''Sire, we have a report!'' In the dark castle, the servants stepped into the office while holding gas lamps, paving their way in shining light. The office looked creepier than before, with dusty bookshelves and dark-framed bronze mirror.
The servants silently gulped, looking at the dark-robed old man, who stood next to the draped windows. He had his shoulders slumped and back hunched. His previous aging eyes looked swampy like he was dying.
''What is it…?'' Lord Souldeath asked with his dying tone. Between the words, a wet cough escaped his mouth. In his current state, it looked like he was only moments ago from dying.
''Arthur Welhenheim entered the land on a tropical island called Picu!''
Lord slowly raised his head, tiredly looking out of the curtain cracks. The streets of the City of Soul were bustling. The cobblestone streets looked perfectly clean, and every citizen wore fancy clothes. While Picu looked vacation island, this island looked like a home for the wealthy.
''Arthur… what are you planning?'' Lord muttered to himself while the servants stood silently. With cane in hand, he lightly tapped it against the carpeted floor. Thinking about the reason for Arthur's behavior.
''He didn't care that we followed him… no, it looked like he wanted us to follow him.'' Lord turned his head a few degrees and said to the servants, ''Leave.''
The servants bowed and left with rapid steps. Soon, the door opened and closed. The office was again empty, with only him inside.
Tap, tap, tap.
He continued tapping the carpet with the silver-decorated cane.
''Yes… he wanted us to follow him, and he knew we wouldn't go to the Mountain of Winter… why did he want us to follow him?'' Slowly, a bigger picture started forming in his mind.
''Maybe… he is planning to trap us?'' Looking left, towards a large map that adorned the south wall, his eyes had a realization, ''Island Picu, the birthplace of White Online. Yes… he is going there to have a better chance of fighting. It's perfect for hiding, and use that time to enter White Online to grow stronger.''
His eyes turned cold as he snorted, ''Hmph, so what? White Online or not, you think you can escape us?''
Turning around, he dinged the golden bell. Shortly later, the servants again entered the office, waiting for Lord's orders.
''Tell my sons to enter White Online, and hunt down a player called Emperor Wetherhold!''
The servants nodded and skipped out of the room.
Lord snorted and sat down on the creaking chair, ''Emperor Wetherhold, aka Arthur Welhenheim. Staying in the shadows and out of the public's view must not have been easy…
''However, you are naive if you think I couldn't find your player ID. While you know every tiny trick in the game, even how to hide your ID, I still found who you are… this is the true power, the power of knowledge.
''Good luck growing stronger when all my sons are hunting after you, hmph.'' Lord picked up the dirty-covered book and opened it. After grabbing a fountain pen, he dipped it into black ink and started writing a letter.
After the gray sphere appeared in the sky and night turned cold, Lord finished writing ten letters.
Ding, ding.
He tapped the golden bell, and the servants appeared in the office like clockwork. They were slightly sweating after running.
''Send these to the Dark Kings. They shall go to Picu to find Arthur!'' Lord gave the ten letters and motioned for the servants to leave. After the door closed, the fire in the candle died, turning the office dark.
…
Splash, splash, splash.
The battered ship with peeled off-color, and smoking engine, finally reached the shore of Summerland. The people in the harbor were shocked to see the smoking ship, and were certain that it must have been the work of pirates!
The pirates stay further away from the shores of Main Continents. However, near inhabitable islands, they search for their next prey.
''Finally!'' Xerxus rubbed his aching buttocks. After sitting on a wooden bench for hours of no end, he started getting annoyed and thought about running back home. However, they needed to enter the shore so that the Souldeath family would find out about it.
They would focus their search on Summerland while the four men would disappear back to their homes.
Amour smiled as the summer heat caressed his face, ''So, this is it? The end of our journey.''
Kalzer sadly smiled, his hands trembling from the idea of returning back home, ''Yes… we need to split up. It will make finding us harder.''
Xerxus turned to daydreaming Isaac and asked, ''Yo, Isaac, will you use your magic gun to teleport yourself back to Winterland?''
''Yeah,'' Isaac replied.
''Can you teleport me as well?'' Xerxus asked with a grin, ''I want to go sightseeing in Winterland before returning home.''
Shrugging his shoulders, Isaac nodded, ''Fine.''
Xerxus rubbed his hands and spread his arms around, ''Shoot me!''
Amour and Kalzer curiously watched as Isaac lifted the Silvernium and pulled the trigger.
''W-Wait, what the fuck?!'' The captain rushed out of the command deck, and with a terrified look, he watched as Isaac pulled the trigger.
The muffled sound echoed in the air, and Xerxus looked around as the air started distorting.
''Wow, this is so messed u—'' Without finalizing his words, the ripple in the air swallowed him.
''W-What?'' The captain rubbed his eyes with disbelief.
''Teleportation gun!'' Amour patted the captain's shoulder and explained.
''O-Oh…'' The captain's mouth twitched as he didn't know what else to expect from the four men. They were absolutely crazy.
''Well… I guess this is farewell.'' Kalzer waved his hand and exchanged one last handshake with Amour and Isaac.
As he began walking down the stairs, suddenly, a powerful hand patted him on the shoulder. With a surprised gaze, Kalzer looked at Isaac.
Isaac patted his shoulder and leaned closer to whisper, ''Mother or father?''
''Eh?'' Kalzer flinched and blinked his eyes.
''Who do you not want to meet?'' Isaac asked with his silvery eyes gazing deep into Kalzer's eyes.
Kalzer's eyes shook before he sighed, ''Father…''
Isaac nodded and gave a firmer pat on the shoulder, ''That's quite personal. But, if you don't do something about it, the memories will haunt you rest of your life. This is your life now, not his, so make it yours.''
Kalzer blankly walked down the stairs, the voice of Isaac echoing in his mind. Slowly, his eyes showed a powerful glint. As he clenched his fists, he lifted his chin and showed the first-ever relieved look on his face. He now knew what he should do.
This was his life.
