Deep within the vibrant forests surrounding Lushwood, two powerful beings made an arrangement. The night prevented any vision as the first individual stepped out of the thicket. The meeting place was a small canyon with a large dead tree acting as a bridge above them.
Kokoro looked around for any sign of the others. Eventually, the person he was looking for made their appearance on the other side of the canyon. The man smiled as he locked onto the cult leader, Azazel. He wore dark and ragged clothing despite his great fame as a terrorist. A deep scar lingered on his left eye. Kokoro could tell that it was a lichtenberg figure.
“Azazel, It’s a pleasure to finally be meeting you.” Kokoro bowed in a sarcastic manner.
“How have your affairs been coming along?” He continued, asking a question he knew the answer to. Azazel was the leader of the Misos, a group pushing for human extinction but they weren’t having much luck recently.
Azazel bared his teeth in anger, “Don’t waste my time with your jokes! What do you want from me?” He spat.
A pleased smile came from Kokoro as his soon to be accomplice grew irritated.
“I’ve come to alleviate your troubles. Our visions of this world are not so different. We want nothing more than to be rid of the wretched creatures that plaque Coalesce. I believe we can both benefit from each other's skills and resources.”
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Azazel narrowed his eyes, “You’re suggesting that we work together?” Skepticism was written all over the cult leader's face.
“Our alliance will ensure both parties acquire what they want. Your men and supplies for control over Lushwood.” Kokoro stated his demands and what he had to offer. He was confident that the cultist would jump at the chance.
Azazel scoffed at the idea, finding it to be deception of sorts.
“I fail to see how control over Lushwood will aid in killing humans. It hardly sounds like a beneficial bargain.” Kokoro wasn’t discouraged though and decided to elaborate further.
“The Misos excel at clawing away their defenses but I can tear them apart from the inside. By gaining control, I will plant fear in Lushwood.” Azazel thought about it for a moment, seeing how it could prove fruitful. It was a solid idea but he still had one problem with Kokoro.
“And I'm supposed to believe that you’ll follow through with your end of the deal? What will stop you from selling us out? You could be undercover for all I know.”
Kokoro certainly didn’t expect him to be so uptight. Azazel was desperate but even then he wouldn’t risk losing their hold on Coalesce.
“You can believe me because we’re working for the same person.” Azazel's expression twisted into confusion at the statement.
“Your arm,” Kokoro gestured towards his left arm that had a long cape draped over it.
“You follow the will of our creator. His teachings are in that book. I can...feel it.” Azazel looked down at a thick book hooked onto his waist. He was no longer worried since no one knew of the book or his arm.
“I see, so you have been sent by him? Our god blesses us with his aid then. Perhaps I was wrong about you.” The cult leader smirked before stepping closer to Kokoro. He then held out his hand for Kokoro.
“Deal.”