Fade To Black

We now stood within a deep dark cellar, the smell of what seemed to be oak wood filled my nostril as a damp mugginess clouded my eyes. The walls were dripping with some form of condensation, the occasional water droplet almost causing me to jump as it slid off the stone walls hitting the floor.

Me and Laurent sat in the middle of the floor, him with one leg over the other and I against a barrel full of wine I had moved to my position. His eyes were closed as he hummed a quiet melody, I wanted to ask a few questions but held my tongue.

"Speak," Laurent called out softly. As much as I tried to keep my questions to myself I quickly found my mouth opening on its own. After a few more moments I stopped fighting it and allowed myself to ask the questions that were growing inside me.

"What was that about? Like the princess kneeling for you, you getting all weird and creepy, then that piece of glass you just pulled out of thin air? And why are you having Luci bring Madam Glendale here?" I spat out, my words far exceeding my normal speech speed.

Laurent laughed slightly before scratching his neck. "Well, there are many things in this world. Magic, monsters, demons, and of course Gods." He explained, taking a pause for a beat. "Many thing's are behind your current comprehension, but I will explain to the best of my ability. While you and I are quite literally intertwined the Third Princess is something more akin to that of a follower, in exchange for ever-growing power she has offered her undying loyalty, same thing with a few of the people in this castle, they are under my command."

He stopped once again allowing me to process this information.

'Luci is his follower? That would explain why she seemed so defensive about my abilities when Emi called me out! It's because she's also a user of the power that Death brings.' I thought answering a few of my own questions.

Laurent nodded his head, seemingly in approval. "Yes, she is one of the more capable members of my sect here in the kingdom. And that "Glass Shard" as you so called it is something called a Source. But I'm sure you will learn more about it in the following months." He finished waving that explanation off.

"And finally, why is that pig of a lady being brought here? It's both a gift and a test for you my dear Shiloh." Laurent said, waving two fingers the cellar door flew open revealing Madam Glendale, Luci, and another figure who was covered in a red cloak.

Laurent now stood, walking towards the three. Madam was assumingly unconscious as it was Luci who held her in her arms.

"Ren! Nice of you to join us!" Laurent said excitedly.

'Ren?' Wasn't he the one from the other day? The one who had forced our bodies to betray us.

"Yes, he is. Ren is also one of my followers and an incredible mage." Laurent said watching as Luci placed Glendale on the floor and kneeled in front of Laurent this action which was promptly followed by Ren.

I looked at the three of them for a moment. "Well... What do you want with me?" I asked watching blankly.

Laurent walked away from the two turning himself to face me once more. His face twisted in a ghoulish sneer appeared on his face as he pointed to the unconscious Glendale.

"Kill her, and I will bless you with heaps of experience," Laurent said snickering.

My heart began to rise and I felt fluid rushing up from my throat. "A-are you serious? I'm not going to kill my fucking teacher!" I shouted. Both Ren and Luci quickly got themselves into a battle stance, with Luci drawing her sword and Ren a staff.

Laurent snapped back staring at the two of them. "Who told you to stand!" He shouted grabbing Ren by the throat.

Ren began to flail about flapping his arms and squeezing at Laurent's arms and hands, he seemed to be much more defiant than his princess counterpart. As he continued to move about his red hood flew from his head allowing me to see his face.

It was boyish and clean... No, he was a boy. From his above-average height, I had figured he was at least a young adult.

No, on second thought his legs aren't even touching the ground anymore.

"Cloaking magic, Shiloh. When that hood comes down Ren goes back to his human child body, and when it is up he has the shape of a young man full of vigor.

Luci had fallen down back on one knee, probably grateful she had not been the one Laurent took his anger out on.

"S-sir... Ren, he's dying." She spoke out softly. And with that instead of lashing out at her like last time Laurent dropped Ren from his grasp and allowed him to crash to the floor.

Taking a deep breath Laurent smiled as he helped Ren back to his feet pulling his hood over his head once more.

"I typically only come to the mortal realm once every few years, and I talk to my subjects through things such as dreams, and mirrors. So I'm not very used to things not going my way. I apologize children." Laurent said softly.

"Now, ahem back to business. Shiloh kill this woman, why are you fighting back so hard?" He asked, his gaze down at my hands.

I hadn't even noticed that my hands had been mimicking his as he choked Ren out. The veins popping from my snow-white hands threatening to burst if I continued this rate of resistance.

"No! T-this is your doing!" I shouted flinging my hands to my side. "The same thing that happened to Caleb, Alex, and me. You god's are like controlling us and shit! I'd never try and hurt my friends." I shouted once more my face twisted in a wave of violent anger.

Laurent sat beside Glendale for a moment. "Yes, that is true, we Deities do possess a small fraction of your consciousness. And over time your minds will become molded into our will. But don't you dare pretend like this isn't you? I've seen what you've done for Camille! You are no saint." Laurent responded his hand hovering over Glendale's face.

My body was trembling, no not with fear but rather rage, my blood was boiling as Laurents words floated through my ears and mind.

"Don't you dare speak to me about that bitch!" I shouted towards the God in front of me.

{Special Skill: Fabricate Level 1-Unlocked}

[Out of your anger you have created something out of nothing, using the mana particles in the air who have created a weapon.]

[One Use. Cost-6MP]

[Cooldown-45 Minutes]

A system message had popped up in front of me as I stomped my way to Laurent. What used to be an empty and balled-up hand had now grasped something within it.

It was a sword, it had a thin yet razor-sharp edge and tip, with an odd skeleton wing thing as a hilt. The blade was extremely well polished and I could see the silver shine on its edge. No, in fact, it was actually glowing. The edge of the blade was shining a dazzling white. It was long, although I did not know the exact specifications.

Laurent clapped and laughed as he gazed at the shimmering sword that I now possessed. "Yes! Very good, the Leviathan, a very good sword from my arsenal. Impressive, I didn't think you'd be able to access the Abyss Vault for perhaps another few months if not years but here we are on the second day, and look at you... Now, kill her." Laurent both congratulated and commanded me.

"You fucker! This isn't for her, It's for you! I'll slice you up right here!" I shouted as I sprinted towards Laurent. As I readied my blade I heard only one word before my vision faded to black.

"Fall."