Resurrection Arc 13

Kaizo harshly opens the door and enters the halls dramatically with a loud bang. All eyes immediately fall on him. His steps, so certain, echo through the hall. Ignoring the crowd, he walks with confidence toward the apostles.

"Finally, you're here. We were starting to worry. Welcome," Ardyn greeted. "I hope you didn't get in any trouble on your way here."

"Just a little pesky bug," said Kaizo. "The Angels have set their eyes on us," he said with a loud voice.

Murmurs begin to fill the room.

"You've met with the angels?"

"Just one. He's the one who harmed the Queen. I swore to cut his wings," said Kaizo as he clenched his hand with anger.

"The Angel Valeriel, or should we call him, Valerius," said Admalech.

"I don't care what you call him! He said he's coming with an army of angels to put an end to us," said Kaizo.

"Of course! Those hypocritical heavenly courts are going to be a hindrance to our cause!" said Sechmet.

"We are well aware of their existence," Yeneth adds.

"I have a plan to fight them," said Kaizo. "I've fought them before. I know how to deal with them."

"And how are you going to fight them? The last time you fought the angels, you lost. And to top it off… the Queen…." Xeneth stopped his words. Reluctantly imply the death of the Queen in the hand of an angel.

"Back then, the Queen was away from me. I was not by her side…" Kaizo mumbled with regret. He lifted his head and looked at all the Umbrans. "This time, I have you. This time, we have the whole army of the Umbran Society. This time! We have the crown close to us and the Necromantia right in our hands. THIS TIME!... Will be different!" said Kaizo vigorously.

His eyes burn with passion. "With my knowledge, the Necromantia, and your magic. This time… the Lord and The Queen will definitely come to us…." he adds with determination.

The Umbrans cheered, convinced that they would finally fulfill their purpose.

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Meanwhile, at Kaizo's spaceship….

"Kaizo is acting strange?" Maskmana asked.

"Yes sir. He's been in deep contact with the Umbran. Lately, he's been going to what I believe is Umbran's HQ. He hasn't talked much with us about this case. It's as if we don't exist in his plan," said Fang.

"Hm, that just sounds like Kaizo. He likes to take care of things himself."

"I understand. I probably don't need to report this to you. But this is different," Fang insists. "The Umbran case hits a little bit close to home since it involves dark magic. I have a feeling something is going to happen."

"You're worried it will mess up his judgment?"

"N-no, sir… I…"

Before Fang can find the right words to finish his sentence, Maskmana raises his hand.

"I know you're worried about your brother. You know his behavior has gotten worse since Axion's death. Going on reckless missions is how he copes with his loss. What has Kaizo been doing lately?" Maskmana asked.

"He's been pretending to be one of the Umbran society followers. It's supposed to be an incognito mission," said Fang.

"So Kaizo is playing along with the Umbran."

"Yes. Suhani and I have been asking about the progress. But he refused to disclose it. He also refused our offer to help. He said it's better if he goes alone to avoid suspicions. He insisted on waiting until we know every member of the Umbran Society before we do a raid. But we've been on standby for weeks already," said Fang.

"That's a plausible reason. An enemy that doesn't cut down to its root will only grow again."

"But the Umbran Society has been kidnapping and killing people. Are you saying we must play along and let more victims be killed until we finish the investigation?"

"Hmm… I see what you mean now. I will try talking to him later," said Maskmana.

"Thank you, Admiral," Fang replied as he gave a salute.

The intermission ended and the screen turned black.

Fang let out a long sigh.

"You don't trust him?"

Fang startled. He turned around to see Lahap leaning by the door.

"I-I do trust him. It's just… I wish I could help more," said Fang.

Lahap stares at him.

"He's going to do something reckless. Maybe something bad. I've been following him for years. So I would know," said Lahap.

"You're… not going to stop him?"

"You want to stop him?"

Fang went silent.

"What Kaizo is going to do might be bad. But I don't think it's wrong either. He's my captain and I trust him. When we left Astraeus, I decided to follow him through and that's what I'm going to do," said Lahap.

"Even though many would die because of it?"

"Do you see your brother as someone soft? Kaizo doesn't care how much blood he has to spill. Once he set his mind, he's bold enough to soak his hands in blood for the sake of his goal and for everything he believes in," said Lahap. He looked at Fang with a rather cold expression, but Fang can sense a slight concern somewhere on the frown on his forehead.

"If you want to pull back, now's the time. Before you pass a point of no turning back and end up regretting it, I suggest you take a ship, fly away and keep your distance for a while," said Lahap.