In a palace on a distant island.
Little braziers surrounding each of the sixteen alabaster columns light up the entire throne hall and engulf the throne hall in a brilliant glimmer. The carved symmetric patterns on the sloped ceiling dance in the flickering light while stone effigies and statuettes look down upon the wooden floor of this lavish hall.
A ruby rug runs from the throne to the doors and is matched by smaller ones on either side of the hall, while rounded banners with ornate tassels droop from the walls. Between each banner stands a tall candle, all but a few have been lit and, in turn, illuminate the depictions of leaders and legends below them.
Grand, stained glass windows depicting ancient legends are covered by curtains colored the same ruby as the banners. The curtains have been adorned with jewels and impressive needlework.
A stately oak throne sits atop an elevated platform and is adjoined by five equally lavish seats for visiting royalty of other nations.
The throne is covered in tangled emblems, and fixed on each of the broad ears is a lavish face. The light pillows are a light ruby, and these too have been adorned with adorned tufts.
Sitting comfortably on this throne was a handsome man with long golden hair with antlers like horns. This man was none other than Aatox, one of seven self-proclaimed Gods who found this world. He was the head of the seven. The Second prince of the dragon race, the 1st and strongest race in Elysium. Sitting next to him was also one of the seven, a frail-looking man with pale gray hair and beautiful amethyst eyes. Elliam from the elemental race, the race said to be beloved by the attributes and closer to them.
The dragon race is said to be loved by the origin; the elves are loved by nature, while the High humans are the most versatile race, the only race capable of competing with the other races. The Daemons are stronger physically, almost rivaling the dragon race.
Aatox was sitting with Elliam sitting in the seat next to him.
A man was kneeling in front of them, this man had small horns on his head, and a powerful origin could be felt coming from his body. This man was Aatox’s most trusted subordinate; you can call him the head guards.
Melial kneeled in front of his sovereign and creator after he was created using the latter cells.
”Greetings sovereign.”
”Melial, did you carry the order I gave you?” Aatox asked while haughtily looking down on the thing he created in preparations for what was to come.
”Yes! I’ve successfully sent her to the academy. I threatened to kill her sister, which I held captive if she didn’t carry the mission.” Melial explained with his head lowered and even though his face couldn’t be seen.
Elliam knew he was smiling like his creator; both have twisted personalities. He considered himself the only person normal here, so he thought.
While Elliam was lost in thought, Aatox nodded, pleased with his subordinate, but he couldn’t help but add.
”Compared to her siblings and family members, she is the only one who is rebellious and the only person who can’t be brainwashed like the others. Among my creation, she is the only one who’s more promising and worth nurturing.”
Although Belial understood that the little wolf girl was exceptional, he couldn’t understand why his master and creator let her go so easily.
”My Lord, why give her so much freedom then?”
Elliam didn’t butt in the conversation; he just sat there as a spectator. He was curious about what kind of answer his long-time leader and friend would give.
Aatox did not immediately answer, he stared at the ceiling, and his eyes seemed to see past the walls and pierce through space. As if he was in a trance, he mumbled.
”Ignorance was actually a kind of happiness, just like how some people believed that they weren’t brainwashed, but in fact, they were always accepting the intelligence of the brainwashing. Some people believed that they were the ones who controlled their fate, but weren’t aware that everything they did was predetermined in their lives. The more one knew, the more pain one would suffer from. But the problem was that almost no one knew whether they truly understood the truth of fate in this world… just like who was now standing there.”
Belial was a little bit confused, but Aatox had no intention of explaining further. Only Elliam understood what his friend was saying, and he couldn’t help but sigh. Life is full of surprises.
”Go back and take care of things. You can deal with her brother however you want. He’s not special as I thought, so I don’t need him anymore.” Aatox ordered, dismissing his subordinate. With the wave of his hand, he was sent outside the throne hall.
How could he not know better something he created? Belial is a sadist, an extreme one, that is. Aatox knows better how to handle his subordinates; to ensure their loyalty; he ought to play the hard and soft approach, playing the carrot and the stick. Letting his subordinates relieve their stress through their hobbies was one of those methods. They would feel loved, the one who felt this way would be grateful, and for fear of losing this, they would offer their loyalty, at least because it enabled them to do what they desired the most while being under a powerful individual.
Aatox believed in something. People are born to be ruled, to be under someone else as they couldn’t live if they weren’t under someone else.
“You are sick; you know that, right?” Elliam asked his friend, who was grinning, lost in thought.
Aatox chuckled and looked at Elliam for a moment.
”What is it?” Elliam asked because Aatox’s gaze felt unpleasant as if he was looking down on him.
”Nothing, I was just wondering how I should deal with our problem,” Aatox replied.
‘What do you mean our problem?’ Elliam almost shouted, but in the end, he said nothing.
”Tell me what you have in mind?” He asked.