King Of Limbo



Aron's answer to Jin's question was received with visible confusion from both Jin and Jagu.

"What?" Jagu muttered, his ears dropping as he tilted his head at Jin, thinking that perhaps it was just he that was lost.

But Aron confirmed his words again, "You heard correct, I'm going to teach you how to kill my kind, effectively."

Having gotten that confirmation, Jin and Jagu's faces shifted from confusion to concern.

But Aron could see why anyone would see his response as odd, especially for someone like him.

In summary, teaching them how to effectively kill his kind was no better than him telling them his own weak points, at least that would've been the case.

But Aron's short time at his father's settlement showed him that he was far from an ordinary Koliean. Normal means were pointless against him.

After some thought, Jin seemed to realize that Aron wouldn't just casually reveal his weaknesses. Whatever it was he would tell them, Jin was now sure that Aron was either an exception… or had the means to counter.

"I'm guessing it won't be easy?" Having come to terms with Aron's answer, Jin no longer dwelled on it, sticking to his theory that Aron was an exception or had a counter.

As for Jagu, he was yet to consider this point, mainly due to his lack of understanding of complex thoughts and planning. After all his kind were a very straightforward race, that was even more so true for his species in particular.

He could only put aside his inner thoughts and listen as Aron continued to speak.

"No it won't, and they are no guarantees it will work either… but we have few options." Aron revealed honestly, knowing this wasn't something he could manipulate his way through… for the most part.

As he spoke, he began pacing around Jagu and Jin like a predator, before furrowing his brows while shaking his head.

"Jagu barely has enough strength while you Jin are lacking in nearly every statistic against a Koliean warrior, and I'm referring to females." 

Jin and Jagu who were expecting hopeful words from Aron only received the opposite, harsh truths.

As Aron spoke, he observed their reactions. Jagu was of course visibly upset but Jin looked carefree, knowing his physicality couldn't be compared to Kolieans or Komi.

Seeing these two different reactions, Aron nodded to himself and instructed, "I want you both to list for me both offensive and defensive qualities you're skilled in, be it arts or techniques."

Jagu didn't seem bothered by the task but Jin seemed hesitant. He came from a line where techniques and arts were guarded closely by his people.

Being one of only two survivors and the only male, he felt hesitant to reveal this and he spoke up on it, "I can't, my clan's knowledge is meant to be passed down to descendants, I can reveal my own but not all."

Aron scoffed at Jin's answer and asked a very daunting question, "And what happens when you die? Your clan's knowledge simply goes extinct? You're smarter than this Jin, although I understand the need to withhold information when necessary… do you really think we can afford such a luxury in our situation?"

Jin saw no room for reply in Aron's answer. He was right, plain and simple. 

With danger lurking at every corner and new powerful enemies, what guarantee did Jin have that he would live on? This cold truth was hard to accept but coming from Aron, Jin couldn't argue.

"Alright, at least with you I know the chances of the knowledge dying out are slim." Jin replied, mostly just reassuring himself to lessen the guilt he felt.

'I'll never understand the obsession beings hold to imaginary restrictions. He has no runic heart seal but is so unwilling to reveal information that could increase his chance of survival…' 

Aron had his own thoughts while looking at Jin. Although he had spent some time around other races and saw their ways of life and cultures with his own eyes, he still found many of their "traits"… nonsensical, as was his nature in general as a Koliean, a smart one at that.

But he could only keep these thoughts to himself as he too was trying to learn to better understand the thoughts and emotions behind other races, thereby creating weaknesses to expose… it was his way as a predator to do so. 

So on the surface, Aron nodded. "True but that isn't by match. If you want true surety, then let's stop wasting time and begin, or we'll all wind up dead sooner than later."

Jin nodded and went first while Jagu was quietly thinking of his own strengths.

"You already know of my [ Mist arts ] but beside them are, [ Blade techniques ] both physical ones and ones requiring mana manipulation. I would say [ Agility techniques ] but the techniques you gave me are superior."

"As for defensive, my people used mana to augment their bodies with mana like most human warriors. We do posses [ Body tempering techniques ] but again, those are physical and require years of training to show results, which are also not much.

After finishing, Jin looked toward Jagu who seemed unsure but still spoke.

"My people do not use arts or techniques, like most Komi we depend on our bodies and natural born abilities. Mine are my Physical Strength, Speed, Agility, Sharp Claws and Teeth, Greater Senses, Thick Fur, Tough Skin and if I can grow stronger, I may attain the howl of the ancestors." 

Jagu revealed his particulars in one go and it did indeed come across as impressive.

Although largely overshadowed by Aron, Jagu was truly a terrifying existence in his own right and an incredibly tough opponent to face at the same level, especially if one lacked knowledge on his species.

Between Jagu and Jin, the former was clearly more suited to survive in Limbo's chaotic regions.

Aron knew this, but on the surface he maintained a neutral reaction for both answers. The two were yet to display them which was where the true power could be seen but Aron nodded regardless.

"Good, if you're as skilled as I hope then it's indeed possible for you two to kill a Koliean. Although… it will require precise coordination from you both, that is where it really gets tricky. Nonetheless, you've revealed your arsenal, so I may as well reveal what it will be targeted at exactly…."

…

Whilst Aron was conceiving a plan to beat impossible odds, the target of his schemes remained largely unaware.

In the colossal Koliean settlement of the north, right in it's main building, Matriarch Elia's figure could be seen roaming a large eerily quiet and uninspiring hallway.

Kolieans lacked many cultural habits, the idea of art and decor was often seen as unnecessary, choosing instead to pursue efficiency, although that also had its exceptions.

As Elia walked, her bare feet made no sound, and her cold unfeeling gaze did not wander, instead remaining focused on two large doors at the hall's end, roughly ten meters tall.

Two Koliean females adorned in armor stood on either side of the doors, and upon seeing Elia, their expressions shifted from calm to that of fear.

It was incredibly hard to miss her gigantic wings, which had light shimmer off them beautifully, attracting the attention of any who saw them.

Her reclusive nature even during her reign as Koliean Queen made it so that whenever those of lower positions saw her, they couldn't help but stare.

However that more often than not lead to her mood being negative as she loathed time wasting more than anything else. 

"The doors." Elia muttered in a low tone but her voice was crystal clear, carrying a terrifying authority to it.

Both guards quickly opened the door and avoided her gaze as she walked by.

Past the doors, she found herself in a larger open circular hall, whose ceiling had many architectural details that allowed light entry.

As for the hall itself, it's entire ground floor was plain, whilst many meters above it, were rolls of individual seats, mounted to the very walls.

And in each of those seats, one could see a daunting Koliean female, each with a grand set of wings like Elia's but of unique color and appearance.

The set up was such that one couldn't immediately tell if one seat housed someone of greater authority than the other, much like a large podium stand.

Seeing the doors swung open and Elia's figure appear, a voice called out.

"How nice of you to finally join us Matriach Elia… despite being the one who requested this council. We too have duties to attend to, so we would appreciate punctuality next time." The voice carried clear disdain and provocation.

It had come from an older looking Koliean, possessing long gray hair and deep blue eyes. She adorned a bland robe and her wings were of a brown hue and with numerous tiny white twinkles at certain areas.

Elia paused her movements upon reaching the center of the room, before suddenly expanding her wings in a grand display and using them to bring herself to an empty seat.

Only once seated did she finally meet the gaze of the elderly Koliean and replied.

"Matriach Ertha, do not overestimate your value to this council. You may be the oldest but you've long since become senile in my eyes, your words are nothing more than decaying noise, why do you think no one shows support for what you just said?" Although her tone was calm as she spoke, Elia's words had a harsh feel to them that angered Ertha quite visibly.

"Insolence! It is you who overestimate your value, as a new Matriach, you're-." Before Ertha could spark a debate that Elia felt would waste time, she cut her off.

"As the youngest Matriach I have achieved far more than anyone else here… and that is simple fact. The only reason our race still thrives is because of the measures I had you all implement… yet look what happened in my absence? Tell me, do you honestly feel you carry more value than me to our race?"

Elia's question was met only with silence from an angry Ertha, whose expressions were completely ignored by Elia who turned her head away.

"No? Then let us discuss the reason behind my summons, my only son and child, Aron."