Castle Ba'al was situated on a sheer cliff side. Its tall stone walls reached up to the heavens keeping the sun's light away for much of the day. Various towers of different heights poked out from behind its walls. Its location allowed it to cast a near perpetual shadow across the city. A terrifying castle with a backdrop against a harsh red sky covered in black clouds. Unlike castle Xerxes that was situated at the center of Akkad, castle Ba'al was located at the northernmost point of Vanyr. The realm of the Nephilim was unlike the other nine. For where most of them enjoyed the warm sun and clear blue skies. Aurum adapted what the Nephilim considered home from their hearts' desires. Home was a near endless downpour of rain soaking the old fertile land. A brutal red sun blazed brightly through black clouds. Its color dominated most of the landscape, it differentiated the environment into shades of harsh red or impenetrable black. Only at the sun's peak in the sky as it finally crossed over the castle did its light at last reach the inhabitants of the city. From then on, until the sun set its blazing nature would run rampant in the sky.

  Stone houses dominated much of Vanyr, tall buildings mirroring the castle carefully found themselves arranged in different patterns. The gothic buildings of Vanyr were rich in history, having been created during an age of great wealth and strife. The buildings had been built over the previous city that was once laid upon these lands. Appearances might not have shown it but, Vanyr was a bustling city. Its inhabitants commuted with intense direction under the ever present downpour. The Nephilim population was the prevalent race within its walls. This far east you would find no Stygians and very few humans. Only the blood red eyes and their porcelain white skin of the Nephilim walked these streets.

  A multi-millennia war with the Stygians had brutalized the Nephilim. Once human slaves to their masters in the north for the crime of drinking the blood of the Blood God. The two sides found themselves embroiled in complete war over thousands of years. Master versus slave. It was a war that was so fiercely fought that it soon threatened to reach bloodshed that rivaled the Stygian wars with The Empire of The Four Kings. Unlike the Stygians who had grown frustrated with the stalemate, the Nephilim found growing pride in their continued ability to stave off the inevitable. They looked into the face of oblivion and smiled. But like all things faced against the overwhelming might of the Stygians. They broke. Were it not for the guilt the northern warriors' had dealt with against the Fire Giants. They would have stained the ground of Aurum with another genocide. The Nephilim would have existed only in story. Those who survived turned to the flesh and the material world to escape the horrors of what they experienced. Their children still carried the shame and anger of defeat and vowed to vanquish their eternal enemy one day and rid Aurum of its greatest threat.

  Gargoyles dotted the towers of the castle, watching acutely. Their frightening faces trapped in stone forever. Long had they been extinct by the hands of her people but through some kind of admiration, her people carved them into stones to watch from above high. The rain splattered across her windows rhythmically tapping against the red glass. She had enjoyed cloudy days without so much as a drop only to be met with such forceful rain. She positioned herself on her chair in hopes of changing her mood. The cotton chair soft against her porcelain skin. She traced a finger across the arm rest, her bleached skin contrasting against the black room and red chair. Such fine silk handcrafted for only the finest of bosoms. She brushed her snow white hair away from her face. Ever so often she thought of cutting it but she feared she would regret it the moment she did. Now it grew long, all the way to her waist. Only the silk she sat on could compare to the texture of her hair. Facial features perfectly frozen in time, sharp like her gaze. All signs of life non-existent in her eyes. If the Stygians were considered the pinnacle of perfection an impossibility, she and her kin would be the only ones capable of challenging that impossibility.

  The doors to her private chambers groaned, black heavy metal doors opened. The insignia of the Blood God split in half. In stumbled a man who knew not of the transgression he would commit. Hideyoshi of the Sugawara clan struggled to collect himself. He felt small in her chambers, the walls covered white with veils strewn across the ceilings. To the side a bed neatly cared for, its size suiting one of royal status. In the middle of the room a large onyx desk covered with papers pertaining to matters of the realm. Hideyoshi tried not to look at the paintings on the walls for he feared they would speak to him and he did not know if he could ignore them. Behind him the hooded figure closed the doors, sealing all three of them inside. He turned to look at the man for any direction on what to do but his covered face made it difficult to learn anything. He stood like that alongside the hooded man in silence as rain continued to patter lightly against the windows. He watched as she repositioned herself multiple times on the chair, each position more comfortable than the last. Hideyoshi found whatever courage he could muster in his bones and against his better judgment attempted to grab the attention of the Queen of the Nephilim, Enrieta Zxyphor.

  "Q-Queen Enrieta, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance once more." Hideyoshi bowed deeply.

  Enrieta said nothing, she leaned on her left hand and continued to watch the rain without a care in the world. Hideyoshi, half wanted to repeat his greeting thinking she did not hear him, but he stopped himself. He could not fully grasp it but his body was acutely aware of the danger he was in and would stop any foolish actions made by him.

  "Hm, he was just crowned." her voice sliced through the room. "The air tastes... colder."

  Enrieta laughed to herself, his return shocked even her. When the Demon King had exiled him she thought he would never return, their ways would not allow him to return. All the same she felt the energy shift as he was crowned king, only the eight other monarchs would know. His ascension completed. Thunder cracked in acknowledgement even the skies of Vanyr celebrated. A wicked smile came across her face. He had returned, she repeated to herself.

  "Salok Yn, why is he here?" she demanded of her advisor.

  Salok Yn turned to Hideyoshi, studied him for a moment and returned his attention to his master. "Fear your grace," he said matter of fact.

  Hideyoshi protested, he would not allow a masked servant to insult one of the eldest brothers of the current King of Ichika. He took a step forward, reminded himself that the blood of royalty flowed through his veins and spoke with command.

  "I am not scared," shooting a spiteful glance at Salok Yn. "I merely wish to know what we are going to do. Now that Antares Xerxes has been crowned king."

  "Nothing has changed." Salok Yn stated dismissively.

  "Everything's changed!" barked Hideyoshi, the stress of the ordeal apparent in his words. "When we were dealing with the buffoon of a brother and those greedy merchants we planned as we saw fit. Now we deal with a Lord of War!"

  "You will still be made king when the time is right. There is no need to fear." Salok Yn assured him, with open arms.

  Hideyoshi protested once more.

  "Come to me. Kneel."

  Her words grabbed him by the soul. He was merely a passenger within his own body. He watched with bated breath as his body moved to her command. He walked closer to the desk and knelt. Hideyoshi's eyes filled with fear and confusion. He himself was capable of using Kingspeak, a pastime of his, used on the many servants within the innermost imperial chambers of the Sugawara Clans castles. The sensation nauseated him, for a brief moment he felt empathy for those he used it on. For only a moment. Anger and fear wrestled within him, each one unable to gain the upper hand.

  "Must I remind you of your place Lord Sugawara?" Enrieta yawned. "What separates a man from a horse?"

  "What does any of thi-"

  She turned her head slightly to him. The air left Hideyoshi Sugawara's lungs before he could finish what he said. He was not a fighter. At a hundred and twenty-three years old he spent most of his life reading and studying the ways of the court. His interests never aligned with combat nor with violence. So it was much expected that he would have no sense as to why he was on the verge of unconsciousness at just the mere sight of the Queen turning ever so slightly in his direction. But in that moment, perhaps due to the blood of kings that flowed through his veins, or perhaps due to his sheltered life Hideyoshi Sugawara was aware that he faced overwhelming malice. The edges of his vision had darkened considerably, enough so he could not differentiate the darkness within the room. His vision pointed in one direction only, every pore on his skin opened and closed. Sending signals throughout his body. The bloodlust he felt was unnatural, other worldly in some ways. And it all flowed from her. He uttered no words and bowed his head in forgiveness. She turned back, facing the rain. Silence allowed to exist once more.

  "Form. Ability. Power. When all those are equal? What do you think separates man from horse?" her face was covered but her words were genuine. "Take as long as you like to think about it."

  "I... I do not know." Hideyoshi was unsure if he truly did not know or the fear of taking too long to answer hurried his response. "I'm sorry."

  "Instinct," Enrieta waved her hand presenting the word in the air. "One's instinct is to lead while the other is to be lead. Lord Sugawara, your instinct in the face of danger was to come here, to Vanyr, to me. Begging to be led. I will do so, as I have done."

  Hideyoshi did not trust Enrieta Zxyphor, but he did trust she hated the Stygians far more than anyone did. That was the only common ground they could share. For it was his dislike of the Stygians himself and the wanting to dissolve their alliance that joined them in this union, against their worst enemies. He had lived a life of luxury beyond the wildest dreams of many. Even being only one of thirty-six sons, he was granted treasures some kings could never obtain in three lifetimes. But it was not enough. He sought the ultimate prize of his people, a golden throne he had coveted since he first ever laid eyes upon it. All Hideyoshi strived for was to sit atop Ichika as her ruler, a dream quickly dashed with the birth of his youngest brother Satori Sugawara. Who upon birth was named King, for being born Enlightened. A feat not seen in several thousand years. Fate had made it clear to him his life was not to be a king. His circumstances made worse with his younger brother's favor for the Stygians. A love and devotion he did not hide, Satori sought to honor old traditions and upon his crowning showed support for Iliad. Looking to their guidance. Such a lack of honor sickened Hideyoshi, he had plotted to overthrow his younger brother for decades. Now in his advanced age as everything fell into place, he would use the demon in front of him to do it.

  "What will you have me do?" he asked.

  "It will be my half sister's coming of age in the next few weeks as you know. If the Emperor lives to see it, it will be a magnificent affair. I will have the attention of all nine realms on this day. This will give you time to plan in the shadows, prepare those who must be ready." Enrieta stressed her words, she made clear what was to come.

  "In the aftermath of the celebration is when things commence." She began, the rain had slowed considerably. "There will be a gap, in that space you will strike a blow, seizing the throne for yourself."

  Hideyoshi allowed her words to hang in the air. Despite his trepidations, Enrieta had proven a useful ally over the years. Expertly raising his acclaim within the secret borders of Ichika. To be so close to his goal, he could hardly contain his excitement. The coming of age ceremony for the Emperor's youngest child would soon be approaching. There would still be much to do in time.

  "I will not fail, I have the support of more than half of the imperial court and a third of the standing army. Most importantly of all I have Ryujin Jakka as my own personal retainer." Hideyoshi said triumphantly.

  "You have no choice, whether with Jakka or not. If you fail in the catching and sealing of your king..." She let her words trail off, gruesome deaths flashed across Hideyoshi's mind. "Do not let what happened in the north ease you. Satori is not Antares, if you fail he will catch you and kill you." He could not see her face but he could've sworn he heard a hint of admiration in her voice.

  "I have accepted that possibility, but you are in no danger," Hideyoshi reassured her.

  "I do not need such words from you. I know I am in no danger, for I do not exist. Our meeting does not exist. There is no record of my involvement in this," she stated matter of fact. "All you must assure me is that when the emperor sends me to Ichika, what awaits me when my ships cross your borders is you sitting atop the throne."

  "It will be done." Hideyoshi accepted, finding himself bowing to her.

  "Wonderful." she clapped her hands together, startling him. "Now leave."

  She spoke clearly enough for him to get back to his feet with some speed. He fumbled to bow low and made his way out through the door. Enrieta's thoughts carried her back to the crowning of Antares. The waves it would make throughout the realms intrigued her. She thought her plans were fruitless, but in the noise that Hideyoshi made she saw a path through. The fall of the Stygian people was still at hand, she would not be denied her retribution. But that would come later, for now there were more pressing matters.

  "He is proving somewhat useful." Salok Yn encouragingly said, pouring himself a glass of wine, and her a thicker dark red liquid. "Ryūjin Jakka is a worthy piece to add to the board." He gave her a glass.

  "Five hundred years ago maybe." She scoffed while sipping her drink.

  "He is an Iron Will."

  "You say it like it means something."

  "You disregard the old ways too much." Salok Yn moved to open the door to the large balcony. "I thought I taught you better?"

  Salok Yn watched as Enrieta rose to her feet, placing her drink down next to her. Her tall slender frame was hugged by a blood red attire. A mixture of Nephilim military attire and her own personal improvements to the royal garb She dressed with the same lethality her appearance gave off. Tight fitting pants covered her lower half, extenuating her hips around them. The top half of her clothing left little much to the imagination. A deep cavernous blouse cut straight down in between her breasts, revealing exposed skin and shoulders. A thin black necklace looped around her neck, falling down resting in between her chest. The blouse had finger looped sleeves. They covered her long slender arms, as they reached to push her off the couch. She looked like a marble statue, so finely put together. She moved her white hair behind her ears, steadying herself. Ruby eyes looked ahead, uninterested in everything that caught their attention. The onyx crown atop her head sat pridefully. She was exquisite, only those who were allowed to see past their fear of her could see that. Salok Yn was one of those people. He was moved by her.

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  Enrieta Zxyphor walked through the open door to her balcony. What greeted her was the scene of a thousand of her troops locked in combat with one another. The rain had just cleared but the ground still lay soaked with water and mud. Men threw each other away while others crossed blades. Such intensity was contagious. The skies cleared to bathe the field in red. Men roared as steel clashed, and flesh tore. Some from their wounds created weapons of blood, ready to jump back into action. Others used their blood as shields protecting themselves. Commanders yelled orders and battle formations switched, blades moved from one opponent to the next. She watched as they fought with wicked intensity, a desire to kill each other. It brought her joy to witness.

  "Behold, your Imperatessa Enrieta Zxyphor." The booming voice barked in the ancient tongue of the Nephilim, a language old and hoarse.

  All action ceased immediately as all thousand of them stopped and faced her. In unison they called her name in reverence. A thousand of the finest warriors Vanaheimr had to offer stood before her. They looked upon their queen with unbridled admiration. Enrieta Zxyphor was the crown jewel of their people. She would be the one to lead them in place of the Blood God. Daughter of the Emperor, Queen of the Nephilim, she alone held the favor of the Heavens. None were her equal across the land. Of all that stood there who worshiped her, it was the little boy who had bleached skin like hers and ruby red eyes who defiantly called to her.

  They made their way out of the castle onto the courtyard. The warriors unmoved from how they stood before, none dared speak under such a momentous occasion. They were allowed to exist within the same realm as their Queen. Each soldier struggled to contain their jubilation, none of them blinking. Enrieta stepped out of the shadows into the hard red light of day. Her hair and skin cut a thin white figure in the middle of the military exercise. She gazed up at the blazing red sun that hung in the sky. The black clouds had parted long enough for her to see the features of her sun. The red tendril-like appendages lashing out with such venom. The sun looked as it did on that fateful day, its appearance carrying her thoughts to another time. It filled her dead ruby eyes with violence. They all shuddered.

  "Mother!" the boy ran up to her holding a small dagger in his hand. He was riddled with cuts and bruises. "Look at my new dagger."

  Adonis Mihai Zxyphor heir to the Nephilim throne, crashed into his mothers legs misjudging how much speed he carried with him. Chasing behind him a bald man in Nephilim military attire.

  "Lord Adonis, you cannot approach the holy Venus with a blade." The man was unable to hide his fear upon failing at his task.

  Enrieta held up a finger silencing the man immediately. "Mihai my darling Adonis, show me the blade."

  Mihai presented the blade to his mother in the ceremonial manner of their people. Although he performed the presentation in the wrong order and backwards. Enrieta could not help but show a rare smile as she watched her son try his best to remember his manners. She picked up the black blade softly from his tiny hands and examined it. It was a curved dagger of quite renown. Its workmanship apparent with the amount of thin grooves that serrated one side of the dagger. Its handle was darker than the blade itself. Meant to look concealed even for a single heartbeat, more than enough time to bury it repeatedly in a neck. She played with the blade for a moment, flipping it through the air with monstrous speed. Only her hand moved and even that was barely visible. The blade had disappeared and all that remained was the continuous tearing of air all around them. Mihai was left stunned at the skill his mother displayed. She was perfect. Enrieta stopped and returned the blade to her son.

  "A fine blade for an Adonis, it weighs slightly to the left, counter that by shifting your feet when you wield it." Mihai grumbled as he took the dagger from her. "Have you chosen the daggers as your prominent weapon? I still think the sword suits you, you have a small frame."

  "Mother, you're doing it again." Mihai sheathed the blade pouting. "You're hovering."

  "I am only trying to help." Enrieta said, puffing her cheeks slightly. "You are at the age where your cousins look to you for leadership. You are my Adonis, my heir. Your weapon must reflect that."

  Mihai stood defiantly against his queen. Salok Yn admired the boy's lack of fear when it came to opposing his mother. At seven years old he was already coming into his own. An Adonis with such brashness not seen since the previous Adonia herself. His ruby eyes betraying his age.

  "I know the dagger is unsuitable for me. I am deciding between the sword or the lance." Mihai barked, impersonating the generals he often learned under.

  Enrieta thought for a minute, indulging her son's demands. The sword was of no consequence, that is what she wished him to master from the beginning. But his inclusion of the lance intrigued her. It was a weapon that offered little else outside the way of great thrusting power. Precise training on timing, battle intellect and weapons mastery would be necessary. Far too precise even for sword training, which would allow no room for mistake. Only truly the most exceptional could wield it, let alone make it formidable. A weapon made to be wielded by an Adonis. No. By an Imperatori.

  "You will study the lance then," she agreed.

  "Do not decide for me!" barked Mihai.

  "Your mother has commanded it, so it is so." A gruff voice said, approaching out of the shadows into the red light.

  A well built man sporting long slicked back white hair approached. On either side of him followed three advisors each carrying a face of concern. He approached Enrieta and bowed deeply and all six advisors followed.

  "Husband," Enrieta said, while pinching Mihai's cheek.

  "Hideyoshi has been seen off without much hassle.'' He avoided making eye contact with her. She noticed.

  "What is it?" she approached him. She was nearly a full foot taller than him, than most people. She looked down at him. "This displeases you?"

  "I do not trust him," he responded still avoiding her.

  She lowered herself to meet his eyes. "I do not need you to trust him. I need you to work with him." She held his gaze with malice. He dared not look away. She looked for any kind of dissent, when she was satisfied she looked away.

  "Forgive your highness, your majesty. He is right to worry." Salok Yn interjected.

  "I do not need the words of a serpent to speak on my behalf." growled Serghei Zxyphor.

  Salok Yn bowed in submission, his massive grin hidden behind his hood. The king consort bared his fangs at him and threatened to pounce with murderous rage. The air filled with the smell of blood and the pressure rose greatly. Serghei Koshkavev Zxyphor cut a primal figure. What he lacked in height. He made up for it with being one of Vanaheimr's greatest living warriors and being at least respectful enough to be attractive. He sported a neatly kept bleached beard and slicked white hair. But what was most memorable was how his red eyes glared with beast-like murder.

  "Jealousy is unbecoming of you Serghei." Enrieta caressed the side of his face.

  "Forgive me, my Queen," he closed his eyes and calmed down. "I understand our need for the interloper."

  She waved her hand, "No, no. We do not need him. We need no one, he simply presents an opportunity that I will claim." She called for Mihai and he came to her side.

  "All is still within the plan, House Xerxes will fall. The blood debt will be collected. The Blood God shows the way." She finished.

  "And the Imperatessa will point the way," responded all one thousand in unison. Their cheers reached the heavens.

  "Mihai go with your father, be diligent with your studies," she said brushing the dust off his face. "Do not make me worry."

  Mihai wrapped himself around his mother and rubbed his face on her legs. Enrieta would have thought it cute had she not seen the stains he left on her pants. "Okay. Can we have dinner together tonight?" the boy asked, trying not to show his desire for it.

  "It shall be done if you behave with your father," she patted his head softly.

  Mihai bolted off his mother and ran to his father. Serghei scolded him for not acting like royalty in front of his mother and the boy was met with a lot less patience with his father. Serghei gave his queen a soft smile, there was much he wished to talk about, they would do so later in her chambers. She bowed stoically and the rest of her consorts advisors did the same. They retreated back into the shadows of the castle. In their place appeared a floating oval basket flanked by several wet nurses, in it a baby cooed softly. She motioned to the basket and it flew to her, in it the Adonia, Daria Zxyphor. Even as she slept she felt the presence of her mother nearby, whimpering to acknowledge her. Enrieta pointed at Salok Yn.

  "Follow," she commanded.

  Salok Yn did as his master ordered. He slunk out of the shadows into the light. They walked towards the thousand that stood in front of them. Enrieta snapped her fingers and the thousand split into five hundred on each side. They walked through in silence, neither of them offering to fill the void. The clouds overhead began to grow stronger, rain would return soon. As they passed the thousand, they resumed their treacherous duels. Combat instructors hurled insults at them for mistakes they made in front of the Queen.

  They passed a small opening away from the courtyard. There they sat at on bench that overlooked the sheer drop the castle was located at. At the end of the drop a massive lake, no it was too big to be called a lake. A part of the ocean sat at the bottom of the drop. Still waters flowed silently without any disruption even as the winds continued to pick up. Enrieta removed Daria from her pod and delicately held her in her arms.

  "You have been annoyingly quiet. There is no one around, so speak your mind," snapped Enrieta.

  "Serghei is right," Salok Yn stepped forward.

  Enrieta rolled her eyes. "No, listen." He removed his hood exposing his violet-orange sunset eyes." Hideyoshi is not someone that can be trusted."

  "So you choose to show yourself finally?" she asked mockingly.

  "I know how my appearance... effects the others. I find it better this way."

  Enrieta caressed her daughter softly, her skin as fragile as glass. "I do not care what they think, or you think for that matter. You are useful and you hate them just as much as I do. That is enough. Now tell me what you really think Stygian."

  Salok Yn bowed in admiration for his master's praise.

  "I believe Serghei is wrong," he said. "Hideyoshi has proven himself resourceful with the support he has gathered over the years." His face did not betray his words.

  He looked for any response from the Queen, he saw none and continued to speak. "What we do is worth a royal bloodline purge. We seek to use the empire to wipe out an entire species. We must not show our hand too soon. I do not believe Hideyoshi will fail with his current force. Even if the Stygians are able to intercept, they need only hold out until our arrival and together we wipe them out."

  Salok Yn waited patiently. He had put some thought into the words he had spoken to the Queen. He knew that as the day waned and the rain returned, she would be less agreeable. He chose the more direct route in hopes she would be willing to listen.

  "You think that poorly of my Crimson Knights?" asked Enrieta. "Do they not compare to the legendary Sangerat of old?"

  A shudder ran through Salok Yn's spine at the mention of the Sangerat. The most elite fighting force the Nephilim could offer. Capable of holding their own in combat against the fabled Lords of War. Their brutality and lethality were equally comparable. They were masters of blood and steel. Each Sangerat trained to be unstoppable in their rampage. Upon their defeat at the hands of the Stygians. All one thousand that remained were entombed. Forever to be sealed away as punishment for their transgressions. But as formidable as Enrieta's Crimson Knights were, they could not compare to the monsters of old. That even the Lords of War were forced to take action against. Salok Yn felt pain in wounds he had forgotten.

  "I would never dream of such a thing. It is because they are so great they cannot be used." Salok Yn, approached. "The destruction they would leave behind would not be so easily explained away when the Stygians eventually look into the matter. This attack has to completely look like it came from those within Ichika. There can be no doubt throughout any of the realms. It is when their attention is divided do we truly strike."

  Enrieta chewed on Salok Yn's words. She understood his reasoning. Although their individual power was compared favorably with the strongest warriors of the Stygians. Their army could not hope to stand a chance against a combined show of force from those willing to retaliate for their transgressions. Yes the time for the Crimson Knights would come later she thought. Their strength would be useful when the war started in earnest. Daria giggled in her sleep agreeing with her mother.

  "And if they fail?" she asked, curious to hear his answer.

  "Then they fail. There is no way for Hideyoshi or anyone from his sect to tie this back to us. If he is captured, who would believe the treacherous brothers claims that the greatest enemies of the Stygians were his co- conspirators." Salok Yn attempted a smile, "Antares would never shame himself to stoop so low as to hold any weight to the words of someone like Hideyoshi Sugawara. Even if he wanted to believe it there is nothing he could do." he sat across from her.

  He took in the last of the sun's light before the dark clouds covered the sky. "Even diverting resources to handle the rebellion if found out, would cripple the economy within Iliad. They do not have the luxury to worry about politics outside of their borders."

  Enrieta studied Salok Yn's gleeful expression. Her disdain for Stygians did not hide her appreciation for their beauty. Whatever she read in books did not compare to seeing one in person. Even after the many she had cut down personally. Stygians never lost their beauty to her. His long hair tied off to the side. Salok Yn carried the expression of someone who was suited more to poetry and song than one who would help orchestrate the fall of his species. His eyes held no fear of her, sometimes regarding her as a child. She knew he was thousands of years old, but she could never decide just how old he was. Many had advised against her relationship with him, Serghei of course spearheaded those who opposed. She did not care that he was a Stygian. His hatred for his people rivaled her own, and for her that was enough. He had helped her exert complete control over the Three Great Houses and by extension Vanaheimr . She would use him as long as she saw fit. She would use them all.

  "Very well I will allow things to continue as they are." She placed Daria back in her pod and stood up. She looked over at the lake. "And of Reza, you still think she is the best choice?"

  Salok Yn waved his hands dismissively. "She is, once we show them they will have no choice but to pick her. This coinciding with her naming ceremony is fortuitous for us. The Blood God is with us."

  Enrieta laughed, "Do not mock me Stygian, do not call the name of my God without belief." Rain had begun to fall. The lake remained still as it turned black reflecting the sky. "This is not the work of the Blood God. His time will come during the purge."

  "I would never be so bold as to mock the Queen of the Nephilim. I only wish to relay that favor is on our side."

  Enrieta stood there in quiet contemplation as the scene before her turned to black. The harsh red of the day gave way to the overwhelming dark of the late afternoon. Now till nightfall it would rain thunderously. She had waited patiently for so long for this opportunity to deal the Stygians a blow not felt in ten thousand years. She played out many scenes in her head but found herself coming back to her half sister. She would have to use her, just like a Stygian. She did not allow herself to feel any remorse. All she did, was for Mihai and her kin. The Nephilim had long wished to live free of any influence of the Stygians, and she had come the closest in millennia to making it a reality. Not since the time of Alucard had a Nephilim been so close. The pool of water before her turned to a cauldron of people all begging to be freed, their souls screaming for mercy as a deluge rose up out of the water. Their hallowed screams turned into a torrential downpour across the skies. As the rain fell it turned bright red. The red dots filled the landscape illuminating the dark scenery with scarlet lines. The sight of her beautiful home filled her with joy.

  "Draft a letter to king Antares for me," she rolled his name in her mouth, still adjusting to the way it tasted. "Tell him I want to speak." And with that Enrieta was on her way.

  Salok Yn bowed from where he sat, a wicked grin crossing his face. Hideyoshi Sugawara's foolish appearance almost swayed the Queen in a different direction. With the return of Antares, threads left dormant, awoke anew. The fate of Aurum spun into a new era, he had waited so long for such a change. Here he sat in front of the many pawns he would use. Unaware of his desperation for the fall of his species as they were. It had taken him a long time to reach this moment, the final act beginning. The final ritual could commence. Fifty thousand years he waited, and soon he would be rewarded for his patience. Salok Yn laughed a deep laugh.