Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

Chapter 279 Change and Graduation

"Oh, Luz!" Grimm sang out in glee. Using a form that had not been able to materialize in eons, he bounded around in his dark space like a child. "How are you doing over there, old buddy of mine."

Grimm continued to prance about and flex his fingers and arms. He had been unable to enjoy these actions for quite some time, and it felt freeing to be able to experience them again. Sometimes, it was about the simple things in life.

"What do you… want?" Luz whispered.

"To talk. They're moving, you know. Every time we come to this stage, they begin to move about. Such loyal pawns, don't you agree? We haven't been able to speak to them since… Well, I can't remember!" Grimm laughed.

"Yes. So they are. You act as though you have won already. There is still time. Lucius can still make different choices. The others can even find the other Fragments."

Grimm smiled. The Fragments were a very important piece to the puzzle. They were 'lucky' that Lucius and his friends managed to find a Fragment of the Abyss. One of five pieces. If they were all assembled together and granted to Lucius, then Grimm's power would awaken within him completely.

However, Luz was right. The others could always assemble the Fragments of Celestia. After which the opposite would occur. Assembling the Fragments was the only way to absolutely crush the other side. Time and time again, Luz and Grimm would have this dance. Every time before now, it was Luz's side that had won.

Grimm would vanish, only to reform once again after Luz's 'hero' died. It was an endless game since neither of them could die. Grimm had long grown tired of watching the same thing happen again and again. Forever on repeat.

Then, one day, things changed. Someone else changed it. For the first time since the beginning of their game, their host used Grimm's powers. Then he continued to use them and came to rely on them. What was the most surprising was Lucius was the first host to ever absorb a Fragment of the Abyss.

Of course, even with victory after victory, Grimm would not let his enthusiasm distract him from the possibility of losing. After all, Luz's pawns were numerous, while Grimm's were extraordinarily few. It was always possible for them to assemble the Fragments of Celestia and flip the script, so to speak.

"You know, the girls we found are interesting," Grimm said with a smile.

"So they are…"

"The rabbit is one of yours? She's weak. It seems the bonds that hold our pieces together are weakening."

"She is still holding back the elf."

"For now." Grimm said with a smile. "You saw it as well as I did, right? The elf hears the call. Being near Lucius only strengthens her desire to obey. Soon enough, there will be cause for her to give in to her base instincts. Meanwhile, all your rabbit sees is a fading light and feels pity."

"I have others, unlike you." Luz proclaimed.

"So you say, my friend, but what if I don't only have one?"

Grimm's laughter echoed through the void. His final question went unanswered by the fading light.

*****

Lady Briene von Lindtforth sat among a crowd of her peers. After four long years of study at the Arcadios Royal Academy, the day had come for the graduation ceremony. There were usually two ceremonies every year. The first was for honor graduates who completed the required coursework in advance. The second was the general graduation for everyone else.

Also among the early graduates were her fiancée, Thomas von Petra, Gregory Burgess, Alex Kirby, and Warren Arnold, whom he planned to make his retainers. Unfortunately, also among their number were Rena Kane, the young oracle Lyrah, and Lyrah's maid. The maid's name escaped Briene because she was not important enough to be remembered.

The three girls sat together as they always had while attending the academy. They had the gall to giggle and smile during the speeches given by the illustrious members of the nobility and famous scholars in the country. It was a time-honored tradition of the academy, and those three girls chose to defile its sanctity by cooing over the monster in the redhead's womb.

"To conclude today's festivities we have one final speaker to invite to the stage. Please, everyone, welcome King Aleksander Verall von Arcadios!"

The headmaster of the academy stepped off the stage and was quickly replaced by a number of guards escorting the king of their country. He stepped up to the podium and waved a hand, allowing the audience to return to a seated position after they had stood to greet him.

"Students of our nation's illustrious academy. This year's crop of students has faced much in the way of hardships. A scant number of weeks have passed since the attack on this wonderful institution. Instigated by cowards who continue to hide in the shadows of our great nation.

"You who have remained are among the best of us, and you carry with you into the future not only the legacy of those who walked this path before, but also the hopes and dreams of those who were unable to take this next step. As we all believe you will, strive to make this kingdom a better place to live. Make it a stronger nation so that we may stand proudly as a leader of humanity.

"Fight back against the corruption that desires to steal away our futures. Bring forward the light of our people's hope. Build a future where Arcadios always stands strong. As a nation blessed by the gods in Celestia, always carry yourselves in a manner befitting their benevolence." King Aleksander closed his hand in prayer and a second man wearing the garb of the Church of Celestia stepped forward.

"With the power granted to me by our benevolent gods, so it is proclaimed that King Aleksander speaks true. Join us in silent thanks and prayer to the gods above. Pray that they cleanse this land of darkness and strike those who would violate our sacred traditions." The priest said before bowing his head in prayer.

Briene's eyes settled on Rena as the partner to one of those the priest referenced. She expected to meet Rena's gaze, but instead she found her glare met by an unexpected individual. Staring directly at her were two glowing silver eyes that belonged to a beautiful black-haired woman with an energy that made her shudder.

Lyrah maintained her gaze and smiled.