Divine Beast Ascension

CRASH!

“MISERABLE APES!! DIE ALREADY!!!”

“Huhhh...” sighing, Lady Inka fiddled with her empty wine glass. “Zrand, try to-”

“How dare they defy me, even after all these years?!!?” Zrand boomed, letting his voice echo through his throne room. “Those pests! Those vermin still scurry for their lives, even after they defiled my family, my NAME?!!!”

“ZRAND!”

Unleashing furious, long breaths, Zrand stopped himself from throwing the table in front of Inka.

.....

“You really should get over it. Move on already...” Inka commented, glaring up at the peak-king in his massive snake form.

Zrand squinted and hissed while returning to his human form. “Move on?! Foolish!! We’re much too invested now! Now, we-”

“You’re invested,” Inka corrected, shaking her head.

“WHAT?!! It was our son that bastard ape killed! It was our family he defied when ignoring our orders and fleeing the country!!” stated Zrand, unleashing more essence with every word. “And now, they’ve killed two of our kings, two of my most crucial pawns!!!”

“And who’s fault is that?”

“HIS!!!”

“Yours...”

Inka didn’t bother meeting Zrand’s threatening gaze. Instead, she leaned forward and rubbed her forehead. “Zrand... You have to get over it. Nothing good will-”

“DIORO’S ALREADY DEAD!!!!! Yet his kind still taint my reputation by simply existing!” continued Zrand. “You wouldn’t understand! As prefecture lord, do you think a failing execution order is common? The mockery, the sullied reputation, the unsettled debt of blood!!”

“Zrand, you’re going more insane with every scheme. Keep this up, and I’ll be the one left running Tempest Prefecture...” Inka shrugged.

“Hmph! If that would allow their existence to be snuffed, then perhaps I’d consider it!”

“Then if you’re unwilling, maybe focus on your own prefecture for once and not someone else’s...” sighing, Inka finally looked her husband square in the eyes. “You’ve already caused enough trouble. Anymore and-”

“We’re too invested!” Zrand interjected. “Not only did we lose our informant in the Nova Prefecture, I lost my greatest assistant! TWO KINGS!! How dare an infant territory defy the power of two kings, and a high-king at that?!!?”

“Either way, anymore interfering and you might be found out. You’ve pushed things too far. Just because the Noxious God favors you doesn’t mean you can get away with such blatant offenses.” Inka stood up and slowly sauntered to Zrand, throwing an arm around his shoulders. “Calm down... I know a way to use that pent-up aggression. Wouldn’t you rather channel that energy and-”

“NOT NOW!!!!”

Clicking her tongue, Inka groaned, “Zraaaand, come on? Please?”

“NO!!” shouted the man, letting essence ooze from his murderous glare. “I must discover what’s happening! There must be something-”

“Of course, there’s outside interference. If you’re able to interfere with other prefectures, how come they can’t act in response?” reasoned Inka.

But Zrand shook his head. “Yet no one has arrived in search of me? No one has turned me in to-”

“You think the Nova Prefecture would report you just for the death of a king that wasn’t under their influence in the first place?” Inka mocked. “Get real. If anything, they’ve just been keeping things close to the chest since you’re doing the same. Besides, how can they target you? What could trace back to you-”

“Should they have Krasc’s body, then anything is possible!!!!”

“Huhhh... Can’t we just go to bed and call it a night? Save your scheming for tomorrow and-”

Knock, knock!

Surprised, Inka and Zrand grew quiet before dropping the silence formation in the room.

“What’s the matter?!” Zrand shouted.

From the other side of the door, a servant replied, “Lord Zrand, a messenger from his omnipotence the Noxious God has arrived to see you.”

“...” Swallowing his fury, Zrand dropped all emotions and put on a tranquil face. “Very well. Show them in immediately.”

“Yes, Lord Zrand!”

Inka and Zrand looked to each other for a quick moment, each nodding. Within seconds, there was another knock at the door, followed by the opening of the door.

In walked a common-looking woman. She wore simple, half-plate armor that covered her entire body. Her entire demeanor yelled stern and immovable. Without hesitation, the woman waved off the servants, nodded to Inka, and squinted at Zrand.

“Lady Narja, to what do we owe your honorable visit?” Zrand softly asked, bowing humbly.

She offered no bow or movement in return. “Lord Zrand, master of the Tempest Prefecture, you are to come with me at once.”

Blinking, Zrand bowed his head, asking, “Please, for what reasons shall I be leaving with you?”

“By the order of God Toseko.”

“And... may I ask why he’s summoned me?”

Finally nodding, Lady Narja explained, “Under suspicion of prefectural treason, you are to hereby stand before God Toseko under trial.”

“I will go...” Zrand replied, taking a moment for the weight of the accusation to sink in. “If that’s the case, then there is evidence of my possible treason. May I know what has been presented?”

“Of course.” Then, a severed head appeared in Narja’s hand, hanging by unkempt hair. “This is the head of your assistant, Krasc, correct?”

“Yes... that is the head of my missing assistant,” replied Zrand, showing a shocked yet caring expression on his face. “May I ask where he was found?”

“... This head was turned in by the Isaac Draco, lord of the Nova Prefecture.” Lady Narja examined Zrand’s reactions carefully, also noting the deadpan face of Inka in the corner. “This is some of the evidence presented. Already, this is enough to merit your summons. You will be fully informed of all accusations and evidence immediately upon arrival in Virulent City. Do you have any further questions?”

“No... I have none. How soon are we departing?”

“Immediately.”

Pausing in thought, Zrand turned to his wife. “Inka, I leave Tempest Prefecture in your hands for the time being, until these charges and accusations have been cleared.”

“I accept this responsibility, Lord Zrand,” Inka replied with a respectful bow.

“Very well... I’m ready.”

Without another word, Lady Narja turned and opened the door. She led Lord Zrand out of the palace before they took off through the sky.