Chapter 40: Preparations for the Catacombs
Miles away, in an isolated tower of the Sorcery Clan, a blind young woman suddenly spat blood.
The door burst open. Agath quickly entered the room. She had felt the chi fluctuation from the other end of the tower.
"Little idiot!" she exclaimed.
She slapped Luci’El violently, but in the next second, she was already holding her against her chest. "Why do you want so much to make your mother angry?" she asked, her voice oscillating between anger and worry.
Luci’El did not answer, her lips covered in blood.
Agath continued, her tone becoming harsher. "You send her letters, I turn a blind eye. But you use astral projection to save him when you have not even reached the fifth sense yet." She held her daughter tighter. "Do you want to die?"
Luci’El’s silence was her only response. She spat blood again, a coughing fit shaking her frail body. The astral projection had dangerously weakened her.
"Ah..." she sighed while closing her eyes for a moment. "You really want to make your mother sad." She reopened her eyelids, her gaze lighting up with a cold gleam.
"I will be forced to take measures. I will seal this place in such a way that you will not even be able to see the outside."
Luci’El bowed her head, submissive. "I apologize, mother, I deserve this punishment," she said in a weak but calm voice.
Agath did not answer. She stayed there, holding her daughter against her, while the blood continued to stain the stones and night slowly fell over the Sorcery Clan tower.
...
The rumors after this incident were spoken throughout Hundun, spreading like wildfire through the districts and neighboring clans. In the taverns, it was said that the most wanted criminal, Blood Moon, was in fact Andromeda Yak Surgat, the only known survivor of the Yak tribe, a people believed to be extinct after their massacre seven years earlier.
She had posed as Daemon Shaytan Dagon’s personal servant under the name of Luna, thus infiltrating the very heart of the Winter House. People whispered with pity that the latter, having fallen in love with her, helped her regain her power without knowing that she intended to kill him. She had only one goal: to avenge the massacre of her clan, and Daemon, as a Dagon, represented the ideal target to quench her thirst for blood.
Dorian had to use all his mastery to repel the assassin, but unfortunately, Blood Moon was able to escape again...
*Year 1551, Sword Clan Domain.*
Six months had passed since that incident... The year 1551 marked the beginning of a tension. Most clans had finished their preparations, and the balance of power in Hundun had become precarious. The expedition to the catacombs could no longer wait.
In the Sword Clan, a meeting of the utmost importance was being held in the Great Hall of Seasons.
Patriarch Dorian Dagon was seated at the end of the table. To his right sat the head of the Spring family, who was also his wife: Erinda Snowfall. To his left, the head of the Summer family, Julius Ravenna, displayed an expression of impatience. Opposite them, the head of the Autumn family, Kreel Ingmar, remained massive and silent like a rock. Only the head of the Winter House was not present. After all, he had not been seen since the incident with Blood Moon.
Dorian spoke.
" We can no longer ignore the movements of the Spear Clan... They have already sent scouts toward the entrance of the catacombs. "
Julius Ravenna slammed his fist on the table, making the crystal glasses tremble.
" So what are we waiting for? If we let them gain the advantage, the Sword Clan will be the first to fall under their spears! "
Erinda Snowfall intervened in a calm tone, her blue eyes fixed on Julius.
" Haste is the mother of failure, Lord Ravenna... The catacombs are a deadly labyrinth, protected by Daugr that even a third sense Chi User would have trouble with. "
" Lord Snowfall is right... " added Kreel Ingmar in a deep voice. " This is not a simple military incursion... It is a quest for Pandora’s box. Leaving this powerful relic in the wrong hands would be signing the death warrant of our clan. "
Dorian nodded, his brows furrowed with worry.
" Precisely... If the Spear Clan got their hands on it, the consequences would be unimaginable for all of Hundun. I doubt that unscrupulous Strain would not open it. "
Julius Ravenna straightened up, smoothing his red and gold tunic.
" My son Markus is ready... He has reached the third sense and his thirst for victory is immense. Send him with a legion of elite guards. "
Erinda shook her head, a slight smile on her lips.
" Markus is powerful, that is undeniable, but he lacks the subtlety necessary for this kind of place... The catacombs do not yield to brute force... And besides he is much too old. We cannot break the agreement to send only the younger generation to the catacombs. "
" And what do you suggest then, Lady Erinda? " asked Julius with a hint of irony. " Is your son Kristian more qualified? "
" Kristian has mastered the second sense with rare precocity... " replied Erinda without being fazed. " His < Blade Perception > is already at a level that surprises his masters. Moreover, he possesses a righteousness of mind that will prevent him from being corrupted by the influence of the box. "
Dorian observed his advisors, listening to the arguments that followed one another. He knew that the choice of the envoys would determine the future of the Dagon. After many discussions that lasted part of the night, the Patriarch finally decided.
" We cannot send an army... That would attract too much attention and provoke an open war with other Clans even before reaching the objective. We need a small, agile and talented group. "
He paused, letting silence settle in the room.
" I reach an agreement to send the heir of the clan: Kristian Snowfall Dagon... His mastery of the two blades and his chi perception will be his best assets in the catacombs. "
Julius Ravenna seemed ready to protest, but Dorian raised his hand.
" However... he will not go alone. The Summer family must be represented. I have decided that Katelyn Ravenna will accompany him. "
Julius appeared surprised, then a satisfied smile stretched his lips.
" Katelyn? She is young, but her speed with the rapier is unmatched in my house... It is a wise choice, Patriarch. "
" And why do you not make her your heir? " retorted Kreel with irony.
" The summer house has always been governed by men. Despite her talent, she lacks the ambition that only men possess. " Julius explained.
Erinda looked at him with disdain but since the affairs of the Summer house did not concern her she said nothing.
She observed her husband with a certain questioning, but she quickly understood the strategy. Associating the two most powerful families of the clan guaranteed a form of political stability during the expedition.
" Katelyn possesses a keen intelligence... " admitted Erinda. " She will know how to temper Kristian’s pragmatism if the situation becomes too perilous. "
Kreel Ingmar grunted his approval, although his Autumn family was left aside for this specific mission. His son being too busy himself.
" When should they leave? " he asked.
" At sunset would be a wise choice... They must cross our districts before the spies of other Clans report our movements. "
The session was adjourned shortly after. The family heads left the room, leaving Dorian and Erinda alone under the fading light of the torches.
" Do you really think they are ready, Dorian? " asked Erinda in a low voice, devoid of her diplomatic coldness.
" No one is ever ready for what sleeps in the catacombs, Erinda... " replied the Patriarch while massaging his temples. " But if we do nothing, Blood Moon will be the least of our worries. "
...