“He… he is really alive… My patriarch is alive. Hahahhaha….” the old lady Lotus began laughing hysterically.
The twelve ancestor ladies watched her with baffled expressions, glancing at one another in confusion.
“Master… master… What happened? why are you laughing like this?” the 12 ancestor ladies asked in confusion.
Lady Lotus turned to them, her eyes alight. “The Zi family… My Lotus family is one of their branches. I thought they had been lost forever, wiped out. But now, I know my patriarch lives. Jamba Zi—our patriarch—he still walks in this realm! Thank You… Thank you so much for bringing this news.” The old lady Lotus said while holding Ria’s hands.
Ria, standing at the back, felt a warm sense of accomplishment. “Master, it’s an honour to bring you such news. But… what will you do now? Are you going to meet Jamba Zi?”
“No, this is no time for reunions. The world has changed. The No-Man Island has hidden in shadows long enough. We’ve saved and guarded our resources for decades… but now, it’s time to prepare for war.”
Gasps rippled through the assembled women.
“War, Master?” one of the ancestors asked, eyes wide with shock. “Are we to disband the island?”
Lady Lotus shook her head. “Not disband… unite. We will train every woman on this island to become warriors, to prepare for the great battles that lie ahead. There is a storm coming, and we must be ready.”
She then turned to Ria, her gaze intense. “Now, tell me about the man who saved you from prison. The one who called himself Kent.”
Ria nodded, recounting every detail of her encounter with Kent. “He wears a mask, never shows his face… but he’s powerful. He asked for our help in the future war against Quinn family.”
Lady Lotus absorbed this, nodding slowly. “A masked warrior with courage enough to defy the Quinn family… intriguing. I must meet this Kent. If he’s the ally he claims to be, he may be the key to our success.”
The ancestor ladies exchanged excited glances, sensing the magnitude of their master’s decision.
“Prepare all the women for war. I will be back in a few days. Don’t hesitate to use all the resources.” Lady Lotus commanded, and disappeared from the island.
–
No Moon Day…
The sky over the Fire Mountains lay heavy with mist, thick fog swirling around. Deep within a secret cave in the depths of these mountains, Second Prince Philip sat in lotus position, his eyes closed, murmuring ancient words under his breath.
Flickering red flames illuminated his silhouette, casting long shadows that twisted like ghosts around the chamber.
Before him stood an ancient statue of the Forbidden Goddess, a deity whose existence had long faded from memory. The hollow eyes of the statue gleamed faintly in the firelight, as if watching him intently.
Beside him, his pet servant—a donkey face and the body of a man—busily prepared the sacrifices: an array of small animals trembling in cages, awaiting their fate.
“Today is the day… just a few hours more,” Philip murmured, his voice low and resolute. “Today, I’ll finally get my chance and take the second goddess spirit.”
The donkey-faced servant, careful not to disturb his master’s trance, placed the final animal on the altar. Then, bowing low, he whispered, “Master, everything is ready for the sacrifice.”
Philip’s eyes opened, a fire gleaming within them. He gazed up at the statue, feeling the power of the Forgotten Goddess surging within him. The no-moon night amplified his connection to her spirit, filling him with a thrilling sense of strength. Discover stories at My Virtual Library Empire
“Good,” he said, his voice almost a growl. “Today, I’ll have the strength I need. Kent won’t stand a chance.”
As the ritual concluded, Philip rose to his feet, flexing his fingers and feeling the magical energy coursing through him, boosting his mana control and enhancing his spiritual senses. “Kent…” he whispered, a predatory smile crossing his face. “Come, let’s see if you’re as powerful as you pose.”
—
Meanwhile, in the Frost Family capital…
Kent was busily preparing for the journey. Even though everything is going according to his plan, Kent felt an ominous inner feeling. For added safety he kept some life saving treasures ready.
Just as Kent walked out of the palace, a disturbing figure came into his view—Lord Loki, his armour gleaming as he approached Kent, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“Kent, a moment of your time.” Loki called in a serious tone.
Kent turned, his masked face revealing nothing. “Lord Loki… I assume you’re not here to waste my precious time?”
Loki’s jaw tightened. “Don’t play coy with me, Kent. There are still two days left for me to find the mastermind behind the prison break. Do you know how I will punish the culprit after finding him?” Loki showed a threatening gesture while staring at Kent.
“Then you must be disappointed,” Kent replied, his voice cold. “I assumed a commander of your calibre would have found a culprit by now.”
Loki’s hand clenched at his side, his patience thinning. “I don’t understand why the Queen favours you so highly, Kent. What did you do to earn such trust? What secrets are you keeping?”
Kent raised a brow beneath his mask, his voice unflinching. “What I did, Lord Loki, is my own business. Perhaps you should focus on your duty rather than questioning the innocent people and doubting the Queen’s decisions.”
Loki’s eyes narrowed, anger glinting in them. “You think you’re untouchable, don’t you?”
Kent stepped closer, his gaze fierce. “Untouchable? No. But I am invincible.”
Loki’s face twisted with irritation. He knew pressing Kent further wouldn’t yield answers, not today. So, with a reluctant nod, he stepped back, maintaining his stern demeanor. “I’ll find the truth, Kent,” he muttered. “One way or another.”
With that, he turned on his heel and left, his cloak billowing as he stalked out of the hall. Kent watched him go, then took a steadying breath. The tension with Loki was growing, but Kent completely discorded the empty threats of Loki.
–
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