"Where do you think you're scurrying off to, Zeke?"
The man known as Lord Samus belted in his usual imposing fashion. At Stage 5, GrandmasterRank. Living over 400 years, he had good reason to look down upon most of the individuals in this world. Zeke was no exception to this rule.
Soon, the humongous dusty smokescreen that loomed began to dissipate as Zeke eventually spotted his treacherous father.
However, even before his act of deceit and betrayal, Zeke had always viewed him more as the Elemental sect's patriarch rather than an actual loving parent. With Samu's hair tied in a neat knot, along with a long grey beard that draped over his green and gold trimmed battle armor.
His inherent golden eyes and thick brows formed a piercing scowl. Hovering pristinely around 100 meters in the air, his artificial white wings lit the dim sky. While on the ground, Zeke lay in a bloody mess as several fractured bones punctured through his bronze skin.
"Did you think that you'd escape my wrath, after sacrificing thousands of innocents for your abominable blood ritual? Son or not, I will never show mercy to anyone who dares endanger the very lives we swore to protect!"
Samu's voice reverberated, rattling the nearby trees. Zeke could barely stomach the grandstanding that was being put on display, struggling to remain conscious. He couldn't help but wonder why the person who personally framed him would feel the need to put on such a blatant charade.
However, he soon answered his question, noticing a teal orb floating just above the man. Zeke recognized the uncommon device that could record/broadcast anything it encompassed.
' Tsk, so he plans to use me as the scapegoat while aiding in his personal agenda, until the very end, huh?'
Zeke pondered while getting his mind roughly in order. He managed to channel enough Qi, activating a technique unique to him, named "Blood Phoenix".
Born with the rare Blood Physique, he naturally excelled at Blood Arts.
However, it was a technique that the orthodox faction usually feared and shunned. With this fact in mind, Zeke had to hide his natural element in public to avoid any unnecessary scrutiny and reprimand.
Now, backed into a corner, Zeke had no choice but to display his full strength. Beginning to glow red, his body reverted several minutes into the past. Healing the severe wounds he'd just suffered in a matter of seconds.
" Hmph, that technique reeks of the Blood Arts! I'm ashamed that my love and negligence blinded me to the root cause of your true demonic inclinations!"
Samus stated overbearingly, pretending that his blood arts were a surprise to him. Zeke stood upright, glaring at him with no fear to be found. Yet, there was no denying that he was hard-pressed to find a way out of this dire situation, in one piece.
By no means did he think his impromptu plan of escape was foolproof. However, Zeke had surmised that his blood clone could at least buy him enough time to cross into the Central Plains.
" Tell me, how long have I been dancing in the palm of your hands?"
Zeke voiced, realizing that his plans were considered DOA before having the chance to take root.
" My son, who strayed so far away from the light, I should be the one asking that of you. Raised with the morals to uphold justice at all costs.
You eventually became a pillar of our Elemental sect. Regrettable not noticing your deceitful ways and heinous deeds hidden in the shadows should rightfully fall upon me alone as your patriarch and father.
However, let today's event serve as a prime example that others will soon not forget! When I take it upon myself to rectify my biggest mistake!"
Lord Samus strongly declared while simultaneously sending a Voice Transmation that could only be heard by him and Zeke,
' What a foolish question to ask. Isn't it obvious that you've been under my thumb ever since you first took a breath? You were only a mere incident born from lust. Something I could use and discard on a moment's notice.
In the end, you've always been nothing more than my lowly pawn?'
'Is that so...'
Zeke said, not necessarily shocked that there wasn't any love lost between them. Naturally, his origins had always been shunned and despised by others.
This contempt stemmed from the sheer nature of being born to a concubine and having a maligned physique. He avoided death's door by just a hair's breadth on many occasions, in-house and abroad.
Yet, despite all the bad blood that pettily brewed for him over a century. Having personally achieved countless contributions to the family and sect. Zeke had mistakenly believed that he had garnered a level of significance within the hierarchy.
Gaining an increase in benefits and prestige once becoming an elder.
However, Lord Samu's words made it painfully clear. He'd been destined to be fodder for these sheep in wolves' clothing from the jump. No matter the success and effort exerted by him on their behalf, nothing truly changed as Lord Samus followed up his disparaging remarks,
'Very much so, but I will say that when there was none to be found, you usually had a way of exceeding my expectations. Now we'll see if your final moments live up to those sentiments.'
'Hmph, well, who would I be to disappoint such a righteous and mighty patriarch?'
Zeke responded tongue-in-cheek, preparing for his last stand. The little banter that was only known to them ended. Taking advantage of Samus playing with his food, Zeke decided to play up to the side character that was the audience.
" For those who watch from afar, don't be fooled by those whom you view as stars. Beyond the night sky, that's where their wickedness and darkness truly shine. A place where they hide their scheming hands behind their contrived delusions, catered to the naked eye.
Watch as I aim to reveal the face under these masks of lies, framing me in disguise! Listen as I shatter their grand design of misconceptions to bits! I, Zeke Samus, fight for my innocence! Shedding a light on the ugly truth that those currently in power are no heroes, only hypocrites!"
After finishing a poem, he thought off the cuff. Zeke reached into his tattered red and black pocket sleeve as he retrieved a Spatial Pouch.
With a mere thought from him, the pouch let out a slight glow as the stored items he envisioned rapidly flew above. Unleashing a slew of familiar teal orbs, quickly splitting off to specific spots.
Samus watched on with some curiosity.
Soon enough, multiply despicable images and video feeds repeatedly looped, forming a makeshift projection over the huge crater.
There, the criminal acts that were depicted ranged from taboo practices with well-known demonic members to torture, slave trafficking, and even genocide.
Including the Elemental sect. Those being incriminated were other prominent figures who belonged to various orthodox sects and clans, perceived for upholding justice for every lawful citizen at all costs.
Zeke had acquired this damaging evidence in an undisclosed location by a close acquaintance from the Sword sect. One of the rare, good apples in an otherwise spoiled orchard.
His friend, Jin Jo, was always determined to cleanse the extensive poison that diluted the righteous nature of the orthodox path's inner workings. However, going against the grain earned him more enemies than allies.
So, after many decades of digging deeper into the truth. Jin Jo entrusted Zeke with his inheritance, feeling that his death was near. It was later publicly announced that he had been assassinated. Hearing this news.
Zeke wasn't fooled, as he gathered his friends' own sect was most likely behind the hit.
"Well, how is this for a start?"
Zeke mocked. While Samus yelled,
"You Damn... insolent mongrel! Enough games, I'll show you once and for all that fabricated gimmicks or misconceived ploys can never overcome true might!"
Raising one finger into the air. He concentrated part of his abundant Qi into a large ball of flames that resembled the sun. In the next instance, he then pointed towards the crater as many high-intensity sparks fired off.
Targeting every orb in a show of precision and overwhelming strength. His attack crashed down as if it were a meteor shower, turning the teal orbs into nothing but ash.
However, to his surprise, the images and videos being projected didn't vanish but suddenly morphed into a weird crimson barrier. Shielding Zeke within an ironclad Array, outlined with bright orange ancient text and symbols.
Tinted red on the outside while transparent inside, he observed Samus' baffled expression with some satisfaction.
" Wow, after all these years, I believe this is the first gift that I ever received from you! If I wasn't mistaken, I might think you cared for this old dog!"
Zeke shouted, making light of the patriarch's attempt, which aided in his orb's true purpose when acting as a catalyst to the hidden formation set in place. The "gift" he referred to dealt with the ample boost of Qi that transpired from Lord Samus's display of power.
Utilizing a refining technique unique to himself. Zeke added a special trigger of Absorption to unassuming auxiliary items in his possession long ago.
Without Samus's unknowing assistance, Zeke would never have dreamed of having enough Qi to activate the acclaimed array named "Blood Sanctum".
A technique that was usually reserved for specialized, Stage 5, Grandmasters.
Looking on, Zeke took pleasure in having this despicable mastermind dance to his tune for once. On the other hand, he knew that his imminent death was still right around the corner.
' I hate to admit it, but he's right. My little tricks can only do so much against the behemoth that is his power. The only thing I can hope for is to create an opportunity for escape, but even that sounds far-fetched at this point. '
Zeke thought, knowing that the Blood Sanctum was just a means of buying some time.