Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Both Elder Feris and Velkar frowned deeply as they processed the news, the weight of the situation settling in. The tension in the air grew thick, silence hanging between them until Elder Vorn cleared his throat, his voice filled with a tense urgency.

"Elders," Vorn began, his tone grave, "my other corpse puppet has found another clue."

Feris and Velkar immediately turned their attention to Vorn, their expressions shifting from curiosity to apprehension. Feris's sharp gaze bore into Vorn, his voice edged with anticipation. "What clue?" he asked, his voice tight and controlled, though there was an unmistakable undercurrent of anxiety.

Vorn gestured toward the entrance of the chamber, and moments later, his corpse puppet shuffled in, its movements eerily precise.

The room seemed to grow colder as the puppet approached, its lifeless hands holding a small, unassuming object. The other elders watched intently, their eyes narrowing as the puppet came to a halt.

Without a word, the corpse puppet handed the object to Vorn, who then carefully passed it to Feris and Velkar. As they examined it, their expressions shifted from mild curiosity to outright shock.

The item they held was an emblem, clearly marked with the insignia of the Celestial Academy. But what truly sent a ripple of disbelief through the room was the name engraved upon it: Zeus.

Velkar's eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth opening slightly as if struggling to process what he was seeing. He muttered the name under his breath, his voice low and filled with sudden intensity, "Zeus…"

Elder Feris immediately picked up on Velkar's reaction. He turned to him, his eyes narrowing, his voice probing. "You know this Zeus, Velkar?"

Velkar's jaw clenched, his hands tightening into fists as anger radiated from him. His voice was low but filled with fury.

"Yes, I know him. Zeus—he's a disciple from the Celestial Academy. The very same one who killed our corpse puppet maker several months ago." His eyes narrowed, darkening with the memory. "And worse, he humiliated my son, Vesperin."

The room fell silent for a moment as the weight of Velkar's words hung in the air. The other elders exchanged tense glances, sensing the deep-rooted personal vendetta behind Velkar's tone. Elder Feris leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes studying Velkar's expression.

"I see," Feris said slowly, his voice steady but laced with concern. He paused, his mind clearly racing as he pieced things together. "But why would his emblem be here, in a place connected to Elder Thalnor? This can't be just a coincidence."

Velkar's face darkened further, his features hardening like stone. His voice dropped to a growl. "It's revenge," he said coldly, the bitterness in his tone unmistakable.

"After what Zeus did to our clan, I sent assassins to eliminate him. Clearly, he survived. And now… now it seems he's come back to settle the score. To think that he would come after Elder Thalnor…"

Velkar's voice trailed off, but the implication was clear. The anger and frustration simmering just beneath the surface were palpable. He glanced at the other elders, his face twisted with barely contained rage.

Elder Feris's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as he considered Velkar's words. "If what you're saying is true, then this is far more than just a grudge match.

Zeus must have known how valuable Thalnor was to the Malachor Clan." Feris's voice grew quieter, more thoughtful. "Targeting Thalnor isn't just about revenge—it's a strategic move."

The room filled with a heavy silence as the elders digested the significance of what had just been said. It wasn't just personal anymore. This was turning into something much larger, something that could shake the foundations of their power.

Velkar stood up abruptly, unable to contain his frustration any longer. He began pacing the room, his movements sharp and tense.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, barely keeping his fury in check. "And the worst part is…" He stopped, turning to face the other elders, his expression deadly serious. "Zeus isn't just any disciple."

The other elders watched him closely, sensing something ominous about what was coming next.

"He's a private disciple of the strongest elder at the Celestial Academy," Velkar said, his voice low and filled with frustration.

A wave of unease rippled through the room. The elders exchanged concerned glances, their expressions tightening with the gravity of the revelation. The tension was thick, but Elder Feris broke the silence, his voice steady and measured.

Elder Feris folded his hands on the table, his voice calm yet laced with gravity. "This is indeed troublesome," he began, his tone carrying a calculated edge. "But Velkar, you need not worry too much."

Velkar's brow furrowed, skepticism flickering in his eyes. "And why's that?" he asked cautiously, his voice betraying both curiosity and suspicion.

Elder Feris leaned forward, the intensity in his gaze sharpening. "We've been planning to take action against the Celestial Academy," he revealed, his words measured yet brimming with ambition.

"It's time we seize the top spot as the best academy—and this situation with Zeus may provide the perfect opportunity to act."

Velkar's eyes widened slightly in surprise, the gears of his mind turning quickly. "You plan to take down the Celestial Academy?" he echoed, his voice steady, though laced with growing intrigue. His surprise slowly gave way to contemplation.

Elder Feris nodded, his gaze never leaving Velkar's. "Exactly. With your clan's recent rise in power and the strength of the Nether Puppet Manual, we believe your support could tip the balance. We want you and the Malachor Clan to join us in this endeavor."

A long silence stretched between them, the weight of Feris's words sinking in. Velkar's expression shifted, the surprise in his eyes fading into a slow, calculated smile. His posture relaxed, but there was an underlying current of menace in the way his fingers tapped against the table.

"So, it's about more than just revenge," Velkar murmured, his voice carrying a dark edge. "You're planning something far bigger."

He glanced around the room, his gaze locking onto each elder one by one. "If that's the case… I have no reason to hold back. This would be the perfect chance to settle the score with Zeus and humiliate the Celestial Academy once and for all."

His smile deepened, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Consider the Malachor Clan fully on board."

The elders exchanged nods, the tension in the room shifting to a shared understanding. Their ambitions aligned, and with Velkar's commitment, a powerful alliance had just been forged.

The air hummed with the weight of what was to come—an impending conflict that could reshape the balance of power.

Elder Feris's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Good. Then it's settled."

The pieces of their plan were falling into place, and each elder knew that with Velkar's strength added to their side, the coming war with the Celestial Academy would be nothing short of monumental.