Death Heir’s Devouring System

"Azrael?" Raven exclaimed in visible surprise.

"Out of all the Chosen here, I would have expected that you would be the last one that wouldn't want to come with us. You have been there; you have seen our defense measures. Our combat power, our pleasant food. I dare say that our base is superior in every single way possible."

Azrael smiled subtly; it was clear that Raven was making use of several manipulative tactics in order to control the Chosen.

"It's exactly because I have walked the path that I don't want to do it again." He spoke without a trace of hesitation.

"I am strong, maybe the strongest Marked in the camp with only Seraphina and Isolde being able to rival my power. My point being, even I struggled to cross the distance. Facing numerous knight patrols. Reaver Danger Level monsters, and this was before I even reached the Blizzard Region. There was a hostile flora that hid beneath the snow, ready to devour me with a single bite and cold that almost froze my blood solid."

He raised his voice, feigning concern; he wasn't doing this because he wanted to keep the other alive. They were a resource, one that he would need to use should he wish to defeat the Death Knight in time. This was the sole reason he was standing up against Raven.

"By the end I was left half dead, the only reason I survived was because somebody brought me to your base where you personally healed me. If I barely survived the journey, how could the others do so?"

Azrael was neither liked nor respected in the camp. He hadn't bothered to maintain appearances for people he believed wouldn't live long anyway. However, that led to one thing being known about him.

He was undoubtedly feared for his strength, even if the Chosen didn't like him. They knew he was stronger than any of them, so when he claimed he had barely survived, his words carried weight.

Raven's lips curled into a smile. "You're right, but the difference between then and now is that you have me. A Radiant Proven. With my help, I can guarantee every single one of you will make it to the base alive."

Azrael's eyes glinted. Shaking his head, he spoke.

"That is not enough. Proven Raven, when we were in the Ruined Kingdom, we personally witnessed the death of three Proven. You might be stronger, faster, smarter, more experienced than us… But at the end of the day, you, just like us, are still mortal. You can make mistakes and die. So there is no way you would be able to uphold your words."

The winds stilled as Raven's expression darkened. "You put my words under question?"

The sharp edge in her voice made the nearby Chosen shiver.

However, Azrael didn't falter. "Yes, in fact I do. If there really is a Calamity monster or several, what difference would it make if we are with you, Proven, or on our own? At the end of the day we would be both helpless if the being decided to hunt us."

Whispers echoed across them; there was clear merit to both of the arguments. However, the majority was in favor of remaining in the camp. Not just because they agreed with Azrael's words, but because their angels clearly shared the same sentiment, and what the angels wanted was usually seen as the correct path by the others.

The air around Raven seemed to get heavier, as if hinting she would simply force them should she wish to.

Azrael moved his hand, ready to call for his weapon even if he didn't have a chance against the woman. Seraphina did as well, anticipating a bloodbath.

Before that could happen, however, James stepped between them.

"Listen, we just returned from a long expedition. How about we sleep it off and talk about the matter tomorrow?"

He wasn't the only one to speak, as Isolde's voice echoed across the heads of the Chosen.

[I agree.]

With a sigh, Raven seemed to calm down. "As you wish, we will discuss the relocation of your base to ours tomorrow."

The way she spoke, as if the matter was already settled, rubbed the Chosen the wrong way, but there wasn't much they could do about it.

After all, she was Proven while they were just Marked.

Once she departed, Azrael went to get some rest, finding himself seated calmly on a recently constructed bed, massaging his temple.

'If I could sneak up on Raven while she sleeps and kill her, all of this would be over.'

Killing a Radiant person would not just make him advance his Purity to the next Rank but also would allow him to deliver the final blow to the Death Knight without succumbing to the Corruption.

'But I still remember how I felt at the top of the Hollow Tree, the feeling of being watched, as if she was looking at me even with her eyes closed.'

He brought down his fist at the table next to him. Killing Raven even in her sleep was impossible.

Had he not been severely exhausted, he would have pondered the issue more deeply, but he was forced to lie down and sleep.

"Why do I feel like I am missing something crucial?"

*****

The sounds of numerous footsteps echoed beyond the door, causing him to wake up.

"Move faster! We go at once!"

"She would pay!"

With a sigh, Azrael exited. 'Can't I rest for a single night without finding myself in trouble the next day?'

Outside the Chosen were moving with hurried steps, all of them wearing an expression of pure hatred.

Eager to see what he had missed, he located Seraphina and went towards her.

"What the hell happened?"

She didn't seem to pay him attention, moving as if in a trance.

"Answer me."

Placing his palm on her shoulder, he snapped her out of her haze.

"We are mobilizing the camp." She answered.

Azrael's eyes widened. "Wait, you dealt with the matter about Raven? You managed to get her off our tail?"

Seraphina gritted her teeth, veins bulging across her striking face.

"No." Her tone was colder than anything Azrael had ever heard from her. Until now, he had never seen her this fierce.

"Once I woke up, Raven was gone… as well as Isolde. She kidnapped her."

Calling forth her light sword, she moved forward, her eyes blazing with fury.

"We are going towards the Hollow Tree, I am getting her back."