Part Two

Chapter 32

Leander

I reclined in my plush, floating chair, the surface of the polished floor beneath me shimmering with hues of blue and green. I smiled to myself. These new initiates were going to move me up quite a bit in the rankings. I might even move up to a District Leader. If I played my cards right I might even gain an audience with Archaelus himself.

A soft clearing of a throat brought me out of my day dreaming. “Yes.” I snapped “I thought I told you I didn’t wan’t to be disturbed.”

“Leander, sir.” My assistant replied, their voice so soft I had to strain to hear them.

“Speak up, boy. If you have any hopes of moving up in this Pantheon you need to show some backbone.”

A deep breath and the assistant began again, however the volume did not increase. “Leander, sir. Six of your new blessed initiates are gone.”

“What do you mean they’re gone?” I exclaimed, my voice echoing in the enchanted space. I turned sharply to my assistant, a shadowy figure whose features flickered like a candle in the wind.

“Sir, your men- they’re… they’re dead.,” the assistant replied, their tone steady, though I could sense the urgency beneath it. “We were meant to meet up with the initiate known as Matt to get a list of followers for the Pantheon today. However, before the meeting time his lifeline vanished from our order. He and the rest of the blessed in the group with him are all gone.”

A wave of disbelief washed over me, quickly morphing into frustration. “This is unacceptable! They were the cornerstone of my plan.” I stood up, pacing, the orbs above flickering in response to my agitation.

“Was there an external threat?” I pressed, struggling to maintain my composure. The implications of their disappearance gnawed at my insides, wrapping me in a tightening grip of unease. “They had slowed down leveling over the last three days but they had been completely dedicated to the Pantheon. Assured me that they could bring in thousands to our cause! How in the world could this have happened?"

“I’m still gathering information, but it appears there was a disturbance during the tutorial. The monitors indicate significant chaos, which coincides with the disappearance of your initiates,” the assistant explained, their voice unwavering.

“Show me,” I commanded, urgency surging through me. With a wave of my hand, a holographic display materialized, revealing swirling images of Galene. The ethereal visuals, often a source of entertainment now felt damning.

The chaos unfolded before me—flashes of tumult, figures clashing amidst bursts of energy, and shadowy forms dancing across the screen. I leaned in closer, focusing intently as I searched for any sign of my chosen ones, my brow furrowing in concentration.

“Zoom in on the main conflict,” I instructed, my voice low and firm. I needed to understand what had gone wrong and how I could spin this with my district leader, Callisto. It was uncommon to give out so many blessings so early in the tutorial- but I couldn’t risk the chosen falling under another banner. I had lost one already, and Callisto had warned me that I was risking making our pantheon appear weak, and rash.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

As the view adjusted, I caught sight of a young human she wielded an blue glowing sword made of pure energy as she faced off against Matt. A mix of confusion grew inside me as I scooted closer to the feed. A mechanical feline jumped into the view and clamped down on Matt’s leg.

“Keep the feed running,” I ordered, my gaze unwavering. “I want to see how this unfolds.”

The display continued, showing flashes of fighting, shouts filling the air as the scene escalated. My mind raced, each image igniting thoughts of the possible consequences. This chaos could unravel everything I had worked for, and losing my chosen ones so early into the tutorial was going to have dire consequences. However, I had never seen anything like the human Matt was fighting. Not outside of fairytales for children that is.

“Yes, sir,” the assistant replied, their form stabilizing as they began to gather the necessary data.

I returned my attention to the swirling images before me, watching as the battle raged on. My fate hung in the balance, and I was determined to uncover the truth behind this upheaval. With each passing moment, I became more and more entranced with the metallic cat and the humans who fought alongside it.

“Sir, I’ve managed to piece together some reports,” the assistant said, breaking my train of thought. “It appears that a significant portion of the initiates have been caught in a conflict instigated by dissenters within the settlement. There’s speculation that someone is manipulating the situation.”

“Manipulating?” I echoed, my brow furrowing.

As the holographic display continued to show scenes of conflict, I felt a sense of resolve solidifying within me. This human, was something far more valuable than the prize I originally intended.

“Who else has seen this feed?” I asked, my tone steady but laced with a sharp edge.

“N-no one, sir,” the assistant replied, their voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. “I came straight to you.”

I turned back to the display, my gaze locked on the unfolding scenes. I needed to stay ahead of this storm, to control the narrative before it spiraled out of my grasp. This was merely the beginning of a larger game, and I intended to be the one who shaped its outcome.

“Why, sir? What would you like me to do?” the assistant inquired, their eagerness palpable.

A wry smile tugged at my lips. “Hold still,” I commanded, my voice low and measured.

I reached out, activating my silence ability, a shimmering field of energy that enveloped the assistant. Their eyes widened in realization as they began to understand the implications of my command. “Sir, wait—”

But it was too late. With a swift motion, I directed the energy to constrict around them, cutting off their voice and severing their connection to the outside world. The shadows of the room danced as the light flickered in response to the surge of magic.

The assistant’s expression morphed from confusion to panic, their hands grasping at the invisible barrier that held them in place. They struggled, but it was useless. I could feel the surge of power coursing through me, a satisfaction blooming as I exerted my control over the situation.

“Your loyalty has been appreciated,” I murmured, watching their futile attempts to break free. “However, no one else can know about this.”

As the last vestiges of their resistance faded, I released the silence field, and their body crumpled to the floor. I stepped back, observing the lifeless form with a mix of grim satisfaction and calculated resolve.

With each passing moment, I could feel the stakes rising. This human would belong to me, and I would not let anyone stand in my way.

I returned my focus to the holographic display, my finger hovering over the delete recording prompt, determination solidifying within me. The chaos unfolding in this tutorial was merely a distraction—a minor setback in my grand design. With a satisfied smile, I watched as Matt crumpled to the ground, and then I deleted the recording. I was the first being in eons to find one of these; I had discovered a Technomancer.