It was currently night-time, and the dome hovering over the sky turned into a darker tint of green, shining dim light on the city below.
But, indeed, below the glowing dome was an even more magnificent light-show formed of several miniature lights, like a compact cluster of stars shining in the sky. Flashing lights filled the streets, beaming from every angle all refracting on the many reflective surfaces.
The skyscrapers stood tall, the flying cars zoomed through the skies and near the roads making all sorts of sounds that added to the city's bustling ambience.
Compared to the mornings, the streets were filled with people on the sidewalk and an unusually high number of drunks aimlessly wandering in and out of bars, that along with couples that wanted to enjoy the nighttime air.
And through the crowds, six figures made their way through the darkness with a casual demeanour and a clear purpose in mind.
And that purpose led them into a grand hotel, five glowing golden stars proudly displayed upon its facade. Yet, before entering, one man stood out from the rest, looking keenly at the sky before smiling and shaking his head, entering along with his friends.
And after they got past the counter, they made it towards a magnificent door etched in gold towards the center of the bottom floor.
'My lord, Joker, I hear footsteps outside the door…'
'Don't worry mammon, it is I. I'm going to use the key, so don't be startled upon our entry.'
'Yes my lord! Understood!'
The door slowly opened without a single creek, revealing a dark yet spacious room. However, for them, the darkness posed no problems as their night vision made what lied within more than clear.
It was a house like any other, and the fanciness matched even their own, rather rich households which were very impressive. It was fully decorated in gold and silver, many paintings hung on the walls and furniture all aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Yet, despite all of that, what grabbed their attention most was the long table at the center with eating utensils neatly set, and light from classical candles upon the middle.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt'Greetings my lord…' Those three words were the first thing he heard upon entry, and directly ahead of him was the figure of a young, completely unknown man that Moby immediately recognized.
'Greetings to you as well mammon, I assume all the arrangements are set up? Things look excellent so far from what I can see…'
'Yes, my lord! All is ready! Even the last-minute adjustments you proposed!'
'Excellent…' He smiled, closing the doors behind him, ensuring they were locked before he turned on the actual lights of the room.
'...'
'Mammon, raise your head, why do you still keep it low?'
'M-my lord— am— am I allowed to gaze upon your true face? I've only seen you in a mask prior…'
'Yes, I allow you,' His smile grew bright, and a hint of a chuckle emerged from under his expression as he watched the mammon slowly, and nervously raise his head, only to be met with eyes as deep and expansive as the very oceans.
'My lord— You're— Moby Kane!? The Hero— I— I would have never assumed so in a million years! You were the last person I thought of in my mind.'
'Oh, well, I hope you were not disappointed,' He inwardly laughed.
'No— No! Not at all my lord! This… this is incredible! The sheer providence to be able to so easily fool everyone is incredible!'
The mammon began to crumble, shaking uncontrollably. His reaction was just as Moby expected, no, it may have gone even further beyond, but now, Moby had no time for such distractions.
'Enough of that mammon, on your two feet!' He ordered, and his minion immediately did as he was told.
'Yes my lord!'
'Is this room fully secured?'
'Yes lord! Every room in this hotel is completely private, I can 100% assure you of that…'
'Excellent,' He nodded, before his attention was directed elsewhere.
'Hey! Kane! Should you set up all the food here? We gonna start eating or what?' Regrit called, and Moby turned around to face him.
'Don't worry, we're gonna eat alright, but we're gonna eat over a long discussion about everything that's gonna happen this year.'
♦️ ♦️ ♦️
Over the table, they all had a lengthy conversation, and the unravelling of what Moby had in mind was more than any of them imagined.
'Wait wait wait! So you're gonna use THAT event to announce everything!? How're you even sure you can win without you revealing your powers anyway!? And, let me get this straight, you got the mammon on your side, and you're not even gonna use any of the points he's farming for you? Why?'
'All will be clear in due time,' He smirked, looking over towards Regrit.
'My lord, are you going to let this person talk to you in such a way and question your planning? Does he not understand that your mind is beyond all of our comprehension?'
'Mammon! Keep calm!' His eyes turned purple, and his glance shook him to his very core. 'Questioning me is no sin, even I make mistakes and rely on my subordinates to point them out! What is a king who does not listen to their subjects?'
'Y-yes my lord—- U-understood…' He lowered his head and gulped, before he heard a slight chuckle from his side and a voice entering his mind.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm'It's alright, I had to learn the same lesson too,' And when he looked up, he noticed it to be a fellow demon with gray skin and horns that stood tall upon his head.
'Now that I've got all of that explained, do any of you have any questions? He looked expectantly towards all of them, yet he did not even receive a single response beyond a faint breath, but that was when Hikari nervously spoke, her voice soft like a whisper.
'Big brother… I— I just wanted to ask you if you know what exactly I am… A fallen angel?'
'I'll respond to that,' Artorias abruptly interjected. 'It's very complicated, and I noticed it ever since I first saw you… Angel magic has greatly corrupted your being. I've never actually seen a fallen angel, but I've done my research. It's not intercourse between an angel and demon or something of the like… It's more like when two corruptions clash against one another.'
'I don't understand… Are you— Are you calling Yami a corruption of some kind?'
'No no,' He shook his head. 'I think you're two halves split is the thing… In all my life, I've never seen or even heard about such a thing. You greatly intrigue me. To this day I'm uncertain if your two halves are two different people or halves of one. It's all the fault of my people… Please allow me to help you and rectify that mistake!' He held her hand with passion, and Hikari could not help but back off and inwardly look down to hide her face and surprise.
'Hey! Hands off bud! What do you think you're doing!' Regrit smacked Artorias away with clear annoyance on his face. 'She might be corrupted, but she's not corrupted at all. That's just the way she is! And I like her for both her halves!'
'Watch yourself,' He scoffed. 'Why do you speak for her? Maybe she doesn't like being like that and wants to sever the corruption to return to her true self? Maybe get a different form for her two halves?'
'BOTH OF YOU! Calm down!' Moby roared, startling all at the table with a lion-like voice. 'Now is not the time for this! Hikari is not some little girl! She can decide for herself! Now, Rupert!'
'Yes sir!'
'Have you and mammon agreed upon the swapping method? I will be the medium for it! And mammon, don't forget to tell your minions that Rupert's true form will be your true form as well since he will cover for you in many circumstances.'
'Yes my lord! We've both worked it out,' He lowered his head gracefully, the mammon following suit doing the same.
'Lord Kane, I don't know if it's my place to ask. But what is the purpose of all of these precautionary measures? Why must we be so careful?' Elizabeth leaned over and spoke for the first time since entering the room, her pupils keenly yet quiveringly looking towards Moby.
'I don't want to take any chances… This all has to be absolutely perfect… That is all…' He leaned back into his seat, taking a deep breath looking at the ceiling with narrowed eyes, remembering the words written on that unknown message anonymously sent to him.
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