do we have any idea which God is at work on this?" Jonah asked the others.


    "Don''t bother asking. They''re too ticked off. Just remember, you need to kill them by forcing their memories out." Kael said as the others spread out. He let out a sigh, wondering why did he bother to remind them all about this. Ciara was fuming with flames as the Avatar of Summer. The entire city was about to turn into a battlefield as magic was blasting off one another. One of the False Avatars erected a wall of earth the size of a 30 storey building. Then lowering it down to crush Kael and his team.


    Kael clicked his tongue as he watched the wall fall down. Drawing a katana to cut it in half. Followed by Ciara who vaporized everything but leaving the rocks flying around. That was where Jonah would come in to stop the rocks from falling, then launching them at the other Avatars.


    Three Avatars flew to the air, going after Kael. They wielded their swords to strike him down. When their blades made contact it caused the cables of the electric wires to snap. Their strength was quite fair for their kind. Normally False Avatars are weaker, Kael was smiling. He could have a bit of a rush this time around. More of them joined the fight, perhaps the tactic was to overwhelm Kael.


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    "Call upon my lances of wind! Blast my foe away!" One of them chanted as Kael drew out the Temperance Arcana. It destroyed the lance that was made by the Avatar''s magic, converting it to Kael''s hand. Kael blasted some of the Avatars away. They recovered quickly, springing back to the fight at the next second.


    "At least I won''t be that bored." Kael said as he parried the sword away, then being grazed by a thrust of a spear to his neck. He locked the spear rod to his armpit, then pulling its wielder closer. Placing the palm of his left hand over the face. Seeing brief flashes of the figure that is responsible for their ascension. They were some of the minor Gods that had gone missing from the past. The Avatar wrinkled away to dust as a result. There was more to it, so Kael was going to have to make sure he take them all down with that.


    It was far too vague, he needed more information. The False Avatars strength actually came from deities claiming to be Gods of what they said. Kael watched how Jonah ripped the arms of an Avatar then headbutting the Avatar to oblivion. Where the memories came to him.


    "Zathos.. Diher... Malintosa... Those fucking dipshits!" Jonah shouted as he bashed in the heads of two Avatars. Causing their flesh and skin to be conjoined together. The two Avatars scream as they were conjoined together and unable to do anything. Helpless as Jonah booted them both out to the sky.


    Kael saw it coming from his back, then grabbed two Avatars to take his place. The four of them continued to speed up until they left the atmsophere. Followed by a massive explosion in the sky, turning everything into bloody rain.


    "Watch it Fall!" Kael shouted, then feeling a sharp tingle from his spine. Seeing Spring throwing a watermelon at his direction, Kael moved away from the direction.


    "What.. Is that a watermelon? You afraid of a watermelon?!" They had no idea what that watermelon was. It wasn''t just a watermelon. The flying fruit then opened itself up like a lotus flower now with rows of thorns on the inside. Sucking the False Avatars in and the watermelon crushed them whole.


    Kael then turned to WInter who was playing the trumpet in the direction of the Avatars before him. The notes from the trumpet were ripping out the eardrums of the Avatars. Then followed by an orchestra of ice skeleton that was playing every other instrument. The instruments combined, as the Avatars watched their limbs fall off, their skin and flesh slithering away to form grotesuqe humanoid creatures. These creations started to attack their creators. A symphony of fright and delight to these Avatars, twatching their own bodies fail them. Their own organs exploding, their own lungs being filled with puss. Their tastebuds now go elsewhere, perhaps Winter''s twisted sense of humor was to make it within their organs. Just to mess with the Avatars further.


    An Avatar was thrown out the window, it was the False Avatar of Peace. Kael could hear the curses by Serenity as she fired a shot into the Avatar of Peace''s fingers, blowing one away.


    "Dipshit. I''m going to teary our fucking insides out and I''m going to hang you with them! I AM THE MOTHER FUCKING LICH!" Serenity cursed as she fired a few shots into the False Avatar''s fingers." Kael had to look away as he heard a gunshot, followed by a scream. None of the male Avatars were going to look as they continued to fight the False Avatars.


    Ciara had to look away as well as everyone could hear what Serenity was doing to the poor soul. Perhaps, something far more sinister than what she had spoken out loud.


    Death? Death was took one of the False Avatar''s spine with the skull intact. And proceeded to use it like a chain flail.


    "Stop him! Use holy magic binds!" They casted it to stop Death, yet the Avatar of Death was not amused. Those things may burn into his skin but it was not actually hurting him. It''s like poking a bear with a stick, only if the bear was armed with claws that would make a chainsaw blush. Death broke through their magic binds that were golden chains, then he proceeded to throw an Avatar near a car with its trunk open. Putting the dazed Avatar in their, then closing the trunk until the body fell down to the tar road.


    "They''re just fakes... Just call em fakes, calling them False Avatars is a mouthful!" Jonah shouted, it was directed to someone but whoever it was directed to, felt compelled to adjust accordingly.


    "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING TO?!" Death shouted as he kicked a False Avatar''s head.


    "I said it''s a mouthful! CALL THEM FAKES!" Jonah repeated as he shattered the kneecaps of a Fake then bashing the head in.


    "YEAH BUT WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO!?" Death kept asking as he slapped the The False A...-The Fakes that were still putting up a fight. Unleashing walls of elements to corner Luca. The elements struck Luca, yet he still stood firm. Letting forth another roar to the fakes, a clear reminder that he was bored. Luca charged forth with the dane axe, impaling a Fake onto it. THen throwing it ahead. Digging his fingers deep into one of the Fakes of War.


    "You are not... Worthy to be called an Avatar of War!" Luca roared to the Fake. A prolonged war as the armor was vaporized, then the skin, then the flesh and finally the bones. Leaving no trace of that Fake''s existence. Their numbers were decreasing, they started to see how little hope they have in this battle.


    Souls and Salvation used their lanterns to hypnotize the Fakes of Souls and Salvation to fall into ruin. To be watching everything that they love and cared for be turned to dust. Mercy was gone, the Fakes were being torn apart.


    This was just part of it... Now they see another few hundred of these Fakes stepping forth into the fray.


    "Oh, wow. So there''s a lot of them? Great. No need to be nice then." Jonah said, stretching his arms and his fists.


    "I guess it''ll take a while before we all get bored of these idiots." Kael said as he sheathed the katana and pulled out a pair of shashka''s instead.


    "As it is, as it were. Fakes are nothing more than imitations... Best if we put them down." Windgates said as he went into the fight first.

 CHapter 36 : Fakes and Reals.

    "Those minor deities of the past. I guess they really want to die." Kael cursed as he drew his blade, slashing a Fake in half. Kael could hear Serenity still cursing and found another few Fakes of Peace.


    "You stain the name of Peace with your names. You horrible human beings!" Serenity said as she fired off her revolver.


    "Fucking fakes!" Jonah clapped his hands together, then tapping the ground.


    "Oh Golems of the earth, take heed and expel them from your land!" The hundreds of Fakes were thrown into the air. Luca roared again to keep them all in a daze, Souls and Salvation tied them all out in a ball.


    "Destruction your up!" Kael was readying the cursed weapons.


    "By the powers vested in me. Destruction be in my veins and destruction be in my heart. The enemies before me shall turn to nothing from the void that they came from!" Kael swung the odachi straight down to them. The Fakes vanished into nothingness, not a trace or anything left before them.


    "Yep. There''s a few dozen deities... I''ve found them." Serenity said as she opened a portal for the others.


    "Let''s go say hello." Kael made the suggestion. The group of Avatars stepped inside, seeing the Gods that were present. They were in a world that was void of life, it was pure nothingness. Pure white with everything that looks like it has been made by frosted glass.


    "THe Avatars? No... You''re not supposed to be here. You''re all dead!?" The Avatars took off their masks, Kael let out a scoff.


    "So seems you lot have been scheming. Do we need to ask them questions?" Windgates asked Kael who readied his blade. Serenity swung the chamber of her revolver, her left hand smacking the ejection rod. Then reloaded the six bullets into the chamber with a lazy eye. Swinging the revolver as it turned silver. Serenity put a cigar to her lips.


    "Forget asking questions. These poor excuse of Gods have muddled my saviour''s name." Serenity said as she pulled the hammer of her revolver back.


    "We''re just here to slay Gods." Luca said as his Dane Axe turned red with a wolf pelt cover his head.


    "It''s never boring when we go kill Gods." Jonah said as the cane he carried turned beige, then pulling a blade that was within it.


    "You got that right jack ass!" Winter said as he pulled out a white saxophone.


    "I suppose it is time." Spring said as his shears turned into man sized shears.


    "Death has its own set of fun." Death said as his lantern turned into a scythe, along with a skeletal horse coming from below him.


    "There can be no Salvation for Gods like you. Creating Fake Avatars to do your bidding." Salvation spoke, her lantern transfigured into staff.


    "You? You all think you can kill Gods?!" One of the Gods spoke as they launched planet sized flames closed in from all directions.


    "Correction." Ciara said, snapping her fingers as the planet sized flames shrunk into little spheres by her finger tips.


    "We''ve killed gods." Ciara said as she flicked one of the spheres into the path where the Gods were. The flames unleashed by it had intensified. Burning everything before its path, one of the Gods had created a barrier to stop the flames from reaching them. Yet, they were unable to see that Kael was already within range.


    "Wh-" Kael broke through the barrier with his fist.


    "Divine Slayer, Kuro hana." Kael drew the katana and slashed the God''s chest. Causing them to bleed but it was not lethal enough for a kill. Winter leaped from behind, playing his saxophone to throw their thoughts off. Not allowing them to even chant or use any of their magic.


    "BLAST!" The attack sent Kael and WInter flying back, being caught by Jonah who put them back down. The blast spell was accompanied by sharp winds that sliced through the armors.


    "So they bleed... But that''s about it... Now come on!" Kael and the others charged straight to the fight, the Gods were erecting their barriers and using spells to push the Avatars back. Yet, despite the wounds they''ve afflicted, the Avatars refuse to back down. Kael looked at his right arm that was torn off and he was bleeding profusely. Kae ldid not even groan in pain nor did he scream. He just looked at it, as Luca threw Kael his arm back.


    "Why? Why aren''t you screaming?" One of the Gods spoke up, stuttering as they tried to make sense of what has happened. Kael just put his arm back into his shoulder and it was fine.


    "Because you forget. We''re people that killed Gods greater than you." Kael said as a God snapped his finger at Kael. They burned Kael until his skin was turning into wax, his eyeballs fell out from their sockets. Yet, that did not stop Kael from driving the blade into the God''s chest.


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    "I reject you. For now and for always. I will let your name fall into ruin and none shall remember you. I.. Do not... Remember you." Kael said to the God as the crying God turned into dust. The Avatars could only look at the remaining other Gods, they were now just nameless deities to them.


    Serenity fired her revolver, a shot that tore through the chest of a nameless deity. Falling to their knees, then watching as Serenity stepped closer. Placing her hand by the nameless deity''s head. The deity screamed, clawing Serenity''s hand. Chanting magic that had destroyed Serenity. Her skin was peeled off before her, her dress was in ruins. Her face was nothing more than a fleshy skull. Yet, Serenity did not say a word. Merely shoving the barrel of her revolver into the Deity''s mouth. Firing a single shot that tears through the deity''s head, leaving their lower portion still intact.


    The deity was still moving, but that was going to change with how Serenity tore the deity apart with her skeletal fingers. Their bodies were being destroyed beyond human recognition as the deities responded by blasting them to pieces. They all felt pain but they refused to let out a single noise from their lips.


    Not going to give the deities the satisfaction of winning over them.


    "You seem to forget something." Kael chattered as he was reduced to a skeleton.


    "This pain you gave... Is nothing compared to the trials we were given by the Gods who granted us their favour...." Luca said as he watched a deity change int othe form of a child to stop Luca with pity. Yet, Luca beat that deity down with his barehands. Bludgeoning the deity with his skeletal hands, and even using his mouth to rip the neck off.


    The deities screamed as they were brutalized. They could not die. They would revive seconds after their attacks. Once all of that was done, the Avatars turned to see Lucius and the Gods that granted their favours.


    "I thought you were going to slay them. You seem to have fun torturing them instead." Lucius said to them.


    "They''re not worth the blade. Only one of them that died was by Kael''s blade. We didn''t take out our God slayer weapons. Because we didn''t feel like it." Jonah said where the Gods laughed at the sight.


    "Alright. We will take over from here. Why don''t you all return to where you need to be?" Kael looked at the portal that led to his house, Luca looked at the portal that led to Abazmantisk. Serenity''s portal was to a castle.


    "Hey, Serenity. If one day you need us. Just give us a call." Jonah said as the others walked into it.


    Aevery and Lucius glanced at the deities on the floor.


    "I suppose we have much to clean up. Our Avatars deserve the break. So we should at least grant them that..." Aevery said.


    "I think we forgot to tell them something." Lucius heard Maybellestra''s voice which Lucius then smacked his own forehead.


    "I forgot to tell them that there''s a dimension gate that links to the other worlds before.... And... Those worlds have been connected because of the plot by these deities... How much more of heaven and hell do I have to clean up." Lucius groaned.


    Kael returned back to his family, where they hugged him upon arriving.


    "Daddy!" Violette and Emeline leaped into his arms, where Kael pat their heads.The other swords were back here, Kuro Hana smiled to the others.


    "So... What happened?" Mister Cuddles asked Kael. Kael told them all about what had transpired. The fact that Avalon''s Fakes were made by deities that took advantage of human nature.


    "Nameless Deities that tried to make a mess. We basically killed the Fakes. Now, it''ll be up to Windgates how he wishes to lead his country.." Kael said, where they tuned to the news channel. Seeing Windgates making his statement.


    "The Avalon Empire''s reign over many countries of the world will end. I will work with these countries to liberate them from what has been done by my family. We will pay the country proper compensation for the things that has done. I''ve grown bored of this lavish life. I am no longer your prince, and the person that will lead this country will be the head of the Labour Party that was imprisoned for exposing my family of their crimes of stealing wealth and using our status against the people. Why did I choose her? Perhaps it is due to the belief that she understands the meaning of fair treatment and equality. When I visited her in prison prior to mmy actions. She did not view me as a threat. She did not do what most people did. She viewed me as a person. We had a good conversation and her words offered hope. So I chose to believe in her words. I am merely just a person who enjoys killing. However, though I raised my blade against Avalon. I will raise it against anyone that chooses to attack Avalon. So be warned those who wish to attack us, that unlike my family... I lack restraint. If becoming the greatest monster in history will keep my entire country safe from harm, then so be it." Windgates aid those words casually, as he bowed to the audience. Then taking a step back as a woman in a suit took the podium.


    Kael could see Windgate''s smile as the woman spoke. Then later the two of them were given podiums to speak of their own thoughts. The public watched as Windgates made it clear that he does not want anything to do with administration but should a citizen of the country be oppressed. He will take up his blade. Windgates spoke to the world stating that anyone that hurts an Avalon citizen under this new regime. Will pay for it ten fold. For if a single citizen''s blood were to fall, then Windgates would wage war for it.


    The question was then asked to the Prince as to who the other masked figures were.


    "They are my brothers and sisters. The ones who detest war all the same. We detest oppression. We detest violence but as we all know. Our world is not as simple as black and white. We live in many shades of gray. Where many of us could not do the right thing because we are weak. We are poor. We cannot compete against people that have status. They were the ones that taught me about my privilege as Royalty and the understanding of Noblesse Oblige. They taught me many things, how to farm. How to play a musical instrument. How... A child would steal bread not for himself but for his younger sibling. They taught me many things that books could never do. They are the Avatars of the many Gods as I am the Avatar of Duels." Windgates told them as they see an angel and a demon float beside Windgates. Wielding longswords and they made the declaration.


    "I am Xinvia!" The demon said, spreading his bat like wings.


    "I am Altes."The angel said closing her feather wings.


    "We both are the Servants of the God of Duels! The God of Duels will acknowledge that Windgates Avalon is the Avatar of Duels and the Ancient of Rites! As this can be confirmed by the Oracles of Avalon. Step forth!"The two beings chanted. The robed Oracles stepped forth and bear witness to the two Servants of the God of Duels.


    "Yes... You are the Avatar of the God of Duels." The Oracles confirmed it for them.


    "Avatar... It has been a while since our last bout... May we?" Xinvia asked as Windgates drew his blade and the two of them fought against him.


    In that moment, people of the world were graced by the Avatar of Duels. It was different than anything they have ever seen, the demon and angel striking Windgates were struggling as Windgates fought with them. They were dancing with their blades. The people were left speechless as they continued to watch Windgates in his duel.


    Kael could not help but smile at the very least, Windgates has gotten his happy ending.

 Chapter 37: Back to work.

    There was something else for Kael when he returned back to the Academy. The atmosphere changed. He found the instructors seeming a bit more enthusiastic than before. The sword training team was no longer divided. Everyone was equal. Hell, even the instructors were joining in the training exercises together. At least that was good, when Kael returned he found Scarlet Vow who ran by his side. Giving him the tighest hug that she could.Not wanting to let go.


    "Welcome home... My lord." Scarlet Vow whispered to his ears.


    "Thanks, Scarlet... Seems as if a lot of things changed around here." Kael said, he was only gone for a week. Then seeing the many students who stood in front of the forge, staring at the blades that were inside. The blades were in their living weapon and weapon spirit forms, peeking from within the forge. Kael looked at Midnight Howl that was between the swords and their masters.


    "Master... It seems you went through quite an ordeal." Midnight Howl spoke to Kael as he bowed to Kael.


    "Have the weapons forgiven their masters?" Kael asked Midnight Howl who nodded, Kael went over to grab Midnight Howl.


    "By all means. Go ahead." Kael said as the students and blades reunited. They grabbed their blades and stood firm before Midnight Howl. The glare from Midnight Howl itself created a wind that blew through the


    "I have confirmed that the swords and their master wish to be together." Midnight Howl confirmed as Kael nodded to them.


    It seems that all of the sword training class has gotten their blades. And they were ready, Kael noticed Jonah who was training Jia Qi with the martial arts. Kael turned to the swordsmen and instructors that were expecting more from him.


    "Come on. Let''s do some real training." They were all excited as Kael stood before them in the arena, but he noticed someone else. It was Windgates who was smoking a pipe.


    "Ah, Kael." Windgates greeted as he shook Kael''s hand.


    "I heard about your academy, and since I''m no longer dealing with matters regarding Avalon''s administration. So these are your students?" Windgates turned to them, then looking at Hana Li.


    "Miss Li. I''d recommend training with Windgates. The Avatar of Duels can fix your swordsmanship during the fight. He won''t go easy. From posture, stance and many other things. He is trained for duels and he has mastered every swordsmanship technique there is."Kael said as Hana went to pratice with Windgates.


    Kael looked at the others."Assimilation. It is something you can do with most swords. Mainly for swords that lack power to them. It helps level the playing field against swords that don''t have it. Most of my swords don''t have assimilation. Instead they have a name that unseals their powers." Kael said as he pulled out Baihua,


    "Celestial Executioner." Kael said as Baihua transformed into its true form. Pure white with flower petals that trailed in every swing.


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    "Most of my swords either has this or the other being an activation phrase. I don''t have any swords with Assimilation but I can teach it to you. For a sword to either have a Sealed Name or Activation Phrase. You need to bond with that weapon enough for it to tell you. By using assimilation you can level the playing field against even a sword like this. No matter how powerful the sword, if it is wielded by a fool it will not grow. But at the same time, if the swordsman is capable but the blade is weak, it can be bad as well. Both are equally important. Compatibility of your weapons will change everything. A weapon''s compatibility isn''t based on how you wield it. Focusing more on how you get along with it." Kael explained as he swung Baihua a few times to show its radiance.


    "Every sword is different. Every weapon that is used is different. Even Bo staffs can become Living Weapons and Weapon Spirits if the conditions are met." Kael said as they tried to practice it.


    "Follow your blades. They will speak to you. Listen to their sounds, know what is positive and what is negative." Kael advised them watching how some of them were able to combine together with their weapons. One of with the naginata had the assimilation to that of a dragon armored samurai but could barely hold it in. Kael went to assist her.


    "Easy... Easy.. Stop forcing the assimilation. It does not happen over night. It can happen in stages."


    "Yes, chief instructor." The girl spoke as she fell to her knees. The other instructors were faring better but they did not force it.


    "That''s my limit?" An instructor asked himself.


    "No. It isn''t. It''s just you weren''t prepared for it. To mend the relationship of the sword and its wielder. It takes some time. Practice with your blades, and even meditating with it can help." Kael turned to see Hana''s training with Windgates.


    That was something definitely not for anyone with a faint heart to see. Windgates was rough with her, even if he was using Exdeath in their sheathed form, he tapping Hana''s joints to the proper motion throughout the fight.


    "Fix your breathing. It cannot be all messy when you fight." Windgates corrected her, making sure her posture was correct.


    "You''re not adding body weight to that strike. Try again." Hana did not seem despirited by that. Instead she seemed to be smiling. Perhaps enjoying the training. Kael then proceeded to head to the Summoning Class, where he could see the Summoners getting along well with their bests, their angels and demons. Veriskua and Skoll seemed to be having fun being their instructors.


    "Ah, Master. It seemed that your trip to Avalon sounded fun." Veriskua spoke to Kael in dragon''s tongue.


    "It seems that all of you are doing well." Kael said seeing a sphinx cuddling with its master. Then a dragon that was staring at Kael, it was one of the younger dragons and it seemed to be dismissive due to Veriskua''s pressence.


    "Yes we are... Learning from Skoll and Veriskua has been an eye opening experience..." One of the students said with a smile as a nine tailed fox cub just kept sticking ot her shoulders.


    "Ah, a Nine Tailed Fox... It has been a while since I''ve seen such breeds." Kael said as he petted the fox''s head. It ended up biting his fingers. Growling at him.


    "Good, it is very protective of its master. It can sense any form ill intention or magic to you. From now on, I will be practicing by having my ill intentions to harm you. Your summons must be trained to react and to defend you in such matters. This is as a means of assuring that we all get it done right and properly." Kael said to them, he wanted to make sure that they were able to understand that their summons are more than just beasts or angels and demons. They will be their partners.


    Mutual friendships bring many benefits and Kael was hope that they would understand. Though for now, Kael could see how Hana was being pushed to her limits and Jia Qi trying to harness the powers of her new discipline in martial arts. Jonah was not a spartan teacher like Kael but Jonah was far more forgiving. He merely needed to say a few things to guide Jia Qi to the correct path. His student was a genius and all she needed was the right direction.

 Chapter 38 : Attacking Ren.

    Velaya and Ren were walking home from school. Ren had the pixie dragon just fluttering about in his bag, Ice Reaper was staying in Ren''s shadow.


    "Did you have fun at school?" Velaya nodded to Ren''s question.


    "I never knew that school could be so fun. I never had that...Back then girls in my village were told not to do anything." Velaya answered him.


    "Why is that?" Ren asked.


    "We didn''t have school from where I came from. We''re all just hunters in the mountains. It''s the first time that I am in such a place." Velaya spoke with a smile. When they were about to cross the street, Ren held Velaya''s hand as they both looked to the right and to the left. They waited for the green man to appear on the sign as they walked.


    "Ren... We need to run... Now!" Velaya said as they both continued running, there was something chasing them. Ren could not see it but Velaya could. It was a deity, not one from any that she knows but it was something else entirely. A deity that she had never heard before or even knew.


    "Where are you running? Little miss of destruction?" The voice spoke as it slapped Ren to the wall. The wall cracked but there was another thing that was odd. Time was not moving, the environment was left in a state of stasis. Ren was still moving, but he was trying to reach Velaya.


    Ice Reaper stepped in but was destroyed in an instant, this threat was something far different. Ren''s pixie dragon stepped out, unleashing a breath of ice to the attacking figure. But even the pixie dragon was thwarted within a second, thrown aside like it was nothing. Ice Reaper formed himself back but he was too damaged to find. Trying to help Velaya, only to see his body be turned to dust. The deity held his skull with scorn.


    Velaya looked at Ren.


    "You''re my Avatar of Destruction." The words reached Ren as Velaya was taken away from him. Ren fell to the ground, feeling his insides heating up. Ice Reaper formed again, this time carrying Ren back home. Time was still frozen and when Ice Reaper arrived at the villa. He held Ren''s cheeks.


    "Young master... I''m sorry... I''m sorry I couldn''t protect you." Ice Reaper said as time resumed.


    "Ice Reaper?" Ren touched Ice Reaper''s hand, and watching him crumble to dust once again but this time. It was for good. Ren broke down in tears, he held his pixie dragon in his arms. Hugging it tight, just crying loudly.


    Kael returned home, seeing Ren alone but there was something else. That bothered him, Kael understood what had happened. Lucius was there too.


    "Damn it." Kael turned to Lucius who knelt to Ren.


    "Your brother''s been turned to Velaya''s Avatar. I''m sorry." Lucius said to Kael with a deep sigh.


    "Kael... Looks like we got a bigger problem than before. That plot of Avalon and the Fake Avatars? They''re causing a few dimensions to merge and what''s worse. That some of the deities are trying to overthrow us as well. Basically Earth is now connected with Melvoris. Another place similar to earth but has all the other non-human species to be part of it. What are you going to do about Ren?" Lucius asked, perhaps he was concerned with Kael''s approach to it. Kael walked on over to Ren.


    "I.. I''m sorry. Ice Reaper''s gone! I''m sorry." Kael hugged Ren tightly.


    "Let it out Ren. Nothing wrong with crying. It doesn''t make you less manly either. Just... Cry. Because sometimes... It''s all we can do." Kael said, he was sobbing as well. Ice Reaper was a sword that Kael could trust. A weapon that had Kael''s back for a long time. It was not just a scythe, it was not just a weapon. It was a comrade that Kael had just lost. Of course his heart shattered but that vengeance and the thirst to quench it? It will come later.


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    Kael held Ren in his arms and it was tough for Kael to realize his 12 year old brother had just been turned into the Avatar of Destruction. Something like him but Kael needed to make sure Ren was not going through the same footsteps as he did. Kael brought Ren inside first and looked at Lucius.


    "Lucius... How bad is it?"


    "Heaven and Hell were attacked. They are deities from Melvoris. Melvoris has roughly a few thousand Deities and 10 Supreme Gods. The merge was done because the deities that planned this were promised to be Gods by Melvoris. People of Melvoris are just... War like. The Supreme Gods are gone... We''ve got our hands full with our current state of affairs. Earth will have to defend itself. We''ve managed to stop a full blown invasion but... We couldn''ts top Melvoris from forcing and injecting mana into this world. A lot of things may change right now, Kael and it''s not the good kind.


    Normal people will have access to magic. Melvoris''s summon beasts... Necromancers. Their own demons and angels. This is going to change a lot of things Kael. The damage of Heaven and Hell was bad enough, we completely destroyed them. So right now a lot of angels and demons are roaming among the humans." Lucius explained.


    "Then why did they need Velaya for?" Kael  asked.


    "They are missing a God of Destruction. They took Velaya to fill that void. Seems like Melvoris as a dimension became unstable and they decided that earth would be a good place to start." Lucius spoke with a frightening expression. Kael wasn''t bothered by it, but the others behind him were. The swords in his house,the Fenrirs.


    "Kael... I know you don''t like senseless killing but..."


    "I''ll destroy Melvoris. Just let the others know to protect the people."Kael said to Lucius as he knelt before his God.


    "You have my blessing, Avatar. Your powers have returned to their fullest and most mature state." Lucius said to Kael.


    Lucius drew out a katana that was the darkness itself. Kael could hear the voices of agony coming from within, voices that called for the destruction and pain. Kael picked the katana and his whole body was being covered in the dark flames. Kael could see the faces that stared back at him. Their hands grasped his body ripping it off. This continued until Kael opened his eyes to the real world. He was now clad in black armor. His pressence was that of a ghost where he stood.


    Kael was definitely in another world, Melvoris... The entirety of the city was like medieval mixed with high magic. Kael was standing in the middle of the road. In the middle of a city. The black armor formed into a Kael''s Avatar robes, merely being pauldrons and gauntlets. Kael lit a cigarette, as he looked at Melvoris. Taking a deep whiff.


    "I am the one that treads the path of destruction, mayhem and ruin. I turn cities into ruins. I turn countries into barren lands. I am the one that leaves nothing but ruin." Kael chanted as he let out a deep breath. By his breath a hurricane was created, pulling everything into its path.


    "Nothing will live in my pressence." Kael whispered to the right, as he tapped the ash of his cigarette. Creating an ashen storm that swallowed the right side of the city whole. The people were slowly being consumed by the ash that haunted the entire city.


    "Everything that has been created, will end by my hands." Kael flicked his finger to the left, the force itself uprooted everything to the left. Launching them all into the air. Kael turned behind him  as he looked at a deity staring at him.


    "You! How dare you mortal!"


    "Melvoris is dying. I''m just accelerating it." Kael said as the deity vanished. Impaling Kael''s chest and laughing. Unaware of Kael still smoking his cigarette.


    "How? You''re a human being. I struck your chest. How are you not dead?"


    "You''ve not seen destruction in its true form." Kael said as the deity was sucked into the armor instead.


    "Ice Reaper. When I find the one that took Velaya, I''m going to destroy that bastard." Kael promised himself, looking at the remains of the city before him. There was nothing here and nothing left. His strength as the Avatar of Destruction was at its core. There was a time when Kael had to destroy two planets because they refused to stop attacking each other, causing a gigantic dimensional collapse. Kael merely pushed the two planets into each other, forcing a merge instead of destroying it. That was enough to scare the planet residents to stop attacking each other. Crude, but it was effective.


    Such is the duty of the Avatar of Destruction and Kael was fine with carrying this out.

 CHapter 38.5

    Ren woke up to see Lucius standing in front of him. Llody, Jenny and Miriam were worried but seeing Lucius looking at Ren with that frightening gaze. Versikua, Hati and Skoll fell to their knees. Mister Cuddles held Jenny in his arms .The Fenrirs and even Kael''s swords fell. Yet Ren was still standing as if nothing was happening.


    Lucius winked once with his right eye, the entire villa blown away, vaporized into nothingness. Yet Ren was still standing strong.


    "Ren. Are you afraid?" Lucius asked the question, not because he was ignornat to see that Ren was not afraid but he wanted to hear the confidence of the boy in his own words.


    "No... Should I be afraid?" Ren asked.


    "Yes. Because i stand before you not as the Supreme God but as the former God of Destruction. The one your brother serves. Your brother fell at my wink. Yet I''ve winked three times and you''re still standing. This is quite frightening. It means that Velaya''s choice of choosing you is not out of desperation but because she could see what you are Ren." Lucius explained.


    "Wait, what does that mean?!" Jenny asked.


    "Your brother, is the current Avatar of Destruction. But when I took him on as my Avatar, he needed to pass the Rite of Destruction. Destruction in its purest form. The reason why all of you are still alive and not vaporized is because of Ren. Kael is meant to destroy everything, he turns things into nothingness but Ren. Ren is different. Ren is able to destroy and absorb destructive power. It is a rare combination. It basically means that Ren is able to destroy and repair things at the same time. Kael does not have that. He cannot restore buildings perfectly but Ren... You can." Lucius said as Ren opened his clenched fists. The villa repaired itself right before their eyes.


    "What''s the cause of this?" Hati asked Lucius.


    "Upbringing. My upbringing as the God of Destruction is merely to destroy everything. I raised Velaya to be more. To understand that destruction is not a bad thing. She somehow was able to inherit powers to help restore what has been destroyed. I raised her to see that destruction can bring forth anew. Destruction does not mean the end. Kael and myself, bring ruin but Velaya can bring hope to it. She chose the best person to be her Avatar. Which means, Ren... When your brother finds Velaya. He cannot protect her. You have to do it." Lucius explained, which made the others even more confused.


    "But what?! Why can''t master protect Velaya!?" Kuro Hana argued.


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    "Because of our upbringing. Kael cannot touch Velaya in his current state, she can be broken because of it. Ren''s my Avatar of Destruction and she is not his God. Conflicting Avatars and Gods will lead to ruin." Lucius explained as he turned to Ren.


    "But... I''m weak.. I... I can''t protect her." Ren said, clenching his fists and sniffling.


    "I cannot teach you to use restoration but I can teach you to use your powers. Not as the God of Destruction but as the Supreme God. I will teach you swordsmanship of the Supreme One and Supremacy of Magic."  Lucius said.


    "But isn''t it conflicting?" Jenny asked.


    "Not if it''s like this. If Ren is being taught by Lucius as Supreme God, there is no conflict. Lucius did not give Kael the title of Supreme One''s Avatar. Kael is merely Avatar of Destruction, but Lucius is the Supreme God." Veriskua explained to them, clearing things up with just his words.


    "That and Supreme One can teach anyone he wishes. Besides if he teaches them as Supreme God, it is merely to guide and not override the original God''s powers over the Avatar. That and having the former God of Destruction teach Ren to use is powers is a lot better. God of Destructions in the past, for as long as I''ve seen them are far too dangerous. Lucius is the only one that ever has proper control." Nellista explained to them as he lit a cigar for himself.Aevery appeared to join them.


    "That is also why we chose to have him as our Supreme One. He has not lost his anger over matters that are dumb. He loses his anger over matters that are going to destroy the worlds. Only reason why the other Gods are being dumb is because Lucius granted them rights to handle their own realms. Now they over did something and Lucius has to clean up the mess. Truth be told, I am far too frightened to look at Lucius''s face right now." Aevery explained as Lucius only kept his eye to Ren and not to anyone else.


    "Ren. I will push you beyond your limits. I will break you, as how I broke your brother. This may be cruel and Kael may want my head for this but this is to prepare you so that when someone tries to harm you or Velaya. They cannot beat you." Ren''s boots were shaking just from the word,s he could barely keep eye contact longer than a second with Lucius.


    "I''m scared but... I''m sure Velaya is scared too! I''ll do it!" Ren spoke up where Lucius nodded.


    "Hey Kael. I''m going to put your brother through something far worse than you went through. So If you''re going to cut me down. Just do it." Lucius spoke up to the ceiling.


    "Well,  it is for your sibling. So I have no issues with that, Lucius. I mean, I knew that was the other reason why you left Velaya with us. You found her an Avatar candidate and now that Avatar is my brother. Besides, if you want me to be blunt... Lucius, you care for Velaya like a doting brother." They heard Kael''s voice.


    "Hey. I''m not as much as a doting brother as you are!" Lucius growled.


    "Says the Supreme Being that fawns over Velaya like a helicopter parent. " Kael was teasing his own God, it was funny to hear.


    "Ren. I''m proud of you. This is going to be tough, you''re going to cry. You''re going to see the world be ugly for a while, but always remember. Your big brother is here. I can''t protect you when you go in there. But when you leave, I''ll teach you my skills and you might get one of my swords." Kael said to Ren, it was encouragement and that began with Ren''s training with Lucius.

 Chapter 39 : A question.

    Kael was lighting a cigarette as he sat down in the ruins of the city. Taking a deep whiff as he kept his thoughts to himself. It has been a long time since he acted as the Avatar of Destruction. This time with the blessing of Lucius.


    There was a significant difference between the two. When an Avatar receives blessing from their God, they are basically becoming the God''s actions on the realm they live in. They are their God''s mirror. Kael was dangerous from the get go when he reincarnated but with Lucius''s blessings, Kael could simply cough and Melvoris would be destroyed beyond recognition.


    That was the plan but Kael was not going to do it with a cough. All that he did was for one thing though. Just to piss of the Deities of Melvoris.


    "Ah... So the Avatar of Destruction makes his way here." Kael took a look around, he was surrounded by Angel Paladins that were clad in their holy armors and scriptures engraved on their blades. Kael took out a card, King of Hearts.


    "So you would commit all this destruction for just one mere God!?" One of the angels asked.


    "Your Gods messed up Melvoris. I''m just accelerating its destruction." Kael said as he held the four Kings in his hand.


    "Four of a Kind. Four Kinds of Destruction." Kael answered as the cards shattered before his eyes. The ground was in tremors as portions of the land exploded with lava spewing out of it. Lightning storms from above, the Angel Paladins readied their blades to attack Kael but they watched as the lava burned one of them to ash.


    "How?! We are angels! How can mere lava burn us?!"


    "Four of a Kind... It generally amplifies the intensity of everything by a multiplier of 4. And besides, everything I touch or comes into contact with me. Just turns to dust." Kael spoke defiantly, not even a smirk or even a smile. An expression that was as grim as the deeds he has done.


    Taking another whiff of his cigarette, and it made Kael realize how pathetic and petty the Gods of Malvoris were. Taking a child to force her to become their God of Destruction so she can take the blame for when the planet goes into its own disaster.Then they can have the Supreme Gods agree to a counsel and deliver an execution to the Goddess of Destruction as a result.


    Kael was looking for the heart of Malvoris. The heart is akin to that of a core and something every planet has. Kill the core and the destruction itself will be coming forth. Walking ahead as a Deity appeared.


    "Surr-" Kael did not give a damn about what this deity had to say nor could he care about the name. Grabbing the deity by the face and when it met Kael''s eyes. It came to the sudden realization. This was no human, this was rage personified. The deity''s voice was muffled as Kael turned the deity into nothing but a mushy pile of meat.


    Kael continued moving ahead, lighting a cigarette. Behind him, his footsteps were infecting the ground and the environment. Leaving everything to ruins. The trees were wilting away, the lakes dried up. The sky was all black. Whatever that was behind Kael had succumbed to the destruction that was by his feet. There were many angels and demons that came to fight Kael. Just by walking past them, they dropped to the ground like flies. Suffering a million ways that Kael could kill them. Angels and demons, proud servants of their deities were broken by the Avatar of Destruction. Taking a deep whiff off the cigarette, a tap to ash it. The angels and demons behind him were blown away like the ashes of his cigarette.


    The gods of Melvoris tried to use telepathy to talk to Kael. To reach him, to reason with him. Offering him many things. Women, fame, treasures, love, romance and everything that he could wish for.  Yet, it fell on deaf ears. On Kael''s mind, his only thoughts were focusing on one.


    "Getting Velaya back." That was the mantra, that was what Kael was thinking. He did not need the Godslayer blades or anything else. They''d be wasted. They would not be enough to contain the anger that was within him. All of this? All of this was not just a waste of time. It was a waste of space and they were going to hurt Velaya.


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    Ice Reaper was gone, and that was another reason for Kael to settle the score. These Gods were wasting his time. Kael kept walking until he found the entrance to the underworld. The demons roam here and they live here. Now would be a time for him to just tear the underworld a new one.


    Seeing the armies of demons and their monsters standing by the gigantic skeletal gates.Demons that rivaled skycrapers, demons that rivaled tanks. Every single demon one could think off, accompanied by the many horrors.


    "Leave human! You are not welcome here!" Kael flicked the cigarette to the gates.


    "I don''t need an invitation." Such a simple sentence was it not? Yet, that simple sentence had shattered the gigantic skeletal gates behind them. The demons fell to the ground, falling flat on their bodies. Unable to say a word, it felt like anything they said was not just a death sentence but one of neverending torment. Kael was thinking of his many past lives. He was able to married and be in love yet in his current one. He wonders who that person is, stepping into the gates of the underworld. The horrors? They could not do anything, they were more horrified of this human that was walking past them than anything else.


    The underworld where the demons were inside, they all looked at Kael with fear but Kael was not thinking about destroying it. It was far more spacious than the one of earth, and it was more comfortable too. The buildings of the demons were a bit more on the spikey side, more human skulls around, more blood and blades. Generally any human that walks in here unprepared might have their heads explode because they cannot comprehend the madness. Some of the buildings are literal spires that float upside down.


    Yet, it did not bother Kael in the slightest. It was actually refreshing and pretty organized. Earth''s demon realm which was essentially hell was a bit more different. It was messy, it was like a bunch of kids were given the instructions for building planning. Clearly this underworld has a lot of planning taken into it.


    Kael could see the buildings that were also floating on the right and left. This was pretty much meant to blow out a human brain''s logic element. It''s the underworld, logic and magic doesn''t need much explaining here. The demons were cowering in their homes, the Chaos Gods stepped before Kael.


    "Human... Why have you come to the Underworld?! Do you wish to..." They paused, realizing they were speaking to an Avatar.


    "Ah.. Avatar... Are you going to destroy the underworld?" One of the Chaos Gods asked.


    "What makes you think that?"


    "You destroyed an entire city on a whim, so we''d be expecting you to destroy us as well."


    "Earth''s Heaven and Hell has been destroyed. And judging by the Underworld. It seems like you''ve got at least 30 dimensions worth of places here. So I was thinking about asking if you are fine with taking some demons and Chaos Gods from earth to be part of your underworld?" That had caught their attention.


    "So you''re not here to destroy us?"


    "No. As far I understand the Angels, Law Gods and the Neutral Gods were dealing with it. The Chaos Gods of Melvoris are too busy sorting out your election for who gets to be wearing the crown of King of the Underworld." Kael answered where the Chaos Gods nodded.


    "Yeah, that and we were having our citizens vote for us... So you''re not going to kill us?"


    "Nope. You''re not allied with the idiots upstairs. Because I''m going to go to Heaven and kill the gods, then have Melvoris and Earth merge. If I destroy the planet, we can replace it with earth. But Earth''s heaven and hell is gone so that''s a problem for a lot of demons and angels." Kael said as he lit a cigar.


    "Fair point.. We do have 20 dimensions not full... But aren''t Earth''s Chaos Gods a bit rowdy?" One of them asked.


    "They are but they generally focus on doing everything else and not be bothered by a lot of things. They just like fighting and going to war with each other for fun. It might be fun if you just want to rough house each other around. But they aren''t dumb. They do read a lot.There are philosophers among them who prefer debating and arguing." Kael explained.


    "There is one, Xuvli. He''s a CHaos God of Destruction but is a scholar. He doesn''t believe in blowing everything to Kingdom Come. He prefers structured destruction. Even his avatar''s just a librarian who will only fight if there''s an attack on cultures or a form of erasing history." The words had gotten the Chaos Gods to murmur to each other. They were debating if this was a good idea.


    "If you defeat the Gods and clear the Melvoris''s Olympus. Then we will agree." One of the Chaos Gods said.


    "Don''t worry about it, I''ll be back in an hour or two." Kael said as he walked away from the underworld, stretching his limbs. Still seeing the demons and horrors being afraid.


    "Relax. If I wanted to destroy the Underworld. I wouldn''t have to be in it." Kael said with a grin to them. They immediately ran into the underworld''s gate and shut it tight. Sealing it with thousands of magic barriers. Though Kael was laughing because if he wanted to, he could just cough and those seals would be gone.


    Now, to deal with the idiots upstairs. The Olympus idiots and their servants.

 Chapter 40 : Upstairs at Olympus.

    Kael took the long way to Olympus, the 1 million staircase to its path. At the top of the staircase Kael let out a sigh. Spacious with the golden staircase with no guide rails. Though if anyone wanted to go to heaven, they would not have to worry for too much. This place seemed to be a good fit for Lucius. It was not a weird place like Earth''s Heaven. This one actually looks homey.


    "Welcome,.. Please sign your name and your reason for being here. Also how did you die." Kael looked at the laziest angel who was reading a ''PlayAngel'' magazine. Kael filled up the file and the angel put the magazine down, staring at Kael. The angel felt the heat go into his robes, tugging the collar to let the heat out. Clearly the angel was sweating bullets from seeing Kael.


    "Took you long enough to notice me... Now." Kael flicked his finger at the gate and it exploded, then walking in.


    "Intruder alert. Intruder alert! All angels this is not a drill. An intruder has breached the heavens." The PA system went off with the repeated warnings and sirens that were loud. Seems like heaven here is a bit more unique. Kael could see a brewery to his left, a building for clothes and the structure of it all was more human than anything else.


    Not medieval human but earth human. The angels appeared, their weapons were a mix bag of bows, guns, swords, spears, shields, javelins and everything else one could think off.


    "Freeze intruder!" They had their weapons pointing at him. Kael yawned as he pulled out a card.


    ''High Priestess'' The card shattered, creating a shockwave that put the angels down.


    ''Reverse Judgement'' Kael said as lightning bolts smite the angels to dust. It was like another day for Kael, walking through to the gates of the angels, seeing the Gods inside that had Velaya in chains. The Gods that were before Kael were as tall as skyscrapers, with Velaya being a child in front of them.


    "Thanks for clearing the way for us." Kael turned to Lucius and Ren.


    "Velaya!" Ren called out, seeing Velaya looking at him. She was bruised, weakened and unable to say much.


    "Humans... And Lucius... You dare to intervene!?" One of the Gods spoke, Lucius did not say a word as Kael took a step forward.


    "You took Velaya from earth to fill the void by your own Gods of Destruction and you treat her like this?"


    "She is to be blamed. That is her duty." Kael looked at Ren.


    "Just run straight to Velaya and don''t look back." Kael said as Ren ran straight to Velaya.


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    "HOW DARE YOU!" The Gods unleashed their wrath. Lightning bolts, the floor that they stood on turned to lava, the wind sharp enough to cut them. Kael raised the card of the World Arcana.


    "For my younger brother, I''d give the world." Basically this meant that none of the attacks will hit Ren. The attacks will phase through him instead.


    "Stop him!" The angels made their way to Ren but was stopped by Lucius who flicked them all away with his pinky.


    Ren hugged Velaya, and her restraints shattered.


    "Game''s over Gagnar. You should have just left these people alone." Lucius said as he and Kael made their way to their younger siblings.


    "No... Melvoris will not fall. We will take earth to be ours!" The Gods spoke up, only to fall to their knees in their own domain. Seeing Lucius walking over to them.


    "Kael.. Mind if I handle this instead? I need to.. Let a bit of my temper out."Lucius spoke with a smile, the same kind of smile with that glare that destroyed the surroundings of Olympus itself.


    "Sure. I''ll go bring these two back to earth then I''ll go blow up Melvoris." Kael left while Lucius looked at the Gods before him. Drawing out his blade, as his armor covered him from head to toe.


    "Do you truly understand what you''ve done!?" THe Gods readied themselves to fight back, unleashing elements upon Lucius. Every element at its utmost potential. Unrestrained and full of raw power. Lightning bolts that could burn the earth. Fire that leaves everything to ash. Wind that tears off anything in its path and water that swallows up everything into its stomach. Those were their elements yet they all have forgotten that Lucius was not just a Supreme God.


    "I was the God of Destruction." Lucius reminded them, as their elements stopped inches away from reaching him. The elements were hesitant to move closer. When the Gods forced the elements through the elements faded away as if they had never existed. Lucius took a step forward as the elements collected into marbles by his fingertips. He launched a red marble first, where it exploded into flames that engulfed the enitrety of Olympus. The screams of the residents and even the Angels that had came to aid their Gods were distraught.


    "You need to remember. Unlike my predecessor that restrains all of you out of sheer joy. I am someone who does not mind destroying you for my benefit. And.. I learn things from the humans as well." Lucius spoke as the blue marble transformed into a card with the word ''Ocean'' on it.


    Shattering the card as an ocean enveloped the entirety of Olympus, uprooting the buildings, the angels and deities that had made their home here, Olympus was drowning in its own path. There were screams of all the deities and angels before him.


    "Do you not have any heart Lucius!? You monster! You are destroying Olympus! All for a mere young God?!" Lucius scoffed to those words, it was something that he ad been used to hearing all the time. Pulling out another card ''Bolt''


    "For my younger sister, I will not let anything hurt her. Not even fellow Gods such as you." Lucius pointed the card to them.Shattering the card as black lightning bolts plundered the buildings to dust and rubble. The dust covered the air, as Lucius continued to hear the voices of the many Olympus residents, the nymphs, the centaurs, the many other beings that reside here. They were all at his mercy.


    "Ah, Kael." Lucius turned to see Kael, but there was something off about this Kael before him. Lucius laughed at the sight of the Kael that was here. Wiedling Kuro-Hana, Ga-eul, Baihua and Banshee in their fullest forms.


    "Ah, so this is not Kael but rather Lee. You brought the strongest form of Kael back to fight. This is adorable, a mere copy?" Lee drew his sword against Lucius who stopped it with his fingers.


    "Lacking... You are far too lacking to even be called as something like Kael. Even when he was Lee he had far more strength than this." Lucius said.

 Chapter 41 : Giving an old friend new life.

    Kael had just destroyed the remains of Melvoris, cleaning his hands of the mess but he fell to a short daze. Finding himself in another forest of sorts and with a bunch of popups appearing at his face.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 98.6609%; text-align: center">


    WELCOME TO MELVORIS.


    THIS IS.....


    SYSTEM IS DETECTING AN ANOMALY.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Ah, this must be one of those RPG worlds. It even has Melvoris to its name. Though this one is different, it doesn''t feel vile or disgusting..." Kael said to himself as he continued walking, this time it was a bit different.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 98.6609%; text-align: center">


    ANOMALY.


    ANOMALY. STOP WALKING INTO OUR AREA YOU ANOMALY.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "Keep calling me an Anomaly and I''ll turn you into nothing." Kael threatened as the pop up change.


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 98.6726%; text-align: center">


    A... A...


    Please don''t hurt me. I have a family.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    "The system has a family? What you mean your little tabs and menus?"


    <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%" border="1">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="width: 98.6726%; text-align: center">Yes.</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Kael laughed as he continued walking. Seeing enemies with levels but he could not be bothered by them, drawing out a King of Swords.


    "The King of Swords, use the darkness as my blade. Defeat the enemies that surround me!" Kael said as he crushed the card, moving on ahead into the nearby forest. It was just like any ohter forest, filled to the brim with trees and various creatures just prowling about. Yet, there was a certain air of familiarity. One that Kael knew becaue of the many Gods he has met.


    Seeing a white dragon and a humanoid figure in a crimson coat and black mask with flowers. Seeing them talk to each other so casually, it reminded Kael of him and Veriskua but the difference is. The dragon is aiding the masked man.


    Seeing the white dragon and feeling this icey nature eminating from it was a clear cut answer. This was the realm that belonged to the Goddess of Seasons. The true Overseer of her set of numerous worlds. Was she preparing for a war?


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    Lord of Thorns and Bayran, Ancient of Winter


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    The system may call Bayran the Ancient of Winter but Kael knew Bayran as the Ancient of White.


    "Ah... Lucius''s Avatar... I''m unsure of the name you use now." Bayran spoke to Kael, as casual as they can be and of course, Bayran would not know which name he had. Because of the fact that when Kael met Bayran, he was Lordran the swordsman of ash.


    "Hm... Ancient of White. So how is the Goddess of Seasons? Is she still pissed off?"Kael asked the question, but he was glancing at the masked figure. The enigmatic Lord of Thorns, Kael had heard the stories but they were something that was akin to an Avatar of sorts... So he might want to assess this one. Kael let loose a bit of his power.


    Watching the Lord of Thorns fall to his knees, gasping for air like a desperate child. Helpless like a child but it was to be expected. Kael realized that maybe this Lord of Thorns was a tad bit weaker than the others he has heard. He was struggling with just a glance and by Kael''s breathing.


    "Avatar... Please, the Lord of Thorns is still not as strong." Bayran spoke with a weak voice. That was odd, Bayran was stronger than others and he should not be struggling at all, but here he was. Choking on air as an Ancient of White, or Ancient of Winters. Kael kept his powers in check and walked over to the Lord of Thorns, seeing the Lord of Thorns reduced to such a state was bad manners, even for Kael.


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    "Sorry." Kael spoke as he helped the Lord of Thorns on their feet.


    "The Goddess of Seasons is fine, though she still wonders if you truly have to destroy Melvoris?" Bayran answered Kael''s question with another question. Though it has to be expected since Kael''s pressence was always a signal of disaster. THe Avatar of Destruction, as they say leaves nothing but ruin all around them.


    "I have to, but not her Melvoris. The Melvoris that belongs to the dipshits in Olympus. This Melvoris it belongs to the Goddess of Seasons." Kael clarified to them, he needed to make it clear. Avatar of Destruction is one thing but destroying unaffiliated planets or dimensions is another. Besides he''d avoid a fight with Goddess of Seasons if he could. She''s no push over like the idiots at Olympus.


    "Seems like when I was destroying the heart of Melvoris, they sent me here." Kael said as he stretched his neck.


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    Try leaving the damaged Ice Reaper with the Lord of Thorns.


    -Goddess of Seasons-


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    The Goddess of Seasons herself was giving this hint, through the popup. Now that is peculiar but why the hell not?


    "Hey, mind doing me a favour? Oh Lord of Thorns?" Kael asked, seeing the Lord of Thorn''s skepticism beneath the mask. Lifting the eyebrows but then again, Kael DID use a bit of his power to just test the Lord of Thorns. He might think that Kael is trying to kill him? Kael then walked on over, passing the weapon to the Lord of Thorns. It was for another reason to, Kael could see the desolation in this one''s eyes.


    He must have went through something. Something far worse than himself. Kael was granted a second shot at his life, but this guy? Maybe he is living his first life of hell? Kael looked at Ice Reaper in his hands, then back at the Lord of Thorns. Ice Reaper was his partner but it may be time to give it to someone who could use the help. This was not just a form of passing, it was an oath of sorts. One that Kael did not need to recite, the moment he passed this weapon to the Lord of Thorns. Kael felt his heart sting with pain of all the memories that this weapon was.


    "It''s a good friend of mine, and seeing your face. You must''ve went through hell. Take care of him, I can''t use him because he''s dead to me but he can be yours." Kael said to the Lord of Thorns.


    The Lord of Thorns paused for a moment, it might be due to the pop ups appearing for him. Might be showing him the stats and Kael was content.


    "If I revived him, will you take him back?" The question posed by the Lord of Thorns, it was a tempting offer. It was a strong and highly temptation as Kael would have his friend back but... Ice Reaper would not like that. Kael did promise him.


    "I could but, I made a promise to that guy. That he wants to help people like me. People who''ve gone through hell and did not have a friend. He''ll forget me when he wakes up. The promise I made with him is that when my time is up with him, and he goes first. He can''t be my partner." Kael answered with a grin, but of course The Lord of Thorns can''t see Kael''s face beneath the mask.


    "It says here, that you have a younger brother named Ren... If your brother ever comes here, I''ll give Ice Reaper back to him." The Lord of Thorns spoke, though Kael did not find it invasive. It was Ice Reaper''s last duty to Kael, protecting Ren until his end but hearing the Lord of Thorns making that promise to him. Kael smiled, he had given Ice Reaper to a person worthy of it.


    "Thanks. Take care of him, he''s a good weapon. He protected my brother until he died.He''ll serve you well. If you''ll excuse me, I need to make sure the bastards pay for toying with him." Kael said as Bayran opened another portal for Kael to step through. Stepping through, Kael was back on Olympus, watching Lucius kick a figure to his path.


    This figure was Lee, Kael''s last identity before his reincarnation.. So the Gods decided to make a clone of himself? Now that is cute. Lee turned with the blade pointing at Kael, only to see Kael draw out his blade to stop it.


    "Kuro-Hana, Baihua, Banshee and Ga-eul!" The four blades appeared behind Kael and they appeared behind Lee.


    "Yes, master?"


    "We''ve got an imposter girls... We need to handle this accordingly. So go wild!" Kael ordered them as he went after Lee with a punch to the jaw. The four swords ran at their counterparts.


    "You... You failure of a copy!" Baihua screamed, trying to push Kael''s blade back.


    "I don''t remember being this angry, but then again. You''re insulting my master. You''ll have to pay for that!" Kael''s Baihua shouted back.


    "Oh, sugar... You look ugly in that dress." Banshee insulted Kael''s counterpart.


    "But I am happier than you''ll ever be." The blades clashed.


    "To hurt master with my face. You will pay dearly!" Kuro Hana shouted at Kael''s blade.


    "Enough with the melodrama. Just die." Kael''s Kuro Hana responded back as they swung their blades, shattering the houses of Olympus with just making contact.


    The two Ga-euls did not say much, they were literally head butting each other as their swords flew around to strike each other. Perhaps it was a contest of strength but Kael and Lee were standing right in front of each other.


    "Damn. Did I look as ugly and moody as you?" Kael asked as their environments were exploding left and right thanks to their swords having their little bouts.


    "Shut up and fight!" Lee countered back with a punch to the jaw. Yet Kael''s face did not move.


    "Was I always this weak?" Kael kicked Lee back, sending Lee flying through the halls of the Supreme Gods of Melvoris. Kael walked in with a cigarette, glancing at the Supreme Gods.


    "Stay there and piss yourselves. Don''t interfere. I need to have a chat with my moody self." Kael said as he cracked his fingers.

 Chapter 42 : Lee vs Kael.

    "Come on!" Kael shouted as he drew a card from his deck, so did Lee.


    "Ace of Hearts! Ravage the one before me!" The two of them chanted as the flames erupted from the back of the card to their opponents. Kael and Lee watched their flames clash with one another. Both black,white,blue and red flames continued to counter each other. The flames spiraled to strike their opponents.


    "Queen of Hearts! Turn my flames into righteous fury!" The cards shattered as the flames spiraled upwards, raining down upon Kael and Lee like hail. They were dodging each other''s attacks with ease. Though Kael had to expect this. This Lee may just be a copy, but they did a decent job at getting the powers right. Kael is going to need to prime a few spells which he took from the Four Aces and the Joker. This will need time to prepare.


    Kael then threw his 7 of Diamonds at Lee. Raising his right hand as he formed a fist.


    "7 of Diamonds. Barrier!" The barrier formed over Lee, Lee readied a counter attack.


    "Reverse Joker, DIspel this barrier before me!" Lee shouted, shattering the barrier as Kael drew another card.


    "The Four Kings. Turn my enemy into dust!" The fire, ice, wind and earth took shape as four blades striking Lee who countered with the same cards. The blades clashed with one another as Lee and Kael traded blows with their fists.


    The two of them did not say anything much, they just continued swinging blows. One to the jaw which caused Lee to recoil to the back. Spitting out the blood off his mouth. Kael looked at his fist, it was a bit of a sore. Some mucus on it.


    Lee went in with a shoulder charge, a punch to Kael''s right rib. Kael heard it crack, his body flinched from the hit. Then using his knee, striking Lee''s stomach. A head butt to Lee as they both took a step back from each other. Kael''s armor vanished and Lee''s clothes vanished. They were only wearing their pants and letting their bodies face the unrelenting elements tha spiraled all around them. Their blades continuing an onslaught of violence that was right behind them.


    Olympus was tearing by the seams. The buildings that have been made by the divine were flying all around them. Being pushed around by the elements. The clash of blades created shockwaves and rumbling all around them. Kael and Lee charged at each other, their fists made contact. Each strike trying to overpower one another.


    Their attacks were mirroring each other, Kael raised his leg. A fast strike which was blocked by Lee who grabbed his shoe. Then throwing Kael back and charging after him. Kael landed on his feet, then lowered his body to the ground and took Lee''s charge head on. Kael''s grip went after Lee''s thighs, a headbutt to disorient Lee and a throw to the side. Lee bounced back from it, recovering with a flip. Darting off a boulder as he went straight at Kael with the fist.


    Kael dodged it, then grabbing Lee''s arm throwing Lee down. The four aces and joker were ready and the spell collected by Kael''s right arm, where Kael punched the downed Lee. Striking Lee''s chest, who looked at him with a smile.


    "Losing to the current you... It bothers me a lot."


    "That''s cause your pathetic." Kael answered as the elements swallowed Lee whole, erasing him from the plane of existence. The swords that were brought here with Lee? They faded and turned to dust. If their owner is gone, then they can no longer exist.


    Kael headed up to Olympus, seeing the Supreme Beings stuck to the wall. Lucius was lighting a cigar as he looked at the Supreme Beings of Melvoris. The angels, deities and gods came to the halls of the Supreme Beings.


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    "How dare you do this, Lucius! Do you not have any fear for the other Supreme Beings?!" Kael just did not look at the angel who spoke with a careless mouth, Kael gestured silence. Tapping his index finger to his lips three times. Where the angel had their entire wings be pulled out of their back. Falling to her knees, then watching as her limbs be stretched apart until her blood splashed all over.


    "Which reminds me..." Lucius took out a ball and crushed it. Where Kael and Lucius were now in a void. Kael standing as a human while Lucius was this gigantic being with an armor that was fitting for a dragon. They stood in a corporeal realm where only Supreme Beings may enter, as Kael looked around to see the many other deities that were present. These were the Supreme Being of every realm imaginable.


    "What... Lucius... You''re bringing this to them!? How dare you!" The shackled Supreme One spoke only to be silenced by the other Surpeme Beings. Kael could see the Goddess of Seasons smiling at him.


    "Lucius, do tell us what is the purpose of this?" The Goddess of Seasons asked.


    "Trying to merge Earth and their Melvoris together, Etana. Though I am ashamed to admit that they did throw my avatar to your realm." Lucius spoke to her where Etana chuckled.


    "Oh, don''t worry about that. Avatar of Destruction, your weapon... Ice Reaper, is a strong ally to my Lord of Thorns. I am grateful for your kindness." Etana said with a smile.


    "I saw the look in that kid''s eyes. He''s just living his first hell. I went through 52. Now I''m back to make sure my first one goes right. Ice Reaper will be a good ally for him. That much I am certain... But if he ever needs anything else. Feel free to just let me know. I''ve got a few hundred blades that could use a new master. Seems like he''s piqued their interest." Kael spoke casually, normally when speaking to Supreme Beings. Speaking casually would invite harm but the other Supreme Beings were fine with it.


    "Always so casual and always a meddler." One of the other ones spoke, but it was in jest and not of irritation.


    "Hey, when I was Lee i saved your dimensions and fought your wars. The least I get to do is be an ass about it." Kael said as the Supreme Beings laughed.


    "Of course, Avatar. I''ll leave the option available for him, but he must earn it and... May I trouble you to have a few fights with him when he gets stronger?" Etana asked.


    "Sure. I mean, fighting an unstable 19 year old who is unhinged and on the verge on insanity has always been my favourite past time anyway. But if you want me to be sure, it might take me a while to even cause him hurt. That Endurance of his? I have to make sure my blades are in their true forms to do it. Besides, I know why you need him. You want to make an experiment to see if he can be match up to me." Kael''s words made Etana nod, not with a smile but with a bit of a nervousness to her eyes.


    "You could destroy us, Avatar and you can do that at any time. Surely you cannot blame me for wishing to have an alternative to defend my home if you ever do that?" Etana asked as the others nodded to her words.


    "Of course not. Just make sure you can reign the ones you choose carefully. Because if you did succeed to create someone of my strength.. Be it in a group of people, an individual or a beast. There will be hell to pay and only the corporeal realm be able to handle it. We do this anywhere else and world''s would be destroyed. I''m not one to go on a limb out for no reason. I''ve had enough of my fair share of destruction. I just want to live with my family. Only reason why I destroyed their Melvoris is because it was on the verge of dying. I might as well just put it out of its misery, and they were trying to blame it on a young god in Lucius''s care. That and they got my younger brother involved. Now, you all know how I feel when family gets into such situations right?" Kael was sound with his words, not eloquent but it was assuring for them to hear that the Avatar of Destruction just wanted to be with his family.


    "Look. Young Gods, Deities and Supreme Beings. I don''t generally give a rat''s ass about a lot of things, but what I will say this. Don''t get them caught up in schemes like this again. You''re Supreme Beings. You''re the authority on Gods. Don''t drag the young ones to blame for your messed up schemes. Don''t make it worse for others. That''s all I ask." Kael replied as he lit a cigar while Lucius sat on his throne, tapping the armrest of his chair.


    "We are in agreement, Avatar of Lucius. Not only due to your powers but also due to your nature.  We also agree to handle these matters accordingly. We need to make our decisions on such matters as to who shall be our equal to Kael." The Supreme Beings chorused.


    "Now... Let''s just settle with matters regarding these idiots?" Kael asked.


    "Of course... Do as you please Avatar. We will bear witness." Kael walked on over to the chained Supreme Beings. Now this was something that must be paid in accordance to their destruction. So Kael was going to do what he does best. One that is preferred to be left unsaid for even the Supreme Beings could not watch.

 Chapter 43 : Taking a break.... Or not.

    Kael returned back to earth,the injection of mana has been controlled. It won''t be going pumping full on like what had been done by the former idiots of Olympus. Most of the creatures of Melvoris has been shifted to Etana''s Melvoris, so it leaves nothing to be changed. Just earth, Olympus and the Underworld as the realms of humans, angels and demons respectively.


    This time, Kael went to the academy spending at least a few months as he shaped up the instructors and the students. Their weapons were in full form, their powers and magic had changed accordingly. Kael could see the Principal Ardjent doing better, and the atmosphere had lightened up. Now with magic imbued to this place. Kael was thinking of what was going to change here.


    Melvoris had combined properly and mana was reaching the air slowly. Which led to Windgates creating an explanation. Informing the public that if their bodies start to experience changes they must make a report to the Avalon Embassy. Then even Jonah handled that matter the same way.


    Luca? Luca was now the Chief of War of Abazmantisk and that was well deserved. The Avatars spoke of the forthcoming developments and explained that mana is being injected. Changing the very way of life for many people, and mana must be controlled. As well as the unveiling of creatures known as Horrors and beasts. Now, even some of the non-human creatures are stated to be present.


    The revelation of such a thing has sparked quite the controversy from the many people and leaders. Jonah summoned his kelpie wife and kid, and explained the situation while Windgates brought the two angels to join.


    Kael? Well, Windgates, Luca and Jonah have been heading to the Adept Academy and was training them all carefully. Effectively Kael could take a break, which he spent time with Emeline and Violette. Patting their heads, just spending time with his daughters that are essentially summons.


    Scarlet Vow and Josephine were leaning on his shoulders as they all watched tv. Lloyd was handling buildings. Kael was spending more time with Ren and Velaya. Focusing on teaching Kael the art of combat and how to control magic. While Velaya was teaching Ren restoration.


    Light magic training, that did not harm Ren but Kael could see the determination in his brother''s eyes, when ice Reaper comes back to Ren. Though Kael did see something pop up from his screen.


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    We''ve got a problem.


    Kael... Humans may try to summon the Avatars to their world and maybe humans from your world.


    We''ve told the other avatars and they''ve started their summons. The Supreme Beings are trying to stop the ritual but it''s already been started and if we stop it now, it may lead to more problems later on.


    Seems like some of the Gods and Goddesses of Reincarnation have been acting a bit rash lately.


    -Etena-


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    "It''s fine. How many days do I have before I get thrown?"


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    "That''s not too bad. So don''t worry about it, Etena. Anyway, I''m going to just spend more time with my family." Kael said, as he turned back to Ren. They both were holding wooden swords. Ren using his speed and agility against Kael, Kael was blocking the attacks with one hand and reading a book in the other.


    Kael was reading a novel that was titled ''The Hero Returns To His Lazy Life'' so far it was more or less fun. Something like a nice slice of life for Kael. He ducked to dodge Ren''s piercing attack. Ren stepped on Kael''s back, which Kael just stood up which caused Ren to fall on his butt.


    "Ouch."


    "Try not to be predictable, Ren. Remember, always learn to restrain your powers. If anyone bothers you or Velaya at school. Just let me handle it." Kael said as they took the break, Velaya was being spoiled by Miriam who made cinnamon rolls for her.


    Kael turned to the others, the other swords are doing fine. Jenny was spending time with Mister Cuddles who ended up fighting against Kael. Despite the fearsome appearance and the cute colour, Mister Cuddles was not weak. The Fenrirs leaped everywhere, playing with Ren. The Pixie Dragons were enjoying eating popsicles with their masters.


    Veriskua was sleeping in the yard, the dragon seemed comfortable. Kael did see Veriskua bring Ren and Velaya out in the skies. Hati and Skoll were playing fetch with Lloyd.


    This was simple and just the way Kael liked it. He didn''t need everything ,the money or the fame. His family is fine and all but Kael also has to deal with the Webster Family. Because in a few more days, it will be the Webster Family''s Grand Reunion. Where the Websters, their allies and the extended family will make their appearance. This is where they will pay their respects accordingly.


    And for Kael, that was going to be a fun sight.

 Chapter 44 : Webster family reunion.

    Kael was getting dressed for the reunion, Emeline and Violett will stay with Josephine and Scarlet Vow. He put on his best suit, even went out to get prepared. Tony was driving them personally today. Flora and Patriarch Flare were in the limousine with them. Lloyd, Miriam, Jenny, Ren and Velaya were a little nervous.


    "Relax." Patriarch Flare said to them.


    "Sorry, Patriarch Flare. We''re just not used to a lot of things." Miriam said with a chuckle, obviously the nervous kind.


    "It seems that Patriarch Webster tends to cause an uproar in these situations. I''ve not been to any of these, but having Tony along would be good. Though Kael, are you not inviting your friends?" Patriarch Flare asked.


    "I did, besides. This is just to shut quite a number of people up since people always look down on us." Kael said as they arrived at the Webster Grand Mansion. Worth up to 50 million, with tennis courts, a golf range, a large open plain field, stables with horses and even a mini water park inside. That was just the exterior, it was modeled with modernized designs of past buildings.


    "Ho, is that Lloyd''s family? I''m sure they are nothing interesting." The voice of his aunt spoke first but Kael did not say a word as Tony, Patriarch Flare and Flora stepped out.


    "Wait, is that Tony and Patriarch Flare?" The realization was one thing, but as they stepped inside to see many guests. Patriarch Webster made his way to Patriarch Flare.


    "Webster, you sly dog. I had to get my invite from your descendant."


    "Flare. I did not think you''d show." the two Patriarchs hugged each other, as the sight has people glaring at Kael. Though the women took note of the rugged man that was Tony, along with Dorothy by his side.


    "Hmph, I bet that''s all the guest he brought? So what if he brings the people who are influential from Matello. That means nothing to us." The guests kept whispering. His many distant cousins showed up, Phd holders, CEOs of big companies and even startups that earn billions of dollars. Why would they feel inferior to Kael? Kael merely smirked at Alan, who was someone who had the biggest financial success and the widest connections.


    As the families went to their seats, the guests would go through the front door. A sort of commotion occurred at the front, as Alan went to greet the ones who made the noise. Staring at the man wearing a furcoat with a lollipop in his mouth.


    "Ah, Mister Trickster. How are you and who are you going to meet?" Trickster kept sucking on his lollipop and looked at Alan with a glare.


    "This is the Webster Residence right? Now I need to go greet a friend first." Trickster said, making his way forward. The handsome youth gained the attention of everyone present. This was a famous pop star and celebrity actor, the one who made billboards with his variety of music. He walked past everyone in the area, then made his way to Kael.


    Kael got up and hugged Trickster.


    "It''s been a while, Jack. How you''ve been?"


    "Good. Though I can see why you wouldn''t like spending time here. Everyone''s got bad manners." Trickster said those words casually as he looked around. Jenny''s eyes were beaming at Trickster.


    "Right. Your brother told me you''re a big fan. So here''s my latest album and some merch." Trickster passed it over to Jenny who was fangirling out loud without any reservation. Patriarch Webster was chuckling at the sight while Kael''s parents were trying to process the situation. Jenny hugged Kael who just smiled back at Trickster who was the Avatar of Winter.


    "At least we can agree on that." A familiar voice spoke up, where people turned to see Windgates wearing his indigo coat of Avalon, with the medals. A sword tucked to the left side of his waist, making his way to Kael''s table.


    "Your Majesty?!" The guests from Avalon knelt before Windgates, only to see him brush it off.


    "This is not my party or a formal function. I came here to greet a friend." Windgates walked on over to Kael, snapping his fingers as two servants walked over to their King.


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    "This is a bottle of Arthurian Whiskey. 50 years. Properly aged, and this will be my offering to Patriarch Webster. It''s a drink that is to be given to those that I wish to make alliances with or befriend and the other bottle of Chateu Blue. Well, this is 75 years of age and this bottle is meant to be shared with people I am close to. I hope it does not offend you that my offerings are too simple, Patriarch Webster."


    "Nonsense. Though I am surprised. Are you not busy with Avalon at the moment, Your Majesty?" Patriarch Webster asked.


    "No. The politicians in the parliament will deal with that. I only handle matters regarding the military... But I am not alone." Windgates said as he turned to see Jonah walking with his cane.


    "What a splendid party.. Ah, Kael!" Jonah waltzed on over, ignoring every single person. Not even the women or the influential could sway him. Nobody could do anything to get Jonah''s attention.


    "Great Leader!" They heard people call out to Jonah who was busy shaking Kael''s hand. There were people trying to talk to Jonah, only to see Jonah shoo them away.


    "Look. I''m spending time with my friend. It''s not respectable to talk to me first and not talk to Patriarch Webster. Patriach Webster''s party, so greet him first. Then greet my friend''s family and dad." Jonah said to them as they all greeted Lloyd and Miriam, bringing gifts to them.


    "Kael!" Kael turned to see Ciara in a dress, where she walked on over to hug him.


    "Ah, Kael. It''s so good to see you." Jenny''s jaw was left open as Ciara hugged Jenny too.


    "Oh my god. Oh my god." She just kept on repeating those words.


    "You''re Ciara DeVille!" CIara chuckled then hugging Windgates, Jonah and Trickster. The other Websters watched with envy seeing how Kael had all these people by his side.


    "Well." Ciara then looked at the others. The Webster family was glaring at Kael, trying to understand how a person who has no power, no influence was able to gain these allies. They were powerful people, especially Jonah and Windgates. Two monarchs who were known for their blood thirsty nature.


    "Oh... Hey, Kael. I''m surprised you haven''t killed the rest of your uncles and aunts." Jonah said, that caught the attention of everyone before them.


    "Yeah. I mean some of them plotted to hurt your sister.. Tried to hurt Ren too." Trickster pointed out as he passed a cigar to Kael.


    "Preposterous! Such claims are absurd!" One of his aunt''s spoke up, only to see Jonah laughing.


    "Lady. If Kael wanted to kill you. Not even those statues of the Deities can save you." Jonah said. Where Lorbis''s statue, Aerith''s Statue and a few other deities glowed in response. The statue''s were blown away by the wind, Kael then lit his cigar.


    "I''ll be honest. Only reason why most of you are still alive is because I had better things to worry about. I don''t really care about the Webster family legacy or name. I just want to live with my family. Besides, I''ve got friends in good places. If I wanted to make you all disappear. I''d only call them to help me clean up the mess. Because I don''t mind getting my hands dirty." Kael said as they watched a body of a person be thrown to his path.


    Luca walked in as he pulled a cart full of knocked out bodies.


    "These guys were crawling near your house." Luca said, walking in with a suit.


    "You clean up well, Luca. Or should I say General of Abazmantisk?"


    "Just Luca to you Kael. I was planning to take your invitation and head straight here, but these guys crawled to your house and even planted a bomb to your car. I didn''t kill them. Figured you''d want to do it yourself." Luca spoke as the bodies woke up, screaming at the sight of Luca.


    "Ren. Remember what I told you?" Ren nodded.


    "That you''d be a monster if it meant protecting us." Kael patted his younger brother''s head.


    "People can be cruel, even crueler when it''s our own family. Money and fame is all that matters. But you? Just grow up comfortably. That''s all that matters to me, but to make sure that happens. I have to be a bit mean." Kael said was he walked away. Where Ciara took Kael''s coat for him.


    "Thanks Ciara." She nodded, then watching Windgates put a bag of knives to the side and Jonah grabbing a chair. Luca put a woman to the chair. Kael was rolling up his sleeves. Then they watched how Luca, Jonah and Windgates lowered their gaze from Kael''s eyes.


    Kael opened the bag of knives. Pulling out a butter knife. Kael shoved it to her chest, then hacking it downwards as the Websters heard the screams. Watching the woman''s organs spill out from her corpse. The blood, guts and smell splashed onto Kael''s shirt. Yet he could not be bothered. Throwing the body aside as Kael looked at the others who shook his head.


    Kael put the knife aside. With just his bare hands. Jaws were flying, eyes were being gouged out. The epitome of fear itself, Kael did it with a smile. Smashing another person''s head to the ground until nothing was left. The Websters and the guests looked at Kael with fear. Tony walked on over to pour a drink to Kael, even he could not meet Kael''s gaze.


    "Thanks Tony." Tony could barely pull off a nod.


    "You''ve all collectively used the mercy. I gave you. Patriarch Webster. If any of them try to hurt my family again. I will kill them. Just like how I left the Chang family to just Connie. Or perhaps I should ask the Corazons if they are willing to do the dirty work for me." Kael thought out loud with a grin.


    "You mellowed out a bit. Normally you''d just kill them." Ciara said with a smile, watching Kael take a sip of his drink.


    "You could say that. Which reminds me..." Kael''s phone cut him off. Where he looked at the text.


    ''Lucius : Etana''s got a favour to ask. Soggorin''s is trying to break through Etana''s world and she needs some help.''


    "Etana''s need a favour. You guys remember Soggorin?" Kael asked where the others nodded.


    "Girls!" Kael shouted as his blades appeared by his side.


    "Take care of my family. I need to go clean up a mess for a bit." Kael said.


    "We need to go help that Lord of Thorns. Clean up one of the worlds. Luca, Jonah with me. Trickster, Ciara. Get Spring." Kael said as Jonah and Luca walked out with Kael.


    "It''s never boring at least." Jonah said.

 Chapter 45: Helping out the Lord of Thorns.

    Kael, Luca and Jonah stepped through the portal. Seeing a world filled with darkness. This was clearly a horrorflick set in the time of vampires and castles with that kind of thing.


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    Anomaly detected.


    Why are you three here!?


    ARE YOU GOING TO KILL ME AND MY FAMILY?!


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    "Easy, menu. We don''t give a shit. Etana''s called in for a favour. We''re here just to say hello." Kael said, hearing growling noises from the right.


    "Ah, ghouls. Look. There''s a lot of them. Aren''t they fucking adorable?" Jonah said as a ghoul bit his hand.


    "That''s adorable but you see.. I''m blessed by darkness. So... I hope you understand." Luca said, flicking the head of the ghoul. Where it disintegrated, looking at the other creatures that tried to attack him.


    "You''re wasting time." Luca said as he fired off his AK into them.


    "Nice shot, Luca."


    "I''m the only one among us who uses guns. That compliment doesn''t come much from you, Jonah." Luca said as they headed further. Hearing hordes of the creatures convening to a position to take on multiple enemies at once.


    Seeing the horde of demons and cultists running at them. Kael let out a sigh as he snapped his fingers at the horde.


    "No time for this shit. Let''s keep it moving." Kael said as they continued ahead to a castle. Kael could see Joshua fighting with the other Venerators. 10 of their people died.Seems like another fuck up on the parts of the God''s. Kael, Luca and Jonah strolled in all merrily, perhaps a tad bit casual.


    "Looks like you''ve got your hands full with Soggorin."Jonah spoke as he smashed a demon''s head with his cane, then ripping another one''s head off. Throwing the head away as he wiped the blood off his hands. The one with the gas mask and the two vampires knelt before Jonah


    "Your Excellency." The three of them greeted.


    "Hey, we''ll deal with the bastard. Sheesh, it seems like a bunch of demons and angels are trying to mess with the worlds again." Jonah said as he snapped his fingers where an explosion occurred from the back. "Master." Ice Reaper knelt before Kael.


    "Good to see you too, Ice. Now this is no intervention. It''s just us stepping in. Take a look at your friends." The 10 figures came back to life, gasping for air. Where they see a woman with a lantern smile to them. She wore a black dress and had a parisol by her side. The 10 Venerators hugged their friends and teammates. Crying tears of joy. It was Maybellestra the Goddess of Souls.


    "Maybellestra. Goddess, why are you here?" The gas mask asked.


    "Simple, this was a mistake that was made because Soggorin escaped his containment. So these 10 men should not die on mistakes made by Gods that failed them." Maybellestra justified her actions as the souls and spirits made their way to her. Wishing to be cleaned over.


    "Yes, yes... You will all be put to rest. I came to this place because of the many things that needs to be clarified. See this through you lot. Avatars?" Kael walked over to Joshua, patting his shoulder.


    "Alpha 1?" Joshua asked to one of the people, the one with the submachine gun nodded.


    "I''m relinquishing my command to Joshua. Lead us." The figure said.


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    Kael, Jonah and Luca looked at each other. Then nodding as the blessings were granted to them, then seeing a Tome that was floating to them. Now that was interesting, a tome with a chattering skull.


    "I greet the Avatars of Destruction, Fall and War." Jonah, Kael and Luca bowed to the tome.


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    "Lead us, oh Tome. You know where Soggorin hides." Kael spoke to the Tome where the Tome showed that Soggorin was hiding directly below them but there were thousands of the legions that served Soggorin.


    "That''s... We were struggling with just a few hundred... They''re coming by the thousands!?"The others were feeling nervous and anxious to what was going to happen.


    "We''ll handle the Undead. You''ve been given our blessings." Jonah said to them, readying his cane as he looked at Kael who was readying a magic circle underneath their feet. It was going to cover everything.


    "So roughly a few thousand of the undead and unholy. There''s one way to do it." Kael said as Jonah and Luca stepped aside to fight the oncoming hordes. Where Luca let out a roar and charged in with his dane axe. The two of them stepped away as Kael readied his magic. They briefly glanced to Kael as they handled the others.


    "Going down." Kael snapped his fingers as the entire floor caved downwards. They were being lowered down slowly while everything else was being caught by it. The screams of the legion was heard by everyone else as the reached a place where only darkness existed. The entire place was full of darkness and that was it. No other light was present.


    The light being emitted by Soggorin''s true form, the gigantic head that was constructed of human body parts, mouth that housed their heads. Kael had always thought Soggorin looked ugly, but damn. Was Soggorin really that ugly? Kael could not help but chuckle at the sight.


    "Child of man... You dare to intrude in my domain?!" Soggorin shouted, his voice alone was enough to cause ear drums to bleed and burst, Kael just dug his ears with his pinky. A bit of blood, it seems that Soggorin is just as annoying as he was before. Kael had encountered the bastard but he was a slippery bastard even back when Kael knew him but this wasn''t his fight. It was the Lord of Thorn''s fight.


    Kael turned away from them and cracked his fingers. He needed to get shit done properly, so the Joshua better not mess it up.


    "Soggorin''s yours. I''ll handle his legions." Kael said as the horde of named demons went to his path. Maybe 25 thousand? Maybe 50? Kael could not care about the numbers, but he needed them to fuck off from Joshua''s team.


    "The World, bound the ones before me and the leader of these demons." The card exploded, trapping Soggorin with the Venerators. At the very least those bastards won''t be able to do much or even bother Joshua. That''s the kind of barrier that needs to be broken by another Avatar. Soggorin can barely hit that mark.


    "Try not to die." Kael said as he snapped towards the horde before him. Where they instantly were vaporized from existence. The horde kept on coming where Kael smirked as his Avatar of Destruction armor covered him.


    The demons could barely move after seeing Kael standing before them.


    "Using magic is too much effort. And I don''t want to stain my suit... I''ll just snap them out of existence." Kael snapped his fingers as heads of demons exploded into bloody tendrills that pulled the creatures back into each other. Merging them together into balls of flesh, Kael raised his right hand upwards and then pulled out a card.


    "Four Aces... Turn my foes... To ash." The four cards burned and covered the floor with black flames the entire horde that was coming to Kael''s path, they were being burned by the black flames. Where it swallowed them all whole, the flames blanketed them. Covering them like coffins and dragging them down into the ground. Their screams that tried to call for help and mercy was unheard.


    The Avatar of Destruction? Nah, Kael''s just being lazy for this round. He could take his time, but he does not want any distraction on Joshua''s team. He turned a bit to see how they fought. Despite how Soggorin kept summoning his demons to his aide, Joshua''s use of the four elements of the Seasons was beautiful. The destruction was something that has Kael impressed. The teamwork of the allies was not something to scoff at. Kael was reminded by his teammates, the other Avatars.


    There was a lot that they were doing. Even pushing Joshua ahead. Kael could see the earnest look on Joshua''s face from where he stood. A demon tried to catch Kael by surprise, only to be kicked in the knee by Kael and stomped on by him. Now, it was just left for Joshua. Luca and Jonah walked down to see Kael just watching them.


    Luca brought out some popcorn for them, where the two of them ate while observing the fight.


    "That''s not too bad. They going for the typical. Send the chosen one to put the final blow?" Jonah asked.


    "That''s what Kael used to do. I''m just the battering ram like that knight with the sword breaker. Well..." They watched how the said knight threw his long sword aside. Then grabbing the leg of a demon berserker and swinging it around.


    "Well... That puts a spin on banishing demon with their own kind." Luca pointed out.


    "Hey, I got pushed by you ass hats to bear responsibility. So let me have my glory."Kael said as they continued to watch this chaos unfold before them. Safe to say the trio was entertained.


    "That''s Etana''s next Avatar. She wants to have a few of them just in case we lose our shit." Kael said to them.


    "Not a bad choice. He''s lost as shit though. I mean those eyes, looks like he''s been lost all of his life." Jonah said.


    "What''s his story, Kael?" Luca asked where Kael showed his phone.


    "From what I understand. Etana gave me a whole fucking preview. Want to see it?" The two nodded, then they watched it in front of them. Seeing how Joshua was surviving alone.


    "Damn.. If I was him I''d kill myself too. But he didn''t pick that way out. No wonder he''s unhinged as shit." Jonah joked.


    "Right?" Kael asked.


    "Shouldn''t we... Help them?" Luca asked as they looked at Joshua falling to his knees to a horse that was as tall as 4 storey buildings.


    "Give it a minute." They watched Joshua get back on his feet, they looked at Kael with raised eyebrows.


    "Damn." Jonah and Luca watched on, seeing Joshua fight through and giving Soggorin the shot with the Demon''s Bane.


    "Not too bad now wasn''t it?" Kael asked.

 Chapter 46: Well now we need to fix more shit.

    "Ooh. Right in the kisser." Jonah commented at Joshua blasting Soggorin away with the Demon''s Bane.


    "Well... Let''s see how fucked up the world is." Kael said. They watched as their surroundings unveiled the barren land. The trees were dead, the soil was too damaged for anything to grow. The sun was black. Which was clearly and utterly disturbing and unnatural.


    "Can''t grow anything with all this mess." Jonah said, kneeling to touch the soil. Where it had an ash like texture and even scratching it to see a skeletal like frame.


    "How much death did this world see to cause this?" Luca asked.


    "If demons win, this happens. If angels win, they turn humans to robots who cannot sin. Either way, it''s why Lucius gave us the right to deal with it. I did tell the Supreme Gods to decide carefully their Avatar equivalents." Kael answered, his voice was sorrowful. Kael could do the same amount of damage, but when he leaves. The world will be able to flourish once more, as nature will always finds its way to heal itself when humans have not tampered wiht it.


    The world changed slowly, where the sun''s darkness was swept away by the radiant golden light. Kael, Luca and Jonah felt the sunlight and the felt how nice it was.


    "Good old sun." Jonah said as Kael continued smoking his cigar, while Luca shouldered his Dane Axe. Kael was looking at his deck of cards, looking for the ones that were blank. Taking out a sharpie, writing it as the four seasons. He has to pass it to Joshua because he is the one who can govern the four elements. This will also let Joshua restore other worlds with his power, part and parcel of being Etana''s Chosen.


    "You''ve cleared the Spire. Good work, but there''s a bit more that needs to be done." Kael said to Joshua. Passing the blank cards and the writing changed to suit it. Though Joshua was visibly confused at what was going on.Joshua took a deep breath as the cards were imbued with the summer, spring, winter and autumn. The powers were there but it was faint, Joshua was far too weak on that. Though Kael could see that Luca had more to it.


    "Yo!" Jonah shouted. Seeing the Avatar of Summer, Ciara and Trickster walk on over to them and Jonah walked on over to Joshua.


    "Lord of Thorns. It is your duty to govern the seasons when this starts. This place is beautiful but many things have changed. We are the Avatar of Seasons and we grant you our blessing as well."The Four Avatar of Seasons chorused as they took the cards from Joshua.


    They crushed the four cards in unison, where the trees, flowers bloomed all around. Beasts appeared once more, roaming the area. Dragons, wyverns, serpents, snakes, vipers... Divine Fenrirs, Cursed Fenrirs, many creatures began to make this place their home. Where Joshua turned to see it was in a state of permanent to the four elements.


    Winter was south, autumn was north, spring was in the east and summer was to the west.


    "We''ve restored this world back to its truest form. Now, it will be up to you. This place will be a reasearch spire. Many of the creatures in this place are docile, but be aware that if humans do try to bother them too much. They will react negatively." The Avatars of the Four Seasons chorused to Joshua.


    "Research Spires are meant to be peaceful but just remember. If humans try to poach any of these animals. Do not expect them to be friendly. However, to you. The creatures that live here will be peaceful. If you ever truly have days when you are in a bad position and need a break. This place will always be open to you, Lord of Thorns." The Avatars chorused to Joshua. The reason for that, was because the four Avatars can see the damage that Joshua had to his heart. This was for Joshua, the only thing they could do to the one who holds the power of the Four Seasons.


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    Joshua watched Demon''s Bane break into pieces by his hands.


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    Is it okay if you give Nameless to the Lord of Thorns? He''s going to need it.


    -Etana-


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    "Sure, clearly this blade doesn''t like me too much but it might like him more. You don''t have to ask Etana. You''re not in my debt. I don''t mind nurturing him but I don''t teach kindly." Kael said as he threw Nameless to Joshua.


    "What''s this?" Joshua looked at it, a black blade.


    "It''s a sword that has a connection to the Four Seasons. Nurture it well." Kael said as he snapped his fingers to open a portal and the other members of Joshua''s group fell down unconscious.


    "Their memories have been replaced with a bit of detail. They didn''t face a creature named Soggorin. It was just a simple spire extermination. So don''t overthink it. By the way, you should check on that Gate of the Shame. It''ll be something for you to go and learn." Kael said as they left. They were all brought back to the entrance.


    Kael looked at the others.


    "Unhinged. Mentally broken. Might be even worse than we were when we first started but he''s alone. He doesn''t have anyone by his side." Trickster said.


    "He''s not alone. There''s always a dozen or a small pair of them." Kael said to the others who were visibly shaken.


    "His weapons came from his family and he''s alone. 50 thousand lives... Luca... This must be tough for you." Ciara spoke to see Luca who shook his head and put his dane axe.


    "There was a lot of things gone wrong and he''s gone through what I went through but mine was a war. His? Was poor and sheer horrid luck but... Though Joshua may seem lost but he''s not completely weak. He''s strong but he''s lost his own heart. He''s lost his way but... Kael. Doesn''t he remind yourself of you?" Kael just let out a nervous chuckle.


    "Ah... So that''s why you were willing to train him. Even giving away Nameless. Kael.. Are you going to make him another you?" Trickster asked with concern.


    "No. I want him to not be like me, but to do that. He has to be strong like me. Not just his blade. Even his heart and mind must be willing. Ice Reaper gave him access to my lives. So he can have a mock battle, but there will come a time when they will call me." Kael said to them.


    "I''ve killed more people than all the other Avatars combined. The ones that handle death and souls. They don''t have what we have and Windgates... It seems Windgates dealt with someone else." Kael said where the others looked at him with concern.


    "They''re training the equivalent of Death in Joshua''s world. I need to prepare the kid. It might take sometime, but until he''s ready. Joshua will need to be strong enough to protect the world. He may have lost everything but he won''t let anyone else go through it. That is his resolve and I will respect that." Kael said, to the others. They realized how much of a big deal that was. It wasn''t simply because Kael was going to train Joshua, it was more that Kael wanted to ensure Joshua is the protector of Etana''s World so if anyone decides to mess around with it. Be it anyone stronger than the Avatars, Joshua would be able to fight.


    "If our world has been breached, it''s no different than this earth. Only thing is, our earth can''t fight through many of those things. They can fight, they can level up and gain experience from it. They can fight but we all know that other sinister bastards won''t stop. They tried with ours and now the mana injection is happening. We need to prepare them. Not just Adept but everyone else. This whole thing sounds like idiots trying to start a war." Kael clenched his fists as he let his anger loose, the entire area felt it as the creatures ran away from Kael.


    "Kael." Kael calmed down when Luca called him.


    "We need to figure this out. Let''s go back." Kael nodded.

 Chapter 47 : Going somewhere.

    Kael was now standing with a cigarette to his lips. All around him were the downed students and staff of the Adept Academy were on their knees. Kael was sitting on a blade while Midnight Owl standing against them in his full glory. Barely scratched by the Living Weapons and Weapon Spirits that have reunited with their masters.


    They were weak and if an invasion actually did occur. It would not be something that they would not be ready for. They may even die from this fight.


    "Kael." Kael turned to see Windgates who stood by his side.


    "Seems like a few of Avalon''s Roundtable wants to make a move on you."


    "Should I be concerned?"


    "A bit. They seem to be going after Ren and I''ve got no authority to stop them. They seem to view you as a threat and believed that you poisoned me. They spotted me at the Webster gathering. Seeing how respectful Jonah was, they were planning to attack you."


    "Fine by me. It''s not like it makes much of a difference anyway. Future corpses anyway."


    Kael''s words were what Windgates has expected. Kael was bloodthirsty and everything related to threaten his family, well that was just asking for a whole fight.


    "Kael... Can you hold back?"


    "For you, sure but try and catch them before Ren does." Windgates vanished within the next second, this time. Kael had only one thought on his mind. Will his brother be alright? Kael made his way to where Ren was using one of the cards, only seeing Ren and Valaya walk peacefully side by side. Holding hands, Kael could see a few people staring at them. Perhaps they were Avalon''s Roundtable members considering the amount of mana being leaked out. It was enough to blanket the city, they were dangerous but so far nothing much.


    Though there was something odd, they had something sticking out at the back of their necks. It was minute and barely visible but Kael definitely could sense it. It may be the cause to why the mana was leaking. Were they controlled?


    "Homunculus? Now that''s rare." Kael watched as when one of the Homunculus jumped to Ren, Ren gave a glare and the entire body was vaporized. That glare was something Kael had but he didn''t like using it. It was an attack that would soak up mana reserves like mad and Ren was using it casually like it was nothing. Perhaps that short training with Lucius has made Ren be far more powerful than expected.


    Kael''s worries were just him being an overprotective sibling. Seems like Ren has this down easily, the Homunculus backed off but the other sensation he had felt. Was coming from a nearby rooftop, something being emitted from a window. A sniper of sorts, well Kael was holding back because of Windgates but... That doesn''t mean he cannot engage against them. Pointing his finger at them, Kael snapped it and the sensation was gone. More of them were hiding in the shadows, using the shadows of the ground to move around. Since it was the evening, they didn''t have to worry about anything. So continuing to move around, Kael was curious.


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    They were literally walking in shadows and they did not seem to have much issue with it. Normally entering the shadows, it makes one lose their powers to remain physically if not done properly. So Avalon''s Roundtable was somewhat capable. There was another path, but Kael could feel their mana surging. No, to be more accurate. They were blanketing themselves in it, perhaps the one way to ensure that they do not lose their physical forms while prowling in the shadows.


    Kael wanted to peek into the shadows, but he thought about it. It may not be something fun for him to do, though observing Ren and Valaya was interesting. Feeling like a spy mission of sorts. Only to see a hand pat his shoulder, Lucius was there and this time wearing a pair of disguise glasses with the iconic fake nose. Even the fake teeth.


    "Lucius, why are you disguised?"


    "I can''t be seen. Besides, I want to check on Valaya."


    "Or you can just say you want to see Ren and Valaya." Kael passed the pair of binoculars as Lucius and Kael put them on watching Valaya and Ren just talking inside of a restaurant. They were sharing a pancake with ice cream and a chocolate lava cake.


    "Hmm... Kael, what is so special about that gesture?"


    "I''ll be damned. Just look at that blush on Ren''s face." Kael said, ignoring Lucius''s question.


    "Hello, God to Kael?"


    "Ah right. It''s... It''s a sign of affection. Something my dad did for my mom. I''m not going to have you as an in-law now am I?"


    "I don''t think that is top of our priorities list, Avatar."


    "Of course it is. I mean, do I call you Supreme Father in Law or do I call you something else? I mean how do I justify to people that my brother in-law''s dad is a literal God?"


    "There is nothing saying that love cannot bloom between a God and Human. It was taboo back then but I realized how agonizing the Gods must have felt when they found humans worthy of their affection. I mean, let''s be honest. An Evangel of Callisto was loved by the three Supreme Goddesses that they would argue about who would be his wife. It''s an old way of thinking. That and I just found out there''s the God of Same Sexual Romance. Two of them, a God and a Goddess. Whose love for their significant other was so strong that the God of Romance gave it."


    "So what about you?"


    "Naturally I gave them the chance. They were locked in a cage and their minds were broken. Turns out the former Supreme One locked them in a place that only the Supreme Ones could find. You know how thinking changes many things. I do not understand such things, but I cannot blame them for having such emotions. It is not my job to understand, it is my job to ensure that there is fairness in everything." Lucius was right about that.


    Kael did not think too much about understanding it, he thought more of wanting to ensure that no prejudice and discrimination was happening.


    "Fair enough. But seeing Ren and Valaya.."


    "It is good for her to experience it. She enjoys his company and whenever I ask her anything. It''s always Ren gave me a flower, Ren helped me with this..."


    "Ah doting helicopter sibling is worried."


    "I''m not worried if it''s your family. If it was someone else, I''d be very skeptical."


    They both stood by the rooftops watching Ren and Valaya spend time together, just smiling as they did their homework in the cafe. Kael''s phone rang and he checked it out.


    It was a text from Tony, telling him that the Mistra was now putting a contract on him and his family.


    "Work?"


    "No. It''s trouble. I suppose that humans do wish to always bother us both."


    "Ah... That Mistral Fiasco? What will you do?"


    "The usual, Lucius. I hate it when people bother my life." Kael said as he put on his Master of Cards mask, as cards fly to his hands. Shuffling themselves in the order that was chosen by Kael as he faded away.


    "Another day, another battle. Though I suppose that is what makes Kael interesting to watch."

 Chapter 48 : Mistral.

    Kael was now walking to another city. He was walking alone, shaking his head and stretching his arms. He needed to deal with the ones known as Mistral by himself. They did just try to go after his family. So a blood bath is a good warning if memory serves. Kael needed something else for this bout, though he did give most of his blades to Joshua. Well, he could always just use his cards.


    Kael was looking at a building that belonged to Mistral. They had snipers aiming at him, Kael could see the red dots all over his body. It was a little ticklish.


    "Oh man. Bad time to be tickled by red laser sights." Kael said as they fired their shots at him. Only to see their bullets stopping right before hitting him.


    "Dang.. 338 Lapua Magnum. You''re all very serious about putting a bullet in my butt. Sorry. As much as I want to fight. I''m too lazy to drag anything else." Kael said as he snapped his fingers. Where the building was uprooted by a great wind, pulling the pipes and everything underneath from the ground. Kael placed his hands in front of him, slowly crushing the Mistral Office into a giant steel ball. Where the blood from all of its residence began to leak out from within. Kael then vanished, this time he was standing by the underground bunker where the Mistral leaders were present.


    "What the!? Who a-'' The guards exploded just from Kael''s sights.


    "I just turned one of your bases into a giant bowling ball. Now, pull the order on my family."


    "It''s not that simple! When a -" One of the Mistral Leader''s body exploded, leaving nothing but a skeleton in a suit left behind.


    "It''s not a request." Kael said to them, where the other leaders immediately made the call.


    "It''s done! That''s it right!?"


    "Yeah. Oh and go after my family again? I''ll make sure that I let your family be run over by that giant bowling ball I made. Now if you''ll excuse me." Kael said as he vanished, teleporting away to a rooftop because he felt a call. A call from Lucius.


    "Kael... Bellwitch is calling you. It seems whatever that is going to happen next in Etana''s World is going to be far grave than we thought. She needs a favour from you." Lucius said where Kael scratched his head.


    "How long?"


    "It''ll just be for a bit. You need to see Bellwitch and then you have to face Joshua in his current state. It seems that Etana''s been telling me that the next obstacle for Joshua is not going to be anything normal. He will need you." Lucius spoke with a grim tone.


    "Aren''t the spires normal over there?"


    "Supposedly, but the spires are technically other worlds that Etana handles. Her team handles it well but there''s been a tweak to this one. It''s appeared and taken an entire district. Which is why they need whoever they can get. You''ll have to measure up the Lord of Thorns." Kael nodded to Lucius.


    "Alright. I''ll go first." Kael said as Lucius opened the portal for Kael to enter. Walking through, itt was directly leading to the Bellwitch''s Shop.


    The Bellwitch Shop was a place where many legendary figures, including Kael would go to get certain weapon types. The unique ones, some of Kael''s weapons such as Radiant Sonata and Black Symphony were made here.The shop housed many blacksmiths and weavers of many races. Humans, orcs, angels, demons and beastkin. They were here to work in the workshop. Whatever that is made in this shop was built to last. The giant in the middle was the 5th Bellwitch. This was new.


    Why is it new? It''s because Kael has met the First Bellwitch, who was a woman elf. Not a smoker like the one before him, she played the harp. The Second Bellwitch was someone who drummed a lot, an Orc drummer. The Third Bellwitch was your typical dwarven smith and the Fourth Bellwitch was a High Elf who sewed things in her free time. This particular one was a smoker with a pipe. Tan skin with scars all over, fingers that was bandaged.


    Kael saw a Spectral Horse, a regiment of soldiers in different gears, a squad of horsemen, a crimson werewolf. Two knights, a gas masked figure and a pair of vampires. There was another pressence an entourage of a Midnight Orc, an army of dead, two werewolves, four horsemen. A decaying dragon and a few others.


    "He''s a good one. Trust me, there''s a reason for it. I know it may seem stupid.. Bu-" The 5th Bellwitch''s voice was silenced, by Kael''s footsteps.


    "Bellwitch." the giant turned to see Kael''s voice.


    "The Avatar of Destruction." Bellwitch spoke.


    "I see... So the 4th has passed on?"


    "Yes, Avatar. The 4th has taken her eternal rest." Kael nodded to the giant, then turning to see a blue haired man walking in a burgundy tuxedo. A snap of his fingers and it changed to the outfit of the Avatar of Death. This was Augustus, the Avatar of Death. The one who passed on to take a break, a handsome face. Yet the snap of his fingers changed to the black tuxedo that was embroided with the words of death on them. A twin tail tuxedo, watching Augustus walk over with a sigh.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    "Avatar of Death."


    "The 5th Bellwitch. The 4th was a worthy master and you are worthy to take on as an apprentice." Augustus spoke to 5th.


    "Thank you for your words... I suppose there is a reason for you to be here?" The 5th Bellwitch asked with a sigh, it was obvious he was uncomfortable with Kael and Augustus''s pressence. Kael and Augustus walked towards the giant. An immense pressure was unleashed, forcing the two groups to their knees.. Could barely stand the pressure, they were forced to kneel because of the sheer atmosphere by the two Avatars mmaking their way.. Only the 5th Bellwitch was able to survive the immense power that was being unleashed.


    Kael and Augustus took a deep breath, a sigh that freed them all from the pressure itself.


    "The 5th Bellwitch, what is our purpose here?" The 5th Bellwitch let out a sigh.


    "I believe it is to train the two that have been chosen." The 5th Bellwitch''s voice was calming the air that was surrounding them, to help them back as Kael watched the soldiers fell down, perhaps he was a bit to rash.


    "You.. You''re going to hurt my lord!" The white knight struck Kael, only to see Kael stop the blade with his fingers. Kael looked at the knight, supposedly the Rose of Guilty. Not a bad choice but he was far too green for what the Lord of Thorns would need him for, but that should not be an issue.


    "You''re a little too early, young one from Azteris." Kael said as he pushed the knight back.


    "He can break my swords, be sure not to waste that blade I made." the 5th Bellwitch said to them, it was a clear warning. Where the Rose of Guilty put his blade away, falling to his knees. Exhausted just from that brief exchange, the Rose of Guilty needed a bit more power for them to be stronger.


    "The dangers of their upcoming adventure. I''m sure you must have felt it." The 5th Bellwitch was right, Kael did feel something sinister in the air. The kind that screams a bloody and violent battlefield.


    "H...How do you know of Azteris!?" A soldier asked.


    "It is because I have been there as Lucius''s Avatar of Destruction. It is a brutal battlefield and I am amazed at your people''s resilience. I am grateful to the 13th Lord of Thorns who has helped you all." Kael said to them, it was enough to make them cry for a bit. To think that another figure would know of their ordeal, it was something most of the Azteris soldiers found odd but such words were kind to them/


    "We will be helping them grow. Though we will be their biggest hurdle in their journey." Augustus said as he readied his revolver.


    "Then they will be in good hands. To face against the two of you at their current state. Though it maybe too much. It can still be a lesson for them." The 5th Bellwitch said.


    "But they..." Iacus wanted to protest but was stopped by Donovan.


    "Avatar..." Donovan spoke up first, wanting to understand Kael''s intentions most likely. The Lord of Thorns is one lucky guy to have the guardian and a counselor by his side, but Donovan. The said Guardian is far too careful and with reason.


    "I''ve chosen Lord of Thorns to be my equal. That is why I am training him as hard. He is young, he is inexperienced. I have lived 52 lives and I am returning to my first life to fix my problems and my world. He''s not weak. He''s not pathetic. He doubts himself far too much in his fight. He has no trust in his own abilities. He has no trust in his own skills. That will be dangerous for you. You cannot have a leader that is hesitant and you cannot have a Lord of Thorns to be hesitant. Your strength lies with him. He may be unbreakable by all that skills but he is mentally damaged and needs to be fixed. He cannot continue with his grief like this. He must let it out. He must let those tears out. He must understand that as a human being. To hide behind his grief and continue onwards. That is insanity. He needs to get that out of his system. He deserves better." Kael shouted to them. It silenced them, Joshua''s companions were concerned but they could not rebut the words by the Avatar of Destruction.


    "You need him at his best and he needs that to be out of his system. He''s had a hard life. I will train him. Myself, I will make sure that if the day comes when Avatar like fighters try to hurt his world. He will be ready and I will make sure that you are all ready but he needs these feelings to fade. He needs to accept that it is okay to breakdown and that you may be his Familiars. He is your Lord and you have chosen to serve him. You are his family and brothers and sisters in arms! Those are the things that must be addressed." Kael added on to them where Augustus gave the same nod.


    "I agree. The Noir Dancer''s hesitation is something that has come from her own insecurities. From her feeling that she gives nothing but death. Yet Death must never be seen as an end. It should be seen as a release." Augustus said to tthe Noir Dancer''s Entourage.


    "Avatar of Death... Please... Do not hurt her." One of the horsemen spoke.


    "You see. I do not wish for them to feel that powerlessness if the enemy is overwhelming. That is what I do not wish for them to have. We both have felt that. Kael lost his family badly, his younger siblings were human trafficked. My entire family was massacred. We settled things accordingly but Etana chose them both as part of her best. That is why the Lord of Thorns and the Noir Dancer must not be viewed as weak. They are not weak. They are merely aching from their own hearts. They are in pain. That is something we must sort out. The powerlessness as all that fails before them. They must experience it. That is what I believe is important here. So that when the time comes, they know which skills to use and what techniques. I plan to teach your Noir Dancer my swordsmanship and skills with firearms. The Death''s Whisper." Augustus''s words had put them to ease.


    "Their battles are not easy, and it will be tough. People will die but they must persevere. They will be the guardian''s of this world. They need to fight heavy fights like us." Kael said to them where they kneeled.


    "Thank you, Avatars." The 5th Bellwitch said as they all bowed and knelt to them.


    "It is for you all as well. When your Lord and Noir fights to the best of their abilities. They will be far more powerful than they were before." Augustus added on.


    "Then so be it." The entourages spoke.


    Kael and Augustus stretched their necks.


    "Let''s go and say hello to them."

 Chapter 49 : The Test for the Lord of Thorns.

    Kael stepped into Mulligan. This was his first time here, but he did feel something familiar in this place. It was an odd feeling but Kael continued moving around until he felt that feeling gradually get stronger. Where he reached the barren lands where the swords of his past were. The ones that have chosen to await for Joshua to be worthy of their use. They were chirping with joy at the sight of him.


    "It might take longer, but you guys sure want to wait for him?" They all were in the affirmative.


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    Avatar... Would it trouble you if I asked you to relinquish your fifth blade to him?


    -Etana.


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    "Oh, you mean Ashen Phoenix? He can if I deem him worthy of it. I guess you must have heard from Lucius?"


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    <td style="width: 98.6726%; text-align: center">Yes, he told me that he relinquished the blade to you when you used it to cut down the Supreme Being and you''ve refused to use it ever since... May I ask why?</td>


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    "It''s a blade that grows with its master Etana. I have outgrowned it and it deserves better. If Joshua proves worthy. I can give him the blade." Kael said with ease, then looking at the cages where he could see the many variations of his past lives. So far only Lee and Kael were seen, but that is a given. Joshua doesn''t know much about him yet.


    He felt Ice Reaper''s pressence, which meant Joshua is here. Kael turned and got himself ready as his cards began to resonate all over his body, fluttering around him like butterflies and for this fight. He brought Kuro Hana, but she was in her Divine Slayer form. She was a bit quiet this time, perhaps due to the change that this world was. It was far too drastic and maybe the devastation was too much for Kuro Hana to process.


    Joshua arrived to see Kael, but he could see Joshua who was shaking. Perhaps the anxiety, the intensity that Kael had brought was not for the weakhearted. It was meant to push Joshua to his limit. It was like Joshua was a robot with its servos all locked up, unable to move or even speak. Yet, Joshua made his approach. Despite the wobbly footsteps and the overly tensed muscles. Kael just kept his gaze to Joshua''s eyes, as the cards continued to flutter about.


    It should be enough time to get started. Kael stretched his neck.


    "Are you ready, Lord of Thorns?"A question poised to Joshua, one that Kael could see the raised eyebrows, the tilted head and mouth wide open. Thankfully Joshua wore a mask, if not a fly could have just flown in with that mouth hanging ajar.


    "What...What is this?" Of course Joshua was confused but then again. It was a dumb question Kael had to ask, because of how unhinged the Lord of Thorns was. It was not that Joshua was weak, but he was unsure of himself that Kael was feeling uneasy about it.


    "It is merely a small battle. The fear of the unknown. That is for you to experience because not all enemies will follow with the rules of this world. Tell me Joshua, what is it that you wish for?" Perhaps it may have sounded absurd or cooler in Kael''s head, but Joshua seemed to be a little sure of what to say. He paused for a moment, thinking of an answer. Did the 5th Bellwitch ask Joshua the question as well? Well, it was part and parcel of the 5th Bellwitch''s question. The giant must determine if Joshua is worthy to be a patron of the shop. Funny thing is, Kael was thinking about how that shop operates? No payment to them, or was it free of charge and duty free thanks to the Gods of Commerce saying that it was a necessary thing.


    Joshua seemed to be faltering in his thoughts but his Coat of Crimson and Mask of Thorns was in better shape, it was stronger than before. A spiking heart rate, his adrenaline must be kicking in. His muscles were far too tense and it seemed like any longer, Joshua would make Kael uncomfortable. Perhaps Kael needed to ease his power a bit, seeing how Joshua was literally close to hitting panic. The system may not show it, but the shaky hands, quaking boots and that spike in heart rate was enough for Kael to note. That Joshua was terrified.


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    Joshua took a step, then he stopped. Now this whole situation was just teasing for a fight but then again, this world has system popups that show things bit by bit. So maybe Joshua was reading it and thinking. He''s not stupid but he''s honest. The honest kid who would return a stolen candy if he didn''t pay for it. Then again, Kael was always causing anxiety to those he fights. Especially if it is as the Avatar of Destruction. Can''t blame Joshua for that.


    "Take your time, Lord. I will not rush you. This is a question for your soul." Kael spoke with a gentle voice. It was piss poor effort to lower the intensity. A necessity so Joshua would not be pressured to answer with a dishonest remark.


    "I... I don''t have a clear goal. I just... I just want to live comfortably. Is that wrong?" Now that was an honest answer, the same kind of honesty a goodie two shoes had but Joshua was honest to a fault. So Kael just shook his head, it was not a wrong answer but then again. There is no right one either. This was something that Joshua had to figure out alone.


    "No, but do you feel powerless?" Kael asked, seeing Joshua clenched his fists. That was enough to start a few questions to trigger him.


    "Yes... I do.. I. I always feel powerless when I come back here. This was the tomb of the place I once called home." Joshua answered, earning a nod from Kael. Satisfied, this will be a good start, so might as well get this show started.


    "I suppose that will be enough for us to start with." Kael said as he cracked his fingers, where Joshua watched how the dust cleared away from all around them just with that motion.


    "Ready your blade, Lord. I will attack you." Kael warned, a voice of ominous intent. Joshua readied his new katana against Kael''s Kuro Hana but the first part of this test? It was for Kael to see if Joshua can see through Kael''s movements. He was going as fast as he could, just to see if Joshua can detect him. Joshua could barely react to his current speed, seems like an adjustment is in order. Kael then went close, standing right beside Joshua as he flicked Joshua''s mask. Watching him fly through an entire block of buildings. Cracking through them all with dust coming from the buildings that crashed downwards.


    "I have to go easier then, no hand to hand combat. Better use a sword." Kael said as he chased after Joshua. He was back on his feet, which Kael struck Joshua, seeing that tense look in his gaze.


    "Focus." Kael said.


    Now that was a start for a proper fight. Now to mess with his senses. Kael was actually just walking this time. No fancy footworks, the cards that spiraled all around him were messing with Joshua''s senses and clearly, he could not see where Kael was. Shifting his footwork repeatedly as he circled himself. Kael went to the right and swung the blade. Joshua managed to react but Kael was pushing him back.


    "Just because you can''t feel me doesn''t mean you can''t pin point where I am. You can do this Joshua." Kael gave encouragement but as the other Avatars have saidyet his actions sent Joshua flying to the wall. Kael chased after Joshua who rolled away from where he was. Barely managing to dodge Kael''s attack as the portion of the building was blown outwards. Joshua got back on his feet, then charging at Kael head on. Taking the initiative, but Kael engaged Joshua in a full on sword fight.


    Joshua''s strong strikes were easily parried by Kael, redirecting the katana to the side. Kael shoulder charged Joshua to the wall, where Joshua put a hole through it. Kael was readying his cards, the Four Kings.


    "Never think things are simple as it seems." Kael said as he snapped his fingers. The Four Kings was floating all around Joshua.


    "Four Kings, blast my enemy to oblivion." A snap of Kael''s finger, Joshua was sent flying through the walls. Now reaching somewhere with snow as Kael floated upwards to just take a look how far did he launch Joshua at. Seems like his endurance is paying off, it was able to negate most of the attacks. Was he still alive? Kael made his way to the snowy location, seeing Joshua breathing heavily with the other Ancients.


    "Ancients of White, Yellow, Green and Red. Nice to see you all." Kael greeted them, they were the Ancient of Seasons here but Kael knew them as the ones who governed colours.


    "I wish the same could be said but this.." Bayran spoke up, clearly he was concerned over the Lord of Thorns but would that matter to Kael? Yet, Joshua got back on his feet,despite shaking in his boots. He stopped the Ancient of White from saying anything further. That must have been one hell of a blow to cause Joshua to be in a daze. His footsteps were a mess, taking baby steps and zig zagging bit by bit. Kael walked closer, a good old tight slap might do the trick. Kael slapped Joshua, it did help him gain back his vision and not continue to be in a daze.


    "Why do you hesitate? When I see your swordsmanship. I see so much hesitation." Kael pointed out while charging to Joshua. as he charged at Joshua.


    "Think, think!"Kael shouted, trying to get Joshua to think in a fight. To stop relying on one type of attack against him. To prepare attacks and traps together, magic and swordsmanship. This was far too simple minded in combat, Joshua needed to have variety. Kael felt ice forming near Joshua, where he blasted Kael back a few steps. Joshua struck Kael''s chest. It was a naive kind of move. Taking the blow and catching Joshua by the throat.


    "Don''t let yourself be exposed after an attack. Always look for an opportunity to recover." Kael advised, letting Joshua go and a kick that sent Joshua flying through the trees. Seeing an entire portion of the forest fall down as a result of the blow.


    "I will have a lot to repair in my little home." Bayran said.


    "It''s not like you do much anyway." Kael joked as he charged after Joshua, noticing the dark elves that were present, children and families alike.Now, this was something. Should Kael give Joshua a bit more initiative? Joshua screamed for them to run but Kael decided to divert his path to the children. Seeing the horror wrinkle the confidence that Joshua had was the point. Joshua reached Kael first, perhaps he used one of the skills.


    "Good. Now there was some initiative. If you want to protect them, you need to have more initiative." Kael advised with a smile as Joshua struck Kael''s blade.


    "Blade Shift." Joshua''s blade changed, Kael could see the power of white flowing into the blade. Overpowering Joshua was easy, but Kael needed to see how Joshua was going to break free from this. The power gave Joshua that small burst of energy to push Kael back. An attack to Kael''s neck, Kael responded to protect his neck. Only to be struck by the shoulder, he smirked. Joshua did a good job, now he''s thinking on his feet! Trying to wrap Joshua''s neck in a headlock. His hands passed through Joshua like he was a ghost. A shoulder charge to push Kael back. Then making some distance, then Kael watched as thorns wrapped over his legs to bind him to the ground.


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    There we go, there''s some creativity from Joshua. Kael was getting excited but he cannot let his hopes go too high or Joshua might fall. Kael had Ace of Spades prepared to the back of his hip. Pulling the card out.


    "Not bad, but... Did you think I only attack with a blade?" Kael asked as the thorns withered away, consumed by the flames.


    "I know but you need at least a few miliseconds to think!" Joshua was already to his left, striking Kael with the blade. It did push Kael back to the side. Where the flames and ice made contact, creating vapors and mist that blanketed Kael''s position. He was getting creative, he was thinking and that look of fear was gone. It was a look of determination, a good look on a fighter like Joshua. Time to ready one of his other cards. The Magician Arcana, this was going to be dangerous. Can he dodge it?


    "Trust in your abilities, Lord. Now trust your creativity to pull you through." Kael said within the smoke.


    Kael unleashed a laser of flames through the air, seeing the snow of the area melt away, and seeing that Joshua had taken the simplest approach which was to duck from the attack. It was a strong spell but it takes a second or two to prime. This time Joshua took the initiative, going after Kael in a head on collision with their blades. The mist cleared as a result of their blades crashing into each other. Trading blows once more.


    "Have you grieved properly?" Kael asked, seeing Joshua falling to anger so easily. It was a sigh but Kael had to keep his dissappointment in hceck. Joshua needed to keep that to himself, the attacks though increased in tenacity. Were piss poor as Kael was not overwhelmed. Diverting the blade''s path to the side and a good old fashioned headbutt.


    That headbutt had Kael falling to his knees. His HP? Well Kael couldn''t see it but even if it did pop out. It was clear that Joshua was out of it. He could barely do anything from this point.


    "You can''t be triggered like that. If the enemies knew you were in that state. It would be pitiful." Kael said to Joshua, not a glare but one of dissappointment.


    "Do you know why I''m here?" Kael asked, seeing the out of breath Joshua shake his head.


    "I don''t." Of course he would not, Kael was here because he needed to see if this guy can handle being Kael''s equivalent.


    "You have a good heart, Joshua. A kind heart, but to live the life you wish. You must be strong enough to allow kindness and cruelty go hand in hand. Be kind to those who you wish to protect, but be cruel to your enemies. Ensure that they do not have mercy, I regretted letting enemies go because they hurt the people I loved later. What had happened here... It is a tragedy, but Goddess of Seasons chose you because of your heart. You whose heart has caused problems at birth, you who''ve not been able to do many things other people can. Now you are the sole survivor. Yet, you''ve not grieved properly." Kael said as he knelt to Joshua, placing his hand over Joshua''s shoulder.


    "Let me show you... My times of grief." Kael gave Joshua an entire show. Where Joshua could see Kael''s suffering and grief in the many lives that he had led. The family he once had, the family that he had made. The times when all the lives that Kael had, seeing Joshua''s face be wrinkle with sadness. The many things in the past, the death of Kael''s wife, the Priestess of Waters and recently... Ice Reaper''s death.


    "Never think that tears are for the weak. Your mask of thorns has chosen to bear your sadness as well. So will they."Kael said, watching the familiars walk on over to Joshua, they were different. They were stronger than before and their loyalty remained unchanged. The werewolf was first to make his way to Joshua.


    "Lugasa?" Lugasa the crimson, now that''s a name Kael hasn''t heard in a while.


    "Master... If you need to talk about grief, I am here too. I did lose my two sons in a war where werewolves fought against each other. I killed the clan that did it, but I just felt more hollow. Though I do have Esyn, she''s the only one left but... She knows that I can''t spend as much time with her and as long as you needed me. I am at your side. So stop hiding your thoughts. If you need to let your grief out. Why not us?" Lugasa posed the question where Joshua looked at Kael. Perhaps wondering what was it that Kael was trying to teach him, but to Kael this was just part of the lesson.


    "We have watched the many Lords whose tears fell for their grief. Though we may not understand, we wish to help you. Though we cannot cut grief like an enemy, it is pain and as life dictates it. Pain must be felt, Oh Lord." Iacus spoke to Joshua.


    "Family is not always blood. It can also be by the bonds you''ve forged. Joshua, as my equal. I will train you so that one day you will equal to me." Kael said as he looked at Ice Reaper who bowed to him. The way they spoke to Joshua, Kael could see their loyalty was strong but first. He must greet an old friend.


    "Ice Reaper. I will always... Always be grateful for what you''ve done for Ren. And I hope, you take care of Joshua the same too." Kael said to Ice Reaper, it was a pained smile. He felt his heart rip apart just saying those words, seeing Ice Reaper being alive again. This was the time where Kael could speak properly, and one that Kael treasures really well. Though he could see the cloaked reaper smiling at him.


    "Yes, my Avatar. I will take care of him, as I have taken care of you. I do miss Ren sometimes." Those words were enough to get Kael to smile at his old friend.


    "He''s using a scythe, and I think you will be a fine weapon for him when the time comes, but it seems someone else has been made." Kael said as they watched another scythe made of ice, unlike Ice Reaper''s pale blue this one was made with ice that was with midnight black. This was an interesting one, Midnight Fang, Ice Reaper''s elder brother, though Kael could see Ice Reaper smiling when he said that Ren used a scythe.


    The Midnight Fang took a human form, being a figure as tall as Ice Reaper.


    "Brother. It has been many years." Ice Reaper hugged the other scythe tightly. It was something akin to Ren and Kael. A hug that Kael may share withh is brother in the future.


    "Midnight Fang... It has been far too long... Why are you here?" That was the million dollar question, Kael remembered that he had sealed Midnight Fang because it was far too dangerous to keep around. It seems that those years have calmed it down a bit.


    "For my resolve, brother. You have a duty to the Lord of Thorns. So I will be staying in your stead. To take care of Ren." Midnight Fang''s words had touched Ice Reaper, despite being a cloaked skeleton. Kael smirked, Ice Reaper was honoured to have heard that. A weapon that seeked the recognition of its elder brother. Something like Ren.


    "Thank you, brother. I... I am in your debt." Midnight Fang turned to Kael.


    "So the elder brother is going to take care of my younger brother. I''m fine with that plan, Midnight Fang." Kael said with a smirk as Midnight Fang reverted to a scythe form and Kael grabbed him, then looking at Joshua.


    "For they serve you Lord of Thorns. As the many blades once served me." Kael said as they see the swords of the cemetery float to their position. Then showing their human forms to them, they were the swords that Kael ahd either sealed or left them to rest. Now they will wait for Joshua to be their master. He could have an army soon and these blades train their masters.


    "They will be ready when you are ready. So will the other Familiars of the Lord of Thorns." Kael said as Lugasa let go of Joshua. It was clear Joshua was nowhere close to Kael, but if he fights like this and continues to grow. He can be someone even Kael can fight without having to take it easy. He would be a fine Rival.


    "Just know that the Avatar of Destruction, Kael Webster sees the 13th Lord of Thorns as an equal and I will train you until you become strong enough to not need my help." Kael''s words were a declaration that was heard by all in Mulligan, as voices chanted in admission.


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    Is he worthy?


    -Etana-


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    Kael nodded to the pop up screen, Joshua would be a fine bearer of the Ashen Phoenix. The voices came from minotaurs, angels, demons and many other figures that chanted for the Lord of Thorns.


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    He can''t have them all as his familiar because he has not gotten his powers adjusted to their level yet.


    Also, I have more better familiars for him to use when he fulfills the requirements set by the many Lord of Thorns.


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    "Lord of Thorns!" The voices chorused, including the blades that were covering the sky, then Joshua turned to see Kael take a pendant from his neck. It was time, and this is something Kael was debating. It was a blade that refuses masters and could only be earned. Kael got it from Lucius when he went to slay the former Supreme Being. Now, he was going to have to give this power to another. It requires an oath, one to signify to the Ashen Phoenix that the blade is to be given elsewhere.


    "The Legend of the Avatar of Destruction carrying 4 blades is a little misguided. I carried 5. The 5th blade... It is one of a kind, known to me as the Ashen Phoenix. Nobody knows about it because I rarely draw it. It''s a blade that I can''t use because it needs someone else. Perhaps all of my years of fighting. This blade that I used in my last life to slay a Supreme Being... It will be useful to you. But I need to recite the oath." Kael said as the Four Ancients appeared by their side.


    "Take this blade, oh one who bears the burden of his world. For when things turn grim, turn to this blade. For when everything that was once alive must turn to ash. The ashes will give birth to anew. The phoenix is born from the ashes. Slumbering, awaiting for its true call and you to become its master. For the Ashen Phoenix will only accept those worthy to the call. And so, I... The 7th Bearer, will pass this blade unto you. As my predecessor, Lucius has given to me. As did his predecessors. You are worthy to be its herald. Give this legend, a new life. Joshua Gates." Kael declared as they watched the ash gray tachi appear before them. It had the marks of a phoenix over its scabbard. With its grip, handguard and scabbard tied by a glowing red string. The fact that the blade has appeared, it has recognized him but there was one more step.


    "Take this blade to the 5th Bellwitch. He must make the changes for this tachi to suit you." Kael said as Joshua took the blade, where the glowing string burned away. To the others, Joshua fell to his knees, his mind was brought somewhere else.


    "Relax. He''s fine. He just needs to greet the Ashen Phoenix itself." Kael said with a cigarette in hand. He had quite a few rings by his fingers, Kael did not realize that the rings materialized. These were rings of the destruction, where it amplifies his current magic and act as protective enchantments. Looking at the rings itself, means that Joshua was strong enough to force them.


    "What is the Ashen Phoenix?" Iacus asked.


    "It''s a God Slayer. Damn thing was made by the First Bellwitch as a means to fuck up an asshole God. It''s been used as a means to slay Supreme Beings. I don''t use it anymore because it''s just wild, but if it''s Joshua. I think he can handle it. I got this blade far too late for me to tame it and it was too tedious. It kept scaring my oter swords. Only a dozen can handle it at best." Kael answered.


    "Then... Why?"


    "Because he is worthy. I am here to just test his worth and like I told you. To make him my equal. It''s no fun if I use a blade that kills Supreme Beings and Supreme Gods and Joshua doesn''t have one. He might have to do it, to a meddling figure or God." Kael answered the question. Then turning to see Joshua back up on his feet with the Ashen Phoenix.


    "You are worthy, oh Lord of Thorns." Kael said as he shouldered Midnight Fang, that was all he needed to say.


    "Good luck on your adventure. I''ll come by once or twice just to mess with you. Or kick your ass until you get stronger. Oh and I almost forgot." Kael snapped his fingers to Joshua.This was to grant him some blessings. So any foreign invaders that try to mess with Joshua''s world, can get fucked and butchered, maimed or whatever the hell Joshua wants. Then he took out an old deck of his. One that he used when he was the Master of Cards. Might be useful for Joshua, but he will have to fight someone first.


    Kael then threw a deck of cards at Joshua.


    "You have to beat the Master of Cards for that one to be used. Trust me, if you can handle me right now at my laziest way of kicking your ass. You can beat the Master of Cards. Now all of the fights against me are unlocked. Beat the 52 lives of the Avatar of Destruction and you will gain some skills or powerful weapons too. I don''t use guns though, just swords and magic. If guns, it has to be the Avatar of War, but he''ll have to pay you a visit. Which might be sooner or later. That guy''s weapon collection is pretty sweet. Railguns, electric sniper rifles. Plasma cannons... The works. Well, enough dilly dallying from me. I get so tense from being so damn serious all the time. See ya." Kael said as a portal opened and he walked into it.


    This time, Kael saw Lucius, Ren and Velaya that were having lunch together at home. Where Ren had just completed his training.


    "Oh, big brother!" Ren ran up to hug Kael, where Kael scruffed his younger brother''s hair again, messing it up.


    "Got you a present." Kael said as he let go of Midnight Fang, where it knelt to Ren.


    "You''re just like Ice Reaper!" Ren was excited to see Midnight Fang.


    "Ice Reaper is my younger brother, master. And just like your brother, I will serve you. As my younger brother has done for your." Ren watched as Midnight Fang changed to scythe form for Ren to use. He was jumping with joy, even practicing with the blade.


    "So you gave it to him?" Lucius asked.


    "Yep. He''s worthy, and Ashen Phoenix seems to like him more than me. He''s got a Spectral Horse. So I think Ashen Phoenix is in good hands." Kael answered where Lucius nodded with a smile.


    "I trust your judgement, helicopter brother."


    "Well you gave me the blade, did the oath and everything. Oh doting supreme father." Kael and Lucius laughed at their own insults, but Kael was hoping the best for Joshua.


    "Hopefully things will change after this." Kael thought to himself.

 Chapter 50 : Chillout.

    Kael was now out and about, this time he had the whole week to himself. Lucius was joining his family out for a vacation in the nearby mountain lodge with the others. Kael was just lazy not to go considering the Gods who''ve made his family members Avatars were going. So today? He was just going to stay in Matello and not do anything crazy.


    He was walking with Scarlett and Josephine, holding the hands of both Violette and Emeline. Now they were toddlers.


    "Come on dad!"


    "Okay. Okay." Kael was following the two around while Josephine and Scarlett were just giggling to the sight of Kael who was keeping up with the kids. They bumped into a person, where Kael looked at the woman. It was Blake.


    "Wow, you''re pretty! But my mama''s prettier!" Josephine chuckled at hearing that as she made her way to Blake.


    "Sorry about that. The two of them are pretty lively you see." Josephine said as the two kids moved to behind their mother, tugging her pants. Shy but coy when meeting with Blake''s eyes.


    "So what are you up to? Oh yeah. I heard that one girl''s looking for you. Not Cindy but... It''s that singer? She said she''s looking for a bodyguard?"


    "Well, good luck to her then. Sorry, busy with work for my daughters. Come on girls, let''s go watch a movie!"


    "Okay daddy!" Violette and Emeline ran to Kael''s side, holding his hand.


    "Wait.. Daughters? Kael''s married?" Blake was caught off guard by how Kael said it so calmly.


    This time they were going to watch a movie, where Kael cast magic to keep the two kids from doing too many crazy things. They were excited to be sitting in their own seats with popcorn as they watched the movie. Marveling at the animations on screen, seeing the many characters. They were just happy to be here, Kael could see Violette and Emeline being heavily invested, perhaps because it was the first time they saw the movies.


    After that was done, they went shopping for clothes. Where Emeline and Violette went to pick out the colours. Josephine held Kael''s hand while they were picking out some clothes for Emeline and Violette. Checking the tags at the back for the right sizes. Just making sure everything was up to standard. Swiping his card to buy them clothes, and then continuing onwards. Just moving around the shopping mall where people kept an eye on Kael, mostly eyeing his children.


    Josephine kissed Kael''s cheeks then she walked on over to the three men who were eyeing her children. Well, now that was going to be trouble. Kael just sat there thinking about what was going to happen next. The three men were no longer in view. Safe to say, Josephine has dealt with them and how did she do it? Perhaps such a question is left unanswered, even Kael felt a sharpness to her gaze and despite that lovely smile of hers. Josephine must have been pissed off to even harm the three men badly. Kael could only hope that they''re alive. Better yet, maybe they''re just sitting in the toilet being scared. It''s not a bad thing anyway, if she didn''t do it. Kael would have done it first.


    Though it was nice to just sit back and relax, his other swords were just watching the house with the Fenrirs. Even having some of the groceries being done by them. Lunch was uneventful just how he liked it. Just wiping the mess off Emeline''s mouth when she ate her mushroom soup with garlic bread was something Kael had not felt in a while. Chuckling as Josephine was helping Violette drink her chocolate milkshake.


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    It was the little things, these little memories that Kael made today that keep him going. Kael came home to find Nelista using magic to collect all the Fenrir fur that was moving about. The house looked like it was in a mess, but nothing of value broke so that''s a good thing. Just a lot of fur all around the house with some of the food from the fridge being eaten.


    "Welcome home, avatar."


    "Thanks, Nelista. So... The Fenrirs came into the house?"


    "As you can tell. They seem to enjoy being in this house." Kael watched as Skoll pounced on him.


    "Hey, there Skoll. Still rowdy as ever."


    "Of course, have you seen my grand children? They are just running everywhere because it''s fun! Oh and the crops are ready." Skoll got off Kael as they headed outside, looking at the garden that they had. Strawberries, apple trees, mango trees, banana trees... They were literally living off these since most of these fruits are expensive. Then the vegetables were mainly cauliflower, broccoli, bak choy, kai lan and a few others. Bell peppers and some bitter gourds. Kael could see some off the Fenrirs leaping up to the trees to take a bite of the fruits hanging off it.


    Comical, yet adorable to watch as the branches would sway from their reach. Though Kael knew it was just Skoll playing pranks on his descendants. Their tails wagged like normal dogs, happily leaping into the air to get bites of the fruits. Kael sat by the sofa, he needed the rest. Putting his leg on the table, leaning on the velvety pillows.


    For now, Kael could use some shut eye. So he did, letting his guard completely down. Unknowing that his face was about to be drawn by Scarlett, Josephine, Emeline and Violette. Just sleeping in a land of dreams. Where in those dreams, Kael was sleeping in a field of cotton. Utter comfort and pure bliss.


    The kids were just drawing Kael''s face with all the goofiness that was the might of the black marker pen. Kael opened his eyes to see his forehead and neck full of doodles, well for now that was nothing for Kael. Just going over to see that his kids drew circles by his eyes, with poorly doodled kittens over his forehead.


    This was a good laugh for him, Kael turned to the left to see Nelista helping Josephine and Scarlett on cooking, along with some pans and pots that had been cut open. Perhaps it was from Josephine''s rage when cutting the vegetables in terrible shape. Scarlett must have taken the advice of ''cook to your heart''s content'' a bit too literally. At least Nelista was going to make sure whatever that they were going to eat was edible.


    Kael got up, stretching his limbs as he went into the bathroom. Seeing that Scarlett and Josephine had prepared the bath for him. So Kael stepped into it. Just wiping his face clean with the water that had the smell of mint, spring and a bath bomb that was soothing to his soul. A nice bath tub session was far more important than what people thought. It was a guilty pleasure that Kael had loved but there had to be more to it.


    Kael was sinking into the bath. Blinking once and he finds himself falling. Another blink Kael was falling from the sky.


    "Great... I''m falling and I''m naked." Kael waved his hands over his body, where he wore his black tailcoat as an Avatar of Destruction. Seeing explosions from the distance and screams from the distance. Landing on his feet, Kael stood on top of a tree. Where he recognized a particular sword that was using in the fight.


    "Ah... So it''s the Lord of Thorns... Lucius. What''s this about?"


    "Sorry Kael. Etana said that this particular Outsider may be dangerous even for the Lord of Thorns.."


    "Eh, it''s fine. Just make sure you tell the kids why I''m missing dinner."


    "I will. I apologize for the trouble." Kael kept an eye out to see Joshua swinging Ashen Phoenix and using the cards that he gotten from Kael. He was decent, but he can surely do better. The cards he gave Joshua were his old deck but to see them being used again. It was fun to watch, specifically seeing Joshua''s growth.


    Though the Outsider this time? Might be a bit annoying, even for Kael.

 Chapter 51 : The Talk

    Kael kept an eye out on Joshua. Watching how much Joshua has improved, the use of magic cards that was similar to him. It was a splendid sight but the look of Joshua''s eyes?


    The Lord of Thorns seemed to be lost, perhaps lost in the thoughts of what Kael had previously. What if he had this power? Would things change? The answer would be yes, that powers and things will change accordingly. Lost in his own power, lost in what it means to be the Apex. A powerful being, yet he could not save everyone.


    Some thoughts that Kael had in the past, this was looking like a mirror.


    "Time to go say hi and see what''s up with the lost Lord." Kael made his way to see Joshua sitting by the ground, putting his blade aside for a moment. Kael put a cigarette to his lips.


    "So.. This was done by you eh?" Joshua turned to see Kael who had a cigarette to his lips. Joshua snapped his fingers to light the cigarette for Kael.


    "Thanks." Kael said, taking a seat a bit further from Joshua. Seeing the distraught face on the Lord of Thorns, something he''d seen a few times but what could Joshua do? He''s just lost as he was when Kael had first met him.


    "Feeling lost in what you''ve done?" A weak nod by the Lord of Thorns where the Avatar of Destruction gave a weak smile of empathy.


    "Do you ever feel remorse for what you do?" A question that Kael had no idea how to answer. Being in such a place, observing all the destruction that he has seen. There''s a lot more that he wanted to say yet Kael could only keep his thoughts on a leash and say what he truly felt. The Lord of Thorns deserved this at least.


    "No. I stopped feeling those emotions a long time ago. When you bear witness to the destruction all around you. It just makes you wonder about a lot of things. Whether people truly understand the horrors of war." Kael said to Joshua, a person who has been in maybe more than a few wars. Perhaps this was just how Joshua seemed to develop it. Normally one would have PTSD but Joshua seemed to be lost rather than despair.


    "You do not need to pray, You do not need to beg. You just do. That is what I am as a Lord of Thorns. I guess I am finally understanding such words." Joshua said, looking at his hands. Perhaps thinking that things could have been better. A look of reminiscing his thoughts. Kael had the same feeling when he became Lee, the changes he had in the many lives he lived. Kael got up, walking on over to Joshua.


    "Try not to lose that side of you that''s human. Keep it close to you. Remember you''re still a human with all those powers. Don''t lose track of it. Well. I''m bored as shit. So Maybe I''ll help you out here." Kael said as he helped Joshua on his feet.


    "But why are you here, Avatar?" That was the question wasn''t it?


    "Please, just call me Kael. We don''t need formalities.I came cause Lucius wanted me to see this Outsider of yours. Might be something other than a demon. Could be another rogue God trying to take over another world." Kael said as he continued to smoke his cigarette, where Joshua offered him a rose which transformed into a pack of cigarettes.


    "Thoughtful, Kid." Kael thought to himself. Smiling.


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    "Don''t mind if I do." Kael doused his earlier cigarette then taking one of the cigarettes, lighting it up. Taking a deep whiff, the look on Kael''s face showed how much he liked it. It was just a whole new sensation of its own. Must be the power of the Lord of Thorns'' powers over the seasons and all things related to flowers.


    "Now that''s beautiful. A nice smell to it, no tobacco.. Tea cigarettes normally taste rougher than my usual pack but I guess it''s been blessed by the Lord of Thorns. Makes this pack a whole lot more interesting." Kael said as he kept looking at it.


    "Thanks for helping me."


    "No thanks needed. Besides, training you might be more fun than just lazing around in my own world. I''ve done too much shit to it anyway." Kael chuckled to Joshua who chuckled as well.


    "Mood kindred... Is that the word for it?" Over the distance another regiment of the Drusken Empire came to view. Kael tapped his cigarette, spreading the ash away as he pulled out a card. Thinking of the Arcana set. Out of spite, to try this one out.


    "Leo of Flames. Burn this army before me." Kael said as the card shattered from his hands, where the Drusken Empire''s regiments were immediately taken away by the flames. Even their ashes had been blown away by the wind. The flame was far more intense but perhaps it was the influence of the Nimean Lion itself that was manifesting from the card itself. Though the look on Joshua''s face wasn''t like the lost lamb he met earlier. A bit more of an earnest and dignified rather than the lost one.


    "Not bad on the control part, I saw a bit of your fight. You don''t look like a lost lamb to me. More like a... A lost alpha wolf that''s leading a pack to battle. It''s a good look on you than the lamb when we first met." Kael said.


    "I had a good teacher." Kael laughed at that statement. A good teacher? Perhaps.


    "Heh, beating Master of Cards gives you that right." Kael said as the two of them walked back to the capital. The walk back was just the two of them reminiscing about their pasts. Comparing notes with each other and by the time they knew it. They were at the walls where the Lord of Thorn''s familiars were present.


    Kael joined Joshua where Iacus looked at him with surprise.


    "Forgive my rudeness, Avatar." Iacus was about o kneel but Kael stopped him.


    "Think nothing of it. You''re the one who does all the planning right? I''ll join you for a bit. Seeing the current state of Familiars. Seems like you could give me a run for my money, Joshua." A compliment to Joshua.


    "Ice Reaper." Ice Reaper appeared by Joshua''s side. A familiar face would be fun to see.


    "Masters." Now that was cute, but that was something Kael had liked about Ice Reaper. Who was still as polite as ever.


    "I''m lending you back to Kael''s hands for the duration of this stay. Are you okay with that?" Ice Reaper nodded, then moving to Kael''s side. Maximilian and Aurelia kept an eye on Kael. Now that was a thoughtful thought by Joshua.


    "If you want to start a conquest. Just remember. I''m essentially a battering ram. You need something destroyed, then I''m your guy."


    "Lord... I think it''s best if you travel with the Avatar." Iacus''s suggestion was met with glares from the other Familiars.


    "Iacus... With all due respect, the Avatar nearly killed our Lord." Commander 151 spoke to him. Clearly Joshua''s familiars were hostile but Kael can''t blame them either. He did beat Joshua up to a near death and into a pulp.


    "That won''t be a problem, Rouge Rose. I''m just here to lend a hand. Besides, he''s my rival. I''d like to see how we both work hand in hand anyway." Kael said as he patted Joshua''s back. Some assurance.


    "Ice Reaper and myself will be enough for the fight." Kael said as Ice Reaper returned to his scythe form. Oh this felt good to be back in his hands.


    "Then Avatar. Can you start your conquest from the North?" Kael nodded.


    "Got it." Kael and Ice Reaper faded away, first. Now headed into a new place, the North. They had a number of bases. Tanks, fighter jets and golems.


    Now that was cute, a large regiment of soldiers. Would that be enough? Well, Kael was the Avatar of Destruction and now he''s got Ice Reaper with his side.


    "Let''s do it like how we always do, Ice." Kael said as he swung the scythe upwards. Unleashing a trail of ice that emerged from the ground, sending the soldiers flying. Just a bit of a fight. Now pushing onwards.

 Chapter 52 : The Battle.

    Kael being with Ice Reaper was a classic pair, swinging the scythe to unleash ice waves that came from below. Watching how the ice waves turned the entire area into a winter wonderland. Seems like the abundance of mana gave Kael a much more dangerous weapon than before.


    Though the fortress in front of him was still standing. Kael was humming to himself as he could see a man who stopped the ice with flames.


    "Ah. You dare to attack us? Then what if I do this?!" The man said as the fortress gates opened up with the residents of Lunarian Kingdom walking out. Controlled like puppets to do the bidding of the man. They were trying to use the innocent people to stop Kael from doing anything. But the failure on that man''s part? Was Kael was too busy feeling the cold, he was scratching his nose.


    Kael started to feel his nose itch, he felt his nose twitch. Whatever the man was blabbering about, Kael wasn''t paying attention.


    "Pineapple." Ice Reaper said, stopping Kael by the absurdity of it. What did Pineapples have anything to do with this situation?


    "Just let... Sn... Achoo!" Kael sneezed watching the entire fortress be blown away. Uprooted off the ground, flying upwards. Maybe it left the atmosphere? Maybe it vanished? Maybe its just going to drift in space and confuse the Gods?


    "Ice... You''re a lot colder than I remember. You being by the Lord of Thorn''s side seemed to make it cold enough to affect me... Ah... Ah.. AH CHOO!" The prideful man was now missing his lower half. Kael chuckled at the sight.


    "I killed you with my sneeze! Good god you fucking villains take forever to do shit. Don''t stand there boasting and whatever. Just do your plan. Villains that stall are annoying. God, even I could be a better villain." Kael vented out his thoughts, as he kicked the prideful man aside. Just the kick turned the man to a pile of blood. Kael continued going onwards.


    "Ice Reaper?"


    "Yes, Master?"


    "Is there a reason why in the world do incompetent villains keep spouting out their monologues?"


    "I suppose it must be due to the fact that majority of incompetent villains do not have training to be competent. Monologuing their thoughts as if this was a movie of sorts. Though whenever you dealt with them, it is always meant to be comical. Part of Supreme God Lucius''s particular trait of watching stupidity be ruined by something far absurd." Ice Reaper said as Kael walked through the area that was riddled with destruction.


    "Ironically, but Lucius seems to enjoy watching me destroy idiots with just my own sneeze or even coughing. Though competent villains or somewhat competent villains don''t have that luxury. Always dying a painful death. Part of karma. Heh, maybe I''ll die a painful death as well."


    "I do think it may be a bit too much but... I don''t think that any one in your world can even kill you, master." Ice Reaper said.


    "Right. I''m the Avatar of Destruction... Lucius''s Avatar of Destruction." Kael said as he lit another cigarette to smoke. The pack that Joshua gave was always refilling itself. Velvety smooth texture, no bitter or horrid after taste. At least it wasn''t some cigarettes that tasted like cockroach shit on fire or even taste funny or horrid. It was just light on the mints, heavier on the flavor. Leaving a strong aroma of roses. If one were not careful, they could be transported to a garden of roses.


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    A lovely sensation yet, Kael continued to walk onwards. Another army that was in front of him, where Kael sneezed again. The sneeze itself had turned the entire army of Drusken soldiers into ice. Something that Kael found to be amusing.


    "Damn. You being colder than before makes me think that my resistance to cold is -" Another sneeze and the frozen army had exploded into chunks. Ice Reaper went close with a large coat, to place it over Kael''s shoulders.


    "I suppose me not being by your side has weakened you to the ice." Ice Reaper said.


    "No kidding, your ice is different. It''s a lot more powerful than before. Must be the Ancient of Ice''s restoring you to its completion. So how is he?"


    "He''s not lost as the time I seen him. He''s grown perhaps he''s outgrown my use. I doubt I will be useful by his side when the time comes." Kael continued to walk on, as the skies rained lead down over to Kael. The coat that Ice Reaper gave him was in tatters, with Kael leaping up into the air.


    "Kuro Hana." A single draw from Kuro Hana, as Kael parted the clouds. Revealing the machines that were firing upon him, human beings in those metal suits. Cybrogs? Now this was interesting. Kael planted his feet to the ground as he was ready for the draw. He sneezed again and the draw was interrupted, where the machines in the sky exploded.


    "Master, are you okay?"


    "I have a cold, Kuro Hana. It''s why I can''t use you properly. Lucius any particular reason?"


    "The Lord of Thorns has grown stronger than before. And he''s somewhere that can even bother you with that ice of his." Kael chuckled as he continued moving on ahead. This was a chore to say the least thanks to Kael sneezing repeatedly. Any enemy that was in front of him had been turned to ice, where a bit of yellow from Kael''s mucus.


    "God that is gross."Kael spoke as he let out a sigh. He could barely use his powers in his current state, now using card magic to keep himself warm, at least keeping the coldness of Ice Reaper at bay. Kael continued to walk on while Kuro Hana stayed close to Kael. Holding his arm, leaning closer to his bicep.


    "It''s cold." She was shivering as her hands were jittering. That was surprising, though what was funnier to Kael was seeing Ice Reaper hold his other arm. Relieving the chills that Kael had felt earlier.


    "It seems that staying with him has proven to be beneficial."


    "It has. He reminds me a lot of you when you were reckless." Kael chuckled as the three of them continued moving ahead, more enemies came over to greet them. A warm reception as Kael held Ice Reaper in one hand and Kuro Hana in the other.


    "Well let''s see how wild we both can be. An army before us. Like old times!" Kael shouted with glee as he charged in, swinging his blades to tear through the formation that was in front of him. Ice Reaper handled the defensive while Kael was preparing magic to use in the fight. Kuro Hana would be taking care of offence, cutting through dozens of the enemy soldiers while Ice Reaper would move the blade to stop any incoming bullets.


    "World, cast my enemies in a black flame!" Kael said as a shockwave of flames emerged from the cards, as Kael went to swing at the targets with all of his usual chaos. The forces before him crumbled with the power of the flames within his fingertips. The flames danced around them as spheres of light, before bursting away. Leaving nothing but ash in its wake.


    Kael wasn''t bored, but he was feeling stale from all the ice. Numbness to his fingers. A freezing sensation that was dispelled by the flames, leaving behind a cloud of thick steam. Kael was looking at his fingernails, the sight of blood was all that he could remember. How many lives did his magic had taken? And if there were people who were still willing to go after his family.


    He could ponder all these thoughts, not caring as more and more of the soldiers charged at him. Blinded by fear as their hands were guided by desperation. The desire to live and the will to survive. The thoughts lingered as Kael lit a cigarette, just lighting it caused a great flame to turn everything to ash before his very eyes.


    "Wonder how''s my family doing?" Kael asked, looking up to the sky that was full of clouds.


    "Don''t rain on my smoke." Just a request, yet the clouds parted before his path. Perhaps the nature of this world too understand Kael''s dangerous powers and wanted to avoid dying. ice Reaper and Kuro Hana walked behind Kael who continued on his path.


    "The long road to ruin." Kael thought out loud as the rain fell all around him, but his path was dry. He expected a long winded fight but he got nothing short of a disappointing bout. Perhaps he could race against the Lord of Thorns in this one. It might be fun?

 Chapter 53 : The Continued Walk.

    Kael was yawning the entire time as he continued his path from the north. Walking through the lush green fields of this world, a foreign world that he had no choice to participate due to otherworldly bullshit. The flames that he had lurking in his veins were unleashed with every step that he took. Leaving of burnt grass. Before his eyes, stood an army. They began shouting orders as the soldiers lined up their rifles, the tanks took their positions in a hefty formation. The roaring engines, as chaos was slowly blooming into view. Sparks erupted as he felt everything fly to his direction. Everything was supposed to be in a flash. For him though, it felt like it took forever. This lush field would be invaded by the fires of a war.


    As artillery rained upon it, leaving nothing but clouds of smoke. The weapons however, didn''t stop firing. It was continuing as if they had known if they fail, it would lead nothing for desolation to the armies behind them. The only patch of grass that was safe, was the one where he stood. Nothing more and nothing less. The Avatar of Destruction, that was Kael''s reference to the Gods. To him, the entire battlefield was an offering.


    The continous bombardment was a good idea. A lesson that Kael had learnt from the past. When he was executing a dragon, he needed to keep eviscerating it. If it falls for a moment, then cut off the head and rip out the heart. Better be safe than sorry. Making that mistake had caused Kael to lose his left arm. Lighting a cigarette in the midst of it all. The cigarettes that he had received from Etana''s Avatar of Seaons was one that was immune to the wind. Even the shockwave of the explosions had not shifted Kael''s position at all.


    Does Kael have to wait for this to end? Or does he reply in kind? Either way works, because whatever decision he makes. Would only decide whether the army before him. Dies quickly or slowly. Decisions, decisions. How Kael had loathed the whole part of making these decisions. Burn them? Nah, the field would suffer. Turn them to ice? It would just be boring. Vaporize them with holy magic? Sounds good but then he''d be hearing their screams. Use dark magic? Corrupts the land. Use the wind? Leaves a mess. Pondering his thoughts as he stayed still in the smoke, tapping his cigarette.


    An offering to Lucius, since he was the only one who could do so. When in doubt, just use the old fashion weapon. Kael wasn''t that good with firearms, so the next best thing he had was a sword. Maybe pick out a random sword from his inventory. Shock and awe? Or just bored with using his magic? Left hand bringing out his other katanas, right hand grabbing the hilt. Taking up a stance. A deep breath as he braced himself for the draw.


    Emptying his mind, clearing any thoughts of hesitation. Even the idle thoughts such as did he forget to switch off the stove or did he forget to help somebody with a university project or even if he had changed the diapers of his kids. Tightening his grip, as he drew the katana with a fast swing. Cutting the smoke, clearing his way. Seeing the fountains of red and scrap metal before his eyes.


    Not a stranger to the battlefield, just walking ahead. Passing the corpses and all the damaged vehicles, seeing a survivor who was on his knees with the broken rifle. Looking up to see the monster that had caused this massacre. Meeting Kael''s eyes was an omen to his doom. Either way he was going to die, Kael picked up a pistol from a nearby corpse. Offering it to the survivor. Confused to what was the intention, as the survivor glanced at the pistol, then back to Kael.


    Repeating the process at least 40 times or as long as Kael''s cigarette lasted. When he finished the cigarette, he just flicked it to the survivor''s head. Leaving a hole through the helmet.


    "Shit. I was gonna ask him to shoot himself." Kael sighed as he threw the pistol aside, where it disassembled itself into the body of a corpse without a torso. This was messy, he should just the wind. Why did he waste his time with a katana when he could just literally sneezed them to death.


    A waste of effort but not a waste of magic. Continuing on, Kael would find himself walking ahead. Just humming a random tune that was stuck in his head. A nursery rhyme of some ancient legend. One that he had forgotten which life he had heard it in. Accompanied by the setting sun, where Kael would just take a moment to enjoy the view. Unpolluted by skyscrapers that would normally haunt his view. Stars slowly make their appearance before him, as the crescent moon greets him on this fateful journey. What was on his mind as he walked?


    In fact, there was nothing on his mind. Aimlessly walking without a care in the world. A simple pleasure that he had forgotten. Just thinking about nothing and going somewhere. Bliss. That was the word that Kael could describe. In all of his lives, Kael''s walks were always with a direction. Never once, he could walk without thinking if there was gonna an angel attacking him from behind. Or a demon lurking in his shadow.


    Though that bliss was short lived as a tank round. Hit him dead on. Kael just stood there in disbelief, as he realized there was another army in front of him.


    "Mother f-" Kael''s curse was interrupted by another volley of tank shells. He could barely think as his silent mind was invaded by all these tank shells flying into him. Kael was just wondering, should he just. Snap this entire army out of existence? Or should he just use a fire spell that would melt whatever it is ahead of him to ash? Gunfire invaded his personal space. Like he could barely have a single second to think as bullets were flying. Whatever they were made of, was questionable. Due to the fact that a bullet hit his face, and it melted. Kael was wondering which card was currently in use. It''s quite rare for bullets to melt when they hit his face.


    Rustling his pockets, Kael was thinking about what to do next, as he found the card. The 10 of Swords. It seemed to have coated his body in translucent flames. Grabbing a set of cards as he thought about what to do next. Should he use them? Or should he just snap them to death. Feeling a bit upset at the interruption of his blissful walk. So, Kael decided to just snap them out of existence. Whereby the gravity of the area in front of him, would begin to pull them to the ground. Crushing them slowly. Hearing metals screaming as the bolts and nuts flew out of their places. Engines were being pushed to the limit before breaking down. Ammunition went under an extreme pressure, as if the primers were about to set off by a hammer.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Everything was going unpleasantly for them at least. Bullets began to fire away. Bones cracking as they were slowly being broken. Nothing was going to be left here, as even the flesh was being pounded by the gravity. Even the blood was being pushed into the soil that the corpses were on. Leaving not even a trace of flesh as they had fed the soil with their corpses. Kael then proceeded to continue on his walk without giving a damn.


    Scratching the back of his head as he kept thinking about how far was he supposed to go. Ice Reaper, floated into view with a map showing their current position.


    "Damn. Looks like I still got a long way to go." Kael groaned as he realized that he was only halfway there. Ice Reaper then returned to scythe form, floating by Kael''s side. Kael was going to just keep moving and if he sees anything. He''s just going to sneeze at it. The armies of this world were plenty, and he doesn''t even know what''s the purpose of this damn war. Just an Outsider who decided to make his reign in this place but as per rules. Kael cannot engage the Outsider. That is up to the one who is the representative of the Gods in this particular set of worlds. All he could do, was merely aid them. But everything else, was their actions. The actions of the representative.


    A few tanks appear and on cue, sneezed at the tanks. Where they were frozen, with a bit of his mucus forming the ice. Another sneeze, and they were gone. Literally flying into the air, crashing down on their allies that were behind. Truly a cursed way to die, from a man sneezing on them. Soldiers charged with their bayonets, Kael would also. Sneeze on them. Turning them into ice, then looking past the horizons. Seeing a bigger army. Roughly, maybe... 2 million?


    Kael let out a sigh.


    "How the fuck do they have 2 million people? I think I slaughtered about 5 million just now. Is this a country that has a few billion people or something?" Kael complained as he shook his head, tapping his feet impatiently as he was trying to figure out. What spell to use. A light bulb appeared on his head.


    "The fuck is this? A literal thing that appears when I have an idea? The fuck is wrong here." Kael stretched his limbs as he realized, he was going to use a gesture spell. One that he kinda needed to be careful about using. It''s not a killl everything spell. It''s a spell that ERASES whatever that is in the path. Ice Reaper appeared again, showing the map. The indicated areas where his allies won''t be present.


    So, the best thing to do. Was give them the finger. Kael raised his fist, showing his middle finger to his enemies. Whereby they see giant spheres forming above his head. slowly combining into a single sphere with the elements of lightning, ice, water, fire, earth, wind, light and darkness spiraling like serpents clinging to their prey. Now he just needed to say the words. The spell was armed and it needed the final touch.


    "Turn everything before me, into nothing and FUCK YOU." Those were the magic words, that activated as the sphere began to open up a portal. Whereby a gigantic ray would just shine down to the armies in front of him. Kael would take the time to just enjoy himself with a short reprieve. Of just standing still, and not giving a damn about anything. Such things were just rabble in his eyes.


    Lighting another cigarette as Kuro Hana, who appeared in her human form. Gave him a flask of water, which Kael was a little annoyed that it was scalding hot water. But then again, he can''t give a damn because he''s too lazy at this point. So taking a swig of it, his throat would have melted if he were just a normal human being. Or worse, his insides beyond damaged. Looking at the destruction ahead of him, Kael decided to see the view. So he took out the Temperance Arcana from his pocket, crushing it as he began to float. Flying into the sky, whereby he looked down. Nothing remained. It was as if everything ahead of him, did not exist at all. Just the way he liked it. Nothing was going to bother him which is a blessing in disguise.


    Flying higher, as Kael realized. That it was literally a gigantic middle finger that was etched violently to the ground. This should have been considered as a warcrime at this point, but the Gods have done nothing. So it means they are either amused by his childishness or they are just amazed at his pettiness. Gliding through the skies, Kael would not find any life within the distance. Admiring his art, that was just part of it. Avatar of Destruction, he has to admire his own work sometimes.


    He''s seen cities fall, he''s seen empires turn to dust. He''s seen the cries of a child, begging for his mother to awaken from her slumber. The eyes of a woman who had been told, her loved one is not coming home. Immune to such things, that was just what it means to be the Avatar of Destruction. To always offer destruction in some way. Lighting these cigarettes, were part of Kael''s ritual to Lucius. Not that he would complain as now, he had cigarettes that were worth their taste.


    A deep sigh as he flew, just wondering when was it. Was he immune to all this chaos? It wasn''t a curse nor a blessing. Merely an aspect that he had wondered as the Kael of many lives, perhaps his first life as Kael prior to his ascension as an Avatar would he be disgusted by his powers. Yet, ideals without power are just that. Ideals that can never come to life.


    Scanning the area with his eyes, seeing Joshua with Seijuro. Now that''s a face he had not seen for a while, Seijuro the Wandering Swordsman. Or rather to Kael as Ronin. One of the very first beings he had met that had taught him the techniques with a katana. Knowing how spartan the training with Seijuro would be, this would be a chaotic situation for Joshua. Because Seijuro does not teach by speaking, he teaches by forcing one to learn his techniques with the fiber of their being.


    Meaning, one must experience the fight against Seijuro and not for nothing. The brawl was in the middle of the Drusken Empire''s base. Kael would just stay still for a moment, just seeing how their brawl had led to the destruction of the base. It wasn''t even intentional because Joshua must have been so busy trying to fight off Seijuro to think about the enemies in the base. Good times that was, Kael had remembered how his training was done during a fight with the angels and demons. Roughly half a million on both sides. Seijuro was twisted in that sense but his training and the techniques, truly fitted the name of ''Edge of the Worlds''. A beautiful sword technique with power to match its grace.


    In the meantime, he was just gonna keep watch. This was going to be entertainment for a moment, so he pulled out some popcorn to just watch Joshua go through whatever he had went through earlier. Mood kindred, and perhaps a person worthy to be Kael''s rival in the future. There was grit in Joshua''s movements but it lacked precision and intention. Whereas Seijuro was perfection with the blade at its truest state. If Kael was thirsty, he could just pull out the flask of scalding water, so in the meantime. This would the best place to watch.

 Chapter 54: The Trial.

    Kael was just seeing an extremely tired Joshua from where he was. Poor guy must''ve destroyed a number of bases right now? Seijuro''s training style is just weird and confusing. The injuries on Joshua''s body, the way his breathing was ragged and seeing his pupils constantly shrinking and expanding? Yeah, he''s nearly at his limit. The tanks, the warwolves and golems? Yeah they''re all pretty pretty fucked. Whatever that remained of that base? It''s... It''s been beaten to its saddest state. The walls that were meant to be a fortress had been slashed to bits, the golems were chopped up like they were spare parts. Despite all that, Joshua''s eyes were still ready for a fight.


    "That''s a good look in his eyes. How does that saying go again? Fire in the eyes?" Kael spoke to himself as he held Ice Reaper in his hand, watching how Seijuro and Joshua''s fight began escalating, the number of bases and places that got into trouble because of their bout was stacking up. Maybe more than a dozen but that is just how it was.


    Never feeling this drained out from when he had fought the many others as a Lord of Thorns. Most enemies don''t phase him, but with Seijuro? It was akin to a beast that was toying with its prey. Joshua fought the Avatar of Destruction, yet even then. There was more to it. It was something like Kael of sorts. A second coming of him but nothing too much. So Kael did the next best thing, appear before Joshua to see what all of this was about.


    "Yo." Speak of the devil, as Kael appeared with Ice Reaper in hand. Seijuro knelt towards him.


    "My former Summoner. It is good to see you."


    "Ah. So you''re teaching him the Edge of the Gods. Can''t say much but you did rough him up more than me. When I met you it was during my 42nd life. So it makes sense to why you''re feeling a bit downed here." Kael said, patting Joshua''s shoulders.


    "You know each other? Wait, Kael. If you''re here what about the Northern Lines?!"


    "It''s already gone. Besides, they have no idea what hit them." Joshua seemed a little perturbed by those words, perhaps he was trying to figure out how Kael did all of that? Not like Kael was going to say it anyway. He sneezed


    "What of the Outsider?"


    "If you train with him. You can handle it. Anyway, just came to say hi. Just remember. He''s never going to go easy on you. Anyway, have fun." Kael said as he vanished, leaving nothing behind of his presence. Going for another base that was left alone. Fully fortified, tanks and every armament one could think off. Truly it was armed and fortified but a snap of his fingers and the entire base was turned to dust.


    "This is a little boring. I wonder where can I go next?" Kael hid in the shadows, just keeping an eye on things. When he saw the Final Judgement and One Winged Seraph, those two were the highest order of angels. The one who had precedent to literally fuck up everything and everyone if needed.Final Judgement Solis and One Winged Seraph Erioth. Just hearing them bicker like idiots with Erioth being casual with Joshua and Seijuro.  Seeing Joshua be sent flying from Erioth''s flick. Yeah, that one has a personality issue.


    He''s been like that since I met him. Geez, what an asshole.


    "Sounds about right. We''ll provide you cover. You just focus on facing the Cold Cage. The battle might be more difficult than ever. Hey, Avatar. You ever gonna stop hiding in the shadows?" Kael appeared before them.


    "Astute as ever One Wing. I can''t call you by name now can I? Since whenever I do it just becomes ********** or bleeped out to his ears." One Winged Seraph laughed at hearing that.  Though after that it was the full on lecture that Joshua had to hear. It bored Kael but he can''t complain. But Joshua? He was paying attention to it, taking mental notes as he was trying to figure out what team combinations to counter his enemy. The Cold Cage.


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    Cold Cage. Now that''s a name I''ve not heard in a while. I wonder if he''ll be alright with this. It''s an even fight and their families will be evenly matched. Not like that''s going to be the determinant. But this is his fight and I can''t do everything for him.


    "I can''t fight the Outsider though. I will fight with you but I can''t stop the Cold Cage because I''m an Outsider too. I can''t just kill another Outsider. It is yours. I can only help you but that''s about it." Kael said out loud which he could see Joshua being calm, giving a nod.  If Kael had to guess, he understood that Kael is an external factor and not originally supposed to be in this fight. He''s just here to help clear the way for Joshua. The others went on with their prep as Kael just sat by the fortress''s watchtower, watching more of Joshua''s familiars come into play. More of them coming over which would be a good sign.


    Numbers to match a ridiculous enemy? Not exactly something Kael would do but Joshua had more options than him. Kael only had his living weapons, he''s not exactly an army material kind of guy. More like one man nuke someone would launch when shit hits the fan. Watching Joshua check on the soldiers and familiars, a robodog of sorts. Large robots with AI and pilots who were readying themselves. His army was present but, not strong enough for Kael to worry about.


    Noticing Joshua standing alone in silence. He must be in a trance as Ashen Phoenix is conversing with him. Not like Kael liked that blade anyway, Ashen Phoenix was so temperamental with him. Joshua had that part easy at least. But can he unlock Ashen Phoenix at its best?


    Just as Kael wondered, his answer had come. Seeing the ashen blade turn pure white, with the engravings that show the beauty of the flames of a phoenix. They strike at dawn, and seeing how Joshua seemed to be trembling when he held the blade.


    He did it faster than I did. Took me 50 years to get that bastard to open up to me. Pretty stingy but, I guess he mellowed out as well.  Good for him.


    Kael just sat there with his lit cigarette as dusk turned to dawn, making his way to where they had assembled. 3 million soldiers in total from the opposing side, fortress walls with cannons sticking out. Titanic iron golems that blocked the way.What concerned Kael was the appearance of the soldiers, they seem to be unarmed and no armor. But, he felt everything was off just by seeing them. Pressure must be kicking in for Joshua, he may have faced an army of a million but that was child''s play compared to the 3 million in front of him. Those were not ordinary soldiers. Nor were they human. They may look human but it was a false pretense, there''s more to it and he had to be careful. He was also down one Rose Knight from what Kael had heard. Vizel, the White Rose. The one who told them about Familiar of Zero.


    Then hearing the warcry as the fighting began, Kael just kept an eye on things as he debated if he was needed. The machines fought the golems as the cannons were volleying their payloads right down to their position. Kael felt the air stir violently, it was a brutal war but one that needed to be waged. So he''ll just enjoy the sight for now.  Kael went closer as the fighting intensified.


    Kael was lighting his cigarette beside Joshua and the others. The boy was frozen, perhaps seeing the destructive force of Seijuro, Solis and Erioth was far too much for him.


    "Is this what you had to do, Kael?" Joshua inquired, a crack of hesitation was leaving his lips. His breathing was uneven, the anxiety of the unknown was taking its hold over his heart. Kael can''t blame him, even when he was first in a fight he was terrified. Becoming Lucius''s Avatar was even worse in that regard, Kael had to steel his resolve to get it.


    "Yeah. As the Avatar of Destruction, my offerings are the destruction that I see. Well that was my offering." Kael spoke with the emotional capacity of a dead fish. It was just his normal expression on this. The emptiness as he felt the air of destruction linger by his fingertips. The familiars fought to their limits, where Kael could see Joshua being unnerved. Perhaps he thought about how weak he must feel.


    When a singular blast tore a hole through the formation, that was enough for them to move in. Perhaps it was time to get things ready up. Not like Kael knew what the plan was, he''s just here tagging along for the ride to sort some crap out.

 Chapter 55 : Ah yes. More crazy

    Making their way into the fortress as the path before him was sealed by thorns. Kael lit a cigarette as he held a katana. A cyborg army had arisen to greet them, including civilians. The sight of a toddler among them with a gun, aiming the pistol at Joshua. Weapons in hand, blood lust was lacking as Kael could see their faces that seemed to be wrinkled with fear. Cold Cage is one nasty fellow to force the people to fight. They can try to resist it but what could they do?


    "Are you a bad person, mister?" A question from the child, Kael could see Joshua''s hesitation had faded as he grabbed Ashen Phoenix.


    "Forgive me, child." With those words, the guns were fired. Their bodies weren''t theirs and their guns went off. Storms of lead flew through the group. Solis raised a barrier to stop the bullets, seeing them hit the barrier. Purchasing a lot within the barrier.


    "There is no other way for you to deal with them without killing them. For even if you knock them up, they will be forced back into consciousness because of the Cold Cage." Erioth said as he flicked his cigarette at a soldier, watching the soldier''s body fall for a moment. Then rising once more with the rifle in hand.


    "I can''t hesitate." Joshua said as he drew Ashen Phoenix, where the Phoenix''s shrill was unleashed throughout the entire city. It caused them to fall to the ground, being motionless. That singular shrill was enough to force them to the ground, which was great but that much power? Seriously? Joshua is broken right now.


    "Shit. You actually got the Phoenix to give you this much power? You just got the damn thing a while ago." Kael spoke up, perhaps the envy had kicked in. It took him 50 years to get a fraction of that power but when he got the blade at its full power. The God Slayer was there.


    "Correction it has been months since he obtained the blade from you. It must have been a blink of an eye for you, My Former Summoner." Seijuro commented with an approving nod, perhaps that is true since time flows differently between the realms. Kael just saw the kid a few days ago and he''s already found himself in another battlefield.


    "That draw was near to its perfection. It seems our bouts and short training have fixed your fundamentals." Seijuro turned to Joshua who sheathed the blade.


    "I made it as painless as I could." Joshua spoke, as he walked over to the child who fell to the ground. No blood oozed from the wound, the eyes staring to the sky.


    Yeah. That''s the shitty part. Seeing Joshua close the child''s eyes, then continuing on.


    "It seems as if we were not needed after all." Erioth chuckled, only to watch the bodies stand back up. Where the humans began to twitch, their bodies grew elongated. Their clothes ripped open and anything that was once human had been changed into something else. They had been changed into something far different. Some of them grew extra limbs, extra heads, extra eyes, extra mouths. A woman''s chest burst opened with the body of an infant hiding in her chest.


    "Great. More nightmare fuel. This is why I hate being out of my place." Kael said as he took out a card, throwing it at the newly changed woman with her infant.


    "High Priestess. Cleanse my enemy!" The card grew a light but the magic didn''t work. Now that''s annoying.


    "Shit. There goes magic, then." The horde began to amass to their position as they tried to grab Joshua first, ignoring the others. Joshua didn''t hesitate, it was just there were too many of them at once. Caught in their grip, Seijuro swung his blade to free Joshua from their grip. Grabbing Joshua by the collar, pulling him back by his side.


    Yep. Seijuro and that collar grab. that''s how he treats his disciples/masters. Seijuro''s strength is the real deal.


    "It seems that he wishes to whittle you down with numbers... Well not a bad tactic." Solis said as one of the creatures grabbed his arm, only to be shattered to dust with just a flick on the forehead. Erioth drew his odachi, unleashing a single wave of an attack that turned the overbearing crowd into nothing but ash.


    Classic Erioth. I wonder how he''d fare if I fought him now?


    Joshua was fighting to his best with singular strikes but his mind was engraving the sight of Seijuro, Erioth and Solis''s powers. if he compares too much he might view himself as inferior which would suck. Kael was just slashing enemies with one of his cursed swords, it was better this way since his magic got nullified again.  Slowly, Joshua had a grip on himself, swinging the blades at the foes as he weaved through the horde. Thorn Sharpness is lethal since it''s a unique sharpness. Though noticing how the blade bounced back against the heavily armored creatures. Switching to another weapon as he fired guns.


    "What''s a Legari?" Joshua spoke while firing off a few shots to give cover to Seijuro who was preparing a second draw strike. The cover was not necessary but it did give Seijuro a perfect opening to strike. Tearing through hundreds of them at once.


    "It''s a word in dead language. Means Cuff.. Hell if this is a Legari, then it means this entire city is screwed." Kael said as he wielded his katana in a reverse grip, bulldozing through the Legari with his blade. Left hand grabbing the blade where he continued to unleash a flurry of slashes.The Legari, now that''s a bitch. It''s forced control over the ones who submit to Cold Cage. This was going to be difficult, by a longshot.


    A swing to the side to get rid off the blood on the blade, then proceeding after another group. Erioth didn''t even bother with a blade, simply pointing at them was enough to turn the Legari into dust, while Erioth merely had to just point his blade at them. Despite his one wing, he began to hover. Unleashing swings that turned the ones in his path to ash.


    He better not be doing what I think he''s going to do.


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    More of the Legari began to mutate, turning into larger abominations that rivaled the sky scrapers, some of them started coming out from the underground. Caving in the streets, crawling out as they began to hiss and shriek at them.


    "Well. They''ve got the numbers alright."Erioth spoke without much care, rising up into the air fast. For a guy who only has one wing, he can sure fly.


    "Brother you cannot be serious!? Get clear!" The clouds above turned black as Erioth gripped his blade with both hands. Raising it above his head. Looking down to the ones below with a chuckle.


    FOR FUCK''S S- Kael''s thoughts were interrupted as the destruction began. Buildings crumbling, Legari burning to ash, cracks on the ground that they were on. Which slowly began to crumble, Watching Seijuro grab Joshua by the waist, carrying him like a luggage bag did make Kael chuckle a bit. Leaping to the air as he raised boulders for them to stand on, at least not all of his magic had been nullified but it was still tedious.


    Kael whistled to the sight.


    "Damn, that''s the Seraph for ya. Always one for heavy lifting."


    "Considering you sneezed a castle out of oblivion because it was cold that one time... I believe that this is the saying... The pot calling the kettle black, my former Summoner." Kael turned to Seijuro while shaking his head. Just remembering how that happened made Kael cringe a little. It just ruined the whole ''Hero stopping the villain'' that Kael had in his mind in his younger years.


    "Don''t remind me about that Seijuro. It was so embarrassing. Final boss confrontation and he died because I sneezed when the room was cold." Kael and Seijuro bickered like a married couple,


    Oh I hope he doesn''t remind me of that time when I was eating food with a dictator and when I bit my toothpick by accident, it sent that one small half through the dictator''s neck. That was a horrible time for shit to happen. I barely made out of that one alive.


    "Did you really train Kael?"


    Thank you for changing the topic, Joshua.


    "I was among his Swordmasters. You are by default my first disciple who has no fundamentals aside from the Ancient''s of Fall''s techniques but they are good for fights but pale when compared to my swordsmanship. His true strength comes from being the Avatar of Destruction, but even then..." Seijuro glanced over to Kael who was whistling about as he controlled magic to raise the barriers for them.


    Don''t remind me of getting my ass beaten by you a few hundred thousand times. Just let me be.


    "You seem to be in a good mood."


    "What is being in a good mood a crime now? Leave me alone, Seijuro." Seijuro crowed to his former Summoner''s words. Solis on the other hand was seemingly disappointed with the actions of his elder brother. The kind of second hand embarrassment that was present among siblings. Not that Kael would know since his younger siblings always stayed clear of bullshit.


    "He''s too playful to be a Seraph.. But the stage is set." Whereby they watched as the dust and ash sink into the ground, amassing itself to form a large towering beast that rivaled the fallen skyscrapers of the city. Where Joshua came face to face with the Cold Cage. The man behind the madness in this world.


    The towering beast made of Legari, dust and ash was a blasphemous sight to the eyes. Anyone that laid eyes on it would bleed out as Joshua could hear the screams. Raising his right hand as the thorns amassed a barrier that would not allow those on the outside to see.


    "Iacus, situation on the outside?"


    "We''ve got those enemies... The Legari. We''ll take care of it. Lord, not to worry."


    "Do your best."


    "Good luck, Lord of Thorns." Joshua grinned to those words.


    "I am the Lord of Thorns. I do not need to pray. I do not need to beg. I just do." Joshua said as Kael set up a large circular boulder that became the battle arena for Joshua to meet the Cold Cage face to face.


    "Good luck, Lord of Thorns. Be sure to kick that Cold Cage a new one yea?"


    "The Four of us will handle this one ourselves. It has been quite a while since I could face something to ease the time. Former Summoner, what do you think?"


    "A bit occupied with their stage, so I can''t use much spells. I can use Ice Reaper at least. What about you two, ready to go?" Kael got Ice Reaper ready.


    "I''m always ready for a fight. Besides, it''s an outsider. It''s going to be strong!"


    "Oh brother... Here we go again, I suppose." Final Judgement cringed to the words of his battle hungry brother, but such is the nature of siblings after all. A glance at Joshua, Kael could see his back being broader than before, glancing at all the Legari making their way to them. Kael took a deep breath as Ice Reaper''s cold emanated like a gentle breeze. Though it was not going to be gentle as Kael swung the scythe to tear through the Legari, bulldozing them fast because it was necessary. It was going to be a long fight but he had three of the strongest people he knew by his side. Aside from the Avatars, these three could do a lot of work.


    Seijuro swung his tachi as the Legari''s bodies were slashed. Most of them flying upwards while Kael delivered the final blow. Slashing through the head and chest, encasing the rest of the bodies in ice but that did not stop them from trying to thaw it out.


    "Ugh. This is the annoying part, they won''t stop."


    "Feeling your mental age, former summoner?" Kael dodged a huge Legari''s strike, then kicking it to Seijuro who split it in half. Followed up by Solis and Erioth burning that creature with holy fire.


    "Shut up, Seijuro." Seijuro chuckled as he caught a Legari by the throat, strangling it until it exploded with blood splashing all over his robes. Letting out a sigh as he swung the blood off his blade, this time using martial arts. His hands became claws as he tore through the dozens of Legari in quick succession. Swipes that lacerating them followed by a roundhouse kick. Sending most of them flying into the buildings which Erioth decided to slash them down. Seijuro got clear but Kael? He was in the middle of it.


    Showing his middle finger to the pair as the building came tumbling down on him. It crushed most of the Legari, and Kael was alive because he had to slice his way through a building. An easy feat but those two were literally just messing with him at this point.


    "You two are grade A assholes. You know that? Sheesh, Solis. You must have your hands full with that idiot brother." Kael said as he elbowed a Legari in the face, seeing it turn to splat in an instant.


    "Of course, Avatar. That is just how my brother is." To which a Legari''s blood splashed over Solis. A glare to Erioth who just smiled sheepishly.


    "Brother. I just cleaned these."


    "Ah, you can clean them with magic! What''s the big deal!?"


    "Ah, I can''t believe the Supreme Beings let you be a Seraph! You bastard!"


    "What was that!?" The two of them were going to argue, whereby Kael and Seijuro decided to just sit this one out. Seijuro offering a cup of sake to Kael, where Kael accepted with a sigh.


    "You''ve got your work cut out for you Seijuro."


    "So it would seem. But such is the nature of being a Wandering Mercenary. I do like that boy''s earnestness." Seijuro giving a compliment, now that''s rare.


    "Wish you were this nice to me in our first meeting. I can feel the sword slashes you gave on my body again. Ugh..." Kael grumbled as he sipped on his cup.