One Eventually Finds Translucence In A Nebulous World

"We are part of your faction, Mistress." One admitted, and they aren't lying. "However, we must convince you to halt these attacks. The other Grims will soon awaken from their foolishness, you do not need to drag yourself along their fall."

I could see the number signs on the middle of their collars. None of the past servants I've killed so far have the first number on them, which means they've either been hiding considering my faction only has a few number compared to other Grims' factions, or just letting how all of this play out. I rolled my eyes at this.

"Where were you the last thirty minutes? You may be small in number, but I was so certain there were at least fifty of you, as Azto kept track." I wondered, shifting my gaze back to the wall. "Well, I guess it doesn't really matter." I touched the blocking wall, sensing it sapping my energy off me.

"Mistress, please stop this." Another pleaded, walking beside me as he held my shoulder. "Or we will have to force you--"

I grabbed his neck, slamming him hard over the wall that created a small crack on the metal. He doesn't have any energy that's why the wall doesn't have any effect on his constitution. I held his neck tighter, his veins almost popping out on his forehead at the lack of air as his hands attempted to get mine off. The others simply watched, hesitating on what to do.

"What was that? You forcing me to stop?" I shook my head. "How can nobody of you understands that you are weak? All of you are, and yet you still hope to stop me?"

The poor man gagged for air, but he wasn't getting any as life slowly left him after a few seconds, his neck lengthening at how hard I was holding it. I dropped the body, and along with it was the wall lifting back up to the ceiling. It made me think I was right, after all.  My energy was radiating around me, and I can't really push it all back inside since it only ever reacts on my emotions and right now, I'm still angry. That's why the wall will only ever open to those those who cannot manipulate spiritual energy.

Still, there was another wall around ten meters from where I stood, which means these walls could go on and I need more of these servants. Destroying them is near impossible for me. I may have an overwhelming spiritual energy but my strength is greatly base on that same energy. With my energy useless against the blocking system, my strength may as well be. Though thankfully, I have plenty of spares to use. With that in mind, I turned around and smiled playfully at the rest.

"You wouldn't mind doing a favour for me, would you?" I asked, walking towards the group.

"We will stand our grounds, Mistress. We will stop you." With what he said, all of them pulled out a gun and began shooting.

"How pitiful." I raised my hand, a layer of barrier forming before their bullets could have managed to pass.

I pushed the layer forward, the barrier immediately wrapping around them into a tight cage. I quickly clenched my hand into a ball of fist, the barrier squeezing them until they screamed in pain, their bodies pressed against one another and just like that, they exploded inside the tightening barrier.

Their insides were sliding over the transparency of my barrier, like a squeezed ketchup with its content boiling inside that tore the lead and container open. Blood and flesh littered on the floor the moment I made the barrier disappear, it was absolutely horrifyingly pleasuring to witness.

I've always just let these people get the better of me, always ignoring their murmurs and slanders whenever I walked through these halls. I ignored them because I was more focused on doing what I need to finish, and for three years I let them do them all do what they want. These damn servants underestimated me because I never retaliated. I even ignored the poisons in my foods and drinks for three years now, those Grims thinking they could kill me just like that in a peaceful manner.

I would even just laugh it off whenever they intentionally forget sending my meals, or accidentally spill drinks on my robe, or even go as far as failing in cleaning my room every twice a week. The third one did annoy me though, for I greatly dislike it when my private chamber isn't clean. Of course, all of those were just silly offences and thus, I didn't seriously mind. But in exchange, they took for granted how I was the First Grim, they did not respect me because they didn't know what I was capable of.

It was my fault, I know I was the one to blame for being too lenient--for nor caring. But they took it too far today. If I was in my normal self, I wouldn't necessarily have to deal with them like this. I would just normally ignore it and do what I needed to do, but they chose to anger me now of all days.

"You can't blame me..." I whispered, it was as though they were still listening when I know they're already dead. "It's all your fault."

I touched my head, feeling it throb just now, like a crack slowly spreading along my forehead down to the back of my skull. These headaches were the reason I lost consciousness for two weeks, appearing every single time I use my energy. It's like my body was telling me that there's this certain limit, that even if I have a large energy capacity, it doesn't mean I can handle using it.

I already know that though, since the beginning. The constant headaches would eventually become a growing ache that would spread all over my muscles, it's the kind of pain that won't go away no matter how much I cancel out my senses. It would seem like my body had suddenly weighed too heavy that it would be so much harder to move, until I lose my consciousness again-- my body finally resetting naturally.

This overwhelming power, the reason I can't use it to its full potential is because no humans can ever truly. Nether energy wasn't meant to be harnessed in the first place, pure and dark wasn't meant to be blended in, both energies were created to go against one another, not to mix like this.

However, in order to survive from transferring worlds before and that world's great lack of spiritual energy needed for me to live, my body had created a system inside me to filter both pure and dark. As a result, my life force became able to exude nether energy. In other words, me capable of harnessing this kind of power was only an accident but without this accident ever happening, I would have already died long time ago.

I already have a massive energy capacity, but for that whole capacity to be filled with nether energy, it's greatly affecting my health, especially knowing my insides have already been exposed to it for how many years now. I would always cancel out my sense of pain before whenever I overuse my energy, but it was only recently these past three years that my ability had become useless against it.

"That is such disgusting sight." A voice behind me spoke.

I blinked, my throbbing headache becoming a little bearable now. I turned around, noticing the walls had all finally lifted up to see a familiar man walking out of his hiding spot, with a few servants following behind him. It took me a moment to realize I've already probably been standing here for quite some time now, forgetting what I was originally doing. I was contemplating on looking for another servant because I apparently forgot to leave one of these people alive to open the walls for me, seems like I don't need to deal with those at all now.

"It doesn't have to be." I replied, swirling the wine glass on my left grip. "Finally tired of hiding? The hide and seek game was just getting exciting though."

"You are clearly a lunatic if you're enjoying this." He scowled, his face distorting into disgust, an expression that has always amused me. "Everything would have been much more easier if you had just stayed put as you always have."

"You chose the wrong day to do your little coup d'état, apparently." I shrugged. "However, a coup of all things. I did not expect you would go this far just to eliminate me."

"You may think we are doing this because we do not like you--"

"Which is a fact."

"It is. But we are not that petty. This generation of Grims do not particularly go well together, we do not like each other."

"So there's another reason for this?"

"The previous Grims, the former First Master Clerix' batch, had a traitor amongst them that had been working for the World's Organization. We were just an apprentice back then, but he was a lot like you. So fixated in taking down enemies, so obsessed with his passions that all of us fell to his charms saying he would finally serve Grimhouse's purpose of defeating the World as long as we follow him, the Second Master--so much that he drove the entire Sect nearly into a trap."

I scoffed,  frowning at him. "You think those towers I designed were for you instead of them, is what you're assuming."

"You do not understand. We are merely taking precautions. His fellow Grims died because of the all-out war against the enemy. If it hadn't been for Master Clerix, the Grimhouse Four would have already been eradicated then and there."

"You respect him, yet you do not trust his decision of relenting me his title."

"Although that incident happened over seventy years ago, the Sect still has that same fear of it happening once again, and we see it in you. We see a war, history taking place once more because of your fixation and obsession. We have always dealt with the World's Organization subtly in secret, but what you are planning with those towers will result to another all-out war and we cannot let you sacrifice the entire Sect."

"But isn't the purpose of the Sect is to defeat the World's Organization? What's wrong with sacrificing you all for the sake of serving that purpose?"

He sighed, the other servants behind him murmuring amongst themselves. "Can't you see? This is why you must be eliminated. The Sect is not just some kind of an army that will bend for your every word and order as the First. Everyone here is our brothers and sisters, our daughters and sons. This is not just an organization, it is a home for thousands of people working together to achieve a purpose in this world."

"So? Am I supposed to follow that ideology now?" I chuckled.

This wasn't the reason I expected them to come up, yet I also know he wasn't lying. They simply want to eliminate me because I will bring harm to their beloved Sect, and they're right. That's not something I'll come denying when it's a fact. Once those towers are completed, the people in this entire Sect will become my sacrificial pawns, pieces I'll use to conquer my enemies.

Most may not have spiritual energy, but they're overwhelming in numbers that surely they'll manage. And that's what these Grims are trying to prevent; annihilation. But if they won't become my own army, what use are they to me?

"We have been planning this coup for three years now, since the very few months you've arrived in our sacred organization and Master Clerix suddenly giving up his title." He admitted openly. "All your meals and drinks have been poisoned so far, it was never meant to kill you, it was meant to weaken you."

"As you can see though," I smirked. "Your poisons did not work. The nether energy inside me body automatically erases anything that harms my meridians."

"I am now aware, a big mistake in our part." He nodded. "I still must ask of you to step down, Mistress Ke'ala Feyree--the First Grim of the House. The entire Sect asks of you to surrender your title. We, too, are prepared to relent our titles to our apprentices as long as you do, it is only fair we sacrifice our own authorities all the same."

"I'm sorry," I said genuinely. "But I can't do that." I could only smile as his serious façade turned into that of anger. "The very first moment Clerix passed his title to me, all your lives are already under mine. Which means I can do whatever I want with this Sect in order to achieve its purpose of finally defeating the World's Organization once and for all."

"Master Clerix would never sell the lives of his brothers and sisters just for you to sacrifice." One servant spoke, his voice told me he, too, is angry.

"Oh but he did." I replied promptly. "He was getting tired of all these secrecy, scheming, plannings, and pretensions that never came to be because his Sect lacked the courage to take the step, all because of the fear this 'home' of yours will be destroyed."

"Well, it's a war, you'll have to get used to the destruction it results. You can't just defeat an enemy without sacrificing anything on your side. That's an elementary knowledge, by the way. Kids who play chess even use that ideology all just the same." I continued, sighing at my own words. "But it just seems to me you simply just do not care about defeating the enemy. You just want to play 'family' in this Sect and not go to any war at all."

"Preposterous." He said immediately. "We just want our people to be safe, and we won't actually have to kill you if you just cooperate."

"That safety causes you fear, and why would I cooperate if it means abandoning everything I've worked until now?" I insisted. "Whatever. If you won't yield, I'll simply make you."

"So it seems." He agreed, straightening himself now as both his hands moved to his back. "Apprehend her."

The five men behind him started moving forward, each of them were radiating pure spiritual energy, but their energies weren't natural, they were coming from something else. With that knowledge, I immediately noticed the chains attached on their backs that scourged deeply into their flesh as hinted by the small sign of blood dropping from their backs. While the other end of the chains were on the Third Master Erwin's hands on his back.

"So you can't only suck energy with your chain magic," I inquired. "You can also give them off. Interesting."

"Perceptive." He said with a small smile.

I avoided an incoming attack. It was a sword that almost hit my arm. But there's also something different with their weapons, they were radiating with something I can't quite decipher, and these weapons were able to cut through the waves of energy I was sending them. I ducked, another sword passing by overhead as I touched the ground, exuding energy to it.

"Those are created solely to fight against nether energy. We have been on a constant threat against nether for so many years now that we have made some of our own adjustments to survive from it. You, a person who is capable of using this particular energy, won't be able to get out of this easily. Surrender, First Grim Ke'ala. You do not have to make us end your own life despite the slaughters you did to our brothers and sisters."

"I urge you not to jump to the conclusion of this fight, Mister Johnsonian." I carefully leaped back, touching the wall this time, also careful not to spill the blood from the glass wine or it would be a waste otherwise. I'm looking forward the most in seeing Darvalli Zesc drink this.

"Hmph." He scoffed, raising the level of the energy he was sending to his five servants. "Let us not waste more time and be done with this."

I swiftly moved past the five men, dodging their attacks as though I was dancing, still minding the glass on my left grip. Eventually, I touched the last floor corner of the area where Erwin stood before he jumped away, probably thinking I was going to attack him. I smirked, finally relaxing my stance as I let all of them go to my direction.

But with a snap, lines appeared on the floor where the magic circle I planted earlier were, the lines eventually connecting to one another. The floor glowed in blue, forming into a triangle where the five of them stood frozen, their bodies unable to move. The chains immediately broke off, and the next thing I know was them screaming in complete agony as they held the weapon.

"I see." I commented, going back to swirling the glass. "These weapons won't work unless they are being used by people with energy. I must commend your creation though, a weapon that can cut through nether, huh? Quite impressive."

"Enough with treating everything as a game, Ke'ala." Erwin sternly demanded.

"But you're clearly underestimating the extent of nether energy." I raised my hand, the triangle-shaped magic circles beginning to spin.

A few moments later, the spinning triangle rose above their heads, and I smiled when they cried out again, the intense radiation of heat burning them and as the magic circles spun back to the floor, the five men i side had already disappeared along with their screams. That was the first time I actually used that kind of spell, I didn't think it was that easy.

"When did you learn such a spell?"

"Ah, you bathe around in Dark Arts, too, don't you? It's only natural for you to be curious." I faced him. "To answer your question, I might have read a book or two about forbidden spells back at Magnus and blended some law formations with similar concepts together from the book my previous aide has." I admitted, referring to Lucis' spell book and I only realized some time after that they were actually original and advance theorized spells that hasn't been out to practice yet. But for that one particular spell to actually work, it really was impressive.

"You are a wasted potential. You could have been a genius who helped with the advancement of magic theory and yet you chose to be...this, of all things."

My eyebrow raised in amusement. "For your enlightenment, they did not vanish. They were simply incinerated by the intensity of the energy until not even a trace was left. It wouldn't have worked that well if they had energy wrapped around themselves like we energy-based people have. Despite that, it does not take a genius to mix the right formations."

"Do not get ahead of yourself." Erwin lifted his hand and swiped the air from right to left. Four small magic circles appeared where his hand had swiped as they glowed in black. "I am still ultimately the Third Master."

I immediately countered the chains that appeared on his magic circles by creating my own circle right in front of me, blocking his attacks. When mages fight against one another, that one who can chant or form a law formation first often wins. Mages literally have to form magic circles at every little magic they do, except for those who are so used to their own magic or have plenty of energy to spare that some don't need magic circles.

However, a magic without a circle is like drawing a formation without anything to write those numbers and patterns on, and even if they manage to do it, the result of the spell would still be weak compared to the spells done with an actual circle. And for the past few minutes now, he has been constantly making law formations now and imprinting them on magic circles--and the fact he's doing that so fast as though he was easily breathing those spells were impressive.

I could only summon my barrier, blocking his barrage of random spells. I couldn't even make my own spell properly due to how fast his attacks were becoming. He opened his palm that summoned a large white circle, dozens of ice lances appearing from them. I quickly summoned my dual blade from my right, my left not really letting go of the wine glass. In fact, the only reason I find it hard to counter him was because of this. Still, I just know it'll be worth holding unto this 'till the end.

My barrier broke, making me swirl my sword around my hand that directed the ice lances' attention to the corridor around me. Blue ice spread to the ground and wall, the energy exuding fortified his spells even more that even the mild temperature from earlier turned cold.

I sighed frustratedly as annoyance and impatience once more set place. I held my ground, still deflecting all his attacks. The intensity and the weight of each hit against my sword was so heavy and was getting more and more difficult to deflect. The ice lances clouded my vision, steam of coldness emitting around us.

"Why not let go of that glass and fight me for real, Ke'ala? Do not underestimate me."

"You say that but you're still holding back yourself."

"You cannot defeat me even at this level, how much more if I show you my real capabilities?"

I suddenly felt challenged, and I smiled as I placed the wine glass on the floor, the blood inside wiggling as I did. I stretched my left hand forward, summoning my medieval sword, the large blade enough to reflect my whole face. I calmed my breathing while slowly sensing where the chains are going next.

The moment I felt a tugging movement behind me, I quickly turned around stabbing the chain down the floor--immediately pulling the other that came from my right as I jumped above the hilt of the sword, balancing myself on top of it as I held the chains tightly. I could feel my energy being drained from the chains that was under my sword and my hand while the entire corridor's still clouded with the mist from the earlier ice blasts.

I turned a total 360° kick midair that hit another chain that was about to hit the wine glass I left earlier on the floor. The chain I managed to hit was stuck on the ground like it had been nailed due to how hard my force was.

I finally landed back on the solid floor, swiftly pulling myself up as I cut the chains--having realized where the Third Master had been hiding. I threw my medieval weapon forward, missing Erwin's head by a centimeter for he had quickly shifted his head. Still, he looked rather unfazed, as though he had seen it coming.

"I have more experience in head-on battles, Ke'ala. I am, after all, more than half your age." He dusted his shoulder off, tiny particles of dusts hitting it from the sword stabbed over the wall just above his left shoulder beside his head. "And you are still greatly inexperienced if you think you can get through to me like that."

It took me a second more to realize he had set me in a trap all along, my foot stepping over a small magic circle that began to glow in yellow, enlarging around my figure as I backed away. Chains appeared on my right and left from the floor, wrapping both of my arms, my feet threatening to bend by how heavy these chains are.

"You are but young woman, still, First Mistress." He voiced out with a great emphasis to my title, walking around me as my gaze attempted to follow him, but the more I do, the more my eyes would blur out that I decided to just close my vision. "All of the other Grims are older and have significantly more experiences than you."

I heard him snapped his fingers, I flinched as I opened my eyes just to see another law formations forming above me--finalized by another magic circle while chains raised my arms that extended wide each beside me. He continued to write his spells with precision and quick accuracy, every formation resulting to another circle that layered above the first one just a meter over my head.

"So you're thinking of trapping me in place and crush me with your gravity spell now?" And with how many layers he's actually building, it would be a surprise if anyone actually lives through this.

"You truly are magnificent, truly, in the aspect of magic. For you to be able to recognize a formation at first sight, it is a waste to see a potential like you die just like this. My apprentice, too, has a great potential, but not like this. Enough that I am even hesitating."

Dozens of layers stood and awaited by spinning in their placed above me. They were different in sizes, starting from a small circle but as it extended up, the circle grew bigger than the last. Even without the spell activating yet, I could feel how powerful his energy is. All his previous attacks may have seemed simple, but the energy cast behind it could probably rival Titania herself--and I regretted immediately remembering that name.

"You impress me, Erwin Johnsonian." I commented with genuine honesty. "But I don't recommend continuing on than this. You may be more experienced, but people who I have fought so far, too, have experiences I could not ever overtop. Cancel the spell, Third Master."

I spoke without amusement, finally recognizing him as a Grim. I've never called them by their titles before, not even once, because I don't see how they deserve my respect. But now, I can actually say this man has earned my respect. Though of course, things don't have to end this way.

"Is that a beg I hear, First Grim?"

"No." I grinned toothily. "It's a demand."

He glared at me one last time, unamused. "If you refuse to beg that much, then see you no more, Ke'ala Feyree." He waved his hand, the magic circled above finally lowering, every circle being pushed by the ones behind as gravity began to shift against me, breaking the bones on my body.

I ignored the seething pain as I stored it all in the relic, letting my energy run lose that engulfed all of the magic circles. The law formations slowly disappeared into dusts that rained down like confetti as I stood, my energy naturally healing my damaged body. I cancelled out my sense of pain recognizing another familiar throbbing, it barely worked though it's better than nothing. The images around me turned into distorted figures, my eyesight darkening around the corners.

I tried looking for Erwin who seemingly disappeared from my limited view and when I saw him, I smirked at how he just stood there frozen in utter shock and confusion, but there's that sense of marvel along those emotions. I walked towards the wall where my sword was left impaled to earlier, and every step I took felt as though my body was weighing thrice as much, my muscles aching to the point they felt like exploding.

I grabbed the sword, actually struggling with pulling it out because of the sudden lack of strength. Nether energy still circulated on the air, but Erwin's own pure energy was protecting him from being affected by it, so much that among this grayish sight that was engulfing everything, he was glowing.

"... too bright." I whispered, my eyesight hurting again at the sight of it.

I directed my hand to him, opening the relic Gïzë inside me   and by doing that, blood spilled out from my nose, my hands trembling. Then I could feel my heart touching my chest due to how hard and fast it was pounding, my breathing becoming ragged and if I hadn't been canceling my sense and transferring this pain to the relic, I doubt I would have even bear to stand up like this as though I'm feeling nothing.

My hand touched his chest, he was looking around the density of the gray-painted gas as though he couldn't even see me being right in front of him. He couldn't even sense my hand gripping his collar as I pushed the unsealed Gïzë to him, the pain previously stored escaping from my hand that traveled like excited vibrations towards him that was running through his energy.

Then he screamed, his face contorting--sculpting into something so... ugly. Pain was evident on his expression, his previously calm façade shattering just like he had been poured over by a boiling hot water enough for him to kneel on the floor, clutching his body everywhere as though he couldn't pinpoint where it was hurting.

Nothing in his body actually hurt, it's just the transferred senses of pain to his mind making him feel and imagine himself under such an excruciating experience. He did say he has many experience than me, I wonder if this would be one of them.

I giggled, still not minding the blood that dripped from my other eye now, not really sure which parr it came from. I lifted the sword, smirking as I plunge my weapon's wide blade down his neck... eventually seeing his nerves and bones detached from his lower body, his head rolling away with his eyes still wide in shock. There was that part of me that felt so ecstatic, like I could do anything and morales won't even matter anymore.

"Your human nature can never handle the extent of nether. Forcing yourself more despite the difficulties you feel will eventually kill you. No matter how powerful you are, your body will forever pay the price for it."

"Athanasía. So great of yourself to join me. It would be even great if you stop talking and just watch like a proper spectator. That's all you Progenitors are good at, aren't you? No need to make an effort to change that."

I followed where the trave of blood coming from Erwin was going, until it met the wine glass I put earlier on the floor, still unharmed, thank goodness. I then turned around after grabbing it, walking straight down through the corridor, not caring about the fact my energy really is just running lose everywhere now. I didn't bother making it return to my body, since the density of it would surely kill those pesky servants who dare get near, that way I wouldn't have to handle them myself.

Until I found myself walking down through the stairs, the rustic smell of metals enveloping around the underground tunnel, making me think this one had already been long here even before I made the entire Sect move in this location. I've never really wandered around the building, that's why I wasn't familiar about where's what or what's in where.

The only rooms I ever go to are my own private chamber, the gathering chamber, and the main chamber. To think they've actually completed the construction for this whole palace-like headquarter for just until last year, those orcs were truly handy.

There were servants who were probably told to stand guard, but at the first contact of my radiating nether energy, they've already convulsed and turned into dusts a few moments later. They must have had a really, really weak resolve for them to disappear just like that. Compared to the actual spreading nether that had eradicated thousands of lives now in the southernmost regions of the world though, mine is nothing against it.

I may be capable of harnessing nether energy, but compared to the actual power of nether, considering I'm just a mere human, I can't really eradicate thousands of lives just like that in an instant without sacrificing my body. I'd probably die doing that, not that I'd ever choose to die now. What I'm saying is that, this power, accidental may it be, is something that was never meant to be controlled.

That's why manipulating it often leaves something damaging to my body, and even if the energy automatically heals the damages afterwards, the effect that certain damage did would not truly disappear. It'll always be there, spreading all inside me until--who knows what happens? The thought makes me laugh, anticipating it even more. The thought of not knowing what would happen to me, the thought of thinking I might die--it's maddening.

But that also means I'm truly running out of time. Using this power will give me the advantages I need. If I were the Ke'ala before who only had pure energy, I doubt I could have lasted this long.

Pure energy is the most common type of energy there is, majority of the world's population has it. Dark energy is it's counterpart, and those who use it are irregulars. Beast People, Dragonbornes, and other beings out there, their race wasn't what made them irregulars, it's the fact that most of their kinds can harness dark energy that they were branded as irregulars in general altogether.

I may have a large energy capacity, but just having pure energy wouldn't have saved me from the dangerous situations I have been under for how long now. I need this power, I want this power. Even if I have to die just to use it, I don't care. I will serve my purpose of existence, and that is destroying the Grimoire. To get to that book, I'll have to eliminate the World's Organization first and this Sect is the key to that.

I grabbed a servant that fell on one corner after others had become dusts, the tunnel so dim that only the flickering lights lining up each beside the tunnel walls, the small bulbs were the only source of light enough to see where one was stepping on. I retracted the nether energy out of her body, making her breathe heavily, gasping for air as her veil completely fell off the soil below.

Her face looked much younger, refined but enough to probably guess her to be around sixteen and surprisingly, the reason why she hasn't been turned into dusts yet was because she was an energy-based person, which means she can manipulate energy, albeit weakly. She has a weak layer of energy automatically protecting her skin, but if it hadn't been for me, she would have died after another few more minutes.

"Where are you hiding your precious Master and Mistress?" I questioned, trying to make it sound calmly. I don't want her to become so scared so much that she could no longer speak, after all. "Speak of the truth, and I will let you live."

"M-Master Fourth and Mistress Second are w-waiting for one o-of us to r-report the--situation, First Mistress." She answered despite how she was shaking in fear.

"So not a single servant has come down here since the coup began?"

She shook her head. "A-after the Third Master l-left, w-we were told t-to wait for f-further orders a-and stay guard u-until he comes--back."

"Hmm..." I let her go, tapping my chin as I gazed over the distance. "I guess they do not yet know I've already killed the Third Master then." I muttered to myself.

"Y-you defeated him?!" The girl asked, eventually regretting it as she covered her mouth.

I chuckled. "Go take his head rolling somewhere and then give it to Azto when you find him. Tell the man another one is coming."

"Another...head?" Again, she covered her mouth at this, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Yes. Now go before I change my mind." I ordered, the girl nodding vigorously before running up back those stairs.

Continuing down the tunnel, I could feel a massive energy blockage meters up front, the energy blockage was masked with metal bars as though preventing anyone from venturing in too deeply. It was like a cage, no sort of lights inside to know what it was that they were hiding. The metals were rusty though, like one more forceful impact and they would break if not for the energy blockage that was wrapped around it.

I touched one of the bar, only for my hand to flinch away when I felt electricity burned my fingertips. Normal electricity won't hurt me considering I have an ability like it, an only exception is when the electricity itself came from another person with spiritual energy, the process is the same for anyone. This time, it was exactly the latter. Someone had set some electricity on the cage while blocking it with their energy, which means any energy except the person who had set it is useless against it. And this blockage system is especially powerful.

"Hmm? Mukhang may bibisita na naman sa akin ngayon."

I was surprised to hear the voice despite not being able to see anything on the other side. It's been so long since the last time I actually heard a language from the east, it's mostly main language everywhere I go these past few years and hearing it is... refreshing, I guess.

"Sino ka?" The voice asked, it sounded gutteral, deep and old. "Lumapit ka, para makita kita ng maayos."

I complied, not exactly wary for some reason that when I stepped forward, his hand suddenly lounged out of the cell that he grabbed my wrist, pulling it even forward that I was able to meet his face. I thought he was an old man, but he was far from that.

His face seemed like it was sculpted, in fact, his entire body is. He reminded me of a tree made into the way he is now. Hard and brown skin, bald head, and hollow looking eyes. His hands were wrapped in iron-like gauntlets, his jaw made into some sort of machinery that I couldn't understand what. He doesn't look human, yet I feel emotions coming from him.

"Who...are you?" I questioned, definitely curious now.

"Hindi, sino ka?"

"I am the First Grim." Upon saying that, his grip around my hand tightened, breaking my knuckles along the process. But I cancelled out pain earlier, I couldn't feel anything out of his action plus, my nether energy would just heal it again.

"Ikaw...ikaw ang naglagay sa akin dito. Ikaw ang sumira ng buong laboratoryo ko na ito." Even when there was anger in his voice, his tone was calm and accepting.

"Not really. When we came here, the construction for the headquarter was already underway. I just assumed it was an empty lot, but now that you mentioned it, I did wonder why the construction for such a big headquarter just took a little over a year. Who knew it was a laboratory before?"

"Umalis ka na." He said, dismissing me while taking his hand away.

"Why didn't they kill you? Knowing somebody was already here, they would have just killed you and wouldn't even have to hesitate."

"That's because the previous First Master needed him." Another voice said, loud and boisterous, exactly as it has always been.

"Ah, Fourth Master Darvalli Zesc." I turned to face him, along with his figure was the Second Mistress and her usual pet snake sitting over the ground a bit far from where we are. "And here I thought it would take a whole day for me to find you. Getting tired of hide and seek? We can just go straight to battle, if you like."

"To think you were able to get through the Third Master, you are a force to be reckoned with, Ke'ala Feyree."

"Isn't it a little bit too late for that now?"

"It is. Although you may have defeated Erwin, you will not be able to do the same to me nor the Second Mistress."

"A two on one, huh?" I glanced at the glistening blood inside the glass, and I could perfectly see the reflection of my glowing pale eyes on it. "Sounds like a challenge."

In one blink, Darvalli was already in front of me, both of his fists lifted up as he slammed them down. I simply moved out of the way, his fists hitting the soil beside me instead, it shook the ground slightly, the tunnel raining down dusts. He moved his feet this time, attempting to trip me but I jumped away, making him stand completely now.

"Not the combat type, I see." He grinned, dusting off his luxurious looking suit.

I mostly just use my energy throughout the entire fight to outpower my enemies. I do wander around in close quarter combat, but I still rely a lot on my energy for speed, strength, and endurance. The fact that I have an overwhelming energy capacity has already been engraved within me since the beginning that it attributed greatly to my fighting style.

Though there are people out there who are naturally strong and fast even without the need of energy, and Darvalli, apparently, is one of those people. In the first place, the ranks of the Grims don't really decide who's the most powerful.

Darvalli had been relentless with his attacks now and I've only ever avoided or dodge them all. He's fast, and every attack he makes is impactful enough to bruise me even if it hasn't actually hit me. Of course, it would heal immediately since the nether energy is still wrapping itself possessively around me.

Sometimes, I think nether energy has a will of its own. There were instances in the past where I would fall off my bed due to a nightmare and even before my body would hit the floor, I would already be floating just a  centimeter above the ground and when I would open my eyes, it was only then I would actually fall.

There were also more instances like that, like how I would accidentally hit the teacup off my working table back at my private office and the cup would float above, wrapped in nether energy--the hot liquid of tea inside slowly returning back to its container before it would set itself perfectly back on the table.

"What are you spacing about, Ke'ala? Do you really have time to think of something else at the moment?"

I shook my head, smiling. "You have to forgive me, Darvalli. I just find the fight too boring for my own personal standard of entertainment."

His face now looked annoyed. "Well then, let us finish this--eh?" His eyes widened, his eyes slowly trailing the blood dripping from his stomach.

"Well, that was anticlimactic." I said, trying to comprehend just what exactly had happened.

I tilted my head, amused at the sight of a certain snake stabbing right through his stomach from the back, the snake hissing at me before coiling around Darvalli's head. I laughed, walking towards the frozen man who seemed to have been betrayed and was caught off guard. I held the wine glass right in front of him, smiling as genuinely as ever. I am no fake, after all.

"I've been waiting for this." I mumbled, letting him specifically hear it. I kicked his knee as he let our a grunt of pain before kneeling down, the bones on his knees failing him. I lifted his jaw, opening his mouth with eagerness. "You love wines, don't you? You seem really, really good at recognizing them earlier."

"Y-you...b-bastard--" he was cut off when I held his jaw tightly, making him wince.

"You are in no position to curse me, Darvalli. You should even be begging for your life right now."

"N-never--!" He coughed, struggling with his breathing.

"You see this glass?" I smirked, letting him smell the scent of blood. "I've always disliked alcohols, and I think you know that very well. The big mistake you did was offering me that damn wine. Even the scent of it made me feel nauseous, and I absolutely loathe the scent of it."

Without a warning, I poured the entire blood down his throat before dropping the glass, the soft soil below not able to actually make it shatter. He struggled to close his mouth, but the snake must have had done something that made him so much weaker. I made him drink every last drop of the red liquid--or was it black? It certainly did change colour after getting mixed by so many types.

I let the man go, the snake uncoiling around him as it crawled back to her mistress and there I saw the Second Grim smiling as she rubbed her snake adoringly. I returned the sight of Darvalli holding down his throat while laying on the ground, convulsing--his eyes rolling to the back of his mind, it's like he was having a seizure and it seriously was an ugly experience.

"Let me finish your suffering, it must hurt so much, no?" I summoned my dual blades, impaling both of his shoulders down, then I summoned my medieval sword, this time stabbing him on the chest. "You're still alive? Wow, you must have one hell of energy inside you." I couldn't help but chuckle, as I lifted my knee just above his neck, my own energy forming into a sharp density of nether.

"You are merely angry because you had to make him hate you." I stopped hearing the naivety of that voice again, my hands clenching as they tremble in anger. "Your soul chose him, but you cannot indulge in your desires and thus, you're directing your anger to these poor people."

"Shut up." I whispered, my tone full of contempt as I brought my foot down Darvalli's neck, he wasn't able to let out even a moan despite the pain he's under.

"You pushed him away because you knew what you both have is something that will never be." She continued, as though she was mumbling those words in my ear, and I hated it. "However, deep inside you wanted him to keep chasing after you, I'm right, am I? You never wanted him to give up, you wanted him to keep on searching, to keep on reaching for you hoping--"

"Shut up." I stomped my foot hardly on his flesh. "Shut up." Then another stomp. "Shut up." I repeated, while I continued my stomping on the man's neck until his head snapped off his lower body.

"Hoping you'd give up all of these and indulge yourself, let him hide you from the rest of the world."

I sighed, finally decided on just ignoring her. I bent a little to grab Darvalli's head, gripping his hair tightly as I admired his pale face, blood still pouring from the torn nerves that was attached to his head. Then I turned my gaze towards the Second Mistress, watching her seemingly talking to her pet snake as though waiting for me to be done with whatever I'm doing.

"You changed sides that easily, huh?" I said, and she finally looked at me.

"I cling to power. It does not matter what, who, or how."

"What do you want? Someone like you doesn't seem the kind to be in this power playing Sect."

"I merely want to be left alone." She smiled, glancing down at her snake. "Me and Eva both." The snake hissed, being called out. "In order to do that, I need to be in a position where I can control the rest. If clinging to you is one way to do that, then I would to you so without hesitation."

"Can't say I don't admire you for that." I replied, shrugging.

"Hmm, mukhang magulo din kayong klaseng tao." The man from the cage said, noticing him watching all this time.

"I do apologize if you have to bear such horrible sight." I said.

He waved his hand again dismissively. "Nasanay na ako. Palaging may dinadala si Clerix dito sa ibaba para gawin ang mga experiments niya."

"That does sound like Clerix."

I remember how the previous Master would sometimes disappear whenever he comes back from a long adventure. That man mostly goes around wherever he wants that when he does come back, he would immediately go somewhere just to disappear again. So this is where he's going.

"Did Clerix do that to you?" I asked, really curious. I was referring to his tree-like skin, it felt like I was touching the bark of a tree. Clerix do have a strange hobby of experimenting people to make them something inhuman, it's his magic to alter people's biology through certain kind of spells.

"Ah, hindi. Ako ang may gawa nito sa sarili ko. Minsan ay tinutulungan ko si Clerix. Ako din ang gumawa ng energy blocking system na ito dahil ayaw kong may makapasok sa sarili kong espasyo."

"Why would you do that to yourself? Not that I'm judging."

"Human curiosity is a dangerous thing, ika nga nila. Sa kaso ko, hindi ko ininda ang sakit o resulta na pwedeng mangyari sa sarili ko."

"You're like one of those mad scientists. Too bad you don't want to mingle with other people, it would have been surely fun listening to your experiments." I smiled. "But oh well, pay us a visit above if you somehow change your mind. I'd even offer you your personal room and laboratory if you like."

"So you can be kind...strange." The Second Mistress said.

"How is that strange?"

"I was convinced you were a monster in and out."

"A monster, huh?" I wondered then. It had been so long since I was referred to that word. "Everyone's capable of being one. In my case, just don't agitate me."

"Those Grims are powerful, reason why I clung to the same positions as them. A Grim can even defeat a candidate with ease, and yet you were able to kill them just like that."

"If their power level is only comparable to Candidates, then no wonder. If they were at least as strong as the first, second, and third Candidates, then it would have had been a more entertaining battle."

I walked away, heading up to the stairs as Christia followed me behind, her snake coiling around her arm as they continued to whisper among themselves. I walked back through the hall, some servants cleaning blood on the floor and walls now, some were even seen dragging bodies to pile them up. Azto must have had ordered them, because with the other Grims eliminated, it means they will have to follow me solely.

They perked up when they saw me pass them by, some visibly shaking in fear as I held Darvalli's beheaded head on my right. It was a few minutes later I found myself opening the door of the main chamber, catching Azto ordering some servants, his other hand holding Erwin's head. He turned around, beaming when he saw me as I threw him over Darvalli's head which he caught.

"Ah, Mistress, I've been dreading for some news."

"I was getting worried you might have died back there." I admitted, noticing the transparent glass ceiling above exuding light from the apparent rising sun. "I think I want my tea now, Azto."

"Vanilla or jasmine?"

"... I'm craving for both."

Later that day, I was back on my own private chamber, relaxing in the tub as the lavender-scented water slowly filled my nose, replacing the earlier stench of blood on my body. Today had been a tiring one, and it wasn't even afternoon yet. I do want to rest for the whole day because of exhaustion, but I'll have to visit the construction site after lunch. I definitely won't skip meal though, I'm still hungry and considering all those energy I wasted, I'm going to need something heavy to fill my stomach.

I lifted the teacup from the small side table beside the tub, sighing as my tongue met the soft liquid of the blended vanilla and jasmine. How Azto managed to blend the two flavours together without ruining the other's natural flavour is amazing. I actually felt so much calmer now, but I still don't regret what I did today. It was their fault and plus, I've been meaning to set things straight in this Sect. I just didn't expect to do it today. Perhaps Athanasía was right, I only directed my anger to them and was able to do those slaughters because I was agitated.

When I was done with my tea, I grabbed the bathrobe and slipped it on, heading back to the bedroom. I sat on the bed for a moment, suddenly feeling that familiar terrible headache. I did know I pushed myself so much today. What I did may seem too simple, but I was letting my nether energy run freely around me even when just exuding a little of it would already make my head feel like being smashed.

The headache this time was ten times more painful then my previous ones. I opened my eyes, blinking a few times when the images around me distorted again. It was like a static, as though everything around me just trembled and slowly becoming abstract. I shut my vision then, rubbing my forehead with force even though I know it wouldn't really help, it never did.

"You should stop exerting energy."

"You're still here, great."

"You have the ability to feel emotions yet you ignore mine."

"And what does that even mean?"

"I am worried about you, not those people you've killed."

"Is that so?"

"I am serious, Ke'ala. In the past, your pure and dark mana are still blending, still in the process of mixing as one. However, now that they have blended so well together, you can no longer choose which to let out. Even if you want to use either pure or dark, it'll always be nether, a mix of both--that will get released."

"I already know that. No need to remind me, Athanasía."

"And because of that your body is deteriorating. Have you even seen yourself lately?"

"I always look wonderful."

"You think this is a game, do you? You will die if you keep on using your energy."

"Again, I already know that." I sighed loudly, still closing my eyes. "My energy reacts to my emotions, and people will always try to get on my nerves every chance they get. It's not my fault they choose to pay the consequences."

"It's not about other people, Ke'ala."

"Hasn't it always been that way?"

"Think about yourself."

I opened my sight, everything completely blurred out now. My eyes could barely make out figures and shapes, they're too blurry and distorted. I frowned, actually panicking for once. My nether energy can't heal my eyesight for some reason, making me feel so annoyed again. This will going to become a huge bother and disadvantage, and I'm starting to hate this sudden lack of clear vision.

"I'm going to need some glasses."

"That's not what I meant."

"Then what do you want me to do?" I snapped back, glaring at her figure. Only then I realized something warm touching the side of my cheek.

"Rest. Go away for a while, away from the constant battles and annoyances."

"Sounds tempting."

"The more you're around people who know your identity, the more you'll have to use your mana and you know what would happen if you continue to do that."

"How would I know it's time to return?" I asked softly.

"When you feel the world has enough of its waiting."

"And you expect me to know when that is?" I let out a bitter smile, glancing up at her blurry image.

"You feel emotions, Ke'ala. You'll be fine."