Bro, I'm not an Undead!

It seemed to Replicus that he had given the other Faction leaders a lot of things to think about at the very least. Perhaps they weren’t agonizing over this just yet, but he felt assured that they were already a bit tense.

This acted as enough confirmation that there truly was an enemy headed for Edagon, and one that was indeed formidable. While the Emissary had stressed that the masked man was very powerful, some of the Faction leaders became convinced that he might only be so strong because of this tool Bright Storm mentioned, which allowed him to summon an Arch-Lich, in whatever limited capacity.

In that way, some believed Replicus and the threat at hand.

The other menace brewing in Pelian… well, the Six Houses and the Capital Service were likely already mobilising, though the fact that one of these pillars of Pelian was a traitor, was disturbing.

The EverSword House that hosted the Premium Age Royale…

Eaniss in particular was very disappointed by this.

For one of the most relied upon forces of Pelian to be responsible for its demise.

She bought that the major event had truly ended with millions dying. There were already telling signs from her sources detached from the Emissary’s words.

What was the purpose of it though?

As Head Faction leader, Eaniss had many privileges which were far and beyond those which she imposed on the other Factions. She could manage things on Feinheath if she wanted – well except for Maqi.

Just before the Premium Age Royale had begun, she had had one of the most prestigious Families in Pelian wiped out because they had begun hidden operations that would sabotage life in the region they were settled in.

It was nothing they didn’t deserve. That was what the Severed Union was for anyway.

…

Moments later within the silence, the Faction leader with the circular jewel around his neck stood.

“There should be nothing more discuss. The grade of the threat has been evaluated. Our means of transport already await us. May we be excused?” the man looked to Eaniss and asked.

The Head Faction leader gave him a short stare before waving her hand dismissively.

One of the 33 dark humanoids standing close to the man and members of his Faction, took steps towards him and grasped the air with a thick hand, as though there was something hidden under the canvas of open space.

With a pull, a doorway-shaped glow emerged.

The Faction leader swiftly went through with his guards, and as they passed into the glow, Replicus gave a last look towards the grey-haired Mage with the <Marked Spot>.

‘That’s another mystery to solve on the way…’ he thought.

Soon, other Faction leaders rose and were granted exit by the dark humanoids.

Surely, there was nothing more to talk about. In fact, if not for Replicus introducing the idea that he was acquainted with the current major enemies, this gathering would have seen its end sooner.

Speaking of the end, only the Head Faction leader could dismiss a gathering. It was impossible to leave the Coliseum without her say so, different from the ease of entry.

As everyone was leaving, Replicus felt the Mad Bishop approach. She had a wide grin on her face – along with jam painted breadcrumbs.

“That was a good meal. You should joined me, Bright Storm,” she said.

Replicus didn’t know if the Bishop had been listening to the rest of the discussion, especially the part spurned on by him. She had been quiet throughout, however, he didn’t let the thought deceive him into thinking she had zoned out the entire time.

“Well! I can’t wait to have some friendly firing on the journey! It’s going to be fun, don’t you think?”

“Maybe. I’d rather make some wagers. Concessions, actually, if you will,” Replicus said.

The Bishop’s grin grew wider. She drew close to him and nodded viciously.

“What are you proposing?! Oh Bright Storm you always know how to make everything fun! Tell me! TELL ME!”

The Penetrator saw the deep frowns from the Mad Bishop’s guards, and gave a light laugh.

“Let’s see…” he said, pretending to be thinking carefully. “I propose to set three terms.”

“One, if we both come back alive from the voyage, we’ll split the spoils gained from the Factions we kill off.”

“Two, if we happen to be close to each other – let’s say within a fifty meter radius – only then can you and I clash. However during said clash, we can’t kill each other’s subordinates. We’ll leave them to sort each other out.”

“Three, if one of us dies outside of a battle between us, the other must kill the one responsible and claim all the loot. How’s that?”

The Mad Bishop’s eyes shone.

“Interesting, interesting, Bright Storm! I’ll avenge when you die for sure!” she cried as her visage twisted in glee.

“I will too,” Replicus said.

Pherdanta and the Mad Bishop’s guards had mixed feelings about these terms. Both sides could tell… these were well calculated moves, though the purpose of all three exactly, was unknown to none but the Penetrator.

According to the Severed Code, if a legal duel between Factions ended with defeat or destruction – mainly that of the Faction leader – ownership of the losing Faction’s property was transferred to the winner. The remaining Faction members would be at the mercy of the winning Faction too.

“Let me add a fourth term,” the Mad Bishop suddenly said… and the look of senseless joy disappeared from her face, making her ancient visage a lot more wise than it was whimsical.

Replicus’ sockets darkened a little. Pherdanta and the Bishop’s guards grew incredibly tense.

“If I get the better of you during any of our battles, you and your subordinates will join my FAITH.”

There was a pause.

Replicus chuckled.

‘You’re not interested in killing me, huh?’ he thought.

“Fine by me,” he said.

The Mad Bishop switched back to a giddy juvenile wannabe.

“Great then! I can’t wait.”

While marching with glee, raising her knees high from under her robes, she and her guards then walked to an exit and disappeared into its glow.

“Was that a good idea?” Pherdanta looked to Replicus. Concern was written all over her hidden face.

“It will be fine,” Replicus said with a reassuring pat on his Unlimited’s shoulder.

He was sure it would be.

He beckoned to her, and then led her to an exit prepared by the humanoid standing before them when…

“Bright Storm.”

Eaniss called to Replicus from the other side of the Coliseum.

The Penetrator sighed under his helmet. He should have expected this.

If anyone at all was interested in what he said earlier, it would have to be Eaniss, of course.

Replicus didn’t really like her very much, and he certainly wasn’t a fan of her dark creations which had begun to make their way towards her location after they finished sending everyone off.

Replicus, with Pherdanta following after him, soon arrived before the velvet clothed woman.

She smiled at the Penetrator.

“I’m glad to find that you’re proving more useful than I initially imagined when I granted you the Faction leader designation,” she said.

“I’m proud of that myself,” Replicus replied.

The Head Faction leader remained silent for a while, her sharp eyes appraising the Penetrator.

She then stood.

“Let’s have a chat somewhere else. Somewhere less…formal.”

…

Moments later, Eaniss, Replicus and Pherdanta emerged someplace else.

Because they immediately appeared within another building, Replicus couldn’t tell where they were, but the richness of the mana told him that they were out of Severed Union bounds.

Currently, the group was in a lavish, wide, mostly empty lounge with a sky blue and silver theme to its floor, high ceiling, walls and tiled floor.

Eaniss settled on one of fifteen, large and fluffy couches in this lounge, and then beckoned her guests to do the same.

As she did though, a dark humanoid – separate from the ones she had come with from the Coliseum – appeared by Eaniss’ side and bowed as it spoke.

“My lady, he has returned.”

Eaniss raised a brow, a light frown appearing on her face.

“Send him here now,” she instructed, and the humanoid vanished.

Replicus curiously wondered what this was about as he sat down, with Pherdanta opting to stand behind him.

Soon, the dark coloured creature returned, but with not one, but two individuals.

One was a man with partly lifeless eyes and a broad frame. He had a small notebook in his hands which he scribbled in without pause.

Eaniss looked both relieved and furious at the sight of this man, but before she addressed him, she turned to the other figure.

“Who are you?” she asked.

Replicus turned to this figure too, and with a lot more than a little surprise showing from his sockets.

‘Isn’t that…’

It was a man with long white hair tied into a ponytail, and a very pale face below where it began. He wore a large, fuzzy jacket and shivered a little even while wrapped by its warm embrace.

This man had been about to answer Eaniss’ question when his eyes suddenly shot towards Replicus before they bulged.

He expressed just as much shock as Replicus with a nasty contortion on his face.

“The fuck?!”