Revenge: A Path of Destruction
Chapter 52: Departure

Chapter 52: Departure

In a secluded chamber deep within the Earth Clan’s estate, the air shimmered with glowing runes and the scent of burning incense. Scrolls, ancient tomes, and alchemical instruments were strewn across the vast stone tables.

The Second Princess stood in the center of the controlled chaos, her deep concentration unwavering as she inscribed a sequence of symbols onto a floating metal plate. Her fingers moved with the precision of a master artisan, weaving magic and science together in a way only she could understand.

A soft knock echoed through the chamber before her attendant entered. The woman hesitated before speaking, knowing full well that disrupting her mistress’s work could invite her ire.

"Lady Talibah," the maid said, bowing slightly. "News has arrived—your brother, Thutmose, has been granted full authority over the Earth Clan in the Patrician’s absence."

The princess didn’t stop her work. Instead, a soft hum of acknowledgment escaped her lips as she inscribed another rune. "Expected," she murmured something to herself, barely paying attention.

She placed the rune-inscribed metal plate onto a levitating disk, watching the symbols glow sequentially. "As someone who decided to follow the way of a runesmith, I was immediately eliminated after that choice, so any update about the throne doesn’t bother me. I have more important things to do."

The maid bowed again, stepping back silently as the princess returned to her work, utterly indifferent to the political strife around her.

....

In another chamber lined with luxurious silk curtains and golden ornaments, the Third Princess lounged on a chaise, idly twirling a goblet of wine between her fingers. A smile played at the edges of her lips as she listened to the report delivered by her attendant.

"So," she mused, tapping her chin. "Thutmose now controls the clan in Father’s absence?"

Her attendant nodded. "Yes, Lady Merit."

A soft chuckle escaped her lips, growing into full-bodied laughter. "How amusing," she said, reclining further into her seat. "I wonder, if he will be able to carry the burdens, or if the weights will crush down on him?"

The attendant remained silent, knowing better than to interrupt when the princess was scheming.

"This will be fun to watch," the Third Princess murmured. "Let the others scramble. For now, I’ll sit and enjoy the spectacle."

....

In one of the smaller yet exquisitely decorated halls, Menkara the last child of Khepri leaned against a balcony, watching the view of the outer side of the mansion. A smirk adorned his lips as he tapped his fingers rhythmically against the railing. Unlike his more ambitious siblings, he didn’t crave power outright; he knew when to seize opportunities.

"Interesting," he muttered as his maid delivered the news. "So big brother gets to play ruler while Father’s away?"

The maid hesitated. "Yes, my lord.

Menkara’s smirk widened. "Things are about to get interesting."

He turned, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement. "Let’s wait and see how the board shifts. And when the time is right... I’ll make my move."

Each

....

Across various halls of the estate, elders of the Earth Clan murmured among themselves. Some were indifferent, others contemplative. But one elder, seated in a secluded garden, felt something more profound—a sense of unease as if an invisible hand had nudged the scales of fate.

"A shift is coming," he whispered, staring into the rippling pond.

"It seems like something unseen is lurking in the shadows of our clan..." He thought ".... or am I just imaging it"

....

Khepri had taken three wives throughout his reign, each bearing him children who would shape the future of the Earth Clan.

His first wife, a woman of noble lineage and strong ambition, had given him two children—Menkhaure, the First Prince, and Neferura, the First Princess. Menkhaure, as the eldest son, had once been considered the natural heir, while Neferura had carved her path, her prowess in combat making her a force to be reckoned with.

His second wife, more reserved in political matters, had given birth to three children—the Second Princess, the Third Princess, and the Third Prince, the youngest of the three. Though they held no claim to the throne, each possessed talents that made them eligible to be the Patrician of the Clan.

His third and final wife bore him a single child—Thutmose, the Second Prince. However, she died under circumstances that remain mysterious to the clan. Although Thutmose is younger than Menkhaure, he now holds the title of the heir, a decision that has caused unrest within the clan and sparked tensions among his siblings.

....

The Earth Patrician, Khepri Geb, stepped onto the boarding ramp of the Horus Swift after he announced to the family who was in charge during his absence He left the reasons for his leave, but most people already knew why.

The vessel’s sleek, dark metallic hull pulsed with the faint glow of mana-infused runes, and intricate carvings of ancient hieroglyphs seamlessly integrated with cutting-edge technology. It was the most advanced ship under the Earth Clan’s command, a marvel of engineering designed for speed and power.

As he entered the ship, a silent wave of motion spread through the command deck. Operators and technicians, clad in sleek uniforms lined with mana-conductive threads, immediately ceased their activities and dropped to one knee, heads bowed in reverence. Each of them had played a role in constructing and refining the systems that would be used to track the vanished Legend-rank beasts.

Khepri said nothing as he strode past them, alone commanding the room. His boots echoed against the pristine floors as he moved with the grace of a predator, eyes scanning the bridge before he reached his seat. The captain’s chair, reinforced with mana-reactive materials, adjusted automatically to his presence, wrapping around him like a throne of command.

"Begin the journey," Khepri commanded, his voice low yet carrying an undeniable weight.

At once, the crew rose in unison, returning to their stations without hesitation. Holographic interfaces flickered to life, runes glowing as the ship’s systems awakened. The engine core, a fusion of technological mastery and ancient magic, pulsed like a living heart as the Horus Swift hummed to life.

One of the operators announced "Sequence initiated, all systems stable. Course locked in."

Through the panoramic display before him, Khepri watched as the ship lifted from the ground with unnatural smoothness, breaking free of the gravitational pull of the Earth Clan’s capital. The sky stretched vast before them, endless and unyielding.

Despite the controlled efficiency of the launch, Khepri could not shake the gnawing sensation in his gut. Something felt... wrong. It wasn’t the mission itself—tracking the missing Legend-rank beasts was a necessity. It was the timing, the circumstances surrounding their disappearance, and the way the tides of power shifted ever so slightly beneath the surface of the clan’s foundation.

His fingers tapped against the armrest for a fleeting moment, a silent beat of contemplation.

No. He would not let doubt fester.

Whatever was happening, whatever unseen force lurked in the shadows, he would uncover it. And if necessary, he would crush it beneath his grasp.

"Increase the speed," he ordered, his golden eyes narrowing. "I want to find them as soon as possible."