[The meeting]

Storm clouds rose overhead, threatening to cover the entire radius of Athens City. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed.

The wind had incredible momentum. The Athenian inhabitants hurried to do everything that needed to be done, collect their clothes, and lock themselves in their homes.

A huge establishment, on a large plot of land, outstanding over other communal buildings. It retained Gothic overtones.

It was located in the central area of the city. On the imposing golden gates was an emblematic coat of arms. Two horses stood on their two hind legs, keeping their remaining two legs in the air while neighing; it was the noble coat of arms of the Liu family.

A splendidly adorned chariot was approaching the peripheries of the area. He did not have to wait long, because proper registration was not necessary. He immediately passed through the outer area, approached the large building, guided along the paved path.

Finally, the door of the carriage opened, and out of it stepped a middle-aged figure. Being chestnut, he had slightly long hair, with a short beard.

His clothes were ostentatious, constructed and polished with high-quality materials, covered on the sleeves with precious stones.

The man in question, was the Patriarch of the noble family, Avens. "David Piero De Avens."

He was led by a servant of the Liu household, heading down the corridors. His leather shoes made the silent corridors rumble.

Occasionally they encountered other individuals, who submissively gave way.

Finally, after a long walk, the Liu Family Butler, allowed him passage to a room away from the others.

"Please, Your Excellency. You are welcome to the room, Lord Liu is inside." Said the Butler as he opened the door and stepped out of the way.

"Keep up the good work." David replied politely.

Inside was simple. There were a few armchairs and a lamp on a piece of furniture. In the armchairs sat two figures, Mr. Liu and Sifu, "Old Bamboo".

"Good to see y'all." David said politely, as he found a place on an armchair.

"Haha, my pleasure, old friend." Fan Liu replied amicably.

"Your presence is dignified as always, Mr. David." Replied the wrinkled figure.

David watched the two individuals attentively. He maintained a friendly relationship with Fan Liu but did not like Sifu.

He had been a scrappy and renowned figure for centuries in politics. According to ancient records, he had risen from mud and ashes, not coming from any renowned family, he had been forged in poverty during his youth.

Through his incalculable effort and constant magical practice, he had been able to permanently tear an important seat in the Athenian upper strata. But his record was blackened, having contacts with unorthodox organizations, and countless rumors during his lifetime, which had been silenced by the sea of history.

Instead, he held in a different light his considerate friend, Fan. Their families had maintained for millennia a slight but faithful alliance, to withstand the calamities and erosion of time.

After all, they were founded by two of the disciples of the Magical Goddess, during the Ancient Era.

"Well, well, the real interest is talking business, isn't it?".Fan Liu said while sipping a cup of tea.

"We have to undermine all the doubts. Tough periods are ahead." Sifu expressed with a slight laugh.

"At the moment I haven't had any problems. But I heard recently that your guilds are in danger, Liu." David said apprehensively.

The lands of the Liu family were in the Duchy of Liu, in which they practiced agro-exporting actions. There, trade possibilities were limited, so profiling handicrafts were encouraged.

Generations ago a Liu patriarch saw the opportunity so he set up various guilds financed by his wealth, which were spread over the vast lands of his duchy.

"Yes, it is a matter of concern even to the elders. But thanks to Mr. Sifu I found a prompt solution. Mr. Artas, recommended by him, is a great scholar and eloquent who makes the people's excitement boil" Fan Liu laughed loudly.

"Indeed, Mr. Artas is an illustrious and capable personage, extensively prepared in knowledge." Sifu smiled

"Just as we found a solution to your troubling situation, Mr. Liu, we should likewise do so with the troubled Young Prince," Sifu said.

"To my mind, he is still too young to be considered a 'concern'. He is a wild child who does not intercept our interests." David immediately disavowed it.

"I agree with Mr. David. I don't think we should divert our efforts to his small figure, especially considering his status as a descendant of the Battlemman family and Prince." Fan Liu continued.

A slight color emerged in Old Bamboo's slit-like eyes, so that a smile immediately appeared on his face, accentuating his features.

"Even if your trips to the palace are sporadic, they may negatively influence our interests. After all, according to the King's actions at the previous meeting, we can conclude that he takes his tender little voice into account... He is the heir to wisdom, his ideas cannot be minimized." Sifu concluded.

David disliked the tone of voice used by Sifu when referring to the young man. But he had to agree with his reasoning.

"Indeed, you have a point. Plus its state enflames ours, allowing its to attack us indiscriminately..." David said reflectively.

"Although it is small, I will take care of this matter. You must not worry, I will find a reason for him to stay away from the palace." Fan Liu thought and decided.

The meeting continued for a short time. They were accurate, expounding, and sharing time. When the meeting adjourned, Sifu and David both retired to their respective destinations.

Fan Liu looked at his reflection in the tea. He waited a few minutes and finally, his Steward, Clarius, entered the room.

Clarius knelt in front of his Master, awaiting his word. Fervently he remained still as a statue.

"Employ a fully trained team. The objective is to investigate the Young Prince's surroundings, Federick... The end should be an accurate hit." Fan Liu calmly expressed.

"My Lord, what should be the degree of the strike?". Clarius asked thoroughly.

"Mhm, release a sacrificial dog, but not to an exponential degree, but mild; Let's not forget his condition. Concentrate your efforts regarding him and the Palace... You understand." Fan Liu finished.

...

The sky was vast and limitless, as was the feeling of despair that it recreated in every living being that observed it. An endless darkness covered it, there was no light to penetrate the abysmal veil.

The world was covered in fog, thick to a degree that was impenetrable. One would believe it was a palpable substance; manipulable to the point of being able to take different forms to tear the flesh.

A figure desperately covered ground without stopping. The fabrics of his garments were torn and stained with blood, simulating a circus of terror.

His breathing was heavy, his lungs unable to do the job of keeping up with him. His legs were weak and his knees ached to support the task.

His eyes were not steady and determined, more shrouded in confusion. His wrinkles around them were accentuated.

He was an old man, tall and thin. His old age was very late, his bones protruding through his skin.

Until he finally stopped, stumbling and falling. The impact caused his bones to ache. But strangely he slipped at the site of impact.

The smell was strong and sharp, penetrating his nostrils. His hands were stained with blood, on his fingernails a dirt of dirt and blood mingled. This one desperately directed his fingers to his hollow eyes, aggressively probing his closed eyelids.

He probed until it hurt. Finally he forced them open, when he turned his gaze behind him, to the element that had tripped him.... He saw a limb. A leg pale from blood loss.

Finally he turned his gaze to his surroundings.... There were different limbs. A small river of blood owned the space.

His face, limbs, body and clothes were stained with it. It was sinking into the slight folds of depth, staining his whole being.

The confusion in his eyes intensified, until finally.... He woke up. It was only a nightmare product of his unconscious.

The old man was Sifu. He was resting on his bed. Hours before, he had decided to take a nap, but it ended badly...

Loose hairs abounded on his feather pillow. His hands trembled and his nails were blackish.

his face had aged, as had his body; looking like a withered branch.

He quickly stood up weakly, searching desperately through his drawers. Finally he found a strange item, with a liquid inside. He resolutely injected the liquid into a bulging vein in his left arm.

After a few minutes resting comfortably, he took a shower and changed his clothes. He quickly made his way to an unknown destination.

...

In a sealed room, in darkness. There were two individuals. Their states were differentiated at a glance, because one was kneeling and the other was comfortably lying on a luxurious and extensive bed.

One of the individuals in question was Sifu. "Old Bamboo", a cunning scheming old man with great political and individual power, was prostrate submissively in front of a figure that was covered by whitish cloths.

"My Lord, I have successfully instigated Patriarch Liu." Sifu said respectfully.

"Do you have any inconvenience?" He uttered a deep and magnetic voice.

"No, Sir. With the resources currently employed, it is enough to bring the Liu Family to the end." Sifu said reverently.

"Keep up the good work. With projection and discipline, you will achieve merit." Finished the figure with a mocking expression.