The hover car glided smoothly through the streets of the city, the land above Nocturnus, as it carried Lady Lian away from the auction.
The neon-lit city flashing all shorts of coloured lights as they drove past. Inside the car, the atmosphere was calm yet at the sa ti it seed tense, the noise of the engine was the only sound that could be heard since the glasses were rolled up.
Lady Lian sat in the backseat, her silver wolf, Fenrir, lying at her feet. She ran her fingers through its fur, her eyes distant as she stared out the window.
The events of the evening played over in her mind, particularly her encounter with Spade, the man had proven to be as mysterious as he was powerful.
One of her bodyguards, seated in the front, glanced at her through the rearview mirror. He noticed the thoughtful look on her face and the way her hand moved through Fenrir's fur, as if seeking comfort.
"Lady Lian."
"Is sothing troubling you?"
She blinked, coming out of her deep thoughts, and let out a soft sigh.
"I should have known it wouldn't be that easy," she admitted, sounding sowhat frustrated.
"Gaining the alliance of a master... sees will cost way more than I bargained for."
Just then, the mory replayed before her eyes.
Lian stood before Alister, her thoughts racing.
'This should be enough to secure a master's alliance.' she reassured herself, believing that everything was going according to plan.
She was confident that her offer would win him over.
But suddenly, golden mana erupted from Alister's body, surging outward like massive flas. The air felt suffocating, and the sheer intensity of his aura sent a shiver down Lian's spine.
Her bodyguards instinctively tensed, eyes wide with shock as they struggled to remain composed. Even Fenrir, her loyal wolf, whimpered and dropped to its knees, unable to withstand the overwhelming pressure.
The bodyguards exchanged uneasy looks at each other, unable to tear their eyes away from the sight before them.
The power radiating from Alister was unlike anything they had ever encountered.
"Incredible... his mana and aura... they're beyond anything we've ever seen." One of them said, his words coming out in a whisper.
Lian's mind raced in fear and awe. 'So... this is what a master is truly capable of.' Her heart was pounding in her chest.
Alister's eyes glowed intensely through the visor of his mask, his gaze locking onto Lian.
His voice seed to cut through the air, sounding sharp and cold. "Tell , child, correct if I'm wrong, but did I just hear you suggest that I should beco an obedient dog simply because you're offering to give back what you stole? Are you mocking ?"
His voice seed to sound even deeper.
He took a step closer, and the golden flas seed to flare even brighter. Lian's heart nearly flew out of her throat in panic. She had clearly underestimated him, and now she was facing the consequences.
"Y-You misunderstand!"
"I wasn't suggesting that! I just ant that if you take this, I hope you'd be willing to help with a problem I'm currently facing."
Alister's eyes narrowed, as he leaned forward.
"And what if I choose to disagree?"
Lian's mouth opened, but no words ca out. She felt the crushing weight of his power pressing down on her, and for the first ti, she truly understood the danger she was in.
If he wanted to, he could end them all here and now. His strength was undeniable-far greater than she had expected. She slowly ca to realize that her attempt to force him into a partnership was not only bold but deeply disrespectful to this master before her.
She couldn't let things fall apart now, not when so much was at stake. Swallowing her pride, Lian lowered her head, she was about to lower her knees but felt them give out halfway, her voice trembling as she spoke.
"P-please... forgive . I ant no disrespect. I... I beg of you, Master Spade. Please consider my request. I need your help."
"I-if it's treasure and money I am willing to offer as much as I can."
She could only hope that her plea would be enough to appease him, knowing full well that she had gambled everything on this mont.
Alister strode forward until he was directly in front of Lian, towering over her. His gaze seed to pierce through her soul.
"If you're truly desperate for my help..."
"Then you must be more than willing to prove your sincerity."
Lian's heart raced as she looked up at him.
"Y-Yes," she stamred, nodding quickly.
"Good," Alister replied, a small smirk spreading on his face hidden beneath his mask.
"I'll be gone for a few days. In that ti, I want you to search for two specific items. Whether or not I help you will depend solely on your ability to find these for ."
His gaze narrowed, the intensity of his eyes locking onto hers.
"Do you understand?"
Lian could barely speak up as she said. murmured.
"Understood."
Alister then told her the items she would be securing for him.
"First, you'll need to find a Phoenix's Feather."
"And second, an Ethereal Moonstone."
At the ntion of these rare items, Lian's eyes widened in shock. "Sir, but those items are-"
"Do you understand?" He silenced her with a sharp look as he repeated, his voice leaving no room for argunt.
She hesitated, the weight of the task pressing heavily on her, but then she nodded. "I
understand."
"Good." Alister's mana returned into his body, the oppressive aura dissipating as he stepped
past Lian and approached one of her bodyguards.
Without a word, he took the briefcase from the guard's hands.
"I'll be taking what's mine now." He said.
Turning his back to her, Alister began to walk away, just as he reached a couple feet away, he
paused and glanced back over his shoulder.
"I hope we et again soon," he called out. He tossed a small card in her direction, the card landing at her feet. It had a roughly scribbled number.
"When you're ready," he said, his voice fading as he walked away "call ."
And with that, he vanished from sight, leaving Lian standing there, clutching the card, her
mind racing with the daunting task ahead of her.
The mory ended.
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