“Uriel? But… you’re supposed to be dead.”

The Prince shrugged, smirking. “Guess not. You see, if I have the power to cheat death, what do you think that means? After all, death is supposed to be the ultimate destination for everyone—humans and Fate users alike. Despite that, I’m alive even after receiving a life-ending wound. If I have the power to change Fate, then my power must surpass even that of the Supreme King! However, I have not reached the maximum of my potential. For me to change Fate entirely, I need, not just the throne, but that damned Crown,” he said.

The King’s breaths steadied. “What do you gain by telling me all this?” he asked.

“Why should I tell you? Especially after hearing about what you did to Marie, my poor little sister.”

“That was a misunderstanding!“

Uriel glared. “Was it? Or are you just some pathetic old man who was too afraid to stand up to the bitch of a mother I had?”

To that, the King was silent. There was no denying his inaction. As such, this outcome was unavoidable.

The Prince nodded. “Thought so. Don’t worry, old man, there will be a reckoning. A war is coming soon. When the time for battle arrives and we’re forced to finally fight, I will the victor. Until that time comes, goodbye, father.”

After announcing his survival, Uriel turned back to the portal and stepped through. Only when he completely entered did the gateway vanish into non-existence, leaving the King curious and confused. He fell onto his bottom and scratched his blonde head, hearing the Crown hum once the golden hue was finally restored. Despite the spontaneousness of the spat, the King couldn’t help but laugh.

‘So, both children reappear on the same day. One to fight and the other to rebel. I can’t say I’m surprised about the younger ones, but to think the Prince would resurrect entirely… I don’t understand.’

Barron walked and sat on his throne after it magically rebuilt itself. Slouching on one arm, he leaned on his fist and continued contemplating.

‘I hold the omnipotent power of Fate’s Crown. The only ones capable of rivaling me are my daughter, the Amits, and possibly my son. Even so, what is this power he possesses? A technique capable of cheating Death—the ultimate destination for humans and Fate users alike… it reminds me of you. Brother.’

…

Talen threw a bunch of folders onto the living room coffee table back in his apartment.

Anthony lifted one. “What’s this?” he asked, resting on the couch.

“Evidence,” he said. “I took the liberty of sorting everything we know so we can sort through it easier.”

“Handy. Where do we start then?” Alora spoke up.

Talen placed a joint in his mouth and ignited the end with a black light. “Well, there’s no point going through these to answer that. At the start of these irregularities, three agents of the Syndicate targeted the Supreme King in an attempt to usurp the Crown and throne.

They threw the fight but the battle was used as evaluation information for the mastermind watching from a drone. The same thing happened the following night at my family’s home, where my mom, siblings and I were attacked by a platoon of rogue Syndicate assassins. They were used to evaluate us too. The next morning, my father’s attacked by multiple otherworldly creatures that resembled ancient archangels. After that, Alora’s assignment was interrupted by the mastermind as he took the Violator she was fighting to an unknown location. Now, today. Just earlier, the Monster God Malum’s limb was released into the alleyway beside my apartment, causing his resurgence. That’s about all the information we have so far.”

“The fact Mr. Amit mentioned they resembled archangels isn’t a mistake. If the mastermind is who we think it is then it makes sense, considering Uri’s Power,” Alora said.

Tony nodded. “Yeah. His was ‘Divine Invocation’ or something, right?”

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Talen scratched his chin and nodded. “Correct. Dad’s account mixed with Alora recognizing the scent of his aura confirms it. That being said, we still have no idea what he’s planning. For example, why’d it taken him so long to resurge if he was alive all this time? Why did he save that Violator she was in the middle of fighting? And, if we're suspecting Uri for this one, why’d he release one of Malum’s limbs so suddenly?”

Anthony facepalmed and groaned. “This is going nowhere… we have more questions than answers.”

Illustrious sighed. “As much as I hate to admit it, you’re right. It’s undeniable Uriel is the secret Head of the Syndicate and has been puppeteering everything from the start of these abnormalities, but we have no leads as to where he’s operating from. This search almost feels fruitless,” she said.

Talen interlocked his fingers and pushed both hands into his temples, sighing longly. Just as he was about to lose hope and despair, a familiar scent made his heart skip a beat.

“You’re there, aren’t you, King Barron?”

“What gave me away?” asked his disembodied voice.

The Supreme King of Barronia magically appeared in the middle of Talen’s living room, tall and draped in a crimson royal robe. Only briefly did he look at the lawyer, for his interest quickly diverted to the two new faces. They were shocked—seemingly seconds away from invoking their techniques. Ignoring the perplexion they felt, he smiled. The shine in his eyes spoke of familiarity.

“Alora Illustrious. It’s nice to see you again after so long. How are you, my dear?”

She smirked. “Frankly, I’m surprised you still remember me. I’m doin’ just fine, thanks for asking. I can’t say the same for you though,” said the Enforcer, tapping her cheek.

He chuckled. “That’s what I came here to discuss. You see, only two minutes ago, I was attacked by my banished daughter: Marie. But that wasn’t all. The moment I secured my advantage over her, she retreated and was joined with none other than my son Uriel. Still alive after the excursion one decade ago. Talen Amit, do you have any idea how this is possible?” asked the King.

“Not in the slightest, no. All four of us saw the severity of his wounds personally. There’s no way he could’ve survived those injuries. You should know that better than anyone,” he said.

Anthony leaned forward. “Isn’t it possible to heal life-ending injuries with a healing technique? Fate-restoration, if used instantly, could return someone from the brink of death. That’s kinda Arronsburgs’ specialty.”

“Marie Barron…” Alora looked back at the King. “Adding that to the Violator Uri supposedly took yesterday, that makes two. Is it too much of a stretch to suggest he’s forming some sort of alliance with Violators?”

Talen shook his head. “No.”

Everyone looked at him. Fingers over his mouth, Tal’s eyes shut, recalling that fateful day—that final conversation. Those words, far more important than anything else, transcended the realm of time to exist in his future.

‘I don’t like monsters. That’s the truth I chose.’

“There’s absolutely no way in hell Uriel decided to ally himself with Violators. Not willingly, anyway.”

The King’s brow raised. “And what makes you so sure, Talen Amit? Is there something you’re still not telling us—?”

“Mind your own business, gramps. Don’t get upset cuz Tal over ‘ere knew more about your son than you,” Tony said.

“Excuse me? And what is that supposed to mean?”

“That you should mind your own business and trust what he says. Sure, you could easily have us persecuted for defying you but we’re probably the only ones capable of properly investigating this so you can’t lose us right now, can you?” Alora smirked widely.

From beside the Enforcer, a sweat drop slowly fell down the side of Anthony’s face. ‘Scary…’ he thought, sensing the menacing presence around her.

“Cut it out, Lora. Infighting doesn’t solve anything. I could obviously be wrong. He could be using them, aside from Marie, or he might just have stooped that low. If he has a technique capable of cheating death then he could also have a power capable of stripping others of their own and making them his. It’s possible he just wants to steal their powers for himself and seeks to use them as a distraction for something.”

Talen put a hand on his cheek and hummed. “Maybe he’s assembling an army of Violators. But for what? And why?”

‘Where do we go from here?’

…

Uriel leaned back in a chair with his long hair styled into a ponytail resting over his shoulder. The sound of an opening door meant his head could turn, and depending on who entered, the next stage of his plan could begin. Luckily, it was just who he hoped for—Marie. The entrance shut behind her and she walked further within, before stopping behind her older brother and crossing both arms over her bust. She tried not to be distracted by the maple brown shade of the walls and ceiling, or the candle perched on the window seal over the desk he was sitting at.

“Now that we’ve accomplished most of our preparation, now all we need is more allies. So we’ll be infiltrating Nullspace to look for a valuable one.”

Marie tilted her head. “Another Violator?” she asked.

“Yes…” Uri sighed. “Honestly, I’m a bit reluctant to do this, but we have no other choice. Remember that Displacement a couple years back that was capable of stealing others’ techniques and Fate?”

The boxer nodded, arms crossed. “Quite vividly, yeah. What was his name again?”

Deep below the reach of the Royal Castle, behind the Gate to Nullspace guarded by Masters of Fate and mindless Displacement monsters, there was him. A white man with brown hair parted in the middle, bright green eyes and two moles darted under each one. Smiling, he sat back against the white void around him, all the while silently waiting for the nearing eventuality of his chaotic release.

“The man known as the worst of all Fate users: Apollo Moloch. A Displacement tormenting our modern world.”