PORTAL BEAST SLAYER

"You don't have to let them in. We can always send them away. You don't owe them a damn thing." Gaya said to Alrik and he chuckled.

"No one knows that more than me. Don't worry. I'm not hesitant because I feel any form of obligation to that family. I cut ties with them and I'm not taking that back. But I can guess why they're here, and in my opinion, it's better to just rip the bandaid at once so to speak. Else, who knows? They may keep pestering me." Alrik responded to Gaya.

"Tell security to let them in after they've been cleared of anything remotely harmful. Make sure they're searched properly. I don't trust any of them." Eliza ordered the staff that had come to relay the message to them.

As the staff left, they all faced each other.

"Should we stay here? Or move somewhere else for the meeting?" Bruno asked.

"Here is fine. Request for dessert. The less we look like we care about their presence, the more irritated they will be. We all have some experience in dealing with the bunch after all, especially Kalen." Mira responded.

While they waited for their guests to arrive, slices of cake were passed around.

"You sure took your sweet time letting us in. You feel like a big shot now, right?" Kalen spoke first as he walked in with his father Jett, Vaida, her brother Vance, and Alrik's grandfather Griffin.

"Well, it's common courtesy to call ahead if you're planning on visiting someone's home uninvited, especially a home you're not welcome in." Eliza said with a deadpan expression. "You can be thrown out just as easily as you were allowed in, so I suggest you tread carefully."

Kalen's face turned red after being spoken down to by Eliza.

"You allow women to fight your battles for you now? Where's all that battlefield bravado?" Jett spoke in his son's defence.

"I don't let her do anything. The house belongs to my wife, so she can say what she wants." Alrik smirked.

Vaida and Vance were still closer to the entrance, gawking at the extravagance of Alrik's home. The Zerdon family home was beautiful by many standards, and they were well to do. But Alrik's wealth was on another level, and they were green with envy. Vaida was especially pissed because she chose Kalen over Alrik. She should have been the mistress of the house.

Kalen was about to respond when Griffin stepped in. "Enough bickering. That's not why we're here. I came to retrieve the sword."

"If you were here for the sword, you should have come alone. I don't buy that. You came here with them all for a reason." Alrik responded to his grandfather.

"First we settle the sword, then we can discuss other matters. The sword belongs in the Zerdon treasury. I'm willing to overlook how it came into your possession in the first place, but it needs to be returned."

Kalen scoffed. "Why bother mincing words? He swore to the heavens that he wasn't the one who stole and sold it, yet here he is, now in possession of it. And don't try to deny that it's here. There are videos of you wielding it everywhere. You really are a thief and…"

"Let me save you the trouble, because I don't intend to listen and be insulted in my own house. You know better than anyone that I didn't steal it back then. And now, the sword is where it belongs. Even if I want to give her to you, she won't leave with you, I assure you that." Alrik interrupted Kalen.

Jett scoffed. "Yoou speak like the sword is alive, Alrik. Cut the bullshit. The sword may have possessed some magic once, but it sure as fuck doesn't now. There's no need to act all high and mighty. Just hand it over, or we'll have you reported, and arrested for theft."

"They sure do like to hear themselves talk." Zee said to Alrik.

Now that they were bonded, they could speak even at a distance. That was how he had been communicating with her despite Zee being upstairs in their bedroom.

"Phase me over there." She said.

"Wouldn't that be draining for me?" He said through mind speak so their visitors wouldn't know what he was doing.

"It shouldn't drain you too much since it's a short distance from the dining room to the bedroom. Plus, with the bond still new, we have an energy boost advantage."

"Is it wise to reveal my abilities though? Who knows what they will do with that information?"

"The truth of your abilities cannot be hidden for long, especially with the beast portals beginning to go haywire. Better to get ahead of it now, than wait to be exposed, and cause a bigger issue."

Alrik leaned back on his chair while Kalen and his father kept talking about handing Alrik over to the authorities for stealing the Zerdon heirloom sword. He slipped into the soul plane, moved his unseen self to the bedroom, and pulled Zee through her essence.

Vaida screamed, and the rest of the visitors took several steps back when Alrik opened his eyes, and the sword appeared in his hands. Even his family, seated at the dining table were shocked as well, because though they had heard of Alrik using his Phasing ability, this was their first time actually seeing it happen.

"You were saying?" Alrik arched a brow as he stood and unsheathed the sword.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" "You dare threaten us with the family sword?" Kalen and Jett asked at the same time.

"I never pointed the blade at you, nor did I say I want to harm you. Why assume I'm threatening you? You wanted the sword, so I brought it to you." Alrik smirked.

"H..how did you…" Griffin stuttered, and if not for the situation, Alrik might have laughed. He had never seen his grandfather look so flustered.

"Like I said, the sword is where it belongs. But if you'd like to take her away, then be my guest." Alrik crouched and laid the sword on the floor, then took a few steps back.

Kalen immediately stepped forward to take the sword, but Zee turned to stone as soon as his finger tips touched her, and Kalen jumped back with a startled yelp.

"W..hat the fuck j..just happened? What kind of trick is this?" Kalen snapped, though he was terrified internally, he tried not to let it show. Only his shaking hands gave him away.

"You awakened the sword?" Griffin asked and Alrik shrugged as Zee returned to a regular sword.

"It's more the other way around really, but you look like you're starting to understand the situation."

"That is rubbish. Magic doesn't exist. The myth of this sword and our so-called ancestor who wielded it are just stories made to make our family seem more important and prestigious." Jett laughed, but it was obvious he was nervous.

"You don't even believe the words that you just spoke. Magic exists, and the beasts we fight are proof of it. What else would be responsible for opening portals between dimensions?" Gaya asked incredulously.

"Whatever. But it only goes to show that magic is evil. An abomination that must be eradicated so we can live in peace and reclaim our world."

Bruno scoffed. "You sound like a misguided tyrant about to deliver a speech he thinks is life changing, and moral."

"I won't be fooled by cheap tricks." Jett huffed and moved forward to pick up the sword.

This time, Zee turned red hot, and Jett screamed as his flesh sizzled as soon as he touched the sword. He withdrew his hand, and rushed to the table to dip his fingers in a water jar.

"Did that feel real enough?" Zee said in a mocking tone. "I wish he could hear me now. I'm ashamed that they share the same bloodline as my beloved. They're a disgrace to his blood, and lineage."

Zee still glowed red hot, but Alrik leaned down and picked her up without hesitation. He could feel the warmth against his fingers, but he wasn't burned.

"I don't care if you believe it or not, but I have bonded with the sword. And she will not leave my side. Instead of wasting your time here, I suggest you return and prepare yourself. War is coming. I'm meeting with the High commander soon and I will warn them as well. I will help where I can, but I have no business with your family anymore. No more unsanctioned visits, and I'm not inviting any of you over anytime soon."

Alrik didn't say more than that, but the message was clear. If they weren't allowed to visit, and no invitation to visit would be extended, he was simply saying he had no wish to see any of them.

"Unfirtunately, Alrik, we do have unfinished business. I am officially naming you the heir for the Zerdon family and all assets under the Zerdon name."

"What!" "No!" "You can't do that!"