Kiana wondered what had suddenly happened to Asher. She had not seen him act like this before and the way he controlled the Bore Shrews also seemed rather eerie to him. She knew that beasts could be trained of course, but not in this way.

This seemed too mechanical… too unnatural.

​​

"This… is what you want to do to the criminals?" Kiana asked.

"Well, it's one of the things, yes." Lucius admitted, laying his cards on the table.

His eyes were trained on Kiana the entire time, tracking her every move. Lucius wasn't just revealing his secrets right now, he was also judging Kiana and whether she was truly worthy of staying with him for the long term.

"This is wrong Asher… it's against the church's directives… against the kingdom's rules… against humanity…" Kiana spoke.

"I think differently. Think of it, the church of Alana's doctrine mentions mercy and kindness. Do you think these criminals are worthy of that? Do you think they act on these doctrines?

But what if we can make them do that? What will be the greatest kindness if not for them protecting the people? What will be the greatest mercy for them, if not them contributing their lives to repent for their sins?" Lucius said, his voice echoing in the room.

Kiana heard them and couldn't help but think about them.

"These people are incapable of atoning for their sins and need to be killed to compensate for the losses they caused, but we are able to provide them the opportunity for atonement! With their sacrifices, with their sins, we can better the lives of our people, our family…" Lucius said, his tone bordering on obsessive.

Kiana felt these words entering her soul, as she couldn't help but feel her respective change.

'What really is the right way? Is just killing them better? Or what Asher said is better?' Kiana was lost in her thoughts.

Lucius stepped towards Kiana and came to her side before leaning into her ear, his breath tickling it.

"What if I told you, or family… the Inanis family can rise up far higher than anyone can think? We can be the strongest in the Kingdom… nay, I say, in all kingdoms of this world," Lucius whispered.

His words were like the promises of the devil, o' so sweet and tempting, yet dangerous. Kiana felt her mind shake as a vision appeared in front of her. The Inanis family stood at the top, as countless people kneeled at the bottom.

Their enemies died just from the terror while those that offended them, laid to rest six feet deep.

Kiana remembered the people who had wronged her… wronged her family… her parents. While she had come to terms with it over the years, she hadn't completely forgotten it.

Her eyes closed for a minute before opening, but this time they were filled with an inferno of ambition.

"Can we really do all this?" Kiana asked, her voice low.

"I swear in the name of Inanis, and on my honor that I'll take our family to the apex of this world." Lucius proclaimed.

Kiana took a deep breath upon seeing the determination of Lucius. Her face flushed as she imagined the future that their family would have. The hesitation and doubt she had before were banished and all that was left was ambition with determination.

"Then I, Kiana Wizen hereby pledge my undying eternal loyalty to my Lord Asher Inanis, forever and ever." She said as she kneeled down.

Lucius had a smile on his face as he looked at Kiana. He extended his hand towards her and spoke, "take my hand."

Kiana smiled and took it, but the moment she did she saw Lucius's hand glow in a red light as it turned hot all of a sudden.

"What is…" Kiana said but was then interrupted with a piercing pain.

It was as if a searing energy flowed into her hand and entered her body. But the pain was as if an illusion, fading away in an instant, not even letting her express it. Still, she had winced and closed her eyes.

But when she opened them though, she saw something written on top of her hand. It was a red symbol that seemed to be made out of multiple strokes and lines, making a complex structure. It faintly glowed with a red light and even seemed warm.

"What's this…?" Kiana couldn't help but question.

"This is your devotion, your loyalty… this is my mark." Lucius answered.

Kiana looked at the mark and soon saw it disappear.

"Where did it go?" Kiana questioned.

"It is still there. It's just hidden for now. It will appear when there is a need." Lucius answered.

"I see… wait! How did you do this, though?" Kiana finally asked the question Lucius had been waiting for.

"This is… My gift." Lucius revealed.

"Your gift?… Y-you have a gift!?" Kiana exclaimed, feeling shocked.

"Yes I do, indeed." Lucius replied with a little chuckle.

"How did you get a gift? You didn't have one for so long?" Kiana asked, feeling confused.

"I didn't have it before yes, but I seemed to have awakened it recently. I am still not fully aware of its effects and there seems to be more than just one." Lucius replied.

"W-we have to go to the Appraisal hall! We have to see what gift you truly have!" Kiana said with excitement.

"Now, now. Don't get too excited just yet. There are still a few things we need to take care of before we do that. Besides, I do not want to reveal my gift to the world." Lucius replied.

"What? W-why? Why don't you want that? After all that you've suffered… all that you've been called… why would you not want that?" Kiana asked, her tone falling to a sorrowful level.

"Oftentimes, a hidden dagger is far more effective than the one in hand. People already think I don't have a gift and will be thinking that they have no risk from me… imagine what will happen if that was not true." Lucius explained.