The Absolute: Humanity's Second Chance

*** Gregory Vermillion ***

I stood at the high balcony of our castle, and watched as my daughter, ardoned in her Phoenix form, flew away from us with the handsome son of Gray in tow.

Achilles and Aeneas, my trusted aides and best friends, stood behind me and watched alongside me. We only watched, in silence.

Until a few minutes later, when Achilles couldn't hold it anymore. "Your highness, why did you allow him to walk all over your pride as a King like that?!"

He blew off. As expected from the rough headed Achilles. The child I took in when I was merely growing up, and swore to repay back, even with his life.

Honestly, I wouldn't want that, but meh. I don't mind having one or two loyal warriors by my side. And as for his words... "He did not walk over my pride as king, Achilles."

"At least, he gave me enough respect as a person, and didn't come with force at the beginning." I said, not turning around to face him. "Not everyone is bound to show respect and fealty to me, as I am not everyone's king."

"Especially those from other Strongholds, or those with powerful organizations backing them up... like the Gray House for starters." I added with a light smile.

The Gray House.

Now that I think about them, they are are quite terrifying monsters. Superhumans hidden amongst humans. Or rather, devils clothed within human skin?

It's said that each of them has surpassed even masters within their proficient arts, being quite untouchable and undefeated.

And this was before all this mess occurred. With it around, people like us finally became superhumans, and achieved unforseen levels of power.

Being able to cut apart mountains, unleash hellish seas of flames, or even conjur flames out of thin air. Such feats became possible for us mere humans.

What of the devils themselves? If humans like us, who had no powers prior, can now do all that, what about the devils that always stood above us all along?

What power... would they unleash now? Especially so, as each member of the Gray House, is rumored to be quite ambitious and obsessed with becoming better than most.

I saw that first hand today.

"But your highness–"

"King Gregory is right, Achilles." Ah, little Aeneas. Thank you for speaking up in support for me. That's so like you.

Unlike Achilles, Aeneas' family has been serving the Vermillion family for years, and we grew together since childhood. He's always in favor of whatever I say, what a good boy.

"How so, pretty boy?" Achilles demanded an explanation from Aeneas, and the latter calm replied. "Young master Gray is also someone of high status."

"He should also be demanding respect as well, especially from people like me and you."

"What? You say that child is stronger than I am? Is that it, pretty boy?"

"Not precisely so. What I am trying to say here is, young master Gray has more status and influence than the both of us."

"..."

Achilles was lost for words, and only clenched his fists in frustration. Aeneas saw through his frustration, and added after a pause.

"But he indeed, had no right to be so blunt towards us. After all, we are the King's hands." He added and Achilles spirit was rejuvenated with vigor.

"I know right!! I knew you understood my frustrations, pretty boy."

"..."

You guys... should just get married already. But that aside, Aeneas is still as soft hearted as always, and Achilles, you will forever be simple minded.

Now...

I looked up, at the direction Damien Gray took my daughter at. Now, I wonder what your true reason was for following after him, my daughter.

The fact that he looks too different from the records, and the power he weilds, tells me that he has experienced quite the opportunity within these two months.

And the fact that the Gray House dares form connections again, after being threatened by all twelve Strongholds to stay put... shows that they don't even fear us collectively.

"...That aside, Achilles, just by looking at him, do you believe you would have defeated him?" I asked out of the blue.

I for one, knew I wouldn't. Achilles paused, thought about it, and responded almost instantly. "My senses told me that I would die within instants."

Aeneas also frowned, "I too, my king. I felt danger so high, I thought I was lucid dreaming. My senses kept ringing bells and alarms so much, I thought I was insane."

"I see..." I smiled even more. As expected, just the youngest of them, could already have two of my best men trembling in their boots, what of the rumored First ranked?

Or the assassin queen herself? Or humanity's recognized strongest man?

Now this is getting amusing, I thought. I wonder what would happen from now, and what heights would my daughter reach with such support?

"By the way, how do you both feel? Did your strength increase?" I asked, a bit curious about the effects of Damien Gray's actions. A tool envied by even the gods?

I like hor that sounds.

"Though hard to admit, yeah. I feel a bit stronger. And my Life Essence is slightly increasing." Achilles replied with a sour expression.

"True on my side, my king." Aeneas also added without a change of expression.

"I see. Alright then, from today, I want both of you to lead our armies towards the foot of the volcano and train them there." I said, taking responsibility as a King.

The highest concentration of Fire particles should be there. Hence why I believe they would experience higher growth rates there instead.

"You will switch shifts every week, Achilles going first with half the army, and Aeneas going after. When that academic fool returns, he will also lead his scholars in as well."

"At the same time, I want you to ask your men to observe any changes throughout the Stronghold. Especially the Orange River, and report back at me any changes made."

"Yes, your highness."

"Yes, my king."

They both kneeled respectfully behind me, and responded. I didn't even have to turn around to know that they were excited for this.

And so was I.

"Next, send out scouts to go deeper and further away from our Stronghold. We need detailed information about our soroundings and its changes, before we can plan anything."

I said, and they responded just like before. Ah, having loyal followers is the best.

"Ah, and after a month of training, we will be moving to support the Shade Stronghold with their current predicament. I wonder who amongst you will be willing to go."

"Wait, your highness, is that a good idea? Supporting the Gray House, shouldn't be supporting the Shade Stronghold, right?" Achilles inquired with a frown.

My smile remained, as I understood his worries. And so did Aeneas, who responded in my stead.

"It's simple, Achilles. Young master Gray will not choose to support our princess, without supporting one from the Shade Stronghold first. Especially so, when he chose to bring our princess back to their Stronghold."

"Oh... I thought he took her because there was no one worth supporting there." Achilles said.

Indeed, that could be the case, but I disagreed. "That's not the case. If so, he could have supported her here instead. There's nothing worth him staying at the Shade Stronghold, either than that there is someone he is unwilling to leave all alone during their current predicament."

"Oh... So, who do you think it is that he is supporting? The eldest son or the eldest daughter of the Adams household?" Achilles inquired.

My smile became brighter, as I turned around to finally face them. "I've given you instructions, why are you still here?"

"...Sorry about that, your highness. I'll be going right now then."

"So will I, my king. Enjoy yourself, and be careful."

And like that, I watched as they also left. As for that question of yours, Achilles. "I already know of one. No, two candidates that are worth supporting, albeit not promising."

"And they are the youngest of the Adams siblings, not the oldest." I thought out loud to myself. And I know, a lot might disagree with me.

But I stay with that belief. The spark with the eyes of those two when I met them twelve years ago, was quite amazing. Like a sun born out of pure ambition to achieve greatness, and only greatness alone.

"But will that kind of ambition, bow down to the gaze of extreme indifference and power?" I thought, thinking back to the eyes of Damien Gray.

Especially so, that right eye of his, that shone of even more splendor and majesty. Perhaps, an eye of the gods?

"Speaking about the two youngest sons of the Adams, where is my own? Where did that daring son of mine go this time? And how would he feel of he were to know that his sister is living his dream right now?"

I thought with chuckle, mentally removing myself from the coming rivalry that would be born between my two children.