Way of the Knights

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"Wait, actually you know what? Let me think this through. If anything, I need to inform my Supervisor about this. Could you give me a moment?" Raven immediately followed up. 

"Sure, Young Lord. Just call me whenever you're done." Kyrie nodded and promptly disappeared from her seat. 

Raven momentarily went silent but in truth, he's actually inspecting his surroundings. He knew that he's still being monitored but he didn't mind, even if he did, he couldn't do anything about it. 

He first tried contacting Henry through voice transmission, if this failed then he'll probably create yet another communication device. Thankfully, it went through and he got a reply right away. 

'I already received a word from Grand Elder that another candidate emerged. We were guessing who it was but it turned out to be you. Seriously, you just don't stop giving us surprises aren't you? Well, that's fine too.'

'I'm guessing that you contacted me since you wanted some explanations, very well. However, do remember that this will all depend on your decision. Know that whatever you ended up choosing, I'll support you to be best of my abilities.'

'By now, you should already be aware that we worship our Ancestors/Founders very dearly. That much is true since we even refer to them as Gods. We call them Gods not because they are extremely powerful, in truth some people in the sect right now are just as, if not more, powerful as our Ancestors. We call them Gods out of respect, worship, and good will due to their selfless actions in the past and the legends they built before they died.'

'We go over every single one since, who knows when we will be over. Let's just focus on their last act - them using their life in order to seal the Devil Emperor. That sacrifice saves billions of lives and allowed Divine Realm to prosper. Due to their selfless act, the Divine Realm remained standing and entered a state of peace for a long time. It's also due to their actions that we, their descendants, we're treated with much respect outside.'

'To commemorate their existence, the first batch of descendants created places of worship for the Ancestors - the Chalice Rooms. Everyone who joins the sect will eventually have to enter the Chalice Rooms in order to get acknowledgement of the Ancestors. But aside from worshipping the Ancestors, these Chalice Rooms also serves another purpose.'

'Anyone who bore malicious intentions for the sect, impostors, or anyone who planned to free the Devil Emperor, will be slain when they fill the chalices with their blood.'

Raven's pupils dilated when he heard this, however Henry wasn't done talking yet. 

'The Chalice Rooms serves as a filter for the disciples. Anyone who tries to doom the sect and the Divine Realm by freeing the Devil Emperor will be mercilessly killed and it doesn't end there. Once we found out who the traitor is, we - War Gods, will pay a 'special visit' to their home, and if we see that they were harboring some malicious plots, we will erase them from existence.'

'It's ruthless but it's a necessity. The Devil Emperor can only be killed inside the seal or be imprisoned in there 'till the end of time. There's no in between. Freeing it would cause the Divine Realm to be destroyed and that cannot happen.'

'With that out of the way, let's focus on the mark you bore. Yes, I know you've been chosen by Forefather Zeus you lucky brat.'

'Like I said, there are multiple Chalice Rooms. Where you ended up arriving will depend on your fate. As for you, you ended up at the Chalice Room of the Brothers - Poseidon, Hades and Zeus. They are the original founders of the sect, the other gods joined them on their fight against the Devil Emperor and they all sacrificed their lives to seal them.'

'The sect has a recurring tradition to pass down the 'Godly Title'. This was created in order to - in a way, immortalize the glorious existences of our founders. I myself don't understand what are the criteria that our founders have for choosing their 'candidates' but I know that being chosen is an incomparably glorious achievement.'

'For me, I was chosen by Ares - the God of War, He who raised his sword against the Heavens. You asked me before how to be a War God, well here's your answer, one of them at least.'

'The War God title is a bit special compared to others. We don't kill each other, instead we are chosen to protect the sect from the Devils and from those who had malicious intentions against us. Having a single War God won't let us do this therefore we have multiple. Aside from the Grand Elder, we don't take orders from anyone else.'

'As for you candidates of Zeus, it's a little more troublesome. Sure, it's up to you if you want to spare your fellow candidates but it doesn't mean that you won't fight. You have to fight. If you don't, then that's when the 'punishment of Zeus' will take effect and your cultivation will be dispersed.'action

'From what I know, you're supposed to plunder the mark from others. They said you either have to make them surrender their inheritance to you or by killing them. Which is why I said that you have to fight.'

'If you want to know more about the specifics, you can ask Kyrie since she's effectively you're guardian until you inherit the mantle, but that's if you want to participate in this.'

'Being a candidate is extremely beneficial to anyone, yet it's also filled with heavy responsibilities. Aside from fighting against each other, the current Zeus - which is the Grand Elder, will also delegate some task to you and you must fulfill them or else, your participation will be revoked and you'll receive the punishment as well.'

'Once you officially participated, you'll no longer be considered as an Outer Disciple or an Inner Disciple for that matter. You are a special case, and the benefits you will receive are something that would make other green in envy. Additionally, you'll no longer be someone under me. Meaning that you'll no longer be a part of Unit-17. Your Merits will remain with and won't be deducted from the Unit either, it's just that you won't be a part of it in the future.'

'That being said, joining also means that you'll be sent directly into the fray and will face great dangers. You win some, you lose some, it's just the way it is.'

'The choice is yours Raven. Remember that whatever your choose, you'll have to bear the consequences. You know what's best for you. Know that whatever you ended up doing, I'll be here to support you.'

The voice transmission ended here, leaving Raven at a loss for a moment. He kept the transmission talisman back to his spatial ring and remained silent. He closed his eyes and remunerated inwardly for a bit, weighing the pros and cons of this opportunity. 

This is a very attractive offer, something that he might never encounter again if he let's it go right now. However, he's also thinking if he's prepared to take up such a massive role. 

Raven's brows were furrowed. His inner debate last for an hour before he eventually released a sigh and said: "Ah fuck it, whatever."

***

"You really picked up a treasure this time around, Henry. The brat's really capable." 

Within a majestic hall, a few people were seated in a round table. They were mostly just resting and relaxing since there's really nothing much to do just now. Henry, Logan and Theo were amongst these people. The two happened to hear Henry's voice transmission just now and we're genuinely surprised to hear that Raven became a 'Chosen'.

"Yeah, who would've thought." Henry smiled serenely, agreeing with what Logan said. 

"At first I thought that kid's sketchy as hell but since he's a 'Chosen' now, I'm relieved." Logan stated. 

"You should've been since he's already got the acknowledgement of the flames." Theo added, "However, since a candidate now, I wonder if he'd still continue his work as a Cleanser. I would be a shame if he stopped."

"Dude, do you realize what you're saying?" Logan looked at Theo with an incredulous expression. "Do you who he's up against? Even though he's a little monster, he's not that terrifying compared to his competitors! Although I am happy that there is another candidate, I also feel a bit bad for the kid since he's up against some seriously perverted demons. And then here you are, still wanting him to be your little assistant? You sure are ruthless."

"I didn't I'm forcing him! I said it would be a shame, if he doesn't continue but I would also understand if he can't." Theo replied while glaring at Logan. 

"Alright you two, stop fighting." Henry chuckled. "I gave him the badge because I felt his potential. I was originally hoping for him to be a War God but this is actually better. As for his competitors, well it's necessary for to feel some pressure. It'll help with his growth."

"Plus, I feel like the kid could handle it. I don't know why but he just gives me this vibes. Either way, we can't interfere too much.. If this is his destiny, then he'll walk through it himself."