Chapter 370 - The Mystery of Marrowy Village [2]

*Ting,* a high-pitched sound screamed along the river. "I figure as much," stood Staxius with a nonchalant face, "-guns are so easy to counter," he dusted his shoulder. 

Two menacing figures stood, they peered coldly at he who shot. Arle and the supposed uncle were lost for words.

"Master," turned Gophy with an angered visage, "-please be more careful."

"Seriously," mumbled Intherna, "-I woke up to watch this?" rolling her eyes, the flames around her head settled and they returned from whence they came. 

"What was that?" asked Arle who changed into her real form.

"Nothing that you need to know," he stood and stared.

"Even if you kill me, nothing will happen as the next in line for the throne is my son. It will all but be in my favor," said the man, "-king of Arda, I've killed thy son-in-law, what are you going to do now?" laughter ensued. 

"Is that so?" glanced downwards, the body of the Emperor melted to flow into the river. "I'm surprised you thought the same scheme would work twice," he rested against the barrier whilst two figures approached from the opposite side.

"Emperor!" screamed Arle, "-you're ALIVE," mixed with joy and anger, she bolted forth with killing intent. *Death Element: Hand of God,* casually lighting a cigar, the lady got thrown and landed against a fishing cabin. *Puff,* "-explain thy purpose else I'll have the entire family put to the sword for treason."

"How is this possible," fallen onto his knee, "-I thought I killed you personally."

"Quit it with the theatrics," refuted the King, "-you dared to try and harm the girl my daughter fell in love with," without care, he turned off the cigar against the man's cheek. *AHHHH,* he held onto the burnt spot and jumped backward, "-LEAVE ME ALONE, I did nothing WRONG." 

"Father," came the Emperor, "-what happened, is Arle a spy?"

"Yes, a double spy I'd say. Heroes, what a joke," glaring she who limped over, "-loyalty and justice, I guess greed and jealousy will always have the upper hand." 

"Can we end this farce already?" added a tired Courtney, "-if nothing is going to happen, let me just kill 'em already," she stomped across with hand on her sword.

"M-master," the two sat close, "-sorry, father."

"…" no response from the man.

"I'm so sorry I didn't have the heart to take the life of my cousin."

"…"

"Father, please…"

"Get away, scoundrel," he shoved her away, "-how can I be proud of a girl. You were never meant to be born, worthless little shit," *spat,* saliva hit her face. Despite the disrespect, she kept a smile, one of being thankful.

"ARLE!" voiced Sultria, "-Explain to me what's the meaning of this."

"Don't bother," trailed the uncle, "-since I've been found out, I guess there's no need to hide the mystery of Marrowy," inhaling deep, the man stared strongly. "Before I start, I need to know how you survived. How did the King of Arda know my motives?"

"Simple," said Staxius, "-man who owns the cottage. In no way are you going to fool me with that disguise. I only just figured the truth with the help of Arle. It's you that passed her the DNA of disguise." Indeed, it was true for the man who changed the face to one of the men before.

"I don't understand how." 

"It began the instant we walked into the village, nothing seemed right. A strange malevolent hand stretches on far over – I can't put into words of what I sense. Then came the television, it's old, even for a village, and the crossword book, the pages, they were aged well beyond a few years. By chance, I spotted a newspaper dating to XX87. The question was there, why the olden style, why so adamant on focusing on the past. The little conversation between you and the emperor when we checked-in had an underlying tone of mystery. The mention of the late-emperor struck my interest since I was told Marrowy was a vacation-spot for the imperial family. Why would a vacation spot be so out of touch with the world? If such prestigious guests came here often, I would assume the village being richer for many are craven of the idea of nobles. The observation led me to a singular conclusion, there hid more than the eye could see," paused to gather a few breaths, those before him were deeply attentive. "As for how I manipulated Arle. She barged into our room rather abruptly and screamed at the Emperor's disappearance. Why would she do that for a butler is sworn to always stick by their master? Any normal servant would have not wasted time and rushed to search. The message could have been delivered by the little boy that came with us earlier. This slipped my mind, the boy, yes, the boy also gave a hint. Kids their age are very curious and hyperactive. What I saw wasn't a boy, but the mannerism of a teenager. One who knew how to walk and act. Him not raising his head to see who had come went against their curious nature. Enough of that, let's get back to Arle. She obviously wanted to get our attention. Tis why I offered for her to report downstairs but mind you, I didn't specify any one particular but placed emphasis on man. This, in turn, made her suspicious of what I knew. The man meant that I knew someone was responsible. Her reaction was to go warn the ring-leader. Skipping forward to where we met outside, I said that I knew where the Emperor hid. Tis was then I confirmed my suspicion, you tried to hide it but I saw a faint gesture of acknowledgment between thee both," paused once more, the river seemed to slow in pace, an illusion as attention was on the King. "Lastly," he smiled, "-lastly, I silently manipulated Arla into thinking she held the advantage. You already knew where the Emperor was," he pointed to the Uncle, "-but only acted oblivious to fool us. You knew he'd come to where the late-emperor died since you killed him. I all but made sure that the scenario in thy head play out. The one you shot was nothing but a puppet, one that could fool even a scholar. You shot on impulse and here we are." 

"Shot on impulse," laughed the Uncle, "-I suppose I did," he glared Arle.

"Uncle please," walked Sultria with open arms, "-why, why do this, why did you kill my father?"

"The mysterious murder of the late Emperor did have something to do with me. Though," he raised head to Staxius, "-the scheme was plotted masterfully, though, the reason why I acted is very much wrong. The Emperor died because of me, not because I killed him. We came here so many years ago, the village of Marrowy, else known as the resting place for the Golem army led by God of Earth, Tonus, its tradition to have a sacrifice to the deity for the protection of our continent. The pact runs very deep in our family. On that day, it was decided that I be sacrificed for the good of all. Not that I was given the chance, I had to accept since being part of the lower-family. On that particular night, after he seemingly ran after a figure, it was but a lie, a lie for me to escape and be sacrificed. Dear Nephew, you were a fool to follow after thy father. The ritual was readied, I gave up hope and waited for my life to end when, young Sultria leaped on the bridge to give me a hug. Without warning, as the final judgment was to end our lives, your father, my half-brother, shoved us off the bridge thus being the sacrifice. I hated it, I hated it that he could not have stayed with his family, my step-brother, Tomo, had more talent than anyone. The Empire that could have been made was sullied by the action of a teenage boy. I'm sure you don't remember since it was night. I made sure you thought of it as a dream. That's why, that��s why," he stared the ground, "-that's why I wanted you to die. Die so I could take my brother's place and rule, take my brother's place and destroy Marrowy, the village that binds my soul and heart."

"The mystery of Marrowy," sighed Staxius, "-cottage-owner, what's thy name?"

"Solomon."

"Well, Solomon, never have I heard such a dumb story of revenge. My ears are screaming in pain of what I heard. The Emperor sacrificed himself to save you and his heritage. Thee, on the other hand, stuck inside a bubble of self-loathing, don't realize how much the Empire has grown. Can't you see how greatly Sultria led the country? You reject your own blood for the sake of a misunderstanding."

"Don't talk as if you know me," he snarled, "-whatever the case, Tonus's curse will activate soon. Either he takes mine, my nephew, or my daughter's life, I care not. Let the curse be active, I'd like to see everything be destroyed." 

"A curse you say," he gestured for Courtney to get off the bridge, "-let me guess," he pointed up to the waterfall a few meters away, "-that's where judgment comes from." 

"Yes, the statue of Tonus is up there watching and waiting for the next meal."

"You're mistaken, that is nothing more than an illusion cast by the reflection of water. The curse and the thing about being sacrificed is nothing more than a contract to a demon. The imperial family is indebted to a demon, and the demon requires souls to keep from causing misfortune." 

"Stop blabbering," lashed Solomon, "-I wish not to hear that my brother died for naught."

"Tis the truth," hands pressed, *O' elements of mana, o' elements of life, heed mine call for I command thy. Mana Manipulation – Unity.* The splashes of water against the wooden steps moved in slow-motion, he stood at the center of white-mist-like lines twirling around his finger. "Thee who hides and preys on the weak, show thyself," pointing atop, the lines shot forth and dispersed upon impact. 

"What's this," asked Sultria, the ground trembled, a loud thump came from the waterfall. 

*CRACK,* a figure leaped from inside the waterfall. 

*Flow with one, flow with all, thou shan't lay a hand on I. Mana Manipulation – Drift,* the white-line formed an evanescent curse which had the figure flung outwards. 

It hovered with the muzzle of a dog in rock, the body of a dragon, and the wings of a crow, dark-horns protruded above which conjured a boulder. *Grr,* it flicked the projectile. 

"Time for us to play," without a word said, a flash of fire and shadowy mist conjured forth. Cut in half, she with the shadowy aura, the remainder was burnt to a molten state by the other. Two goddesses stood facing the demon. Intimidated, it growled heavily to the point of covering ears did naught. One by one, more demons dashed from the waterfall, *Blood-Arts,* slicing open his forearm, *-Crimson Thread,* a fishnet line structure manifested instantly with demons cut in half. 

*Death Element – Daemonum Variant: Ire,* leaped Courtney onto the barrage of demons. 

*Death Element – Daemonum Variant: Silence,* those touched by her sword, the instant she sheathed, combusted in a white-flame. 

"Master," spoke Interna hovering with the wings of Rah, "-it's a high-tier demon," she said with flames pulsing down her forehead.

"I agree with Intherna," said Gophy smugly, her visage all but held a smirk.

"I see," his wings sprouted forth as the crimson threads broke and returned to his halo. The waterfall rose a being of unmatched size, it was as tall, if not taller than the drop of fifteen meters. The insignia of the god of Kreston stood on its forehead. Sword in one hand and wand in another, the wolf-like muzzle roared loud. Intherna to the right and Gophy to the left, the goddesses stood at the ready to fight. 

"Slaughter them."