Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 441: Colorful flames

Chapter 441: Colorful flames

It was in a hall lit up by green flames and held up by towering alabaster pillars.

Adelia stood before an incredibly large mirror, her face the epitome of serenity as she wore a simple white dress.

About her stood the Exarchs of the Supreme Order, each one donning their clown masks with peculiar expressions on them.

The flames illuminating the hall flickered for a moment after which an illusory presence emerged, taking the form of a woman wearing a bloody wedding dress.

She appeared behind Adelia and for a moment, seemed to possess her after which the air about the latter took on a qualitative change, as her body bore the strength of two capable Mystics.

Reaching out, she tapped the surface of the mirror causing it to undulate like a water surface after which a voice from afar could be heard with its cadence making out its origin to be that of a man.

Slowly but surely, the mirror surface soon transformed, reflecting a tent occupied by a familiar face.

"I didn’t think the great Lionel would seek me out. What does the head of the Winchester household want with me?"

"The situation is dire, the Supreme Order needs to move."

"I got your message. The number of patients suffering from the Blight seems to have tripled overnight."

"Not just that, those that have had it for a long time claim that something is coming."

"Mass hysteria?"

"Such a thing would not stir the aether as their words did. Whatever they see, it is coming."

"What do you want from me?"

"We don’t need everything, just enough to put some pressure on the Night Kindred. We are on the defensive and it cannot remain this way."

"Why should I help?"

"Because the Empire is as much a home to the Great Families as it is a home to yours."

Adelia went silent for a moment, a part of her struggling to accept that statement.

Was her Augustus family really at home in Zion?... No, it was difficult to see that as the case.

They were more like livestock, animals kept to be sacrificed to ensure the Emperor remained.

Wouldn’t it be better for such an Empire to burn?... Perhaps only then would her people be free from the curse that was the Emperor.

And so, she found herself staring at Lionel while her heart raged with emotions.

"Adelia..."

"The Imperial Parliament has already ordered the Parliamentary army to join the fight. I doubt there’s more that the Order can do in this matter."

"..." Lionel stayed silent as he studied Adelia’s expression for a bit longer before calmly intoning. "I see."

"If the fight seems too difficult... Perhaps you should consider leaving with your family. I’m sure the Mystics of the Warrior Wheel would be accepted wherever you choose to settle down."

"You seek the Empire’s end?"

"..." It was Adelia’s turn to go silent as she held Lionel’s gaze.

"Why?"

"Is it not natural to wish to protect one’s family?"

"Hundreds of millions will die."

"..."

"Much more would be subjected to a life of cruelty and slavery under the iron fist of the Night Kindred."

"..."

"Adelia," Lionel muttered softly. "You cannot be so selfish."

"Screw that!" Adelia suddenly cursed aloud, catching everyone off guard.

Her breathing erratic, she intoned. "What has the Empire done for me?... I have dedicated my life, same as my family to protecting this fucking Empire. What has it done for me!... I am tired, Lionel Winchester. I can no longer act like some fool that has no wishes of her own."

"And what do you wish for?"

"..." Adelia turned silent, her eyes flickering with uncertainty as she found herself unable to answer the question.

What did she want?

What did she plan to do if the Empire truly fell apart?

Perhaps, she’d never had the luxury of thinking that far and so, there was no answer to give.

"Judah will turn us to slaves, Salem would rather have us killed for being heretics and Solomon would deem us too much of a threat to allow us to comfortably settle on their land. Zion is the only place left, so for that reason... My family and I will fight."

"Is that the consensus of all Family Heads?"

"We may bicker and argue, but we all agree that Zion must continue and so for that reason, we will not run."

"I see."

"So, Adelia Augustus, what will you do?... Once the Empire crumbles and is left with nothing but death and destruction, what would you do then?"

"..."

"I hope you make a decision soon."

With those words, Lionel ended the communication causing the mirror to go blank for a second before once again reflecting the great alabaster hall.

Silence reigned for a prolonged period of time as Adelia stood before the mirror.

***

The colorful flames danced as though alive while the flowers remained undamaged, resulting in a most eye-catching scenery that left the Nesters gasping in awe.

Their eyes glued to the scene, none said a word and instead, only sought to ingrain the image into their minds.

It was one worth remembering, one even greater than the beauty of the World’s End.

However, they couldn’t remain there forever and so soon, they came to a consensus.

"I believe we have seen enough, let us return," Ulysses remarked with Anthony nodding in agreement with his judgment.

The flames seemed harmless but what was to say that the next phenomenon would be the same?

They were hardly prepared to truly explore this strange world with intriguing sights so pushing their luck was not something they would attempt as veteran explorers.

So, after penning down an illustration of the incredible sight, they all turned to leave.

Letting out a regretful sigh at having their exploration cut short, Leonard took one last glance at the flaming beauty only to pause as his eyes seemed to catch something moving.

"Uhmm..."

"Is there a problem, Leonard?" Agnes inquired.

Leonard was just about to speak, intent on describing the odd movement only for the movement to occur again but this time with a bit more prominence.

The next moment, his head exploded.