Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1197: Mercy or Punishment

Veronica Mikealson, one of the new generation prodigies of the Mikealson Clan, let go of her grudge and instead swore her fealty to Kassandra, the very person who killed her father.

One could say that her actions were no different than committing the patricide herself. That instead of seeking revenge, she was now willingly choosing to serve the murderer.

However, Veronica did not reach that decision just because Kassandra showed her the recorded footage of her father’s last words.

No... her decision came from a deep-rooted suspicion that had been lingering for quite a few years now.

The most notable incident was when she fought Kahn Salvatore during the Semi-Finals of the Emperor’s Chosen tournament over 6 years ago and lost.

But instead of consoling her shaken mind from the defeat... the first words her father spoke were... ’Because you didn’t have any chance of winning to begin with.’

Back then, those words had stung Veronica deeply. But she could not retort or show any displeasure since she had lost in front of the entire empire, watching their battle.

But what bewildered her the most wasn’t him praising Kahn to be the better among the two... instead, Stronoff Mikealson expressed his wish to make Kahn his Direct Disciple.

In their clan, an outsider becoming a direct disciple was akin to accepting that person as a ward or a family member.

That was the only justifiable way to pass down their clan’s teachings and the master’s unique battle arts.

Even Veronica herself, despite being Stronoff’s daughter, was not qualified back then.

This had basically shattered her self-esteem, which was already bruised after losing to Kahn in front of her father and the other clan members.

For the first time, she questioned whether her father truly loved and cared for her.

Yet, the wounds were reopened again...

As almost 8 months later, Kassandra lost her powers after fighting beside Kahn against the legendary monster called Caladrius while trying to avenge their late cousin, Isaac Mikealson.

The result of which was known to everyone present in the main hall of the clan.

Kassandra was soon traded off to Kahn like a bartering object just so they could have him join the Mikealson Clan as their Son-In-Law.

Veronica was greatly disturbed after that incident since she wondered whether it was she who lost their powers, to avenge Isaac, her cousin whom she had grown up with since childhood, and whose lifeless body she held in her arms that day... would her fate be any different?

5 years ago... she not only gave up on Kassandra... but chose to betray herself.

Though they were cousins, Kassandra and Veronica were no different than sisters growing up. The politics between their fathers and the elders hadn’t affected their lives until Kassandra lost her powers.

And it was then, her father was promoting her as the sole heir to lead the clan’s future.

What Veronica felt towards Kassandra wasn’t some hidden jealousy or animosity that lingered within her heart for years.

No... it was fear!

Fear that if she does not prove herself useful to her father and the elders, she too would be traded off, just like a mere pawn in a political marriage, despite spending her entire life trying to prove herself.

It was this very fear that helped her break the limitations and finally become a Saint in the following couple of years.

However...

It was also during that time when Kassandra’s powers returned, and she too became a 1st-stage saint.

But at this point, their relationship and bond as sisters had basically disappeared. They were no longer siblings, but competitors.

Just like those before them... they only lived to meet the expectations of others and tried to surpass each other, lest they wanted to become a discarded tool.

What she didn’t know was that Kassandra was far stronger and had been hiding her real strength all this time.

So when Kahn returned and Kassandra revealed that she killed Stronoff a couple of weeks ago... it turned her world upside down.

The pain of losing a parent whom you tried to appease your whole life. The pain of watching your world crumble and your future being uncertain despite all your efforts... it was simply too overwhelming for Veronica.

But today, after Kassandra showed her the truth... the reality finally struck her.

That even if she had managed to surpass Kassandra and become the next official heir... her role would be no different than a puppet. Used and then discarded by her father and the elders of the clan just to gain control in the game of dominance.

Hence, she quickly accepted the reality and chose to swear her loyalty to Kassandra, the person who had suffered the same consequences, in worse in some cases worse, just like her.

Only those who share the same pain, the misery, and life-changing events... can truly resonate and understand each other on an emotional level indescribable by words.

The Veronica Mikealson of the moment was no longer just some pawn.

She was Kassandra’s Knight. The one who would be the blade that cuts down those who oppose the Matriarch’s rule.

******************

As the month went by, a clanwise purge began. Those who refused to submit to Kassandra’s new reign were either imprisoned or straight-up executed.

Since Kahn had still kept the nobility functional in the Rakos Empire, the government could not interfere, and neither the imperial rule chose to do so.

Kassandra was now feared by those who chose to stick to the dogma and accepted by those who saw the flaws of their clan’s rules that had been haunting them for centuries.

The change would obviously take some time to settle. But many finally saw a new and hopeful dawn in the history of their heritage.

******************

Present Day...

Step!

Flutter!

A mysterious figure, clad in a dark gray longcoat, suddenly appeared in Kassandra’s bedroom at early morning.

”You’re back!” exclaimed Kassandra with joy as she sensed the real Kahn’s arrival.

Due to their soul connection, she could always tell whether it was Kahn’s real body or a mere doppleganger, even from 3000 kilometers away.

And now, her beloved appeared in front of her eyes.

”Yes, I am. But unfortunately... we don’t have much time to spend together.

It’s time to go.” said Kahn.

”Go where?” asked Kassandra skeptically.

”A place far, far away. And I want you there with me.” said Kahn with a tone filled with concern.

He wanted to keep Kassandra close to him because he was cautious about the timeline’s efforts to erase her existence through any means.

Kahn responded in a calm demeanor, as there was one final step to accomplish and finish his preparation for the Great War.

”The real Abyss Empire.”