While Thirteen threatened Kairon at the far fall of the Throne Room, Hoarfrost struggled to complete his assimilation with void animus.

Strangely, Hoarfrost found he wasn’t afraid of death even now.

If I die… so be it. But I’ll struggle all the way until the end. I want to see how far I can go.

He let void animus consume his heart, changing the nature of his animus core. He grunted a bit as his heart rapidly slowed down, feeling as if an elephant had stepped onto his chest. After a few seconds of this, his heart stopped beating entirely. His void heart was complete.

An infinite ball of darkness and cold roiled in the place of his heartbeat.

Here is where it really begins.

Hoarfrost released void animus to pour through his circulatory system from his void heart into the rest of his organs, turning his blood into black poison that felt like boiling acid within him.

His entire body revolted at once.

Kghh!

Hoarfrost let out a strangled scream and his back arched upwards. It felt like he was drowning from the inside as millions of fiery worms chewed through him.

This is the punishment, Hoarfrost thought as his body convulsed. The cost of such power should hurt at least this much. I’ll gladly take it all on.

Hoarfrost painstakingly assimilated void animus throughout his internal organs. He allowed each part of himself to embrace death, but he never really died.

He simply became less and less human.

Exhausted and numb, he continued, pouring void animus through his sensory organs and up through his neck. He blacked out at the final step when the void animus reached his brain.

When he came to, it was over. He was left without any life in his body, and yet he was alive. His new source of life was a core of infinite, dark cold where a warm heart should have been.

The process was complete.

It’s a shame you couldn’t trust me, Zero said. But it’s amazing that you were able to complete the assimilation on your own. You’ve truly proven yourself.

Hoarfrost didn’t respond. He just lay quietly on the ground, looking up and around himself with pitch-black eyes.

His hair had become white and his skin was pale and cold, devoid of the pink flush that living flesh had. The deep, dark abyss of his pitch-black eyes made him look like a nightmare come to life.

But what was within him changed even more.

Hoarfrost no longer needed to breathe, nor did his heart beat. If he lay completely still, no one could tell him apart from a dead body.

His vision had also become black and white. It was as if he was peering through a filter from a horror movie, but far more real. The glowing veins of the temple, the torches… all of them were drawn in black and white, harshly highlighting the differences of light throughout the room.

Hoarfrost sat up slightly and looked down at his hands, then at the rest of his body, taking in his new vessel.

Normally, one’s heartbeat would increase when they were excited, or their throat would constrict when on the verge of tears. Hoarfrost’s body didn’t react to his emotions anymore. He was just numb. He couldn’t tell what emotions he was feeling as he looked at his own body.

Hoarfrost, I would congratulate you on completing your ascension, but it’s not over. You need to get up. Zero said. Look to your left.

On Hoarfrost’s left, Kairon was picking himself out of a crater in the wall glaring at Hoarfrost as he healed from Thirteen’s crushing attack. Meanwhile, Thirteen himself stood off to the side with his arms folded, making it obvious that he wanted to be a spectator.

For some reason, Kairon’s murderous attention didn’t carry the same pressure to Hoarfrost as it did before. The thought gave Hoarfrost confidence.

I can do this. Hoarfrost grit his teeth and tried to stand, but his numb limbs failed him and dumped him back onto the ground.

Why won’t my body… Hoarfrost frowned, trying to shakily stand again.

Calm down. Listen to me, Hoarfrost. Zero said, with such grim gravity that Hoarfrost paused.

The expressionless humanoid shadow appeared in front of Hoarfrost again. This time, Zero clasped hands on Hoarfrost’s shoulders and faced him straight on with his featureless face.

You must listen to me to survive. I know everything about you as well as everything about the world of Aspects. I can assure you that as you are now, ignoring my knowledge is suicide.

Hoarfrost sighed. I’ll listen to you. But I won’t act like your ally or your friend. I never asked you to follow me or watch over me. Hoarfrost shivered at the thought of this unfamiliar shadow watching him at all times.

That’s good enough. Zero said. One day, you’ll trust me. But for today, giving me control of your vessel should be enough to get through this battle.

Alright. Hoarfrost said heavily.

Hoarfrost closed his eyes and willed himself to synchronize with Zero. The shadow disappeared, and he felt a presence rise within him and take control of his body. This time, he didn’t black out, but rather became a passenger in his own body, watching his limbs move on their own as Zero smoothly stood up and stretched.

Watch closely. Zero said. Then he pointed a finger at Kairon. I’ll defeat him with only the most basic void technique. Make sure to learn from this. The Aspect’s reverberating voice was certain.

Zero activated Hoarfrost’s void heart and let void animus circulate through his body, flushing his limbs with animus and putting them into combat mode. Simultaneously, he started gathering a storm of void animus from the black hole of his core. Void animus leaked out of his pores and slightly out of his mouth, curling around him like dark mist and darkening the area around him.

Thank you, Hoarfrost. Zero said in an exultant voice as void animus flowed through him. You have no idea how good it feels to be back, after all this time.

Meanwhile, Kairon’s veins glowed red as he slowly stepped forward, exuding the full pressure of his aura.

The man seemed different than before. Instead of fiery madness, Kairon’s anger was now cold and sharp. He seemed slightly dazed, but there was no mistaking that the immortal man was dead serious as he approached the battle.

“I assume there’s no point in trying to talk you out of this pointless fight,” Kairon said, his voice projecting across the throne room, “Even if you’re risking your life just to lick Thirteen’s boots, you’d do it happily, wouldn’t you? That’s how he trains all of his dogs.”

Zero didn’t respond with words. He simply casted his opening technique.

Void Art: Dark Radiation.

A shockwave of void aura shot outwards from Zero, shaking the air in a wave of spatial disruption and flickering the crimson lights.

Amazing. Hoarfrost thought. So this is the feeling of void power in use.

To Hoarfrost, the storm of cold animus within him felt like a blizzard that could steal the warmth of life from everything around him.

The black hole of void power within him now was on a whole other level of power. He felt like unleashing all of it would reduce the world around him to scattered dust. Nothing could stand against that.

But despite its destructive potential, Zero was conducting it carefully, releasing it in measured shockwaves with the beat of his heart. Hoarfrost paid careful attention to the simple movements of Zero’s technique.

Across the room, Kairon felt a sense of tingling numbness crawl over him as the dark wave passed through him. He froze as a deeply ominous feeling numbed his thoughts and made him feel slightly nauseous.

What was that feeling? Kairon thought, shaking his head. His Aspect is fighting, but he’s only using basic area control. Compared to how sophisticated his attacks were before, this is much easier to handle.

Shockwaves continued to rock the room in pulses as Zero radiated void to the measured beating of his void heart. With every pulse, the animus lights dimmed even further and the sickening numbness within Kairon grew.

Kairon scowled as he gathered enough crimson animus for his limbs to glow red hot. Something felt wrong within him as he concentrated the heat within himself.

It doesn’t matter. Since I’m at such a disadvantage because of Thirteen, I should settle this quickly and gain back some initiative.

Constantly releasing animus to fill an area like that spreads animus very thinly across space, making it inefficient and easy to disrupt. If you can get close to him, the control user is unprotected since he’s in the middle of casting a technique.

I’ll use an area of effect attack in front of me, using a sudden burst of energy to disrupt the rhythm of his area control and go in. Crimson animus is the best for this.

Kairon flared his crimson animus with a roar, gathering all of the heat within him at once and exploding it outwards in a flash of red.

Crimson Blood Art: Hellfire Cone.

A roaring cone of fire exploded outwards from Kairon. In Kairon’s mind’s eye, his attack would vaporize a path through the dark energy in front of him all the way to Hoarfrost.

Instead, the explosion was frail and surprisingly weak, the flames gushing forward having an orange color instead of deep crimson and only blasting away a small swath of the darkness.

Why is the explosion radius so small? It was an overcharged attack.

The wave of flames flickered out completely as another void shockwave passed through it, like the tides of the ocean snuffing out a small campfire.

How can that be? That was most of my animus…

Kairon looked at his hands with blank, unbelieving eyes. Then it slowly dawned on him what had happened.

My animus was negated?

Then he blinked in realization.

That heartbeat… that feeling of negation…

Could this be the same animus as back then?

An old memory flashed through Kairon’s mind.

Kairon faced off his opponent on an empty city street. Rain poured around them, slicking the asphalt and making their footing tricky. Thunder rumbled in the cloudy, dark sky directly above them.

Kairon stood, wounded and panting heavily, as he faced a calm, sword-wielding woman with scars crisscrossing across her face. Her sword was covered in a bright silver animus that left a trail of light in the air as she hacked away the emergency golden barrier Kairon had erected to catch a breather and consider his next move. With each strike, her sword rang like a bell against Kairon’s blockade, and cracks started to form on it.

Blood dripped from a gash on his forehead into Kairon’s eye. He used animus to heal the wound and he reached up to wipe the blood away…

At that precise moment, the woman stepped forward and her sword blurred a blinding white. It crashed through the barrier, shattering it instantly, and shot towards his heart, where his animus core was.

She was saving that much power… waiting for me to let down my guard.

Kairon realized his mistake at the last second as the arm he had raised to wipe his eye was an instant too slow to block.

Ah. Kairon thought. What a pathetic way to die. This is why I avoid martial artists.

Thump. The sound of a single heartbeat reverberated throughout the battlefield and everything stopped. The pulse of a strange, unfathomable power had seized the entire area in an instant.

The woman’s blade froze, inches from Kairon’s chest.

Kairon also froze, his face turned towards the blade. Both he and his opponent looked at each other in shock. Even the rain had frozen mid-air, and all was quiet.

But even more terrifying than being frozen was the numbness that had spread within him in that single moment. All of the animus within the entire area, including his body, was snuffed out at once like a blown-out candle.

He was rendered completely powerless. Even a punch from a random mortal could kill him now.

A man stood in front of Kairon that wasn’t there before. He had a shabby, dark cloak draped over his tall frame. The man had a beard streaked with grey, one eye dyed completely black, and another covered in a milky white cataract. His expression looked… tired.

Kairon would later find out that this was the S-Class Anomaly presumed to be dead many years ago. The Void Sage.

A mysterious man who was once the Aspect of the Void’s disciple before he cut himself off from Zero’s help and wandered the Earth alone.

The man walked up to Kairon and put a hand on his shoulder.

Thump. The sound of another heartbeat. Another pulse of unimaginable power.

Kairon blinked. He was in an entirely different place. And the man was nowhere to be seen.

He had been saved.

Kairon shook his head and returned his mind to the battle currently at hand. His mouth quivered slightly as he stared at the being in front of him.

That boy… he has the power I’ve always idolized since that day. The Aspect of the Void.

Kairon looked in awe and fear at those pitch-black eyes again. At Zero’s eyes.

Hoarfrost… why would Zero choose a boy like him? Who is he really?

With each passing second, the void aura thickened around his body, constricting Kairon’s chest and making it harder to breathe. His vision began to warp as the space in the room seemed to compress inwards and fold in on itself. The animus constructs holding his vessel were disintegrating, creating cracks in the vessel he was so proud of from which leaks of animus steamed out.

It wasn’t nearly on the same level as the power wielded by the Void Sage, but still, Kairon felt the same certainty in his bones. It was impossible to win. Maybe if he had months to prepare countermeasures against void animus it could be done, but right now, he couldn’t use his powers to lift even a finger against Zero.

If I don’t do something about this situation… I’m going to implode from the instability of my Ultimate Circuits before anything else.

“Wait! There’s no need to fight. I acknowledge my defeat.” Kairon said, masking his desperation with false confidence. “You’ve already won. You won’t gain anything from going any further.”

Hoarfrost gained control of his mouth so he could speak to Kairon while Zero continued Dark Radiation.

“You’re an enemy of the League,” Hoarfrost said, “Eliminating you will prove my usefulness to Thirteen. That’s all.”

He was just recruited, and he’s already this obedient of a dog? Zero is supporting that kind of boy? Kairon thought. Can’t he think for himself?

The cracks in Kairon’s body widened and he coughed blood. His voice didn’t waver, but he spoke faster now, the true desperation he was feeling starting to show in his eyes.

“You’re following Thirteen, and yet you don’t know the thousands of years of bloody history he’s perpetrated against humanity. Even if that… creature promises you power, you must never follow him.” Kairon said, pointing across the room to where Thirteen watched.

Thirteen didn’t react, he simply looked on, his arms folded. The sheer force of his power repelled the void aura around him like a magnetic pole, leaving the bloody light of his animus to shine as bright as ever. He didn’t communicate anything in his stance, but the strength of his animus aura was more than enough of a message. To have enough of an aura to simply ignore the negation… it made Kairon’s insides crawl to even think about it.

I need much, much more time if I ever want to stand up to that monster.

But I know I can do it. I’ve walked the world for so long, but there’s still so much I can do. I can’t die here like an insect after all of that.

Even if I have to let go of my pride, I need to survive.

“No… even if you do follow him, at least consider taking me with you. I don’t mind working for you, the wielder of the void. You can follow Thirteen and benefit from my knowledge at the same time.” Kairon said.

Meanwhile, Hoarfrost considered the pleading, man in front of him, the man who had lived hundreds upon hundreds of years.

This is part of the test. Thirteen will judge me based on how I decide to deal with this. Hoarfrost paused in thought.

“You’ll betray the Freedom Federation?” Hoarfrost asked eventually.

“Yes,” Kairon said quickly, seeing that Hoarfrost was considering his request. “I’ll even fight alongside you against them if I have to.”

Hoarfrost frowned.

Then he took a step.

Hoarfrost blurred through space so that he towered over Kairon, his dark presence much stronger up close. Up close, looked like a nightmarish demon, with that deathly pallor and dark eyes and his uniform stained in blood.

Kairon grunted in surprise as he was crushed to the ground from the sheer strength of his aura.

Hoarfrost spoke deliberately, with a sense of finality.

“Did you know, the Ultimate League has a certain rule you must follow in order to serve,” he said as his void aura crushed the wounded Kairon down harder than ever.

“It’s that you must be ready to sacrifice everything for it. Your morals, your life… everything.”

Despair slowly clouded over Kairon’s eyes as he realized he had made a mistake.

“If an enemy captured you, would you betray the League in the same way?” Hoarfrost demanded, his words soft but intense.

Kairon met Hoarfrost’s black eyes. The certainty within them made him fall to his knees and turn his gaze despairingly to the ground, his final hope crumbling within him.

No. Forget dying to Thirteen. Even Hoarfrost’s not going to give me a chance. I’m finished. He could tell from the look in Hoarfrost’s eyes.

At the same time, Hoarfrost communicated his decision to Zero.

There’s nothing more for Kairon and me to say to each other, Hoarfrost told Zero. It’s time to finish things.

Zero extended a hand, concentrating void energy within it. He placed his hand on the shocked Kairon’s forehead. Hoarfrost watched grimly as his own arm moved at Zero’s command.

Master… Kairon called out within himself, his mental voice shaking as his body continued to disintegrate, his blood and animus pooling on the ground around him. Will you not help me even now?

There was no response.

Zero gathered a significant amount of void animus.

Dark Radiation…

Void animus pulsed into Kairon’s skull and through to his brain…

CRACK.

Zero’s hand shot backward as if he had been stung.

Dark smoke smoked off of Kairon’s head and he looked dazed, but the man was still alive.

What happened? Hoarfrost said. He had felt something react… but he didn’t know what.

There was an equal and opposite counter pulse of void animus. Zero said, his voice shocked and wary. Somehow… my attack was negated.

I’m alive? Kairon thought, a small ray of hope entering his dead eyes. Did master save me?

Both Hoarfrost and Kairon turned their eyes as they felt an ominous presence. It was coming from… Kairon’s shoulder. The black mist of void animus was steaming off of it, increasing in power. The power disintegrated a hole in Kairon’s uniform to reveal a patch of skin underneath.

A mark burned into existence in front of their eyes. It was that of an eye, with a black iris and white pupil.

Kairon realized what had happened as soon as he recognized the mark, awe filling his chest.

The Void Sage’s mark. That place on my shoulder was where the Void Sage put his hand when he saved me.

Did he leave something behind… to save me again?

Hoarfrost stared at the mark, speechless for a moment.

Then he felt an emotion stirring from within the darkest depths of his soul. Rage. A mixture of pain and rage, enough to see red.

It took him a second to realize it was coming from Zero.

It was as if Zero’s presence was a colossal serpent that had been half asleep within Hoarfrost, but was now uncoiling to its full size, its eyes focused and violent.

The traitor’s mark. Zero said.

The sheer vehemence of that thought reverberated through Hoarfrost’s body all the way to his toes.

Hoarfrost had thought of Zero as an alien creature that never reacted very much to whatever happened. He thought that maybe a shadowy Aspect like Zero didn’t even have emotions.

Hoarfrost’s assumption was completely wrong. Though some hid them, every Aspect had emotions.

And the quieter the Aspect was, the more terrible its rage was when it was finally unleashed.

Hoarfrost was as powerless as a man caught in a natural disaster. All he could do was freeze in shock and fear as he felt his own body act out Zero’s unearthly rage.

Zero looked down at Kairon. His pale face was impassive, but his vast, unleashed presence filled the entire room with dark bloodlust.

“Mark or not, I’m going to erase you and everything you’ve ever touched in this world,” Zero promised quietly.

Kairon was as paralyzed as Hoarfrost was under the full power of Zero’s rage. He couldn’t take his trembling eyes off of the demonic Aspect in front of him.

Zero reached deep into Hoarfrost’s void core and gathered everything.

Void Art…

The sound of a snap interrupted Zero’s technique.

A flash of crimson animus from across the room. Then the room was filled with blinding light.

With a pop that should have made his eardrums burst, all of the void aura in the room was vaporized at once.

Huh? In an instant…

Hoarfrost blinked away the afterimages, not believing his eyes. Even Zero was surprised.

Thirteen approach them through the aftermath of smoke and swirls of fire in the air, his eyes glowing red despite Hoarfrost’s black-and-white vision.

“Don’t interfere, Red,” Zero said, turning around and directing his black rage at Thirteen.

“You couldn’t stop me if I wanted to,” Thirteen said with a dark smile, a vast, fiery bloodlust rising from within him to match Zero’s.

Thirteen and Zero locked gazes, the pressure of their clashing auras enough to open cracks in the obsidian of the Throne Room’s pillars. Neither Aspect backed down as they probed the resolve of the other to go through with their threats.

Hoarfrost found himself square in the middle of their clash.

Even though Thirteen’s bloodlust was directed at Zero, it was also Hoarfrost’s eyes that Thirteen was boring into with the full force of his flaming animosity. On the other hand, Hoarfrost also felt the entirety of Zero’s anger surging forward against Thirteen, drowning out his thoughts with the pressure of his anger.

Hoarfrost was thrashed like a ragdoll in the violence of their clashing, titanic wills. He couldn’t think of anything but survival.

It felt like an eternity before Zero gave in first. He slowly calmed down and lowered his bloodlust, and Thirteen followed suit.

“Elevating this was my mistake. There’s no need to fight,” Zero said, cutting off his bloodlust completely. He seemed to calm down somewhat, though there was still an edge to his look and tightness to his gaze. Hoarfrost could feel still feel his dark pain and anger bubbling close under the surface.

“I’m just glad you understand,” Thirteen said.

The room was still. Hoarfrost shivered mentally with relief.

He could only imagine what it would be like if two powerful Aspects battled in full power with him watching.

If it comes to that, I’d be completely useless.

Me, the one who aims to be the strongest, could do nothing but pray that they would spare a thought to save me so I’m not instantly killed by the shockwaves of their fight.

The despairing thought made Hoarfrost’s exhaustion double. However, he shelved that away and paid attention as Zero and Thirteen began a serious conversation.

“You stopped me just now. Does that mean you’re going to continue getting in my way?” Zero said.

“Maybe, maybe not,” Thirteen said, “That depends on the situation.”

“I don’t know what your goals are, nor do I care,” Zero said, “All I want is to eliminate this marked human before he causes any more damage.”

“Ah, I’m afraid I can’t do that,” Thirteen said, “It turns out he still has some use left.”

What? Why isn’t Thirteen just eliminating Kairon? What could possibly be worth earning Zero’s anger? Hoarfrost thought, worry and fear making him feel sick as the conversation drew on.

Zero looked at him for a long time. He didn’t radiate a threatening aura, but his words were still chilling.

“I see. You’re an ally of the traitor. You’re my enemy.”

Hoarfrost could only look on in horror as he spoke the words with his own mouth.

Without a doubt… this is the worst-case scenario.

Thirteen’s face was impassive and he didn’t respond. Instead, his veins pulsed crimson and his body blurred forward.

There was a blast of wind, and an instant later, Hoarfrost felt Thirteen’s open palm rest on his back. Thirteen’s hand felt blazing hot, even through Hoarfrost’s uniform, making him flinch at the touch.

“It’s time for you to sleep again, Zero,” Thirteen said, grimly.

Zero didn’t turn around, but he directed his next words at Thirteen.

“You may be able to stop me now, but one day, you’ll regret choosing to be an obstacle instead of an ally,” Zero said.

Thirteen smiled to himself where Zero couldn’t see. Then his gaze focused and he summoned the bloodred fire of his animus from the vast pool within him. His hand grew hotter and hotter on Hoarfrost’s back.

Crimson Blood Art: Blood-Chain Seal.

A searing pain scorched through Hoarfrost's back and up to his core, which was glowing such a bright crimson that his chest glowed red through his shirt and made it start steaming.

Hoarfrost felt Zero’s presence being purged from his body. The Aspect of the Void didn’t try to resist, he just calmly slid back into the darkness somewhere within Hoarfrost’s core.

Hoarfrost saw in his mind’s eye the image of the featureless humanoid shadow he’d come to recognize as Zero being wrapped up in fiery chains of hellfire that dripped with blood.

It’s a shame. I wanted our first meeting to be much longer. Zero said.

Hoarfrost was speechless as he watched the Aspect slowly get sealed in front of his eyes.

This was a being whose mind was vast and alien, whose anger was terrifying, and whose power was unstoppable. Hoarfrost had experienced all of it coming from his own body.

And yet, he had treated Hoarfrost with respect and spoke to him earnestly.

He didn’t know what to make of Zero, his whirlwind ticket to the world of Aspects that had appeared only to disappear just as fast.

We’ll meet again. Zero said. Become stronger. I’ll be watching.

Hoarfrost nodded mutely.

As the chains dragged Zero away into the darkness of Hoarfrost’s mind, he struggled and gave one last piece of advice.

Hoarfrost, never trust those with the Sage’s mark. That human… wants the world to end.

Then Hoarfrost was back in his own body, breathing heavily. The feeling of crimson animus within him was slowly starting to subside to a dull throbbing in his veins.

He checked within himself. The presence of Zero was gone completely.

What was left was only a void power within him that he had no idea how to use.

“How was it?” Thirteen said abruptly, waking Hoarfrost from his thoughts, walking around to face Hoarfrost from the front, putting a hand on his shoulder, “Your trial, your first step into what the Ultimate League is really like.”

Thirteen’s easy tone made Hoarfrost ease up a little. He wasn’t angry at him or anything. A flurry of questions immediately came to mind.

What is “the Sage’s mark?”

Why did you let Kairon live?

Are you and Zero really enemies?

He opened his mouth, but as he looked into Thirteen’s eyes, he remembered the red bloodlust he had seen within them just moments before and shivered. All of his questions died on his lips.

Thirteen looked at him with concern, “It’s over, Hoarfrost. You passed. Just rest.”

“Hah…” Hoarfrost said, releasing a deep breath. The exhaustion hit him again at full force.

He didn’t feel elated or excited about the prospect of a future in the Ultimate League. All he felt was relief, such sudden relief that his body felt as heavy as lead.

Hoarfrost slowly dropped to his knees, then collapsed facefirst to the ground, blacking out. He had long passed his limit.

Thirteen caught him and lowered him gently to the ground. Thirteen considered the pale, peacefully sleeping man in front of him, assessing his performance on the trial.

As I thought. You fail as a soldier of the League, Hoarfrost. A soldier’s final goal should be following orders, but you only think about chasing your ambition. It’ll be apparent, soon enough, when you start working with your team.

But I’ll still allow you in because I can’t help but base my plans around someone like you.

So take your time, Hoarfrost, and realize all of your ambitions for me.

Thirteen nodded to himself. Then he turned his gaze towards Kairon, who sat quietly nearby, clutching his wounds and looking stunned.

“Why… did you protect me?” The man whispered.

Thirteen paused, then spoke about something unrelated.

“Did you know, that all of the Ultimate League’s members are leaders in influential positions around the world?”

Kairon frowned, then nodded cautiously.

“Hoarfrost, or Twelve, is now a full-fledged member of the League. Shouldn’t he be assigned a leadership position as well?”

“What does this have to do…” Kairon began.

“It wasn’t an official match, but Hoarfrost defeated you in one on one combat,” Thirteen said.

Kairon’s eyes widened in realization. Thirteen was talking about one of the main tenants of the Federation… The Right of Challenge.

The ability to challenge someone for their position…

“You can’t be serious,” Kairon whispered to himself. He was too exhausted to give a more animated reaction.

“When Hoarfrost wakes up, he’s going to be very busy,” Thirteen said, “It’ll be impossible for him to split between League duties and running the Federation on his own. As his subordinate, you need to advise him and help him however you can.”

Kairon could live with being taken as a prisoner, forced to be useful to his enemies, but the entire Federation? That was going way too far.

“You’re insane. You think you can just make the Federation yours just like that?” Kairon asked, “Just because you can defeat me, doesn’t mean everyone in the Federation will do what you say.”

“It’s not going to be mine,” Thirteen said, “It’ll be Hoarfrost’s. He’ll be free to do whatever he wants with it and you would be his main advisor.”

“But still, I’d rather die than let the Federation fall to the hands of…”

“You’d rather die? Did you think you’d get off that easily? I could easily torture you and heal you again and again for how much damage you’ve done to the Crimson Kings,” Thirteen said, his eyes burning with his bloodred animus, “However, I’m holding off out of respect for Hoarfrost. Do you understand?”

Kairon blinked, then nodded multiple times. There was no need to get unnecessarily tortured.

“If you don’t like it, then choose death,” Thirteen said, “Though that won’t really stop the Federation going to Hoarfrost anyways. You may be good at scheming and infiltration, but nothing can stop overwhelming power.”

It seems like I have to make this work. There’s no one else in the Federation as capable as me at cunning leadership. Kairon thought.

I have no choice but to play my part. This is for the sake of the Federation.

Thirteen continued talking, noting the cunning look in Kairon’s eyes.

“You can try to scheme against Hoarfrost as much as you want, but keep in mind that his favor is the only thing protecting you from me. The minute you lose it, I’ll come after you.”

“Yes. I give you my word that I’ll serve him well,” Kairon said, “I’ll make the Federation stronger than ever under his command.”

“Very good,” Thirteen said. “I’ll finish my business with the Temple, then we’ll head to the League Headquarters. Oh, and I’m not going to heal you. Do that yourself. And make sure to change out of that form before I look at you again.”

Thirteen was referring to Alister’s form, which Kairon was currently using. He nodded. Those things wouldn’t be too hard for him, even in his exhausted state.

Thirteen turned brusquely and walked purposefully out of the Throne Room. Kairon looked at Thirteen’s back for a moment as he left.

Thirteen. He’s impossible to understand. How can he use his enemies so recklessly? Kairon thought tiredly.

Why did Thirteen make an enemy over Zero over my life? If he wanted to control the Federation, wouldn’t the Bosses one level under me be enough?

Well, either way, I’m glad to be alive. Even though I was defeated today, I know I can still be of use to the Federation. I’ll make sure it survives under the League’s command… no, that it becomes even better than it was before.

My madness has been building up recently, but it looks like I’m going to have to hang in there for a while longer yet. I can do it though.

He started gathering animus from the Temple and started the long process of healing the bleeding cracks of his vessel and safely stabilizing himself.

In either case, I’m going to have to follow along for a long time before I understand what’s going on. Only then can I begin planning…

As Kairon healed, he looked for a long time at the sleeping form of his young new leader, trying to consider him in a new light.

Hoarfrost was sleeping face-first on the ground, his white hair messily flopped forward onto his forehead. His uniform was matted in sweat and blood as well. It wasn’t a very flattering look.

Kairon sighed. Heavily.

This may be the wielder of the Void Aspect, but I haven’t gotten a very good impression of him so far…

And let’s not forget that Zero himself would hunt me down to the ends of the earth if he ever got unsealed again.

Opportunity or not, Kairon had a feeling that the next few years would be very, very stressful.