The Gods' Decree 208 A Father's Pain

Evidently they were sightly aggrieved seeing how the bet had ended. 

In a mere manner of minutes, each had lost 6k in stones, just like that. Taf grinned as he took his seat feeling quite satisfied with his accomplishment. He then took a gla.s.s while slowly sipping as they all stared.

"I love the sweet taste of victory."

He boastfully uttered while seeing their nearly teary eyes. May could only shake her head witnessing the expected outcome of the bet

. Even discerning the pleading look of Neisha hinting for her intervention.

Yet she opted to cease any involvement as this was not her call. She only gave an apologetic smile at the disgruntled Niesha.

Each person was aware of the bet and in some ways, they should have known with the confidence displayed by Taf that all was not as it appears. She even tried to give them a fighting chance initial. 

This fellow of hers could play almost any role perfectly knowing the means how to shew a situation to his favor even with sometimes the meagerest of odds.

Thus the reason she was confident he would accomplish the bet no problems.

"Since initially, I had planned to treat everyone, I'll be benevolent. There are now two options from which to choose. Either the footing bill of this outing or forgoing your stones[1]," 

In his statement, it could be seen Taf was giving them all a way out of their little predicament. At most their combined bills would be a few hundred lqs.

With his utterance, an evident glimmer was seen within the eyes of the five as though they had somewhat regained some form of hope.

"Brother why worry yourself with such meager tasks? Allow me to take this off your hands.

Have your fill, are you perhaps in need of a refill? Young lady, please come this way."

Malnor hurriedly spoke while he signaled for the young waitress to once more make her rounds.

Seeing how quickly he was out of the blocks the other four could only course in their heads. Yet they too promptly followed his lead attending to both the needs od May and Taf.

With a smile, Taf sarcastically uttered, "You are all so kind and caring."

"Enough of this going around. How did you do it?" Selena obviously intrigued by Taf's prior accomplishment questioned. 

As she spoke the waitress once more replenished the table. Which she did excitedly having heard their previous bet. In her mind, she could wait to see the tips she would receive.

"Well, my teacher has mastered many things. One thing he taught me is how to shape your surrounding to achieve the desired goal.

He has done this on numerous occasions in his battles and 'business'.

They all keenly listen as Taf highlighted how he achieved his desired goal. There were a few steps that needed to be followed to precision.

Taf then broke down his accomplishment in Eight steps.

 "Step one - Knowing your target

My prior questions surrounding Sheila were my means of ascertaining the 'target's' talking point. Things such as her hobbies, elements, and weapon of choice. Though vague I got a slight hit to the type of mark.

So similar to a chess master[2] setting up his pieces scheming to capture the queen.

Step two- Obstruction Elimination

In order for my plan to executed flawlessly, all possible obstructions needed to be eliminated.

While observing the table I realized of the four ladies there was one who I felt the most presence.

She was the leader of the group and my greatest obstacle. Therefore I eliminated her by clumsily spilling a beverage i was certain would leave a stain.

Step three - Covert Operation/ Mole

Then all that was left was to quickly plant myself within the group before their leader once more returned.

To accomplish this i played the role of a timid figure who was quite mannerable. He was of minimal threat, thus allowing them to lower their guard.

Step four - Charmer

After which I uttered something vague in order to truly grab their attention. This needs to be something specific to the individual.

Before now confronting my target head-on. Speaking profoundly about her eyes no longer being the timid soul from before while their guards were lowered. 

Step five - Shattering perception

Now I am seen in a different light. A charmer underneath that timid persona, but that is when I swiftly shattered that imagine now becoming a grotesque pig.

Remember I am not the one in need of her affection. Yet not before s.h.i.+fting my previously discovered charm onto a mysterious boss.

Step six - Molding the clay

With each mentioning of this boss, I ensured to highlight his basic perfection while acting out a visual interpretation of his exact opposite.

Allowing for his splendor to s.h.i.+ne while their opinion of me diminished. Creating sheer intrigue for the target/mark Sheila.

There had to be an illusion within her mind that this was her desire and not due to my meddling.

Step seven - Transference

Now the next obstacle I faced was transferring this boss imagine which I had created to its living host Lovren.

This you can imagine being quite a hard feat. That was made easier by five of your presence.

Step eight - Closure 

Then all that was left was seeing all my hard work through to fruition. Through the meaning of target, and Loverboy Lovren.The rest was played out before your eyes."

After Taf dissected his accomplishment it was quite apparent this was well thought out. Yet they all saw a huge problem that would unfold.

"This relations.h.i.+p is doomed to fail. There is no means Lovren will be able to live up to such a character. Which man could?" Ava spoke out loud what all thought. Yet still, Taf continued to drink. 

Neisha then seeing his reaction uttered, "You knew this?" 

"Yes, I'm not a G.o.d people. This was only a means to open the door. The rest is left up to him." Taf responded confirming Niesha thought.

"Still let us cheer for our boy Lovren while we can!"

Malgrey happily shouted as he lifted a mug within the air. He was then joined by the others who arms became lifted with their gla.s.ses held high.

"Cheers for the lucky b.a.s.t.a.r.d!

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Cling! Cling!

??????

While Taf and May were enjoying the company of their friends a few hours had pa.s.sed. Night had once more befallen the Dark Abylis Sect.

In a well-lit room seemingly designed for a child, the grand elder could be seen. She sat beside the bed of a young girl who seemed quite pale as cold sweet covered her face.

Across the room, there was another presence. A middle-aged man, his beard was as thick and unkempt, evidently grooming was not of utmost priority in his eyes.

He constantly looked out a small window into the skies whose moon was a quarter of its usual size.

By his eyes, it could be seen he hadn't slept for quite a while by the bags that hung beneath. it was as though he carried the burdens of the world upon his shoulders.

"If you think this change is necessary then, by all means, you should proceed, Master." The man uttered after a brief moment of consideration. He then continued,

"With the resurgence of the devils, there is a need to prepare these disciples for the worse." 

The grand elder nodded as she focused on the ailing child before her with evident sadness in her eyes.

"You are a good father victor. I know this has been a struggle internally for you, but you have done all that can be done."

As the grand elder spoke she wiped the sweat from the young girl's forehead before drawing the blanket to cover her s.h.i.+ver shouldered.

Victor muttered under his breath, " Good father you say? Why not say I was also a good husband while you are at it." 

He wryly laughed as he continued to look in the dark skies before continued, "I was never a good father, master.

Same as with Elizabeth, by the moment I started to care it was already too late.

Now Sara too will soon join her within the afterlife. Tell me is that the definition of a good father?" 

Victor continued with evident sadness as he remembered a face that caused his heart to truly ache. She resembled his daughter having that same innocent smile that graced her face.

Who knew that underneath that smile. Was a tortured depressed soul?"

Unedited Version

To be continued

[1] From time to time i will switch from Lqs to stones. Small detail but thought it best to mention it

[2] I mention chess so often yet I am completely awful at it. I remember once in primary school being involved in a tournament. I had no clue how to properly checkmate.

So in order to gain the three wins, I achieved. I had to feign that I was in control of the whole situation. Saying stuff like,

"You know you have lost right. Tell you what I know your other teammates are watching. Make it easier on yourself and just forfeit now. That way it won't look so bad in the end.

It worked three successive times until I met someone who could play. He just laughed at me checkmating me in no time lol. Yet I was so happy I won three, better than I could have ever hoped lol.