Cult

The evening sun sank below the horizon, casting long shadows across the sprawling mansion of a nobleman in the Oujisama city. The nobleman, a corpulent figure with rosy cheeks and a double chin, sat in his lavish study, contemplating the events that had transpired during the month.

The allure of the forbidden had gnawed at his mind, whispering tantalizing secrets into his ear. And tonight, he resolved to finally answer its call.

Silently, the nobleman rose from his chair, his ample body shifting with the effort. He glanced around the opulent room, its walls adorned with portraits of his ancestors, each bearing an aristocratic air. As his beady eyes landed on the ornate golden clock hanging above the mantelpiece, he realized the hour had grown late. His heart raced with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

Clad in a finely tailored feudal suit that strained against his girth, the nobleman made his way down the dimly lit corridors of his mansion. The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows that danced upon the elegant wallpaper, adding an air of mystique to his secret venture. Each footstep reverberated in the silence, echoing through the vast halls.

The nobleman's destination lay beyond the confines of his opulent residence - a secret hideout in the heart of the capital city.

The members of the newly rising group of power-hungry nobles, were rumored to meet there, seeking immortality and dominion over lesser souls. Ever since he heard the rumors, the nobleman had long yearned to join their ranks, to bask in the unfathomable power they claimed to possess.

And after joining, he discovered everything was true. Here, he could gain the untold power he desired!

So, he gave his all to seize this elusive, ephemeral chance that beckoned once in a lifetime.

After using his connections, relinquishing some interests, and making substantial contributions, he had finally acquired this once in a lifetime opportunity.

With measured steps, he emerged onto the moonlit streets, his figure an incongruous sight amidst the sparse servants. A palanquin awaited him, its dark mahogany exterior gleaming in the moon's ethereal glow. As the nobleman settled into the plush seats, the driver, a stoic figure with weathered features, wordlessly flicked his sleeves, and the palanquin bearers set off.

As the nobleman leaned back in his seat, his thoughts was consumed by what awaited him.

The city unfurled before the nobleman's gaze - a labyrinth of narrow alleys and towering buildings, prosperous and glorious, but he knew they still lived in the shadows of those menacing existences. And the nobleman wasn't satisfied. Before, nothing could be done, but now...

Soon, the scent of damp cobblestones mingled with the aroma of night vendors selling their wares.

Finally, the palanquin pulled up before an unremarkable building nestled within the heart of a less-traveled part of the city. Its stone facade was marked only by a small, nondescript symbol - an intricate design resembling an otherworldly constellation. A shiver ran down the nobleman' spine as he stepped out of the palanquin and approached the door.

After he entered the building, a masked man dressed him in a black robe and white mask, blindfolding him afterwards, allowing darkness to envelop him like a velvety cloak.

He was then led underground, and ventured forth with the guide. And after what seemed to be an eternity, it seemed he had finally arrived at his destination as the blindfold was ceremoniously lifted, revealing the dimly lit meeting room that awaited him.

As his sight returned, he felt a palpable energy in the room, as though he had stepped into a realm beyond mortal understanding

The flickering glow of candles bathed the chamber in an eerie light, revealing a gathering of nobles donning flowing black robes and white porcelain masks, with a symbol of the cult prominently etched at the center of the mask in intricate violet patterns, just below the eye level.

Beneath the ethereal shroud of their masks, the noble figures, well-acquainted with one another, found themselves enveloped in an air of mystery, where familiarity and secrecy danced in a delicate balance, the masks imbuing them with an uncanny confidence that seemingly erased the bonds of their shared history, transforming them into strangers who walked the path of the unknown.

But do they really think their identities were concealed? Just their whispers carried on the hushed winds of secrecy already aroused recognition amongst the others, yet each acted as if they were oblivious. The newly-arrived nobleman inwardly sneered at their hypocrisy.

Yet, the nobleman still joined their ranks, his heart pounding in his chest, becoming a player in the game.

The members of the group welcomed him with nods and gestures, their voices laden with 'mystery'.

It wasn't long before the air crackled with anticipation as the cult's leader, as a figure known by the strange name of Deimos, stepped forward.

Clad in a resplendent black robe adorned with celestial patterns, the figure emanated an aura of ethereal power. His white eyes, gleaming through the slits of his mask, held an otherworldly, deep horror.

"Welcome, brethren of the Cosmos," Deimos intoned, his voice commanding attention. "Tonight, we shall delve into the secrets of immortality and the boundless power he bestows upon us. But first, let us go through the rites to thank his majesty, the Lord of the Hives, to honor the gift he has graced us with."

The nobleman's eyes widened in awe and anticipation as the rituals commenced. The chamber reverberated with incantations and glowing sealing symbols drawn on the walls. The nobleman found himself swept up in the fervor, his doubts cast aside in the face of the fascinating power that surrounded him.

Minutes passed, the ritualistic fervor culminating in a crescendo of energy. The nobleman felt his very essence vibrate, as though he had tapped into a wellspring of unlimited potential. His heart swelled with a newfound sense of purpose and ambition.

As the prayer drew to a close, Deimos lifted his hands, the gesture signaling the end of the gathering. "Tonight, a new member will take the stage. This member had willingly devoted his blood and sweat to our great cause, and the Lord had seen his efforts. Now, our Lord will bestow his grace on this new member."

The time has come! The nobleman found himself standing amidst his fellow cultists who stared at him with fervor, a sense of awe mingling with an insatiable hunger for more. The promises of immortality and power hung heavy in the air.

"Come... Mister D." With a stiff gesture, Deimos summoned the nobleman to approach, while a creaking door automatically swung open, unveiling a foreboding corridor that plunged into the abyssal depths, where shadows whispered ancient secrets and the unknown beckoned with a magnetic allure. "Enter the holy altar, and when you return, you shall be reborn!"

The nobleman found himself standing at the precipice of the dark corridor, its depths shrouded in an impenetrable blackness that seemed to swallow all light. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, his bulk form pressing against the confines of the narrow passage.

As he ventured further, uncertainty gnawed at his senses. Time became a nebulous concept, for in the void of the corridor, minutes seemingly merged with hours, and hours melded into an eternity. The nobleman trudged on, his heavy footsteps echoing in the stillness, until an insidious gas infiltrated his lungs, causing dizziness to assail his consciousness.

Fading into darkness, the nobleman succumbed to oblivion, unaware of the extraordinary events unfolding around him. It was in this vulnerable state that a colossal insect-like creature emerged, its mandibles clicking with an otherworldly rhythm.

With surprising tenderness, the creature scooped the nobleman into its insectoid jaws and burrowed into the ground, carrying him through the true hidden passage.

Soon, the nobleman was slapped on top of a cold, metallic table within a hidden chamber. Fleshy appendages slithered across his body, probing and piercing his flesh, injecting an unknown concoction deep into his veins. Bugs crawled all over his body, mingling with a strange, otherworldly aura as his body absorbed the mysterious elixir.

Moments later, a grotesque amalgamation of insects coalesced into a humanoid shape, which swiftly transformed into a lady in a lab coat. Shadows clung to her figure, obscuring her visage.

Like a machine, with deft and precise maneuvers, she completed the necessary implantations, blood staining the air as the wounds appeared and vanished, either healed by the mysterious injection or stitched by the bugs.

After a final scan to confirm her success, the lady's form dissipated, the swarm of insects reforming into their original insectoid state, dispersing in the fleshy room to clean the stains of blood, returning the room to its pristine condition.

As the giant creature carried the nobleman back through hidden passage and left him in the dark corridor, the last vestiges of grogginess eventually dissipated, and the nobleman blinked in confusion, lacking knowledge of the surreal sequence of events that had transpired.

Groping around in the dark corridor, he soon found himself greeted by a faint light in the distance. Determined, he stumbled forward, his steps unsteady but resolute. The light grew brighter with each passing moment until he finally emerged into a chamber bathed in a soft, ethereal glow.

Within the chamber, a group of individuals dressed in dark robes engaged in intense discussions. Their voices hushed and reverent, their gazes focused on the open doorway from time to time. As the nobleman stepped out from it, their attention turned towards him, curiosity mingling with a tinge of expectation.

Groggy and disoriented, the nobleman surveyed his surroundings, seeking a semblance of understanding.

Deimos, the leader of the discussions, turned towards him, his pallid eyes betraying no emotions. Yet, the nobleman's transformation had not gone unnoticed, and now it was time for him to display his newfound abilities to the rest of the members.

Meanwhile, the hushed room pulsed with an aura of hidden knowledge and unspoken secrets. The group regarded him with a mix of anticipation and scrutiny, their eyes searching for signs of transformation.

"Welcome back, Mister D," Deimos said, his voice carrying a subtle undercurrent of pride. "You have emerged from the crucible of rebirth, reborn with the potential for greatness. Now, it is time to unveil your glorious powers to our esteemed brethren."

Confusion clouded the nobleman' mind as he regarded the expectant masked faces of the other cult members. Did he enter the holy altar and receive the Lord's grace? How come he doesn't remember anything?

The notion of demonstrating his abilities, even though he was unsure of their extent, left him uneasy. However, the piercing stares of his peers left him with no choice but to comply.

Drawing upon the teachings he had received during his month in the hidden chambers, the nobleman attempted the hand signs they had practiced diligently.

As the energy in the chamber crackling with anticipation, with trembling hands, he formed the three simple gestures: Ram, Snake, and Tiger. He felt a surge of anticipation ripple through the air, an unfamiliar power within him being siphoned away, leaving him feeling momentarily weakened.

In an instant, a poof of smoke engulfed the nobleman, and to his astonishment, a deformed and wobbly clone appeared beside him. Its face was twisted and unrecognizable, shocking the nobleman to the point of stumbling backward, landing unceremoniously on his ample buttocks.

The other members erupted in a chorus of gasps and exclamations, their excitement palpable. The nobleman, amidst his shock, finally realized that this distorted being was his very own clone - a manifestation of his newfound ninja powers. The revelation settled within his mind, igniting a spark of exhilaration and possibility.

Deimos approached the bewildered nobleman, extending a hand to help him rise. "Congratulations, Mister D," he said, a note of approval lacing his words. "Your rebirth has yielded remarkable results. Truly, your faith is undeniable as you have been blessed by our lord with this unique ability."

Feeling a surge of gratitude, the nobleman hurriedly nodded and offered thanks to the unseen lord who had granted him this newfound power. "Praise the Lord of the Hives! Praise him!"

His eyes remained fixed on the wobbly clone as it dissipated in a puff of smoke, leaving only echoes of its presence.

With a newfound determination, the nobleman turned his attention back to Astraeus, curiosity shining in his eyes. "Can it get better?" he asked, his voice laced with a mixture of hope and excitement.

Deimos smiled, a knowing gleam in his gaze as it fixed upon the stomach of the nobleman.

"Naturally," he replied, his voice brimming with assurance. "With practice, dedication, and the grace bestowed upon us by our lord, your powers will continue to grow. You have taken your first steps towards immortality, Mister D, and the path ahead is filled with limitless possibilities. However, remember the necessary precautions and to feed the lord's grace..."

The gathering eventually came to an end. Silently, the members of Cosmos retreated from the chamber one by one, and soon it was the nobleman's turn, his steps faltering with the weight of newfound knowledge.

After undressing from the cult outfit, he returned to his palanquin, his mind ablaze with thoughts of the Cosmos, his destiny intertwined with their esoteric pursuits.

He could feel the streets whispering his name as he journeyed back to his mansion, no… it was the entire capital calling his name! A secret smile played upon his lips, his ambitions igniting.

Little did the nobleman know that his life would be forever altered by his fateful decision, just not as he expected.

But his ambitions clouded his mind, ignoring the fact that he wasn't the first, and he won't be the last.

He also ignored the danger of the ninjas of this world.

And the fact that his fate may no longer in his own hands.