My Devourer System: Rise of the Bastard Son

Lucen leaned against the cold stone walls of the hall casually. Himmel glared at him with barely held fury. But Lucen had him in the noose, and he would tighten it if Himmel didn't follow his orders.

Silence flowed through the long hall, the crying maid's footsteps accompanied them as they stared at each other. The dusty hallway had many doors on each side full of old and forgotten things.

Everything the staff needed to run the castlewas upstairs

Yet Lucen was down here.

He hoped the implications were obvious to Himmel.

Now Himmel would be worrying about how he knew where to find him. Lucen heard from Liam a while ago that one of the Lightcloaks was abusing servants. Coercion and eventually blackmail.

Lucen never liked Himmel. His perfectly styled hair, his fitted suits, and the diamond-encrusted scabbard on his hip. Lucen was sure the fool had never drawn the sword.

He had come to the realization that being a Knight didn't mean being skilled with weapons.

Sure you had the superhuman powers and even strength. But that was often more of a crutch for Knights rather than an addition to already excellent fundamentals.

Warren was very strict with his training and selection of Knights. Even Ymir, who primarily fought in the backline and with a dagger, was more skilled than most Knights.

Himmel grew tired of the strange silence. "What do you want?"

"I was just passing by. I heard some voices, and thought she was in trouble."

"She was safe as can be," Himmel spat. "Strange to see you stalking this place."

Lucen laughed. "Strange to see you in such a low place. Hidden from light."

Himmel bristled at his last words. It wasn't the most subtle insult Lucen had ever come up with, but it got the job done.

Himmel started walking away. "I have a meeting."

Once he had just barely passed, Lucen said, "With Chester, right?"

Himmel froze, his fist tightening just a little. He turned to glare over his shoulder at a smiling Lucen.

"Lord Chester," Himmel corrected. "You'd do well to speak his name properly, halfblood."

Lucen nodded, walking closer. "I'll take note. Do you mind if I pick your mind on a question that's been on my mind?"

Himmel stepped a bit closer, as though daring him to speak of what just happened. Lucen's gleeful smile widened.

"It's not a personal matter. Rather, I've gotten myself into a problem."

Himmel scoffed. "Why should I help you with your nonsense? I serve Lord Chester, I have no time to waste on petty matters."

"But you see, problems have a way of getting out of hand if they aren't dealt with. We both have problems that we can help each other with, right?"

Himmel began to shake with fury. He spoke through his teeth, voice low and trembling.

"Watch yourself."

"Of course, I don't like finding trouble." Lucen raised his hands innocently. "But problems seem to find me. I just want some help, that's all."

Himmel glared, snarling. "And what is your problem?"

Lucen glanced at the walls. "Can we speak here?"

Himmel waved his hand and a bubble spread around them, the colors slowly melting from the walls until they were left in a black abyss.

Lucen smirked, Aya was right.

When Lucen had been interrogated by Chester, he was thrust into a black world where they could speak privately.

Aya had experienced the same thing when they tortured her, but had observed that it was Himmel casting the spell. So they planned around his spell.

Lucen needed to discreetly inform Chester of the blackmail, then use that as a road to cut a deal with him about the quest.

Once Aya learned the things Liam told him about Himmel assaulting servants, they decided to use that in their plan. They would force Himmel to take their message to Chester.

Lucen went on to explain how Kedral caught him and Heimar about to cross swords and made a not-so-formal deal with them.

Himmel's eyes flicked from the ground to him rapidly. He stepped back away from Lucen and held his chin.

"Nothing was agreed upon though."

"I don't know how his powers work, but he did say anything he knows the King knows. So we can assume the King will act against me or Heimar if the quest isn't completed."

The Lightcloaks were already in a tight spot. Their public approval was in the toilet, and any little scandal would make things worse.

One thing Aya believed they didn't want was for knowledge of Lucen to spread. They kept him locked in the Keep for a reason. Most people outside of Castaway didn't even know the Lightcloaks had a halfblood.

"I don't want to be locked in a spat between your problematic family," Himmel said carefully.

Regard for Heimar seemed to be at an all-time low. Even other Lightcloaks were avoiding him.

"I'm not sharing my problem. Just hoping we can come to a mutual agreement to help each other."

Himmel stepped closer. He was taller than Lucen, so he loomed over him, lips drawn in a tight, furious line, eyes daring him.

The desolate dark void remained silent. Lucen's little smile fell a bit. He glared back, tightening his fist. He knew Himmel wouldn't throw the first blow though.

He was a little bully who drew enjoyment from bullying people weaker than him.

Lucen would absolutely kill him. "Let's not make any more problems for ourselves."

He let that feral intent he gained during the battle with the Bull wolves pass through him. His golden eyes gained a murderous tint that made Himmel flinch.

The plan depended on intimidating Himmel but making sure he wasn't offended. Aya thought that if offended Himmel might do something stupid.

The only deal Chester would be willing to make was one where he got everything. Where he was master of the Red Keep, Aya was dead, and Lucen was also buried for good measure.

Once Himmel stepped back, Lucen's smile returned. "Good. Now let's talk about how we can help each other."