As we were being paraded down the hallway towards the council chamber, I glanced back at the Death Dealer that was pushing me along. Cloud, my second in command. I knew I recognized his voice back in the infirmary. He caught me looking, gave me a subtle curt nod then gave me a push to keep up his charade. I stumble, Cloud catches me and says in a low voice, “Just say the word, six of us have your back. We never gave up on you.”
We continue down the hallway for about five more minutes before stopping in front of the doors that lead to the High Council Chamber Room. Doors that are solid ebony wood, twelve feet tall, and a foot and a half thick and carved with all manners of death. I let out a low whistle, “Man, I’ve missed these doors. Still an impressive feat of getting them down here.” The doors groaned as they were being pushed open from the inside. I shake my head, “With all our technology, we are still pushing these big ass doors open? Mistress, add that to my to-do list, please!” I get glares from the two Dealers that I don’t recognize. “Shut him up, Cloud. Or we will shut him up permanently,” one of the two said.
“Oooh, scary,” I say in a mocking tone. The one that didn't speak reached for his weapon, I stopped him by changing to a deadly serious tone of voice, “All the things you've heard about me are true. The only reason why I haven't escaped nor resisted is because Cloud is the one who is holding me.”
“SILENCE. BRING HIM FORWARD. NOW.”
I shrug and enter the council chamber.
☆☆☆
Politics have always bored me. So I'm standing before the twelve members of the High Council in the center of the council chamber, not hiding the fact I'm bored as they debate my punishment. Seraph is standing in front of me, growing more furious by the minute. Only two want me killed. Three want me to become a Shade otherwise known as a teacher; another four want me to become their guard, a Ghoul. The last three want me to take back over the clan, the Underworld, and correct everything that Seraph has fucked up.
During one of their breaks, I smirk at Seraph, “Not going the way you wanted it, is it? Did you never realize how much support I had with the Council? They approved my retirement plan.” Seraph lunged at me, but Hades intercepted him. “Don't do something reckless. You'll get your fight soon enough.” Hades kept walking to his throne. The rest of the council took their seats. “We will hear now from Marethyu. Speak and state your intentions and conditions of your return to the Underworld.”
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I give a wicked smile to Seraph. “Lord Hades and the rest of the High Council. My intention is to take back what was once mine. My condition is to challenge your champion, Seraph of the Black Rose. Winner takes all.”
Silence, stunned silence. The silence was broken by five people laughing, one being Seraph and the other four were his backers. Seraph started laughing harder when he realized I was being serious.
“SILENCE,” Hades’ voice boomed. “If you are unable to silence yourself, you will be removed from this chamber room. As I said, Seraph. You'll get your fight.” Hades looked at the rest of the council; everyone nodding in agreement or shrugging. “We Council of the Underworld have heard and accept your request, Marethyu. “Seraph, do you accept?” He nods. “What time do you want your duel?”
“Right fucking now.” I can almost see the steam escaping his nostrils as Seraph is breathing heavily.
“Denied. Kronos, what time shall we have this duel?”
“High moon rise, in three days’ time,” came the raspy voice. The council murmurs in agreement.
“Marethyu, where do you want this duel to take place?”
I smirk as I say, “The only place suitable for a duel, The Arena. With the whole guild watching.”
“I find these terms of combat acceptable,” a whispered voice echoed in the council chamber. “No further requests shall be had. In three days’ time, Seraph of the Black Rose shall fight Marethyu, Master of the Night, to the death to claim the title of the ruler of the Underworld. Father Chaos has spoken.”
The council remains frozen in their seats. I spoke first, “Father Chaos has spoken, so it shall be.”
Hades nodded, and the council echoed, “So it shall be. Thus the council has ended. Everyone is dismissed!”