11-17-2021, 06:16 PM
Once it became clear that they were all at an impasse, it was with a grunt of annoyance that Nikolai showed himself.
But it wasn't the kind of showing where the Ascendancy walks into an office that otherwise expects him to be around and about. It was the kind of showing that he pulled on those that deserved to be intimidated; needed to be shown what they were dealing with in order to reign in order and justice.
Only this time, he didn't channel his power ahead of his entrance. No billowing rolls of black mist crept ahead. No darkness dimmed the ambient light. Just him, the Ascendancy, bringing himself forward. A god disturbed from his work.
Guns had been confiscated. Allan's power wrapped Nox tight into a shield. The Atharim were poised to strike, snakes to the core. Nox had a point about the horde, and having witnessed it first hand, Nikolai signaled to Allan to let Nox go. Between himself, Marcus and two Dominions, there wasn't much of a threat, and to this day, Nikolai believed Nox's intentions were in right - even if he was a fool about his methods.
It was to the Atharim that he spoke. None he recognized, nor did he expect to beyond the hatred in their gazes. "You are rats caught in a cage. I will take no pleasure in killing you where you stand, and I will not hesitate to do so unless you give me a good reason otherwise."
Then he turned to Nox, hopeful for an affirmative answer. "They better be here for bait," he said. If he needed to make the Atharim bleed to draw the horde in for ambush, Nikolai would not object.
But it wasn't the kind of showing where the Ascendancy walks into an office that otherwise expects him to be around and about. It was the kind of showing that he pulled on those that deserved to be intimidated; needed to be shown what they were dealing with in order to reign in order and justice.
Only this time, he didn't channel his power ahead of his entrance. No billowing rolls of black mist crept ahead. No darkness dimmed the ambient light. Just him, the Ascendancy, bringing himself forward. A god disturbed from his work.
Guns had been confiscated. Allan's power wrapped Nox tight into a shield. The Atharim were poised to strike, snakes to the core. Nox had a point about the horde, and having witnessed it first hand, Nikolai signaled to Allan to let Nox go. Between himself, Marcus and two Dominions, there wasn't much of a threat, and to this day, Nikolai believed Nox's intentions were in right - even if he was a fool about his methods.
It was to the Atharim that he spoke. None he recognized, nor did he expect to beyond the hatred in their gazes. "You are rats caught in a cage. I will take no pleasure in killing you where you stand, and I will not hesitate to do so unless you give me a good reason otherwise."
Then he turned to Nox, hopeful for an affirmative answer. "They better be here for bait," he said. If he needed to make the Atharim bleed to draw the horde in for ambush, Nikolai would not object.