By the ti Lucas and Tom reached the outer command area, a small clearing had already ford around the two n. A few soldiers lingered at a distance, not close enough to intrude, but close enough to observe. It was not curiosity alone that kept them there, it was presence.
The two n stood side by side, both composed, both carrying themselves with the quiet weight of power that did not need to be announced. Their posture was relaxed, yet there was sothing deliberate in the way they held themselves, as if they were fully aware of the impression they created.
And then there was their expressions.
Arrogance.
Not loud, not exaggerated, but clear enough in the slight tilt of their chins, in the way their eyes moved across their surroundings without truly acknowledging anything beneath them. It was the kind of confidence that ca from knowing one’s own strength and believing it to be unquestionable.
Lucas slowed slightly as he approached, observing without reacting.
Celestials.
He could feel it.
The energy around them was controlled, refined, and unmistakably elevated. It was not sothing ordinary cultivators could replicate, no matter how skilled they were. It was the mark of those who had crossed into a higher threshold.
For n in their mid-thirties, that alone was impressive.
More than impressive, it was rare.
Lucas’s gaze sharpened slightly as he took them in.
These were not just operatives sent for support.
They were likely among Blackmare’s most valuable assets, individuals who had proven themselves repeatedly to earn both their power and the trust required to be deployed in a mission of this scale.
Which ant one thing.
They would not follow easily.
Lucas stopped a short distance from them, his presence finally drawing their attention fully.
Their eyes settled on him.
And in that brief mont of silence, it was clear.
This would not be a simple integration.
Lucas stopped before them, his expression calm, his presence steady despite the subtle tension already forming in the air. For a brief mont, no one spoke, the silence stretching just enough to make their stance clear.
"I am Xavier Alden," he said calmly.
The two n glanced at each other briefly before looking back at him, their expressions barely shifting.
One of them let out a quiet breath, almost amused. "Go and get him," he said dismissively. "We did not travel here for jokes and introductions from ssengers."
The other gave a faint smirk. "Bring us Xavier Alden."
Lucas did not move.
"I just told you," he said calmly. "You are looking at him."
That was when their composure cracked, not into anger, but into disbelief.
A short, restrained laugh escaped one of them. The other shook his head slightly, as if dismissing the idea entirely.
"This is him," the first one said, glancing at his companion. "The one they have been speaking about."
"The sa Xavier," the other added, his tone carrying clear skepticism. "The one with overwhelming presence and power."
Their eyes returned to Lucas, this ti with open doubt.
"I expected soone... else," one of them said.
Lucas remained silent.
He neither defended himself nor reacted to their tone. He simply stood there, his gaze steady, giving them nothing to push against.
Behind him, Tom’s expression hardened.
"That is enough," Tom said sharply.
Both n glanced at him, mildly surprised at the interruption.
"You will address him properly," Tom continued, his voice firm with restrained anger. "That is my lord you are speaking to."
The two celestials looked back at Lucas again, their arrogant expression still plastered on their face.
The arrogance of the two n finally crossed a line.
Lucas’ expression hardened, his gaze turning cold...deadly.
He locked eyes with them, one after the other, his stare sharp enough to cut. The air around him seed to grow heavier, suffocating.
"What I’ve achieved..." he began, his voice low but carrying unmistakable weight, "is sothing the both of you can only dream of."
The two Celestials frowned, their earlier amusent flickering.
Lucas took a step forward.
"I have fought opponents far stronger than you and stood my ground. I have stared death in the face, again and again, and I’m still here."
His voice rose slightly, not in anger, but in dominance.
"I have faced a dragon... a creature that could wipe out armies... and I did not die."
Silence fell.
Even the wind seed to still.
"My na didn’t spread across this land," Lucas continued, his eyes burning into theirs, "for two diocre Celestials to stand here and mock ."
The words landed like a hamr.
For the first ti, the confidence on the two n’s faces cracked. Their expressions stiffened, their throats tightening as the weight of Lucas’ presence bore down on them.
They were stunned.
Completely.
Around them, the soldiers who had gathered felt a surge of pride rise in their chests. Their backs straightened, their eyes shining with renewed respect.
This... was the man they adored.
Tom, standing just behind Lucas, clenched his fists, his chest swelling with pride. A grin tugged at his lips.
That was his lord.
The tension lingered for a mont longer before it broke.
The two Celestials exchanged a quick glance. Whatever arrogance they had carried earlier had been thoroughly crushed.
One of them cleared his throat. "We... spoke out of line."
The other gave a slight bow, more restrained but sincere enough. "It won’t happen again."
It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t dramatic.
But it was an apology.
Lucas studied them for a brief second, his expression unreadable. Then, he gave a small nod, acceptance, nothing more.
"Good," he said simply.
He turned without another word. "Follow ."
They obeyed imdiately.
The gathered soldiers parted as Lucas walked ahead, his steps calm and steady, his presence commanding without effort. The two Celestials followed closely behind, far more subdued now, while Tom trailed them with quiet satisfaction.
After a short walk, they arrived at a section of the encampnt where three figures stood apart from the rest.
Vorde.
Bartho.
Darmian.
Their attention shifted the mont Lucas approached, eyes narrowing slightly as they took in the two unfamiliar Celestials behind him.
Lucas stopped a few paces away.
"Let’s get the mission briefing started," he said calmly.
A faint smirk tugged at Bartho’s lips, while Vorde’s gaze sharpened with interest. Darmian remained unreadablebut there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
The air grew tense again.
Only this ti... it wasn’t arrogance filling it.
It was anticipation.
User Comments
0 comments from readers