Threads of the Soul

"So it's settled then, we'll have a friendly competition between countries and see who's companions come out on top. Is there any objections to this decision?"

Corvus scanned the room, waiting for anyone to disagree with him. When no objections came, not including the derisive snorts from the Lion, he knocked on the table in place of banging a gavel.

"Well then, that's good. Let's just make sure to make one thing perfectly clear. Friendly competition means there will be absolutely no killing.

I don't care about any one else here, but any 'accidental' killings will not be tolerated, and will end up with more blood spilled in retribution. I can guarantee you that if you even try to pull that shit on my man, the killings that follow will be far from accidental and painfully slow, so you have time to reflect on what you have done."

A strange feeling fluttered in Woe's heart as he stared at the imposing back of his Lord. Even with the ominous and deadly aura radiating off of him, making sure that no one misinterpreted his words as empty threats, Woe was filled with nothing but respect and gratitude. Dıscover more novels at NoveIＦire.net

He puffed his chest out, doing his best to keep his composure as he swore to himself to do even better than last time. He had failed his previous Lord and was useless in his last combat encounter. He still had the scar on his cheek as a painful reminder.

But this time... This time he was going to do better! This time he was going to be useful, he was going to earn his respect and finally be seen as more than just another within the crowd. He needed to be more!

The surrounding leaders were less enthusiastic under the pressure of Corvus' overwhelming Aura. While the Celestials were less effected by it, they still felt the chill creeping down their spine and prickling on their skin.

For those below Celestial, however, it was if they had the icy hand of death wrapped tight around their throat as it gently squeezed the life out of them. They all held their breath, not out of choice but simply because the air wouldn't move almost as if it feared upsetting the man exuding such a presence.

Their bodies refused to operate as normal under the overbearing pressure.

Corvus even made sure to let out a slight hint of Divine energy, mixing it with the pressure he was exuding. Just that little bit added the entire weight of his existence as a so called 'God'. The pressure of his responsibility, the fear his enemies had felt for him every time he had appeared, the reverence his followers gave him and the power that afforded him.

All of that was added to his aura and forced onto the shoulders of these men and women before him. It was barely a surprise when one of the companions couldn't handle it anymore and had to turn around to spew their guts.

That was the final clincher for Xander to wave his hand in an attempt to calm Corvus down.

"Alright Alright, We get it. Enough of that, I don't need to see anymore idiots losing their lunch. It's just disgusting.

Rest assured that if any of my guys do a killing, accidental or not, I'll shoot them myself."

He patted the revolvers hanging on his hips, which made Corvus frown slightly. Wait, those aren't for decoration? Did he actually use those things?!

He was sure that Angel had once said that the system wouldn't gift them guns as Requitals. They had to be part of his mutation. He couldn't imagine what it could possibly be, but if anyone had to get a gun related mutation it was definitely bound to be the American. It was just too perfect.

While Corvus was staring at Xander's strange choice of weapons, the American continued,

"But you seem to have missed something slick. Where are we supposed to be fightin'? I know that arena of yours is taken right now, and I ain't about to have a tussle on top of this lovely table."

Corvus tilted his head, gesturing to the maid, "I'm sure our hosts have something suitable. After all, I doubt they expected us to only talk. Isn't that right Miss Demon?"

The maid in question raised a singular eyebrow, although it was hard to tell if it was in surprise or sarcastic exasperation. But none the less, she turned on her heels and walked out of the room by a different door than the one they had all entered by.

"If this is what you insist upon, then you will follow."

So follow they did. Even the beast leaders followed along, despite the fact they had no companions to participate in the bouts. They were curious about the ways the humans would fight, plus they were eager to be entertained by their weakness.

Meanwhile, as they strolled through stone corridors that reminded him of his own castle home, Corvus leaned close to Astra and whispered lowly.

"What was your verdict?"

She glanced around them subtly, checking the others, before nodding to one of the many companions. This specific one being a member of the Italian leaders party.

"Him, definitely. There is also the one in armour following the Nordic Queen, and I'm pretty sure the cat is one too. The one the Egyptian is carrying, it didn't flinch at all."

Corvus nodded softly, glancing at the one's she had pointed out as well as a few others, in order to make it less obvious who he was looking at.

There was a reason he had made such a display of releasing his aura, after all. It wasn't just for dramatic posturing. While he did care about Woe not being killed, and would most definitely rip to shreds anyone who dared steal his brother from him. It was not his only reason.

It also helped gauge the potential 'invaders' that might be lurking within their numbers. Since the French man had some kind of token, most likely to summon or communicate with whichever old god that had charmed him, then it stood to reason that others were also in communication.

He himself had the black dragon, even if she had disappeared under mysterious circumstances and never returned.

There was also the chance that these leaders were as paranoid or cautious as he was. He knew hat if he was in their shoes, he would definitely consider bringing them along with him as some kind of bodyguard. But if that was the case, then the invaders would definitely know how to disguise themselves so that the demon wouldn't notice them.

So, Corvus' little display was an attempt to root them out the old fashioned way, relying not on their powers or some strange otherworldly technology to keep them hidden. But their own acting powers.

Something it seems they weren't all that good at, as according to Astra three of them had failed that test. Most likely because his oppressive aura was pitiful to them, and they simply didn't consider acting in response to something so pathetic. It would be like the wind to them, nothing more, and who went around acting to the wind?

Armed with this information, Corvus called over one of the little Kobold butlers that was walking alongside them. However he didn't try to whisper to them, instead he made his voice as obvious as possible as he asked,

"I don't suppose you have some paper, do you? Something good for folding. That would be absolutely lovely."