Timeless Assassin-Chapter 1061: Unstable Mauriss

(Meanwhile, Planet Granada, Mauriss’ POV)

*KABOOM*

*Rain*

The never-ending storm continued to pour over the lone rock of Granada, as Mauriss stood at the centre of it, with a messenger bowing at his feet.

"My lord, the task has been completed successfully," the messenger began, as he kneeled deeper, his voice carrying a mix of relief and nervous restraint while he delivered the report he had been entrusted with.

"The cult operative who received your message appeared extremely suspicious of the offer, and from what I could gather, they intend to analyze the proposal thoroughly before committing to any response."

Mauriss listened.

Then chuckled.

A soft, amused sound that did not match the weight of the words being spoken.

"Of course they were suspicious," Mauriss said, as his voice carried a casual certainty, as though the outcome had never been in question. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"I would have been gravely insulted if they were not," Mauriss continued, as his gaze remained forward while the rain struck against him without consequence.

"My name is Mauriss, the Deceiver, and that title was not earned by playing fair games with honest intentions," Mauriss said, as a faint smirk touched his lips.

"The Cult would be foolish to receive a message from me and not assume that there is a trap buried somewhere within it."

The messenger swallowed.

Relief flickered briefly across his expression.

He had delivered the message.

He had done his part.

And up till now, he genuinely believed that his deed would be rewarded.

However, the moment Mauriss looked at him with that sadistic expression on his face, he understood that he was wrong.

*Snap*

Mauriss snapped his finger, as–

*Plop*

The body collapsed.

Flattened.

Reduced to nothing more than a mangled smear across the rain-soaked ground, as though it had never possessed structure to begin with, while the storm continued uninterrupted, washing away the remains without pause.

Mauriss glanced down briefly.

Then laughed.

"Hahahaha, what a foolish messenger.

He really thought I would allow a mongrel mortal to touch the holy soil of Granada and return unharmed?"

Mauriss mocked, as he clicked his tongue in disgust, before looking towards the sky once more, as his mind shifted to more important topics.

"Oh... Leo Skyshard," Mauriss said, as his voice carried a quiet intrigue that was usually reserved for opponents like Soron.

"You are somewhat interesting, that much I will admit," Mauriss continued, as he tilted his head slightly, as though considering something beyond the immediate moment.

"Not as interesting as Soron... not yet," Mauriss said, as his lips curved faintly, as if recalling a memory that still held value even now.

"But you have potential."

He paused.

"And potential to me, is far more valuable than achievement."

Mauriss added, as the rain intensified.

*KABOOM*

"I will nurture you.... Leo Skyshard." Mauriss said, as his words came without hesitation, as though the decision had already been made long before this moment.

"Not because I care whether you succeed or fail, and certainly not because I believe in your cause, but because I am certain that if I allow you to grow, you will eventually provide me with something far more valuable than victory."

"Entertainment."

The word lingered, as Mauriss licked his lips as though it was the most delicious word he had ever muttered.

"Kaelith has already made his move against you by destroying Ixtal, and that alone has set the stage for what comes next...."

Mauriss said, as he lowered his gaze towards his feet.

"And I have no doubt that once you reach a certain threshold of power, you will go after him."

He smiled.

"And when that happens..."

"...the enemy of my enemy.... may, for a brief moment, become something resembling an ally."

Another pause followed.

Brief.

Measured.

"And that is why I will invest in you today," Mauriss concluded, as the logic behind his actions unfolded with unsettling clarity.

*KABOOM*

Thunder roared across the sky, lightning splitting the clouds, as it illuminated the faint amusement in his expression.

"Now then..." Mauriss said, as his voice grew lighter, almost anticipatory.

"Depending on the game you choose to bring before me, I may even choose to play this as a sport."

"If you manage to amuse me..." Mauriss continued, "then I will hand you the holy water without resistance."

"But if you fail..." Mauriss said, as his tone remained unchanged despite the shift in meaning.

"...then I will not only kill you, but I will present your head to Kaelith as one might offer a peace offering, just to see how he reacts."

A brief silence followed.

Then—

A soft chuckle.

"Hahahahaha.... However..." Mauriss added, "if you do manage to impress me..."

"...then I may even go so far as to support your growth quietly from the shadows, at least until you become something worth observing for a longer period of time."

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"Oooooh... I am curious," Mauriss said, as anticipation crept into his voice, subtle but undeniable.

"I cannot wait to see what you come up with."

"Please do not disappoint me, Leo Skyshard," Mauriss said, as his words carried a final note of expectation.

"I do not often expect anything from mortals..."

"...but you are a rare exception."

He said, as he rubbed his palms in pure delight.

"ENTERTAIN ME!"

"ENTERTAIN ME LIKE ONLY SORON HAS BEFORE YOU.

AND PROVE TO ME THAT THE CULT OF ASCENSION STILL HAS LEADERS WITH THE BLOOD OF THE TIMELESS ASSASSIN RUNNING THICK THROUGH THEIR VEINS.

Because if not.....

I might have no choice but to destroy an organisation that brings me no joy."

Mauriss concluded, as he fell to his knees with a sudden eccentric thud.

*Thud*

"Entertain me.... Leo Skyshard.

Or become yet another fleeting existence in my life, that’s not worth giving a second glance."

Mauriss said, as his eyes turned killer cold, to desperate and lost, to killer cold once more, as it mirrored the chaotic state of his mind, that was unstable and changing with every passing second.