POV: Brutus Nyx
In the dimly lit chamber of the Nyx residence, Brutus Nyx's formidable figure loomed over his cowering children.
Ruth and Rave knelt on the coral-strewn floor, their eyes wide with fear. Brutus's face twisted with anger as he raised his whip, the crack of leather against flesh and scales echoing through the water.
"You worthless, incompetent fools!" Brutus roared, his voice filled with venom. "How could you fail so miserably? Argent is now more powerful than ever, and it's all because of your incompetence!"
Ruth winced, tears building in her eyes before disappearing in the water as she whispered, "We're sorry, Father. We didn't anticipate his strength..."
"Sorry won't fix this!" Brutus snarled, lashing out again. "Do you have any idea what's at stake here?"
As he continued his tirade, Brutus couldn't help but think about how quickly Argent was becoming a rising star within the sect.
Stories of Argent's prowess and dual affinities were spreading like wildfire. It was only a matter of time before the Inner Core of the sect took notice. The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
Argent must not be allowed to become an Inner Core disciple.
If Argent rose to the Inner Core, it would bring attention to secrets Brutus desperately wanted to remain buried.
The very idea of it was unbearable. There was something deeply personal, something terrifying that lay at the heart of his fear.
Brutus had done everything in his power to ensure Argent's life was miserable, to keep him from ever discovering his true potential.
If Argent ascended, it would all be for naught.
"You must ensure he never reaches the Inner Core!" Brutus hissed, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Do you understand me? The consequences of his ascension would be catastrophic for all of us."
Rave, his face pale and eyes filled with terror, nodded fervently. "Yes, Father. We will do everything in our power to stop him."
"You'd better," Brutus growled, his eyes blazing with a mixture of fear and hatred. "Fail me again, and I'll make sure you regret it for the rest of your miserable lives."
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POV: Kano Vorteesi
In the grand hall of the Vorteesi sect, Kano Vorteesi, the sect leader, lounged indifferently on his coral throne.
His dark black hair framed a face of striking handsomeness, and his deep blue eyes scanned the room with a cold, detached gaze. Various sect officials stood before him, each giving updates on the sect's affairs.
"Master Kano, the preparations for the upcoming Inner Core Disciples Selection are nearly complete," one official reported. "We expect a large turnout from the outer sect, including a few promising candidates."
Kano's expression remained impassive.
He found these meetings tiresome and the politics even more so. His mind wandered, scarcely listening to the reports.
However, his daughter, Anastasia, sat beside him, her posture perfect and her white hair gleaming like pearls. Her dark blue eyes, a mirror of his own, were keenly focused on the discussions.
"Furthermore," the official continued, "there have been notable performances from some of the outer sect members, particularly a young Mer named Argent. He has shown remarkable prowess with dual affinities in water and earth."
At the mention of Argent's name, Kano's attention sharpened unexpectedly.
His eyes flickered with an interest that surprised even himself. The room grew quiet, sensing the sudden shift in his demeanor.
"Argent, you say?" Kano's voice was cool, but the underlying curiosity was evident. "That name sounds familiar wasn't he the new dual wielder that led to the implementation of the Early Decision Badges this selection period "
"Yes, Master Kano," the official responded, clearly taken aback by the leader's interest. "Argent has recently defeated Dante Caerule and more than ten other opponents in a duel for this token. His rise in the outer sect has been swift and impressive."
Anastasia, who had been listening intently, suddenly scoffed, her expression disdainful. "A mere outer sect member causing such a stir? It seems the standards have fallen. Argent is just a commoner playing at being a warrior."
Her ice affinity briefly manifested, causing the temperature in the room to drop slightly as frost formed on the edges of her seat.
Kano cast a sidelong glance at his daughter, a slightly uneasy smirk playing on his lips.
Her arrogance was both her strength and her flaw. "Do not be so quick to judge, Anastasia," he admonished softly, though the amusement in his eyes was clear. "Even the lowliest of creatures can sometimes surprise us."
The meeting continued, but the officials' curiosity about Argent lingered. Kano's uncharacteristic interest in the young Mer had not gone unnoticed.
As discussions moved on to other matters, the image of Argent remained in the minds of those present, including Kano and Anastasia.
The sect leader's thoughts were already turning to the upcoming selection, wondering if this rising star from the outer sect would indeed live up to his growing legend.