" You dare to return empty handed yet again! "
The roar reverberated through the depths and lengths of the dark trench where a voice made all the Dark Mages shudder with fear.
" We almost had her, my Lord. " One of them fell on their knees. Their faces remained hidden behind their long veils and their hoodie clothes made it impossible to gauge their actual structure.
" This time, the ball is in our court, there is no doubt about it. We went in our full strength and even cornered her for good but... "
Another Darkling stopped in the middle of his speech.
" But what? "
The growl grew wilder and more fierce this time, sending a chill down their spines, making every nerve in their bodies tremble.
" But she led us directly to the treasure... "
Complete silence followed with angry snarls.
The owner of the blood curling growls finally emerged out of the shadows. The Dark Mages retreated out of fright but frozen after taking a couple of steps back.
" The treasure? You had both of them within your reach, yet you came back without anything? "
His voice was a deadly hiss, like the serenade trying to seduce his mistress.
" They attacked us on all fronts. There were more Chemorians with the two of them. We had no idea that your wife... I mean the mother of the treasure, still possessed her powers. Even the treasure seemed far stronger than we had anticipated. Without our actual bodies, we were unable to keep up with all their attacks. Please forgive us my Lord and give us another chance." The one nearest to the Dark Devil begged.
What followed was a loud laughter.
" Another chance you say? And what will change with another chance? What will counter your pathetic excuses? "
His voice dropped into a whisper which made it more intimidating.
" We are almost done with the replication of the Transporter. We will be able to transport our bodies once it becomes fully functional. "
One of them called out from the back.
The Dark Lord seemed amused.
" The Transporter? I thought you were too scared to corrupt your... "
" Our souls already belong to your Darkness. We do not care about the corruption of our physical selves. We know you will grant us eternal lives with the sacrifice and resurrection of the Eternal Darkness. "
The entire congregation fell flat on their face, bowing again and again at the mention of the Eternal Darkness. Even the Dark Lord lowered his head and then turning towards his minions, uttered,
" Secure the treasure as soon as you can and bring her to me. We are running out of time. It must be done at all costs. "
Right after his statement, the Dark Lord grabbed one of his minions, slit his throat open and began drinking his blood as if his life depended on it.
The others watched without any reaction. There was no resentment or sorrow or sympathy.
Once the Dark Lord had satiated himself, he wiped his lips and smirked at the rest of them.
" Raise my children. Let me replenish all of you like you replenish me each day. Soon we will rise beyond the need for this. Soon we will become the ultimate species that reigns all worlds, across the multiverses. "
His proclamation was met with loud chants that made up hails and praises of the Eternal Darkness.
***
" She will not have to face her thirst for the time being."
It was the first time Yvonne spoke ever since he brought Kiara back to his little corner.
She sat there like a log while he tended to the fire and prepared concoctions for her.
His words made her turn towards him.
" I know you might be worried because of that but I just wanted you to know that was taken care of in the masking potion however... "
He innocently scratched his head.
" However, what? " Kiara asked, pulling the blanket around herself because she was very cold.
" However, it was my first attempt at making anything of that kind. You know she had a unique blood. It's not everyday I come across a specimen like that. I did make the concoction but it might have slight side effects. " He said.
Kiara smiled, " Literally two beings in all of the multiverse share the same blood. My Mira and her father... " Kiara's eyes were reminiscing but suddenly she turned towards Yvonne as realization hit,
" You gave my daughter an untested drug?Are you crazy? She is being hunted. They are all kids. How could you... "
" Relax Kiara. I weighed the pros and cons. Whatever the side effects, it would be really mild. Nothing that Mira would not be able to handle. And it would wither real quick. You do not need to panic. Trust me. "
He walked up to her and held her hands.
Kiara looked into his eyes and then said,
" I thought you hated her as much as you hate her dad." Then after a pause she added, " I really did not want to burden you with this, but I did not know of anyone... "
" Kiara. Stop repeating that. Yeah, I hate her father. Don't you too? "
Kiara did not respond. Yvonne smiled.
" Well, you ought to. But your heart might feel otherwise. As for Mira, she has your face and eyes. How could I ever hate someone with your blood and flesh, even if her other half was that of the Dark Devil. "
He sat down beside Kiara.
She was staring into oblivion.
" They will be coming back. They will come back stronger. I will need my powers. I cannot let my daughter face this by herself. I was the one responsible . I brought her into this. I must be the one to clear it. "
When she finished talking Yvonne took her hand and squeezed it.
" What are you willing to do Kiara? The Dark Lord will never stop until he gets what he wants. Are you willing to... "
" Am willing to kill and die for my daughter. In this world, all I know is her.She is my ultimate treasure.She is my all... nothing else matters. " She cut him short.