Angel's Ascension: Tenacious Folly (Book Four)

Chapter 9: To The Death

"Verum, why did you call us here?" Menternus asked, "I told you last time that I'm not here to watch your flashy tournaments." He gazed down at a grassy field.

"Aww, you're no fun!" Verum pinched his ear, "Menternus, this isn't about a tournament. It's about the other thing you mentioned to me a while back."

"Oh?" Menternus crossed his arms, "Have you decided then? On what you will do?"

"Well, I'd like to meet him and make my decision there." Verum placed a finger to her chin, "That's why I brought you and Visperi here so you could take me to him."

"My, this is quite bold of you, Verum." Visperi chimed in, "But if you wish to then I have no objection to it."

Menternus nodded at her, "I agree, this is very mature of you." He held his hand down to her, "Alright, let's get going. We'll teleport to the location and meet up with the organization."

Verum held his hand as Visperi placed an arm over his head. They soon teleported to a palace-like area and entered through the doors. Menternus guided them through the halls until they reached a shut door.

"He's beyond this door." He knocked on it lightly, "Once in you must show respect and only answer him if he asks of you."

"Understood, I have manners, after all, Menternus-" Verum grew silent while the door creaked open.

A servant emerged from shadows and beckoned to them, "Come this way."

Menternus dragged Verum into the room with Visperi right behind them.
A massive table laid out in the middle of the room with a hooded figure seated on the far end. A row of servants lined up from each side of the figure. Menternus and Visperi eased Verum in front of them and to the opposite side of the table.

"It's been a while, Verum." The hooded figure spoke, "What made you want to come here of your own free will?"

"I was curious and wished to visit you, sir. What do you seek from me?" Verum replied and held her hands behind her back.

"What I seek is power and you possess a strong source of it my dear. We are a group of beings who use powers for a higher purpose." The figure stood up, "Not for control of beings, not for strength to rule, and not for ourselves. We use them for divinity and order of balance within the multiverse."

Verum bowed her head and shuffled her feet across the floor.

"Do you wish to join us, Verum?" He asked, "We could greatly benefit from your powers but if you want to refuse, I won't push any further."

"That's... I'm not sure what my answer will be." Verum glanced up at him, "This is a lot to take in and I want to ponder on the decision a bit longer."

"Do not fret, take as much time as you need. I will not go anywhere until you have decided." The hooded figure chuckled and slowly seated himself.

***

"Master?" Alister tapped her on the shoulders, "You were dozing off again. The wheels have stopped and we are on the final special rule."

Verum soon opened her eyes, "I apologize for napping on you, Alister. You say this is the final special rule?" Her eyes locked onto s skull symbol and grinned at it.

"That's right, a death battle. I'll go announce the teams and we'll get this battle started." Alister teleported toward the middle of the arena.
"Alright! The next teams have been decided. Teams one, five, eight, and ten are chosen for this fight!"

"No surprise there." Lucy pressed a hand up to her neck, "Okay, so who's gonna go?" She stared up at the arena.

"Yori, Ignis, Ruby from team one, Celeste, Dersei, and Wendi from team five." Alister pointed to the bleachers as they lowered, "Next Disken, Sallo, and Cinsera from team eight. And Gino, Dinako, and Toren from team ten!"