Chapter 32: Serendipity (2)
Belial's mind whirled in confusion as he maintained his defensive stance, panic gripping him like a vice. Thoughts swirled chaotically within him, trying to unravel the mystery that confronted him.
"What... how?" he whispered to himself, his voice tinged with disbelief.
He had been meticulous, ensuring every step was taken to conceal his true identity. His wings had remained hidden, his blood unseen by prying eyes. And yet, the truth had somehow been unveiled, laying bare his deepest secret.
A luminous blue screen materialized before him, its words commanding his attention.
{Caution: Ether levels are increasing rapidly, Be on your guard}, oracle warned.
The message was a clear indication that this situation was far from safe. Belial's lips curved into a wry smile, though a touch of surprise lingered in his eyes. "It didn't tell me to run away this time," he mused, a hint of reluctant understanding in his tone. "I guess it can learn."
The room's temperature began to surge, the heat rising like an unstoppable tide. Belial's muscles tensed as the suffocating intensity washed over him.
Huff
"This power... it's a power of a crown," he marveled, his voice tinged with both awe and trepidation.
The words he had read in ancient tomes paled in comparison to the overwhelming reality that engulfed him.
"It's nothing like what I read in the books. It's way more intimidating. This feels like I'm drowning in lava."
A shiver crept down his spine as his thoughts turned to her, a figure of terror that loomed in the shadows.
"He's almost as scary as 'her',"
Belial whispered, his words barely audible amidst the chaos of energy surging around him.
The aura that emanated from him resonated with an uncanny familiarity, reminiscent of a force that had haunted his nightmares for eons.
The sheer potency of Cole's power emanated like a tempest, rattling the guild to its core. Formidable hunters, veterans of countless trials, found themselves brought to their knees or sprawled on the ground. Even the most steadfast among them faltered in the face of this relentless force.
"That old man will never not give me goosebumps," Cassidy rasped, his words a mixture of awe and exhaustion. His struggle to stand was a testament to the formidable force that held them captive, a power that defied comprehension.
(Soft scene break)
"What is he going to do? In this situation, I don't even think I can..." Belial's thoughts trailed off, uncertainty looming in his mind like a heavy fog.
"Maybe I can—" he began, but his words were abruptly cut short by Cole's commanding voice.
"Don't you move an inch!" Cole's words pierced the air, carrying a blend of anger and icy coldness. His golden eyes bore into Belial with a menacing intensity, as if capable of peeling away the layers of his being.
"Do you really think you can escape from me?" Cole's voice resonated with an eerie authority, sending a chill down Belial's spine.
Cole's eyelids lowered in a fleeting moment, and as they rose, a single word was all it took to exert his dominance.
{sit}
Belial found himself complying before his conscious mind even registered the command. His body moved as if compelled by an unseen force, settling into a seated position. A soft, involuntary sound escaped his lips as he yielded to the mysterious power that held him captive.
"Hyuk"
{Alert: the individual Cole is using the talent 'Authority'}
"I can't move...what is this," Belial's inner thoughts echoed with a note of resignation. The reality of his powerlessness gnawed at him, a bitter taste of defeat.
{Would you like to use Talent: 'Tenacity'?}
A surge of realization coursed through Belial's mind, accompanied by a flicker of hope. "When did I get this? Never mind, I'll just do whatever it takes to get out of this situation," he resolved with newfound determination.
"Yes!" Belial's inner voice rang out
{Directive: activating tenacity}
Seconds after he attempted to move, but he could barely make his index finger twitch an inch. Frustration painted his features.
"What was that supposed to do?" He questioned Oracle.
{ Answer: This ability increases your pain resistance and has a sub talent 'vigor.' }
Even though Belial's attempts seemed futile, Cole's expression said otherwise.
"How is that… My {Authority} Cannot be opposed, at least not by someone at his level. So how-" he thought to himself, glaring at Belial.
Suddenly, a knock echoed from the door.
"Mr. Blackburn, is everything alright?" A gentle but formal voice sounded from behind the door.
Realizing that he had been exerting his aura too much, Cole calmed down and replied to the security officer, "Yes, everything is just fine."
His gaze shifted back to Belial, who was still unable to move.
"So, 'boy,' how were you able to escape the demon realm" Cole inquired, his curiosity piqued.
Belial hesitated for a moment, the weight of his decision heavy upon him. But he knew that he would be in deep trouble if he didn't say anything.
"I had help.." Belial finally replied, his hand gripping on the small shard fragment.
Cole pondered for a moment, his brow furrowing in deep thought.
"Could demons have gained technology like the elves or the dragons?" he mused aloud, his gaze shifting to Belial. "The barrier is too strong to be overpowered by regular means."
He then looked at Belial again, his expression torn between suspicion and concern. With a heavy sigh, Cole sat down and removed his glasses, placing them on the table.
"Even though I don't think this kid means any harm, he's definitely that crazy woman's kid," he muttered under his breath. "And even if I did lay a hand on him, she'll definitely kill me."
Cole's eyes fixated on Belial's crescent-shaped hair clip, a small but significant clue.
With a more intense focus, Cole leaned forward and asked, "Have you told anyone about this kid?"
The tension that had previously gripped the room seemed to dissipate, replaced by an uneasy calm. Cole's piercing gaze met Belial's, their eyes locked in a delicate dance of trust and suspicion.
"No, I haven't"
Belial replied, his voice steady but tinged with unease. The room held its breath, as if waiting for the next revelation to unfold.
Cole leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table as he contemplated the situation. Beyond the closed door, guild members went about their business, blissfully unaware of the intrigue that had taken hold within these walls.
"I..I just wanted to see the outside world for once and find a way to free the demons..,"
Belial confessed, his voice soft but resolute. He met Cole's gaze with determination, his plea for understanding evident.
"The demons didn't do anything wrong!"
Belial's words carried a sense of desperation, his eyes pleading for someone to see the truth he held within his heart.
Cole's eyebrows furrowed as he posed a challenging question. "Do you have any proof to back that up?" His skepticism lingered in the air, a barrier between belief and doubt.
Belial paused, the weight of the question sinking in. He struggled to find the words to defend his cause, to reveal the hidden injustices he'd witnessed. Silence stretched between them, a battlefield of uncertainty.
Finally, Cole broke the silence with a heavy sigh, his inner turmoil evident. "I can't believe I'm getting involved in this," he muttered to himself, his gaze still fixed on Belial, who now gazed at the floor, his vulnerability exposed.
"You've been good so far, and I don't want any trouble," Cole admitted, his voice softer, a glimmer of trust breaking through.
As Cole glanced at the bruises and cuts marring Belial's form, concern welled up within him. "It's like every time I see this kid, he's always covered in bruises," he thought to himself, the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together.
Cole reached into his drawer, retrieving a small, green bead. He held it out to Belial. "Here, eat this." His voice was reassuring, a rare gesture of trust.
Belial hesitated for a moment before reaching out and grabbing the bead, examining it with cautious curiosity.
"Don't worry," Cole reassured him with a faint smile. "It's not poisoned."
Belial nodded and swallowed the bead, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. "I think I can trust him for now," he mused silently. "I need to get on his good side so I can ask him about the 'war'."
In the dimly lit chamber, Belial's fingers trembled as he held the small, glowing bead in his hand. He gazed at it with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty. "Is this a health bead?" he muttered to himself, feeling the warmth coursing through his body. Unable to contain his excitement, he swung his arm in slow circles, reveling in the newfound vitality that surged within him.
Cole, with eyes of a seasoned hunter, observed Belial with a knowing smile. "It'll take a few hours for its full effect," he explained, his voice carrying an air of wisdom. "Go home, get some rest. Tomorrow morning, come meet me at the training grounds."
Belial nodded, a sense of gratitude welling up within him. With a slight bow, a gesture typical of demons to express appreciation, he acknowledged Cole's guidance. Cole, in response, closed his eyes and offered a faint, approving nod.
As Belial turned to leave, a question weighed on his mind. He couldn't help but pause before the door. "Just before I leave," he began, his voice filled with curiosity,
"why do you trust me?"
Cole, ever enigmatic, took a moment to respond. He regarded Belial with a gaze that seemed to pierce his very soul. "I have my own reasons," he finally replied, leaving Belial to ponder the cryptic words.
(Soft scene break)
Belial continued his exit. However, his departure was interrupted by the inquisitive voice of Pacey, a fellow guild member who had been trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"Why did the president call for you?" Pacey's tone was both accusatory and demanding, catching Belial off guard.
Belial turned slowly, feigning innocence. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice laced with faux confusion.
"Don't play dumb with me!" Pacey retorted, his frustration palpable. "You've been acting strange since we left the battle."
A mischievous grin played on Belial's lips. He saw an opportunity to toy with Pacey's temper. "And who are you to ask me what to do, huh?" Belial taunted, his eyes narrowing.
Pacey's patience was wearing thin. "You shut up! I have a right to question you."
Belial let out an exaggerated, sarcastic sigh, his eye locking onto Pacey's. "Fine, you got me..," he conceded, allowing a hint of vulnerability to seep through.
Pacey's sharp gaze locked onto Belial as the confession tumbled from his lips. "I'm... part of Lex's cult," Belial admitted hesitantly, looking down at the ground.
Pacey's eyes, normally a deep shade of brown, seemed to light up with triumph. "Aha!" he exclaimed. "I knew you were lying about something."
Belial couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Pfft," he scoffed, trying to brush off Pacey's accusation.
But Pacey wasn't about to let it slide. He watched Belial intently, waiting for a reaction. To his surprise, a snicker escaped Belial's lips, and it soon turned into an uncontrollable outburst of laughter.
"FWAHAHAHA!" Belial's laughter echoed through the guild hall.
Pacey's face began to turn an alarming shade of red. He clenched his fists, his tail thrashing against the ground in frustration. "What's so funny? I'm about to have you arrested!" he threatened, his voice shaking with anger.
Belial, still chuckling, tried to squeeze in some words between his fits of laughter. "I was just messing with you!" he managed to say through gasps for air.
Pacey couldn't believe it. He stormed off towards the nearest table, his fluffy tail swaying with every furious step. "Good thing he's easy to deal with, or else it would've been bad," Belial thought to himself, watching Pacey's dramatic exit.
Pacey snatched a glass of what appeared to be water from a fellow guild member's table, drank it all in one go, and slammed the empty glass down. He continued to storm around the guild hall, cursing under his breath.
Belial shook his head in amusement.
"Sometimes it's hard to believe that he's an adult," he mused, scratching his head.
As the tension in the guild hall began to subside, other members returned to their conversations and activities, seemingly unfazed by the dramatic exchange between Pacey and Belial. The guild was known for its colorful characters and frequent outbursts, and this incident was just another addition to its long list of eccentricities.
Belial sighed, a satisfactory smile playing on his lips. It seemed like he had successfully diverted Pacey's attention, at least for the moment.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone