We waited outside with everyone else including Selene whom the police and House Hecaton wanted to have restrained. If the intruders who were being given medical attention were any indication of her and the rest of the house's reaction to them just breaking into it.

I don’t know enough about their society, whether they would need a warrant or not to enter. Hard to say since each house that presided over one of the Six Sisters was the one who made the rules. 

Being a tyrant amongst many others who would have every reason to take it from you and then make your life miserable once you were no longer in charge was a bad idea.

So if anything it made me think that House Atrix was not happy they were not finding me. Either someone tipped them off or they just connected the dots and had the First Sister search the mansion just to try and find me. 

Must have called in a big favor to have them come in the way they did. It told me they were either getting desperate or frustrated.

Looking over Selene and Serleena who looked a little roughed up their clothes looked ruffled with some tears were standing closer to Selene's guards. The same guards I remembered from the past month of training were now injured with scrapes and bruises. 

But it looked like they gave far more than what they got from how the First Sisters and law enforcement appeared. Some of them had broken bones with their arms in slings or cradling their ribs. Others were just unconscious. 

Some of them look like they wished to do more than just let Selene and the others walk around but the glares and their looking ready to continue had shown why that would be a bad idea when you just have to look at the others who decided to fight them.

The ones who seemed mostly fine were the First Sisters. Like Selene and Serleena, the state of their clothes was the only sign of a physical altercation. 

So it is duly noted by me not to mess with the First Sisters since they were not weak which I did not think for a moment that they were. But it’s good to have confirmation and to see it with my own eyes.

“Remain where you are and this will be over with soon.” A woman said with a decorated outfit that stood out amongst the others as she walked up stiffly like a soldier.

“You have violated several of your laws pulling this stunt. You do realize what will happen after this is over don’t you?” Selene chimed in, her voice coming off as friendly at the beginning before descending to a quiet yet cold tone that showed just how she felt about this.

“We are the enforcers of the law on Eshan. We do as we must. What happens after will be nothing. Now you will all hold still as we scan each of you.”

Several of her forces stepped forward with silver scanners not too dissimilar to those scanners at self-checkouts in a grocery store.

“You will do no such thing!” Selene yelled angrily. All of us were ready to fight here and now. Those surrounding us had both blasters and swords raised in turn. 

“We must do this to be thorough.”

“You insult my household and workers. You broke into our house without any proof that the criminal you seek was inside my house without a warrant. You never even bothered to explain what the criminal did and don’t get me started on insulting both our ability to handle such a criminal or the fact that we would harbor one. You have overstepped your boundaries severely.”

A long tense moment fell over us all. Everyone looked around and it became deathly quiet. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. 

Time went on and it looked like it was bound to end in violence. Thankfully it came to an end much to my relief.

“Put the scanners away.” The men and women around her did as ordered and the tension faded away if only slightly.

“We will search the mansion and grounds for the culprit.” 

With that, they all scurried into the mansion. Those of us left outside on both sides checked over the injured. I did my best to blend in with the group but so far I haven’t drawn any attention to myself.

Feeling relieved at Selene stopping them from using those scanners even if they shouldn’t have been able to work. My illusions can affect machines just as well as they do people. Of course, that doesn’t mean the machine couldn’t be made to see if the illusion was real by doing what the Echani have accomplished. 

Courtesy of their ability to read others’ bodies they would see irregularities in my body language since the illusion wasn’t exactly made with that in mind so if they could do it then a machine could be programmed to do the same thing. 

I don't know if for example a machine that could simply scan over your body and glimpse at your DNA if the illusion would be thorough enough to ensure it all looked normal and not be something that would make someone look twice.

Thankfully most systems I had encountered don’t seem to be capable of doing that. If there were, there would be some way to exploit the flaws in the system. 

Fond moments of waiting and watching a mark that was about to lose something valuable or a target that had the misfortune to enter my crosshairs come to mind with me using weak points in their defenses or systems of laws to my advantage. 

Besides the odd occasion of being given viable information, I usually worked with what I had but as time went on I learned to watch and observe anything that could be of use and got creative. Had to suppress a chuckle at the usage of a gargoyle statue at Vittoria Vici's wedding.

Won’t lie I was sorely tempted to wait until after when they would be in their wedding room and when they were about to do the deed-- bam! 

Fury hits her and she kills her husband. By the time someone found them no one would know I was responsible since the weak fury spell would have worn off by then. 

Always loved setting people up in Skyrim. Holding off from smiling and chuckling like a creep since the authorities were still near us. I’d rather not stand out in any way to get their attention. Time passed and the injured were taken care of and before long the ones searching the mansion returned.

The woman in charge walked up to Selene calmly who was currently checking over her daughters around me while I stood back along with the other servants. Selene looked up, not bothering to hide her displeasure at what had occurred. 

“We found no sign of the criminal. Apologies Matriarch Selene.” Her voice was prim yet cold before she moved to walk away but Selene looked like she had other things in mind.

“And where do you think you are going?”

The woman came to a stop. She looked at Selene who was calmly walking forward but her subtle facial expressions and her body showed that she was far from calm. 

To be more precise she was calm but more like the type of calm when one was so angry that they had somehow circled back to a cold fury that could only be controlled when they knew they could exact retribution.

Only ever seen it a handful of times but it was always a sight to behold when it happened. 

“Our search turned up nothing. We will leave the premises. No charges will be pressed against you and your family for injuring law enforcement and members of the First Sister-”

What happened took me a moment to realize what had happened. One moment the woman in charge was explaining things while giving bullshit excuses and how they wouldn’t press charges despite them being the ones in the wrong. The next she was on the ground looking confused not understanding what had happened to her with blood and spittle coming from her mouth.

Selene had moved so fast that even I was not able to see her movements. Has she and her family been holding back on me I pondered.

Selene stood there as still as a statue giving the woman an impassive look yet it reminded me of Balalaika from Black Lagoon. Despite the calmness, it was eerie and unnatural. It promised lots of violence and pain to come.

The woman’s compatriots got up as did the rest of us. Despite them outnumbering us I liked our odds if the signs of dread they tried to hide were any indication. 

“Y-you just assaulted me!” She said quietly, wiping her mouth and looking at the blood on her hand.

“Oh, that is the least of the things I am going to do. Especially since there is far more you should be worried about.” Selene towered over her. The woman was bathed in her shadow eyes looking up in fear.

The woman tried to hide it like the others but she, like them, couldn't keep it hidden. Even her heart was calm before but now it hammered like a bongo drum in her chest. The first time I had heard an Echanis’ heart beat that fast in my time here. 

“I am a daughter of Matriarch- hurghk…”

She got out before in a flash Selene's stilettoed boot rested on her throat, the point of the heel drawing a bead of blood with the other portion pressed down on her. If she put any more pressure on it the woman was finished. The look of terror on her face told everyone that she was well aware of this herself.

Even without the stiletto a crushed throat wasn’t exactly something anyone ever wanted to go through. Sure with prompt medical care they could save her but I doubt Selene would let that happen. 

“Listen well you worthless sack of Bantha poodoo, you are a lesser daughter. You are expendable, and that is exactly why your superiors have sent you here. Do you actually believe your family much less your mother will start a conflict with me over your worthless life? Don’t even make me laugh.” She chuckled darkly while giving the woman a pitying look.

One that she doesn’t seem to like when she grit her teeth but didn’t make any sudden movements. Have to admit, Selene is a complete badass right now. 

Despite the many people with blasters aimed at her, she didn’t care in the slightest. Or more like she was fully confident that she could avoid getting shot and that the rest of us would deal with them. 

After all, when they first broke in they were the ones who had far more injured than we did.

The woman not liking what Selene said gritted her teeth, her muscles bulged and fought against her attempts to remain in control of herself. Selene looked down in amusement at her failed attempt to not let her words nor her powerlessness show.

“So what is going to happen is this. Sometime in the future once I am done dealing with some personal things that take priority I will handle you at a later time. Then deal with your family thinking they can walk all over a family as old as mine who has been in control of various Sisters throughout our people’s history. For whatever reason your Matriarch had sent a pitiful force in a surprise attack on my home, a force that she should have known would not be enough to bring me and my family to kneel, which I presume is to lend aid to House Atrix.”

The others who do not attempt to step in nor stop Selene only look on helplessly. The woman beneath Selene listened despite her growing anger and frustration. 

“Now I am going to let you up, when I do you will remain silent and give no more lies to placate me. You will return to your superiors and explain to them that I will not tolerate this. Ever. If they wish to do so again they will have a revolt if not a rebellion far worse than what was seen with the Thyrsians. Do you understand?”

After removing her foot she quickly scrambled to get up brushing herself off to look presentable despite losing her dignity and respect in this moment before quickly stepping away without a word which was not a good idea with how Selene is right now.

“Do. You. Understand?” She said slowly, emphasizing each word. It appeared almost like she was going to further harm the woman.

“Ye-”

A finger is placed over her lips, a shushing gesture as Selene gently silences her having appeared right in front of her, her face only a few inches from hers. 

“What did I say? Don’t say a thing. Just shake your head yes.” She whispered but everyone could hear her with how deathly quiet it had become. You could hear a pin drop with how silent it was.

The woman despite her anger at having been both made to look like a weak fool and Selene's words that bit deep striking many nerves knew better than to tempt fate by trying to fight Selene and did as told her head bobbed up and down. 

“Now you and the rest get the hell off of my property and never show your faces here again.” Selene didn’t bother to look at them any further before turning away. “Everyone back inside and treat the injured. Also, check over everything to make sure no one decided to try and steal something.”

The accused thieves didn’t take kindly to how Selene acted towards them. You lose that right when you pull a stunt like this as far as I was concerned. Everyone moved back into the manor denying aid from the paramedics that had shown up and instead opting to care for their own.

Something I was surprised about was learning how as far as I knew everyone in Selene's household knew basic first aid if not far more than that. No need to mention the medic droids they had. Made sense if you are sparring as much as they do accidents are bound to happen and a family as important and powerful as they are would need medical personnel and facilities to heal their injured.

Remaining with Celeste and the others since it would be rather suspicious to anyone who has observed Selene and spied on the family for a random male servant to come up to her and ask or speak of important topics like the ones I intended to ask her about. That was if she was willing to answer them.

She was not necessarily obligated to but it would help to know if the First Sister had a vested interest in ensuring that House Solorok doesn’t retake the Second Sister from House Atrix. If they were stepping into this coming conflict with House Atrix then it just made things more complicated.

Hopefully not enough for me to change my approach to fix this problem yet a small part of me hoped it did. I am tired of training nonstop. Getting beat every day and despite showing impressive progress I still have a long way to go.

Selene just showed that. If I am to challenge whoever House Atrix had as their champion then I am nowhere close to being ready. Even thinking that it would be another month filled me with dread.

Gauging how good their family was by looking back at the daughters I had clashed with was not accurately showing their capabilities. 

The first battle against House Atrix’s forces had me utilizing my environment despite being outclassed by them in a head-on fight which helped me catch them by surprise with magic.

The second time the jungle was used to make it harder to find me. Almost reminiscent of the jungle hunter picking off Dutch’s team in Predator. 

That and being more accustomed to my capabilities while having the knowledge of each life sink in. They would have had the advantage were it not for the environment favoring me more than it did them. 

Yet despite having such an advantage they nearly killed me. No doubt that despite their skill they still were not the best House Atrix could bring to bear on me. They managed to dethrone Selene's family from the Second Sister. 

Either they were skilled enough in the Echani martial arts or they had help from the First Sister or someone else powerful enough to help give them a winning edge.

How they would go about doing that is beyond me since I don’t know enough about their culture and the rules surrounding the changing of hands of the Six Sisters. The door to the manor was busted in laying on the floor the wood splintered and cracked.

Doors were open and the ramrod straight postures of the servants was enough for me to know they were not happy and they had messed with everything. 

Some things were left alone such as the display pieces from previous generations of Selene's family like the armor and weapons from fallen  Mandalorians.

But others like closets and cupboards alongside paintings had knocked off the walls scattered all over the place.

“Search around the house. Make note of anything that is missing and notify me. Also, check for anything they had left in this house. I will not have it contaminated by vermin like them.” Selene spoke calmly, watching everything with an even gaze before walking off.

Hours go by with me assisting the others to ensure nothing was taken. Which nothing was. Guess even some enterprising individuals would have enough sense to not anger the same woman who moved faster than they could see or react to. 

We did end up finding some listening devices they had left behind which Selene and Serleena were not happy about. Serleena herself had been with Selene, possibly discussing what they intended to do about this act committed against their House and family. Knocking politely on the door to Selene's private office got me a quiet permission.

Stepping in continuing to keep my disguise of a male servant up out of paranoia that they hadn’t gotten all of the devices. Selene sat at a table with Serleena seated on a comfortable couch, both of whom had half-filled glasses. 

“Matriarch Selene, Steward Serleena. So far nothing has been discovered to have been stolen or vandalized. We are still searching the house for anything else they had decided to leave as a parting gift.” I said in a smooth voice devoid of any emotion. 

“Good, continue to search the house.” She gestured that it was clear in the room to speak with one another. “I figured you would want to discuss what happened. Voice your concerns.”

“Selene, do I need to be concerned if the First Sister is stepping into this conflict we have with House Atrix?” The urgency in my tone couldn’t be hidden simply because of how worried I am about what just happened.

She and Serleena remained silent, taking sips of their drinks before responding, “Not currently. House Hecaton if anything was used by House Atrix in an attempt to see if they could find you. They must be growing desperate since they have pulled their daughters and forces back to our home system and not aiding the Republic and Trade Federation since you came to Eshan. Knowing House Atrix they had called in favors owed to them.”

“So we don’t need to worry about House Hekaton bringing the hammer down on us all for you striking one of the Matriarchs' daughters?”

My question got a bark of laughter out of the two. Selene smiled, forced to put her drink down because of how much she laughed at my question. The worst part about it was I don’t know if I should feel insulted or take that as a good sign. 

“As I had said out there when I put that daughter of Aileens in her place. She is one of the youngest of her daughters and has no value to her. She was used as a sacrificial pawn, just as House Hekaton had put in the bare minimum to either uphold their favor. Much like with Dib back on Nar Shaddaa so too did they do the same with how much effort they had used. Now if it was a far greater favor that had been used then that would be another story entirely of what happened outside.” 

I sat there digesting all of what she had said, doing my best to try and see if it was just her lying to keep me with them. She doesn’t stop speaking however despite my inner thoughts going over each word and comparing it to my understanding of what little I do know.

“Mind you my household would ensure that any conflict of that scale with House Hekaton may see us destroyed but Aileen and her family would be gravely weakened after such a conflict and would not last long after it if they managed to destroy us. They wouldn’t have the luxury of expecting mercy from whoever decided to challenge them next since they had seen fit to destroy what would appear to others as a rival family coming back to reclaim what was taken dishonorably.” 

Everything she said did make sense and fell in line with how their people had tried and succeeded in compromising their old ways with the newer ways of doing things. 

But the thought that Selene and her family had enough power to make House Ignis, the current controller of the First Sister pay for any attempt at all-out war engaging the killswitch to eliminate them all made me question if they were truly capable of doing such a thing. Or was she bluffing?

The woman who was a daughter of this Matriarch Aileen didn’t attempt to pull any stunts when she was at Selene's mercy nor did anyone else attempt to stop her. So she seemed to be telling the truth. 

It was hard to tell with them when they were capable of controlling their bodies to such a level that even after picking up some of their tricks I still couldn’t tell. 

Instead of Selene speaking it was Serleena this time, “Doing so sends a message to others that they will not give mercy and will destroy any that are perceived as a threat. So they would be destroyed by returning to the old ways that we had tried and succeeded in moving away from. Depending on who has done what can and will be met with the same level of severity that the offending party had committed and they will have to deal with multiple Houses working together to ensure their demise.”

“So House Hekaton is not going to make this more difficult?”

“That depends on what you consider more difficult. To be fair to House Hekaton they are within their right to attempt to arrest a wanted criminal for crimes against the Trade Federation and for his business assets being used against them and the Republic. The problem is how they went about it. Having a long history dating far back to the Old Republic when the ancient Sith still roamed the galaxy despite this history and the resources this House at its disposal we are not going to be able to do much besides a slap on House Hekaton’s wrist since what they did here was mild regardless of how insulting it was.” 

Serleenas last comment seemed more directed at Selene than it was at me. Giving further credence to this was the look Selene gave her. She looked like she had something she wanted to say about it but thought better of it taking another drink instead. 

“I know it was a greater insult to you Selene but if we massacred those people as you had initially wished to do then this would have become a far worse situation.”

Selene stopped mid sip before placing it on the table. “Serleena, when someone barges unannounced into my house it is rather hard not to massacre them. My patience is great, but even it has limits and that is one of them.”

Serleena remained silent when Selene relented, “But you are right. It was the better choice to let them live.”

Serleena gave her a small smile before they both turned to look at me, “With you witnessing what you did and how fast I was, you now have a vague idea of how far you have to go Corvo.”

“How much longer?” My question seemed innocent enough, but in reality, it showed the dread building in me at the mere idea of having to train even more and attempt to match the absurd speed Selene was moving at. Just the idea of how long it was going to take made me want to run and hide somewhere for the rest of my life.

“With how quickly you have learned the foundations of our arts it should take at least half a year. Of course, that is less than satisfactory since it wouldn’t end well if you have less than the required training and end up having to fight the Matriarch of House Atrix.”

I stared long and hard at her after saying who I may have to fight. She matched my gaze and I realized she was telling the truth. I may have to fight a Matriarch. The same one who usurped their position as the controller of the Second Sister. 

Not that that worried me as much. It does, but witnessing how old and powerful Selene's family is while having control of one of the more powerful corporations of her people gave me confidence that they are more than capable of getting me ready.

I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose, “Hopefully it’s not six months or more.”

“Oh and here I thought you enjoyed your time with us. Particularly me…” Selene said in a teasing tone.

“Oh, I did, just not when I am feeling like a punching bag.” 

Selene chuckled at my deadpan response. 

Serleena looked between the two of us with a small smile on her face. “Worry not Corvo. With how well you have grown it shouldn’t take much longer before this is over and you can head back to your masters with good news. You may leave since Selene needs to get some water now that she has had her fill of drinks for the day.”

Selene waved a hand at her, “Serleena I am perfectly fine and I have not had enough… would you like to join me? It will be fun…” A blush formed on her pale cheeks.

I simply stared at her, seeing her not as composed as she normally would be before Serleena cleared her throat at me.

“I appreciate the offer Selene but I must go.”

Quickly stepping out of the room Selene made her displeasure known to Serleena who was trying to not laugh at whatever was happening in there. As tempting as it would be to take her up on her offer and enjoy one another privately, it was a bad idea.

Shaking my head and simply wandering the manor before I get dragged off to continue my training.

Floating in the air, holding an orange cat with red tiger stripes was a kid who looked no older than thirteen but scraggly looking. A bowl cut of obsidian black hair with two points not far off from looking like devil horns. A black suit and tie that further made him appear odd.

Klarion. 

“Well well well. Looks like someone had a party and forgot to invite me! Can you believe that Teekl! All this magnificent chaos and I only find out when the good part is almost finished.” He whined to his cat with everyone now fully stopped just watching on.

Glancing over and seeing several talons piecing themselves back together with White Rabbit nowhere to be found, Jaina worriedly glanced back at me with her escort down several members near the tunnel Samantha had taken.

Nodding for her to go on she hesitated before a look of determination crossed her face and she nodded back before rushing down the tunnel.

“Mroow.” 

“What?! How am I being a party popper at a party with chaos?” He whined down at the cat.

A glance showed several of Anarky’s men held their weapons up not realizing the mistake they were about to make.

“Wait-”

Just as I tried to stop them they opened fire on Klarion who had his back facing them. The bullets tore through his body leaving behind fire and holes along his body. It looked like something out of Tom and Jerry or Looney Tunes yet it was far from funny.

Klarion with a devilish smirk that went far too wide to be natural cackled.

“That’s the spirit-- hey! Watch where you're shooting.” He went from happy cheering on Anarky’s people to angry when a stray shot almost hit his cat.

With them opening fire the fighting started back up. So fixated on Klarion that I almost missed a talon's kick.

Grunting and knocking it back down the steps tumbling down taking several other talons with it. Klarion's body looked like it had been turned into Swiss cheese.

With a gesture of his hand, a red bubble formed around him with the upgraded guns and ammunition I had given them just bouncing off the sphere.

The bullets ricocheted off the bubble hitting the stands destroying the surroundings with any poor soul getting turned into flaming mincemeat.

 

Another hand gesture followed by a red bolt of lightning shot out. They didn’t even get a chance to scream when the bolt slammed home and a plume of fire and smoke erupted with Klarion cackling like a madman.

The monster would shoot out projectiles like that lightning from before or constructs in the shape of monstrous hands and feet smashing those on our side causing the ground to rumble. Occasionally he would hit the gold talons but the cat had gotten on his case about hitting his ‘allies assets’.

Letting out a breath I had been holding in, thankful the freak hadn’t noticed me just yet. Taking the chance and sending out a signal with several beeps from my suit that most couldn’t hear. A handful perked up at that signal. I was hoping to keep them up my sleeve a little longer but with Klarion showing up we needed him taken care of yesterday.

The rest of the people my hunters included not having someone immediately try to kill them prioritized trying to shoot at Klarion but to no effect. Some of the hunters at least realized regular bullets, even if they were upgraded by me combining ammunition together did nothing. The shots impacted a red barrier briefly flickering to life but not a single round made it past it.

They had upon the realization it wasn’t working opted to use the runes engraved into their bodies. Fire balls, high pressure water spouts, gusts of razor sharp wind. Those fared better making the barrier look unstable warping under the attacks.

“Interesting…” Klarion ominously said, his voice heard across the entirety of the room over any other sound. “What nice little toys you are. Someone even somehow managed to grant you some magic.” 

With a wave of his hand a part of the coliseum shifted. Calling it a part does what he just did an injustice. It was like an entire section of the coliseum had been turned into the massive maw of a great beast.

The screams were what greeted me first. The stand across from me had developed an incline with everyone whether they were alive or dead fell further into it with the back wall slamming down onto them with a boom of air knocking many over even where I was standing. Then the crash and crumble of earth and rock.

The stands were gone. No bodies, no blood. Just smooth stone like an eraser was taken and just smoothed away everything leaving a blank slate. Beyond the shooting and screaming something else made them all fade into the background. 

“HahahaHahaHA!” Klarion's laughter echoed across the entirety of the coliseum. It sounded wrong. It was distorted and came off louder at times than normal, going from high to low booming to a whisper yet it could be heard by everyone.

Shaking my head knowing what I was about to do was even dumber than when I unleashed those drugs on Gotham in my greed. But no one else was going to be able to do much against him and if left unchecked he would decimate everyone and undo so many plans that hinged on this working out. 

Sidestepping a talons slash, taking off both of its arms and taking its glowing red blade that may as well be a Sith’s lightsaber with how much it and every other weapon the gold talons had on them glowed compared to what they were before. 

Several strings go and collect five other weapons from daggers to swords. With a flick of the wrist the weapons flew towards Klarions barrier. Each one of them hit the barrier, sparking and clanging against it like a gong. None managed to even break past it but I do see some cracks. It also did something else. It got the monster's attention. 

He hadn’t once stopped smiling and chuckling, enjoying what to him must be a wonderful show. For us, it was a nightmare. Turning to the sound with his smile faltering for a moment to see who tried to attack him.

“Who wants to annoy me no- Whoa!” He exclaimed in annoyance before his face turned to surprise having not expected me to slam the pilfered sword mid-leap into his barrier, shattering the blade against it and almost breaking through enough for the blade to skewer his cat. 

Falling back down to the arena floor with numerous talons duking it out around me. It looked like something you would see out of a space opera fantasy of some kind with them carving into each other. But I didn’t have time to focus on them diving out of the way of a crimson red fireball slamming into the ground. 

Klarion cackled, sending fire ball after fire ball at me. Despite how each one was evaded I could still feel a burn. But it wasn’t the fire balls but my cuts. Each one felt like they were on fire. If these were this bad, how bad would it be if I get hit with one of those balls?

Several thrown objects impacted his barrier which he must have repaired while I was evading him since the crack was no longer there. Fire washed over it before it was blown away with a boom and rush of air with Klarion looking annoyed at my hunters.

Unconcerned with who they just annoyed shooting out more magical attacks to harass him with me adding my own potshots into the mix with us working like a well oiled machine. Whenever he tried to focus on one of us the rest capitalized on him ignoring the rest. 

“Will you just stand still so I can destroy you!?” He yelled out raising both hands with that red energy around them following his command. 

It glowed around several pieces of the arena that had been chipped away. The pieces collect together forming two massive golems from the rubble. 

Vaguely humanoid with one missing an arm, the magic had sunken into their bodies turning it pitch black with the edges glowing red. 

“Get him!” He pointed his finger at me before shooting a bolt at me.

Ducking under it ignoring the deafening boom behind me that destroyed everything while weaving around the battlefield with the golems letting out ear piercing roars giving chase. Each step they took made my teeth rattle but it didn't deter me from annoying Klarion.

More strings and more weapons tossed his way with him growling in annoyance when he almost killed a hunter but it knocked his aim off just enough when a sword rang against his barrier next to his head.

I stopped abruptly when a massive slab of rock slammed into the ground cratering it. Sidestepping another fist before leaping and jumping onto the golem placing the palm of my hand onto its head with the runes adorning my gloves shifting to an earthy brown.

The golem attempted to smash its limbs into me but it faltered for a moment, stumbled back like it had been struck. The magic of the runes fought the magic of Klarion with it struggling to stop and let me take control of the golem. 

A roar came from behind followed by the earth trembling. With a deft flip up and over the golem I had been on was time just right when its brother coming to help it slammed and shattered it to pieces. 

The magic controlling the fallen golem faded away with the pieces of it going from black back to its normal color. The sole remaining golem looked around trying to find me but paused when a weight slammed into its back. 

Palm placed against the back of its head with a surge of chakra similar to what I did when training to do wall walking. A surge built up. The golem tried to reach for me with its sole arm before a blast of chakra sent me flying back and the golem groaned with it getting blasted to pieces.

I rolled along the ground feeling the soreness in my arms when using that move. It was an attempt at copying Tsunade’s iconic punch but it may as well have been a cheap imitation when compared to the real thing. None of the scrolls had any information on her technique but it didn’t stop me from having some theories on it.

Normally I wouldn’t try to do something so risky but I don’t have time to play with Klarions creations. Looking up to see the witch boy cackling with him crushing two of my hunters with a serpent like creature constricting and crushing them under its might.

Taking a single step to go help them before the sound of rock grinding against rock made me pause. Only to see the pieces of the golem I shattered moving on their own. 

Each piece moved and shifted like clay that formed humanoid figures with a red outline and obsidian bodies like its first form. 

Glancing over to see the rubble from the other golem remained inert and unmoving. The rock monsters charged at me with no warning or fanfare. 

Moving around the group with a trap disc saw blade cutting into a few bisecting them at the waste. Like before the rock became like clay, the figures had become smaller with them growing legs and the legs growing new tops. Each of them was below my waist but I didn’t let my guard down.

Several chakra strings attached themselves to various weapons of the Court flinging them into the monsters each piercing into their bodies. The effect was immediate, the black moved like oil soaked into a sponge with the various weapons' red glow intensifying like fuel to a growing flame.

Each golem groaned before freezing and falling apart. Taking each weapon with the strings and making quick work of the golems before setting my sights on Klarion who by this point was just toying with anyone who was left alive.

Unlike at the beginning the survivors found it far more difficult to avoid his attacks since he had upped the scale of his attacks. 

This had gone on long enough.

Taking a dagger with a string holding it aloft before taking another string and carving a fire rune into it set the weapon ablaze, brightening into an eerie blood red that made my skin crawl with the shadows moving of their own accord unnaturally.

“Huh?” Klarion as if sensing something was off turned in my direction. “Are you using the same trick again?” He sounded so disappointed with me.

“A one trick horsey will have to do for entertainment I suppose.” Klarion said, sounding bored before a wicked grin with gleeful laughter erupted out of him.

The small cat cradled in his arms meowed with Klarions smile dimming a little. “Who cares, they know what I meant Teekl.”

Simply shaking my head at him not taking any of this seriously, just entertainment. Like someone channel surfing when they get bored with whatever held their attention for a moment then moving on to find something else.

In Klarion's case, it made me bristle. The way he looked at each of us like we were just ants to him. With how powerful he is and what he had shown he was capable of, we may as well be ants. I had zero doubts he was going all out either, just playing around and enjoying the moment.

All of it angered me. But with that anger came focus. Instead of it blinding me like a bull charging at a matador, mine was the kind of focus one had when someone insulted and mocked you. Then you prove them wrong by locking it in.

The dagger was sent flying with a crack of the thread and like every other time Klarion lazily erected a barrier around himself. I don’t think he needed to but probably did it because he gets annoyed at us attacking him and it gets old when it does nothing.

The other reason being his cat. His Achilles heel.

The dagger had crimson red flames forming around it. In a matter of seconds the only sign of the dagger was a black shape at the core of the crimson inferno that had grown to the size of a semi truck.

Klarions eyes widened briefly.

KrAkOoOm! 

A deafening boom rocked the arena before a rush of air sent the survivors of the conflict off their feet. Crimson flames rained down from where the dagger impacted.

It looked like what someone would imagine Armageddon as. The crackle of flames and fighting was the only thing I could hear, but I knew Klarion wasn't gone after that. 

As powerful as he was there was no way that was enough. Wasting no time in taking several of the swords around me each enchanted with varying runes that his chaos magic altered and changed while keeping to the theme of each rune. 

Despite Klarion’s appearance and the horrific things he had done, chaos magic itself didn’t feel evil. Having access to ritual knowledge with other forms of magic had given me a broader understanding with depth to the magic around me.

Chaos magic was not good either, more like how I would describe the concept of death. It is what it is. In this case, chaos was change. Transition. Altering things around it while keeping them true to what they are. 

The last part I am more on the fence, since I know Klarion can alter water to be more like fire and flame and vice versa. He would be capable of any number of mind boggling feats that just altered physics and universal constants like a rule book you break over your knee.

 But the fact that the chaos around the blades wasn’t altering merely enhanced and added onto what the runes did lended credit to the idea.

A ghost of a snicker made me pause for a second before working faster getting the blades ready with numerous weapons that were salvageable or not seamlessly fusing together. What at first was fifty to sixty blades had dwindled down to six. 

The last one fusing into its final form hit close to the limit of gaining anything out of it with minor enhancements in the decimals.

Just when the blade fragments sank into the weapon, Klarion appeared beside me holding his cat like the Godfather, petting it while looking at me like I was a new interesting toy.

“Now that’s more like it! Wasn’t that fascinating Teekl.” The cat just meowed, never once taking its half lidded eyes off of me.

“I know, such an interesting usage of magic and he is using my chaos to do it!” He sounded ecstatic. “Let’s see what else he can do.” His excitement turned menacing with his black eyes shrinking down into red beady pins.

“I can do a lot. Like this!” At first my voice sounded cheery before it transitioned into a growl. 

With a flick of my fingers a blade spun right for him with the earth rune springing to life with a darkness seeping into it.

It embedded itself in the ground sinking in like it was water down to the hilt right before Klarions black dress shoes. He looked up from it not impressed. 

“Is that it?” He asked, looking bemused and disappointed. 

Just when it looked like it was going to do nothing the ground under Klarion bubbled, like something coming up out of the ocean. The earth around him rose up, swelling like a bubble with Klarion’s red eyes turning back to a normal human with shock on his face.

“Oh carp!” Was all he got out with the bubble of earth enveloping him within it. 

Rocks and debris that had been broken from the rest of the coliseum sucked into the expanding sphere growing out of the ground with me willing the rune to continue to expand and grow harder when I activated it.

Taking a dagger and flinging it into the sphere of rock with cracks forming around it with what were dull thumps like someone tapping on a door changed to ear piercing sounds of rock splintering.

The dagger, a sickly blue color landed blade first into a growing crack with a brackish dark colored fluid rushing out of it filling the insides of the sphere with gallons upon gallons of a liquid that had a rainbow like sheen to it.

Running away from the makeshift bomb I had created, tossing a flaming sword that glowed so bright the shadows evaporated like they were water before the sun itself. It flew like a streaking meteor from the heavens striking the gushing nearly broken apart rock that was almost like a cocoon.

It was like a nuke had just been detonated behind me. With a quick burst of chakra into my legs I leaped up and over the wall to the stands. 

Even with the absurd speed I ran at it wasn’t enough to save me from the shockwave that vaporized the center of the arena floor taking out all of the talons fighting in the arena.

Slammed into some chairs that were miraculously untouched from the fighting that had taken place now smashed to splinters. Rolling with the momentum and getting my weapons ready, thankful for the Goron enchantment making sure the worst of the heat and fire was taken care of.

Wasn’t exactly certain it would affect fire altered by chaos magic but you won’t hear me complaining now that I know. Plus it was something I would keep up my sleeve when it could give me a shot at Klarions cat.

The explosion had formed into a mini mushroom cloud taking two of the swords with my threads sweeping them out their enchantments activating in the process. 

Powerful gusts of wind coalesced into the burning inferno at the center of the pit with it collecting debris, smoke, even the flames were sucked into it drawing in anything and everything.

The wind quickly grew in scope and size turning into a kaleidoscope of varying shades of black and red like a disco ball from hell. 

The worst part about all of this was what happened to the numerous talons from both sides, bodies of Court members, even some of Anarky’s people who foolishly stuck around were sucked into the fiery vortex.

Ripped to shreds by the absurdly powerful winds. What was left was quickly incinerated once it was brought close enough to the force of nature I had created. 

The power of the heat was absurd, even if I couldn’t feel it courtesy of the enchantments in my suit I could tell just by looking at the remains of the dead and the environment around it.

Those that were incinerated were of course turned to ashes but even those were burned away to nothing once formed. The ground beneath and around it turned into molten rock, sucked up into the vortex adding into it while pulling apart large chunks of the ground and coliseum around it.

Chakra laced around my feet struggling against the wind that wanted to pull me into the molten tornadoes embrace. Cracks and rumbles from above could be heard. 

A bad sign making me double my efforts to get out of the chamber. The sound of rocks cracking and the rush of wind forced me to the side, evading several meter thick pieces of concrete with rock and dirt mixed in.

More and more poured down with me nearing the tunnel Jaina had gone down. I hoped she was alright during this madness. Drawn out of my thoughts when the pull from the tornado began to reduce in intensity making me tense up not wanting to look and see what was happening behind me. 

But my morbidly curious thoughts got the better of me.

The tornado sputtered spiraling out of control like a top knocked off balance the top of it licking the floor with the pull all over the place shifting in different directions before it expanded like a balloon before it popped. Molten rock and razor sharp blades of black wind were flung into the surroundings carving meter long trenches and gouges.

An explosion of pure power blasted out across the cavern shaking it all with me getting thrown off my feet, concrete stuck to my boots like gum before I got embedded into the wall beside the tunnel and the two remaining swords stabbed themselves at my sides. 

But what made all thoughts come to a screeching halt was the red beam breaking through and shooting up through the ceiling of the cavern that blasted through who knows how much concrete, dirt, and rock. 

The beam lasted for a few seconds before it stopped. The light of the moon came out of the now gaping hole that led to the surface.

“You have got to be kidding me.” I said in disbelief.

Standing at the center of the bubbling molten ground zero was half of a blackened torso with a smoldering head attached. In a split second the body reformed showing Klarion perfectly fine save for a frown and a grimace on his face. He looked around seeing the devastation left in the wake of the attack I had used against him. 

I do see that Teekl was no longer with him. It soothed me some knowing that it must have been enough for him to send his familiar away otherwise it would have died and he would have been sent back to the fiery pit he crawled out of.

“Oh come on! I missed it!?” He yelled out sounding like a child throwing a tantrum. “All of this chaos and I missed it… well at least you're not as boring as I thought you were-- Silhouette.” 

He turned immediately seeing right where I was despite me practically blending in with the shadows around me. Pulling myself out of the wall standing tall despite the pain I was in. 

A quick application of Med-X fixed that followed by me stepping forward not willing to let this monster go for fear he would destroy this city and its people.

I have done evil things. I won’t lie. But even a wretch like me had some standards. I can’t in good conscience let him go without at least trying to keep him occupied. 

A quick message to Smith and the hunters showed me that whatever was keeping signals from getting out was gone with the messages going through.

Warning them to evacuate and get as many people they can out of here and to avoid confronting Klarion. 

“Why would you think you missed the show when you were a part of it?” I responded with a question, tilting my head at him.

He stayed silent for a moment before a laugh escaped him and clapped his hands. “Fair point. I just prefer to see the show and enjoy the view.” Raising his hands with bird-like constructs taking form before they flew right towards me. 

My steps hammered along the outer side of the ruined arena pulling both blades free with threads. The flap of wings could be heard before each of his attacks detonated behind me. 

Pebbles rained down on me with each explosion. One blade swung and sent a torrent of wind into the bird's mid explosion forcing the blast back. 

Looking for any way out of here only to see that all of the tunnels had been destroyed. My only way out of here was through the hole Klarion had created. 

The other sword with a flourish shot out half a dozen orbs that sucked all the debris into it, taking out the rest of his birds who impacted the orbs of wind and rock.

Several of the improvised attacks grew closer to Klarion who simply dragged his hands to the side like he was pulling on the air itself like it was a blanket.

The orbs veered off to the side crashing harmlessly into the surroundings. 

“This is so much fun. Ha ha ha! Come on, show me more of what you can do. It’s not often I see someone using my own magic against me. Teekl, go and fetch him.” He snapped his fingers and as soon as he did I heard a thump near me.

Looking over to see what was a small cat now was bigger than a car roaring at me. Leaping and slamming down where I had been moments prior with paws bigger than my torso. The swords lashed out with the cat, surprisingly agile for its size managed to dodge them before swiping a paw at me.

I leaned out of the way, narrowly evading each paw swipe. One particular attack had it overextend with me capitalising on it. Both blades left deep cuts into the cat's arm, it growled in pain hopping back before I went for its throat to end this.

“Teekl! What is wrong with you?! How could you attack a defenseless pussy cat?” Klarion said with genuine concern for the animal. 

Klarion in a flash of light appeared with the cat shrinking down in size midair landing into his waiting arms.

“Well Klarion you shouldn’t let your pussy go crazy.” 

Whatever he was about so say died in his throat. Teekl froze for a moment before looking at me with narrowed eyes. They widened when laughter bubbled up out of Klarion. 

“Meow.” Teekl didn’t sound too thrilled with its master right now. 

“Oh calm down Teekl, you can’t say that wasn’t funny.” He acted like he was wiping away a tear while saying that.

Hefting both blades up, falling into a stance ready to keep fighting as long as I have to keep him here. A part of me would normally be afraid was oddly quiet. Just calm acceptance this would be the hill I would die on. 

We stood across from one another staring each other down. Klarion for his part merely smiled at me and I readied a dose of ultra jet to get to that cat and end this. This final clash would decide if I defeat him or die trying. 

“I knew you would be fun. After all, how could you not be when you set this city on fire when you sold those things humans like to indulge in so much.” 

He didn’t make any move to attack. His body relaxed-- just stood there leisurely. That didn’t exactly mean much when he could just lift a finger and wipe out a continent. Seeing him carve through the ceiling all the way to the surface was more than enough evidence to tell me if he went all out there would be no chance of me beating him.

“Wasn’t aware you were a fan.” I responded dryly.

Klarion merely snorted before his amused expression quickly shifted to one of disgust and anger. “A new world order? Oh someone thought they could pull a fast one on me. Well Teekl I think it’s time to leave and give our farewells to a certain someone.” 

He turned around with a red portal opening ahead of him. Despite it going against my better judgement I couldn’t help but ask especially after what he just said confused me.

“That’s it?” 

He stopped. “What’s it?”

“You're leaving now after all of that? And what about a new world order?”

“Well of course! The one who called in the favor has now revoked my aid. That and what I was called here to do is finished. The most important part was I got to meet you and learned some neat new tricks. Looking forward to seeing what chaos you unleash next time Silhouette. Later masturbator!” He leaped through the portal cackling.

“Meow!” Teekl chimed in when the portal was halfway closed.

“What do you mean that’s not how people say that phrase!” 

And like that he left mid rant at his cat familiar, the portal closing behind them. Finding myself alone in the ruins of the Courts coliseum with the only sound left was the crackling of the flames and the occasional rock dropping from the gaping hole.

I could only shake my head before getting started on climbing my way out of here. “Hopefully Jade and Jaina had it a lot easier than I did.”

 You're seriously competent at the art of programming, even to the extent of adapting programs to run on alien computer architecture. You could debug kernel code in your sleep (and maybe you have). If you can (or learn to) read Lantean or Wraith this includes programming in their software languages.