Will of chaos

“With that warning given, how about we start the SHOWWWW!!!!” (Sent from Callidora)

“HAHAHAHAHAHAAHA…!!!!” (Sent from Callidora)

I was ready to fight, the ship opened and the vast majority of us exited the ship, only No. 89 stayed behind. He was going to control the ship, but suddenly my mind felt sluggish, two consciousnesses joining me as the rest of the world went dark.

Two figures appeared at this moment. One was Ronan, the other was someone I didn’t recognize. He had black hair combed to the side, where it fell, falling backward. The sides of his head were shaved, making his slightly pointed ears more visible. His eyes were golden and shiny like a new gold coin. He had thin, furrowed eyebrows, revealing a serious face. His beard was just a black goatee, like his hair. He appeared to be reasonably young, around 28 or 30 at most. His clothes resembled a black suit, with a knee-length coat decorated with gold.

“Excuse me for calling you so suddenly. Mr. Ronan must already know about me, so let me introduce myself before I get to the point of calling you.” (???)

“Do you know him?” (me)

“Yes, for now, just listen. To call us here at this time, he must have an interesting proposition.” (Ronan)

I exchange a look with Ronan, who seemed calm in this situation. He seemed to know the man in front of us, so I stayed quiet to listen, knowing my mind was racing to conduct this mental meeting.

“My name is Igor, I’m the Avatar of the Merchant. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Bringer of Chaos.” (Igor)

He places a hand on his chest, bowing slightly, and speaks with more respect than I’ve ever heard. I don’t like formal conversations.

“I’m Zenos, so just use my name, and please, stop with the formalities; they’re bothersome.” (Me)

“If you wish…” (Igor)

“No one’s interfering…” (Ronan)

Trembling

“Just as I thought, they won’t let something like this go.” (Ronan)

“I can hold this for a few more minutes without a problem. Any longer than that, and my mind will start to be attacked.” (Igor)

“So, what do you want with us both?” (Me)

“I want to form an alliance for this event to begin with.” (Igor)

“You may not know, Zenos… but the Trader Avatars aren’t strong in combat; they rely on contracts to remedy that.” (Ronan)

“Exactly. I, in particular, am so weak that one of your Heroes could defeat me in seconds.” (Igor)

“You speak with great pride about something so dangerous to you.” (Me)

“Why not be proud? He may lack in everything else, but Igor’s administrative, economic, and commercial capabilities are so great that even my Lady Pride congratulates him.” (Ronan)

“If that’s true, then wouldn’t it be a hindrance to have you on our side?” (Me)

I couldn’t have anyone slowing me down here; I have too many enemies watching me to carry another burden.

“On the contrary, we have other ways to fight. My analytical ability can easily cover the entire event area, giving precise instructions, providing strategic support as well as various forms of support, such as techniques to enhance your capabilities.” (Igor)

“I accept.” (Ronan)

“What’s in it for me?” (Me)

I can’t take your words literally. For all I know, you might just be promoting yourself. I can’t take risks here. It’s not just my life that’s at risk.

“I can keep War away from you during this event, thus gaining you the necessary space to deal with Greed, Hatred, Curse, and the Ascendants.” (Ronan)

“The Ascendants should target Curse’s minions, who also shouldn’t intervene with us if your words were true.” (me)

“That’s better, our cooperation will be helpful. I can go against Narhart and gain more combat experience.” (Ronan)

“That seems…” (me)

Tremble

“I hope you make a quick decision. We have 30 seconds before my technique starts taking an unpleasant toll on me.” (Igor)

“I accept your proposal of an alliance for this event.” (me)

“How about we seal this deal with a handshake?” (Igor)

“Okay.” (me)

“A pleasure doing business with you.” (Ronan)

“Deal done.” (Igor)

Suddenly, I felt a fluctuation of Concept power in Igor’s voice, then the darkness brightened, revealing once again the ship where only those two Avatars had disappeared, leaving only Lolth, Sarazar, and Davoth looking at me.

“What happened this time?” (Davoth)

“We have a new alliance with Pride and Commerce.” (Me)

“That’s good, bring those from Commerce here, they can cover us.” (Davoth)

“Actually, I’m already here, and I apologize for the sudden intrusion.” (Igor)

“…” (Me)

“Igor, I didn’t expect the Merchant’s main Avatar to be here.” (Davoth)

“Main Avatar…?” (Me)

“I don’t think this is the time for conversation, they’re already here.” (Ronan)

“Where did you come from!? How are you all getting in here!?” (Me)

I didn’t understand how Igor and Ronan had gotten in here so quickly without being noticed. It only made me doubt my own senses. But I didn’t have time to think about it as I passed through the door to the outside of the ship, Ronan following me along with Sarazar, Lolth, and Davoth.

“I wanted to help, but I can’t… I’m sorry…” (Niryna)

“Why didn’t you tell me anything?” (Me)

Suddenly, Niryna appears in front of me. She seems a little embarrassed to appear in front of me, perhaps the guilt of doing all this without telling anyone, especially something so potentially dangerous.

“I had to do this. It was Callidora’s agreement, and I just acted as an intermediary.” (Niryna)

“This isn’t the best time for conversations. They’re coming.” (Sarazar)

“…” (me)

Niryna wanted to explain herself. She’s always felt guilty about many things and knows she’s being influenced by Callidora, but I don’t like her doing things in secret like that.

Sarazar pointed into the distance, and finally, the stone gate was fully visible. It was a colossal portal with two stone doors. There were infernal engravings on the stone, revealing the Seven Sins in a stark and explicit way.

“There are more gates…” (Lolth)

Crack! Crack!

Suddenly, I looked at other concentrations of energy as new gates appeared. One of them was like a passage through branches that appeared out of nowhere.

There were two more gates opening above the sword emerging from the broken space. The first gate was made of bones, a collection of steel tangled together in a large bone gate that still dripped with bone blood.

The last gate was like an accumulation of branches and leaves together forming the outline of a large gate, the strange thing was the whispers that emanated from this gate.

The moment these gates revealed themselves, the sword-shaped ritual transformed. All the miasma and Infernal energy created a flow of Infernal energy between the three gates. Unfortunately, it didn’t stop there. The energy flow extended beyond the gates, and the space around us began to peel away like an old tent falling off a wall.

The space became colder, a chill that touched the Soul. I could also feel a strong Demonic power mixed with the miasma that was everywhere. I could feel that just being here was making my emotions unstable.

This was similar to the technique Ayden used when he fought me before. Not only that, but the three gates began to open, and that was when this damned homicidal event finally began.

Everyone had been standing still all this time, waiting for the right moment to attack—late enough to avoid contradicting Callidora and yet quick enough to seize the initiative. What everyone thought at the same time was obvious.

As soon as the gates open, that’s when everyone will attack. From that moment on, all their actions will be part of the show, and even killing Callidora’s Envoy would be just part of it.

The gates began to open, and from each of them, an energy worse than the last emerges.

The gate of branches and leaves opens outward one at a time. The whispers from before now seem to be inside me, and a wild energy courses through the space, making my leg tremble slightly.

The second gate begins to open at the same time as the first. This time, the gate begins to emit clouds of black mist. This gate has a brutal presence that made my body tremble even more for a second before, a brutal presence like that of a Berserk Barbarian.

The last gate was the main one, the double stone gate. This one also opened at the same time as the other two, but even though it began opening at the same time as the others, it was the slowest to open.

As soon as it began to open, a wave of ancient and cruel Aura spread everywhere. Others might not notice, but I could feel similarities to the natural Aura I felt inside hell, of course in a much lesser version. Even so, it was still frightening for anything or anyone to come near that monstrosity.

What emanated from these three gates was truly monstrous, a beginning when it began to mix, making the sensation simply that much worse.

“Finally, the gates open…” (Davoth)