A man in a black long robe stood in front of a huge glass window. The sun had already sunk, draping the city in a black veil. Overlooking the beautiful night lights of the city, he was immersed deep in his own thoughts.

Softly moving his hands through his flowing white beard he let out a heavy sigh.

"Vanessa."

At his call, his long shadow that stretched across the room moved. In a moment, a person draped in black kneeled behind him with her head hung low.

"Yes Master."

"Are all the candidates ready?"

"Yes Master. They are prepared to receive the 'blessing.' "

"Ok then we should go-

"MASTER !"

Suddenly a man dressed in a formal suit barged into the room. But he soon regretted his decision as he found the cold metal surface of a silver blade on his carotid.

"M-Master…" A soft whimper came out of his mouth.

"Vanessa, calm down. Let Juan speak."

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The blade slowly receded backwards.

"What is it Juan? You're aware of the consequences of barging in like this right?"

"M-Master, someone on the phone says that they have found it! "

"Found what?"

"The Purple Rafflesia!"

Hearing this, the girl in black looked towards the man she called 'Master.' Her eyes looked at her master as if asking for permission.

The man adorned in regal black robes stood still. The atmosphere of the room became eerily silent as if waiting for the man's response. And then he moved. Nodding softly towards the girl he started walking back to his desk.

His steps echoed throughout the room.

"But… NOOO-"

*Shua*

*Thud*

The man walked to the window again. He then turned and bowed to the young man's head that was now placed near his feet.

He crouched down and placed his hand on the man's open eyes, he shut his eyes. Looking at the shock that was still hung on his now cold face, the man prayed.

"Juan, I pray for you to be free from all the grievances of this mortal world and leap past this materialistic world."

"Vanessa, clean the blood stains on my carpet and take care of his body."

Vanessa nodded and was about to leave when,

"Get ready. The time has finally come for me to get rid of this old and wrinkled body."

***