Chapter 24: Law and Blood
Swain quickly entered the cell where Kai was being held. Kai was sitting calmly, waiting for him. When Swain arrived, he asked a single question:
"Did you do it?"
Kai answered in a cold tone:
"No."
Swain said only one thing:
"We'll see about that now. Domain Expansion: Devil's World!"
Instantly, the Domain opened. The inside was completely crimson; a crimson sky, crimson ground, everything was crimson. When the Domain opened, Swain's power visibly intensified.
*Narrator: Domains are effect areas that a character opens by using a very large portion of their power. Some are very powerful, some are powerful, some are of average power. There is no such thing as a weak Domain. And when a Domain opens, the character gains 3 new abilities they normally cannot use. A Domain lasts an average of 20-25 seconds.*
Kai was astonished and felt a fear, a shudder, form inside him. He thought to himself, "What is this? Where am I?" Screams came from all directions. Kai was deeply affected, and his head turned against his will towards Swain. His tongue began to move independently of Kai.
Swain asked a single question:
"Did you kill our King? Or are you involved in it in any way?"
Kai's tongue shouted independently:
"NO!"
At that very moment, Swain understood that Kai was innocent.
"Domain close," he said, and closed his Domain.
"Soldiers, release Kai!" he ordered.
The soldiers quickly released Kai. Swain began to speak:
"Kai, my apologies. I had to do this as a precaution."
Kai replied:
"You did what was necessary, King Swain. No apology needed."
Swain said this:
"Alright, walk ahead of me. Let's go to the room and discuss this assassination."
As the two walked towards the room, Swain spoke:
"You go ahead. I have something to tell my people." and headed for the square. Kai went to the main room.
Capital Square: A New Era
When Swain stepped outside, all the people of the capital had gathered in the square. Projectors were everywhere, carrying his voice to the distant regions; this way, all the other regional kingdoms of Nexan could also hear this speech.
Swain delivered the painful news. He shouted:
"King Reacherd is dead!"
The entire populace panicked. "What? How? How did King Reacherd die?" Such reactions echoed from everywhere in Nexan. The feudal lords were silent in astonishment, watching the speech.
Swain said one more thing:
"Nexan is no longer lawless! Illegal activities are now forbidden! FROM NOW ON, NEXAN WILL BE GOVERNED BY LAWS! From now on, the punishment for every crime committed is clear! Announce this to everyone!" he shouted, giving the order, and quickly returned to the palace.
Right at that moment, the entire people shouted and rose in rebellion. Swain turned around with immense anger and looked at the entire crowd with his left eye, which had turned bright red. The shouting instantly ceased. Everyone's hair stood on end, everyone had turned pale. Then Swain went inside.
The Ice Kingdom: Victory and a New Mission
Meanwhile, Flower had arrived at the cave where Task and Morde were. He immediately went to King Task's side. Two soldiers came and announced: "Your Majesty, Lord Flower is arriving."
King Task stood up.
"Good. If he's back, then the job is done."
Flower arrived, bowed in salute, and said proudly, "Your Majesty, the mission you gave me is complete. King Reacherd is dead."
King Task shouted with joy and said:
"That's it! Morde, this is the luck of our alliance! Things are already starting to go our way!"
Morde said with a laugh, "I guess so."
"Yes Morde, now it's your turn. Kill Fizz and let the war begin. And after that, the real war."
Morde said, "I've rested enough. I'll go and take care of my business."
"Good," Task replied.
Then, as Morde left the cave and set off towards Ashura, Flower gave Task another piece of news:
"Your Majesty, a man named Kai was also there. Someone who uses soul powers."
Task was a bit angered but then said:
"If they have a soul user, we have Morde."
Morde heard this and thought to himself:
"Kai... So you've chosen your side. I hope we don't have to fight." And he set off.
The Palace: A Deal and a Dilemma
Swain came to Kai's side and began to talk. Just then, the door knocked and the Blood Mage Vlad entered.
Swain asked: "Vlad, is it ready?"
Vlad answered: "It's ready, King Swain."
Swain asked Kai a question: "Kai, do you have the power of a Domain?"
Kai answered, "No."
"Well, do you want to obtain this power?"
Kai asked, "How will that work?"
Swain answered: "If you drink the blood in this capsule, your power will increase to twice what it is now. This is King Reacherd's blood. It will strengthen you immensely, you can be sure of that. And it has no harm, it's a specially prepared blood."
Kai replied: "It's true that I want to get stronger, but not like this."
Swain responded to this:
"I understand your suspicion, but we have no time, Kai. We are allies now."
Kai asked, "Since when are we allies?"
Swain asked calmly, "Aren't we?"
Kai laughed and said, "I guess we are." But he added: "But for me to trust... Open your Domain and ask him, is it harmful?"
Swain said, "Since we are allies, then let's do it."
And he opened his Domain.
"Domain Expansion: Devil's World!"
The Domain opened instantly.
"Judgment!" Swain shouted.
Vlad was interrogated as he was. Swain asked:
"Is this mixture harmful to Kai or to anything?"
Vlad's tongue moved independently and answered, "No!"
And at that moment, Kai was sure.
"Alright," he said, and Swain closed the Domain.
"Well Kai, what do you say? Will you drink it? I will show you how to open a Domain."
Kai, finally sure, agreed.
"Okay, King Swain. I trust you." He asked Vlad for the vial. Vlad handed over the vial. Kai took it, just as he was about to drink, a doubt fell into him, but despite that, he drank it.
The World's Reaction: The News Spreads
Just at that moment, the news of King Reacherd's death spread everywhere.
Hortex, Main Naval Base - Fort Leviathan:
Commodore Doberman ran inside. Kaizen was angry: "Don't you even know how to knock?"
"Sir, this is very urgent!"
"Speak!" Kaizen ordered.
"Sir, King Reacherd is dead."
Kaizen immediately jumped to his feet. "What??? How could Reacherd die? Someone as strong as him!"
"Sir, he fell victim to an assassination."
Kaizen turned to the window, put his hands behind his back, and looked at the horizon. "The world is changing now... This change could swallow everyone."
Hortex, Sacred Lands:
Argus knocked on the door. A command came from inside, "Enter!" and Argus went in.
"Fifth Bug, I have very important news."
"Speak."
"King Reacherd is dead."
The Fifth Bug stood up. "What do you mean dead?"
"Sir, an assassination was carried out. We don't know who did it."
The Fifth Bug gave an order: "Investigate the incident thoroughly. Report to us when it's found."
Argus said, "As you command, sir," and left the room.
Nexan, Capital, Palace: A New Power
Kai had drunk the blood and began to speak:
"The power... I feel it flowing through my veins. Truly incredible."
Swain spoke:
"Kai, I'm going to ask you for a favor. We need to find allies. Since you are an Independent, can you talk to the other Independents? The people you need to talk to are on this paper. Both are in Ielian."
Kai answered:
"Since you did this for me, I can do this favor for you." And he headed for the door.
Swain thanked him and added:
"When you return, you will definitely learn how to open a Domain."