In another part of the world, two men sat at a round table in a brown wooden room. The sunlight shone brightly from the window, chasing out the darkness. Birds flew happily through the open window, chirping in joy at the meeting they were witnessing.
Dain Aurelion leaned back on his tall wooden chair. He looked around at the shelves of books that would make his son jump for joy. He picked up his wine and took a sip before glancing at the huge brown man in front of him.
"You know, for a guild that is feared throughout the world, you'd think we'd live in a better-looking location."
The man smirked, taking a sip of his wine. "Every time, you say the same thing. And every time, I respond with the same answer. We are not like those spoiled rich new guilds with fancy halls and shiny weapons to hide their cowardice. We may be a group of known Paladins, sure, but we are still like every other peasant in this capital. Why should we decorate our home with fancy shit when it's already a home?"
The man's short black hair swayed in the wind. His 'X' scar ran along the side of his jawline, giving him the look of a man who had earned every word he spoke. His white shirt and black trousers looked like they would tear at any moment from the man's massive physique. "You know, I ought to switch this on you. Mr Blinking Star. Mr Symbol of Light and Hope. After that incident in Alesia, your already massive fanbase is growing by the second, and yet someone as famous as you is living in a tiny city."
"You already know Elara would never let us live in a castle, Kael. My daughter and I have been begging for years, but she just won't budge." Dain sighed like he was reflecting on a tragic memory.
Kael eyed Dain. "She says people decorate their houses when they're unsure of what's inside. Us? We already know what we stand for."
"Wise woman."
Dain snorted. A small silence soon followed between them. Kael turned to the door. He could already hear the other members partying and drinking downstairs. He turned back to Dain, who was now leaning on the table like a drunkard.
"How is Elara anyway? I take it she's recovered from the battle."
"Mmm. She recovered in two days. Crazy, right?" Dain lazily leaned back in his chair as Kael stayed quiet. "She was in a coma for a day, then she was just barely walking on the second day and the next — fully healed." With a quick mind-blowing gesture, he continued, "The benefits a Title gives, man. If anything, my daughter took longer to recover — and she was out for most of the fight. The demon impaled her like crazy, ate her star idol right in front of her… and Malrik, don't get me started on that boy. He had barely a scratch on him, though he did just barely fight. I saved them, though. Protected my family like a man does." Dain pointed his finger at Kael with a drunken smile. "My kids are happy now. My daughter sees me as a king. That — that is all that matters, right? Also, we were able to execute the plan almost perfectly. We'll be in a great position to take down the Court of Darkness."
Dain dropped back onto the table in a lazy motion.
"Maybe you should take a break from the Court of Darkness mission."
As those words left Kael's mouth, Dain shot up like a bullet. His eyes narrowed, sharp with defiance.
"What do you mean? Take it away? You're giving it to someone else, aren't you?!"
Kael didn't answer.
"Look, Kael, I'm fine, I promise. Eve and I are getting to the main part of the plan as we speak—"
"I'm aware of this. I'm also aware that this mission is taking a toll on your life," Kael responded sternly.
"Kael, please, I'm telling you, I'm fine—"
"Really? 'Cause the man begging so pathetically here now doesn't look fine to me!" Kael stood up, his chair flying backwards. Dain kept quiet as Kael's golden magic blew out in waves. "You are a Champion for gods' sake. You're meant to be radiating power and confidence, yet here you are looking so feeble it's almost tragic."
The magic exuding across the room started to die out. Kael's face softened as he stared down at Dain like he was looking at a child.
"I get what you're going through. You almost lost your family, and your relationship with your daughter was in jeopardy. That's all the more reason you should take a break. You need to be with your family."
"You already know I can't, Kael. As long as they're out there, my family is in constant danger. I can't stop, and you know that."
The two clenched their fists, knowing the truth of the matter.
"I'll take care of it," muttered Kael, already walking out the door.
― That Night ―
Eve walked into the dark room as the door behind her closed shut. Eve could barely see her own body. A slight chill ran through her spine as the sound of breathing rang out from across the room.
"Boss?" Eve's voice echoed throughout the room, but no sound responded. "My name is Eve. I am the one who delivered the Underworld Creatures to you."
The silence that followed felt as hollow as the dim room itself. Suddenly, large curtains opened, revealing a large glass window that made way for moonlight to invade inside. Eve looked around. There was nothing in the room but a black desk and chair in front of the large window, a red glass cup resting happily on it. The carpet was black with red lines intertwining like blood. Between the window and the desk stood a man cloaked from head to toe in black robes, facing the window.
'This man really loves the colour black' noted Eve as she stared at the man. The man didn't move, choosing to stare at the city below. Eve was starting to wonder if he knew she was even here.
"I am still trying to figure out why the underling is standing so high instead of kneeling to their boss." Eve widened her eyes before quickly dropping to her knees and bowing down. Suddenly, a golden magical aura pressed itself upon Eve like it was holding her in a chokehold. She slowly looked up to see the man walking around his desk. His golden, glowing eyes peered from inside his hood. Every step commanded respect. Every step commanded fear, and every step prompted Eve to give those very things.
The man leaned back on his desk. "I was told you wanted to meet with me."
"I-I want to join your organisation." Muttered Eve. This made the man raise an eyebrow – not that anyone could see it.
"Eve Harly. Also known as The Fragment Seer, a member of the Reyfield Guild. You have the ability to take anything you want from inside the human body, yet you failed to take a certain man's heart."
Eve's eyes narrowed and her hands clenched. 'Seems like he has been keeping a close eye on me. Still as long as he doesn't know the whole truth it still doesn't matter.'
"You could gain riches beyond your dreams in a heartbeat. Dine with royal families and gain jobs that will sustain you for a lifetime." Eve could feel the weight of the man's eyes bearing down on her. She noticed the room slowly growing darker despite the moonlight shining through. "So, answer me this. What business does a prominent figure in this broken world, such as yourself, have with us?"
Eve took a deep breath. She slowly stood up and glanced at the man. "All those things you mentioned. Money, status, power. They mean nothing compared to what I really want."
The man walked back to the chair and dropped down into it. Leaning back, he intertwined his fingers and rested his chin upon them. "Blinking Star. That's what you truly desire, correct? You believe we can offer you a man's heart, love and affection."
Eve walked up to the desk. Climbing on top of it, she crawled closer to the boss. "You've already granted me one of those things. Those luscious nights we share are all thanks to your conditions."
"But you want more—"
"I want everything! That man's body, his power, his children. When he is at home at night, he should be thinking about me. When he is with his wretched wife alone, he should be thinking about me. I beg of you, grant me this wish, sire." Eve's hand reached out, entering inside the cloak. The man didn't stop her as she rubbed his face. "I promise you, I won't make you regret it," she said seductively.
She climbed onto the man and reached for his hood. She took it off to reveal—Dain Aurelion. Eve leapt off him in shock and stumbled to the ground.
"D-Dain!"
The man got up and slowly walked over to her as Eve crawled back in fear.
"What's the matter? Isn't this what you want? I can give you all you have ever wanted. You want his body? Well, here it is." Eve backed into a wall. The man loomed over her like a pillar. "You want his children?" Dain suddenly shifted into Malrik. He grabbed her hair and pulled her up to his height. "Here it is."
"Who—what are you?" The man smirked before dropping her back onto the floor.
"Me? I am whoever you want me to be." As he started walking back to his desk, his form changed back into the cloaked figure. "However, for your own personal safety, I advise you to call me Lord Darkness. Our members get a little jumpy when I'm addressed inappropriately."
Eve crawled back to the centre and bowed her head. "Lord Darkness."
The man threw a paper at her. Eve picked it up to see a small symbol. The symbol looked like a claw attached to a skull.
"Take this to any tattoo shop in this city. They will know that you are a part of this organisation."
Eve nodded.
"You may have Dain and whatever you want. However, the boy. You are not to lay a finger on him. You understand?"
"The boy Dain found? What exactly is it that makes him so special?"
"He is needed for a certain—project—the doctor and I have been working on. That's all you need to know."
"So, are you guys planning on going after him any time soon?"
Lord Darkness eyed the woman. "You seem to have a lot of questions for me all of a sudden."
Eve didn't respond, waiting for the answer.
The man sighed. "Why would I take the boy away from somewhere he won't run? It's like taking a chicken out of its cage. What would be the point when I can always snatch him when needed? Rest assured, however, in the end, I will have him for myself. I'll mould him in darkness and turn him into a true champion."
The door opened behind Eve, casting light inside the dim room.
"I'll let the boy have his moment of peace for now. Because it's only once the light has betrayed you that darkness can cast its deepest shadows. And only once it's festered deep enough, will he be trapped in its overwhelming power."
― That Night ―
The door opened to reveal Dain walking inside. He placed his keys on the table beside him and called out for his family. He walked into the living room to find Malrik and Sarah watching TV. He gave a sad look before calling out to them.
The kids looked back to see their father, and smiles instantly appeared.
"Dad!" shouted Sarah as she jumped out of the chair and ran up to him.
"You're back already?" questioned Malrik. "It's only 3. Don't you work till like 8 or something?"
"Idiot, stop throwing questions at him already," snapped Sarah as Dain chuckled.
The man patted Malrik before kneeling down to their level.
"Listen up, guys. Dad is going to be home more often now. The guild leader gave me a break so I can spend more time with my family."
The two kids narrowed their eyes before cheering happily.
"Wait. So, does that mean you can teach me swordsmanship? I read that expert swordsmen can encase their swords with magic for more power. I've been trying ever since, but I can't seem to get it down."
Dain nodded. "Alright, we'll get right to it as soon as I change. First lesson, however—it's not all about power when wielding a sword. It's about precision and skill. Remember that."
Malrik smiled and nodded.
"Hey, wait, not fair. I want training too!" Sarah whined, making Malrik laugh.
Dain's eyes began to tear up before he enveloped the two kids in a hug.
From the kitchen door in front, Elara was watching. Dain glanced up to see his wife. They both smiled at each other.
"Hey, come on. It's been a while since we've all eaten lunch together."