Chapter-6 bloodgrave & Blackwoods
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Chapter 6: Bloodgrave & Blackwoods
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A few days later, Laffitte arrives at Blackwood's residence. The young calamity pulls out a small, crystal-red monocle and places it on the left side of his face, adjusting it slightly for a comfortable fit.
Walking up the grand steps into the manor, he immediately senses an immense hollow energy signature from outside where he's standing.
"Quite the presence I'm feeling right now, Mekhet! I'm here to pay a visit to the plans you have for the future ahead." Laffitte knocks lightly twice, waits a second, and knocks again.
After a moment of silence, a tall man with gray skin dressed in black and red robes steps out from behind the door. His two crimson eyes glare directly at Laffitte. His third eye, atop his head, scans their surroundings sporadically, focusing on the young calamity. In a calm, almost flat tone, he says, "Welcome, Laffitte, trickster of the blood-graves."
"I've been expecting your visit, but I heard of your battle with the weaver guardsmen and the death of your calamity partner Aden." Mekhet moves to the side of the door, stretching out an arm to invite Laffitte in.
"Come now, let us speak of the future."
Laffitte steps into the massive manor, taking in the stunning design of the Blackwoods' home. The architecture reflects the bizarre nature of calamities, with stairs leading to hundreds of rooms of otherworldly scale, color, and furniture. The furnishings are a mix of light reds and other bizarre colors. As he follows Mekhet up the stairs, he runs his fingers across the thick onyx wood, sturdy and flowing, embedded with glimmers of true hollow energy.
"Curious question, Mekhet. I noticed traces of true hollow energy flowing throughout this entire manor, especially that powerful presence from earlier, before entering your home," Laffitte says, adjusting his monocle and chuckling.
"You're correct, trickster. The home we call the Chaos Realm has been constructed from the earliest calamities in existence, drawing on the true hollow energy that resides in our universe. It's ever-changing in design and structure, like the Mandelbrot set we travel through," Mekhet replies as he continues up the final endless staircase before snapping his fingers to create an illusory door.
"This is where we converse. It's one of the private spaces we, as calamities of Blackwoods, use to block out external communication or connection to Mandelbrot—to keep our secrets."
"Additionally, it can obscure future sight and temporarily shut our third eyes—tools that allow us to observe fate and causality. Though only briefly, it's enough time for us to talk."
Laffitte enters the room with Mekhet, and the door quietly vanishes. Inside, a large onyx table forms, and they sit down, folding all four arms across their chests. In a flat tone, Laffitte looks at the bloodgrave calamity and asks, "So you know how to do forceful ascension. I can smell the blood of both weaver and calamity along your lips." His tone hints at understanding and curiosity.
Laffitte leans forward, folding his hands. Having recently undergone his own ascension, he understands the risks and knows he can only hide something this significant for so long.
"Yes, I committed blasphemy and gained another pair of calamity wings through force ascension, using the natural bath ritual that calamities and weavers both employ to saturate our bodies and gather strength," he admits.
Mekhet leans back into his high-backed chair and ponders for a moment.
"Interesting—you've nearly achieved full ascension of your false state while still maintaining a cover among your family, who look down on your growth methods."
"Hmmm, I have plans for a great war in the next five years, and I want you to be my ally when the time comes. The golden age has been quiet so far, and our calamity allies have become quite domesticated and docile due to weavers' interference outside the space in-between," Mekhet states, his voice unemotional.
Laffitte leans forward, listening intently.
"So, specifically, you want me to join in?" he asks.
Mekhet laughs briefly and says, "It's nothing too difficult. We're just going to cause trouble for the Weaver Council by targeting their royal guards—those who protect them so well—breaking down their power and creating chaos across different parts of the universe. This plan of attack will disrupt and displace the weavers, who go to defend and protect others from our wrath."
Considering this plan, Laffitte reflects on its feasibility, then replies, "So, the main goal at the start is to use divide and conquer, as you said, then capitalize on the third eyes of the strongest weavers to boost our strength."
Mekhet nods and gestures toward the long table, projecting different groups and targets to watch in the future.
"These threats are our biggest issues while our plan unfolds: first, the young Weaver hero Noktus Lightwalker; second, the originals—Altier, Mugen, Iasiah, and the seven visionaries; third, Ezekiel, the prince of the dragons' annihilation; fourth, Horizon, the architect; and fifth, Astrada, the nomadic deity."
"They are key figures to be wary of, especially given reports of other calamities they've battled or reports of their deaths. They are extremely dangerous and possess capabilities that could destroy us."
Laffitte leans back, pondering this new intelligence and the path ahead.
"Okay, I can work with this idea, but first, we need to keep this away from any other calamities until we are certain of who we are dealing with fully. Reports are one thing, but real-life events are another."
"Do not worry, Laffitte, time will shine upon our race, and the weavers and other groups, such as the seven visionaries & originals, will have their livelihood stripped from them without warning or cause. My true goal is to ring the bells for an all-out war amongst the entire cosmos, and this will be stepping stones to see that chaos ensues for all living beings throughout the universe."
Laffitte nods and extends his hand to Mekhet for a firm shake.
Mekhet responds in kind, shaking firmly as a lock clanks.
"We have established an enteral vow and a symbolism of our goals for the golden age war."