Zarall walked his way through a rose garden, enjoying the scent of the budding flowers and gentle breeze. With the sun shinning down on him, he walked by a water fountain sprinkling down water. As he gazed down upon it and saw his own reflection, he noticed a cloud move in front of the sun.

Furrowing his brow, he looked upwards in confusion. Clouds shouldn’t be covering the sun unless he wanted them to. As he turned around, he noticed in the middle of the rose garden stood a figure. A figure wearing a hoodie and jeans, having short black hair and glowing white eyes.

The figure gave a small wave upon Zarall noticing them. Zarall instantly opened his hand and a staff appeared in it. As he was about to get into a combative stance a voice from behind him called.

“Zarall right?”

Whipping back around staff raised he saw the same figure in the rose garden now standing across on the other side of the fountain. Once more the figure waved at him.

“Hello.” The stranger said, giving him a devious smile, eyes shining brightly.

“Why do you resemble Valer?” Zarall asked on guard.

“Better question is why does Valer share a passing resemblance with me?” The stranger asked before sticking a handout, “Hallow, I believe you may have heard of me.” He introduced.

“So that’s what you look like. Why are you here?” Zarall said as the gemstone on the end of his staff began to glow.

“Don’t wave your staff around. You should already know that it won’t do anything.” Hallow said as he walked around the fountain and towards Zarall.

“I’m not here to hurt you.” He assured.

“Then why are you here?”

“To make a proper introduction! Considering you appear to be my main adversary up here.” Hallow said with a friendly smile as he offered him a hand.

“What is your game?” Zarall asked not letting his guard down.

“Part of it is for you to find out.” Hallow shrugged in response.

“Why did you let Sable off so easily? It seemed as if everything was set up for her to be saved.”

“Ah, you already knew.” Hallow said eyebrows raised in surprise, “So I’m guessing the Anthousai told you already? The groups kept their mouths shut so far, smart move.”

Zarall only glared in suspicion in response.

“Oh don’t worry, Afa still doesn’t know. She’s pretty oblivious with everything. Though, I have been pulling the wool over her eyes. Can’t wait to hear her complain about her plan failing again.” Hallow said shrugging.

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“I thought you two work together? Why ruin her plans?”

“Because I wouldn’t call it working together. Just like you, she’s just part of my plan.”

“I doubt that she would enjoy being told that she was being used.”

“Most likely. But who’s going to tell her? You?” Hallow asked leaning forward eyes glowing dangerously bright, “Please. Try me.”

Zarall suddenly felt his staff go limp. Looking down at it, he saw that the staff acted as if it was made of wet sand and it began to droop and break apart, flopping down onto the ground with a splat and scattering. The staff of wisdom, a legendary weapon that could shape the realms. destroyed in an instant.

“It won’t work out for you.” Hallow chuckled as Zarall found that the staff was suddenly back in his hands looking as if nothing had happened to it.

It was now when Zarall realized what he was dealing with. The thing that stood before him wasn’t some man. It was truly a monster. A monster much more powerful than him. A maniac that no one currently could stop. A monstrous god that felt nothing of and barely acknowledges those beneath him.

Part of Zarall wanted to run, but he doubted that he would get away. A larger part told him to him to stay, because this thing was running rampant, and it could not stay that way.

“What do you want? You aren’t going to kill me? So why say hello?” Zarall said calmly as he settled himself.

“Brave words.” Hallow applauded, “You don’t need to worry. I can’t kill you right now. Because if I did, I would be forced to leave.”

“Forced by whom?”

Hallow gave a snarl of a laugh. Taking a step towards Zarall, the clouds over the sun disappeared. The sun shone down brightly at them. Too brightly. The air was stagnant. A high-pitched hum could be heard. The moment Hallow drew his foot back, the clouds returned and it became quiet once more.

“Them. Though, that was more of a empty threat. It would actually take them a bit of time to reach here.” Hallow answered.

Zarall could only stand there lost. This was not something he recognized. These were not gods that he recognized. They were of another universe. A far greater one. Zarall could almost laugh out loud that he, a god, could be in such awe of this godliness before him. I have not seen anything like this since the Six. He thought in wonder.

“I don’t understand. Why go through all this trouble if they will stop you?”

“They’re too busy to outright stop me for trying something. So they won’t as long as I play by the rules. And the rules are not to mess with you all too much. Not yet at least.” Hallow said as he placed his hands behind him, “Which answer’s your Sable question.”

“And it will stay that way, as long as you don’t rat out to Afa about me. If you do, then you just gave me some freedom.” Hallow threatened.

“So you want me and everyone to sit down and keep quiet? Not going happen, we’ll stop you and break your game.” Zarall shot back, “Though that is what you want isn’t it? Word of warning don’t let your hubris get the better of you.”

Hallow laughed into the sky in response, “That’s the plan! Try your best, struggle and struggle! Try to figure out my plan, play my game! Or don’t! Either way right or wrong. I get what I want.” Hallow empathized the last part.

“We’ll see about that.” Zarall said head raised up. No longer as scared as he realized that whatever Hallow was doing was in part a façade. He did not have as much sway as he wanted others to believe. Him being forced to listen to rules made by others proves it.

“I’ll see you around. Oh by the way, make sure the secret of Afa and I’s deal is only limited to those who currently know. If the secret got out any further then… I guess I would be forced to move quickly.” Hallow said before vanishing along with the clouds.

As the warm light of the sun shone down once more on Zarall’s face he could only feel troubled for the things to come.

“I’ll be ready.” Zarall said to the wind.