A TASK OF DECEPTION

The storm was a relentless beast, a howling vortex that clawed at the ruined castle's already fractured walls. It wasn't a tempest of passing fury but a permanent, swirling maelstrom, a constant, gnawing presence. The wind, a shrieking banshee, never relented, its voice a continuous, ear-splitting wail that seemed to vibrate through the very stones of the fortress. Rain, not in gentle sheets but in brutal, hammering torrents, lashed against the castle, each drop a tiny, relentless fist.

The air itself seemed to vibrate with the storm's unending rage. Lightning, a jagged, white-hot whip, cracked incessantly, illuminating the grotesque root-covered walls and the writhing sarcophagi with stark, terrifying flashes. The thunder, a continuous, rolling growl, never faded but echoed and amplified within the castle's ruined halls, a constant, deafening drumbeat.

The air within the ruined castle of Lord Minatori hung thick and still, a morbid tapestry woven from decay and unnatural growth. Nefaria's feet crunched on the skin-like covering that stretched across the floor, a disturbing organic carpet that pulsed faintly with unseen life. The already deteriorating structure was decaying further. Root-like growths had snaked along the walls, their tendrils probing the fractured stone like hungry fingers.

Her gaze swept across the desolate space, noting the grotesque profusion of sarcophagi that sprouted from the roots. They varied in size and shape, some mere bulges in the organic mass which were slowly but steadily growing larger, others elaborate, almost translucent coffins covered in veins. Each one seemed to pulse with a faint, internal rhythm.

As she traversed a crumbling bridge spanning a chasm of shadow, a shudder ran through the castle. One of the newly formed Maajin, birthed from the grotesque growths, emerged from a sarcophagus, its form twisted and deformed with four arms and two heads as well as two tails. Nefaria scoffed, a flicker of disgust crossing her features. These inferior creations held no interest for her.

The throne room was in an even worse state. The roots that infested the castle converged upon his throne. They coiled around the obsidian seat, their tendrils pulsing and twitching.

Minatori sat upon his throne, his form a gaunt silhouette against the backdrop of writhing roots.

Nefaria's eyes, sharp and perceptive, scanned the room. Cracks spiderwebbed across the walls and floor, fissures that seemed to draw their source from her own presence. The castle's further decay drew its source from this room.

Even though it was faint, she sensed residual arcana. A celestial, Dragonkin, had been there, and judging by the look on the Chaos Lord's face, it must have been a strong one.

"So Dona Crimson has been here, huh?" Nefaria said. Minatori glared at her. The shadows in his chamber seemed to deepen, mirroring the darkness that gnawed at his patience.

"Nefaria," he began, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through the room, "where have you been?"

Nefaria turned her attention to thick, pulsating roots that snaked across the damp stone wall. She walked over, tracing a finger along one of the gnarled protrusions, her expression thoughtful.

"You speak as if you forget my position. I have an entire race to look after," she said, her voice even and calm. "I can't just conveniently visit every time you... express yourself in a certain way."

A flicker of irritation crossed Minatori's face. "Express myself?" he repeated, his tone laced with a dangerous edge. "I am not some petulant child."

"Of course not," Nefaria replied, still examining the root. "My apologies. It was merely a turn of phrase." She faced him. "Speaking of visits, what was the purpose of the other Chaos Lord? I doubt she came simply for an afternoon cup of tea."

Minatori's patience snapped. A wave of raw power erupted from him, his aura expanding like a suffocating shroud. The air crackled with dark energy, and the pulsating roots, along with the veins that crawled across the walls, instantly withered. They blackened, shriveled, and crumbled to dust, leaving a trail of ash on the cold stone.

"You will remember your place, Nefaria," he growled, his voice a low, threatening rasp. "You will remember who you are addressing. You are not my equal."

Nefaria's jaw clenched, her teeth grinding together. Her fist tightened, the nails digging into her palm. A flicker of raw anger flashed in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it, replacing it with a practiced, servile smile.

"Minatori," she said, her voice smooth and carefully modulated, "I meant no disrespect. I merely wished to understand the specifics of her visit so that I may better fulfill my duties."

She lowered her head in a deep bow. With her face hidden from Minatori, she frowned deeply, her eyes glowing fiercely.

The aura died down.

"What transpired earlier is of no concern to you, Nefaria. You would do well to focus on your own duties."

Nefaria straightened, her eyes locking onto Minatori's.

"Why did you call me?"

Minatori's gaze seemed to bore into her. Nefaria returned his gaze, her face remaining impassive and her emotions hidden behind a mask.

"I have a task for you, Nefaria," Minatori said finally. "Have you heard of a mortal named Kojo Atari?"

Nefaria's expression didn't change, but her voice was firm. "No, I am not familiar with that name."

Minatori's eyes seemed to gleam with amusement. "Oh? He seems to be gaining fame or infamy, depending on the angle you look. I'm not surprised. You're always in the Demon World and not in the Nexus World when you are needed." He waved his hand. "But this mortal... he's going to be a problem. I could eliminate him, but Dona seems to have an eye on that lesser. Besides, there may still be a way he can be used. For now, I want you to monitor his movements."

Nefaria's eyes narrowed.

"How does one man affect the goal you have set?" she asked in a neutral tone.

"He doesn't," Minatori said flatly. "I just want to use him against that evil bitch." His aura swelled out again. "The other lords of Chaos and Order have said they won't partake in our... feud, at least not directly. They're afraid of triggering a chain of events that will revert the world to Point Zero. But they will interfere, one way or another. There's a certain artifact I need to retrieve from the Holy Land in order to ensure they don't. Aldean will be in charge of that operation."

Nefaria's eyes sparkled with understanding. "The Metatron Cube."

Minatori nodded, his eyes glinting with approval. "Yes. The Metatron Cube."

"But I still don't see why a being such as yourself would require it. You should be able to traverse the Gates without it."

Minatori smiled.

"Just wait and see how events unfold. All will be revealed in time."

Nefaria's face remained impassive, but her mind was racing with questions.

She bowed and turned to leave.

"Nefaria, can you hear me?" Kojo's voice rang in her head.

He had been trying to communicate with her for a while now, but she ignored it for obvious reasons. A large door appeared in front of her, and she stepped through it.

"Yes, master?" she responded the moment she was back in the Demon World.

"I have a question."

She blinked.

"You were bothering me at such a critical time because of a simple question?"

"I wouldn't ask you if it was," he retorted.

She sighed and sat down on her throne. She needed something to distract her from that meeting with Minatori. A glass of wine materialized beside her, and she took a sip. She almost immediately spat it out after hearing Kojo's question.

"W-what?" she asked amid coughs.

She listened to what her master said and got up.

"Very well then," she said as she exited the throne room.