----------------------Two Years Later In The Hervalle Empire -------------------------------
Bastian walked atop a castle’s crenellation lost in thought pondering his master's words as he often did. It was hard to believe it had only been six years since they'd last met. Every day apart from his Creator's wisdom felt like another day lost in an endless sea while lacking both food and water. Today he was wondering if he had made the right call four long years ago in how he had avoided “being timid in the face of opportunity” as his master had put it. When he first started he had worked to turn key members of powerful countries as his master had instructed him to. After an uneventful two years Bastian had become overconfident and moved to bring the emperor himself under his control. That’s when he had been exposed as the Church of Radiance stepped in and took in the emperor for “healing”. Not willing to let any of his movements be exposed and fail one of his Lord's objectives of secrecy, Bastian took the risk to assassinate the emperor. Unfortunately, the Church had expected his move and met him with five fifth-level mages demonstrating just why the Church was viewed as the leading power of the Central Continent. Bastian initially revealed 3rd level wind skills trying to flee but eventually had to resort to sixth-level shadow magic to flee making it obvious he came from a powerful background, at least to the priests.
Panicking and afraid all his work would collapse if he made the wrong move he went to see his Creator for help. Bastian could still hear his words bright as day: “Looks like you were trying to be careful. Since it’s just 3rd level you’ll be fine to continue as is. If need be just use an already-established shadow organization to take the blow. And remember although caution is important you shouldn’t be found timid in the face of opportunity.”
His Creator was obviously letting him off the hook. Treating it as though he had just revealed 3rd level magic when it was clear he had done more, why else would he seek out his own Creator for guidance. And have another organization take the fall? Which organization had a level 6 darkness mage lying around? To Bastian it was obviously an instruction to expand in order to be better able to combat the church. Any doubts Bastian had in his assessment went up in smoke with his Lord’s closing line. “Do not be found timid in the face of opportunity.” A phrase that had driven him forward ever since. Master has great expectations for me I cannot be found lacking.
And so after that, he quickly made his way back to the Empire where he summoned those he had corrupted within the imperial guard and marched into the council room. A move he would have previously thought too reckless but no longer. After claiming control of the council through acceptable bloodshed Bastian left to seek more “opportunities.” He searched for and recruited some competent assistants of his own and after putting them through some hellish training to make them worthy of carrying out his Lord's mission sent them to go establish satellite branches throughout the world. Bastian remembered very clearly the disgust he had seen on his Lord's face when Bastian had so audaciously assumed his goal of ruling humanity. It was clear his Lord had his sights set much bigger. The known universe, every star in the sky. That was what Bastian now knew to be his master's goal.
More importantly, for the moment was how his Lord had clearly stated he was the “first servant.” Clearly insinuating he would have younger siblings as a form of warning. Initially, Bastian had been hoping he would be given a way to contact his siblings in order to bring them under him and more efficiently achieve his Lord's wishes, but after encountering the Lioness Luxia’s agents who had their memories imprinted with information in a way identical to how his Lord had gifted knowledge to Bastian, he knew his hope was a false one.
His Creator wished for his creations to fight. Bastian didn’t know whether it was to establish a hierarchy, a battle to the death, or if it was simply an idle experiment his Lord was conducting for his entertainment. No matter the reason Bastian would play his role. He would accomplish whatever tasks he was given and he would show his siblings what it means to be the Firstborn.
Bastian finally stopped pacing and turned to look at the three men behind him who had been kneeling silently with their heads bowed.
“Hand, you’ve done well policing the Empire and purging it of spies. Especially those of the Lioness. Would you like anything as a reward?” Bastian asked trying his best to imitate the words once said by his own master.
The thin pale middle-aged man responded with a gravely tone “Your Lord is too kind. I wish for nothing more than to be of use.”
Bastian nodded satisfied. “Very well your reward shall be rousing a team of elites and going deep into Vernicus territory. Kill as many of their mages as you can before returning.”
The Hand let out a pale grin as he responded. “Thank you for this wonderful reward. It will be done.”
Bastian turned to another man, this one was a rotund scholarly looking man with a bald head and small spectacles who seemed to be shaking uncontrollably.
“Davim you’ve done well making the Empire's trade routes more profitable while at the same time keeping up a blistering pace of expansion. Your idea to use these routes as information networks have meant every new route you acquire leads to not only massive profits but also a new channel of intel. Out of all the councilors you are by far the one I find the most competent. What would you like as a reward?”
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Davim responded with vibrant fervor as if possessed. “IT IS MY GREATEST HONOR TO SERVE. PLEASE FOR MY REWARD ALLOW ME TO CONTINUE TO DO SO.” Davim's eyes appeared bloodshot and he seemed ready to fall apart, but he truly did seem like one of the most devoted ones here.
Bastian smiled at his answer. “Wonderful. Your wish is granted. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say if I can find a way to help you to serve even in death I’ll allow you to do so.” Bastian made a proud promise while in response the last light remaining in Davim’s eyes vanished like a candle getting snuffed.
“Your next mission will be on the Western Isles. It's a notoriously challenging place for trade but with your abilities, I have no doubt you’ll succeed in helping found a branch of operations there.”
“It will be done.” Davim responded less powerfully as if still pondering what Bastian had said about serving after death. Bastian then turned to the last man. He seemed much younger than the others and had a hopeful look in his eyes which seemed absent in his compatriots.
“Blitz, you’ve been working on gathering information on newly rising powers who have appeared in the last six years. In your mind who are the ones highest on your list.” Bastian asked.
“My Lord, in my and my servant's journeys which covered all the way from the Western Isles to the Eastern Continent I have made a list compiling any character of importance while fulfilling the criteria you gave me. At the top of that list, I have five names. Chief among them the Lioness Luxia who we are all well acquainted with. During our investigation, we discovered she has no record of past deeds or citizenship before showing up in Vernicus. It’s almost like she appeared out of thin air. I’ve tried to overlay her image and traits with missing criminals or powerful figures but none have matched. Of course she also has her powerful light magic believed to be at the 6th level, but I personally believe she’s reached the seventh.”
“Second is an adventurer named Jeffrey Vaughn. Jeffrey became famous just last year when he slew an air dragon who had been plaguing his home village on the southern part of the continent. After that, the air dragon's parents sought him out for revenge but Jeffrey shocked everyone when he managed to kill the father and chased away the mother after heavily wounding her. As adult air dragons are 6th level combatants it's believed Jeffrey is at least at the sixth or possibly even seventh level of earth magic.”
“Third is the fierce warlord Arden. He rose to power two years ago in the far east and claimed a great deal of territory for himself. He commands a massive army and often raids surrounding kingdoms. Two kingdoms have already been brought to ruins by him and another one will likely fall any day now. He’s known for his powerful fire magic believed to be at the seventh level and his notorious fire clone ability which allows him to summon idenitcal clones of himself. He's used this method to simultaneously lead multiple armies at once. Most strategists believe this ability to be his most fearsome asset as it allows him to fully dominate any battlefield or campaign. Currently, there is a coalition being formed to combat the warlord; however, this is already the second attempt at a coalition, the first ended when Arden raised an entire participating kingdom's capital to the ground with its citizens still trapped inside.”
“Fourth is the Pirate Princess Diana. Diana has become well known in the past two years after defeating a well-known admiral of the Kiolite navy and claiming his fleet for herself. The Kiolite admiral was a known water mage of the 6th and so Diana is believed to be a level six wind mage at the very least. Although there are no known recordings of their fight Diana’s armada now plagues the Western Isles and is constantly warring with pursuing Kiolites who desperately want their ships and honor back."
Davim felt some of the blood drain from his face thinking about the possible welcoming committee ready to receive him on his visit to the Western Isles.
Fifth is an odd one, the sea monster many refer to as the Flood Dragon. This monster appeared about two years ago and has been on a rampage ever since. It has ravished multiple islands and is known to prefer human flesh over the creatures of the sea. It likes to nest in Port Keeps often targeting islands that have excessively large fortifications. In the Western Isles where it runs wild many locals refer to it as the great Flood and some have even begun to worship it saying it's a god who has taken form to wash away the sins of the wicked. The Flood Dragon is also known to target any ships it comes across often leaving no survivors.” A flicker of pity flashed through the young man's eyes as he glanced at his companion Davim who looked to be suffering from a panic attack at learning about yet another monster was waiting for him on his mission.
Bastian pondered the new information. Having a flood dragon as a sibling? He truly didn’t know if it was possible, but he definitely can't just write it off. Either way it seems these characters are all rather high profile. Of course for Blitz to find them they'd have to be. To find his siblings who are laying low would be too great a task for Blitz. After all no one aside from members of his own organization or those he had killed knew even a sliver of Bastian’s true power. It's reasonable to assume his other siblings were operating in similarly covert manners. In which case the reported individuals might just be underlings to Bastian’s true siblings. How should he confirm whether or not they were made by his Father. Could he send a message? No it's too easy to be deceived. Bastian could not think of a surefire method except one. He quickly came to his decision turning to Davim.
“Davim, it seems as though I’ll be accompanying you on your visit to the Western Isles.” After Bastian exclaimed his idea he heard a loud THUD behind him. Turning around he found Davim had fainted onto the floor. Hmph he must have gotten too excited and forgot to breath Bastian thought to himself. As he prepared himself for his journey to the west.