Chapter 19 - PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

"Master Zero, the twelve apostles have finally gathered, please give us your orders." 12 black shadows stood in front of a huge black throne on which Zero sat completely immersed in his own train of thoughts.

As for the mysterious and shady looking subordinates standing in front of him, it didn't make him much happy. Or maybe his face was built in such a way, that being scary and unsatisfied was the only approach he could think for his own life.

It has been more than two hundred years and the resentment he holds against the humans and especially for Gods hasn't settled down a bit, but like an eternal black flame kept on growing. He did not seek revenge for his people who were wronged and betrayed during the war. He was not seeking a fight just to sate his anger that he lost his loved ones and clan members during the massacre.

What he truly seeks is – change. The revolution which the Great War's end was supposed to bring never dawned on this world. The things that were promised to the Devils were never fulfilled but they were trapped and forced to submission in this hell.

Wars whether small or big, conflicts, murder, slavery, oppression, discrimination, betrayal, despair, losses, pain, loneliness these feelings had corrupted HELL – the realm of dead. The devils were subjected to infinite pain and culmination of these emotions in their miniature realm had only brought chaos. The very nature and meaning of it had been altered.

"Master Zero, is something bothering you, did the talk with the reincarnates of other world did not go as you desired."

"FIVE, do you doubt my plans."

"Master… I wouldn't dare to. You are the only supreme and the lord I serve."

"Those reincarnates turned out much worse than I thought. The prince of Perillus Empire gave a correct report about the power level of these reincarnates, so I think he can be trusted a bit more. But at the same time they pose no threat, and are just a bunch of dream heroes. They are not even smart enough to realize their true enemy, the traitors hidden among them and to differentiate between right and wrong. They haven't been subjected to the fear and press of death – the brutality of this world and the reality of the Gods. Times when you doubt about your own actions and morality. When your previous ideals are shattered…" Zero, stopped as he had touched his own painful nerve in a way.

"Then you just need to ask us Master and we will get rid of anyone, who comes in our way."

"I want one of you to go on a reconnaissance mission for me."

As Zero, brought his hands covered by his dark robe till the very tip of his finger and down to his knees, to get hold of his magical scepter. One of the shadows flickered and then a much darker, yet a vivid colourful image of that person appeared.

"I want to volunteer for this mission. It has been so long since I went to the outside world. I can't hold it any longer. Master please let me satisfy myself, allow me to spoil myself just a little."

It was the TENTH Apostle – Vertigo.

A gorgeous young woman with glowing purple eyes, pale skin, long flowing black hair, purple lips and a curvaceous hourglass figure stood bowing her head. She wore a violet armor covering her entire body, only leaving the shoulders exposed. She had a dignified and arrogant look in her eyes. Her only wish is to serve Master Zero and be the part of the new world ruled by him and him alone.

A cunning and sadistic individual who lived to kill and savoured every opportunity she got to slaughter her prey. This had earned her the title, known throughout her realm as the 'Dark Countess'.

"Vertigo, I want you to visit the Great Tathya Labyrinth and confirm my doubts."

Vertigo who was fired up till this very moment, for some reason hesitated. Even in Hell, the Great Tathya Labyrinth, was feared. The very name poured both bad memories of losing the war and the terror of facing monsters that defied the laws of nature and the power levels of this world. Just the very thought of it can induce panic fits, and the only source of information that exists are the rumours of the long dead people.

"But before I begin, may I know a bit more details of this mission. Is it related to the disappearance of the 10,000 knights and Princess of the Perillus Empire?"

"I couldn't care less about them. According to the reports they decided to go inside the labyrinth to mine Magitite Ores after being pushed back by the Beast Tribe. Foolish reckless humans, died for no reason. Their greed is the only reason for their demise."

"I see those pathetic humans and their foolish materialistic indulgences. They are weak creatures after all. The foolish Princess just didn't want to live a bit longer and ended up cutting the same branch of tree on which she was standing. But then what it is that has my Master so concerned."

"Since yesterday, there was a great surge of divine power as well as dark matter traced down there, and that culmination of power still exists. Even now, this feeling unsettles me. Your mission is to find whatever this thing is, evaluate its danger scale and the way it could affect our plans. And if this thing is hostile, then I want you to destroy it."

"I understand your liege. But still, we are talking about the Great Tathya Labyrinth; this culmination of power could even pertain to a monster there. It would come as no surprise."

"No, this thing isn't a monster, that's for sure. It could be even a very high ranking God, or maybe something even beyond our expectation. That is why I cannot allow such an existence. As for your safety and for the success of this mission I have already made preparations."

"You, don't need to worry, I can carry out this mission without any problem. We people have endured long enough, now the time has come to bear our fangs which we have been sharpening for so long."

"Your power sure goes beyond any being in that world. But that labyrinth is a completely different place. Carelessness will be your death. As for these preparations I am talking about are…"

Zero put forward his hand and two eccentric shaped objects suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"This ring is an S class artifact, which helps you to conceal your life form. By this the monsters won't be able to detect you, unless they are that of an intelligent species. This way you can freely move between floors. As for the next item, is this sword 'Acies' - a legendary class weapon with the ability to cut through anything."

The two items flew in the air and started levitating in front of Vertigo.

She placed forward her hands and gracefully accepted the sacred weapons, which she considered the symbol of trust the master had placed in her.

"I will soon set out for the mission."

"I will wait for the results. Do not disappoint me. Our plans success is necessary for our survival in this world."

In other words he just meant that if need arises then throw away your life for the sake of the mission. The future can only be grabbed by stepping on sacrifices they make.

The twelve shadows disappeared like a thick smoke dissipates in air and the torches burning in the background went off in unison.

Zero went back to his slumber, but deep in thought he was making preparations to destroy the human kingdom, while thinking of a special gift for the Elf Kingdom.

He chuckled at the very thought and failed to contain his own amusement.

"I will finally put those long ears, in their right place for eavesdropping and their betrayal during the Great Wars."