Later that day;
At the Night Clan compound;
Azzy walked through the veiled forest paths until he stood at the wooden gates of a modest estate. The guards recognized him and bowed without a word, and Azzy passed through.
There, in the garden, Avia sat under the shade of a dark maple tree, a little girl, about 3 years old, sitting by her feet, playing with a set of moon-carved figurines. The child’s hair was jet black, and her bright, curious eyes stared up at Azzy with a mix of awe and innocence.
"Lord Garcia?" Avia stood, surprised but not entirely caught off guard. She greeted him with a bow
The little girl peeked from behind her. Azzy bent slightly, eting the child’s gaze with a smile. "The little princess is still shy?"
"I’m not shy," she said, clutching her toy.
Avia caressed the child’s head and apologized. "I’m sorry."
Azzy chuckled, taking out a plush toy shaped like a duck. "Here, your new present."
Little Avia snatched it from him, but still went back and hid behind Avia. "Thanks."
"Press the button on its belly and talk once." Azzy said, kneeling to match her height.
As Little Avia did, the duck spoke back the sa words. She looked amazed. "Waaa... this toy can talk..."
Azzy smiled.
After a while, Azzy and Avia stood in the Night Clan’s cetery, standing in front of a gravestone. "Here lies Emma Night, Daughter of Remia Night and Frederick, Disciple of Azrael Garcia, a blade against evil. Her justice Never Slept."
"She didn’t even get to live past 30... sigh..." As Avia sighed, Azzy asked her to leave him alone.
Avia nodded and disappeared.
Azzy was alone right now. He looked down at the gravestone. The mory of the tournant, where he accepted Emma, the 12-year-old, as his disciple, appeared in his head. "I’m sorry, Emma..." he could only apologize with his head lowered. Despite the fact that he had taken her as his disciple, he basically never taught her properly, as he was too busy with things and only arranged things for her. Before he knew it, he had already left the clan for 18 years, and by the ti he returned, she had died in an assassination mission after successfully killing an evil child trafficker, leaving behind her child, who was nad after Avia."
After Azzy returned from the graveyard, he and Avia moved to a wooden bench beneath the shade. Silence settled over them for a mont. The only sounds were the giggles of little Avia chasing a butterfly nearby.
"Truth to be told, we haven’t talked properly since I ca back. I was so busy that I couldn’t make up any ti," Azzy said, glancing sideways at him.
Avia replied. "You have the burden of clan on your shoulders, Your Majesty."
"So, umm... anyway, what happened to Emma’s husband? Did you find him?" Azzy couldn’t help but ask, his gaze was on the little girl.
"Well, we actually had no idea." Avia shook her head. "After her death, we investigated a bit and we learned that it was a false identity. We ran through our contacts, and the face that person nad Frederick wore was a disguise, and the real one had already died, thirty years ago. So, we hit the wall. Then, after I adopted her, I kept Avia with ."
"What about you?" Azzy pointed at her. "Why haven’t you started a family?"
Avia was mildly taken aback but shrugged. "I don’t know. After... you know... him, I never found anyone. I was also too busy running the assassination missions."
"Hmm, I see..." Azzy nodded and beca silent. He watched the little girl but remained silent.
"What is it, Your Majesty?"
"I..." Azzy hesitated at first, but eventually took a deep breath and said. "To be honest, I’m slightly ashad that I only rembered to make a visit because I wanted your help with sothing."
"My help?" Avia raised a brow. "With what?"
As the breeze whispered between the tall trees of the Night Clan’s estate, the mood between Azzy and Avia slightly turned tense.
Azzy stood, his hands behind his back, and looked down at her calmly.
"You know, Avia," he began, his voice low but clear, "among all the subordinate clan lords, you’re the only one I can truly trust."
Avia blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden declaration. But it is not surprising. After all, Night Clan is pretty much for extre loyalty to the throne.
"That’s why," Azzy continued, "I want you to beco a Supre Being."
She raised a brow, "Your Majesty!"
Azzy smiled faintly. "You know how I gave away spirit cores to the Leaders of other hidden clans. At first, I didn’t think much of it because as long as I’m here, no matter how many 9-stars appear, it is useless. But then, I also feel a bit ashad that I helped outsiders but did nothing for my clan lords. But, how could I do that, after getting to know what those guys did in my absence? You are the only clan lord who has been faithful to her duties to the clan in these past 18 years. So, I would like to present you with the opportunity to beco a Supre Being and beco the second strongest in the village."
Avia stared at him silently, feeling that there was sothing more to this.
Just as she suspected, he went on, "However, this power won’t co as a present. Because free gifts are often underappreciated. That’s why, in exchange for the power, I want you to step down as Commander and the Matriarch of the Night Clan, and instead take charge of the Shadow Guards."
Avia’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Shadow Guards? But that’s the Garcia Family’s job."
Azzy shook his head. "Not anymore. Did you forget that there are no longer fixed professions for the clans? Moreover, these Shadow Guards I envision won’t serve a palace, they’ll protect the entire Hidden Clans’ Tri-state Nation. As the Commander-in-Chief of the shadow guards, you will be my second-in-command, who will hold the ultimate authority in my absence, not the clan heirs, not the clan lords, but you will be. Tell . Will you accept such a job and serve the throne?"
She didn’t reply to his offer. Instead, she exhaled. "And who would take my place in the Night Clan?"
"Your predecessor," Azzy said simply. "She can return from retirent and take the role. You’ve done more than enough for your clan."
Avia frowned. "But, she is already in Elder Council."
Azzy shrugged. "You can send soone else to the Elder Council or pick soone else in the Clan. That is purely the Night Clan’s business."
Taking a pause, Azzy added. "You’re the Matriarch, Avia. You know what is best for your clan. Take your ti and give the reply in three months. That’s when we begin the Great Migration. Until then, think about it. Do rember that this is an offer, not an order."
Avia gave him a slow nod, eyes filled with contemplation.
With that, Azzy stepped away, disappeared into the air.
His next stop was the Crescent Clan’s mansion, though now, it bore a new na, the Starlight Clan. This was nothing but a friendly visit to talk with his granduncle, asking him the details of how his mother acted so far before her condition was resolved, and everything.
Once he was done with it, he returned ho.
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