Imperial Capital of the Global Azakin Empire

Throne Hall

The Emperor, Augustus Azakin, sat on his throne. Instead of a majestic robe that fit his title, he wore the usual military attire: A buttoned-up black jacket with short golden lines near the collarbone, tight yet practical pants and a pair of short boots.

He looked like a military officer rather than an Emperor.

His black hair was pushed back, his face clean-shaved, and his narrow black eyes were staring at an ominous black shade that stood a distance away from him.

Aside from these two, there were a handful of guards standing a bit at the back. They were the Royal Guard, men that Augustus trusted to protect his life.

Additionally, near the door leading out of the Throne Hall, there was a small group of strange-looking creatures.

They had folded big wings made of snow-white feathers, were similar sets of dark crimson armor, and had magical hoods that hid their faces entirely. They had humanoid physiques, but none were breathing or even moving.

There were exactly 8 of them, which was a third of the notorious and extremely deadly Angel Corps.

Augustus would only bring those emotionless creatures on rare occasions that demanded the presence of such an unstoppable force, and today was such an occasion.

They were here in case the black shade facing him tried anything. Then again, not even the Angel Corps would be able to do anything to him. Nevertheless, their presence did make the Emperor feel slightly at ease.

“And you are sure of that?” Asked Augustus, his eyes not leaving the indistinct and scary black shade.

A cold, chilling voice came from the shade as it floated there, inches above ground.

“Powerful as I am, I still cannot act freely in here. Astria will not tolerate it.”

Hearing this, the Emperor’s brows creased. “Aren’t you supposed to be Death itself?”

“I am.” Responding to the shade, the black energy it was made of was moving around, formless yet frightening, “However, Astria is under the protection of the Trickster. If anything happens to it, then He will show up. The Laws will be put into stasis temporarily, and the range of will be very limited. As long as the Nameless Knight is trapped inside, then I can… and will kill him.”

Even if someone were to learn, no one would actually believe that the Emperor was actually colluding with Death itself, a veritable and literal manifestation of the Death Natural Law, to kill the Dark Knight.

However, an opportunity presented itself and Augustus no longer wanted to be tormented by that all-powerful ‘man’. As long as the Dark Knight keeps watch over him, then Augustus wouldn’t be able to act freely. He was ordered -obligated- to maintain the peace and balance.

He understood the reasoning behind it, and agreed with the Dark Knight’s motive, but it still soured him. Furthermore, having the Headless Soldier sealed under the Palace didn’t make things any better.

“He has gone unchecked for enough time. No living being should be able to control the Natural Laws.” Death scoffed, his shade moving around, “He speaks of Balance yet the Primordial Darkness keeps growing overwhelmingly stronger. Dense, pure, and dominating everything. What Balance is there when the Primordial Light is almost non-existent? He seeks only to make himself stronger.”

“I care not what you think of him. I just want to be certain that this plan will work. Everything needs to be perfect. Immaculate. If any mishaps were to happen, I’ll be the one who he kills.”

Death stopped haphazardly moving around and focused on the Emperor. ‘He’ didn’t seem to mind that Augustus wasn’t treating him with respect or fear.

“He had killed my predecessor and condemned millions of souls to oblivion. A monster like him needs to be put down, no matter the cost. Even if momentarily, his connection with the Primordial Darkness will be cut down, thereby making him vulnerable. All you need to do is free the Headless Soldier.”

“What if he fails? What then?”

“I will also be there. Without the Darkness, the Nameless Knight will not be able to fight me and the Headless Soldier. He will be defenseless and powerless.”

Even with the constant assurance of Death, the Emperor was still hesitant and anxious. The tales of the Dark Knight, also known as the Nameless Knight, depicted his absolute strength and brutality.

The man was horror made manifest, a force unrivalled in all of existence. It seemed a bit ridiculous that he would be put down just like that.

He had killed Gods and Creations Gods, Demon Lord and Devils. There wasn’t a tale of him where he hadn’t beheaded Divine and Celestial beings with his greatsword.

It was said that not even the Void could stop him, yet now, Augustus was plotting to kill him. He who had killed Death itself long ago.

“He will attend your banquet, yes? That will be the perfect time.”

“I told him there was a problem with the Headless Soldier. He will certainly come, but I don’t know if he will attend.”

Death maintained a brief silence before speaking, “He will come to you first, and you will be at the banquet. We will do it then.”

“This is not wise.”

In a dark place, filled with countless blobs of lights, which were souls, Death was floating there. Behind him was a thin creature wearing a tattered black robe and holding a long black scythe in its bony fingers. It was a Grim Reaper, one of Death’s agents, a creature tasked solely to reap souls and take them to the Sea of Souls to be judged.

“...”

The Grim Reaper received no response, but it didn’t stop talking,

“I do not think it wise to go after the Dark Knight. He is the one stopping the Void and stopping the Crimson Rift from expanding.”

“When the Balance returns, Darkness and Light will be equal. Then, all will return as it should be and the Crimson Rift will be removed.”

“That’s just one possible outcome.” Rebuked the Grim Reaper, sounding dissatisfied, “We exist to reap souls and guide them, not interfere with other affairs. Each of us has a role that defines our existence. The Dark Knight’s is to halt the march of oblivion and keep the First Layer stable. Provoking him is foolishness.”

“It is more foolish to expect a Parasite to do anything useful. Did you not see what he did? Forcing me and Fate to act, commanding us. Folly is him expecting his precious candidate to help him against the Void.”

“A parasite can be irreplaceable in the First Layer. They can stop the Voidspawn from reforming. It will take time, but I believe-”

“Believe?” Death spun around, its ominous black shade growing closer to the Grim Reaper, “You will believe what I tell you to believe. The Nameless Knight must go. As we cannot banish him into the Crimson Rift, we will have to rely on the Headless Soldier… his old body.”

“The Headless Soldier is all but consumed by the Outer God.” Retorted the Grim Reaper, two white flames burning in his empty eye-sockets. “Once the Headless Soldier is released… what then? Who would be able to stop it?”

“It acts erratically. After a bit of killing, it will continue its eternal wandering.”

“Is it not our role, our existence, to keep things in order? To make sure each soul meets its end at the appointed time?”

“Enough of this. You are going to help me contain and kill Him.”

“...”

The Grim Reaper didn’t respond, it soon vanished into a puff of black smoke.

…

46 Days before the banquet

54 Days before the scheduled translocation and the attack on Blackcrest.