"So…" Silas paused "Leon Vale is the Revenant"
A slight sigh "what else?"
"Well…" Leon thought
"Faf and Agasthus will be part of the organisation soon"
"Oh god… help me"
"I just helped you a few moments ago," Leon giggled- only to be silenced by the emotionless stare.
His countenance changed as he stared serious towards Silas
"From what I know… the leader of Crikes is among Tistra's court" he looked at his aged palm "it's quite shameful, but I can't defeat her alone"
"What's shame in seeking help" Silas held another glass of liquor
"You are quite a drinker" Leon looked at the fermented fluid
"I don't remember when the first drop went down my throat" he turned it around "but it has become a mere formality now"
He glanced over light reflected through the large windowpane.
"So the leader is a girl"
"Yes"
"Why would a girl lead such an absurd activity of abduction?"
"Sacrificing those girls will enlighten the Beauty of Devina" Leon stared straight into Silas "As a gift- The leader would receive divine power, enough to conquer Ascensions beside Tistra"
"What are the odds of her betraying the Emperor?" Silas raised a question
"Null" Leon nodded sideways "she won't betray him. I can say that for sure"
"Well… time is ticking Leon, we need to labor at a frantic pace" Silas kept the empty glass on Silverstone podium
"I know… but for tomorrow I can't be the revenant"
"The Miho festival?" Silas knew
"Yes…"
"Well, I will see you there" he concluded
"That works. But Silas…"
"Your secret will be safe with me. Liora won't get a hint" he smiled.
The discussion met an untimely end. Things were going to progress at an absurd rate from the time being. Tistra Domiscus wasn't an entity you can trifle with. He was the emperor, giving the sole proof of how great his legacy would be.
Far away from the shades of Imperial town lay his fort, amidst the beauty of white fog. His walls were white washed from the outside. The flag hosted high, reflecting utter domination. But what was inside gave contrary depth.
A gothic atmosphere…
Dark shade of melancholy over the royal court where the greatest minister and Tistra's crown stood.
A grand window, right behind the throne, decorated by Tistra. Several ministers sat in parallel lanes- for jurisdiction of punishments imparted on traitors. A small family- a father, a mother chained in her night robe, and a beautiful young daughter- was brought to his attention.
"My Emperor… This is the family responsible for the scandal in the Silk trade. Our town has faced loss of fifty-thousand Elixirs" he bowed down in honour "your decision will be the foremost"
"I'm sorry, my dear king" the man saw his Emperor for the first bit.
Tistra was a lean but muscular figure. His eyelashes were abyssal black, and his pupils were hazely green. He had lustrous ornaments, few golden bangles on his wrists with a heavy necklace tormenting his neck. He was struck onto the throne, with bare moments. His hands are always resting on his cheeks, and his legs are crossed. The body language itself demonstrates his possession of the court.
"I will pay back every single penny" the man cried "I…"
Tistra held up his hand, and it silenced the whole court. No one dared flinch, no one dared breath.
"Betrayal rot the kingdom and people in it. It starts small but grows like a pest" he smiled "execution is the only justice"
The family was dragged to the metal furnace. It resembled a stone bath. They were sprinkled with water, while few people spit at their disgrace.
"My family has nothing to do with it" he cried his last request "please forgive them"
First the mother, then the daughter and finally after spectating the whole disaster- the man was guillotined.
"The next case" Tistra ordered.
The blood was still flowing…
The pain was still agonising…
But he couldn't care less…
Jurisdiction and communication among the First Ascension was weak. Many rebel groups rose amidst several towns. They were waiting for one right moment- to change the possession of power. This solemn factor depressed the news of Revenant. This was the reason why Leon wasn't spotted yet. And it will become the reason for expansion of his territory.
The royal assembly halted for a day. It was way past afternoon, and Tistra was going to his chamber. Through the flower bed spread through the royal corridor, sacred lamps ignited with flames of lineage. The castle left its gloominess along the assembly hall. Everything that came to sight now was pure temptation of peace.
The door crackled, opening into a large chamber curtained with graceful silk. There lay Tistra's wife, bed ridden and gravely ill. She was suffering from a rare disorder- something with no remedy. Her immunity subdued and stifled. The heart was restless and tonicity abnormal.
"Oh my love. Here's the beauty I starve to see" he grabbed her soft hands
"Dear… is that all you have" she laughed. But her ignorant body coughed after.
He was already melted looking at her pearl blue eyes. Kissing her on the forehead, he slept beside her.
His legs traversed across her, with his nose feeling her soft cheeks. His hands slipped inside her dress, holding her by the waist. Every touch of her skin would soothe the grievances of massacre he opted for. He would kiss her neck, teasing her every while. She would fight back, bombarding him with even more kisses. Her nose would drag along his whole body, while Tistra would cling closer.
The Emperor had a side nobody knew…
The side only meant for the women he loved…
The pleasure would be utmost and that's how the two would drift away to sleep beside one another.