The Man's Decree

Meanwhile, Jared and his beleaguered companions were ensnared within the clutches of the Five Great Sects.

Their allies, Montane Daemon, Igor, the valiant Catina, and the resourceful Tyler, all bore the brunt of grievous wounds.

They were ringed by the covetous eyes of the Celestial Darkmore Sect, Celestial Moon Sect, and Celestial Sun Sect, whose disciples encircled them with avarice gleaming in their eyes.

The Demon Seal Alliance’s century-long promises were a lure too seductive to ignore.

Heinrik, Edward, and Stuart couldn’t help but exchange knowing looks and burst into mirthful laughter.

Despite Lauden’s express prohibition, the temptation of the Demon Seal Alliance’s offerings was too strong to resist.

Everyone had their schemes, their secret desires, and now, they were all here, with Jared unwittingly cast as their prey, a fish laid bare upon the board, awaiting their will to carve.

you surrender your life willingly, or must we wrest it from you ourselves?”

in his eyes was a silent testament

the nascence star seemed to stir, twinkling with defiance. Facing the inevitable, Jared’s resolve hardened; he would go down fighting, determined to drag as many as he could with him

sneers thick with contempt. “You overestimate yourself, boy. Since you’ve chosen defiance over

a sudden, icy rebuke sliced through the air, a powerful presence

Darkmore, did you just disregard

their own swiftly to the scene. Lauden’s visage twisted with

contorted subtly upon laying eyes on Lauden. “Mr. Delacroix, surely even you cannot disdain the Demon Seal Alliance’s century of offerings.

of sect leaders Edward and Stuart, and the collective might of three

get to him,” Lauden declared, his voice seething

young man’s fate?” Edward inquired, his

beyond our sects’ bounds, his fate is his own to meet. But within the Five Great Sects, such wanton violence will not stand. Our forebears founded these sects on principles of justice, to combat evil. Even in these degraded times, should we not honor their memory? Should we not hold fast to the last vestiges of our integrity? We are not butchers, to kill

voice thundered

the allure of the Demon Seal Alliance’s promises