Tower of Souls II

A gleam of surprise flashed through the hearts of Aldrich and Arthur as they heard Aurelia speak her mind without a care for who heard. They just couldn't believe what they heard.

"You would betray him?" Arthur rebutted.

"Betray?" Aurelia repeated, "How so?"

"An they say Morgana was crazy. Aurelia, arent you friends or family with the Silver Devil? Do I need to explain the act of killing those related to you is a form of betrayal? Is he not training you? Does he not feed you?"

Arthur's words came at great confusion for Aurelia. She tilted her head, almost like a lost cat, "And?"

Why does that matter? She thought to herself, replaying all the memories they shared. Was this not the challenge he wanted?

Her fingers clenched over the hilt of Morningstar, empowering the emerald ring hidden beneath the gold of her eyes. Anticipation filled her smile as she shrugged.

She wanted this. She needed to defeat him, not out of hate nor malice, but out of respect. She would strike even if it meant death, as he had taught her.

A chill danced along Arthurs and Aldrich's spine as they wondered what Zairel was teaching her.

Aldrich seemed only taken back for a second, "If you're serious, would you pledge the Heavens?"

"But the Heavens are my enemy," She responded with glowing eyes that seemed almost blinding.

A look of fascination skimmed over Arthur's expression as he smiled, " Don't worry about the oath, but I do like your fire. How about we challenge Zariel when he least expects it?"

Aurelia chuckled, ignorant of the rune on her wrist, relaying everything she had said back to Zariel.

The demon himself was smiling as he, alongside Zero, was listening with smiles over their lips. A look of pride could be seen in Zariel as he chuckled.

"You can't be happy about this?" Zero inquired as Iz looked a little disturbed.

"This is some Yandere shit right here. This bitch is going to kill you." Iz honestly relayed, releasing a silent prayer for his brother in arms.

Looking around his apartment, Zariel found Ella and Sionn sleeping in a pool of vomit; a silent cleanse spell took effect, wiping them clean before he tossed them outside his dorm via telekinesis.

"It'll be fine; with you all here, I want to see what the Sovereign Element of Light can do. Especially when Arthur Pendragon, whose blade was said to be so fast it could cut through time."

"Exaggerations, I'm sure. The only way one can influence time is with two concepts and luck," Zero announced, "but he is definitely stronger than you."

"Maybe in his dreams, we both got mortal bodies, our battle prowess should match, and I'm sure I've got as many concepts," Zariel uttered, not bothering to hide the confidence.

"Putting aside those two monsters, don't we have a bigger problem? Like the Ruler of Iluthath? Him trying to kill us is quite significant." Iz mentioned. "What's the plan on that, or are we ignoring him?"

There was a long silence that felt colder than ice, "we ignore him; he played his card by resurrecting these legends, not to mention, do any of you know his name or what he looks like?" Zariel inquired.

"Not so much, but I've got a vague image," Zero muttered as the crackles of thunder shattered the sunny skies, rain poured down with vengeful indignation as a dark smile hidden beneath the mask grew arched.

Iz had almost jumped as Vancurro nudged his shoulders, "You're being a bitch, relax. This motherfucker has nothing on us."

"Sure, I seem to remember a person trying to find out not who the man was but if he's got any daughters."

"Hey, I was just going to bang one, maybe two of them. Nothing much, just defile his daughters; maybe show him a video of me doing it. He murdered Yuki." Van defended with a smile that made the crackles of thunder and hail resound over the world of Alos. "She was like our second mother."

"But damn, what if they're married?"

"Cockhold is a thing, and it will surprise you how much people are into that. Bro, I once had this—"

"Ok, no one wants to hear that," Zero hastily chimed in, " The hell is with you and sex. Let me handle the schemes. Just ensure you've got Zariels back; he will need it after getting his ass kicked."

A cold smile slipped over Zariels lips as he shrugged, " you don't play fair; what makes you think I do? But let's put that aside for now; let's get down to the Black Hand."

"Already speaking to their leaders, in a year, they'll be another division under my thumb," Zero calmly uttered.

…

"Ladies and Gentlemen," A tall, aged man with long red hair, with streaks of gold along the tips, bellowed with his lion-like eyes and overly large muscles, known as The Lion's Pride, Zalvin Cremlor. "It's my greatest pride to open the gates to the Tower of Souls, a magical artifact molded through the ages as one of Trinities Greatest works of Art."

Standing in the crowd, Aurelia eyed the Lion's Pride, feeling something almost primordial rippling from his blood, attempting to push her down.

She smiled, "I want to fight him."

Arthur glanced at Aldrich and took a few steps back as he followed, " You don't think this is weird?"

"This Mysterious Sovereign is a fool," Aldrich answered as rainfall, followed by thunder, crackled like an explosion in a single moment.

Sigils lit the skies, transforming into intricate wardings blocking out the rain, but the tremor continued to stir the ground.

"This girl is dangerous. More dangerous than what's hidden in the Ravine of End. That sword is—"

"It could save us," Aldrich mentioned.

"You taught me that one can never have too many friends. The silver devil doesn't have to be an enemy; we've never actually harmed or offended him," said Arthur.

Aldrich smiled and trembled, resisting the urge not to burst into laughter, 'There's a reason why you were killed, and it wasn't due to Mordrid, my friend, nor Morgana." He murmured into his soul, "It was due to your ability to trust everyone. Did you not realize your best friend caused your death?"

There was a long silence as Zalvin Cremlor continued his announcement.