“Oh, so you're from Netherworld?” The other party was curious.
Warren nodded. “That's right. However, I'm just a nobody in Netherworld.”
The shadow nodded satisfactorily. “What a pleasant surprise! I didn't expect there to be a second person from Netherworld to have found this scary place filled with strong negative energy. I'm from Netherworld too, but I can't remember my name. It's been long forgotten. The people from Netherworld used to call me Erebus.”
Erebus?
Warren furrowed his brows and muttered, “The name sounds so familiar. I might have heard it somewhere.”
Erebus declared, “Of course! I was one of the Eight Great Protectors of Netherworld in the past generation. I'm sure you've heard my name before.”
Warren quickly kowtowed to him in deference. “It's my utmost honor to meet you, Great Protector.”
“You may drop the formalities. I have a question for you. Do you know Daemonium from Netherworld?” asked Erebus.
Warren nodded vigorously. “Yes! Actually, Daemonium is my godfather.”
Erebus got all worked up as he gazed at Warren emotionally. “What? You're the godson of Daemonium? Tell me, how many godsons does he have?”
“I'm the only one,” replied Warren.
“What's your name?” Erebus pursued further.
“Warren Williams,” he answered.
Warren Williams... Warren Williams... Haha!
What followed after was a loud guffaw from Erebus. “You're the one, Warren! It's you! Indeed, when there's a will, there's a way.”
Warren had no idea what Erebus was talking about, let alone the reason behind his ecstatic expression.
He asked softly, “Erebus, may I know what you're laughing at?”
“Warren Williams and Zeke Williams. If I guessed it right, you must be the shadow that your godfather, Daemonium, stripped off Zeke,” stated Erebus.
Warren did not deny it. He nodded and admitted, “Yes.”
It was not a secret in Netherworld that Warren was a reflection carved out of Zeke's body.
Subsequently, Erebus posed him a question. “Then, do you know who I am?”
Warren was baffled. “Aren't you one of the Eight Great Protectors of Netherworld, Erebus?”
Erebus explained calmly, “I do wear multiple hats. My other identity is Daemonium's master.”
Huh? He's the master of my master? That means he's my elder! There's no wonder why his name sounded so familiar to me. Godfather has mentioned him numerous times! Oh, this is splendid news! I must hang on to him, no matter what happens.
Ever since the death of Daemonium, Warren had lost his precious backing, and his status in Netherworld had taken a major hit.
If I could get the support of Erebus, it would make my life so much better in Netherworld.
Once again, Warren bowed his head reverently. “Please receive my utmost respect, Elder Erebus.”
Erebus replied, “You may get up now. It's great timing to meet you here! Had you come a second later, I would have lost my mind.”
“Elder Erebus, Godfather told me that you went missing mysteriously. Were you here all this while? Since it's torture for you to be here, why didn't you return to Netherworld?” Warren inquired.
Erebus elaborated, “That's a long story to tell. I have to begin with Zeke's master, Pietro. Back then, he and I fought for seven days and seven nights. Yet, there was still no winner. In the end, the cunning Pietro pulled a trick and ambushed me with a secret weapon. As a result, I lost. However, Pietro wasn't able to kill me. All he could do was to set up the Soul Pinion Formation and trap me here. It's the apex of all formations. I've been studying it for centuries, but I still can't thoroughly understand it and find myself an escape route.”
Hearing so, Warren felt disappointed.
He had wished to return to Netherworld with Erebus and start a new life with the latter as his strong backing. Who would have known that he was trapped inside a mighty formation?
Moments later, Erebus said, “Anyway, things will get better now that you're here.”
“Huh? Elder Erebus, what is it that I could possibly do for you?” Warren was bewildered.
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