In the present, a hall of the Royal Palace

As soon as the training ended, Helial sent for his companions asking everyone to meet up. When Lumia, Frankenstein, Lulu and Snowflake walked the hall, they found Helial sitting cross-legged in the middle of the room. They gathered around him. Snowflake looked about himself and noticed that Vlad was there too. He was perched on a bench on one corner of the hall. The boy ran a hand through his fiery red hair and gazed intently at Helial, not falling asleep this time.

“Something has changed…” Vlad mumbled to himself as he stared at the shapely youngster sitting with his eyes closed.

No one uttered a sound. They didn’t want to disturb Helial, who seemed deep in thought.

They saw it fitting to behave like mature decent people and wait for him to speak first.

But if people thought it best to behave decently, the same can’t be said about cats.

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE UP!” Snowflake yelled in Helial’s ear.

Vlad’s facial muscles twisted violently. “That’s not the politeness that should be required of a Heavenly Star Tiger,” although his words didn’t reach for the others.

Astonishingly enough, Vlad did know about Heavenly Star Tigers. Despite the looks of it, the boy was pretty informed about the races scattered around the universe. It was already impressive that he had long guessed Snowflake’s origins. However, his deductions went even farther; the cat’s attitude and grudge towards his own race had led Vlad to a few more hypothesis on the cat’s past. Nonetheless, he thought it best to keep everything for himself.

Vlad shook his head. Everyone’s attention was focused on Helial.

Helial slowly opened his eyes.

A string of images was flickering across his pupil.

A new-born girl was waving her slender little arms from the swaddling clothes she was wrapped in. She uttered what seemed to be sounds of happiness. As she stretched her arms out towards a little Helial, her eyes were the mirror to the clearest curiosity.

Suddenly, the scene changed.

Through his irises gleamed the sharp-lined face of Hades under a bright green drape partly covering it. He was following Helial down the streets of Orma.

The attack at the Alabard Outpost. Hordes of Goblins were slaughtering their way through the fringes of the Nation. Caesar would have never given his consent to such a pointless. He had nothing to do with that.

It had been responsibility of the Seniors from the Orman Senate. They had given the order against the King’s will. Such rashness would later undergo severe punishment.

This tragic event had more secrets to it than it seemed.

Helial curled up the corners of his mouth in a smile.

Everyone’s expression slightly changed. As he shaped that smile, Helial greatly intensified the pressure he exerted over the room.

“Until now, we have trained without actually knowing much about one another,” Helial started off seraphically. “I wanna grow stronger to punish my brother’s arrogance. Also, I have a few family scores to settle before my mission is over. Then, I am going to set out in search for Immortality.

This path will be scattered with countless deaths. I don’t expect you to follow me without asking me who, what and why.

First, I’ll infiltrate the Capital of Fiercelake to raze the Mana Congregation to the ground. But only after wiping out a couple Clans. I do have a number of unfinished business by finishing which I will offend frighteningly powerful people.”

Helial fell silent. He gazed at each of them in the eyes. Then he went on to say: “Our team has never had a clear structure. If it’s fine by you, then I can be your Leader. My aim will be to reach my goal while helping you reaching yours.”

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Having said this, Helial grabbed a golden cup full of water. He brushed his palm against the cup edge. A neat deep cut opened up in his palm as an alarming amount of blood dripped down into the water.

“My master taught me this ritual. They call it the Trust Test. It holds no physical meaning, it’s just an ancient rite through whom to seal a fellowship or an alliance.” Helial’s friends exchanged a meaningful look which Helial didn’t seem to notice as he went on to say: “During the past few days, I was bestowed with a frightening gift. Now I can neatly see through my heart. Now I know what I need and I am no longer willing to hesitate. If you want to step down this path with me, tell me what it is you’re searching. If you want to be a member of this fellowship and feel as such, you’ll need to openly tell the others what goals you are aiming to.”

Everyone gave him a puzzled look.

Up to that very day, Helial had always focused on his own Dao and level. It was indeed true that he asked the Devil to help his group members too, but his attitude was nonetheless a pretty egoistic one. He had always made it clear that he had no interest in being their Leader. He never took further responsibilities than those regarding himself. On the contrary, he now seemed to be taking an utter different position.

The unquestionable clear radiance his eyes gave off was not the only sign that something had changed. His words betrayed his new unwavering confidence in his capabilities.

Without him noticing, Helial’s charisma had now reached the peak. The full potential of his Soul blossomed. No doubt shrouded his mind and strength anymore.

Everyone was left speechless.

The only one who stepped forward without the least hesitation was Lumia. She stretched out a hand. Repeating what Helial had done a few moments before, she grabbed the cup glistening in shades of gold. Little drops of her blood dripped down into the water and blended with that of her brother.

“There’s nothing my brother hasn’t sacrificed for me. I yearn for nothing more than being able to do the same for him,” Lumia as she gazed at Helial. Despite the confidence she now showed, Lumia was actually afraid that Helial could impede her from standing by his side. The little girl knew perfectly well how much Helial cared about her life. He would spare her any danger. Also, she thought that her reason to join the fellowship could seem not serious enough in Helial’s eyes for him to accept her.

To her great surprise though, Helial resolved for a nod. “You’re the most precious thing I’ve ever had, Lumia. I couldn’t wish for more than the honor to share this journey with you. No darkness can’t be rippled by a ray of sunshine as long as you are with me.”

Lumia’s throat turned dried as two big tears swelled up in her eyes. She couldn’t figure how, but Helial really did change during the past few days. Up to a few days before, he would have never accepted her to side with him. But now he looked different. He had come to terms with the fact that Lumia would risk her life. So they might as well risk it together.

Lumia retraced her step to let the others speak.

The cup ended now in the paws of Snowflake. “I have quite a few family scores to settle too, you lil sluts. If you can keep up with me, it’s going to be a hell of a ride!” Snowflake let out a laughter as his blood dripped down into the water.

His words touched a chord deep within Helial. His gaze briefly met that of Snowflake. It was hard to tell which one was the steadiest. The exchange last no longer than one instant.

Though it was enough to baffle Helial. His Emperor state let him now sense the level of others’ Soul. He could tell the nature of their intentions in one single glance. During their brief exchange of looks, he caught a glimpse of Snowflake’s Soul; it was at the King’s state! The great purity of Snowflake’s Soul left him speechless.

Despite his rude attitude and his helplessness in stirring up trouble, Snowflake’s eyes were clearest than the sky itself. They betrayed a confident firm heart and a Soul just as powerful.

The gaze of the cat and that of the little Human diverged. The magnetic field the brief exchange gave off would have sent a shiver down a god’s spine.

One day, history books would tell about their deeds.

Helial had no idea how come Snowflake’s Soul was already at such high a level. However, he saw it fitting not to let the others know about this. After all, only creatures belonging to superior states are familiar with concepts like that of the states of one’s Soul. It was a cultivation system only the greatest experts in the universe had access to.

Thanks to his unmatched natural perception, Vlad had already taken notice of this. For how subtle was his perception though, he had little idea on what could be the nature of “this”.

Frankenstein and Lulu stepped forward too.

“If it hadn’t been for you, I would have now been dead. Or worse, I would still live as a library servant,” Frankenstein said. He hardly ever spoke about his research or show any feeling, “my goal is to constantly search for new knowledge, no matter in what field. Join you would make a nice sport in the meanwhile.”

“I have no family nor Clan. I was brought up by family friends. I had no right to no education. My talent is mediocre enough to make me feel often uncomfortable when I look at what you freaks can do. But I’ll nonetheless do everything in my power to let us be happy together,” little Lulu said as she blushed.

Plop

Plop

The blood of Frankenstein and Lulu dripped down into the cup. The water color turned darker.

Vlad suddenly stood up from his chair. Everyone turned towards him. Did he really thought it best to go away during such an important moment?

Vlad flashed away and instantly reappeared right in front of Helial. “And as far as my goal is concerned…”