CHAPTER 306: THE ONES WHO DIDN’T BURN IT

The wind was hot in the ruins of the Flame God Cult’s old base.

But in the center, there was order.

Six figures stood waiting.

At the front stood Krovath Sal Ekros, calm and tall, his serpent eyes watching the sky.

Behind him were five of the strongest Beastkin Brood elites:

Malka Ingris, the Wolf Matriarch, stood with arms crossed, scanning the area like a battlefield.

Brangur Molveth, the Titan Hoof, stood silent and still, like a wall of flesh and steel.

Quavira Harnex, the Sky Shredder, tapped her claws lightly against her hip, her wings folded but ready.

Skeroth Drelvain, the Spine Ripper, adjusted his gloves and calmly observed the ground.

Nyxa Valmire, the Web Mistress, stood a few steps from the group.

Her threads quietly twitched around her fingers as her eyes scanned the ether field.

Quavira broke the silence first.

"So," she said, "we’re meeting the Hero Association here of all places? A pile of burned rock?"

Krovath didn’t respond.

Malka looked at him. "Why here? This place reeks of old death."

Skeroth spoke next. "Symbolism. The dead cult was a message."

"Perhaps our leader wants to see what message the heroes will bring in return."

Brangur said nothing. He simply adjusted his stance, pressing his hooves deeper into the ground.

Nyxa’s voice was soft. "It’s a stage. Someone burned this place to provoke us. Now we see who steps into the light."

Malka frowned. "Still... I don’t like it. Meeting heroes in a place like this could be a trap."

Krovath finally turned his head.

"They agreed to talk."

Quavira raised an eyebrow. "And you believe them?"

"They know better than to lie in front of me," Krovath said.

Malka looked toward the sky. "Still haven’t told us why you wanted this meeting."

All of them turned toward him, waiting for an answer.

Even Nyxa’s threads paused in the air.

Krovath’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He stepped forward, just one slow step.

"You will see."

That was all he said.

Skeroth gave a soft chuckle. "Of course."

Quavira crossed her arms. "Classic Krovath."

Malka let out a low growl under her breath but said nothing more.

Brangur remained as silent as ever.

Nyxa tilted her head slightly. "You already know something. You just want to see how it unfolds."

Krovath just stood still, and said nothing.

But his presence kept the rest of the Beastkin Brood quiet.

The heat in the air shifted slightly.

Nyxa blinked. "They’re coming."

Everyone looked up.

Six figures walked toward them from the horizon.

At the front was a tall man in white and gold armor, with a long obsidian cape behind him.

Averak Kyros, the Apex Guardian, had arrived.

Behind him were five top heroes of the Hero Association, standing calmly but alert.

Averak stopped a few steps from Krovath. His glowing platinum eyes stared forward.

"Long time no see, Serpent Overlord," he said.

Krovath gave a small smirk. "Yes. Long time no see, Apex Guardian."

There was a short pause between them.

Then Krovath spoke again. "So... now you want a meeting. What is it you wish to talk about?"

Averak’s voice was steady. "Krovath, are you the ones who destroyed this Flame God Cult base?"

The Beastkin elites didn’t react, but all eyes were on their leader.

Krovath chuckled quietly. "Averak, no. I’m not the one who destroyed it."

He looked around at the broken ground. "Honestly, I thought you were the one who did it."

Averak shook his head once. "No."

"If I wanted the cult gone, I would have erased it from orbit. Quietly. I don’t need to destroy ruins to prove my power."

Krovath nodded. "Same for me. I have no interest in wasting effort on a dying cult."

Seraine Vellin, standing beside Averak, narrowed her eyes. "So if not you... and not us... Then who?"

Malka crossed her arms. "That’s the question."

Quavira glanced at Krovath. "Leader, didn’t you say this meeting had a purpose?"

Nyxa stepped forward slightly. "You knew this wasn’t their doing. You brought us here for something else."

Even Brangur shifted, his gaze turning slightly toward his leader.

Skeroth adjusted the edge of his glove. "So, Krovath... why are we really here?"

Krovath didn’t answer right away. He looked at Averak for a long moment.

Then he turned to his own people.

"You will see."

Averak raised an eyebrow. "Still playing your games, I see."

Krovath smiled faintly. "Not a game. A reveal."

Hextor spoke quietly to Averak. "We still don’t have enough data. But this may be a setup."

Krovath looked back at him. "No setup. Just truth. Something wants us to fight."

Averak nodded slowly. "And you think this... destruction... was meant to push us into war."

Krovath nodded in return. "Yes. Someone burned this place not for power but for bringing us into a conflict."

Nyxa spoke next. "And now, both sides stand here... looking at each other."

Silence fell again.

Then Krovath took a step forward, his eyes locked on Averak.

"So the real question is... do we fall for it?"

Averak didn’t blink. "Maybe we should."

Krovath raised an eyebrow.

Averak continued, "If someone wants war, let’s give them the illusion of it. We both pretend to fall for the trap."

Krovath folded his arms. "To bait the real culprit?"

Averak nodded once. "Exactly."

He looked behind him. "I brought five."

Krovath gave a slight smirk. "As did I. Perfect match."

Averak’s lips curled into a rare smile. "Let them fight."

Krovath nodded. "Sure. A test... and a message."

He turned to glance at Malka, Brangur, Quavira, Skeroth, and Nyxa.

"Let’s see how strong the Hero Association has become."

Averak looked at his team. Hextor, Seraine, Belvyr, Varnus, and Hiera stood tall.

"I’ve been wondering the same," Averak said. "How far has the Beastkin Brood come?"

Both leaders faced each other one more time, calm and steady.

Krovath said, "No deaths. No tricks. Just a proper clash."

Averak nodded. "Agreed."

And just like that, the battle would begin.

Not as enemies, but as bait for the real one hiding in the shadows.