Splatoon: Chronicles

Chapter 14: Long Lost Rival

Silence was simply flowing through the giant counseling room within the venom clan empire. Esper sat at a table with his hands together on its surface. He sat across from Misty, feeling her sense of pure annoyance as an Inkling walked into the room with a bottle of wine. They poured the drink into Misty's glass cup, combining, but then breaking apart the ice cubes inside.

Esper closed his eyes and let out a small sigh as the Inkling walked over towards him. Just as they were about to pour Esper's drink, he held his hand up towards the Inkling, forcing them to stop.

Esper: no.........thank you........

The Inkling shook a little from fear, then saw Esper open his eyes and look straight at them. The Inkling quickly apologized and walked away with sweat trailing down their face, then Esper placed his hand back down on the table, looking at Misty after seeing her gently pull down her mask and take a sip of her drink, letting out a long exhale of relief, placing her cup back down and readjusting herself.

Misty: Esper.....was it?.......you could've at least informed me that you were intending to visit my empire......instead of killing many of my stream warriors.....

Esper: it seems they still wouldn't stand down after witnessing my strength.......I couldn't tell if it was their confidence and pride.......or their ignorance and stupidity.......

Misty:......YOUR strength?.......I have noticed that you speak highly about yourself.........you claim yourself to be a god.......the being that us streams thrive for......

Esper: I was within an era where the path to Godhood was at it's peak. I've seen many levels of power rise up against me.....yet none could surpass me.

Misty:.....*nod* I heard........you assisted Yufine within the first stream war that was over 170 years ago.....

Esper: I fought by her side....so unlike you.......I do not work FOR her....I work WITH her.....

Misty slightly clenched her folded hands together from getting slightly provoked by Esper's words, seeing him stare directly at her, knowing that he was above her. Instead of taking action, Misty sighed and brushed her tentacle to the side after unfolding her hands, feeling her Sumi rest within her body from its previous warm and bubbly state.

Misty: I see..........what do you want from me?

Esper: I recently heard of many conversations and rumors from your squadrons you sent outside of this region.........you're looking for a demon boy........a boy who wields a pen by his side........claimed as the "Beast of the wastelands".......

Misty:......him.....so you caught on from your own research..........yes.......we are searching for him......he is one of the many keys that unlocks the door to purity and true Godhood......

Esper began to think to himself a little, feeling his Sumi rush through his body like a shot of adrenaline. He rested his elbows on the table while his hands were folded in front of the lower half of his face, looking down at his empty glass cup, seeing the ice from inside of it slowly melt and give off drops of water, making contact with the bottom of the cup.

Esper (................so you are alive......I knew I could still feel your presence.............hiding from me for 170 years........)

Misty:.....his name is Tadayoshi......he's one of the Archdemons that we need to capture........he was a stream who derived from my clan, but one day.....he gave away our old location to the enemy........betraying us and allowing Flower clan to raid our empire......

Just then, his many thoughts and ideals completely crumpled to dust within his head when he heard that name.....he looked up at Misty in disbelief.......unfolding his hands and placing them flat on the table.