The gigantic gates rose before the eyes of Elizabeth, Kayle, and Itzayana, towering like ancient sentinels carved by time itself.
Their scale rivaled even the grand gates of Alofis City.
The carriage slowed and came to a halt before the entrance. Warriors of the Feira Clan, stationed atop the walls and beside the gates, immediately sprang into motion. With disciplined precision, they pulled the massive mechanisms—
creeeeak—
the gates opened wide.
The carriage rolled forward, crossing the threshold into the city.
What greeted them was a magnificent sight.
The city of Ivic unfolded before their eyes like a living mural of tradition and strength. The roads were paved with dark stone slabs, arranged symmetrically in flawless rows. The city caretakers had meticulously cleared the snow, revealing the deep black stone beneath, which stretched endlessly ahead like a polished obsidian path.
Stone houses lined both sides of the road, each built with curved rooftops layered with traditional tiles. Their architecture carried an ancient elegance—solid, enduring, yet warm.
Tall trees stood proudly at the corners of the streets, their branches heavy with snow. Many homes had gardens of their own, where trees grew as naturally as family itself.
Itzayana's eyes moved from side to side, quietly absorbing the scene before finally voicing her curiosity.
"This feels… different," she said softly.
"There are trees everywhere—along the roads, inside gardens, even in front yards. It's nothing like Alofis."
Ines leaned forward eagerly, her eyes shining as she gently tugged on Kayle's hand.
"This is our tradition," she said with unmistakable pride. "When our founding ancestors established the Feira Clan, they chose this land because of a great Tecollix Tree that once stood here."
She continued, her voice filled with reverence.
"Their master lived in a home made from Tecollix wood. He trained beneath its shadow… and took his final breath there as well. The founders buried him beneath that very tree."
Itzayana listened intently.
"The Feira brothers themselves were later buried there too," Ines added."From that day on, it became our custom to bury clan members beneath Tecollix trees. Over time, the people of Oscura began planting them everywhere—as a tribute to our founders' master."
For a moment, Itzayana was silent.
"Wow. Your clan has such a deep history; it feels like listening to a legend," Itzayana said, smiling. "Now I understand why you enjoyed telling the story so much. Your description was incredible."
"Thank you, Professor Itzayana," Ines replied politely.
While the others conversed, Aeon gazed out the window. As they moved along the road, something at the corner caught his sharp attention. A group of people was passing by, dressed in black robes accented with short coats of poison green. Among them walked a woman.
Upon spotting the them, Aeon leaned closer to the glass. As the carriagegot near to them he noticed that thewoman was wearing a black ring in her finger. Engraved upon it was a five-headed snake, etched in blood-red.
As the carriage drew parallel to them, the woman lifted her head.
Their eyes met.
She had heterochromatic eyes, just like his—
one blood red, the other a venomous green.
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to freeze.
A silent clash of gazes—sharp, predatory, and unyielding.
Even after the vehicle had disappeared, the woman remained still, staring in its direction. Her expression shifted, curling into a smile.
"Well, well. Now that was interesting," she murmured with a glimmer of amusement.
A man beside her stepped forward. "What is it, My Lady? Did something happen?"
"That carriage that just passed us... it belongs to the Fiera Clan, correct?" the woman asked.
"Yes, My Lady," the man replied.
"Is the Clan Patriarch expecting guests other than us?". She asked them.
"Yes, My Lady. The youngest daughter of the Clan Head was scheduled to return today," he answered.
"So, Ines is coming home today... and she has brought a very interesting person with her," she mused aloud.
Internally, her thoughts were sharper. "Not many people in this entire continent can look directly into my eyes without flinching."
"Prepare the carriage," she commanded.
"We're going to the Feira Clan."
– – –
At the Entrance of the Fiera Clan Mansion.
The carriage rolled to a smooth halt before the Grand Estate of the Fiera Clan, one of the five great pillars of the Atheliya Empire.
The massive estate was truly one of a kind. Unlike the opulent noble manors Aeon had visited before, this place exuded a raw, refined power. It was a fortress of tradition, showcasing the profound depth of a martial arts clan. A grand wooden gate stood at the entrance, flanked by two stoic warriors holding spears, standing guard with statue-like stillness.
As the carriage passed through the gates, it stopped at the base of a rising slope. The group stepped out, and immediately, their eyes were drawn upward.
Before them stretched a long, steep staircase leading up to the main mansion, cutting through the snowy terrain like a scar.
Seeing the sheer number of steps, Itzayana's eyes widened in genuine horror. "Just... how many stairs are there?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Noticing the look of despair on Itzayana's face, Ines giggled. "Oh, it's nothing much! Just one hundred and fifty stairs," she said with a bright, teasing smile.
Itzayana shut her mouth, her face turning completely emotionless as she stared up the incline. "One hundred and fifty stairs... I feel like I'll reach heaven by the hundredth step," she deadpanned.
"They are just 150 stairs," Aeon thought, amused by her reaction. "In the Murim world, you'd need to climb over a thousand just to reach the Shaolin Temple entrance. Compared to that, this is a gentle slope."
"Don't worry, Professor, we won't be taking the stairs," Ines said, instantly relieving Itzayana's dread.
Itzayana's eyes lit up with hope. "Then how are we going up?"
"We're going from there," Ines said, pointing her finger toward the dense line of trees flanking the path.
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the forest—thudding, rhythmic sounds that grew louder and louder with terrifying speed.
Then, three massive shadows burst from the canopy, leaping high into the air before landing with a heavy impact before them.
Everyone stared in awe. Standing before them were three colossal wolves. Their fur was a mix of winter white and shadow black, with sharp, black spikes protruding from their backs. Their legs were encased in dark fur like armor, and their eyes—a mix of sharp gold and black—gleamed with intelligence and ferocity. Large tusks jutted from their lower jaws, completing their fearsome appearance.
"Are they... wolves?" Itzayana asked, stepping back in amazement.
"No, they are not ordinary wolves," Kayle explained, stepping forward calmly. "They are Bloodthirsty Himaas Wolves. They are usually found in the Pula Kingdom's desert mountain ranges and the Barbarian Forest in the south."
"Wow, Senior Kayle! How do you know that?" Ines asked, turning to him with wide, curious eyes.
"Because of their eyes," Kayle replied. "Only Himaas wolves possess that distinctive golden-black iris. It is a well-known fact that the Fiera Clan is the only group in the entire continent that owns them. These beasts usually cannot be controlled by anyone other than Barbarians. Just as Duke Harrison's knights use falcons, the Fiera warriors bond with wolves."
"You know a lot about my clan, Senior Kayle," Ines said, clearly impressed.
A man stepped forward from the shadows of the wolves. He wore green, jogger-like martial arts trousers and a sleeveless tunic that proudly displayed the corded muscle of his arms. A red belt was cinched tightly around his waist, and a wolf-and-claw emblem was emblazoned across his chest.
"He's wearing green, which means he's a Third or Fourth Level Master,". Aeon analyzed instantly. "If I recall correctly, Levels One and Two wear white; Three and Four wear green; Five and Six wear blue; Seven and Eight wear crimson; and the Level Nine Master—the Clan Head—wears black. And that red belt... it signifies a fire affinity. Red for Fire, Blue for Water, Green for Earth, White for Wind, and Yellow for Lightning."
"This outfit is simple, practical, yet fashionable,". Aeon noted. "It's quite different from the sects of the Murim world, but the hierarchy is just as clear."
"Welcome, esteemed guests from Venessa Academy," the man said with a respectful bow. "I am Gell, a warrior of the Fiera Clan, responsible for taking you to the main mansion safely."
"Xia!" Ines shouted suddenly.
She pulled Kayle along with her and ran toward one of the wolves. She stopped before a wolf that looked slightly different from the others; it lacked the massive protruding tusks .
Ines threw her arms around the beast's neck, burying her face in its fur. "Xia! I missed you so much!" she cried.
Everyone watched the reunion, a bit surprised by the fierce affection.
"Ines," Kayle said softly.
Ines realized she was behaving like a child in front of her professors and pulled back, clearing her throat. She turned to the warrior.
"Hello, Gell," she said, composing herself.
"Greetings, Young Miss. I hope you had a comfortable journey," Gell replied warmly.
"Of course we did, thanks to the warriors who escorted us," Ines said.
"Xia missed you a lot, Young Miss," Gell noted with a smile.
"I missed her too. Senior Kayle," she said, turning back to him, "this is Xia. My childhood friend, partner, buddy... you can call her anything."
As she introduced the wolf, Gell noticed Ines's hand still tightly gripping Kayle's. His eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of protective suspicion crossing his face.
"Should we get going?" Elizabeth intervened, sensing the pause.
Gell snapped to attention. "Oh, apologies for the delay. Please, mount the wolves."
"Can we really ride them?" Itzayana asked, eyeing the spikes on their backs.
"You don't need to worry, Professor. They are highly trained and tamed. They won't attack," Ines assured her.
"If you say so," Itzayana muttered, still wary.
Itzayana and Elizabeth mounted two different wolves. Ines immediately pulled Kayle toward Xia.
"Let's go, Senior! We are going to ride Xia," she declared.
"There is no need for that, Young Miss," Gell interjected quickly. "Mister Kayle can ride with me."
"No!" Ines said firmly. "Senior Kayle and I are going to ride Xia together."
"If... if you insist, Young Miss," Gell conceded, though he didn't look thrilled.
Kayle and Ines mounted Xia's broad back.
"Senior Kayle, get close to me. I can't hold your hand while steering," Ines said, glancing back at him.
"You don't need to hold my hand, Ines. I have channeled enough mana into your body that you won't need direct contact for the time being," Kayle reasoned.
"No, you should hold me," Ines insisted. "Xia is very fast. You'll fall off if you don't hold on tight."
"I won't fall, Ines," Kayle said confidently.
"Really?" Ines said, a decisive, mischievous smile curling her lips. "Then let's go!".
With a burst of speed, the wolves launched themselves toward the tree line. They stormed into the forest like streaks of lightning, weaving through the trunks with impossible agility.
Kayle took in his surroundings calmly. To his left were the stairs; to his right, the blurring trees. Behind them, Elizabeth sat comfortably, unbothered by the speed, while Itzayana clung to Gell's waist for dear life. Kayle balanced perfectly on Xia's back, hands in his pockets, completely at ease.
Ines smirked, thinking, "You are quite good, Senior Kayle. Let's see how you handle this."
She leaned forward and rubbed Xia's fur in a specific pattern. Instantly, the wolf accelerated.
Behind them, Gell watched with widened eyes, surprised to see Kayle maintaining perfect balance without holding on, despite Xia moving faster than the other wolves.
Then, Xia stepped onto a large boulder and launched herself into the sky. It was a massive leap, clearing nearly ten meters. The sudden vertical force threw Kayle's body backward.
"Will you look at that," Aeon thought, analyzing the situation mid-air. "She is trying very hard to make me hold her. If I don't, Gell might get suspicious of my balance. I should play along."
He wrapped his arms around Ines's waist, pulling himself close. Xia landed on the ground with a heavy thud, continuing the run without breaking stride.
"Are you crazy, Ines?!" Kayle shouted over the wind, feigning shock. "I could have hit the ground!"
"That's why I told you to hold me!" Ines laughed, leaning back into him. "Xia likes taking flight while running!"
Moments later, they broke through the treeline and arrived at the summit.
The Grand Mansion stood before them, backed by the towering mountain peaks. Xia skidded to a halt in the courtyard.
It was a massive structure, a four-story building draped in a carpet of snow. Stone pavement surrounded the estate in all four directions. To the right lay a vast training ground where dozens of Fiera warriors were lined up, their shouts echoing as they focused on their drills. The estate was even larger than Duke Harrison's mansion.
The complex was divided into three parts: the main mansion in the center, flanked by two smaller estates on either side. Everything was constructed from sturdy black stone and dark wood, exuding an aura of ancient strength.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Ines asked, beaming.
Aeon looked at the architecture, the training warriors, and the mountain backdrop.
"Now this," Aeon thought with satisfaction, "This looks just like the Murim world."
"Yes," Kayle replied aloud. "It truly is."
Gell and the rest of the escort quickly caught up with the lead wolves. Itzayana and Elizabeth dismounted, their feet touching the snowy ground. Elizabeth walked straight to Ines and Kayle, her expression stern.
"Ines, that was incredibly dangerous," she scolded, her voice sharp with authority. "Kayle could have been seriously hurt because of your little prank."
Ines, realizing the gravity of her mistake and the Headmaster's genuine anger, bowed her head low. "I am sorry, Headmaster," she apologized, her voice small.
"You shouldn't be apologizing to me," Elizabeth said, gesturing beside her.
Ines turned to Kayle, her eyes filled with regret. "I am sorry, Senior Kayle. It was my mistake. I promise not to do it again."
"Don't worry, Ines," Kayle said, offering a reassuring smile. "It's not like I got hurt. Just be careful next time, alright?"
"Okay, Senior Kayle," she nodded obediently.
"Please, this way," Gell instructed, breaking the tension.
Elizabeth, Itzayana, Kayle, and Ines quietly followed Gell. They traversed the expansive stone grounds of the estate, Gell leading them toward the central structure.
As they passed through the main entrance of the inner compound, a grand view unfolded. A wide stone path stretched out before them, leading directly to the massive four-story main mansion of the Fiera Clan. To their right stood a three-story building adjacent to a sprawling stone training ground. There, hundreds of warriors moved in unison, their forms elegant and powerful. Despite the biting cold, they wore only thin martial arts uniforms, identical to Gell's. To the left stood another three-story building, its roof heavy with snow.
Observing the warriors training in the freezing open air, Itzayana shivered slightly. "Don't they feel the cold? The weather is still freezing."
"This is a fundamental part of their training," Gell explained with pride. "In the Fiera Clan, our martial artists must build resistance to both extreme cold and searing heat. Since we guard the Southwestern border, where temperatures fluctuate violently between day and night, our warriors must be physically conditioned for any environment."
"It is similar to what Ines told us in the carriage," Itzayana noted, "but I see they are wearing white, unlike you."
"I will explain," Ines said, raising her hand like an eager student. "In our clan, there is a strict hierarchy. Those wearing white are Level One and Two Masters. Levels Three and Four wear Green, Levels Five and Six wear Blue, Levels Seven and Eight wear Crimson, and only the Patriarch wears Black."
"So those people are beginners," Itzayana deduced. "And what about the different colored belts on their waists?"
"That shows their elemental affinity," Ines continued. "Red for Fire, Blue for Water, Green for Earth, White for Wind, and Yellow for Lightning. As I explained in the carriage, everyone trains according to their specific affinity."
She then pointed eagerly toward the looming central structure. "Look! That is my house, Senior Kayle."
The group came to a halt before the main mansion. The heavy double doors slowly groaned open. A retinue of maids and a single man stepped out to greet them.
"Brother!" Ines shouted, her face lighting up.
The man was tall and powerfully built, wearing a deep blue martial arts outfit, indicating his status as a Level Five or Six Master.
"Good to see you, Ines. Welcome home," he said, his voice warm and steady.
"Senior," Ines said, turning to Kayle, "this is my fourth elder brother, Ren."
"It is good to see you again, Headmaster Elizabeth," Ren said, bowing respectfully.
"Hmm," Elizabeth hummed, scanning his aura. "So, you have become a Level Five Master since I last saw you."
"It is all thanks to you," Ren replied with a grateful smile. "If you hadn't helped me in my training by imprisoning me in that block of frost, I wouldn't have been able to break through my threshold."
Ren then turned his attention to Kayle and Itzayana. "You must be Kayle, correct? Ines talked about you a lot in her letters. It is an honor to meet you. Knowing that you are the one helping Ines... I am very grateful to you and the Professor."
"You don't need to thank me," Kayle replied humbly. "I am just helping my junior."
"A modest and kind man," Ren observed approvingly. "I look forward to seeing the miracles you will create."
Elizabeth glanced around. "Where is your father? I don't see Zennid here."
Ren's expression grew apologetic. "I am sorry on his behalf. Father is currently in a meeting with someone, so I came to greet you in his stead."
Ines pouted, her brows furrowing. "That is so rude of him! How can Father not come to greet and welcome the Headmaster personally?"
"Ines, try to understand," Ren said gently.
"Who is so important that Father wouldn't come to meet the Headmaster, even though he knows they are here to help me?" Ines complained, clearly vexed.
"Don't be angry, Ines," Elizabeth said soothingly. "Your father is the Head of the Clan. Someone important must have arrived for him to be absent."
"No, Headmaster, Father should have come," Ines insisted stubbornly. "Brother Ren, where is Father? I want to meet him right now."
"Ines, don't insist. He must be busy," Kayle interjected softly.
"But Senior..." she whined.
"Do you want us to freeze outside while you argue?" Kayle pointed out.
Ines looked at Professor Itzayana and Kayle, realizing they were both shivering slightly in the biting wind. Her stubbornness evaporated. She grabbed Kayle's arm. "I am sorry, Senior, Professor Itzayana, Headmaster."
"Please, come inside," Ren ushered them.
They entered the mansion, and the interior was just as spectacular as the exterior. They walked through a huge hall lined with plush red carpets. Ren led them through the building to the back of the mansion, where a magnificent garden awaited.
As they stepped into the garden, the floor changed to polished marble stone. At the center lay a circular pond, frozen over in the winter chill. In the middle of that frozen pond stood a beautiful, open-air dining pavilion, accessible by a stone bridge.
Ren settled them into a nearby guest room that overlooked this serene view.
"Please rest here. If you need anything, feel free to ask the maids. Ines, you should also get some rest in your room," Ren suggested.
"Nope," Ines declared, sitting down firmly. "I will be staying with everyone."
Ren sighed with a smile. "Okay. But Eldest Brother Hans also wanted to meet you."
"Eldest Brother Hans is here too?" she asked, surprised.
"Hearing of your return, he couldn't stop himself and came last night. Make some time to meet him as well," Ren advised.
"Okay, Brother."
With that, Ren left the room.
"Kayle, take some rest," Elizabeth instructed. "You have been doing all the work maintaining Ines's condition up until now. We will need you in optimal condition, so rest your eyes."
"Yeah, Senior, you should rest," Ines agreed, concern in her eyes. "It's been fifteen days since you started treating me, and I am feeling much better thanks to you. I can hold on for a few hours now."
"Okay, Headmaster," Kayle agreed.
Everyone eventually left the room to freshen up, leaving Aeon alone. He sat quietly on a chair, his eyes closing as he expanded his senses.
"I can feel the presence of two powerful people from the floor above," Aeon analyzed. "One is Zennid Fiera... but the other must be someone powerful."
His mind raced, connecting the dots. "When we crossed paths with those people on the road wearing green suits... they were people of the Xoppica Clan. And that woman wearing the Five-Headed Snake ring—that is the symbol of the Xoppica Clan. Only the Clan Head and a select few with his authority can wear it. The girl I locked eyes with... that must be Tryphaina Xoppica. She has dual-colored eyes, just like me. She is the illegitimate daughter of the clan head, and she is a very dangerous woman if she is wearing that clan ring. I just hope nothing goes wrong. Otherwise... I'll end them."
A Few Minutes Later.
Kayle, Elizabeth, and Itzayana gathered in the main hall to finally meet the Patriarch. They sat on the plush sofas, the clock ticking.
"When is he coming?" Itzayana grumbled. "He called us here, and he's not even present. I am super tired from this cold weather."
"It is the first time Zennid has ever made someone wait for him," Elizabeth mused, frowning. "He is an 'on-time' person who never delays anything. Something very urgent must be keeping him."
"Do you know Zennid Fiera personally?" Itzayana asked.
"We used to be classmates," Elizabeth revealed. "Zennid, Harrison, David, and I—we were all friends during our time at the academy. After graduation, we all walked our separate paths."
"So you're friends with the heads of all the prominent families and clans," Itzayana said, impressed.
"Yes," Elizabeth nodded.
"Then... how long has it been since you've known them?" Itzayana asked curiously.
"Forty years, if I remember correctly," Elizabeth said casually.
Itzayana was stunned. "If she has known them for forty years, it means she is over sixty years old right now. How can she still look like she's in her twenties? I remember Robert telling me that Elizabeth is one of the strongest 8th-circle mages, so I pictured an old woman. But when I met her, I couldn't believe my eyes. And now she's telling me she's sixty? Does she have some kind of age-stopping drug?"
THUD.
The heavy double doors of the hall swung open. A towering figure stepped inside.
He was a giant of a man, tall and muscular, radiating raw power. A jagged scar ran down his right eye, disappearing into his thick beard. His eyes were black, flecked with a piercing light green. He carried an intimidating aura, a suffocating presence that filled the room instantly.
He was the man who held the borders of the Atheliya Empire with his bare hands.
The Fist Emperor, Zennid Fiera.
He entered the hall and sat down opposite them.
"I am sorry for the delay," Zennid rumbled, his voice deep and gravelly. "Something came up, so I couldn't meet you all immediately."
"Is that all you have to say after making me and my student wait for more than fifteen minutes?" Elizabeth shot back, unimpressed by his aura.
"Elizabeth, you are still the same as before," Zennid sighed.
"I speak the truth," she retorted. "Do you know how tiring it is to travel long distances in this cold weather?"
"What do you mean by long distance?" Zennid raised an eyebrow. "You used the teleportation gate from Alofis City to Ivic, and my clan warriors picked you up from there. You traveled for twenty minutes."
"Getting ready in the early morning, taking a carriage to the gate, and then coming here in this weather... do you think it is easy?"
Elizabeth countered. "And after facing so much difficulty, what do we get? The most punctual person in the empire didn't even come to receive his guests."
Zennid slammed his palm against his forehead. "I seriously cannot win against you. I am so sorry, Miss Headmaster, for my rudeness. I will make sure to make up for it."
"Like an apology will turn back time," Elizabeth huffed. "Now, why were you late? And where is Ines?"
"Ines is resting in her room," Zennid said. At the mention of his daughter, the stoic warlord's expression melted into ease and joy. "I don't know how to define my emotions right now. For a whole year, I have not seen my daughter laughing or smiling like I saw today. Whenever I saw her before, she just put on a façade, a fake smile to hide her pain from me. But as a father, how could I not understand my daughter's suffering? She tried her best not to worry me. But today... when I saw her running to me, hugging me, and smiling a truly pain-free smile... it set my heart free. I cannot put into words how happy I was when she hugged me."
He turned his gaze to the young man beside Elizabeth. "You must be Kayle, right? Thank you so much for helping her."
"You don't need to thank me, Sir. We still haven't solved her problem yet," Kayle said seriously. "So please, save this thanks for later. And I am not the only one helping her." He gestured to Itzayana. "Our Professor Itzayana is a key member in solving Ines's problem. Without her help, we won't be able to fix her."
"A professor at such a young age?" Zennid looked at Itzayana with respect. "I didn't know Venessa Academy had such young talent. I thank you for lending your hand to help my daughter."
"I am just doing what I must as a professor. Please, do not thank me," Itzayana said stiffly.
Internally, however, she thought, "If it weren't for that bastard, why would I have bothered to help her? I just need to complete this task efficiently and correctly to prove my worth to him."
"Now, could you please tell me what you are going to do to solve Ines's problem?" Zennid asked, his demeanor sharpening. "Elizabeth didn't explain much to me at the time. You just said she had been cursed."
"Let me explain," Kayle said.
For the next few minutes, Kayle laid out everything—the nature of the curse, the risks, and the danger.
As he spoke, Zennid's expression transformed. His face darkened with fury, his eyes turning bloodshot. Thick veins bulged on his forehead and neck, and he clenched his fist so tightly the air around it seemed to crack.
"Who?" Zennid demanded, his voice a low, vibrating growl of pure rage. "Who is the bastard that did this to her? Tell me. I will eradicate his entire lineage!"
"First, we need to protect Ines, Sir," Kayle said calmly. "We can talk about the culprit later. Our first priority is Ines. Revenge can come afterward."
Zennid stared at Kayle, breathing heavily. Slowly, he forced himself to calm down. He took a deep breath, regaining his complexion, though the danger in his eyes remained.
"I understand," Zennid said. "But as you told me earlier, the ritual you are going to perform will put both you and Ines in grave danger if even a single mistake is made."
"Zennid, you need to keep your faith in them," Elizabeth said firmly. "We don't have any choice other than this."
Zennid looked at Elizabeth. He could see the absolute faith in her eyes, mirroring his own worry for Ines. He nodded slowly.
"I give my permission. Kayle, Professor Itzayana... please, remove the curse from my daughter."
"Now," Elizabeth pressed, "tell me why you were late."
"I will tell you."
A smooth, chilling voice came from behind them.
The heavy hall gates swung open again, and a man walked in.
He wore a pristine green suit beneath a striking white coat. But the coat was not made of cloth; it was crafted from the sharp, piercing white scales of a monster. He held a black staff designed to look like five snakes entwinning one another. On the index finger of his right hand sat a black ring engraved with a snake, its mouth wide open, fangs bared.
His hair was a strange mix of black and green.
He was the Patriarch of the Xoppica Clan.
Cato Xoppica.
The Last Poison.