Ascension of Chaos

The Park

Not long ago

"Your mission is to claim the Spire within the park," the Black Enforcer's cold voice echoes in Blake's ears as he runs in the direction of the park. "We've gotten word that other System Star holders are already attempting to claim the Spires within the capital. Do not fail, for this mission is necessary for our family."

Blake scowls in response to his father's words, never having liked his parents' obsession with their family. An obsession so great they tend to neglect their own children when focused on work.

But despite his feelings on the matter, he understands the importance of this mission. So he answers right away, "Understood, Father."

To Blake's surprise, though, even as he continues running, the call doesn't cut off right after his affirmation. Instead, his father comes back and says, "She's awake, son," in a much warmer voice than Blake's heard in years.

The corners of Blake's mouth quirk upwards at that one sentence.

So they really are changing…

Blake feels overjoyed to hear that Ashley is awake, but he's also happy to know that their parents may finally be changing for the better.

It started when Ashley had first entered her coma.

Blake and his other siblings all finally snapped.

And ever since then, their parents have been acting strangely.

"But…" Blake's father continues as Blake continues running towards the large Spire, "it would appear she may have memory loss."

Those words almost make Blake freeze in his tracks. But he keeps running out of pure instinct.

"Does she…" Blake begins to ask, feeling his throat tightening a little at the thought of Ashley not remembering him.

"We don't know," the Black Enforcer continues, sounding worried himself. Which isn't something Blake ever saw until the day Ashley fell into her coma. Not once in his entire life before then. "She fled without a word."

Blake grits his teeth, but before he can say anything, the Spire he sees not too far in front of him begins to glow, making him stop in his tracks.

Shit, am I too late?!

"Father, the Spire seems to have been claimed by someone…" Blake begins only to trail off when he sees the pure silver spire changing color to black and crimson. Something that should only happen if the one claiming the Spire has a secondary energy.

According to Etheria, at least.

And for the Spire to turn black and crimson, that can only mean one thing.

"Archmage?" his father asks, using his enforcer title.

Blake takes a second before he gently smiles and answers, "The Spire was claimed by someone with chaos energy."

He hears his father sucking in a breath and pausing on the other side of the line. Meanwhile Blake turns his gaze down at the bottom of the now-black-and-crimson Spire to see a few enforcers appearing right at the entrance in a crimson flash of light. Each being teleported out of the Spire upon its claiming.

"Wait for-" the Black Enforcer begins, only for Blake to cut him off by saying, "You focus on maintaining our power. Leave her to me."

Then he hangs up the call without a word before taking the earpiece off of his ear and stuffing it in his pocket.

I'm sure him coming to see her now would only hurt her, change or no change.

The air all around him begins to shift ever so slightly before settling. Meanwhile the Gates he can see begin to take on a black and crimson tint to them rather than the neutral blue they had before.

As if saying they belong to the new Lady of the Spire.

Blake walks up towards the Spire before stopping right in front of the entrance, ignoring the other enforcers who were at first expressing their own anger at being late but are now trying to sneak away from Blake without being noticed. And failing miserably at it.

I'm so close…

He reaches out and tries to touch the Spire, only for a crimson barrier to repel him as if slapping his hand away. Meanwhile a notification appears in his vision.