Chapter 448: Expanding the Family Business

"Elders."

Vera found herself once again surrounded by the holograms of the Elders. This time, however, she could not force herself to be stoic or look disciplined as her eyes slightly trembled upon looking at the 6 holograms around her.

The Elders, as always, did not notice the anxiousness on her face as they seemed to be lost in their own world— most not even looking at her; either talking to other people or fidgeting with a weird gadget.

[What is it now, Princess of the Evaniels?]

The Grand Elder, as always, was the first to speak as his blurry silhouette leaned forward from his chair, "Have the Guardians and Elder Zora arrived at the planet yet?"

"The Guardians are dead."

[...What?]

And with those words, the Elders that were otherwise preoccupied all quickly turned their heads to Vera. The Grand Elder turned his head to the other Elders, before once again focusing on Vera,

[Were they killed by Riley Ross?]

"Y... Yes," Vera stuttered, "They died not even a minute of entering the planet, the only one left alive is Guardian Viole."

[Is he there? Let us talk with him.]

"...You can't."

[What—] And before the Grand Elder could speak again, he noticed the tears that were now suddenly trailing on Vera's face.

"We made a mistake," Vera then whispered as she looked at her feet, "I made a mistake."

[...What are you saying?]

"Half the evaniels in the ship are dead," Vera took in a deep breath, gritting her teeth as she forced herself to look at the Grand Elder, "Riley Ross killed them too."

[...Why?]

"He... he tortured them right in front of the others... in... in front of me," Vera's head started to tremble as her breaths became heavier by the second, "I... I was mad at all of you for treating this situation lightly. When... when I was also doing the same and now half the people in my care are dead."

[Why did he—]

"Because we killed his clone!" Vera stomped her foot on the floor, causing the entire spherical room to shake,

"He... he tore off each of their legs first, let everyone watch as their friends desperately cr... crawl on the floor."

Vera's eyes were now just looking straight; not looking at anything in particular, but reflecting the images that she had seen just moments ago,

"He also killed my brother," Vera then took in a small gasp as her eyes started to twitch uncontrollably, "He killed him fast and without pain. He... he told me that he didn't want him to be in pain because he likes me."

[Where is Elder Zora!?] The Grand Elder, for the very first time, stood from his floating throne; finally revealing his bulky and stone-like silhouette, [What was he doing while Riley Ross was doing all of that!? And why didn't you stop him!?]

"...Stop him?" Vera then forced a small chuckle as the tears trailing down her face doubled, "Even now... all of you are still underestimating him. Riley Ross is... is a villain."

[Let us talk to Elder Zora!]

"Elder Zora... Elder Zora," Vera then whispered to herself a couple of times. But after a few moments, her eyes widened as she finally looked at the Grand Elder again, "That... that's actually the reason why I called for all of you again...

...Riley Ross wishes to speak with you."

[Riley Ross? No one but those authorized can talk to us!]

"He... he knows that," Vera then took in a deep breath as she stepped to the side, "He... That's why he... he made a way so he could talk to you."

[What do you—]

"Greetings, other Elders. Meow."

And before the Grand Elder could finish his words, a silhouette started to approach them from the bridge; on top of its head, a pair of horns.

[Elder Zora! I need you to explain what's been happening on Earth!]

"I believe Princess Vera already explained everything to all of you, Grand Elder. Perhaps you should try listening? Meow."

[What— You... you're Riley Ross!?]

[I do not know what you're talking about, Grand Elder. Meow.]

The words that were coming out of the silhouette seemed comical, but with each of his steps getting closer and closer, the weight in Vera's breaths also multiplied. And very soon, the silhouette stepped into the light...

...revealing Elder Zora.

Elder Zora's head, that is; seemingly being worn by Riley like some sort of Halloween mask.

"Is this not the way he talks, meow?" Riley then let out a small giggle, causing Elder Zora's head to slightly slide down, "I thought you would find it funny if I made my entrance like this, but why is no one laughing?"

[...]

"I've learned that first impressions are important, you see," a sigh then escaped from Elder Zora's head,

"...But it would seem that I failed to make an impression, sad."

And with those words, Riley grabbed Elder Zora's horns and casually ripped his entire head in half— his white hair, flowing down as he finally revealed his face to the Elders.

"What kind of species is Elder Zora, anyway?" Riley then tilted his head as he looked at the two halves of Zora's head in his hands, "A human cat with a goat's horn? The universe is such... a complex thing, no?"

[You—]

"Forgive me, I have failed to introduce myself," Riley then stretched his arms to the side; and as he did so, whatever was left of Elder Zora disintegrated into nothing,

"I am Riley Ross of Earth, it is a pleasure to finally talk to the beings that have been talking about me for weeks now."

[There are consequences to your actions, human,] the Grand Elder returned to his floating; the tone of his voice, once again becoming authoritative.

"I would be disappointed if there wasn't, Grand Elder," Riley then let out a sigh as he shook his head, "And speaking of consequences, yours are still not over."

Riley stretched his arm to the side, and as he did so, Viole emerged from the darkness and flew straight toward his hand,

"Are you able to broadcast what I am about to do throughout the entire Universe, Grand Elder?"

[You do not make requests from us, boy.]

"Do it or I will kill the remaining evaniels in the ship."

[Did I stutter, boy?]

"Do it or I will kill Princess Vera."

Vera's head quickly flinched as she heard Riley's words. She wanted to run— but seeing the almost braindead Viole that was hanging in Riley's hand... any motivation to do so instantly dwindled away,

"I heard her mother, the Queen, is quite important to the balance of the Universe. I will also kill her next— my father can learn how to control your ship in just a single second."

[Your threats mean nothing to us. You are insignificant.]

"..." Riley then turned his head to Princess Vera, "They truly do not value your life, Princess Vera. I apologize that I have to hurt and kill you now."

[Stop!]

Riley was about to raise his other hand, but before he could do so, the only female Elder spoke; her voice as monotonous as ever, even with her hurried words.

[I will broadcast your message— just do not lay a hand on the Princess.]

[What are you doing, Elder Tedi!?]

[I could ask you the same, Grand Elder. The threat that the human possesses is obviously something we have dismissed— and we are paying the price for that now.]

[Do you not see what he is going to do!? He is going to execute a Higher Guardian!]

[I am aware.]

[Y—]

"Good, please let me know when the entire Universe can see me now," Riley interrupted the two.

[I can't broadcast you to the entire Universe, Riley Ross, only to the known part of it,] Elder Tedi stated.

"Please," Riley gestured with his hand.

[You are being broadcasted now, you... may proceed.]

"Thank you, Elder Tedi," Riley bowed before fully facing her hologram,

"Greetings, the rest of the Known Universe, my name is Riley Ross. I am from an unknown planet from an unknown star system. I have here in my hand a Guardian," Riley then said as he raised the seemingly unconscious Viole in the air. And without even any sort of warning or indication, he pulled half his head from the rest of his body— leaving his tongue and his jaw hanging from his neck,

"Several years ago..." And as if nothing happened, Riley just dropped Viole's body parts to the floor and started speaking again,

"...I announced to the people of my planet that I would retire from being a villain. And since then, I found myself becoming many things— a student, a lover, an estranged adopted brother, dead, an alien, a failed hero, a friend, and a father. I was almost even an actor. But what I truly am...

...is a villain. I can not pretend to be anything else."

"..." Vera could really only take in a small gulp as she watched Riley continue with his speech— she doesn't know why, but it feels like she was witnessing something that would completely alter the course of the entire universe.

"I have thought of many things to do to relieve my boredom. Lately, I have thought of conquering different worlds, but no. My purpose, my true purpose is not to conquer...

...but to destroy."

"..."

"So today, I am hereby announcing that I am once again donning my suit as a supervillain," Riley then stretched his arms to the side— causing some sort of black goo to wrap around his body.

The goo turned into a suit— not that of Darkday, but more similar to his uniform as Paragon except this time, it was all in black; his white long hair, just flowing in the air. His mask that was covering his lower face, almost in the shape of a smile revealing a set of sharp teeth.

"My name is Darkday. And let this be the first act of my return—

—to the clone I left on the microplanet Hotis 4J; you have my permission...

...you may kill everyone now."