One Pound Meat, One More Attribute Point

The girl instinctively hid behind the Great Clan Chief, but upon seeing Indra, the deer-like wariness on her face vanished, replaced by a soft smile. She waved, greeting her brother. Indra forced a stiff smile, nodding slightly, but his heart was full of disgust.

The Great Clan Chief's gaunt hand brushed the girl's long hair, as gentle as if caressing a rare treasure.

His eyes were filled with kindness.

Indra had served by the Great Clan Chief's side for over ten thousand years.

Yet he had never seen such an expression on his father's face, and jealousy grew in him like a venomous snake.

The Great Clan Chief's attention returned to the present, his gaze turning cold when he looked at Indra, "Later, I will charge the Obelisk. Once the engine is re-ignited, we shall leave this land. We've wasted too much time here; I'm eager to return home... even if it has become a wasteland."

"With all due respect, Father..." Indra's face might have been a mask of mockery as he spoke, "Your garden has spawned a man-eating monster with a nasty temper. Even if we don't intend to provoke him, he may not let us go. Are you sure we have enough time?"

"We don't need to be at loggerheads, and crossing the sea is no easy feat," the Great Clan Chief said, stroking his chin, and after a moment's thought, added, "But indeed, we should prepare for the worst-case scenario. If he comes, you and your siblings will have to stop him, buying me time. Then I'll grant you further defences of our fortress strongholds."

"Alright, let's settle it this way."

The Great Clan Chief turned, taking the girl's arm to leave.

The girl looked back, waving at Indra in a parting gesture.

Always staying within this temple, she found outsiders quite novel and her expression carried a hint of reluctance to part.

Indra watched the two disappear into the light, his expression dark and gloomy.

...

...

...

Bang!

The door to the secret chamber slowly closed behind Indra.

In the tangible darkness before him, the outline of a woman gradually emerged.

Dressed in a dark red robe with flame patterns, her curves perfect, her exposed skin pitch black, her lips full, her dark golden pupils shone with a soft glow.

Seeing his troubled expression, Agni filled a goblet with golden wine from the decanter and downed it in one gulp.

The two clung to each other, only parting after some time.

"Your resentment towards the old man runs deep, seems like this mission didn't give you the answer you wanted," Agni said in a husky voice, filled with a mature woman's allure.

Indra leaned against the table, the oil lamp's light casting a flush on his face.

"Not just dissatisfied—it's simpler than that; the old fool has completely lost his mind. For an unrealistic dream, for a realm dead ten thousand years, he wants to lead all that remains of us into Hell. Hah, such a foolish idea," Indra said, shaking his head lightly and confiding the events of the temple to his sister.

Worry showed on Agni's face too, "Indeed, it's not a good idea, but we seem to be in a difficult situation."

"No!"

Indra fell silent for a moment, as if resolved.

Thinking of the fatherly love the Great Clan Chief, a love he had never experienced, now shared unreservedly with a sister newly born.

He couldn't help but laugh out loud, his broad shoulders shaking, his face flushed. Seeing Agni's worried look, Indra gently touched her smooth, black cheek and said, "You're wrong. There's a third way out for us."

Agni looked at him quizzically, listening quietly.

Looking into the eyes of his beloved, Indra said, "I won't let you all accompany that mad old man to die. Our fate is not confined to this planet; we have a broader future ahead of us."

"You mean...?"

"Correct," Indra said gravely, "I have made contact with the Dark Army. Their Warlord is searching for remaining sanctuaries across the Galaxy. No matter what, the end of humanity is inevitable. If we cannot stop it, why not let nature take its course and seek benefits for ourselves in the tide of this era?"

"Do the other siblings know about this?"

"When the day comes, they will make the right choice," Indra replied vaguely, "Don't forget, after all, we're not entirely human. Half of our blood comes from the celestial realm, a blessing as well as a curse."

"The Dark Army... are they really capable of ending it all?" Agni's face was riddled with worries.

Indra soothed her furrowed brow, smiling, "Worried about the monster on the Eastern Continent? He's strong indeed, even capable of killing one of us. But what is he before the Dark Army, one of the culprits that destroyed the Federation, and their Warlord has already embarked on the Path of Destruction and walked far on it."

"I hope so."

"I've told you all my plans. Will you support me?"

"Of course," Agni's face brightened with a smile, "Even if it's my life, I'll share it with you without reservation if you need it."

In the stuffy, sealed chamber, Indra looked into her amber eyes and suddenly felt that their glow was more intoxicating than the finest wine he'd ever tasted.