Dao of Perfection

It had been a week since that fateful day, over the bleak gray skies of Seigram. Bedridden for days, Eilin took it upon herself to start teaching Aurelia Morningstar alongside her friends. A decision Zariel would have surely rejected had he been aware of it.

Countess Eilin's teachings had greatly surprised Aurelia, compared to Zariels ruthless style that would force her to experience constant failure. The countess saw to guide using her bit of insight, without the need of mocking words or bloody lessons. With her words alone, she had opened the young girl's eyes to a new learning style.

So in the following week, under Eilins guidance, Aurelia, Sionn, and Ella had already begun learning how to use the Imperial Sutra properly while in the heat of combat. At the same time, their skill with the blade had started to evolve at a rapid rate.

Striving for perfection as Zariel had always taught them. The Countess had begun to see the fruit of what the Silver Devil was trying to ingrain into the children, and she was horrified beyond measure. She could see his mark in them, the Dao of Perfection rising as they trained mindlessly. A potential nightmare she foresaw in Aurelia.

The Dao of Perfection. A powerful Mortal Dao that compelled even the most powerful of Gods and Demons to run mad. A frightening lifestyle said to rework how anyone would live. Eilin had seen it once before, with a young disciple she had traveled with long ago. Having met the day before with the same intent of seeking fortune within a realm situated near the Eben Lake, on Iluthath, a known hidden realm beneath the lake. After proving themselves in battle, the Young Disciple, Raga, and Eilin decided to team up.

Raga was a monster in his own right, almost besting her in the heat of battle. Were it not for a lack of a master, Eilin was sure she would have lost. She had been rather impressed and had indeed seen the odd Dao but thought nothing of it. At least till she awoke from meditation under the cover of twilight to see her companion carving his flesh away, muttering words of madness, he began a series of sickening experiments.

Eilin's brow creased with icy fury, surveying the icy battleground under the sun's glare. She departed towards the west wing, barging into Zariels room that carried the heavy scent of blood and a dense set of medical herbs.

"You sick bastard," she cursed, clenching his throat.

Stirred awake by the violent entry, followed by the threat on his life, Zariel's eyes snapped open. Unable to get words out, under the grip of the countess, he was violently hoisted off the bed and forced into the wall, sending a web of cracks throughout the wall, reaching far into the ceiling.

Globs of blood raised from Zariels shoulder and legs as his injuries reopened. His gaze grew so cold, in that instance, a gleam of scarlet flickered like a blade through his eyes.

"You bastard! Are you trying to kill them?" Eilin shouted.

"Let me go," he uttered, locking eyes with the countess. He growled, ready to fight back.

"I would have to agree. Released my brother." The voice of III suddenly said, materializing in my room with a cold, foreboding light. He stood in his true appearance, his long ashen hair billowing wildly over his handsome expression clouded with a bloodlust.

"You still stand with this trash? This murderer?" Eilin barked, tightening her grip over the source of her anger. Her fingers sunk deeper into the young master's flesh, but only an icy reflection reflected through her emerald eyes. Her mind sunk deep back, receding to that time of joy, only to be shattered by a seething darkness clinging like rot to the air.

Zariel clenched Eilin's wrist, his eyes glowing, but before he or the Countess could do anything, a pulse of acana erupted between the two, blasting Eilin away.

"I sent you there to help, not destroy. Do not overstep." The Master announced in a dark looming voice.

Eilin growled. She glared at Zariel and stormed away without another word. Burning up with a hatred she struggled to grasp, she rushed outside, allowing the chilling winds to cool her rage; clenching her fist, she stared up at the skies, knowing her master was watching.

"Why? Why do you grant him so much?" She whispered, her voice cracking. "He took everything from me, Master. My family, my mother, little brother, little sister, everyone. I am alone." Tears of pearly stars fell, " Master, why do you keep him?" She cried, " He is a monster. Is he so important to you that you will risk death, risk your very legacy?

Awaiting an answer that never arrived, Eilin curled into a small ball under the fall of snow; alone and silent, she cried.

Meanwhile, Zariel lay over the floorboard, his wounds pouring blood. He lifted his pale face and stared at the ashen figure bearing down on him with a giddy smile.

"Seems like someone fucked you up. I do have some healing potions, but I think this might be a lesson mother would have liked you to learn." He said, patting the young lord's head.

"What are you doing back," Zariel asked slowly, his body growing colder by the second, pooling blood.

"I had to leave—escape after what you did to the Redwoods. Zero informed me of the Black Hand's mission to kill all related to you. We have sent agents to nocturne to help remedy this situation."

"That seems like something you could have told me through a—"

Flicking the young Master's head, Arsene sighed, " You really are annoying and clueless, you know?"

"Forgive me; I'm just bleeding out without anyone trying to actually mend my injuries. Do forgive me if I miss the highlight of your message." Zariel pointed out, his breathing a bit weak and faded.

Arsene smirked, surveying his injuries, " Brother, " He said, baring a smile. Zariel lifted his now vigilant gaze and frowned, his instincts screaming. "Your wide open."

"Eh?"

Striking down with a ruthless strike towards the family jewels. Zariel's eyes rolled to the back of his head as foam mixed with blood filled his lips.

"The War is Never over, Brother!" He said, crackling with ruthless laughter as Zariels blood poured from his wounds.

"Ima be back. For more later. Prepare yourself. This is going to be fun."