CHAPTER 158: CHAPTER 158: MOON

Chapter 158 – Moon

"So, they finally became aware of him, huh?"

A voice echoed in a room painted in celestial blue, the walls shimmering as if countless stars were hidden inside them. On the ceiling, engraved in intricate detail, was a moon—a soft blue moon that gave you the impression you were not looking at something merely painted... but at the real thing.

It was a strange feeling. But true nonetheless.

Inside that room, Sirius sat silently at the edge of his bed, his legs crossed atop each other, one hand resting under his chin, his expression contemplative.

In front of him was his ever-loyal and equally sexual partner, Luna.

She bowed slightly before him. "Yes, my prince. The Emperor and the Empress are aware of Kaden Warborn’s existence."

Sirius frowned at her confirmation. "How?"

"Did those guys snitch when I told them not to?" Sirius asked, his soft, moon-shaped blue eyes beginning to glow with a celestial light.

A sudden pressure enveloped the entire room as the light dimmed, leaving only the painted moon on the ceiling reflecting a faint silvery glow.

Luna instantly felt as though she was being watched by countless creatures of the night, waiting only for Sirius’s command to attack.

She smiled in awe.

The power of her prince was truly incredible.

’And if he obtains that artifact... then he will be even more dangerous. Even more obscene.’ Luna’s mind wandered, eager to see her prince in full command of all beasts of the night.

Ah... she wondered... how much will he fuck her then in that beastly form?

She was eager to find out.

But first,

"My Prince, calm your anger. It was not them who snitched on you." Her words made Sirius stop releasing his intent. He tilted his head.

"So how?" he asked.

"My prince, I think you forgot about the origins of Kaden Warborn," she said, raising her gaze to lock onto his.

"He is a Warborn, and they are known for causing trouble everywhere."

"Kaden Warborn destroyed the outer zone of the Forest of Asterion, leaving only blood and death behind, and in the middle zone... there were no beasts left. None."

"All of them were killed, but there were no corpses found. We suspect he took them with him in his space ring."

She paused.

"There was only one beast left, a shadow panther... and it was the very beast you told Princess Sora to bring to you," she finished.

Sirius stayed silent for a moment.

He had indeed told Sora to bring him a shadow-type beast. After all, his power over the moon had a slight dominion over shadow and night creatures alike.

But he hadn’t known that all of this had happened inside the Forest of Asterion and...

"Fucking Warborn," he cursed, irritation flaring. He held his head in both hands, closing his eyes to think.

He still had no lead on that dungeon. And if his parents were determined—and they were—then Kaden’s capture was only a matter of time.

He sighed again.

"Tell me... do I really have to be merciless with my sister? I wanted to resolve this peacefully by being the most ideal candidate for the throne. But at this point, my chances are slipping away from me," Sirius said, his voice heavy with conflicted feelings.

He didn’t hate Sora. Not at all. He simply wanted the throne... and unfortunately, he was ready to do anything to get it.

...Even if it meant going against his own sister.

After all, it was his destiny to be emperor. He could not accept being anything less in this lifetime.

He wouldn’t.

Luna saw this and sighed. "My prince, I personally think that Princess Sora is not interested in the throne," she said, trying to calm him.

But Sirius only laughed.

"And you think I’m not aware? I am, Luna. I really am. But you already know, don’t you?"

He raised his head, locking his mystical blue eyes on her.

"No one disobeys my parents. If they want her to be the Empress... then she will be, no matter if she wants it or not. That’s her fate—no..."

He smiled, though there was no joy in it.

"That’s our fate. The fate of being part of the Asterion."

"The moment we were born, every decision in our lives was made by our parents. Not us."

"And that’s exactly why... for once..."

He stood slowly.

"...I will follow my will and do all I can to be the emperor of this empire even if my parents disagree. After all, isn’t that what they say?"

"If you do not like the rules, be the one to give the rules and change them your own way."

He stepped close to Luna until he was only an inch away, looking down at her.

"So, are you with me on this journey... one that might cost you everything you hold dear?" he asked with a smile.

And Luna returned that smile.

"You are the only thing I hold dear in this profane world, my prince."

She leaned closer until her lips brushed his.

Neither of them cared.

"So as long as you are alive and with me... then this world be damned, I won’t bat an eye," she finished, and Sirius grinned.

A big, predatory, wolffish grin.

"I am Sirius Asterion, the Heir of the Moon."

His grin widened.

"I cannot be killed. After all... have you ever seen a moon bleed?"

...

Fokay – Underground Game of Freedom.

Inside the massive arena, Zaki and his four cellmates were about to go through yet another game.

This time, they were not alone. Two other groups of five stood with them in the arena, eyes locked on each other, hostility dripping like venom from their scowling faces.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE ARE HERE FOR YET ANOTHER GAME!"

"OHHHHHHH!!!!" The spectators in the stands roared, their faces red with excitement and bloodlust.

It was clear...

They wanted blood. They wanted death.

They craved it like how a man in a desert will crave water.

"THE GAME TODAY INVOLVES THREE GROUPS OF FIVE PERSONS, AND THE RULE IS ONCE AGAIN A SIMPLE ONE!"

The announcer stopped, scanning the different groups before speaking in a soft, almost gentle voice that still carried across the entire arena, making the crowd shiver in excitement... and the numbered players tremble in dread.

"You just have to slaughter all the members of your enemies’ teams."

He grinned—wild and bloodthirsty.

"So..."

"LET’S START THE SLAUGHTER FOR FREEDOM!!!!!!!"

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

’Dear heavens...’ Zaki trembled.

—End of Chapter 158—