Chapter 531: Pluton

Strategic meeting of the underworld. So secretive not even other members knew. The elites of Phantom stood as followed: Elvira and Lady Courtney. The latter handled most combat-related affairs. Her team, compromising of Yves, and Elliot, were revered by the whole of the organization. The moment she stepped onto the battlefield; a win was guaranteed. Other factions comprising of the alchemist sect and ex-Gate-six were also revered by those in the know. Rotherham, their private haven, the strongest armed city in the entirety of Hidros. Not even Rosespire could compare to them. 

For more than a decade, the goal and quest of invading the territory of Snow, who is bound to Cimier, plagued Elvira's mind. The killers of Lizzie, those who abused and tortured for mere cheap-change hadn't been dealt with. 

Now, the ones responsible for Staxius's disappearance – King Juvey's faction, the skirmishes between Elendor and Old Cray's kingdom, were also not to be found nor held accountable. 

On a meeting hosted a few months ago, immediately after Courtney announced Igna to be her child, Elvira went and called those at the top. A dark-room containing only blue-dim displays had faceless grey icons. A word said and the icons would articulate accordingly. 

"The meeting today's for a single purpose," said she strongly.

"Go on."

"Lady Courtney has a son who bears resemblance to Lord Staxius."

"Are we speaking of an heir?"

Another interjected, "-we also have Prince Julius, the true son of our lord. He should be the rightful heir."

"The meeting isn't about deciding an heir," said she, "-Prince Julius is already at the highest degree in terms of ranking in the organization. The question lays on whether Igna should be allowed to join."

"There's nothing more to add."

"The decision lays in Shadow's hand. We are nothing but a servant to her will. I'm sure and believe those present agree that if the boy ever decides to enter Phantom, he'll start at the bottom. No nepotism, we're routed on merit alone."

"Well said," said she, "-the boy has shown disinterest in joining our ranks. Let it be known that if he ever does so, I'll be watching closely."

"Next topic of discussion," voiced another, "-there's been reported activity of Loron getting threatened. Cimier is growing bold, the conglomerates are getting stronger." 

"I see," and this the meeting ends for hours.

Scenery flashed, a glance at the speedometer showed they'd gone beyond what was legal. "Igna," firm in voice and tight in grip around his waist, "-Éclair should have sent coordinates. Take us there."

"Alright," sharp press on the brakes lifted the backend, "-Aunt Elvira," said he, "-what are you going to do with the company?"

"We're headed there right now," said she. And as the map would have it, the mansion of the Go's.

12:00, prior smashed gates were fixed. No guards at the entrance. Construction on the broken wall was underway. Two black cars stood menacingly at the previous doorway. 

"Come on," she leaped, "-we got no time to waste."

Through a corridor of hedges laid in a tidy garden of well-maintain flowers rose a small backdoor in a dark color. Elegant lampposts were about the yard, an imposing tree stood in the middle as the famed trophy.

"Lady Elvira," said Elliot, "-how was the journey?" 

"Rough," she entered, "-and amusing." The face's paleness was closer to a corpse. Vibrant red-lipsticks and crimson pupils contrasted to birth an unusual charm. Igna followed behind, "-stop," said Elliot raising a hand, "-son or not, turn back. We can't have civilians in here," the polite tone and genuine smile lightened the room.

"Let him in," ordered Elvira, "-I'll go into more details later."

No others were present, the same faces who got out of the jet and Lady Go. A solemn face of distrust, nervous blinking, and sharp flickers. She seemed to be under the influence, the redden eyes sure could have said otherwise.

"Alright," said Elvira taking a seat at the head of the table, "-let's start the meeting." They all sat except Igna who stood respectfully at Elvira's side. "I'd like to remind you that this meeting here isn't anything to do with our objective. The mansion here and the Unda gang is property of Mrs. Go." 

No response gaze, she kept staring about and paid no heed.

"Let me fix her," glared Courtney, *snap,* the drowsiness crumbled into shards, the illusion in which she lived and smiled shattered. Reality settled; her eyes widened at Igna.

"YOU!" gritting, "-how dare you come back. What the fuck is wrong with you? Killing my husband and having me be abused for god knows how many hours!"

"Would you like a taste?" interjected Igna softly, the table turned to watch what the two spoke about. 

"Taste of what?" maniacal laughter ensued, "-I've suffered through your torture, there's nothing more than you can do!" 

"Oh, is that so," *snap* "-the ghouls sure had fun," an evil smirk sent chills across the room. Heavy footsteps climbed the stairs, *barge,* a restless humanoid settled onto Mrs. Go. 

*Bang,* "-What in the hell is that?" 

"Elliot," facepalmed Elvira, "-ask then shoot, not shoot first."

"Oh…" he paused, "-I guess the splattered brains won't help," he turned to Igna with an awkward smile.

"No problem," said he nodding to have the humanoid regenerate, "-ghouls are ghouls for a reason," a glance landed onto the Mrs. Go. The attitude changed as the beast snatched her from the table and strangled her onto a couch at the back. It began to tear the clothes, she screamed and wept, "-stop, stop," cried she, "-I give, I give."

"Halt!" it stopped, "-go wait outside." It limped to the stairway. "-I apologize for such an unbecoming display."

"No worries," said she.

"Igna," said a sharp voice.

"Yes, mother?"

"Might I ask how this lady knows you?" her demeanor said to tread carefully, the motherly death-stare bloomed.

"Go on," said Elvira, "-speak."

"As you wish," breathing deep, '-this is oddly terrifying.'

"Mr. Go and I had a little altercation during a photoshoot. The argument escalated from verbal to physical. He bragged about the wrongdoing of taking advantage of minors for sadistic pleasure. The thought sent me into an unending fury. One thing led to another and I landed at the Go mansion. I tortured him into signing over all the property to Mrs. Go, after which I killed him. Mrs. Go wasn't all that innocent thus her current state of mind. Ghouls abused her daily, tis the punishment I thought be logical. I also took the liberty of conquering the gang as well. As far as is concerned, they were nothing more than local ruffians. Still, a gun in a psychopath's hand can lead to a massacre."

"That's enough," said Elvira, "-Igna conquered a local gang. It's the break I've been waiting for. Good job." He nodded and stepped back a little.

"Exterminating a gang on his lonesome," thought Yves, "-very good, got potential."

"Did you not see the ghoul," said Elliot, "-he's a nightwalker the same as Lady Elvira."

"Igna," echoed Courtney.

"Yes mother," he shuddered.

"Come here." 

Each step weighed a ton, the fingers trembled at her aura. Slow and steady he arrived to bow.

"Look at me," she stood, "-look me in the eye."

"Lady Courtney," interjected Elvira, "-I think that's enough."

"Don't get involved," her side-glance commanded the table.

"Look at me," she lifted his chin, "-did you do all this?"

"Yes, mother." The deep grey pupils seem hypnotic, her blinking slowed to a stare-off. Everyone clenched in wait, her response was the same as a decree. Gulps hung breath, the imposing air proved just how strong and respected the lady was. 

"Good job," the tension eased, "-why are you so stressed?" Fingers ran along with the medium-length hair, "-my confused little boy," she smiled, "-I'm proud of what you've done. Take no pity on those who dare to fall prey to the arrogance of power."

"Thank you, mother," he dropped to one knee, "-I apologize for any trouble I might have caused."

"Raise thine head." The long white hair swayed mildly, "-congratulations and welcome to Phantom. Elvira, I think it's obvious that my boy here has more in store than I can say." 

"Alright," they all stood menacingly. The curtains dropped to have all stood in a single line. "Godfather Shadow," said Elvira, "-may you please grant entry to Igna Haggard into the closed circle of the underworld."

"Igna Haggard," the room shook per each word, "-I, Godfather Shadow, presiding patriarch of the Dark-Guild in Hidros, deem thee worthy of joining the round-table as a temporary member. We shall see thy performance on the field as well as in discussion. Here's a mask," it hovered over to drop into his lap, "-from today forth, thou art known as Pluton."

'Did I get inducted into the higher-ranks of Phantom… I didn't know mother was the Godfather.'

"Alright," the aura released to allow the sun, "-back to your seats." The chairs pulled, '-what's happening?'

"Join us on the table," said Courtney. 

Glossing past what happened, the meeting continued, "-let's decide what comes of Mrs. Go, any suggestion?"

"Take away the properties and kill her," added Elliot without much thought.

"Might I interject?" 

"Go on."

"How about using her as a puppet ruler. Alphia is still too big to have Phantom's name be linked to anyone."

"Good eye," said Elvira, "-the idea is somewhat flawed. If she's to become the puppet ruler, questions will be raised on how she amassed power. I see one way, have her ally to Loron. It'll give us time to prepare. More importantly, her estate in Odgawoan and all over Scaica and Subrea will come in handy."

14:00 came with Courtney and her group leaving for Tash. Snacks and hot drinks were brought over by the guards. A nameless lady remained at her side. Brownish hair, a scar down her left cheek – oval face, and a gun at her waist. 

"Alright, time for the other matter at hand."

"Pardon me?"

"Igna," sharp and direct, "-meet Tia. A personal guard to Prince Julius. He demanded us to bring her with."

"Why?" wondered he.

"He wanted you to have protection."

"I refuse," said he, "-having her around will only hinder my movements. Aunt, please, let me be, for now, I don't require protection."

A faint breeze, '-fast,' unable to react, the lady grabbed his hand and knocked him to the knees, '-not impressive,' a tug, followed by a leap brought distance between the two. 

"Stand-down," said the lady. 

"Mana-cancelation," he dashed to grab the nearest pistol. 

Her eyes narrowed; '-my voice didn't work on him.' "Physical Enhancement," white-hue amplified her aura, "-Acceleration," she moved twice as fast. 

'She's going to dodge it,' they locked into close-hand combat. Countering and dodging increased in difficulty, her punches were strong, a direct hit, and the battle would be over. 'Using Blood-Arts might kill her. Screw it,' the thumb chipped, *Blood-Arts: Crimson Threads,* a cage of razer-sharp lines wrapped her fingers and arms.

"Impressive," she backed off, "-I guess vampires can't be killed using normal means." 

The fingers curled; her posture reminded of ancient arts – the movements were soft and imposing. *Slayer-Arts: Fire-Gate.* 

*SMACK,* a punch had Igna fly out the window, *bang,* the ground carved per the landing. 

'What the hell,' barely conscious, the burning aura of the lady approached. '-My regeneration is slow.' Beside the lady sat Elvira crossing her legs. 'Are they serious…' the breathing impaired, '-she's honestly trying to kill me. The mark isn't healing. Is she a vampire slayer, made a deal with the devil to fight off the nightwalker.' A broken arm and shoulder healed at a slow pace. '-Why is she not continuing the attack?'

*Slayer-Arts: Tetna Chains.*

"GHOULS!" the resting beast ran up the stairs to spear her through the window. '-I'm not going to lose ever again,' he dashed forth, *Blood-Arts: Crimson Threads,* the blood manifested in a hovering dagger, "-die," an upward kick propelled the same as a bullet.

"Nice try," she palmed the weapon as a rest to force her body onto Igna. 

"Got you," smirked he, *Blood-Arts: Crimson-Threads,* four spikes impaled her mercilessly.