Chapter POV: Liv Ivaldi-Smith
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"Fuck…"
Hearing my Beloved's reply, my heart grew fearful. The Sirens who normally were discussing with each other in the Siren server all grew silent. We often complained about Beloved's excessive desire for us. But Zanele's explanations made us pause.
What if the love we all share at the mont is a lie?
That single question made the girls and freeze. Everything I knew about my {Kindred} revolved around how much he loved . We repeatedly promised each other that our love would never go cold. But what if it wasn't even his decision?
"Successors are incredibly powerful. The rules that bind to typical Reapers do not apply to them. They have no limitations on {Vassals}, {Kindred}, or {Kist}. The ability to draw in souls is far greater than any Reaper at the sa level. As well as inhumane tal resilience."
One by one, Zanele explained the oddities we all wondered about. How could Limitless take in seven {Kindred} which even Revenants could not do? From the sounds of it, Beloved also does not have to worry {Vassals}.
"Why? Why was such power given to these individuals, I wondered. As I spoke with them, I knew that they were all visionaries. But how was it possible for every single one of them to be like this? So, when I investigated them further, that was what sent to learn about their past."
Beloved then interjected, "How could you even know that? You never left the country! Even David keeps my records under lock and key."
"Indeed. That was also sothing that stopped . At least in the beginning. But that was also the ti I t Rolland and Blanche. They saw value in my work and invited to join IRIS because of it. I was originally forbidden to say this, but to show my sincerity, I will."
The mont she said those words, everyone in the room flinched. Few were oblivious to the power and influence IRIS wielded. Even as a Northerner, I often heard of them. They were a group even our Head of Wisdom, Lok, couldn't ignore.
The Sirens and I had many speculations. That both Rolland Winchester, the Virtuoso, and Blanche Voir Millénia, the Astrologer, were part of IRIS. But this was our first proof that we were right.
"In exchange for my help, Blanche gave the records of the Successors. They were from North Arica, South Arica, Europe, and Asia, dating back centuries. So while I only t five in person, I know of more."
Beloved gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. My sisters, who were near him, tried to soothe our man with their touch. The Sirens' silence spoke volus about how unsettled everyone was. We knew it shouldn't be possible, but we couldn't help it.
"Successor, one of the things I was in charge of was determining how your kind are chosen. The process itself was sothing no one, not even IRIS, could understand. Nature itself created Successors. Our search led us to your blood. A very special kind of blood.
"If given to normal Reapers, Successor blood was poison. The sa held true for humans. Only a select and incredibly unique group could handle it. Ah, those were the findings of other IRIS mbers. I have no expertise in biology or chemistry. They just told ."
Zanele then bit her lip. Her face seed like she was conflicted about what to say. Still, no one pressed her. From her body language, I could tell that her next words would have imnse implications.
"And? It sounds like you are telling that IRIS tried to artificially make Successors."
Despite the audacious claim, Zanele didn't deny Beloved's words and remained silent. After a few monts, she spoke slowly with trepidation.
"I am not sure. That was the division Rolland was in charge of. He had screened thousands of people and had analyze the records. And… my task was to determine who among them would have the highest chance of becoming one."
"You have got to be shitting ," Beloved snapped.
"Yes, your appearance changed, so I didn't notice imdiately. But you were candidate No. 3953. Na: John Smith, born in Phoenix, Arizona, of Frank and Maggie Smith. Employed at the Departnt of Transportation. Lived over 25 years without any notable achievents.
"Despite growing up under abuse by Frank Smith, you had imnsely chivalric tendencies. This was caused by the influence of the Simmons family. You were so loving. But you beca bitter after Caroline Fisher betrayed you. I-I was the one who chose you."
The Sirens and I gasped in surprise. Aki, Lilly, and Jas physically restrained our Kindred. Imnsely thick death resonance began to leak him. Like wisps of smoke, black lines began dancing around him as his pupils turned black.
'His soul is collapsing.'
It wasn't like I couldn't understand why he was feeling this way. Despite all one may achieve, no one wished to learn they were part of an experint. Few would be able to continue believing in themselves in such a situation.
It questioned if one's decisions were truly their own. Or if they were influenced by others. Just like the curse of affection Zanele ntioned earlier. Beloved must be wondering if there was any aning in his struggle. In his journey.
My sisters invoked my Kindred's benevol to calm him down. Lilly, Aki, and Jas tried to reassure him with their bodies to soothe him. The rest of us would focus on the conversation. When it ca to Beloved, the Sirens were of one will.
"Zanele, why were you so sure Honey would beco a Successor? Is it related to what you learned about them?" Bella inquired in a cold manner.
Jo, whose eye had turned red, added nacingly, "Did you test Darling's resolve by abducting my sister around him? If you had Zanardi's slut, it wouldn't have been hard to ti it when he passed."
Olamide carefully began to move, only for him to suddenly smash his face into the floor. Along with it was a threat from Robyn, who glared at the Africans.
"I am not in the mood, nigger. Stay down, I will not ask again." She then turned to Zanele and snarled. "Nelle, answer."
Zanele trembled as she continued to explain.
"Yes, Lady Bella. I had a team. We found that all Successors have progressive mindsets. It's because they were once talentless individuals. The worse the life they lived as humans, the better they respond to the burdens and missions they are given.
"To answer Lady Jo, yes. After weeks of watching, they believe John Smith would act as they needed him to. It was his final test, so to speak. The Successor candidate had to face impossible odds for no reward. I was told only 1 in ten thousand got that far.
"That was the final key that allowed the Successor blood to beco compatible. As John Smith eventually beca Limitless, it seed IRIS had succeeded in manufacturing its own Successors. No wonder you arrived extrely late. The bouts all but ended."
Hearing the last part of her sentence, I asked for clarification.
"I do not understand what you are trying to say."
"We have discussed what the Successors are. Now, I will discuss their legacies. Simply put, I believe that the legacies are the past lives of the previous Reapers. Each ti the Successors claim this legacy, their outlooks change.
"I ntioned earlier, right? The mont the Successor claims the Legacy of Sloth, they suddenly disperse the armies they had ford with great effort. In the other battlefronts, even the way the Successors spoke drastically changed."
In a certain manner, I was able to understand. Much like how Robyn and Jo would suddenly channel other people. If even the Sins were affected by the legacies they carried, it made sense. Just being one placed us in the sa danger as Beloved.
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