The ritual bath didn't take long, even with the girls' lively exchange about pleasing spirits. They were, after all, headed to meet the Spirit Kings, corrupted as they might be, elementalists couldn't keep them waiting.
After a flurry of elaborate preparations, they entered the audience hall.
Kamito, still disguised as Ren Ashbell, was among them. Unlike the others, he'd brought Restia into the bathhouse, only to emerge red-faced in under five minutes. The man was lightning-fast!
Once gathered, the Divine Ritual Institute's maidens arrived to escort them to the Spirit Kings.
Rinslet, unsure of Altair's whereabouts, wanted to wait for him, but the maidens informed her he'd already gone ahead to the audience hall.
Puzzled but compliant, Rinslet joined the others, heading toward the grand chamber.
Restia, concealed as Kamito's spirit weapon, felt a chill at the news of Altair's early arrival. Her goal was to have Kamito save the Spirit Kings from the Otherworldly Darkness by assassinating them, not to kill them, but to free them from corruption.
But Altair's solo visit stirred unease. She recalled his offhand mention of assassinating a Spirit King to take their place. With his power, he could do it, but the fallout would be cataclysmic, his dragon form alone was colossal.
Torn between curiosity and dread, Restia wondered what Altair was doing. Part of her hoped he'd succeed, believing assassination would liberate the Spirit Kings without killing them. Yet she also feared success, knowing the hall could be flooded with Otherworldly Darkness, swallowing anyone who entered. Three years ago, her and Kamito's attempt had ended in darkness and separation.
With conflicted thoughts, Restia accompanied Kamito and the girls through the long corridor into the circular audience hall.
The chamber was dim, but the five thrones above were visible. Custom forbade gazing directly at the Spirit Kings without permission.
Spirits had to hide; this was the Spirit Kings' domain, reserved for elementalists. The girls entered, kneeling in unison.
"From the Areishia Empire, Rinslet Laurenfrost."
"Claire Rouge."
"Ellis Fahrengart."
"Fianna Ray Ordesia."
"Ren Ashbell."
"We present ourselves before the Spirit Kings!"
Each reported their name, completing the ceremonial entry.
As they finished, a surge of energy rippled through the hall, pressing down on their shoulders.
The Spirit Kings had manifested.
The girls sensed the shift instantly. The dim hall brightened slightly, and a low voice echoed from above.
"Victors of the Blade Dance, state your wishes."
"Great Spirit King, my, " Rinslet, as captain, began, but faltered mid-sentence.
"What's wrong, Rinslet?" Claire whispered, noting her pause. The others glanced over, curious.
"Claire, didn't the maiden say Lord Altair was already here?" Rinslet murmured, brow furrowed.
"But he's not here. And that voice… it sounded like Lord Altair, though deeper. Could it be…"
Their eyes widened in shock. Rinslet looked up.
Above, the five thrones arced in a semicircle. Two were empty. The Wind and Water thrones held shadowy figures, obscured by darkness. But on the central Fire Spirit King's throne sat a familiar figure.
"Lord Altair!" Rinslet gasped.
The others followed her gaze, spotting Altair on the Fire Spirit King's throne. But he was changed. His golden hair was now a darker shade, his blue eyes blood-red. His silver armor had turned black, etched with crimson patterns, radiating an ominous aura.
Despite the differences, they recognized him as Altair.
Gone was his sunny warmth. He lounged on the throne, leaning on one hand, his smile no longer radiant but dangerously captivating.
"Why… why are you on the Fire Spirit King's throne?" Claire stammered, her mind reeling. A wild thought struck her. "Are you… the Fire Spirit King?"
This wasn't just Altair, he was Altair Altered.
Having infiltrated the hall earlier, Altair, fused with Est, had confronted the Fire Spirit King. With a single bite, he devoured both the king and the darkness enveloping him. Est absorbed the Fire Spirit King's power, evolving into the Holy Flame Sword, while the Otherworldly Darkness transferred through Est's bond into Altair.
The darkness corrupted him, granting a new skill:
[Darkening]
[Trait: Having absorbed the Otherworldly Darkness, you can activate Darkening, tripling your abilities to 300% of their original strength. All attributes are vastly enhanced, but prolonged use risks unleashing your deepest desires.]
Eager to test his new power, and drawn to its striking aesthetic, Altair activated Darkening.
"Indeed, I am the Fire Spirit King." He declared in a deeper voice, his smile mesmerizing.
"You may address me as Fire Spirit King Altair."
***
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