Both Vert and Marron felt their heart jump at his sudden command. Noir was short and hard to approach, but rarely was he so direct. There was an otherworldly power that came from his voice as he seemed to ruminate over something. "That man has a body similar to the Red Cloud Wolf and the Bulbous Fly."
His comment made, they continued to walk in complete silence. Vert wasn't as well versed in history as Marron. The name of the Red Cloud Wolf did ring a bell, a powerful Rank 6 monster that rampaged in a country long forgotten that sprang up from nowhere. It was fast and used the weather and atmosphere to it's advantage. Capable of transferring it's power and core to any place his blood was present, he was a extremely difficult enemy to deal with.
She only remembered reading about the ravaged land since the beast didn't go to the outer space to fight, but on the ground, which was completely turned over after it was done killing every living thing around it. There were not a lot of specific notes on the powers the wolf had, but a single glance to Marron revealed the man knew more.
"The Red Cloud Wolf was known for it's speed and extreme precision strikes. As far as I know, it was hard to kill since it used magic all throughout it's body, not limited to the pre-established gateways. The research papers said it could move the gateways around the body, but were still limited in size and amount. Not only that, one of the participants on the raid on it's lair noted that it was capable of influencing it's pack with it's own blood," Marron stated his thoughts matter of fact, there was no need to draw more ire from their boss.
"But, sir, I've been around since the early years of the Holy Kingdom, and I've never heard of the Bulbous Fly before. Is it a creature that appeared on a far-out planet?"
Noir didn't answer, perhaps he felt disappointed seeing that even the history buff knew not. Vert had differing thoughts, thinking it was a monster that appeared before a Great Reset, before Marron was even born, meaning Noir couldn't reveal it.
Each with their own thoughts and ideas, they continued on in silence as Noir had his own theories spawning. Teleporting to a nearby city with his companions, he saw a legion of mages attack from afar. The city wouldn't last long, for the protection arrays were never meant to withstand such a force.
Barely any actual demons were among the mages, being more a combination of beast, monsters and human mages that were tricked or forced to fight. Noir didn't have any sympathy for them.
"Marron," Noir simply mentioned Marron's name as he stared at the wave of mages causing explosions from afar. Realizing what his mission was, Marron instantly moved out to suppress the thousands of mages wreaking havoc.
A single wave of his hand made the land below twist and turn to his will. Barely any magic left his body as the ground obeyed his commands. Vortexes of pure gravel and dirt appeared on the surface outside the city.
Any mage or beast unlucky enough to not have noticed the sudden changes were sucked into the earth. Blood and screams came from the center of the smaller vortexes as large tendrils shot out of the center. They reached for the sky, piercing any mage they happen to cross in the sky. The earth almost flowed like water as the tendrils sought live flesh to puncture.
Barely a minute had gone by and the damage done to the Demonic Forces was enough to frighten anyone. A smart commander would call the retreat instantly, yet seeing the constant march from the mages in the distance confused Marron. Was his presence not frightening enough?
Clicking his tongue, he clapped his hands together as the ground below the mages and beasts opened up. A massive hole appeared appeared, the mages incapable of flight fell down for who knows how long as long sharp teeth-like rocks appeared around the edges.
A massive maw with teeth big enough to swallow the entire city Marrow was protecting appeared from a simple command. The gaping maw suddenly jumped out of the earth like a massive worm, swallowing all the mages and beasts in a single bite. The speed of the maw wasn't something any of them could react to.
Right as the maw closed, it went back down into the earth. A large clearing appeared from the mere size of the attack. Still, a few mages lucky enough were still around and kept moving forward towards the city.
Marrow frowned, unable to understand why they bothered to advance at this point. Right as he was about to lift his fingers again, he suddenly stopped in place as Noir appeared besides him without making a sound. Despite his incredible power and senses far above the other mages, he couldn't even tell he was there.
No words were exchanged, but it was clear to him that he had to stop as Noir vanished from his place and appeared in front of one of the Demonic Members. Grabbing his throat and lifting him in the air, the mage struggled as he tried to use any kind of magic, but simply couldn't.
The grip became tighter and tighter, making the mage started to froth at the mouth before passing out. Throwing the mage on the ground, Noir didn't bother giving him any more attention, for he was already dead.
Vert and Marrow appeared near him. They didn't question what he did or why, for they would soon get their answer.
Noir turned to face them, his sharp eyes pierced through them. He was their leader, neither Marron or Vert held any questions for him when he gave our orders.
"They are under contract to rush towards places. They don't have a choice but to move forward. This is a desperate and reckless attempt at getting our attention."
"To what end, sir? According to the scouts, around 150 cities have been suddenly attacked all over The Holy Kingdom. They appeared from all sides out of nowhere."
Noir stared at the sky, or perhaps at something far beyond it. 'The Red Cloud Wolf and the Bulbous fly, there is only one thing connecting the two. They both appeared a few decades after a Scarlet Moon. But it only affects beasts and monsters. The trait hasn't appeared in a human yet. Are they trying to protect that man?'
Vert stared at his contemplation from afar, not daring to break it. She made her own hypotheses, ones that took a greater scale than what Marron was thinking about. Each with their own plans and theories forming, none mattered at the moment, for they needed to react.
"I order all the Colors to spread out and stifle The Demonic Cult out for good. Bring me a few high ranking members, dead or alive, and I'll extract their headquarters from them."
Marron was about to ask something, but lowered his hands. He nodded before leaving. Noir expected Vert to leave as well, but the fact she still stood there with a strange determination, Noir felt annoyance blossom in his heart.
"What is it?", the low tone always frightened Vert. It felt like he was looking at an ant that kept bothering him, a petulant child that didn't know it's place. Yet she didn't run away, she stayed.
"Sir, no, Lord Noir, can I ask you something?", she positioned herself on one knee. She was his subordinate, but not to this level. She didn't have to lower herself this much. Noir didn't answer, simply breathing out slowly.
"Why are The Goddess and you resetting the world-", she barely got the words out before Noir had grasped her neck tightly. Weapons of all kind formed from pure Darkness floated around her, surrounding her from every side. Not a single escape route was possible and Vert could feel her magic unwilling to move. Noir's eyes carried a heavy intent to kill, even without his aura she felt suffocated.
They were both Rank 8, but it was more than clear to her that she stood absolutely no chance against him. But she had to take this risk at some point. She knew she made the right choice as well, for her heart was still beating, her brain was still working, and the grip from his hand was just tight enough for her to breathe, not that she had to.
"Be careful about what you say next," Noir didn't put up any fronts or disguises. He didn't bother denying her words, he didn't question how she came to figure it out. All he wanted was to hear her next words.
"I want to aid you both, I've studied the past and can help with your goals. I am proficient in fields far beyond just nature."
Noir stared deep into her eyes, Vert couldn't tell what he was thinking, but she had to secure a safe spot for herself. The Colors were wiped out with each reset, her own fate was already set in stone, so all she had to do was carve a few more words into that stone to make sure she would make it out alive.
"I will bind my soul and magic to your will willingly. I will obey all your commands."
The weapons around her didn't disappear nor did Noir seem to be convinced. "Why tell me?"
"If I ran away, you would kill me, no?", Vert tried to force a smile out, one Noir didn't reciprocate. She had already planned out an escape route, but all the schemes she tried to come up with would always be sniffed out by Noir or one of the other Colors. Only if all the Colors combined their strength would they stand a chance at beating Noir, but Vert knew that wasn't an option.
The weapons suddenly vanished as Noir released his grip. Taking out a magical contract, as if he prepared it beforehand, he handed the contract that had the same terms and conditions she had thought off. Signing it without hesitation, she was now a slave to Noir, yet both kept their serious demeanor.
"I don't decide our members. That is up to The Lady," grabbing Vert's hand, they suddenly vanished from the city and arrived in a large dome-like structure filled with the purest light. The white walls almost seemed to reflect that very light to the golden floor. Two large doors were in the dome with no other exit.
Approaching the doors, Noir didn't wait for Vert to follow him. Vert didn't need any explanation of where they were. It was clear as day, for the presence and density of mana made it obvious. There was only one person in the universe that had such an effect on Her surroundings.
Only one being Noir could faithfully follow. Knocking on the door, Noir entered without waiting for a reply.
Taking a knee, Vert followed right after. "My Lady, my apologies for interrupting you. Vert of The Colors wants to join our cause."
Inside the room behind the two big doors was a world of Light. Vert could only make out a large royal bed made of Light. She couldn't see the Goddess, for she had to cover her eyes. Despite her incredible might and senses, she had no idea what her Goddess truly looked like. She could've spread her willpower to see her figure, but doing that was asking for death, one she was trying to avoid.
"Does she know?"
"No, my Lady, she is not aware of anything. She learned of the Great Resets, and assumed that her own life was in danger because of it. Bound by contract, she has become a slave of me," the way Noir spoke and how respectful he was treating the Goddess, Vert felt like she saw a new side of him.
He was always serious, always dedicated to his missions and the cause. Direct, unmoved by his surroundings and never faltered, but the way he lowered himself so much for someone else made her curious about their relationship.
While Vert was distracted and was sneaking a peak towards Noir, She suddenly called out to her. "Vert. Iris Dahlia," her words reverberated through her body. She couldn't tell whether it was magic or not, but simply hearing The Lady of Light speak her name made all her senses peak, her body was fully prepared for her message.
"Joining us, without knowing anything? What is it you desire? You are already immortal," the Goddess spoke with a light tone, contrasting Her dark servant completely. Her voice soothed Vert, her beating heart started to relax, the ache she didn't have in her muscles vanished like snow in the morning sun.
She couldn't tell how, but the power from Her voice alone made her willing to help Her no matter what. As a Rank 8 mage, she technically was immortal, as long as she didn't offend the wrong people of course. The Goddess was a Rank 8 as well, yet the boundaries between the two felt like a difference in Rank.
Not knowing which words to choose, she decided to stay true to herself, "I want to stay by Noir's side."
"Oh?", a curious tone came from the large royal bed. It pleased Vert to hear Her like that, although she couldn't tell why. The sounds She made with Her voice had a strange effect on her.
"Are you in love with Noir?", it was an obvious question, through the tone alone, Vert could tell she had a smile on her face, yet when she peaked at Noir, his serious look hadn't changed in the slightest. He didn't even look at her despite her opening her heart like that.
"I don't know if I can call it love yet, but I want to stay with him, support him so he doesn't have to carry this burden all alone."
"Wouldn't that be something to desire, an everlasting love...", Her voice sounded sad, as if she was reflecting on past happenings. "Noir? She isn't the first to have figured it out, won't be the last either, yet she's the first one you brought here?"
"My Lady, whatever you decide, I will follow. Vert has some fields she specializes in, but nothing special. I saw her as a waste of potential," Noir didn't hold back his criticism at all, opening his heart in a different way from Vert.
Vert felt pained to hear such a statement, but also knew he never said a single lie. It was his perspective, and considering the difference in strength, it was only natural for him to think like that.
The Goddess stayed silent, as both Vert and Noir practiced their patience as they stared at the pure white floor waiting for an answer.
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