The sound of bells reverberated across the bright glass mosaics spread around the dim interior of the cathedral.

A choir of praises to the Adonis created a haunting echo of soothing melodies.

However, unlike the usual lively beats, it was distinctively weak and seemingly filled with doubts, as if the voices' hopes were slowly extinguishing.

Beneath the majestic Abyssal cathedral styled in gothic architecture, its underground hides a vast series of tunnels and information offices spread throughout the city. Unlike the solemn religious air above, the underground was a little far from that.

There lurked Phantoms remained unseen.

A crowd of neatly dressed people, whose vests were varying in different shades of gray and obsidian, gathered around to discuss their findings. They had to determine what course of action they'll take from here on out.

"I heard a new branch leader will be taking over. It's been months, but why has there been no signs of contact yet?"

"Doubt is a contagious thing, so watch your words. If we keep frolicking around in panic, the low-level Phantoms will see through their higher ups' fears! What happens then?!"

"Why the hell are you shouting? You're the one who kept saying to stay calm!"

"You can't exactly blame him can you? All the other Abyssal-born scouts deployed around Vendalius were ceaselessly hunted. Who knows when we'll come next?"

"It's all because of that damned Seraphim relic."

"They should be the ones scurrying around to find it first and foremost. What are they even busy for?"

"What else? Maybe laundering money? Those greedy half-angels. Tsk tsk."

As they continued bickering amongst each other and throwing curses, one person lightly tapped the circular wooden table dividing them.

Countless dark red eyes turned to look at the source of the sound, where a burly man with a receding hairline arrogantly sat cross-legged.

"Why don't we first decide who will take temporary lead while the new head is still absent?"

The thirty individuals seated around the wooden table began to contemplate with mixed feelings.

While some doubted his intention, his words inadvertently made sense.

It was true that, as chaotic as it is, their loose ties needed to be solidified by a new leader.

"Let's say we somehow managed to nominate a temporary leader through voting. What then? What actions must we take from there on out?"

He slowly leaned onto tables edge and crossed his fingers. With enough tension, even his low mutter clearly reached the ears of all those present here.

"How about stealing the relic?" Another man's brows furrowed.

"Isn't that what we've been doing until now?"

"I didn't mean that. I meant to take it for ourselves. Steal it from the Sovereigns."

"What absurdity—?"

The burly man smirked. "No, think about it. It's already been months since the massacre, but all the Abyss had sent as a message was to wait. Aren't they treating this too passively?"

"Who knows if they're just making an excuse and they've already abandoned this network?"

"Look here! You say such sacriligeous things!"

"Don't we have the closest lead among the information networks? Then it'll be simple. Maybe we could seize it for ourselves. Bring it to Kuanos Genesis."

The burly man smirked inwardly.

'These geezers may still harbor hope, but I think differently. The Abyss won't pay attention to this place anymore after suffering losses. They'll abandon the Phantoms in the end, just like they have done to Vendalius back then.'

"Have you lost your mind? Seize what?"

"Then are we supposed to just stay still? We've already lost countless opportunities for ourselves to lead good lives! All because we had to clean up after those gods' little scuffles! Isn't that too unfair?"

'I've been rotting in this place for over a decade now, shouldn't I at least be compensated for it?'

"Even so, that's too farfetched. No, it's absurd."

A few paused and thought their words through. They knew it was ridiculous to even entertain such thoughts. But at the same time, the offer was tempting as much as it was ridiculous.

The man had a point. They had increasingly grew anxious each passing day, hiding from the pursuits of the demi-draconems who relentlessly hunted the Phantoms and the forces from Kaelum.

They had no other assurance aside from a short message that told them to wait for reinforcements.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

The mention of Kuanos Genesis had presented them a viable opportunity.

A place the Sovereigns did not carelessly toched.

A force that protected the Continent on its own without fail, it was that kind of existence.

"Look here. I have a family. If we defect to Kuanos Genesis, can you guarantee they won't pursue them?"

"It's an easy condition. Have you forgotten how valuable that relic is? If we request protection, they probably won't hesitate."

"Even so..."

"Ergh...it sounds..."

Just then, a clear voice pierced through a series of hesitant groans.

"So you're saying, you lot will commit rebellion?"

"Well if you put it that way, it's—" The burly man momentarily stopped his tongue. It's not because he found it shameful to answer it, but because he felt a sense of anomaly upon hearing the voice.

He didn't recognize its owner among the thirty Phantoms gathered here.

"Who the hell are you?" The burly man asked, finding the owner of the voice to be sitting directly across him the whole time. Next to him was a youthful boy with striking pale eyes and a relaxed gait, resting his chin onto his palm gently curled into a fist.

The man stared blankly in pure bewilderment. What's more appalling was that the others right next to them hadn't sensed something wrong.

'Since when had they been here?'

"You..." Warily standing up, he immediately drew the revolver rested in his back and jumped into the circular table successively. However, instead of pointing it to the youthful noble with an arrogant air, his muzzle directed at the younger boy with an androgynous appeal.

"State your rank and affiliation." Surprised by the sudden action, the other Phantoms turned their heads to the two strangers conveniently sitting next to them. Some jumped and tumbled down in surprise, some drew their weapons, and some cursed.

Effectively, all weapons were drawn, whether blades or guns, and surrounded the two's throats without a single gap.

They carefully scrutinized Aster and Votravis, holding firm grip over their weapons. Specifically, the burly man's gaze landed on Vontravis's physique that did not make an effort on hiding his features.

His ruby red eyes shone dangerously behind his silver monocle. Threatening as he seems, they only saw him as a flamboyantly dressed nobleman parading his riches.

'How did a greenhorn get here?'

Vontravis lightly bared his teeth.

"Foolish things. You dare point your weapons against the Sovereign's envoy?" What?

The man tilted his head in confusion, and soon broke into fits of hollow laughter. The others also laughed while some continued shooting deadly glares.

"Ha! Do you take us for fools? Why would a born Sorenian set their sights in this lowly place?" The two figures remained unmoving and unamused.

Aster broke suit, meaning to answer the man.

"Wraith of Abyss. Serving under the Mother of Death."

"What?"

"You told me to state my affiliation." Following, Vontravis also opened his mouth, secretly displeased with the unnecessary willingness to play along.

"Head of House Greed, here under the orders to assist the Sovereign's envoy."

'A Head of the Seven Sins and a Red Wraith?'

The burly man's grip on the revolver faltered in shock. Their red eyes were practically bulging in surprise. It made their bickering from a while ago seem like an idiot's senseless cry.

'No. Don't believe them. It doesn't make sense!'

Then, Aster moved forward, placing his forehead directly onto the muzzle, as if taunting him to shoot.

The man couldn't pull the trigger. An invisible pressure was weighing down at him, freezing his fingers in place. A low hum escaped Aster's throat.

"Weren't you so fervently pointing you gun at me? What are waiting for?"

Aster's lips formed a delicate smirk. There was something strangely eerie with his pale unmoving eyes not looking at them directly.

A thick murderous aura emanated from his voice, making the ones present, despite showing their own killing intent, found it hard to breathe.

"Why? Can't do it anymore?"

"Are you...Are you perhaps the new branch leader?" The man said with difficulty.

Aster didn't reply. The ones present here weren't dense fools. They knew the silence was a confirmation.

He was indeed the new head they'd been waiting for and the same one who's caused the current commotion.

Sparing no chance, the man threw his revolver away, went down from the wooden table, and prostrated at Aster's feet.

The other Phantoms also dropped their weapons and bowed as low as they could in fear.

They pounded their heads deeper, planting it to the ground.

Ignorant as they were of the Sorenians' courtly matters, they knew of the notoriety of the Wraiths serving directly as the Abyssal Sovereign's hunting dogs.

Particularly, they were distinguished into ranks; black, silver, and red.

Black, the lowest rank. They were commanded by the silver ranks, taking on scouting missions.

In earthly terms, the Silvers are equivalent to unit leaders.

Lastly, the Red Wraiths. They are elites of the elites directly guarding the Lord's palace in the shadows, taking orders from none other than the Lord herself. Simply put, their ranks are equal to generals, commanding their own legions of Black and Silver Wraiths.

Not only that, a Head of the Seven Sins have personally moved to accompany this same Red Wraith.

To demi-Sorenians like themselves, with as much a meager quantity of Abyssal blood instilled in their systems, it was unprecedent to even be graced by the presence of beings who directly answer to the words of someone who rules an entire race of Sorenians.

Weren't the choir resounding at the cathedral directed to them and their grandeur? Though the grip of their influence weren't as tight as the past, weren't they still the ones they referred to as gods?

The Phantoms broke out in cold sweat, forcing their trembling shoulders to stand firm and show their utmost reverence.

They feared for their lives.

[Isn't this technically a scam? I mean, you're more like a shadow member of the shadow elites. Rather than an official-level bigshot, you're practically a shoddy slave...]

[Who cares? Not that like they'll know that.]

[It's the lineage that matters, the lineage.]

[We're a traitor's kid. What lineage are you on about?]

"Answer me. What will you seize for yourselves?" The hooded figure's chilling voice felt as if sharply scraping their skin.

"And where will you bring it?"

"We...We were wrong, Your Reverence! These lowly ones have thought of absurd things for fear of our lives! Please punish us!"

Vontravis's expression distorted. His lips formed an amused grin, but his cold eyes weren't smiling.

"While I normally find these greedy lot entertaining, there's one line that greed must never cross."

"Challenging the Lord of Abyss."

Vontravis chuckled dryly.

"What? Bringing the relic to Kuanos Genesis? To those blasphemers? Have I lived too long? Haha."

In response, Aster let out a frustrated moan.

"I've wondered for a while why it was taking so long to find a single relic. Now I know why. I've been so kindly informed that lowly Phantoms now dare to covet what supposed to be the Lord's."

"Do you plan to eliminate these vermin?"

"No, that will be too bothersome. We don't have both the time and leisure to gather manpower."

"Then..."

"We determine their worth. If they fail to provide a reason for us to spare them, we'll head to Kaelum's underground base and cooperate with them instead. Let the others settle it as per the Lord's orders."

[Look at this guy speaking as if he's the one who'll do the dirty work. He's all talk and threaten, no big bites.]

'You shut up.'

"You. What's your name?" Vontravis's dress shoes lightly nudged the burly man prostrating at Aster's feet.

"It's Harin, Your Reverence."

"Bring every available information you've gathered. Without fail."

"Right, right now?"

"Should I say it twice?"

"No, sir—Your Reverence, we will bring it right away."

They scurried apart, each heading to access folders and cluttered files in the archives.

They had no time to filter it out, and simply grabbed whatever they could find relevant to pacify the two's anger. Harin sneakily stole a glance at Aster and grinded his teeth.

They shouldn't be fooled by a Sorenian's delicate and youthful appearance. Some of them are well over millennia old, biding their time over twisted amusements.

Right now, there was no longer any room to accommodate the two words, Kuanos Genesis.

What did a giant organization matter when their lives hang by the thread handled by these two enormous presences? Forget the relic, they needed to live.

As Aster comfortably sat and rested his hands in the circular wooden table, papers, maps, and folders soon started piling up around him as he flipped through them one by one.

Vontravis stood by the side, holding his thick robe by his forearms, as if patiently guarding him.

♦️♦️♦️

Aster exited from one of the cathedral's hidden entrances, blending along with the bustling crowd.

His senses could pick up the cawing of crows atop the cathedral's towering exterior, and the soft billowing of fog as night slowly dominates the sky.

Seith, not sensing the atmosphere, chimed in.

[Look, it's Vis's brothers up there!] Aster inwardly sighed at him while he snickers like a fool.

Aster lowered my perception and watched the few people entering and exiting it, scoffing at the thought that it was a little too pathetic to be called a cathedral. He could tell it barely had believers.

"It's only grand in form." He meant to say that there was no longer much weight to divinity's influence.

The onyx cathedral only stood majestically in appearance, and that was all there was to it. It was nothing more than an artful piece of architecture that didn't quite fit into the city anymore.

'It seems now that after the world has plunged into chaos, as I've heard, the divines' authorities aren't as grandiose.'

"You're still a god, little one. The Almighty Aeon's blood runs through your veins." Is it not a little inappropriate for him to ridicule his kind? But Aster didn't mind.

He was already an outcast. What else would he lose if he throws a few insults here and there?

"It's not me. It's Kaisellin. It's Kaisellin's complete psyche."

Aster turned away from him.

"And he's no more."

"Wrong. His consciousness is asleep somewhere in there."

"That same consciousness refuses to merge into one. What is he even running away for?"

Aster shook his head, trying to hide his buried frustrations.

"Vontravis. If gods are no longer worthy of reverence, then what do they exist for? How are we so different from those believers who clung to meager hope when all was extinguished?"

The usually noisy fragments remained silent at his remark.

Vontravis could not answer him.