Storm

Sipping a glass of Riveroak, Zariel sat across from Sionn as they stared out the window at the rising of the golden dawn over Trinity. The young lord blinked and poured himself and Sionn another glass of Riveroak.

Finding himself drowning in each glass, Sionn glanced at the two girls' bandages on the settee and took another shot.

"I should have gone with them," He bitterly murmured, clenching his fist; he cracked the glass over the table and stood up, snapping his eyes to Zariel, " You should have been there. I'm sure you knew they would be attacked."

"I was watching this new anime, with large men posing. I think I'm going to try getting ripped. What do you think?"

Sionn stared with disbelief as Zariel, the man he called Master, did not even seem to care. His heart clenched as blood pooled, forming a river as it trailed from his hand to the ground.

"Your not serious, are you?" He asked softly.

"Well, I'm wondering if I can even get that big? Genetics is a bitch, and I don't wish to recreate my Arcane Cultivation Mantra. That shit took a few million Dao cycles to make." Zariel curiously said. " Not to mention if I change or switch anything up in my Arcane Mantra, I could blow up; it is linked to my genetic code, after all."

"Master," Sionn said.

"But if I could get a Dio body, then maybe I can strike fear into my enemies; too bad my eyes are silver. And honestly, it might look strange; my face wouldn't match! I guess I can try an illusion—"

"MASTER!!!" Sionn bellowed, cracking his fist over the table. Unable to hold it in, his heart heaved against his ribs. Sweat cloaked his brow, and anger burned like fire from his eyes, " Why are you ignoring this?"

"What do you want me to do, Sionn?" Zariel calmly questioned, " Do you know who did it? Do you know why Aurelia was attacked? Do you know anything at all?"

The silver devil leaned his palm under his head and sighed, "Of course, you don't know, and neither do I; this is how the game is played. I'm sure anyone still alive down there will die in the hour, or maybe they will give up a name. Who knows."

"So you're just going to sit on your ass and let people kill Aurelia, Ella, or me?" Sionn snapped, pulling away from the table.

"Well, that's up to you. I'm getting stronger each day." Zariel carelessly mentioned, pursing his lips, " If you can't keep up or wish to bail, I'm not going to stop you. I can't always be there to watch you all. If you want to know what happens, you can make an effort. I'm good sitting here waiting for the red priest to show up with some helpful information."

"Oh, there's no need for that, Mr. Snow." An amused voice echoed out.

"So he shows himself," Zariel said, summoning another shot glass; he poured the stranger a drink, to Sionns amazement.

Stepping out from the balcony, Aldrich smiled, pushing open the doors to the room and taking a seat as Zariel slid him a drink.

"Now, who are you?"

"Hmm, I've many names, but you can call me Aldrich. I'm sure someone, in particular, has told you about me."

"Blood Weaver, Aldrich, said to be taught by the first Blood Lord, who made a deal with the Hells. Yeah, I've heard of you from my Master."

"You still call him Master? You created him." Aldrich countered, and the Silver Devil smiled.

"Are you here to kill me?"

"Only test you," Aldrich said but shook his head," I wanted to see if you would interfere. But I underestimated those two," He said, glancing at the Sleeping Ella and Aurelia. "Fine disciples you are raising."

"And how is your Master? The Progenitor of Blood? I'd heard he was invited to the Hells." Zariel coldly said, having heard stories from his mother about a red-headed man whose power was so recognized the Lords of the Nine Hells approached him.

"You are very well informed, then you should be. I'm only hair to make an appearance and tell you that I've sent a letter to Titus, telling him of our location."

The young lord's brow jumped, but his expression remained like tranquil water. Taking a sip of his whisky, he nodded, "So I can expect the Black Hand on their way or maybe an army from House Lazarus?"

"Maybe." He answered, " Your father is a complex man. Although he doesn't appear to be, does he?"

Zariel almost flinched, "You seem quite familiar with that failure. It seems like I need to do more research. Now, why are you really here?"

"To tell you I'm here to kill you. To declare war." He said with a fair expression that made Zariel wonder about his real intentions.

There was no way this was his plan. The young lord had thought, leaning back in his chair, staring at the smiling Aldrich.

"Your expression of skepticism is to be expected, but this is how I have always done things. So unless you surrender your head to me, I shall be on my way." Aldrich said, finishing the shot Zariel had slid to him.

"Damn, that is good."

"Blood Weaver, Aldrich," Zariel whispered, watching the man in question fade away like an apparition. "I wonder how he got such a name? I need more information about him. And more importantly, we need to prepare."

Rising to his feet, Zariel glanced at the petrified Sionn and didn't bother to say a word but instead walked onto the balcony and soared high into the air till the oxygen grew so thin it vanished.

Standing over the sun, he placed the mask over his face and communicated with everyone within the Order.

"VI" Zero was the first to say as five people, each with the numbers ranging from one to five, appeared.

"I'm calling a meeting because I've been compromised.' Zariel said, "Blood Weaver Aldrich is back and is currently here. It seems he has just declared war on me."

"What do you need?" IV calmly asked.

"I need the Order of Chaos. I need all of you here in Trinity."