HEX: Aspect Of The Void

What to do… That isn't even worth considering, is it?

I'll just have to take the most efficient route. In the short run, that would mean killing these two myself. But that would be a waste. Considering the long run is much more preferable.

"You, You're Gratiana, correct? Ana's previous mentor?" I addressed the older-looking woman.

She looked shocked that I know her name, but that's the least impressive thing I recall about her. After absorbing Lauria's memory, I understood the connection between her and her mentor. I didn't recognize her at first since she looks different and I really wasn't paying her any heed, until now. Her recent display of power and the absurd amount of Divine Power, however, made me change my earlier position.

"H-How ow dare you, heathen! You dare call Milady in such a direct manner?!" The younger one protested, glaring at me angrily.

Sigh, Apostles and their theatrics. I'm not going to put up with this today.

"Shut up, brat," I responded.

She yelped immediately I said this, withdrawing to Gratiana's blossom. As she hid behind Gratiana, the latter kept looking at me with a surprised and suspicious expression.

"Mongrel, how do you know my-"

"Hold on for a moment, I need to have a word with my subordinates" I interrupted, turning away from her.

"W-Wha…?!" She let out, puzzled by my interjection.

After seeing the Apostle's display of power, even Shamac appears shaken by them, though I reckon his feelings of fear and loyalty toward me are stronger than that.

The problem is with Talia and Ana… Well, not for long.

In a flash, I moved from my location and appeared directly before Ana and then Talia, grabbing them by their necks at the same time.

"Gurgggh"

"Keukk"

They both expressed shock and pain by my sudden action as they gagged.

My hands tightened even further and I raised them, one in each hand. As their legs detached from the floor, they began to wiggle in a futile struggle. Their hands instinctively clasped around the hand which held them, slapping it and pleading to be released.

I ignored this and glared at the two. As they choked, tears flowed from their eyes and mucus oozed from their nostrils. They pleaded desperately with their faces for me to release them from their suffering.

Looks like they've finally snapped out of your stupid delusions.

"H-Hey! You Heathen, what do you think you're doing to Lauria!" Gratiana protested as she glared at me, stepping forward to advance.

This miserable creature…

"I believe I told you to 'Hold On'… Do not make me repeat myself… Fool!" I said, turning my head slowly as I glared at her.

Immediately, the entire room filled up with my pressure. The evil aura made her body jump and caused her hands to shake in instinctive fear. Her face exhibited shock by what just happened. The amount of bloodlust and exertion of the power that I displayed could only mean one thing.

That I'm dangerously superior to her.

"S-Sofia!!!" She immediately called.."Y-Yes, Lady Gratiana!!!" The young girl responded.

She erected a barrier of light around herself and Gratiana, just as she did against the Forest Guardian's attack. But, it's useless!

"ROOT"

Immediately, a staff appeared behind me, pointing toward the Apostles who had shielded themselves from my devastating aura. Having dark skin and twisted shape, the ominous object I pulled from Root glowed deep black. Before they could understand what happened, and the nature of the staff, it released a tiny beam of dark matter. The thin line of darkness linked directly at the protected Apostles. However, immediately it touched the barrier, the white layer of protection dissipated immediately.

"N-No way!" Gratiana muttered in disbelief.

"Sofia!" She shouted, turning to her side to see her partner.

Her eyes bulged when she saw what had happened. Sofia lay on the ground, her eyes shut tight, in a lifeless state. She appeared pale and dying, yet her body showed no signs of injury.

"She couldn't withstand the pressure, after all… And it seems destroying the barrier gave her feedback. Interesting…" I muttered.

Gratiana glared at me with hate and spite in her eyes. I returned the look and glanced at her coldly, my malevolent pressure increasing all around her. She shook as I did this and crumbled on her knees.

She bit her lip as she turned her eyes away from me, appearing pained and defeated. That's much better, don't you dare look at me in such a manner, you weak wench.

While she attended to the girl she calls Sofia, I turned back to face my slaves. It seems they've passed out due to my assault on them. I can't have that now, can I?

"Causality Reversal"

Immediately, their unconscious state sprung back to life and resumed their struggle with m, forcefully locked in my tight grip.

Through all this, Shamac kept quiet and observed my actions. He has learned not to defy me. According to the education I gave him, inflicting such pain is merely another expression of my love.

"P-P-Pweash…" Talia pleaded desperately.

Ana also had a similar expression.

It seems I've finally made my point.

I released my grip, and immediately, they both fell and crumbled to the ground. They wheeze and held their charred throats as they struggled to take in air.

As they did this, I glared at them condescendingly. I really have been too soft on them. Look at how pathetic they are, utterly desperate to live. They haven't been entirely purged of their natural inclinations until the only thing left is to please me.

"You'd do well to listen to me well, because I won't repeat myself, and this goes to you too Shamac." I

When I said, my face turned in Shamac's direction, making him jump. I have his full attention now.

"You are all my slaves, subordinates who do my every wish and follow my will. Your lives are literally in my hands. I can choose to kill you, maim you, torture you, brainwash you and show you pain that you've never imagined to exist. I can do anything I want to you because you are all MINE." I emphasized.

They all nodded immediately. Like obedient little dogs brought under subjection by their master, they have no other purpose but to serve me.

"I have chosen to let you live. I have given you power, purpose… Company, and most importantly, you have ME. I am willing to give you even more.

"You have been bestowed with the rare privilege to serve me, and be a part of something larger than this world itself. I spared you and saved you from despair. I own you! I do not need to resort to brainwashing for you to understand, do I? Or maybe I should…" I contemplated to them.

"N-No master!"

"Please no!"

"My Lord!"

They all protested desperately.

I glared at them immediately. How dare they still defy me?

"You dare question my decision?" I asked them, emitting a fierce aura that made them tremble before me.

They couldn't respond. They couldn't protest, they couldn't agree.

The only thing they can do now… Is plead for mercy and show me their complete subservience.

Without any further words, they all bowed down to me, face flat on the floor. Tears streamed down Talia and Ana's eyes, while Shamac let out sounds of sobs.

Without words, they showed me their obedience to my authority. I smiled evilly as I watched them grovel, it suits them so well… As though it's their natural state.

"You may rise"

At the sound of my voice, they immediately responded and stood erect, still bowing their heads in reverence.

"I have other matters to attend to now. I'll be leaving the Apostles to you, dispose of them for me." I said to them.

Even with their bowed heads, I could see their surprised expression vividly. They, who witnessed the casual display of the Apostle's power knew they vastly outclassed them.

In their eyes, what I'm telling them to achieve is impossible.

However, I don't care.

"If you succeed, then that would prove you worthy to stand with me and continue flowing me. Should you fail, however before I return… If the Apostles haven't done away with you yet, I will personally kill you myself. I guarantee that" I stated in a serious tone.

They gulped and had looks of worry, scared of being discarded and scared of their opponent's power. However, thanks to my just concluded display, they know whom to fear more.

"Y-Yes, my Lord"

Ana was the first to respond. As I expected, she's the best of the three.

"U-Understood, Boss!" Shamac followed.

I smiled. The only one left now is… Talia. I looked in her direction and what I saw greatly surprised me.

Yes, Talia. This is what I like to see. You're finally becoming true to yourself… That look in your eyes…

Her eyes were fierce, filled with rage, pain, and fury. They weren't directed at me, though. Her eyes focused beyond me and went to the Apostles behind.

While I'm still dissatisfied that I do not have all of Talia's entire being, it'll definitely be interesting to see how this emotion of hers will play out. She'll need motivation for her fight against those two to win.

For Shamac, it is pleasing me.

For Ana, it is the same. Even against her mentor, she wouldn't dare betray her god.

But… Talia, she's different. Other than her loyalty to me, she has something else driving her… Revenge!

"Those bitches killed The Forest Guardian! I'll make sure to kill them, Lord Hexarion! I swear!" She spoke in a dark, seething tone.

Good, it appears I can leave now.

"Don't fail me…" I muttered, before departing from them to finally attend to my business… The entire reason I am here.

The time is near.