Chapter11: the negotiations

The scene unfolds in Pasay City, a week ago, on a chaotic street caught in the midst of a violent crossfire. Police officers and soldiers were engaged in a fierce battle with a group of ruthless syndicates. The tension was palpable, and gunfire echoed through the air.

One of the police officers shouted,

"Aim for their heads! We must eliminate these beasts!"

Marines, military personnel, and police officers were exchanging gunfire with the well-armed syndicate members, using cars from both sides as makeshift shields. Bullets found their marks, and many soldiers were hit in their shoulders, heads, and chests.

Another officer, observing the situation, exclaimed,

"Captain, we can't shoot through their cars; they're impenetrable!"

The captain, undeterred, responded,

"Use your grenade launchers! Don't be afraid. We can defeat them. We also have snipers in position."

Soldiers promptly brought out grenade launchers and aimed at the cars, but to their dismay, the vehicles seemed to be protected by some sort of spell, leaving no visible scratches.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the firefight, amidst the chaos and gunfire, sinister laughter could be heard.

One of the syndicate members remarked,

"Hahahahaha, these weaklings are stubborn."

Another added,

"Lord Netheroc entrusted us with eliminating these humans to take over the city. We must not be defeated."

Yet another voiced concern,

"Well then, I must use my Acolyte form to eliminate them quickly enough."

However, someone cautioned,

"No, don't. Our Acolyte forms are not fully nourished."

The overly confident syndicate member scoffed,

"Exactly my point. I'm going to devour all of them. Hahaha."

In a shocking turn of events, the man in formal attire, who was part of the syndicate, transformed into an Acolyte, and with lightning speed, charged towards the soldiers. His pace was faster than bullets, and with a terrifying surge of power, he swiftly eliminated all of them at once.

In an encampment near the battlefield, General Marcus held a strategic meeting with his five lieutenants. As they exited the tent to prepare for the upcoming battle, Lieutenant Max Couldron remained behind, seeking a private word with the general.

"General,"

Max began,

"I must speak honestly. The odds are stacked impossibly against us. The syndicates are advancing relentlessly, and this particular group possesses a level of power that surpasses even our combined might."

General Marcus responded, his voice laced with frustration,

"Are you suggesting we surrender? After all we've fought for, as soldiers of our country?!"

Max shook his head, his expression resolute.

"No, sir. I propose a new strategy."

General Marcus leaned in, his curiosity piqued.

"What do you have in mind?"

A cryptic smile crept across Max's face as he slowly drew a firearm from beneath his uniform. The general's eyes widened in shock.

"What's the meaning of this, Lieutenant?"

Max Couldron's voice turned ominous, his gaze unwavering.

"A new era dawns upon this city. The acolytes are destined to rule, and the dominion of the dead shall stretch across the world. Remember my name, General, for all eternity. I am Netheroc, the progenitor of the acolytes."

With an unflinching resolve, Netheroc pulled the trigger, ending General Marcus's life. Leaving the tent, he swiftly dispatched the remaining soldiers in the encampment with alarming speed. Just then, an acolyte descended from the sky, approaching Netheroc.

"Master, the last of the soldiers on the battlefield have been eliminated. There is no longer any impediment to our conquest of Pasay City,"

the acolyte reported.

Netheroc's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"Excellent. Take me to the grand city hall. It's time to address the people of Pasay and gather every remaining human in the city. They shall become our livestock, serving a greater purpose in our plan to aid the undead bastions. Remember, this is merely the beginning of our grand design."

Back in the present, in a desolate part of Caloocan, where no civilians dared to tread, Noel continued his fierce battle against the dread master-level ghoul. Their clash tore through the city, shattering walls and demolishing buildings. Noel's strikes, infused with Anima Mundi, clashed with the ghoul's steel-like claws, charged with cursed energy. Despite the ferocity of their encounter, Noel remained remarkably composed, as if he were confronting an opponent with effortless ease.

In one swift motion, Noel delivered a powerful kick that sent the ghoul hurtling backward, crashing through the cityscape. Seizing the opportunity, Noel unleashed his signature combination spell, the Tempest Sonata: Resonant Cyclone. This rare and potent wind magic technique merged the wind manipulation of Typhoon Siphon with the wind attack capabilities of Whispering Fury. The result was a cyclonic vortex of intensified wind energy, carrying with it a discordant symphony of disorienting sound waves. It slammed into the ghoul, inflicting severe damage. Noel grinned confidently and taunted,

"I knew we'd end up here because I know your are weak"

The ghoul, despite its injuries, wheezed out a response,

"It's not over yet, ha...ha...ha... ughhrr."

Blood spurted from its mouth as it began to chant a spell.

"Varimadas Execution Zone!"

Suddenly, both combatants found themselves transported to a different realm, one created by the ghoul.

This realm resembled an execution platform, shrouded in dark energy and surrounded by colossal steel claws. Countless corpses, tainted by malevolent forces, littered the domain. The ghoul gloated,

"You think you've already won? Let me show you the depths of your despair, hahahhaa."

Noel, however, remained unshaken.

"Is that all you've got? Even your spell zone is feeble."

With unwavering determination, he conjured a sword imbued with wind energy and challenged the ghoul.

"Give me your best shot."

The ghoul, seething with anger, unleashed its domain attack, hurling massive steel claws toward Noel. Yet, instead of fear, a sense of resolve filled Noel's eyes as he declared,

"Die."

Chanting, he invoked his

"ultimate active skill: "Wrath of Zephyr."

In a single powerful slash, Noel obliterated the entire domain, reducing everything, including the ghoul, to atoms until nothing remained. His battle won, Noel turned and headed back to headquarters.

In Pasay City, within the mayor's office, Max Couldron, known as Netheroc, the progenitor of acolytes, was indulging in a human grilled steak for dinner. A mysterious figure named Dr. Malachai Virulent, also known as The Blackbird of Death, appeared, wearing distinctive attire and a bird-like mask with a long beak-like protrusion.

Max Couldron broke the silence, asking,

"So, what are your intentions here?"

Malachai responded,

"Netheroc, mind your tone. Remember, I resurrected you."

Max Couldron retorted,

"You seem to forget, Malachai, that I'm the only one who can recover the Talisman of Enigma. You can't even touch it."

Malachai chuckled,

"You're still as arrogant as ever, Netheroc."

He continued,

"Remember your allegiance and fealty under the Scourge."

Malachai led the faction of the Scourge within the undead hierarchy. Due to the acolytes' failure a thousand years ago, their entire race was eradicated by the dark lord Nāzuru. Now, the acolytes were forced to work under the Scourge, thanks to Malachai's resurrection.

Netheroc finally spoke,

"I haven't forgotten my place, Malachai. We will fulfill our mission to retrieve your stone, as long as you keep your promise of restoring our complete form."

Malachai assured him,

"Don't worry, I'll uphold my promise. You're still formidable even in your incomplete form."

As they continued their conversation, a man named Kraig rudely interrupted. He taunted,

"That's right, Mr. Plague Doctor. We are still formidable. What do you think will happen when we attain our complete form? Let me show you, Mr. Malachai."

Kraig transformed into an acolyte, flew out of the window, and charged towards the city, crashing into the hotel where Charles and Risstle were staying.