It was night time in the imperial chambers in capital.
Tall stone pillars rose like vigilant guardians, their surfaces carved with ancient runes, its design showcasing centuries of power and control that shine softly in the flickering torchlight.
Bright banners featuring the empire's fiery crest hung on the walls, their bold colors subdued in the faint glow.
The empire's most formidable military strategists gathered around the obsidian table.
These individuals were responsible for keeping the Aethon empire secure, each with years of experience backing them up.
Commander Vargas, a hulking figure in steel-gray armor, slammed his gloved fist onto the table.
"The reports are clear. Someone's woken up bloodcraft, and we're just sitting here!" he growled. "This BloodSeeker—they say he's with the Order or rather the Third Guard!"
General Seidorff, lean and somewhat cynical, with sharp eyes, leaned forward in his chair. "Are we sure he's not being... trained by the Third Guard? With their rocky relationship with the Order of Death lately, it's only a matter of time before something happens."
Before Kael could respond, the doors to the chamber creaked open, and the air felt denser, as if the walls were holding their breath.
Lucien walked in, his golden eyes glowing in the dim light. His perfectly styled blonde hair. Dressed in striking raven-black imperial robes with gold trim, he walked with a precision in the room.
The Generals fell silent as Lucien approached the table, his presence demanding attention.
Lucien placed his hands gently on the table and surveyed the room with calm but undeniable authority.
"Being impatient will ruin us all," he said in an effortlessly smooth tone, leaving everyone wondering what he would say next.
"We're not chasing wild dogs. The Blood Seeker is no ordinary rogue, well for now. And if we strike too soon, we risk losing sight of our objective."
General Kael's voice softened as he pondered Lucien's words. "So, what's your plan, Lucien?"
Lucien's golden gaze swept the room, holding everyone's attention. "We wait. Bloodcraft isn't just a weapon—it's the most powerful forbidden art. We need to know exactly what we're dealing with before we act."
Commander Vargas frowned, not used to being told to wait. "If you wait too long, you could start a rebellion!" His voice boomed as if to challenge Lucien.
Lucien's lips curled into a hint of a smile, icy and calculated. "Control, Commander. The most significant battles aren't fought with swords but with patience." He maintained a strong presence.
As the room adjusted to Lucien's cold practicality, a low chuckle broke the tension, slicing through the air.
It came from a figure leaning lazily against the stone pillar behind Lucien, someone who had gone unnoticed until that moment. This was Kade, Lucien's "advisor."
But everyone in the room knew Kade was much more than just an advisor.
With wild silver hair and mismatched eyes—one vivid violet and the other a deep, soulless black—Kade had a grin that radiated danger. He wore simple clothes rather than armor, always moving with a dagger and a couple of throwing knives that seemed to sparkle with eager anticipation.
Kade clapped slowly, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "Wow, Lucien. Always so calm and collected. So calculated. But we both know what's you really want."
Lucien didn't look at him, but the slight clench of his jaw showed he wasn't pleased. "Watch it, Kade," he replied in a calm voice, though irritation seeped through. "Not every audience can handle your... theatrics."
"Theatrics?" Kade laughed, a sharp sound that sliced through the air. He pushed himself off the pillar with smooth grace, every move echoing the precision of a trained assassin.
"What Lucien actually means—since it seems you all aren't getting it—is that this Blood Seeker could be way more... entertaining."
Kade strolled among the gathered officials, his demeanor slithering like a serpent among its prey.
Several generals shifted in their seats, their hands inching closer to their weapons.
"Seriously, you're talking about entertainment while we're discussing imperial security?" A new voice sliced through the heavy atmosphere.
Councilwoman Elsa, her silver-streaked hair neatly braided, fixed her serious gaze on Kade, she's a grade (A) Aerthys art user.
Kade's mismatched eyes turned to her, his grin widening. "Oh, come on, Elsa. Don't act like you're not intrigued."
He pulled out a throwing knife seemingly from nowhere, rolling it between his fingers.
"When was the last time a Blood Seeker showed so much... potential to threaten the empire without causing chaos?"
Lucien raised his hand slightly, a gold light shimmering beneath his skin. The gesture silenced the entire room. Even Kade paused his knife play.
"What my partner is getting at," Lucien said, each word carefully chosen, "is that we need to consider all options.
The Blood Seeker's powers are ramping up faster than ever. The Third Guard's reports back this up."
Commander Vargas leaned forward, armor creaking. "The Third Guard?" Suspicion dripped from his voice. "Since when do they share intel so easily?"
A quick, meaningful glance passed between Lucien and Kade, fast as lightning but full of weight.
"They don't," Lucien replied smoothly. "But we have our ways to stay... knowledgeable."
His golden eyes settled on a shadowy corner where the torchlight barely reached.
For a moment, something seemed to move in the darkness—either a flutter or just a trick of the light.
Kade's grin turned predatory. "And sometimes," he said, running a finger along the blade, "information seeps out whether they like it or not."
General Kael narrowed his eyes, his
mind racing to piece together the implications that it may cause but not spoken.
"You've already made your move, haven't you?" he asked Lucien, though his gaze flicked between the strategist with the golden eyes and his companion.
"The Third Guard thinks they have him under control," Lucien stated, choosing his words carefully. "The Order of Death believes they're running tests. But tell me, what happens when you try to bottle up a storm?"
Kade's laugh bounced off the stone walls. "It breaks loose," he replied, spinning his blade with excitement. "And everything goes KABOOM."
Commander Vargas sprang to his feet, his chair scraping loudly. "This is insane! You're toying with forces that could tear the empire apart!"
"No," Lucien corrected softly. "We're creating a weapon that will reshape it."
He put both hands on the obsidian table, and surprisingly, the stone seemed to ripple under his touch.
"The Blood Seeker's challenges weren't just random," he said. "Each trial, each interaction was carefully orchestrated. Even his partnership with Adrian was... planned."
Councilwoman suddenly snapped "Adrian? The traitor from the Northern Territories?"
"Oh, he's way more than that," Kade cut in, now sitting on the edge of the table like some lethal bird of prey.
"He's our perfect little puppet, doing exactly what we need him to do, creating the right kind of... tension." His violet eye seemed to glow in the dim light.
Lucien's voice had an undeniable authority. "Every uprising needs a spark. Every weapon has its forge.
We're not just watching the Blood Seeker grow—we're shaping him. His power, his anger, his very essence will become the tool that carves our future."
Lucien waved his hand over the table, and a detailed map of the empire appeared in golden light, with certain areas flickering red—Nefaria, the Northern Territories, and various points across the borderlands.
"Change is coming, with or without our approval. It's better to hold the reins than to hide from its shadow."
General Kael leaned in, his voice dropping to a low whisper that almost got lost in the room's tension. "And what if he doesn't want to play along, Lucien? What if the Blood Seeker decides to strike first?"
Lucien's expression turned serious, his golden eyes narrowing. "Then we'll make sure he knows what death means.
"Simple" Kade added
But I really don't think that will happen. Power is a compelling partner, and Raven is already drawn to the taste of control. He'll follow wherever it leads."
Kade's grin grew broader, sharp teeth showing.
"And if he burns the empire down while doing it?
Now that would be quite the show!
The Blood Seeker's rise could be the chaos we need to rework the balance of power."
Commander Vargas got frustrated. "So this was just a game to you!"
Lucien turned his stare to Vargas,. "And what do you suggest,Commander?
That we just let the tide rise? That we allow the Blood Seeker to become a martyr for the chaos we want to control?
No, we'll channel this power, and when the moment is right, we'll strike."
As silence fell over the room, the air thickened with doubt. The generals exchanged looks, weighing Lucien's strategy against possible consequences.
That will be all for now, Lucien said not trying to speak further.
General Kael finally broke the silence, his voice steady. "And what about the Blood Seeker's allies? Adrian is a bit unpredictable. If he picks up on our manipulation, he might turn on us.
Kade's eyes gleamed with mischief. "You know what makes this so great? We can totally turn Adrian's ambitions against him. If we manage to make him think he's in control, he'll be way more cooperative than anyone expects."
Lucien glanced back at the map, his mind racing with ideas. The Blood Seeker will be our secret weapon, and everyone will tremble at his power."
As Lucien wrapped up his pitch, the generals nodded along, though not without some hesitation.
The thought of wielding that kind of power was tempting, even if it came with risks. The mood in the room shifted from nervousness to a shared recognition of the risky game they were about to play.
Kade clapped his hands together, the sound ringing out in the chamber. "Alright then, we will have the next meeting when get enough info, for now we wait."
As the council started to break up, the weight of their choices hung heavily in the air.
Each member left with a sense of unease, knowing they were heading into a situation that could either elevate them to great heights or lead to total chaos.
Lucien stayed behind for a moment, eyes locked on the map, the glowing red points marking potential conflicts.