Way of the Knights

---

As a tradition of the Ancient Elysium Sect, some of the more talented disciples were bestowed the title of Ancestor's Chosen. The method of choosing a candidate had never been revealed and the process of elimination differs depending on who picked who.

As for Zeus' Chosen, they had to prove their worth by doing meritorious acts and by direct confrontation against other candidates as well. Since whoever received the title of Zeus will be the successor to the Grand Elder position, the winner has to be a good leader as well since the Grand Elder position is akin to a tall mountain to bear. 

In order for them to prove worthy of being the next leading person of the Ancient Elysium Sect, they had to display certain skills, this is why every candidate was given a specialized army to lead. 

And at this very moment, Raven - the 9th Chosen of Zeus, is about to meet the army he's responsible for.

---

The Secret Realm of Gaia is a place where confrontations between the Chosen of Zeus occurs. 

It is a pocket dimension which was transformed into a specialized battlefield. At first glance, it just a vast field filled with ruins and traces of war, in truth however, the Grand Elder could easily switch the environment of this pocket dimension in order to switch the tides of battle.

Since this Secret Realm is a specialized battlefield for the Chosen of Zeus, one would be able to find army camps all over this place. They are scattered everywhere and had unique flags which represents their current Lords. 

At the very north of this Secret Realm, one could find a small camp residing at an old and somewhat dilapidated fortress. 

This fortress is hidden behind snowy peaks and thick blankets of snow. Even those who were somewhat aware of where this army camp were will have difficulties arriving at this place. Further more, compared to the other camps, this fortress doesn't have any flags, which meant that they're currently out of duty. So even if someone from the other country saw them, they'd probably wouldn't pay them any heed since they're not included in the battle anyway. 

Well, that's until today...

*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*

Sounds of clacking heels could be heard within the fortress. It echoed across the halls as if nobody's around. This sounds belongs to Kyrie who's currently walking slightly behind Raven. 

Many things were currently going on inside Kyrie's mind. Inwardly, she felt quite resigned and shameful. Seeing the pitiful state of this fortress and the sheer inattentiveness of the soldiers who were supposed to guarding and protecting this place for the Young Lord's arrival. 

Raven had been eerily quite ever since arriving here. Kyrie couldn't tell what Raven was currently thinking since he doesn't show any changes to his facial features as well. He just looked around him and inspected the location as if it had nothing to do with him. 

Kyrie did her best to lead Raven within the fortress. Both of them eventually arrived at the Central Hall of the fortress. 

Upon opening the doors, a surprising scene welcomed Raven. 

Seeing what's inside caused Raven to remember specific words which was somewhat accurate to describe the current scene in front of him. 

'Refugee Camp'.

A bunch of hopeless individuals who looked as if they just got out of multiple disasters and were tired of it all. 

There were broken and dirty tents everywhere. Some people were sleeping, others were sitting in a corner with gloomy expressions. They wore ragged clothing as if they were a bunch of homeless people who happened to find this fortress and made it their temporary home. 

The atmosphere was somewhat warm thanks to the bonfires they set up, that being said, the foul stench of smoke and body odor mixed within the closed space of the hall.

The people who were currently awake saw the doors opening wide. They raised their heads slowly and looked at the two of them with empty gazes. 

Kyrie was inwardly fuming, she clenched her hand at the pathetic display of these people. She had informed them ahead of time so why is it still like this? She even hyped them up to Raven and all and they'll let him see them in this state?

She wanted them to explain and punish them but was stopped by Raven himself. 

Raven simply stared at this scene with an impassive gaze.

He strode forward with Kyrie on tow. Behind him, Kyrie was openly glaring at them however she was only met with dull and lifeless look on their eyes. 

Raven knew what she was doing but he didn't bother to stop her. He just calmly walked past the hopeless men who were staring at him with hesitant gazes. 

He walked forth until he arrived in front of a moldy throne in the middle of the room. Raven paused for a bit before sitting on it as if claiming his rightful place. 

Once he sat down, a weird feeling ran through the hopeless people's bodies. 

Seeing Raven sitting on that moldy throne was him announcing who he was to them as if the thunderbolt mark on his forehead wasn't enough to do so. 

What's even weirder is that, even though Raven hadn't said a single word yet, he gave off an aura that reminded them of few things from their past. 

Eventually, it came to the point where everybody was now awake and were staring at Raven who sat calmly on the moldy throne with Kyrie standing behind him. The situation was strange since under normal circumstances, these people should be kneeling in front of him or standing tall with rapt attention.

It is what should they doing as the prided Army of the 9th Chosen, yet none of them did anything to welcome him nor to pay their respects to him. This is why Kyrie was so livid. 

"Is everybody awake?" 

"..."

That was the first time that Raven spoke since arriving here. His voice echoed throughout the wide hall and was of course heard by everyone. However, nobody answered him nor acknowledged him just yet...

"No matter, I already knew the answer anyway..." Raven muttered loudly. 

"Well, then. Let's get the formalities out of the way." He straightened his back and stated. "If you still don't know what me sitting on this moldy throne entails, then you're either dumb or acting like one. Either way, I don't care."

"I am the 9th Chosen of Zeus. My name is Vendrick Valorheart. I got this mark not too long ago." He said while pointing at the thunderbolt mark on his forehead. 

"Now, I don't know why you're all reduced to this pathetic state nor am I here to apologize for being late and all." Raven looked at the one by one as he said this. "I also can't say that I sympathize with you since frankly, I don't. I wasn't expecting to see you looking like this anyways. Specially after Kyrie told me that you were raring to meet me." 

Kyrie's cheeks were burning with shame upon hearing this. She had this urge to cry yet had no tears, therefore she could only take it out by glaring at the 'Army' in front of them. 

"I'll give you two choices." Raven state out loud. "You better listen carefully since I won't be repeating myself."

"Your first choice is to leave." He said, causing not only the army's eyes to widen but also Kyrie's. "You heard me right. I'll be returning you freedom to you."

"You can leave this pathetic life behind. Anyone who decided to pick this choice will be given a final pay of 100,000 Merit Points as well 10 Million worth of Spirit Stones. You can use these resources however you like before leaving the Ancient Elysium Sect."

"No hard feelings between us. I won't blame you for leaving if you truly had enough of this life and wanted some peace or something else entirely for your ending. You can have it. Your contracts will be safely terminated and nobody from the sect will hunt you down - That is of course after we erase your memories about the sect, we can't risk the safety of the sect just because of your departure now do we? So rest assured. You'll make a clean exit."

Raven stated the terms and due to that, the army were now playing close attention to him. Some people were even considering his words. 

"Your other choice is of course, to stay." Raven stated after a while. 

"Staying means continuing your life as a Soldier - My Soldiers. You will follow me with my battles and what achievements I get will be shared amongst you. There's no way that I can guarantee your safety nor could I guarantee that you'll live a peaceful life. We will be fighting tough battles and every single one will be filled dangers."

"The only thing I can promise you, is that I will do my best to lead you to victory. I will do my best to will my battles against the other chosen and their army. And if I ever arrive at the point where I'm strong enough to content against the Devil Emperor myself. I will promise you that I'll risk my life on the line to eradicate this abomination and end this persistent war once and for all."

"Now that you've had your choices. I'll give you one day to decide." 

After saying that, Raven stood up from his moldy throne and left the central hall and his soldiers to think by themselves.