The Law

Linfer stood at the top of an observation tower, contemplating his work. By his side, Nestia the governess stood after him, presenting reports. "We currently have nearly twenty thousand wendigos in our service, master," she announced, a faint smile on her lips. "And the same number of normal humans, spared as you ordered. They organize, build, and obey without ever questioning."

Linfer nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping the horizon. "The foundations are solid, but our expansion is far from over." He turned to her. "What about the Astavi?"

Nestia hesitated for a moment. "They continue to grow. Our spies report that the rumor about their leader is true and more. A new order was created three years ago: the Inferis order. All can manipulate fire."

"As I thought, there are some among us who hide in that tribe. It's time to crush them."

"As if it were done-"

"How are you, little brother..."

Nestia felt a presence behind her before she even saw it. Without thinking, she created a lance made of blood and pivoted with a fluid motion, her lance whistling through the air, ready to pierce the intruder. But just a hair away from the target, the tip stopped abruptly. Linfer, always supernaturally quick, had intercepted her strike with a lazy hand, his fingers gripping the weapon effortlessly.

He sighed, shaking his head, his frown revealing his annoyance. "Calm down, Nestia."

The governess bowed slightly, regaining her posture. It was the first time she had seen her master show restraint. She nodded and disappeared in a bloody mist, a movement almost as fast as her lance.

Linfer remained still for a moment, watching the direction where Nestia had vanished. Then, he slowly turned his gaze to the intruder.

Linfer watched Alderbaran approach, her black veil floating lightly in the breeze. She stopped a few steps away from him, silent.

"So, you've come to see what I've built?" Linfer teased, a mocking smile on his lips.

Alderbaran did not respond immediately. She observed the wendigos patrolling below, the human slaves working tirelessly. "I see what you call 'building'," her voice was soft and calm.

Linfer rolled his eyes, irritated. "What do you mean?"

Alderbaran turned her gaze away from Linfer, calmly observing the horizon. "I helped the Astavi prosper... and for that, they adore me like a goddess."

"And so?" Linfer retorted, his tone mocking.

"I didn't need to control them directly. They grew on their own. They don't fear me. They respect me. They are free, united by bonds stronger than fear."

"Who cares about freedom when fear is enough to make them bend? What I've done here is much quicker, more efficient." Linfer chuckled, leaning on the railing. "Respect? Ha!"

Alderbaran raised her eyes slightly to him. "But what have you really created, Linfer? Heartless, soulless monsters. An army that lives only by your terror. The day you fall, no one will support you. You should be more thoughtful in your actions, little brother."

Linfer approached her, his smile turning more cruel. "Fall? Your words are quite ironic for an incarnation of destruction like you. I don't need their respect, nor that approval you seem to thrive on. I only need their obedience."

Alderbaran remained silent, her gaze steady.

"You know, little sister... We're a bit alike. We've both been alone, from our childhood until today. But there's a difference between us. You, you always wanted to be normal, but your destructive power prevented you. Me, I'm not afraid of loneliness. I don't need friends or allies, just obedient slaves."

Alderbaran's veil began to flutter as a black flame enveloped her. "We'll see, little brother, where your impulsiveness will lead you. But for now, refrain from touching the Astavi."

"Are you threatening me?"

"No, I leave them under your guard while I go to the Elysium continent."

She began to dissolve in the black flame, gradually disappearing into the shadows.

Linfer remembered that he had learned two years ago that the underworld was divided into two continents: one under the domination of the Infernos, and the other in the midst of war between the Elysians of the north and south.

He watched her leave, a predatory smile still hanging on his lips. "Strength to the Elysians."

...

"I don't know if it was a threat or not, but I prefer to avoid ending up in her sights," Linfer murmured to himself as he entered his room.

Although he was an Origin 5, his sister, Alderbaran, just like Leviathan, were Origin 6, and Emperor Octavius, an Origin 8. Linfer was not weak compared to most Infernos or Elysians, who hadn't even reached level 4, Origin 1 was equivalent to inhancer star level 5. Yet, within his own family, he remained the weakest, still not having understood his Law.

The Law was much rarer and more powerful than a simple affinity. Where affinity flowed in the blood, influencing the elements one could control, the Law was linked to the soul. Not everyone had a Law, neither in the upper plane nor in the underground.

At Origin 5, Linfer already had access to the Tenshi mode, but to progress further, he had to awaken and master his own Law, a task much more difficult than he had imagined.

The injustice of the universe was blatant. Some, like Leviathan, were born with their Law already awakened. His Law: Stasis, had manifested in his DarkIce. Alderbaran possessed Anti-Stasis, which took the form of her black flame. Others, like Belzebuth, of the northern Elysians, were endowed with the purple flame and the Law: Devilry. Luciel controlled the golden flame through his Law: Kindness, while Uriel, with his golden lightning, carried the Law: Causality.

In the younger generation, Linfer was among the weakest. It was a reality he didn't like to admit, but he couldn't ignore it or afford the luxury of acting with morality.

"I must become more powerful, and quickly... But how? Maybe I should meditate more," he thought.

He spent days, sometimes entire nights, meditating alone. His thoughts were focused on the awakening of his Law, but despite all his concentration and perseverance, he couldn't grasp what he was missing. The path to enlightenment remained out of reach, frustrating, elusive.

One evening, as he once again contemplated his empire from his bastion, Nestia approached.

"Master," she said in a low, almost whispered voice. "The mountains in the north are restless. The bandits have formed a coalition. They seem to want to invade our lands."

Linfer showed no surprise and simply nodded. "Is this your doing, Leviathan?" he murmured to himself, knowing that this agitation could not be a coincidence.

"Prepare our troops," he ordered without hesitation, his gaze still fixed on the horizon, as if he already perceived the outcome of this imminent battle. "Tomorrow, we will march towards the northern mountains."

He stood up, a mocking smile slowly forming on his lips. "We will strike first," he declared calmly, a cruel gleam shining in his eyes.