Burly hands slammed onto a wooden table as an elderly man growled out, “With the bitch of a Baroness gone, our stock will dwindle and prices will soar.”

“The commoners are happier, too. After complaining for so long about her and her gang taking everything they want out in the farmlands, they now believe they could breathe easier,” another commented, tugging on a beard with a frown.

“Fuck them,” rumbled the first, “Who cares if they're happy? They're all meant to serve us and enjoy serving us.”

A collective and exasperated sigh ran through the rest of those who sat around a splintered table within a dimly lit and smoke stained room. One that served as a meeting place for old and tired men of privilege to vent and meet. However, it was now filled with the patriarchs of Stonewall's nobility, each here to express their disdain over the lack of slaves the Baroness and her men and women had brought in on a daily basis. Especially slaves of the Elven variety, but that was now crippled with many fights breaking out outside the walls in an attempt to be the number one benefactor for those who desired Elves.

“What about that new Hero and his group? Think he knows about the operation?” a third wondered aloud, a thought everyone shared at least once.

“No,” commented the second voice as he tugged on his beard once more with a shrug, “If he did, then all our stock would be gone, and he'd have led the guards to our step. Slaves are legal, yes, but after that treaty the Regent signed with the nearby Elves? Only old Elvish slaves are allowed to be owned, not the newer ones.”

“Bah,” the first speaker folded a pair of burly arms which stretched the fibres of his long sleeves of his tunic, “He needs to be taken care of immediately.”

“Not with the whole city watching him,” a younger man in his late thirties commented, “Especially not when the Regent has invited him to attend a party in his and his group's honour for saving the city from a 'scourge' like our Baroness.”

Snorts echoed throughout the room as though the group had become a pack of wild boars, just as the second speaker tugged on his beard once more, “That boy needs to learn to not do anything without our approval.”

A round of, “Here, here,” silently thundered throughout the room as another voice barked out, “Yes, but he has that woman with him, and she's not allowing us anywhere near him. Even when others were sent after her to remove her person, they were all repelled.”

Again, the first speaker slammed his fists into the wood, and was about to speak when a door opened before his eyes, ushering in a collared female Elf wearing only a loincloth so that her chest hung freely for the world to view. Here, she scurried over to the side of the second speaker, who tugged on his beard with a grin as she spoke. In response to her giving the message, the older man gripped her chest, massaging it until she gasped a moan. After which she was released and left with a glistening wetness trailing down her left leg.

“Ooh?” a man with a bushy mustache twirled an end as he stared after her with a wistful expression, “You're lucky to have found a Sex Slave, my good sir. Especially one as fertile as that one.”

“Yes,” commented the one before him with a tug on his beard, “I expect to have a son by next year, but that's not what I wish to speak of.” Standing tall with both hands atop the table, his voice was raised as all eyes turned towards the door, “You may enter.”

Once more, the door was opened, but from the opening came a being wearing a hooked mask with dark shaded glasses over the eye sockets. Upon his body was a black and white tuxedo with a tail from the coat lying atop the back legs, whilst upon the hands were a pair of white gloves. Above the mask, resting atop the head, was a top hat, and those nearest could see that the being wore a pair of white socks within black and shiny shoes as a dark brown cane tapped nearby.

“Ah,” a baritone of a voice sang out from beneath the mask, not at all muffled by it, “Lord Lungren, it is good that you've decided to take up my Mistress's offer.” Upon speaking, he, as the voice denoted, took off his top hat, placed it upon his chest, and bowed low.

“I've told you before, Se'Thro, I would get you to our next meeting. Only afterwards will you have to gain the approval of my colleagues before we could even begin to work together.”

“Lungren,” the first speaker growled dangerously, “who is this?”

“The answer to your prayers,” sang the newcomer, “My Mistress heard of your plight not too long ago, and wishes to make an offer in your desire for slaves.”

“Oh? And what is she offering?”

An envelope containing a letter was placed onto the table next to Lungren, who then opened it and all watched as his eyes nearly rolled out of their sockets from shock. “You can't be serious.”

“She is, and I am,” the masked man nodded as the top hat was replaced upon his head once more.

“What does it say, Lungren?” the group of old men leaned in closer.

“She is guaranteeing a fresh stock of young Elves from the races of Wood, High, and Dark tonight at midnight,” he held up his hand in order to stifle the eruption of excited voices, “For only half the price the Baroness gave us.”

All within the room exploded into excitement, discussing what they would do with them, and who would get what first. However, a fist slamming into the wood stifled their excitement, as an animalistic growl ensued from the first speaker. Who then turned his attention towards the newcomer with a pointed finger, “And what does she gain from this?”

“If you accept my Mistress's offer, then she wishes to set up a small networking base here. One which will benefit everyone present,” replied the masked man, who stood with both hands atop the cane in front of himself.

“How so?”

A shrug accompanied his answer, “How else will you have access to anything beyond Wood Elves? After all, High and Dark breeds are centred further away from Stonewall and its territories. Not to mention, this stock will have enough for everyone here to have five Wood Elves, two High, and two Dark. Each.”

“With more to come?” demanded a smaller man with pepper-grey hair and eyes the colour of steel, who had to wipe away the spittle which formed at the corners of his mouth.

“If you accept, yes,” Se'Thro bowed towards the speaker, “If not, then you may pay for the Elves we're bringing. Afterwards, we won't speak again. Ever.” Each within the room heard the quiet threat, and turned inwards in order to grumble to one another over the idea.

After which, the first speaker rapped his knuckles against the splintered wood, “I'm calling in a vote. Those in favour of accepting this raise your hands. We can discuss the finer points tonight after the party with the Regent.”

Upon so saying, hands appeared before the man with the top hat, and beneath the mask, a Cheshire cat's grin stretched up to his temples. Those who looked closely enough, would notice not the grin, but a twinkling, crimson light shining beneath the glasses as the vote was cast.

*****

An invitation had come to Karastak's mansion earlier the following morning after the group broke their fast in the presence of the summoned staff. Each of them giving off a dark and misty trail from their every movement. When asked where he summoned them from, they each told him, “The Shadow Realm, mi'lord.”

Once the invitation was read aloud to the group, inviting them to the Regent's home for a party in their honour, he frowned as the children's eyes shone with excitement at the prospect of wearing fancy dresses. Though, Lupa was a little more interested in the fancy foods she'll be able to taste, which in turn led to Puella desiring it as well. The cook staff's own food was fancy by their tastes, sure, but the Regent might have some of a more exotic taste. Therefore, they were excited.

Whereas Zabartik, whose face was not hidden within the shuttered and dimly lit dining room, frowned with an expression denoting thought over the coming event. It, “he”, as the children repeatedly told Karastak, spoke slowly, “We... need to... prepare for... a fight...”

“Perhaps,” agreed Kirin who nodded over a plate of halve eaten rice and cooked fish, “but we shall be needing a battle of who has more money than whom, My Lord.”

“We do not need to spend anything when I could just create what we need through my magicks,” sighed the polymorphed Human, who leaned back against his chair with a grimace upon his features before muttering, “I really do despise Human royalty.”

“Why's that, Mr. Karas?” chimed in the Wolfgirl, whose ears were perked as she nibbled on a piece of fish.

“Humans believe themselves to be more than what they are,” he explained, “Not to mention they are the most greedy and numerous throughout the land.”

“Then why... do you... look like... one?” hissed the Shade.

Here, he stood tall and walked behind towards the space between the table and the shutters where he dismissed the spell that let him be a Human. Within moments, his clothing stretched and broke as his flesh bulged and stretched with scales appearing up and down his body until his Naga form was complete.

“Unless I'm mistaken, it would be prudent for me to run around in a Human body instead of this,” a hand gestured to his form just as Puella poked his tail with a curious sound, “Not to mention the amount of screaming from the populace and demands for my death would arise.

“Suffice to say, it is easier to be a Human, but I still do not enjoy being as such.” He then lifted the Catkin into his arms, who giggled as she fingered the golden A hanging around his neck and had acquired from the Adventurer's Guild. One that followed the standard F to SSS ranking, instead of the strange one on Terra.

Placing her back onto the ground, Karastak had two of his Shadow servants rush over with a large cloth to shield himself as he changed back. After which he placed upon himself the faded blue robe he had grown accustomed to, then turned to ruffle Puella's hair. Who responded with a giggle as she hugged his leg before running off to drag her best friend away to play.

A smile played on his lips as he watched the pair run off, but vanished once they ran down the hallway. Turning towards those still remaining, he spoke slowly, “Bring everyone to the main room.”

“My Lord?” Kirin had finished his meal at this point, and cocked his head in question.

“Including yourselves, Kirin, Zabartik. I have something I wish to ask you all.” Upon so saying, he turned and stalked out the room without waiting for a response. Which his feet soon led him down a barren hallway devoid of anything beyond a dark purple carpet on the ground, and a few vases on wooden stands standing here and there throughout the hall.

For a time, his mind brooded on a topic he and Command discussed late into the night. One that revolved around naming his System, but as he found out the details, he would need to come up with a directive. A set of goals, if you would, that all within must follow despite being a part of it all. Which included himself, but he wasn't morally obligated to follow them as he was the one in charge of it all.

However, the only way to join his System was through invitation or through birth, but once he found himself a home world, anyone could join without his knowledge. It was frustrating for himself to think anyone could just appear upon a world he owned and just become a part of something more without a screening process. Though, as the thought passed his mind, Command told him that it was how it had always been done. Especially when such Systems needed their worlds to summon Heroes from others in order to fight off against the threats made by the local Demon Lord.

Sighing slowly, Karastak moved off towards a pair of worn, wooden doors which led into the Main Room. Upon opening it, an eyebrow was raised as he noted everyone, including the children, were present. Each staring around with widened eyes, eyes that brightened as they fell upon himself, and scampered over to his side in order to hold his hands whilst continuing to wonder what was going on.

The moment the girls went to his side, he felt all eyes upon himself as the summoned help fell into neat and orderly rows. Taking a deep breath, he moved forward slowly with the children beside him, who stare up at him with great curiosity.

“I thank you all for coming on such short notice, despite my being your Summoner,” a few smiles were spread out about the crowd as he continued, “We've only known one another for a few short days, so please bear in mind that I've thought long and hard about this. Though, I guess you could say I've only thought about it right now.” Chuckling erupted from his throat, and was joined by a few strains throughout the crowd.

“Regardless, I wish to invite you all- those from the Shadow Realm, Zabartik, Kirin- to join me in my System. Command.”

“[Awaiting Command.]”

“Command, invite my summoned beings from the Shadow Realm, as well as Zabartik and Kirin, into my System so that they may reap the benefits that may come of it.”

“[Acknowledged.]”

WARNING!

You are about to leave the System Anunaki to join System (Unnamed)!

Doing so will incur the wrath of God King Anu and all others under his rule!

Note: Due to the transference between non-allied Systems, all stats will be reset, all levels brought down to 1. Any gained Titles will be lost during the transference; Races and Classes will have to be re-chosen upon entering the System (Unnamed)!

Do you wish to initiate the transfer?

Y/N

All around the room, dark placards with gold and red letterings appeared before startled faces. Each not understanding what was going on, but knew what was read upon their placards, but before they could speak in question, Karastak spoke, “If you join my System, you will no longer be considered as Summoned or Contracted beings. Instead, you will have a new life with me and my children. One where you will be able to live and grow as you see fit, as long as you follow my person. Speaking of which.

“Command.”

“[Awaiting Command.]”

“Command, I have decided to name my System,” he felt the eyes of Command fall upon his person, including the weight of it all as it held a figurative breath from the next words, “Based upon the dark clothing and armour of my summoned help, as well as their structure when greeting me, they have reminded my mind of something of the past. Therefore, I wish to name it, 'The Black Parade'.”

“[Acknowledged.]” Immediately, the air around them became thick with an unknown pressure as the placards before the summoned and contracted creatures changed from System (Unamed) to System The Black Parade.

*****

However, outside the mansion and the world called Azzarath, the Universe rang out in heralding the coming of a new System. It would not speak of where it was founded, but those who were well known for their greatness moved, searching for the new System to do with as they saw fit. For good, or for ill.