King Samael's question

"King Harold, have you planned anything or are you yet to come up with something?" Darcy asked once everyone had spoken their mind.

"King Darcy, I am yet to think of something. It was only today that I discovered the Lord of the Dark was back."

"How did you intend to handle your predicament before?"

"King Darcy, we were to perform Soul Avenging Spell."

"To find out who killed your people?"

King Harold nodded.

"Do you wish to go ahead with it now?"

"I do." King Harold stated with conviction.

"Why though? Do you not already know who killed your people?" King Samael interjected.

"I do, King Samael. But I still want to confirm it." King Harold darted a glance that said he trusted him at Zevan and it was for some other reason that he needed the confirmation.

"Moreover, using the Soul Avenge Spell, I can learn how my men died."

Darcy pursed his lips as he thought of what the other kings had said before leaving the meeting.

"Do you have the men needed to perform the spell?" 

Harold was not surprised that King Darcy was asking him about it. After all, casting the spell was not easy and there was a high chance of one losing their lives if they were not powerful enough.

"There are a few men who know how to cast the spell. But I am uncertain how many are willing to proceed with it." Harold felt exhausted and he seemed withered all of a sudden.

"I will join you," Darcy stated, and not just Harold, even Elion and Zevan were surprised by his unforeseen help. 

The Kings were powerful people. Even if one joined them, the chances of the spell being a success were higher.

"What time will you be casting the spell, King Harold?" Samael asked, his eyes not averting from Zevan. He could not help but be intrigued by the lad who had shown exceptional confidence and abilities in front of some of the mightiest people in the world.

"At night, just after the darkness falls, King Samael," Harold replied.

"I will join you too," Samael added and Harold felt a boost in his morale. 

With two kings joining him, he had faith that they would succeed in casting the spell.

"Consider me as well. I will join you before sunset," Thalor too agreed and Harold could not stop smiling in relief.

"We will see you before sunset, King Harold. Until then," King Darcy nodded and was the first to leave and Thalor followed suit.

However, Samael remained still as he continued to examine Zevan.

"Is something the matter, King Samael?" Harold was especially courteous. Not only was Samael his good friend, but he had even trusted him and offered his aid when he was in despair. He could not help but hold him on a high pedestal. The man was a true friend.

"What did you say your name was, lad?" Samael did not reply to Harold. Instead, he focused on Zevan who was facing him boldly. Not once did his eyes waver as he stared back at him and Samael was impressed by his courage and confidence. 

"Zevan, Your Majesty."

Samael did not know why he was keen on learning more about the young man before him. Although he did not sense any formidable aura from him, it was already beyond his expectations for Zevan to stand on the same pedestal as Harold without combusting into flames.

"Zevan, I have just one question to ask you. I hope you will answer me honestly."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Please ask away." 

"Would you mind revealing what happened when you met the Lord of the Dark?"

"Your Majesty?" Zevan's heart skipped a beat and he looked at the man in alarm.

"Did you feel anything in his presence?" Samael ignored his cautious gaze and asked him another question.

Zevan did not know what King Samael was getting at and he hesitated. Should he come clean before everyone or should he continue with what he had told everyone? He was in dilemma, but he did not dare turn towards his master, seeking his help.

Calming his agitated nerves, Zevan stuck to what he had told everyone. Anyway, there was not much difference between what he had told everyone and the truth.

"Your Majesty, it was utterly dark and cold and I could not use any powers. I was rendered immobile and everything except my senses was paralyzed in his presence," Zevan said in all honesty.

"I see." Samael's expression turned grave and he narrowed his eyes as he gave Harold a look.

"I trust you. The man you met is the Lord of the Dark. King Harold, I will be at Meadel before sunset."

"Thank you, King Samael."

With a nod, Samael too vanished from the room and the intense, powerful aura in the room vanished with him.

Harold sighed and Zevan looked at his master blankly.

'What had happened just now? Why did King Samael ask such a strange question?' Zevan wondered as he darted his gaze back and forth between two men.

Harold did not clarify or justify his friend's actions. Instead, he focused on other matters at hand, especially Zevan.

"Zevan, how were you able to come here?" Harold questioned curiously and Zevan licked his nervously, not knowing how to answer.

How was he supposed to say he was a lot more formidable than the world knew him to be? Should he say it? Or not?

This time, Zevan did not shy away from looking at his master and the man jumped to his rescue right away.

"Your Majesty, we do not know what happened and how Zevan was able to withstand the suppression, but he was able to," Elion said everything in one breath.

"We? Did you know about it?" Harold narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Elion.

"No, Your Majesty. I did not know. It was a mere inkling. Do you remember a few days back when Zevan had fainted? He was lying just at the entrance of the corridor?" Elion asked carefully, observing his king's expressions keenly.

Harold frowned. He did recall the incident where Zevan had actually fainted or something of the sort. But he was uncertain if he had fainted near the corridor or somewhere else.

"I presume Zevan was able to enter the corridor from that day onward," Elion said. It was true that Zevan had fainted. But it was for a completely different reason that only Zevan and he knew.

"I see. Why did you not tell me?"

"Your Majesty, Zevan never entered the corridor after that incident. So, we were uncertain if he could do it or not."

Zevan did not speak a word and watched his master handle King Harold for him. He only sighed in relief when the king was convinced at the end.

"Elion, Zevan, prepare for the Soul Avenge Spell. Let us hope we do not lose any more people."