DARKS(DxD)

Finally, I reached the source of the Qi. The sight in my night vision revealed a prison cell with imposing thick bars separating me from it. I found myself deep within the dungeon, approximately 65 feet below the surface.

Approaching the bars to get a better look, my senses heightened as I swiftly dodged a blade aimed at my knees. The blade struck the metal rod, producing sparks, and illuminating the dim surroundings. 

The assailant quickly regained their footing, launching another attack. I sidestepped and deflected the blade with my shadow dagger. 

Their strikes were precise and non-lethal, indicating a high level of skill honed over a long period—a proficiency that intrigued me.

As I continued to deflect their attacks, I pondered the assailant's motives. If their goal was to assassinate whatever or whoever was in the cell, logic dictated that they eliminate me as a witness. 

Yet, their objective seemed to stop and capture me instead. This contradiction puzzled me.

While lost in thought, an unexpected development occurred—A sudden pain jolted through my abdomen as their strike connected. 

Wincing, I examined the source of the pain and, to my surprise, realized they had employed something long-forgotten in the DxD world, and perhaps in most worlds—a force known as Prana.

Prana is an alternative form of energy or, some argue, a method of manipulating the energy inherent in our surroundings, specifically nature itself. Similar to Chi, it augments one's physical prowess. 

However, what makes it truly formidable is its near-impossible detection—unlike Chi, it is elusive, being the very embodiment of nature. Without knowledge or familiarity with Prana, individuals are defenseless against its attacks. 

To Say, it's similar to trying to locate a stream of water released into a flowing river. In this analogy, finding the stream is impossible unless one knows the source and marks its aura at the beginning.

Beyond its defensive applications, Prana can be harnessed to significantly enhance all of an individual's abilities, surpassing the capabilities of ordinary humans in various aspects. It is also capable of influencing objects beyond its wielder. 

Those adept in Prana manipulation can craft magical spells, conjuring fire seemingly out of thin air or altering the weather with a mere snap of their fingers. The potential range of abilities is unknown.

Moreover, individuals with precise control over their Prana can establish remarkably robust defenses. This mastery over Prana control is the reason why people can wield formidable weapons without having fatal injuries.

Intrigued, I locked eyes with my assailant. "Prana, huh? That's new." I replied, deflecting another non-lethal strike with my shadow dagger.

The assailant remained silent, their movements fluid and controlled. A glint of determination flickered in their eyes, but no words were exchanged.

Swiftly, I caught their arm with one hand, and in the other, I gathered Qi, slamming it into their gut. The impact made them stumble, hitting the ground as the Qi ball struck them. 

Closing the gap, I pinned them against the wall, restricting any further movement of their limbs. Speaking in a low and deep voice emanating from my Eclipse form, I declared, "I'm not here to cause harm."

My hand, charged with a concentrated Qi, hovered over their body, specifically where their Dantian was located, threatening to Break it if I wished to. This action indirectly conveys my intention was not to harm them or whatever was in the cell behind us.

The assailant met the gaze of my glowing dark purple eyes through my mask, and after a moment of intense staring, they nodded. They relinquished their weapons, which my shadows deftly caught and stored in the shadows. 

I released my hold on them, taking a few steps back as they regained their composure and walked toward the cell, standing beside me.

"If your intention isn't to kill, then why are you here?" the assailant questioned in a deep voice that concealed their true identity, much like mine. It made it challenging for me to discern who hid behind the mask.

"Let's just say I'm a third party seeking formidable beings to join my cause," I responded, opting for a direct yet cryptic reply, revealing little.

"You're out of luck; you won't find what you're looking for here," they retorted, their gaze fixed on the darkness within the cell.

"What if I told you I have the power to break them out of this cell and heal them from the brink of death?" I disclosed, anticipating the reaction. 

As expected, it caught the assailant's attention.

"You... You can?" they replied, a mix of excitement and bewilderment in their tone.

"Yes, and many other things you can't even imagine. That is, only if you agree to join me," I reiterated my conditions, employing a carrot-and-stick approach, with death being the stick that couldn't be avoided, judging by the Qi emanating within the cell.

"So, what do you say?" I inquired, observing the contemplation on the assailant's face.

"This... *sighs* This, you should ask her," they responded, pointing inside the cell.

As I focused on the figure inside the cell, I was taken aback by the unexpected sight. A deathly pale woman, her arms and legs chained, with long, disheveled white hair covering her face. Amongst the strands, I glimpsed her dull blue eyes staring back at me.

Recovering from my surprise, I apologized, "Sorry for being rude, miss. I did not mean to stare at you."

"My name is Eclipse, as you might have guessed. I'm here to offer you a deal, a contract to be more specific," I said, materializing a scroll.

"I would love to have you on my side and join my cause. In return, I am willing to fulfill any of your wishes in this world. Of course, you can't wish for me to drop dead or any absurd requests like that. That would be funny and a blindside on my part."

Setting the terms, I continued, "This contract states the same. If you accept it, sign it with your Qi. 

I cannot force you to do anything you don't want to do; you are by no means my slave. This is a contract with deadly consequences if either of the parties withholds the agreed-upon terms."

"This contract cannot be broken under any circumstances unless both parties agree."

Acknowledging the skepticism, I addressed the urgency, "You don't have much time, hardly four hours at most. This might be your only chance to get out of here and have a shot at life again."

Despite my words, I received the same dead stare.

"Well, I'll leave this here. If you change your mind later," I said, placing the contract inside the cell.

"That's it then. I hope to see you again," I added, turning towards the assailant.

A query arose, "You're not going?" I asked.

"No, I'll stay for a while," they replied.

With that, I quickly retraced my steps to the surface and exited the dungeon. As I stepped into the night sky, I thought, 

"Tomorrow will be very entertaining." 

With a flicker of shadows, I vanished.

As the sun rose, I finished reading reports and the current situation of Io and Reft. Everything seemed good to me.

*knock* *knock*

"Come in, please."

As the door opened, Lucia came in with a new face in tow.

"Good morning, Grey-sama," she greeted me with a smile.

"Good morning to you too, Lucia. You look happy. Is there a special reason, if I may ask?" I inquired, noticing her demeanor.

"Of course, Grey-sama. Well, it's because of this." She handed me a couple of gemstones and a sealed envelope.

"This..."

"Grey-sama, these are the VIP passes for the party on the occasion of the 18th birthday of the Second Princess," she told me in excitement.

"It's perfect for us to enter the palace," she added as I opened the envelope to read the letter.

"Also, this is the guy Rona sent to aid us in navigating the castle and scout it thoroughly. He apparently knows the secrets of the castle."

"Oh?" My interest was piqued as I heard this, and naturally, he must be expecting something in return.

"Is it true? Mr...?"

"Your Majesty, I am nothing but a wandering scholar. I have neither a name nor a place to call home. I merely roam around the world to gain knowledge."

"Some call me a Seeker while others a pilgrim, but many know me as 'Shiki'," he said gracefully with a bow.

"'Shiki,' a fitting name indeed. Then, Shiki, it appears that you are willing to help us by sharing the secrets of the castle... Of course, for a reasonable price, I assume," I said as I burned the letter.

"So, how can we help you?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I want to trade the info of the castle for something of my benefit. If you may, I want to read the books of Demonic Culture and their Ways stored in The Bibliotheca Daemonum or Library of Demons," he said, putting forward his request.

"Library of Demons, huh...?" I said as I looked at Lucia, to which she nodded hesitantly.

"Well, that's fine with us then. I will allow you to enter this library that you speak of if you help me for the next three months," I said, slightly changing the terms of the deal.

"But, three months...? It's long..."

"Aw, come on. It would be fun, and besides, you don't plan to finish reading the library in a day or two, aren't you?" I said with a slight grin.

"This... okay, I accept the terms of your deal, Your Majesty," he finally accepted after thinking for a bit.

"Perfect. Let's start then. Lucia, make preparations. We will attend the party this eve. Today will be the last night the flag of the Gritonia Empire flies high."

The evening sun cast a warm glow over the grand entrance of the royal palace as Grey, Lucia, Ava, Shiki, and Zef made their way into the party. The air was filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. 

The opulent hall was adorned with intricate decorations, and the chandeliers sparkled overhead.

As they entered, the crowd hushed for a moment, eyes turning towards the group. Grey, in his elegant attire, moved with an air of regality, and the entourage behind him exuded an intriguing mix of power and mystery.

Lucia, dressed in a stunning gown, caught the attention of many with her grace and beauty. Ava, with her divine aura, emanated an otherworldly charm that drew curious gazes. 

Shiki, despite his simple attire, carried an air of enigma that intrigued the onlookers. Zef, the ever-silent 'monster', moved with an unsettling quietness that sent subtle shivers through the observing guests.

The group navigated through the sea of nobility, catching snippets of conversations and exchanging polite nods.

Ava, in particular, seemed to attract a lot of attention, her presence almost magnetic. Whispers of awe followed her as they moved deeper into the heart of the celebration.

'I must say Bringing them is very useful, they are the perfect distraction for these old goats.' I thought as I looked around with a glass of wine in my hand.

Meanwhile Shiki, with his perceptive gaze, took note of the subtle power plays and hidden agendas among the nobles. 

Zef, though silent, had an air of vigilance, scanning the surroundings for any potential threats. The ensemble moved towards the center of the grand hall, where the Second Princess's celebration was in full swing.

'But damn, Rona Did pull a risky one by getting us into the party as one of the top adventurer groups around the world. It's a good thing that none of the Adventurers here look like they saw the world outside of the Gritonia Empire'

'I really like to maintain my cover a little bit longer Till the late-night show of Today,' I finished my thoughts as Lucia took me to meet some more people. 

'Welp It's time to wish the princess' I thought as I moved towards the center of the grand hall, where the Second Princess's celebration was in full swing. 

As I approached, I saw Lily, the Second Princess of the Gritonia Empire, standing at the center of attention, surrounded by well-wishers and courtiers eager to offer their congratulations. Dressed in the grandeur befitting a princess, Lily's transformation caught my eye.

I couldn't help but marvel at the elegance and sophistication of her attire. The gown she wore was a masterpiece designed to emphasize her royal status on this momentous occasion.

The bodice of the dress was adorned with delicate lace, intricately embroidered with red and silver thread that caught the light with every movement. The neckline gracefully framed Lily's collarbone, adding a touch of modesty to the ensemble.

The gown flowed into a voluminous skirt that pooled around Her feet, creating a regal silhouette that demanded attention.

To complete the ensemble, She wore a tiara that sparkled with diamonds and sapphires, resting gracefully atop her carefully styled hair. 

Her radiant smile added a warmth that softened the atmosphere around her. 

Witnessing Lily in this regal splendor, I couldn't help but appreciate the transformation and the beauty it brought to this special occasion.

'She truly is a sight to behold,' I thought as I stepped forward to offer my greetings.

"Princess," I said with a respectful bow, "Happy 18th birthday. May your days ahead be filled with joy and prosperity."

Lily, amid the festivities, raised her gaze and our eyes met. 

Recognition flickered in her eyes, and she paused for a moment to process the familiarity of my face.

"Thank you," she replied with a polite smile, her voice carrying the refinement befitting her station.

As the formalities of the greeting concluded, I decided to step aside to grab another drink and relieve the boredom that often accompanied such events.

While sipping my drink and observing her greet others, I felt a tug at my sleeve from behind. Turning around, to my surprise and Horror, I saw Lily dressed in a magician's hood, smiling at me.

*gawkk*

I choked on my drink, quickly shifting my gaze from her to the princess on the stage, and back to her.

*gulp*

"What...? How?!?" I asked in a low voice.

*giggle*

She seemed genuinely amused at my reaction and spoke, "What you're seeing there is my doppelganger. Don't worry; she's a sweet and smart girl who can handle herself."

"Doppelgangers exist?" I questioned, well aware of their existence in general but surprised to find them in this specific world.

"Yes, apparently they do. But enough about them. Let's go somewhere quiet, away from this mess," she suggested.

"As you wish, milady. Please lead the way," I replied, earning a brief smile from her.

Following her lead, we ventured into the inner palace. It was a rare opportunity to grow closer to her and get to know her better.

Thus, the two of us silently moved away from the bustling crowd, finding a more secluded area within the palace.