𝐸𝒩𝐹𝐿𝒜𝑀𝐸

Chapter 7 - Meeting With The Master

It was the event of where the renowned 'Master' of the Eclate will arrive in Liberte. Amethyst, Flinn, Mikhail, Onyx, Elowen, Kaylia, Claude and Elowen's brother: Luka. Sat in their respective seats as they waited for Deon to arrive. This time. With the presence of his father and other members of the clan. Amethyst was put next to his younger brother Onyx making sure he doesn't perform any squirrelly gestures during the meeting. Flinn, in the other hand. He tried tidying his hair as well as switching his hat in different directions, for him to decide what suits him the most. (Yes. Flinn has a hat. A black cowboy hat.) As Amethyst observed his younger brother with odd eyes. He spotted Onyx swinging the both of his legs back and forth, while humming Celeste Waterfalls' Melody. Seeing this, Amethyst bumped Onyx with his shoulder, in a harsh manner. Making Onyx stop in an instant. "Hey!" Onyx said, loudly making the room filled with an echo of his voice. Mikhail stared absently at Onyx, for he was right beside the two. And of course, had no clue who Onyx is. "Excuse me, Monsieur. Amethyst. My sincerest apologies, but I suggest you to quiet down your... Younger brother. This meeting has to be serious and formal. And the Master doesn't want noises to interrupt meetings such as this.", "Yeah, sorry too." Amethyst said, casually. As he slowly grabbed onto Onyx and fixed his posture, by making him sit straight. Onyx really wanted to insult him at this point. But he believes this will make the situation even worse. As soon as the room fell silent. All the noise that can be heard was the chatters of the people outside the office, and the distracting ticking of the clock. Still waiting for The Master's arrival. After 8 minutes of waiting. One of Claude's servants entered the office in a sprint. And with a free hand, he immediately opened the other part of the door wide, as if a massive crowd were to enter the office. "Monsieur Breathnach. The Master and his people have arrived.", "Oh, is that so? Very well then. Please send them here immediately." Claude commanded as he stacked his leg on top of the other. With a patient smile. "Right away, sir."

As soon as the group heard footsteps from afar. They swiftly stood from their chairs and tried to be formal as possible. But Amethyst wasn't really aware nor comfortable with unfamiliar faces. Especially when Onyx is around as well. So, his free hand dug deep onto Onyx's clothes, as he was protective and alarmed. Making sure no one lays a finger on his younger brother. Onyx looked at Amethyst, despondently. Amethyst isn't really the best brother in the world, and sometimes he could be very sharp-tongued. Yet his care for Onyx is so heartfelt, this made Onyx blush a little. "Hold my hand. I'll make sure no one harms you. I don't fully trust these Eclate stuff yet." Said Amethyst as he took Onyx's hands gently to his. And then gripped it tightly as soon s the footsteps got closer than before... And when the doors open elegantly as a beam of light came before the group. And with a graceful step. There were eleven new faces who emerged from the door. And the first to come in was the awaited Daman Eclate himself. He had similar facial features with Deon. As well as their eye color and hairstyle. They also have identical attire. But the only difference was Deon's gentle, caring face. Meanwhile Daman had a harsh and unfazed expression. And it was shocking that Daman and Claude have the same age. Meanwhile Deon being twenty-two... Daman entered the room as four of his people were in his sides, protecting him if ever this meeting was a trap. And one of these four were both Deon and Oceane. And Deon still seemed angered due to his father's agreement. Claude began with a welcoming smile meanwhile Daman raising a brow. Confused with this suspicious expression of his. "Welcome to Liberte, Daman Eclate. The 'Master' of the Phantom Corps, and the Chosen One of the Teur De Fantomes. How delightful to see you here.", "That's an awkward welcome..." Onyx whispered near Amethyst's ear, as he eyed on Claude disgustingly. Amethyst gently pulled Onyx away, without a word. As if he said "Let's pay attention for now.". Amethyst observed, poker-faced. "Claude Breathnach. At first, I'd think of the descendants of the TEMPEST leader: Seventeen. Yet... That is not what I see now..." Daman said, silently. That only Amethyst and Onyx heard due to their sensitive animalistic ears. But Claude could hear the word 'Seventeen' and 'descendant' from afar, so he knows what Daman is trying to state. "Oh. That's such a disappointing choice of words, for it is our first meet." Claude said, with a zesty voice. (Yes.) Daman looked sick after that statement from Claude. But he didn't want to start a fight, especially in a meeting such as this. Deon eyed his father like he was telling him to suspend the meeting. Yet Daman paid no heed to this. "Seriously..?" Daman was lost for words. Now this is getting even more embarrassing. Daman also found the scene trivial. But after a long pause, Daman shook his head, and began with a heavy sigh. "My son told me that you wanted a collaboration with Liberte and the Eclate clan... And I eagerly accepted this meeting. Due to the lack of members in the corps.", "Well, Liberte is really your best choice of collaboration. Our city is the very first location of the Luminal Fragments. And our warriors are truly skilled and well-trained." Claude said, as his smile got bigger and bigger each time he speaks. Truly is an example of a 'Killer Smile'... "Oh, and... I think it's a bit rude to enter your whereabouts, without introducing my people..." Daman said as he tried his best not to stare Claude with direct eye contact. His demonic like smirk makes him uncomfortable. In fact, Claude was also planning on introducing the people behind him, but it was surprising that such a quiet Daman was able to go first. "This is Xian. He's our chief machinist. He also comes out as our alchemist." Daman turned to a boy with a plump of turquoise hair and stared at him casually. When the boy heard his name, clearly. He adjusted his goggles in his hair, that was tilted clumsily. And by the looks of soft and youthful face, he seemed like sixteen or... Seventeen. (I think you know why I was uncomfortable when typing that up.) "Now, this is Himari. She's in charge with the researching." Daman turned behind him, where Himari was standing. As soon as she heard her name. She swiftly made a cute, adventurous pose as she winked with a grin. Amethyst found this a bit cringe for a situation so serious such as this. "This is Jasper. The first one to become ranked SS in the corps, of Eclate." When Daman said his name. He didn't look at him, nor point at him. He even flinched to despair when he reminded himself about him. So, Claude didn't know which one is this 'Jasper' or whatever. But a man with long, curly hair from the back of Himari made a deep sigh. And by the looks of it, he didn't wear a proper uniform unlike the rest. Most of them wore a loose and fitting uniform, meanwhile Jasper didn't have any sleeves. He also had a tattoo that had the kanji of 'Kill' in it. Now Claude understands why Daman didn't want to introduce Jasper for this moment. "This is Oceane. Jasper's younger sister. She is in charge for medical treatment when fellow members injured." And again, Daman didn't mind about her presence. It feels like he treats the siblings differently, or maybe it's because Claude and the others is already familiar of Oceane. "And this is Adrik. He is an astrologist, geologist, biologist and a scientist." Daman glanced at the boy next to him, who was munching on some gum. By the looks of his eyes. He seemed very drowsy. Maybe he was trying to wake himself up. "Why are we here, again..." Adrik whispered, with a sullen voice. "And lastly, this is Deon. My son, and the strongest of the corps. You met him already, so I won't speak any further info." Daman said, shortly as he softly tapped Deon in the shoulder. He noticed his son a bit down, and wasn't paying attention to the meeting. He knew it was due to his previous expression to Claude and the others. "Oh... By what you just said, your son seems more powerful than I actually thought... How cute... Like father like son, am I right?" Claude giggled as he plopped in his seat happily. Daman doubted on Claude for being a worthy and responsible leader after seeing his goofy personality that annoys him to the core. But as he observed his comrades from behind. He knew that they were also pissed off. "It is true that I am a descendant of the TEMPEST leader, himself. But it doesn't mean I am already a spy or something... And what will I gather information about anyway?" Said Claude. Daman raised a brow, perplexed. That was slightly out of topic. How did introducing people suddenly became a conversation about Seventeen, in the first place? "He's half-Phantom... The reason why he's so odd at meetings is because he can't understand what's weird for a human, and what is not..." Adrik whispered, as the pink bubble he was blowing popped. And by the tone of his voice. He sounded dead and cold. Daman agreed to Adrik's hypothesis, with a small nod. "I understand that. I believe that not all Phantoms are entirely evil, and craved humans. But it doesn't mean I fully trust you.", "Okay, okay, enough with the annoying speeches... All I want to know is that... Do you accept this offer?" Claude crawled out of his seat and carried his weight onto his desk. That was a little too fast... "Monsieur Breathnach. I think we shouldn't go this f-" Kaylia didn't hesitate to stop Claude from this nonsense. By the way he speaks, and his wormy movements. It gets even more suspicious. And it might lack the Eclate's trust. Deon shook his head, and sighed. This was quiet a deep sigh for a boy his age. He knew that his father will refuse. Or maybe Claude was doing this on purpose. "I will accept. But only for now. I would assign Oceane to train your people. But in one condition..." Daman said, with a sneer.