Broken World - Part I - Awakening of the Beastmaster - #8CCMay24

Chapter 24 : Unexpected Guests

Ama is in front of what looks like a scarlet painting in Bindzi's office currently occupied by Enama. The freshness of the red liquid that permeates that piece of fabric gives the impression of coming straight out of the veins of a living being. And these claw marks that evoke the cruelty of what is at the origin of this horror scene. Ama, who knows a little more about the nature of Enama, is not so surprised to find something so sinister proudly enthroned on the wall of her office.

''Enama, what is this painting?'' Asks Ama, taking care to suppress her disgust towards that thing.

"You're a connoisseur." Says Énama who is easily fooled by the radiant smile of a beautiful young woman. "No wonder we get along well."

''...'' Ama gives a slight smile but she doesn't respond to this comment.

''She plays hard to get." Thinks Énama who was getting closer to Ama but stops and goes back to sit down after seeing the young woman's reaction.

"I've been waiting for you for a while. Did you have an unforeseen event?" Énama asks, trying to regain control of the situation while remaining moderate.

"I arrived some time ago but, the atmosphere was so different that I was a little shocked, moreover, I took a moment to meditate in the family vault." Ama comments, finally looking away from the painting and sitting down on the interactive table.

She is just at the edge of Enama's range, close but unreachable. Énama observes Ama in this little game that he thinks he controls. He decides to let her have a little more fun.

"You were pretty close to grandma. Today, even more, we feel her absence." Says Enama who could have fooled Ama if she didn't already know the character.

"Grandma, huh. What a hypocrite." Thought Ama. "This visit has two objectives: to find instructions on how to lift the seal on Bindzi's authority; the second objective is to collect information on what is happening on the Emana estate. On this side, it is not looking good. The aura that emanates from these guards is almost similar to that of a master who has fused with his beast. But it's impossible to bring together so many fusion masters. What means did he use?"

"What is this security? I thought I was in a war zone." Asks Ama.

"Considering everything that's happened lately, it's the least we can do." Said Énama in a natural tone.

''If you say so...'' Ama comments. "However, you seem very busy for someone who wanted to see me."

"You know, with the death of the parents it's not easy and I can't count on Bindzi to take things in hand." Comments Énama with a very convincing sigh.

"Since we're talking about him, I notice that I haven't seen him since I arrived." Said Ama.

"Let's see what he has to say." Thought Ama.

''He has disappeared since his parents' funeral. He just told me he was taking a few days to get his thoughts in order. I would like him to come home as soon as possible.'' Says Énama.

"It's really serious. Enama, you can lie without any hesitation. Maybe deep down you even believe in it." Thought Ama.

"In this case, there is nothing we can do about it." Said Ama.

Enama moves his chair closer to Ama.

"Have you had dinner yet? If not, I invite you to join me." Said Énama.

A few minutes later, Énama and Ama find themselves in the dining room of the castle. A very large room in which chandeliers have replaced candlesticks but retains its originality. Several paintings decorate its stone walls. In the center of the room, there is a large table capable of accommodating about fifty people if not more. The table is ready to welcome its only occupants of the day.