As the Heroes rested, the Blacktongues continue to hide in the shadows as they have for centuries. In a Blacktongue Enclave, Xerxos continued to study Pan's movements.

Xerxos: You cannot protect this world forever, Satyr. The whole world will soon know the gift of Hecate.

As Xerxos began to meditate, two Blacktongue priests entered the room.

Blacktongue Priest: My lord, the ritual is ready to begin.

Xerxos got up from his meditative state and followed the priests into the innermost sanctum of the enclave. In the room were runes as well as a chalice sat upon an altar.

Xerxos: Begin the ritual.

The priests then place a concoction of herbs into the chalice. They then pour water inside the cup. The priests then prepare ceremonial daggers and raised them to the sky.

Blacktongue Priests: Accept our blood sacrifice in your name, Hecate.

The priests then cut their hands and raised them over the chalice. As the blood dripped into the chalice, the priests began to chant in an ancient language. The liquid then begins to boil and turn black. As they finished chanting, they presented the cup to Xerxos.

Blacktongue Priest: Drink, my lord.

Without hesitation, Xerxos drank all the liquid from the chalice. His body tattoos began to glow as he began to violently convulse. Xerxos could feel his entire body change in the most painful way possible. After those agonizing moments, Xerxos was silent. When Xerxos opened his eyes, only black lifeless eyes stared back at the world.

Xerxos: Yes....

The Blacktongue priests knelt before Xerxos. Xerxos felt a surge of power coursing through his body.

Blacktongue Priest: You are now Hecate's avatar in this world.

Xerxos: You have done a great service to the Blacktongues, my brothers. You have done Hecate's will. Now you shall be granted paradise.

Xerxos then unleashed a powerful blast of black magic from his hands. As the blast hits the priests, they were reduced to ashes. Xerxos felt immense pride in his newfound power. He then knelt before the statue of Hecate.

Xerxos: Here me, Hecate. I have done all that you asked without question. In your name, I brought the Blacktongues from the verge of extinction. In your name, I waged a shadow war against those who would stand in our way. In your name, I have gifted thousands upon thousands of souls the gift of Tartarus. On this day, I make a solemn vow to you.I will raze our armies from the depths of Tartarus and sweep across this world like a purging fire. Every priest of the weak Olympian Gods shall be put to the sword. Every shrine and temple that stands in their name shall be reduced to rubble, and the rubble will be crushed to sand. I will boil Poseidon's sea and rip the very thunder from Zeus's quivering hands! The marks on my flesh are my oaths to you, Hecate. My oaths of love. 

Xerxos looked upon the tattoos on his body with pride. He wore those like a badge of honor. 

Xerxos: With this power you have blessed me with, I will make the Satyr pay for his transgressions. He shall know the full wrath of the Blacktongues. He shall know pain and suffering like no other being has before! He will die by my hand and sent to the paradise of Tartarus! Every Hero in this society will be put to the sword! Their bodies shall be strung up across the city as a warning to those who stand against the Blacktongues! 

Xerxos continued his prayer to Hecate. He displayed his unyielding love and devotion to the Titaness. He express his undying love to Hecate as he bowed before the statue of Hecate.

Xerxos: For over a millennium, I have faithfully served the Blacktongues. I have faithfully serve you, my mistress. I have given my body, my blood and my soul to you, my mistress Hecate. I would gladly give my life for a place at your side. I will succeed where countless others in my place have failed. I will usher in your eternal reign of this world. Finally...after thousands of years, this world shall finally be yours once more. The living and the dead shall be yours to rule. The Olympians will bow before you! Hear my words, Hecate! Grant me your favor so that I may strike down the Satyr and all those who stand with him! I will lead the Blacktongues to an era of glory the likes of which it has never seen! I will be your champion! This I swear to you, my mistress Hecate! This I swear!

As Xerxos completed his prayer to Hecate, Xerxos felt a rush of immense pride and joy surging through him. In his mind, he felt as if the Blacktongues were on the cusp of total victory. Xerxos got up and exited the inner sanctum. Outside was one of his chief lieutenants. 

Xerxos: Prepare the Blacktongues. The time for us to bring about Hecate's eternal rule has come. We have hid in the shadows for long enough. We march for UA.....and then.....the world. 

Blacktongue Lieutenant: As you wish, Lord Xerxos. 

In that moment, Xerxos prepared for an all out invasion of UA. UA would be the staging ground of a larger invasion. Xerxos and the Blacktongues prepare for an all out war on all of Hero Society. Neither Pan nor the rest of the Heroes would be prepared for what was coming.