Chapter 10 Soul Puppet 1 (2/2)

Aleks walked over to the three corpses and knelt down over the former leader of the group. The two weaker members had already been devoured by his ability but the soul of the one who was their leader remained within its corpse. He had another purpose for that particular body and didn't devour its soul. Instead,he activated a third ability known as 'Soul Puppet'.

This ability would allow him to control the body of a formerly living being as if it were still alive. The ability would only last for three days because that was the limit for how long a soul could remain within a body if not properly bound with magic, like in necromancy. His ability was not a type of necromantic magic, but something which was both greater and lesser at the same time.

The 'Puppet' would retain its memories and personality but would be entirely dominated by the 'Soul Eater' and would carry out his will. The ability was somewhat similar to raising a corpse from the dead but it also had its differences.

For one, the ability carried with it a powerful illusion that made the corpse appear to be in the same condition as of when the original body was alive. There wouldn't even be a pungent smell and neither was there a way to see through the illusion. Not unless one possessed an equally powerful ability or spell to dispel it that is. The body would also retain its former fighting strength. The only downside to this, again, was the limited time it could remain a puppet.

The former assassin's body began to jerk as it returned to some semblance of its former life. Before long the body rose and stood at attention waiting for Aleks to give his orders.

”What is your name, puppet?”

The 'Soul Eater' placed extra emphasis on the word 'puppet'.

”I am Roderan. Boss, what is it you wish me to do?” Its voice sounded strangely normal.

Lenia was expecting the voice to sound somewhat disembodied or eerie but instead it sounded the same as when it was alive.

”Listen well puppet, you are to return to your former boss and you are to report the death of your subordinates. You will also tell the Don that his most powerful rival laid a trap for you and your men. That this was all a plot to weaken him and that his goal was to start an all-out war for control of the city's underworld. Once you inform the Don of this, you are to create an opportunity to attack his rival. That should be enough to get these petty criminals to kill each other.”

Lenia listened intently to the words of her master and wracked her brain trying to piece everything together so that she could better understand her master. She wanted to be of use to him and more than just a tool for attracting enemies.

”Now go and do as I commanded. Once you have completed your objectives, return and report to me.”

The former lieutenant to the Don bowed to his new temporary master and left to carry out his mission.

”These criminals, or Dons as they call themselves are naught but fools. They believe that they have true power because they can make people do as they wish through fear. They use their money and their power for selfish ends without any real purpose. For what? So that they can live a life of luxury? In the end, their bodies will return to dust and their souls will return through the veil only to start over yet again as nothing. An endless and pointless existence. The aristocrats of this place are no better! These so called officials and representatives living in their glass bubbles. Those sick and demented individuals, I will kill every last one of them in the end. This republic is nothing more than a twisted joke which should be wiped from the face of the continent!”

Lenia was surprised by her creator's outburst of anger. It seemed very much unlike the man who always appeared to her composed.

'Are we so different?'

She thought this for a brief moment but shoved it back within the recesses of her mind. It was wrong to be so disrespectful towards her creator. How dare she compare herself to him?

”Uh… ”

She wished to say something to get rid of the awkwardness caused by her master's rant but she didn't know what to say.

”Forget you heard that. It was unsightly of me … I apologize. I have a lot of anger towards this place.

Aleks took a moment to collect himself.

”What's wrong master?”

Seeing her master act in such a way hurt her heart. She felt great anguish for him. Lenia never wished to see her master in such pain.

”This place is one of those responsible for the death of my family in this lifetime.”

Lenia was surprised, she never even knew her master had a family.

”I didn't know master.”

Aleks waved her concern off and placed his hand on her head in a warm gesture.

”Let me tell you a story I read in an old book in my childhood.”