Rowan’s consciousness was now down to six that were still awaken and he was reaching his bottom line, but Fury was divulging important information, that should be enough to clear his understanding of the Empire of so much fog.

He still had two details he had to trash out before he could have a firm grasp of his circumstance, and he asked the first, “What deal do you want with me?”

Fury had finished his revolution around him and stood facing him, “I don’t care about you, as far as I am concerned, the purpose of the project by that mysterious figure is complete, and I’m the result, the peak of potential. Yet, you are also a Breaker, someone capable of great change, and you’ve brought that change, even though it is not what most of the Empire expects. Those glorious creatures. You control them, don’t you?”

Fury pointed towards the Ouroboros Serpents, “I want them.”

Rowan’s eyes went cold, “what is your price.”

“Your life. Come under my protection and no one would touch you. I am not unfamiliar with the techniques you use, and they are powerful, but such abilities would cripple you, as I can clearly notice your body was under immense strain while attacking me. I am the future ruler of the Empire, and when I come of age, I shall blaze a new path to godhood. You don’t have to wait for long, for my path is nearly completed. You might be a little arrogant, having killed a fallen god at the edge of death and taming such beasts using your providence as a Breaker, even acquiring multiple Origin grade treasures, but you should know your limit.”

Rowan paused as he felt his mind shake, not because of Fury words—this was a frog who sees the reflection of the moon at the bottom of the well and thinks it stands in the sky.

No, his Knowledge showed him something he had feared would happen, but he was nevertheless prepared for such an outcome, even, he looked deeply at Fury, powerful as he might be, he clearly knew only a part of the story.

“One last question before I give you my reply.”

“Ask away.” Fury smiled

“What do you know about the Order of Broken Eyes?”

Fury paused, his eyes seemed to glaze over, and he spoke, “When I first checked your profile, you were a misnomer among those of your bloodline, born weak and fragile, it was certain that you did not… wait a moment…”

Fury eyes widened in shock, “you asked me a question a moment back, what… what… did I?”

This arrogant man paused in shock, a deep rumble like the crack of thunder emerged from his body as he failed to control his state, as his powerful soul was blazing an intense warning to him, and before he knew it, goosebumps broke over his flesh as Fury finally knew fear.

He raised his hands to his eyes as if he were seeing them for the first time, “My eyes had forgotten the movements of your lips…my ears had forgotten the sound of your voice… my mind has forgotten the meaning of your words, even my soul as forgotten that span of time. Only my heart is aching, telling me I’ve lost something important. What did I forget?”

Rowan walked past him and patted him on the shoulders, “The road I walk on is beyond you. You seek to be beyond the gods themselves, when you are nothing but their pawn.”

Rowan began calling upon the full might of Astrolabe, if he was going to fight, he needed energy. He began moving the pieces he had in play, some of them located deep within the void.

He had no more pressing conflicts ahead.

®

The situation Rowan found himself into did not make him forget his enemies and the duplicitous methods they used in their operations.

He still vividly remembered the moment he awoke in this world, he still remembered the Nexus, he still remembered the fear and horror that plagued him with every step he took.

The strings that bound him were still there, and the stronger he became, the more their intrusiveness inside him stings. Like pieces of ice being shoved into his liver, he could never ignore them, even though they had begun to fray. His Knowledge Well had begun copying the runes that the Sigils we’re made off, and the result were enlightening.

Rowan knew he would never have peace until he consumed the souls of all those that hunted him, and wary of the sort of actions they were able to make, his chief worry were always this: How can I defend myself if the Order of Broken Eyes finds me? How can I retaliate? How can I kill them? What price would I be willing to pay to get my freedom?

The answer to his last question was anything. He would be willing to do anything, so he could close his eyes one day without the fear of his father’s cold eyes looking at him with compassion, while sizing up his flesh he was about to take apart into tiny pieces.

Grigori Kuranes, is that even your name? That probe earlier, was it your doing? It must be, after all those runes are familiar, they touch on a Domain I control, which is of the soul.

The answer to his remaining question was simple; without time he would never be able to win against the Order.

Nevertheless, the mistake and greed of one man had left him with the most valuable tool he could ever need, access to powers outside Trion, which was the Origin treasure of a Demon Prince and with it, he came in contact with Covenant.

What he lacked was time to fight back against the Order of Broken Eyes, and now that he had access to one of the most powerful forces outside Trion, the right time to use them would be when he was weak.Yet, he had to be meticulous because these were not his allies, and the greed that drives his enemies could also affect them also.