Chapter 3: Azure Moon. Power and Strength.

I wake up with a sigh, "urgh what happened?"

"Your arm appears to have suffered a burn, it seems some sort of energy was used."

"In all seriousness, what in the hell happened on your scouting trip with Lin?" Jin asked.

After coming to my senses I found out 2 things, one I was in my quarters at the stronghold, and two Jin was crying.

"This is a first but Jin, I'm fine for now I think, you can stop crying."

Jin nodded in agreement.

"Let me get ready, call the others into the living room, I'll explain there."

They leave without any further questions. It seems that after I massacred the bandits I passed out and Lin brought me back here. My arm that was in pain looks like it was burnt, there's scars on it and a weird mark.

Upon closer inspection it turns out to be a small tattoo of a black sword, in the middle of the sword is a red gem.

My belongings are set next to me on the bed, my swords look different, they're hilts and blades both are different colours than what they were before. My hidden weapons even have strong poison and are completely silent when I throw them. I suppose this is the Reaper's doing.

After getting ready I head for the living room, it looks like a lot of preparation was done for my return. The candles have been replaced, the furniture has been tuned to a tee, and the overall outlook of the stronghold looks very sharp.

The living room is filled with my knights, all ready to hear my words. I sit down and gesture to them to speak. The air feels heavy, I can tell what they're going to say before they even open their mouths.

"Leios-sama are you okay!?" they all scream in unison. "I was crying thinking you'd die."

"I thought I'd never see you again!"

"Calm down everyone, I'm fine see?" I proceed to swing my arms .

"It was just a scouting trip, and if I really died then Lin wouldn't be in this room right now."

Lin blushes and sits down.

"Now onto why I called you all here. As you know my left arm looks a bit funny, and I'll explain that but right now I want you all to tell my parents about the capital.

"Are you sure about that Helio?" Lin asks.

"Yes Lin, we are very close to ending the war and when that happens I'll be planning ahead even more, we'll have to tell them about this soon."

Kayden puts his hands on his waist, "Alright, I'll send a few carriages to Lady Rhea and Sir Adamn."

"Most appreciated."

"No problem Sir!"

After Kayden leaves I proceed to explain to them what happened, some worried faces show up but I reassure them.

As I finish, Jin asks me, "So right now you have a soul ring, the ones that were bestowed upon the familia's hundreds of years ago. And that you've become more powerful because of it."

"That's right Jin," I replied.

"So how much stronger did you get?" Shion follows up.

I think for a bit "I'd say tenth fold overall."

Taos speaks up, "so which ring did you get? The colour I mean."

"It's pure black, like an abyss."

"No wonder why your swords look different." Toas smirks.

"I'm not entirely sure if the ring responded to my dark magic or my will to murder those bandits."

"Woah, dark magic? I thought you were only 70% done with it!" Says Luna.

"I've been cultivating it in my spare time at the familia manor, it was yesterday before me and Lin set out. That's when I was finished."

"You'd better teach me some!" Oscar says from across the table.

"Sure, sure."

Now that the explanation of my new powers is at a somewhat conclusion we begin to discuss our plans to finish the war. The first order of business is discussing how we're to launch our attack on Mt. Bermott, the castle and main base of the Farcius Empire.

My knight came up with many ideas; pincer attacks, aerial assaults, frontal assaults, and bombing formations. We are about to make our decision when the door is opened with a blast, almost hitting Jake and Reinferd.

It's the King.