The Anchor's denial had been infuriating, but it was an impetus to galvanize Kieran's final efforts.
One source may have been a coincidence, but two began a pattern. However, two was far from enough to establish the truth about Manic Integration. To learn the extent of its application, Kieran required assistance.
Ard with understanding, he called upon the Fla, which appeared in its usual puff of sinister smoke. Its expression seed delightful, and Kieran soon learned why.
"My child, you are calling upon far more frequently than ever. Have you finally ward up to ?"
Kieran spared the Fla a somber glare before shifting the topic.
"On a schedule here, no ti for small talk. Tell , how many Fiends are there amongst your… faith?"
The Fla studied Kieran carefully before tentatively circling the young Fiend. For so reason, the Fla seed more dubious than usual, and it acted sowhat furtive, as if it feared its plans had been learned.
"Why do you ask all of a sudden. And… why now, my child?"
Kieran scowled.
The only thing he hated more than Charles from the Golden Brigade… was having his question answered with more questions. He asked these things to receive answers, not experience a cross-examination like he was so witness on trial.
That idle thought... made Kieran chuckle despite the irritating circumstances, which the Fla misconstrued as a sign of foolhardy mockery.
"My child, do you believe to be a joke after I've given you substantial might?"
Kieran blinked, giving the Fla a vacant look.
"…What?! Will you answer my question?"
The Fla lingered, but the longer it tarried, the more ominous it felt. A ruinous air seeped from its diabolical pressure, and its hollow expression began contorting with rage.
"No. Will you answer my question? I am the authority here. My inquiries supersede yours. Do you understand? It is my decision not to break you; do not slight that fact."
Kieran didn't quite understand why the Fla had suddenly exploded with its current indignation, but he had learned from experience that it was not sothing to be stoked.
When angered, the Fla beca far too unreasonable.
Annihilation was left in this wake, and Kieran preferred if that didn't terrorize his Realm.
"You need to get a grip on that fury of yours. I'm asking because I need to know. My understanding of a Fiend's power is shallow, but if there are more I can learn from, I can shore up in insufficiencies and create a way of fighting that works for specifically."
The Fla didn't quickly trust Kieran and take his words at face value. It continued with its domineering power until it found that the young Fiend's stance had not changed under the pressure.
The Fla acquiesced, lifting the pressure a few monts later.
"Very well, I thought you had ruined the surprise I had for you. After all… we do ruin many things. It's in our nature."
Kieran didn't agree or disagree with the Fla, but he did continue looking for an answer.
"…So? About my question?"
"Ah, right. Yes. To answer your question, my child, they're all Fiends. None of them are quite as strong as the first Fiend I ever made, but they'll at least provide you with a challenge."
Kieran didn't expect all of the followers to be Fiends, but then again, Kieran also had never seen them fight before. And for so odd reason, he couldn't see how strong a Fiend was. He attributed that to the bizarre nature of a Fiend and the Condemnation they were fueled by, which was like the answer.
"I sotis forget that your Mind is incompletely refined, which doesn't allow you to sense your kin. No worries, that issue will be resolved… which leads to the delightful surprise I have in store for you."
The Fla was notorious for its horrid misuse of pleasure words. What it described as pleasant or delightful was usually heinous and horrible — understandable, given its twisted nature.
"The beginning of the end is almost upon us, and as the Firebearer, I wish for you to use this ti to beco acquainted with the army you shall lead."
Kieran belatedly realized why the Fla went ballistic earlier. His question was eerily similar to the news it had to offer.
'Ah… it suspected that I gleaned the nature of its plan. But what was all that threatening about? Wouldn't that be paradoxical to what it sought? So… then those were empty threats?'
Kieran grimaced.
'Right?'
He sought solace in his mind, but he couldn't provide it. The Fla was too unpredictable to view logically.
Nevertheless, upon learning about the Fla's recent involvent with the mbers, Kieran readily agreed to train with them. It was conducive to his main goal, and it'd give him insight into the abilities of the other Fiends.
…
Outside the massive ornate gate linked to the Temple of War and Fla's catacombs, Kieran and every follower of War and Fla, save for the missing Cardinal Weiss, stood outside in the Land of Ruin.
Kieran was currently engaged in combat with one of the weaker Fiends, but he realized their weakness was relative. He had believed himself to be strong and only second to Cardinal Weiss, but he was wrong.
Though many followers were Unspoken like him, so were similar to Cardinal Weiss — the Risen of fallen soldiers refined by grueling battle.
But, as Kieran suspected, their arsenal bore an uncanny resemblance to what he could wield as a True Berserker, which confird Kieran's suspicions. A True Berserker wasn't a "real" Class but a manipulated facsimile.
A Blood Fiend was what a True Berserker should be, so in short, a Blood Fiend was essentially a True Berserker… with its limiter removed, giving it access to the power and tornt it rightfully deserved.
'Would that an I'll have to listen to sothing similar to the Fla's voice once the Trial is over? Oh god… I hope not…'
Kieran parried the sudden swing of a Fiend's large war hamr and kicked its flat face to create space. He had spaced out during combat while thinking of a near and deceptive future, but not enough to where he was put in imminent danger.
The Bloodwights had taught him a valuable lesson, and the Fiends were roughly the sa regarding ruthlessness. They had supre faith in the Fla's ability to heal their wounds.
The flanged spike of the Fiend's war hamr narrowly missed Kieran's eyes as it swept past his face in a violent arc. Fighting against these tireless war machines was a daunting task. It demanded constant focus, otherwise, Kieran would suffer a wound that may trigger his fury.
If that were triggered, the entire purpose of this activity would beco worthless.
A scene similar to the ending of the Cullings would ensue, where Kieran wouldn't stop his barbarous onslaught until all around him was dead. And… the Fla would probably fuel that endeavor if it felt the payoff was worthwhile.
What would Kieran beco if he absorbed all the resentnts the other Fiends harbored?
Perhaps a walking nightmare.
Thus began the start of Kieran's active training with several suitable opponents.
Compared to theoretical practice, it yielded much better results. The crisis of rciless combat was an exceptional impetus but an even better crucible.
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