"You weren't successful, I'm assuming?" Sozo would ask as he was relaxing in a small village away from the destroyed kingdom earlier. He looked down to see the small fish that swam in the ravine nearby, breaking down small pieces of bread to feed the fish. Isolated, of course, the King of Nihil had a third hand made to touch his ear as he tried to communicate mentally with the two Phantom Mages, the straw tethering each other to act as the line.
"My darling, I do truly apologize. Had we got a bit more energy, their lives would've been ours. I promise youthat-" Bathory started, yet Sozo was quick on calming the woman.
"Relax. Ease yourself, my blood pet. It was expected that such an effort wouldn't happen overnight. You do not need to worry yourself over the failed mission. Failure is always expected in wars like these. You should be at least proud that you made it so far."
"You flatter me, my Work of Art~."
"Did you gain any knowledge regarding the children's magic?"
"Somewhat. Two of them possess an artifact. A deck of cards and a large book. One's just as you said, the Codex Machina. The other, I believe, is the fabled Codex Gigas."
Sozo took a deep breath as he'd watch the two fish gobble away the small pieces of bread, smiling to himself, a distraction from a devastating problem. "Okay. Card Magic and Book Magic respectively. One is a living encyclopedia, the other as a living hinderance to attacks and spells altogether. The others?"
"From what I saw, one of the children seems to possess the same markings as the ones I had on my Umbrella. Multiple actually. He was even able to summon one of them: Stolas. The fourth, on the other hand, can weaponize the very stars. Constellations, supernovas, and is currently attempting-"
"To mimic King's magic. This... is a hellscape." He looked out at the ocean, his mind wandering as he recognized the four threats, unable to think as to how such destructive styles managed to meet up like this. It felt like sheer chance at such versatility and power behind them all. "Okay, yeah, they're ALL major threats. I've no doubt they could even achieve Rank 1 all as a union if they felt like it. The most likely answer I can think of is to try and split them apart whilst weakening their energy, then striking them when they're at their lowest. No doubt that King would do the same. Return back to our home, my scarlet flower. You need rest and recovery now."
"And our son? What about their reinforcements? What about the Descendants?"
"I trusted you enough in teaching our child while you were out. When I come over, I will see our progress to make sure he thrives. As for the reinforcements... Pray that they're at least weaker than the main threats." Sozo would disconnect the communication, making a kissing sound as he sits on his bench, grabbing another bundle of bread and scattering them into the ocean, watching the fish have their fill once more. A peaceful sight in his eyes.
"So are you seriously going to tell him to buy that new ring? That looks expensive!!" One would shout, catching Sozo's attention as he looked across the bench he sat.
"And? He can get me everything. He's SUPPOSED to spoil me. That's what boyfriends do at the end of the day." Another replied, having the King widen his eyes as he'd break his serenity to listen in.
"But....sigh I dunno, he seems so sweet though! What if he can't afford it?"
"That's the trick! Most men I know of, at least in my experience, would flock if you push them enough. I've been planting these seeds a couple weeks in. I wanna make sure he's only got one girl in his life: Me. If he says its too expensive, I'll just threaten our relationship ending! He'll panic and try to reach out as MANY ways as he could to get the money for my little ring! It's ingenious if I do say so myself."
"Alicia, are you sure?? I mean, don't get me wrong, I can see why you want to do that, but I don't think someone like him would be-"
"Pharah, Trust me. I KNOW this. He's weak and shrimpy, yeah, but that's the point. The runts would KILL to be with beauties like me. He'll do it, I'm sure. Might even do some more so he can get me some fetch clo-"
"Alicia, was it?" The man has heard enough. His slouching position standing upright once he turned his body towards her.
"Uh....Yeah? If you have any funny ideas, I have a Boy-" Her snark silenced itself the second she saw him, her eyes widened in such a horrified expression. Her body felt cold, still even. A mere glance would let her know that her friend felt the same way. They didn't know what to do here. The Ink-like figure would begin to create eyes, scattering them across his body, makeshift wings coming out of his back, more eyes formed within each feather. Their pupils dilated as he stared at them, a twinge of disgust in its gaze.
He hated what he heard. He hated what he sees.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Four steps. Four steps was all it takes for the two girls to back away, with one stumbling over, daring not to make a sound or move an inch afterwards. Her breath and heartbeat matched his walk. "Humanity is flawed..." He'd begin, his hand reaching up, his fingers parting, aiming for the girl's friend.
GRIP!
He snagged the woman's throat without hesitation, forcing her to struggle and pry his hand apart, as he kept talking. "Love is flawed, too. It's a human emotion, don't get me wrong, but it can be dangerous. It can hurt. It can squeeze. It can depress. It can be costly. To show love and affection means to care about one another, but too much so can be a dependent. It can make you oblivious to everything around you. It can be a detriment in your own self. It would instill yourself as insignificant, a byproduct instead of an individual, all to make the other as happy as possible. Love... Is flawed. I accepted these flaws, because I believe such a flaw is needed."
"What I hate, however, are exploits to these flaws."
POP!
The man's ink instantly sunk into her friend's head, blowing it up like a balloon before exploding, blood and sinew all over. No reaction was made, or rather, no attempt of one. She was focused at staring to the void before her, her life flashing by, her tears coming down as she becomes afraid. "Do not exploit your love. It is what makes someone Human. It is what Humanity means. To embrace one another. To care for one another. Do not let yourself squander the joy someone gives. It will scar if you do. It will bleed. It will bruise. It will Die. I do not want another to follow my footsteps. I do not want to see someone fall in the same ocean of black I was thrown in..."
"Be human."
His words finished as he walked by, leaving the woman in her lonesome. She would see off the corner of her eye her lover, skittish as ever. She ran towards him and hugged him, crying her eyes out, begging for forgiveness.
The nervous man was confused.
The woman still begged, apologizing. She didn't want the ring anymore.