On the golden platform, the prince was in a sweat. His eyes fixated on the Demonic Mountain, a wavering smoky figure was hovering towards him.
What he saw was an addled shadow, its face was clandestine and its body was blurry like the very definition of shadow.
The shadowy figure finally came closer, the nearer it came the scarier its aura became.
The shadow stood before Ezra, around 10 meters away, it looked huge like a dark cave entrance.
1 minute - 2 minutes - 7 minutes - 15 minutes passed yet the shadow didn't speak neither it moved.
"Fenrir, should I ask him who is he?" He asked Fenrir.
Fenrir quickly retorted. "No, the one who'll speak first will lose. It is obvious who is it, one thing is sure that it doesn't have ill intentions towards you. Just stay alert and act clever."
The dead silence carried out for half an hour until the shadow spoke. "WHAT IS YOUR INTENTION?"
Ezra quickly covered his ears, blood popped out of his nose and his mind became giddy.
"My intention!?" Ezra was perplexed, for the first time in his life he was witnessing such a godlike existence, that shadow's martial prowess was way beyond his understanding.
"Boy, he is judging you. Act bold, don't show any cowardice." Fenrir advised.
"It's not lik-"
"I know it's hard, you are standing in front of a Spiritual Transformation stage expert. It's tremendously hard for you but still, hang in there boy. Just a bit more, act tough."
The prince squinted his eyes and gazed at the shadow. "My intention? It's as clear as a lake."
"YOU CAME HERE TO STEAL THIS SECT'S DISCIPLES." The shadow spoke, his voice was sky-tearing.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"That's wrong, you know it. Don't you, O mighty Supreme Leader?"
Not a single change occurred in the shadow.
"You are quite an interesting young man." The shadow said, this time his voice was soft like that of a normal man.
Ezra's urge to shiver finally settled down. "Jump in joy, boy. You have just kissed the lady death and survived." Said Fenrir.
"What? you said he doesn't have ill intentions."
"It was an presumption, haha."
Ezra looked at the shadow and replied. "Thank you, Supreme Leader."
"Answer me a few questions, Ezra." Asked the Shadow.
"I am here, Supreme Leader." Ezra bowed.
"I have 5 questions to ask. If your answers please me, you will live." Even though the Supreme Leader hasn't shown any killing intent, Ezra felt a chill running through his spine.
Ezra respectfully nodded his head. Ezra Zephyr was a smart youth, he faced troubles, discrimination and the world's true face at a young age.
All those incidents evolved his young mind into a mature one, with the addition of the behemoth-like existence of Fenrir. No one in the lower realm could rival him unless an exception like Carlo Aur comes.
Ezra knew that the peak masters were giving him leniency, he took that opportunity. He was told by Xavier that he will be treasured if he shows enough power, this sect is akin to wildlife, where the strong can do whatever he wants with the weak.
The powerful shadow spoke. "First question, how did your kingdom and you reach this level in mere 5 years when you lived a life without martial spirit for 15 years?
Second question, how did you manage to defeat an upper-realm invader?
Third question, why did you join my sect when you knew there will be a war?
Fourth question, did you reveal the war news so that you can recruit the disciples for your kingdom?
Last question, what is your relation with Bjorn Zephyr?"
The prince faintly smiled in response but deep inside his chest, his heart was bobbing. These questions will make him naked, and all his secrets would be revealed.
He was amazed by the amount of information the sect master has, from the rise of his kingdom to upper-realm invaders. He knew everything, he even had the knowledge that Ezra was spiritless for 15 years.
Fenrir sensed Ezra's unease. "Boy, you have me. Dealing with this fledgling is like yawning for me. Just say what I say to you." Said the wolf.
The prince regained his confidence and spoke. "Let me answer you, Supreme Leader.
Firstly, our kingdom found a hidden cave in our ancestor's graveyard. It was as spacious as a kingdom, it had treasures and pills of ancient times.
Defeating Carlo Aur was not easy, I cheated. He fought other geniuses and tired himself out during his bout with John Stark, I took the chance and killed him.
All the 7 sacred sects joined hands to kill me, they found me a threat and I as well despise them. I joined your sect because of your war with Duo Mountain Peak. I believe that I can change the outcome of the war, this will help me vent my anger as well. Getting the glory of 1st-degree sect back won't be a dream anymore."
And no, Supreme Leader. I didn't reveal the information so that I can recruit them, I did so that we can kick out cowards and possible traitors. All the remaining ones are those with iron guts and steel nerves. But, all the failures would either join other sects or live their lives normally. Then why not send them to the other side of the continent, to my kingdom that still needs talented men, this way our rival sects would not get these disciples.
As for Bjorn Zephyr, I am his 52nd generation descendent." The prince answered.
Every answer had a solid point, no one can go and see the cave in the ancestor graveyard in Bloodfang Kingdom. Guardians of Continent would tear them apart and all of the other kingdoms or empires are keenly spied on by Bloodfang Kingdom, any infiltration will be caught.
Carlo's fight was seen by none, even the envoys of the 7 1st-degree sects couldn't see what happened inside the Spirity Tower. That's why everyone believed John Stark won the 1st prize, just because he said so. If those who were present couldn't discern it then how would Supreme Leader, who can only trusts his information resources would espy.
Ezra's remaining answers were very simple yet they had a big role that the world will know later.
Supreme Leader calmly inspected Ezra, he couldn't find any psychological clues which can be used to detect his lies.
"Your 3rd answer, it seems very delusional and cocky." Said the sect master.
The prince shook his head. "Absolutely not, Supreme Leader. Have faith in me."
A chuckle was released by the shadow. "Haha, faith? I don't have faith in you, not you not in any other disciples in the new batch."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Then why didn't you kill me? Why did you stop Peak Master of Blood Slaughterer Peak from killing me?" Ezra questioned, for the first time, the shadow was surprised.
"Explain, how will you defeat Duo Mountain Peak."
The prince grinned and inside him, the monstrous wolf of Norse grinned as well, as if they were itching to be asked this question. The prince started the explanation.
After a while, Supreme Leader looked at Ezra with deep endless eyes. "If you are as capable as you said then I will give you complete support. But if it is just a farce of yours, a yecchy attempt to gain privilege then you can understand the outcome.
I am breaking the rules just because we are in a dire situation." He said and vanished.
"Bjorn Zephyr destroyed this sect and snatched its glory and now his descendent is protecting this sect and claiming to regain glory. Haha, fate is a funny thing."
Just as he vanished, his voice resounded.
Ezra's eyes widened. "He... remembers!? Do they have records of the fight?"
"Most probably boy, Spirit Devouring Sect was strongest at that time. Maybe the truth is only revealed in front of sect masters." Said Fenrir.
<Demonic Mountain>
On the top of the gigantic mountain, a pavilion was made. A man was leaning on a wooden rocking chair, he looked satisfied.
A smile made his handsome face more handsome. He had short white hair and dark grey skin, he ears were long and pointy. He was clearly a member of the dark elf race.
He was enjoying and appreciating the layer of clouds beneath him, covering the lower half of Demonic Mountain like a blanket.
"Master, you look quite happy today." Said a creature, his voice was raspy.
It had the wings of a bat and a very horrifying face with bull-like horns popping out, he wore a strange shell-like armour. He belonged to the demon race, a tribe named Kindred.
"I have found hope." The dark elf replied without looking at him.
"What hope, master? I saw you favouring that charlatan, I don't see him special in any way." Said the Kindred.
"My hyper disciple Zaebos, that's why you are weakest amongst the seven. I see the glimpse of my senior in him." Replied the dark elf.
The demon pondered a bit and replied. "Master, by senior are you perhaps referring to Master Jason Felleter?"
The dark elf said nothing and smiled as he rocked his chair back and forth.