“You mean that slave?”
“….. Yes.”
“Why would I–”
“Do as I say,” Archpriestess commanded firmly.
Her followers could only nod as they left the palace, leaving the Empress alone with her thoughts. She stood there, gazing out at the Battle Arena with a blank expression, contemplating the recent events.
“What is that thing…” Empress muttered to herself, her eyes narrowing in thought as she tried to make sense of the mysterious occurrences.
Most of all, she was literally scared by that thing… Which makes no sense to her.
Suddenly,
A pair of obsidian eyes suddenly manifested in the dark sky above. Each pupil was a void devoid of light, rotating with an eerie fluidity as if searching for something. Then, they settled upon the Empress, who, rather than being alarmed, smiled and waved at the ethereal presence.
Those same eyes had appeared before when Aether was training his butt off!
After a moment, the eyes vanished into the darkness once more. Empress couldn’t help but giggle softly before speaking to herself, “Let’s see what rampage that boy is going to cause in the near future… hehe.” Her smile held a hint of anticipation and amusement.
While everyone planning their next move, In an unknown place within the universe, a scene unfolded amidst the vast expanse.
UNKNOWN PLACE
“Now, six more souls are missing to enter the path of samsara… Do you have anything to say about this?” The voice that spoke was elegant yet carried a commanding authority, resonating through the boundless chamber.
“M-My grace,” a subordinate began, bowing deeply, “I-It was l-li-like so-s—” Before he could continue, he was cut off abruptly.
“Tsk, What a waste,” the voice expressed disappointment as the subordinate who was bowing suddenly turned into mist and dispersed into nothingness.
The endless room fell into a heavy silence for a few moments, as if it needed to collect its thoughts.
‘Snap’
The sound of snapping fingers pierced the silence, and another subordinate entered the boundless chamber.
“My grace,” the newcomer knelt down before the void, a dark vortex swirling in the center of the endless chamber.
No one could see beyond the void; it was filled with impenetrable darkness.
“…. Did you find the culprit?” The voice echoed from the void, resonating through the vast and eerie room.
“Y-Yes, My Grace,” the subordinate replied nervously.
“Who?”
“T-That’s…” The subordinate hesitated, on the verge of disappearing like the previous one, when suddenly,
“Excuse me…” Someone else entered the endless room.
“Y-You!! I told you to wait outside!” The subordinate’s voice was sharp as he addressed the wavy black-haired, rugged man entering haughtily.
“Come on now… You cannot possibly make me wait as one of the Arcane Kings of our Empire. I need respect, you know!” The black-haired man said with a charismatic smile that belied his current situation.
“…M-My grace, please forgive me! He told me he knew who was responsible for stealing the souls! I instructed this man to wait outside until I received your permission! But he entered without permission, I-I am truly sorry, My Grace!” The subordinate slammed his head on the ground as he begged for forgiveness, his fear palpable in the air.
The void turned silent, creating an oppressive atmosphere that made it hard for the subordinate to bear. He silently wished he wouldn’t meet the same fate as the others, disappearing into nothingness…. No one wants that!!
“Jack Sparrow…” The elegant voice echoed from the void once more.
Jack Sparrow, also known as the man who was killed by Aether, stood before the void. His expression was a mix of respect and haughtiness as he responded, “My grace, I am truly honoured that you remem–”
“Kneel!”
“Thud!!”
Sparrow was forcefully brought to his knees by the immense pressure emitted from the void. His face contorted in pain as the pressure bore down on his shoulders.
The subordinate let out a silent sigh of relief, grateful that the attention had shifted away from him, at least for the moment.
“M-My gr-grace, F-For-forgive me!” Sparrow managed to bring out those words through gritted teeth, enduring the pain.
As Sparrow bowed down, his head touching the floor…. the intense pressure slowly lifted, allowing him to breathe more easily.
“T-Thank y-you,” Sparrow said, relieved as the pressure subsided.
“Just because you were blessed and chosen by the Arcane, that doesn’t mean you are above anyone. Keep it in your mind… Arcane King,” the voice stated with eerie indifference, its authority unquestionable.
“Y-Yes, I will keep it in my mind, My grace,” Sparrow responded with full understanding and humility.
“So?”
“Y-Yes, After serious investigation, I know who is responsible for disturbing the path of samsara,” Sparrow replied with a serious expression.
“…”
“His name is… Kai, Kai Frostblade, who was the Arcane King of the Aquaris Naiadae Empire,” Sparrow disclosed, his tone grave.
“I see….”
“W-What should we do now, My grace?” Sparrow asked eagerly, his face reflecting both determination and anticipation.
“…. Of course, Anyone who blocks the Path of Samsara… needs to die.”
“B-But A-Arcane wil–”
“I am well aware of what am I doing, and Arcane is the one who gave me ‘This role: A role to guide the souls’. I am merely fulfilling the job she assigned me…. thus I order my subjects to Eliminate Kai Frostblade as soon as possible and bring back those souls that were taken,” the voice commanded with unwavering authority.
“U-UNDERSTOOD, MY GRACE!!” The subordinate who had been silently listening, immediately nodded his head and walked out to spread their ruler’s decree.
‘That would be a problem for my future plans….hmmm…’ Jack Sparrow thought, a frown furrowing his brow before nodding and turning to leave when,
“Next time…. Don’t send your toys,” The voice said with dread, its echo lingering in the air like a warning bell.
“Shit!” Jack Sparrow’s eyes widened in realization, and before he knew it, his body dismantled like a toy.
‘Thud’
‘Thud’
‘Thud’
‘Thud’
His body parts lay scattered… It was exactly looked like broken toys.
“I-I am sorry,” Sparrow’s disembodied head muttered, before vanishing into nothingness.
Meanwhile, a little far away from this situation, inside a certain room,
“SHIT!!” A teenage boy with wavy black hair screamed in pain, his face contorted with agony, “Fuck!! That bitch’s power is even attacking me through my puppet!!” He gripped his body tightly, trying to endure the searing pain coursing through him.
After a moment of intense suffering, the teenage boy finally calmed down, albeit with a lingering grimace of discomfort. He then took a picture and looked at it with a calculating gaze, muttering, “Ether…. ah,” He nodded with a cunning smile.
He then shifted his attention to the ten motionless Jack Sparrows standing in the corner of the room… they looked like toys without any resemblance to life.
“Hehe… It’s getting interesting.” Then he looked at the invitation to the Academy, a twisted grin spreading across his face, “Hehe.. Let’s play even more… Hahahaha.” The teenage boy, resembling a younger version of Jack Sparrow, laughed maniacally, his mind already concocting new schemes.
Who he was truly and what was his aim?…. nobody knew, but one thing was sure: his next target had been none other than Aether, who was, of course, sleeping peacefully…. not a single care for his fucked up life that was going fuck up even more.
…. However, this time… He gonna fuck up everyone!!