Zane stared, his piercing eyes locked on the newly revealed Dark Disciple, whose human-like form shimmered into existence as the Whisperkin's dark shell sloughed away. The creature's blue hair and lashes framed a face so strikingly handsome it could be mistaken for a woman's. It was mostly human for a creature supposedly alien. It had pale skin with crimson eyes glinting with a predatory allure. Ariel stood close, her golden hair matted, her blue eyes sharp with resolve, her tattered dress swaying as she gripped Zane's arm.
"So that's your true form?" Zane said, his voice low, edged with suspicion. 'More importantly, he's a subordinate of The Destroyer, the one after Onilia's planet. This could get ugly fast.' His hand hovered near his platinum ring, his Alpha Awakening amplifying his already terrifying presence.
The Dark Disciple tilted its head, its crimson eyes gleaming, and spoke in a strange, melodic tongue that echoed like a forgotten hymn. "Våřėth vərō šaër řaën öräën." The words were alien, their cadence sharp yet fluid, incomprehensible to the Primordials.
[System Notice]
Translating foreign language into native language: "It's truly vexing whenever I transform."
Zane's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on Ariel's arm. "None of you attack," he said, his voice a sharp command, cutting through the group's rising tension. "We might all die if you do. Hope the timer runs out fast, that's our only hope."
Yuna stepped forward, saying, "What do you mean? His abilities are sealed, and with your help, I think we can take him down." Her voice carried a mix of defiance and confusion, her fingers twitching, ready to weave another spell.
Zane's gaze didn't waver from the Dark Disciple. "The first to attack is the first to die. Test it if you want." His thoughts raced, honed by Zoic's brutal lessons. 'The System sealed all his abilities and cut his stats by seventy percent. That alone screams how dangerous he is. Striking first against something like that is a death wish.' He shifted his stance, his boots grinding gravel, positioning himself between Ariel and the Disciple.
The Dark Disciple's crimson eyes locked onto Zane, a faint smile curling its lips. "I like you, Zane Walker. Quick to catch on, your judgment sharp as a blade. I would've killed the first fool to attack, just as you said." It took a step forward, its blue hair catching the dim light, its movements fluid despite the System's restrictions, exuding a quiet menace.
Zane's mind churned. 'Should I escape with Ariel? No, he's after me. That'd just paint a target on our backs.' Buying time was his only play. "Stay close, Ariel," he murmured, his voice soft but firm, his hand brushing her arm. Then, louder, to the Disciple: "You look strong. Are you the second strongest in the Zion pack?"
The Disciple's smile widened, its crimson eyes glinting as it glanced skyward, as if savoring the moment. "Trying to stall, Zane? Don't worry, I'm not here to kill you—not yet at least. To answer, no, I'm not second strongest. I'm the scout of the Zion pack. In strength, I'd say I'm third." Its voice was smooth, almost playful, but carried a weight that chilled the air.
Zane's jaw tightened. 'Third? It wouldn't be strange if his strength is on par with Onilia, or maybe stronger.' He kept his expression neutral, but his hand twitched toward his ring. "Before I go, I have something to give you..."
"I don't want it," Zane cut in, his voice sharp, his piercing eyes narrowing.
The Disciple's laugh was a low, melodic hum. "Rejecting it without knowing what it is? As fascinating as ever." It stepped closer, its crimson eyes gleaming. "Here's the deal: for every second you refuse, I kill one of them." It gestured to the Primordials.
"Just kill them all."
Zane's eyes flashed, but before he could say another word, Kai snapped, his twin swords snapping up, the dragon tattoo stark on his chest. "What? You traitor! All that talk about owing us your life, and now you're fine with us dying?"
The Disciple's gaze shifted to Ariel, its smile sharpening. "And your sister? Refuse, and she's first."
That did it. Zane charged to where he had dropped Ruinblaze in awe of Ariel's revival. His Alpha-enhanced speed surged, his body a blur as he charged, the blade slashing downward at the Dark Disciple's face. The creature reacted with uncanny precision, raising four fingers to deflect the blade, redirecting it to slice the pavement beside it, the ground splitting with a grating crack. The Dark Disciple stood unfazed, its crimson eyes locked on Zane, its smile unshaken.
The Dark Disciple, its movements fluid despite the System's 70% stat reduction, stepped closer to Zane, its crimson eyes locking onto his. With a delicate motion, it lifted Zane's chin, forcing their gazes to meet, its touch cold yet strangely intimate. "As you are now, you're still too weak," it said, its voice a smooth, melodic hiss that slithered through the air. "The same goes for everyone here. Give a baby a weapon, and it's still just a baby—helpless. You've barely scratched the surface of the System, the gifts it's bestowed upon you. Learn fast, or you'll die before the real battle begins." Its finger traced a slow, deliberate pattern on Zane's forehead, as if inscribing an invisible rune, its crimson eyes gleaming with cryptic intent.
Zane's instincts screamed, and he leaped back, Ruinblaze still in hand, its red runes stark against the silver blade. But as he landed, the world tilted, his vision spinning, colors bleeding into a dizzying whirl. His knees buckled, and he stumbled, the pavement rushing up to meet him.
[System Notice]
You have been chosen as the twentieth candidate for the Dark Throne.
Hidden status acquired: [Dark Heir]. This message is only visible to you.
"Dark Disciple, you bastard, what did you do to me?" Zane growled, his voice strained as he fought to stay conscious, his hand clutching Ruinblaze's hilt.
Ariel rushed to his side, her blue eyes wide with concern, her hands steady as she helped him stand. "Big brother, are you okay?" she asked, her voice firm.
Zane steadied himself, his white hair falling over his eyes, withdrawing Ruinblaze into his platinum ring with a faint shimmer.
"Like I said, it's a gift," the Dark Disciple said, its crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "See you soon, Zane Walker. Survive the Tower." With that, its form dissolved, fading into the wind like ash, leaving only a faint ripple of energy in its wake.
Zane's vision blurred, his strength draining as he sank to one knee, his hand gripping Ariel's for support. The battlefield fell silent, the tension broken by the distant thrum of helicopters approaching, their blades slicing through the storm clouds. Voices echoed from afar—cheers, shouts, the clamor of a world celebrating the Primordials' victory over the Elite Geminis. Reporters, soldiers, and onlookers swarmed the edges of the battlefield, their cameras flashing, their voices a chaotic hum of awe and relief.
Kai lowered his swords, his raven-black hair clinging to his forehead, his dragon tattoo stark as he glanced at Zane. "He's out cold," he muttered, his voice edged with unease. "After all that, and he's still human enough to faint?"
Yuna, her sharp eyes softening, stepped closer, her hands glowing faintly as she prepared a healing spell.
Valmer, rosary beads clinking, rubbed a hand through his messy brown hair, his sable-rose eyes thoughtful. He glanced at Kenshi, who leaned on his katana, blood staining his torn coat, amber eyes narrowed. "You think he's on our side now?" Valmer asked.
Kenshi snorted, the skull tattoo sharp against his pale skin. "He owes us. Doesn't mean he likes us."
Celine, her red hair catching the dim light, stood beside Ariel, her hazel eyes bright with relief but wary as she watched the approaching crowd.
Ariel, her blue eyes fierce, stayed close to Zane, her hand gripping his.
The helicopters landed, their doors opening as officials and medics poured out, their voices drowned by the roar of engines. The Primordials stood together, battered but unbroken, as the world celebrated their victory.