Emperor's Reckoning



"Kh?!" The ancient being, the black kirin was frozen in place in the cold night on the balcony. The contrast between the situation of those enjoying the classy evening in the banquet and them was palpable.

Shen freely reigned the air with his proud whiskers. Coiling around with a grin. His scales shone under the moonlight, a true testament to his identity as True Dragon, yet, his splendor was only heightened with Rui sitting on top of his head, right in the middle of his pair of horns.

Bapho was tailing behind, but Sun was the only one who had the audacity to sit on top of the black kirin. The latter showed no remorse as he took a drink from his little gourd and let out a satisfied expression. He slapped his thigh, "Now then, do you have something ill to say to my grandson?"

The horror of Devil Ape immediately burst out from the little monkey's body, clutching the ancient beautiful being without any hesitation.

"H-Hey!" Yuri said.

"No, no Yuri, this is a stage beyond you, your words won't amount to anything," the black kirin imparted his wisdom.

"..." Yuri couldn't hide the anxiety inside his eyes, but he refused to look away from the black kirin. 

"Wise enough," said Bapho with a smile.

"It's good for you to know your place," said Rui. "Now, then, speak, what do you want with my son?"

The black kirin seemed to regain his composure, "I have sensed your presence, and now seeing it with my own eyes, each of you is truly revered, but we are not the same."

"You got a lot of nerve," said Sun.

"I wouldn't have if you were the real deal," said the black kirin. "Your auras are unmistakeably powerful, but you and I know, that all of you cannot do anything in the current state."

"Hmm, perceptive," Bapho was the only one out of the four of them who took the black kirin's words calmly. 

"What?" Yuri mumbled as he stared in disbelief. He was ready for the worst of offending the four mythical creatures, but it was for naught it seems.

"That is correct," said Lyon as he leaped down from the ledge. He approached the ancient being with defined confidence before crossing his arms, "What do you want, black kirin?"

The black kirin was astonished to see Lyon's unwavering confidence and imposing demeanor, even though the black kirin knew that the four mystical beasts were no threat to him. Despite the creatures' power, they seemed to pale in comparison to Lyon's strength and presence, leaving the black kirin both amazed and perhaps even slightly intimidated by his formidable aura.

Yuri could only stare in disbelief as he watched Lyon standing without fear against the ancient being. 

"Formidable," said the black kirin. "I have to say, not even Yuri can stare directly into my eyes without a hint of trepidation, Truly this is the masterwork of the four of you."

"Hohoho, you are mistaken albeit, narrowly," said Bapho. "When he was a little child, he was in the presence of perhaps one of the most powerful beings of the time, it is no wonder that he can withstand you so effortlessly."

The black kirin darted his glance toward the Calamity Goat. His eyes squinted as if he was contemplating something before he said, "I have no idea if what you said is the truth or not, but I can say that is leaning toward the latter."

"Enough about my childhood," said Lyon before he snorted. "What do you want, black kirin, This night might be your last chance to ask me."

"How arrogant!" said Yuri with his brows furrowed.

Lyon's face contorted in discomfort before he raised his pinky to clean his ear.

"You..!"

"Enough, Yuri," said the black kirin, "he is playing with you, and you gladly dance on his board."

"Ah..." Yuri stepped back before apologizing.

"There is no need to apologize, Yuri, you are simply, too inexperienced," said the black kirin before darting his gaze back toward Lyon. "It seems like your time is limited, and I am not interested to hear the circumstances that you are facing as well... however, I do want to ask about one thing."

...

Ryona wandered through the banquet hall with Kyoko by her side, a satisfied grin playing on her lips after enjoying a delectable feast. Following her instincts, she made her way toward the balcony, certain that she would find Lyon there. However, as she reached the empty balcony, she tilted her head in confusion, noticing that he was nowhere to be found. The absence of his familiar figure left her puzzled, wondering where he could have gone during such a momentous event.

...

Karina's eyes widened as she found herself in a small meadow illuminated only by the soft glow of the moon. There, she saw Lyon standing a few paces away from Yuri, the tension between them palpable in the air. The gentle breeze made their hair flutter, adding to the dramatic atmosphere of the moment. Karina remained a silent witness, watching as the two formidable figures faced each other, each seemingly ready for whatever was to come next.

Yuri's expression was serious as he locked eyes with Lyon, his focus unwavering. However, Lyon appeared surprisingly aloof, as if he was completely unbothered by the tense atmosphere surrounding them. He stood there with a faint smile, seemingly enjoying the serene beauty of the moonlit meadow despite the confrontation at hand.

The contrast between the two was striking, with Yuri's determination and intensity clashing against Lyon's apparent nonchalance. Karina couldn't help but feel a mixture of curiosity and apprehension as she watched the exchange, wondering what would transpire between these two powerful individuals. The silence in the meadow was deafening, and she found herself holding her breath, waiting for the moment to unfold.

"Please forgive me for asking, but why do you want me to fight him?" asked Yuri. "The disparity in our cultivation level is too far apart."

The black kirin stood by his side, "Unlike the last time you had a spar from the Nirvana student, this one is formidable, besides, did you forget how he humbled the entire banquet?"

"Isn't that the side effect of the divination?" asked Yuri.

"You're too naive if you think that way," said the black kirin, "and also, you might reveal what's inside of him that makes me... unease."

"Yuri," Lyon called out as he darted his glance toward him from the moon. "What is your dream?"

"Huh?" Yuri was taken aback by his question. "What are you talking about?"

"Heh," Lyon shifted back toward the moon with his hands crossed, "I used to have a dream to sleep with all of the beautiful fairies in the world!"

Karina and Yuri were dumbfounded but the former quietly understood his personality and was not as much surprised. 

"Do you have the same dream as me?" asked Lyon.

"What? Don't be ridiculous!" said Yuri as he swept his hand, "I want to get stronger and enter Paradise! Entering the realm of the Seraph!"

Lyon had his eyes widened a bit before he snorted a chuckle.

"What's so funny?!" asked Yuri as he furrowed his brows

"Oh, it's because you need to hurry up..." said Lyon before he revealed his sharp gaze. In that instance, a wave of reign encompassed the whole meadow and even Karina was not exempted.

"How terrifying," said the black kirin as he stood in front of Yuri, bracing the regal aura for the young master.

"W-What the... how can an Origin God cultivator have such an effect on me?!" asked Yuri in disbelief as he gritted his teeth ( I'm in the Immortal realm damn it!).

"No, no, that aura is not honed by mana or blessings, that aura is pure of himself," said the black kirin. "What kind of ordeal and experience must you face to have a power like this?"

Lyon uncrossed his arms and repeated himself, "You need to hurry up if you want to go to Paradise, Yuri, before I rip the place and the owner apart!"

The black kirin's eyes widened in surprise and concern as it sensed the raw intensity of Lyon's words. The level of hatred was something it hadn't encountered before. It could feel the deep-seated anger and animosity directed towards the owner of Paradise.

"Empty words Lyon!" asked Yuri as he raised his glance to peek over from his arm but his eyes widened at the sight. Lyon was gone.

Yuri was immediately alerted and put his arm down to scan the area.

"Someone took him and the blonde girl away!" said the black kirin after he snapped out of it.

"What?!" Yuri exclaimed.

Meanwhile, faint stomps were heard coursing through the empty roads as a tall muscular figure carried two persons on each of his shoulders.

Dangling by the right side, Lyon sighed, "You know I had him, Graham, right Karina?"

"Uh...." Karina was still in disbelief at what was going on despite dangling on the left side.

"Yes, of course, master, but big sister Cecile demands your present immediately for the seer is about to depart," said Graham.

"Oh."