The Gods' Decree 181 Grand Elder

Apparently, they were forwarned about this beast and the two atop its back. More than likely the culprit being the first patrolling squad the two met a few weeks prior.

The frightened gazes both May and Taf received as they ventured near anyone of the squads confirmed their suspicions. This was not of much concern to them however as their thoughts lingered elsewhere.

"I wonder how Lisa has been since my departure. At the time I left in such a hurry I was unable to ensure she had acclimatized to her surroundings."

This was one of the thoughts at the forefront of May's mind which suddenly made themselves known. Her words only garnered a slight chuckle from Taf,

"I'm sure she is pretty fine living in that manor of yours. Chances are the next time you see her she will be reinvigorated as the Lisa of old."

He then responded though still, May remained tight-lipped about the events that had traumatized Lisa to such a state. She did, however, feel a bit of comfort in his words before enquiring about another individual.

"She has been through a lot. How about Damian, You will see your promise  to fruition right?"

"..Oh, that fellow I nearly forgot to be honest. However, it will be interesting to see if he can fulfill that oath of his. He still has roughly five months in which to be successful, for now, the only thing I can do is wait."

As Taf responded he recalled the timid Damian who apparently was afraid of his own shadow. While in his thought Taf became startled by a sudden change in Hammerhead's action.

Its path had detoured slightly going westward when his and May's Manors were in the opposite direction.

"Hey, bird brain you're going the wrong way. What's with you tonight?"

Taf uttered as Hammerhead's actions became puzzling, however, no matter how much he spoke his red-feathered eagle persisted in its journey.

"Hammerhead what's wrong?"

Seeing something was off with the eagle May too tried a means to communicate with the beast before coldly staring at Taf and uttering,

"Damn it Taf I told you not to practice that darkness art on its mind for such a prolonged period. Now you have totally fried its brain. I bet it is now totally mentally defective."

"Hey hey, why am I getting all of the blame, It has been fully functional ever since I relieved it of my subjugation. If anything it's your endly pampering that has done the most harm. It's a wild beast and not a puppy after all."

Somehow feeling he was unjustly blamed Taf refuted May's claim while bringing forth an argument of his own but this seemingly didn't appease May. So the two disembarked from the eagle's back bursting through the air in order to make their way ahead of the beast.

As Taf looked within the eagle eyes they were listless devoid of any seeming free will. This was his conclusion having previously used his darkness art in order to control the beast. The signs it exhibited at the time were quite similar with the only difference being its eyes were pitch black.

Having been around Hammerhead during this time May too saw the signs. Noticeably she took a keener interest in her nearby surroundings.

"So you have our attention. This is a bit much isn't it?"

Taf declared having assumed this was the doing of an unknown third party. Based on the stealth and ease to which this individual took charge of the situation he knew their strength exceeded his by quite the margin.

Due to the events unfolding in the perimeters of the sect in his conclusion the doer behind the act must have some affiliation with it.

He didn't for a second believe the sect's safety would be put into the hands of mere patrolling squads 

Within the distance, he and May's attention was drawn to a figure walking in the air as though she was on land with apparent ease. It was an old woman barefooted in all-white attire.

"I must apologize for my theatrics. I know that young folks such as yourselves are drawn to excitement. So I saw it fitting to make my entrance as such. I see you are not that impressed with my actions."

The grand elder uttered and though a slight second prior the distance seemed quite far between them and this mysterious woman,  both May and Taf were startled to find she was but a mere foot away.

 Though unknowing of her presence early Taf was undaunted. He surmised this old lady was by far superior in strength, so much so that he even suspected she had surpassed the realm of lords.

However, having met a dragon it made everything else seem underwhelming so he was by no means intimidated.

He then made a remark of his own as a means of retort while he greeted the new arrival,

"Yes yes, quite impressed though I might add a slight number to your repertoire." 

"...and what is that might I ask?"

The grand elder questioned taking note of the two's composure within her presence. Evidently, they truly have a backer that was quite a powerful being.

"Next why don't you blow up our bird. That would really impress us. I know it would be for me, How about you May?"

There was a bit of sarcasm in his voice as he spoke while turning to May by his side who rubbed her chin seemingly pondering his words.

"I don't know, mind control or explosion, I am torn."

She then responded as if genuinely in contemplation of the question asked. Hearing the two the grand elder could only faintly laugh before introducing herself.

"It appears that you both aware I am of no harm, therefore, I'll introduce myself. I am known by a prestigious title  within the Sect, this is the Grand Elder."

"Grand Elder Huh?"

Taf uttered as he remembered some brief details of the sect hierarchy. From his recollection, there were different tiers of elders and on the peak was one classed as a grand elder.

In some ways, the grand elder has the same power as the head of the sect however they limit themselves to more of an advisory role.

The reasoning behind this is simple as the grand elder is frequently the previous Sect head that had relinquished their seat for a newer successor which they have groomed over the years.

Their power is no longer of importance and having them in an advisory role puts the sect in better stead for the future. Going by that logic it means the person currently before them was the previous sect head of the Dark Abylis Sect.

Seeing the old woman before him Taf had to admit this was by no means a small feat. To arrive at the summit of a sect must take hard work, steely determination, and overbearing power to crush your opponents.

Yet if he were to be unaware of this old woman's past, there wouldn't be the slightest hit of such things. This he had to admit was something that truly impressed him.... 

To be continued...

Unedited version

Chapter end