Genetic Ascension

Chapter 1993: Pay

Sylas hadnʼt said a single word when Pedraeg had lowered his head and apologized on behalf of all the Emperors. But the 713th Scorpion Emperor seemed to think himself far more clever and all-knowing than he actually was.

First he believed that it was impossible to accomplish what Sylas had in a single lifetime, and then he seemed to think that he could pull the wool over Sylasʼ eyes just by lowering himself.

Maybe if he had been facing someone else, that would have been worth something. But to Sylas, Pedraegʼs humiliation meant absolutely nothing to him.

The 713th Scorpion Emperor likely believed that doing this would work as repayment for his own humiliation of Sylas in the past. For a normal person, humiliating a target in return would have been enough.

To Sylas, his rage had never had much to do with the Scorpion Emperor at all. In fact, even right this moment, Sylas didnʼt feel much fury. He was content to kill and be done with it.

Nosphaleen, though... seemed to have other plans.

”What do you want?” Pedraeg asked through a gritted jaw. Some of his mask finally slipped a bit, the hidden man beneath peeking out.

Pedraeg had always played quite the docile role. His actions were measured and almost soft around the edges. He never really seemed to be the most vindictive of his Clan at all.

But hidden behind those eyes was something far more sinister.

Sylas had long seen through it. And through him, Nosphaleen could also feel it.

Nosphaleenʼs lip curled into a sneer. ”You want to live.”

”Anyone would.” Pedraeg said coldly.

Nosphaleen laughed. ”I donʼt think my Master would be inclined to let that happen.”

Pedraegʼs expression twisted into a slight ugly mask before settling into a new cold.

”Then why are you having this conversation with me?”

”Because sometimes I need to save my Master from himself.”

Sylas raised an internal eyebrow. Nosphaleen was sure getting bolder these days. But he also didnʼt react very much to these words.

ʼWhat the hell?ʼ Fanelei cursed inwardly. She could never get away with saying something like that. At this point, she probably didnʼt dare to.

”Is that supposed to mean that you can decide on your own to let me live?”

”On my own? No. But Iʼm sure my Master can be convinced under the right circumstances.” Nosphaleenʼs eyelashes fluttered and she looked toward Sylas. The latterʼs expression, however, was entirely unreadable. It was like he wasnʼt hearing the conversation happening at all.

But that didnʼt stop Nosphaleen from taking his arm and pulling it in tightly to herself before she turned her attention back toward Pedraeg.

”Before we handle that, donʼt you think that we should deal with something else?”

”You want me to kill my son?”

Nosphaleen laughed again. ”Kill your son? Where would be the fun in that?”

Nosphaleen looked out into the distance and her eyes landed on one particularly young man. Then she pointed.

The young man was taken off guard. Everyone was just starting to realize that there was a sea of change occurring right before their eyes. The waves were far too high and volatile for this young man, so he hadnʼt even considered being pointed out at a time like this.

But before he could react, there was a warp of space around him and he was yanked out as though pulled by a leash around his neck.

He stumbled forward and all of a sudden he found that he had crossed countless kilometers until he regained his balance before the steps of the temple.

Why had he appeared here?

”He will kill your son.” Nosphaleen said.

Pedraegʼs expression darkened. ”And if he fails?”

”He wonʼt.”

”And if he does?”

”He wonʼt.”

Pedraegʼs teeth grit so hard sparks threatened to fly.

”If he does,” Pedraeg started. ”You will drop this matter and proceed with the punishment you have in mind as normal.”

Nosphaleen smiled, a sense of the word ”sure” hanging in the air. But it was like Nosphaleen didnʼt want to say it no matter what, because... He wouldnʼt.

However, this was still enough for Pedraeg.

The young man stood to his full height, a frown on his face as he looked forward toward a sight that filled his heart with true ache and horror.

His sister was still frozen on the ground, clutching her cheek as though nothing else was occurring at all. She was broken, stuck in a daze she couldnʼt seem to snap herself free of.

As for Keyesen, he had long forgotten that Bella was on the ground, his attention taken by what was happening in the skies more than anything else.

The young man closed his eyes.

Unsurprisingly, that young man was Deacon. Nosphaleen seemed to have carelessly plucked him out of the crowd, but was it really such a coincidence?

”He wonʼt.”

Nosphaleenʼs words pierced through Deacon as though an arrow to his heart. The latter looked back and toward the clouds.

Somehow, he understood. He was meant to fight Keyesen, and he couldnʼt lose.

”My Master has no need to fight such trash.” Nosphaleen said calmly. ”Someone whose station he casually lifted is more than enough. Show them what you can do and you will be rewarded.”

Deacon didnʼt hear the last of the words, though. His focus had completely turned toward Keyesen, flares of white gold coming off of his body like the solar flares of a raging star.

His body was tired. He had been fighting continuously without rest for over five days now. His nerves were frayed, having been set to the edge of life and death far too many times.

But he now hurt to the point he was numb to it. All he could feel was the burning ember of fury.

It didnʼt matter how incompetent his sister was, how much of a fool she had been, how often she was tricked, or hurt, just to go and do it all over again.

He was her big brother. She was his little sister.

And anyone who harmed her had to pay.

His sword sang as he unsheathed it from his hip.