Timeless Assassin

At the same time Dupravel was navigating the Frostburn labyrinth, Leo dedicated himself fully to training Chaosbringer night after night, drilling into him relentlessly the art of [Shapeshift].

"Focus on drawing water into your veins, then bind it with mana control," Leo instructed, as under his guidance, Chaosbringer proved to be a quick learner, absorbing lessons with remarkable speed.

To be fair, Leo did not train him in the complete form of [Shapeshift].

Unlike the way he and Veyr had been forced to master it, with them learning how to transform each body part into fifteen different forms, Chaosbringer was taught only one shape.

Leo stripped the technique down to its essence, teaching him nothing about elongating bones, contracting muscles, or twisting features into new configurations.

Instead, he focused solely on one transformation: the Twelfth Elder.

In that sense, Chaosbringer's training was less about mastering the full technique and more about perfect memorization, imprinting a single form onto his body and mind until he could replicate it perfectly.

And as a result of this simplified training, the results came swiftly.

In just fifteen days, Chaosbringer could alter his build to match the Elder's frame, adjusting height, weight, posture, and general proportions with uncanny accuracy.

The face, however, proved the most difficult.

It took him three more days of exhausting repetition before his features aligned flawlessly with the Elder's likeness.

While he needed another day to nail down hair color and vocal resonance, until finally, nineteen days after his training began, Chaosbringer stood before Leo as the perfect double of the Twelfth Elder.

"Great, with you mastering the transformation as the Twelfth Elder, my true plan can now finally begin!" Leo said while rubbing his palms, as he allowed himself a vengeful smile.

The time to bring the Twelfth Elder to justice was drawing near, and if everything went smoothly, by tomorrow afternoon, he would finally have his hands on that man.

—-----------

(Next day, The Twelfth Elder's POV)

The next day, the Twelfth Elder began his business on planet Vorthas just as usual, his routine unmarred by the slightest hint of suspicion.

A crowd of twenty thousand city officials had gathered for him at the City Plaza, where he was scheduled to make his first public speech of the day.

Beside him, was his favorite personal assistant Chaosbringer, who kept drowning him in compliments to keep his mood high.

"My Lord," Chaosbringer said, his voice just shy of reverence, "the venue is packed beyond capacity. Your influence draws more supporters with each passing day. Even the dissenters dare not lift their heads in your presence."

The Elder smirked, his robes sweeping across the marbled floor of his private residence as he made his way toward the awaiting convoy. "As they shouldn't. Dissension is nothing more than cowardice pretending to be courage. Still, their defiance makes for useful examples. If the masses see me speak while order is enforced, fear keeps the peace."

Chaosbringer chuckled softly, eyes lowered. "Truly, none hold the reins of fear as deftly as you, my Lord. The people need only one glimpse of you and they are reminded of their place."

The Elder absorbed the flattery like fine wine, allowing it to buoy his stride as his private guards flanked him.

They entered the armored shuttle, its security better than the one the Dragon's convoy received weeks prior, as he made his way towards the event venue.

*Woosh*

Minutes passed, and soon they arrived at the City Plaza, where a few enthusiastic citizens and press members greeted them just outside the venue.

*Click*

*Click*

The Elder stepped out with deliberate poise, the rhythmic clatter of his boots striking the polished steps that led into the City Plaza, as he presented a strong image for the cameras.

His guards fanned out instantly, forming an impenetrable wall between him and the gathered masses as he and Chaosbringer made their way inside.

"Remember, my Lord," Chaosbringer murmured as they ascended the final steps, "you need not convince them of your right to re-elect you. You need only remind them that it's their only option."

The Elder glanced at him briefly, faint approval in his gaze. "Wise words. Perhaps you are learning something useful by being with me after all."

The main hall of the Plaza stretched wide, crystal chandeliers glowing above rows of dignitaries and officers already seated.

A crimson carpet guided him forward toward the dais, though before he could mount it, a sudden jolt rippled through the air, as a clumsy servant, (Cervantez in disguise), stumbled forward with a silver tray, its contents spilling violently.

The Elder recoiled as a dark splash struck his robes, staining the pristine fabric.

His guards bristled, instantly forming a circle around him as the unfortunate servant was dragged away by two of them.

"My Lord, forgive me!" the servant cried before being silenced with a swift blow to the stomach.

The Elder's nostrils flared, rage tightening his expression, though Chaosbringer leaned closer, his tone low and soothing.

"My Lord, the washroom is just behind the vestibule. A quick change and you will stand before them as immaculate as ever. It will not delay the proceedings."

Grinding his teeth, the Elder conceded with a sharp nod. "Very well. These people can wait. Let them stew in anticipation."

With his guards holding position at the hall's entrance, the Elder strode with Chaosbringer toward the side passage, his stained robes swishing in irritation.

"No need to follow us, I'll help the lord from here…" Chaosbringer said once they arrived at the washroom, as he stopped the guards from following them in, and instead went in alone with the Elder.

"Come fast…." The Elder urged, as with him not protesting the decision, the guards chose to respect his space and did not follow them in.

Inside, polished marble floors reflected his image almost as well as the shiny mirrors, as the Twelfth Elder pulled at the clasps of his outer robe, and muttered under his breath.

"One incompetent servant, and I must waste time with this nonsense."

But just as he began ranting…. He suddenly felt a sting at the side of his neck.

*SPUCK*

A thin needle suddenly embedded his neck vein, so subtly that he almost mistook it for a trick of his imagination.

His hand shot up, but the poison had already entered his veins, a fast-acting paralysis that stole strength from his limbs before he could cry out.

'The hell?' he wondered, as he saw his own reflection blur from before him, as the room tilted, and his knees suddenly buckled out.

'What's happening here? Why is Chaosbringer not screaming for help already?' he wondered, as the last thing he saw before fainting was a movement on the polished floor—a shadow slipping from behind the partition with inhuman silence.

'I must stay awake…. I must fight' the Elder thought, but the strength to even speak a word eluded him, as he blacked out soon after.

It was Dupravel who had knocked him out, and once the job was done, it was Su Pei who swept in like a ghost and without a word raised the Twelfth Elder over his shoulder, before disappearing out of the bathroom window.

By the time the last shimmer of movement disappeared, the washroom door creaked, and Chaosbringer stepped forward.

Alone now, he stood before the mirror, his form already shifting into his practiced shape.

Muscles shrank, bones twisted, skin molded. The stained robe was shed and replaced with the robe Mu Fan had procured beforehand, as he changed into a fresh look for his public speech.

Within moments, the Twelfth Elder stood again—only this time it was Chaosbringer.

He practiced the Elder's sneer, curling his lip with disdain, then tested the voice with a low growl. "Let them stew in anticipation," he muttered, the mimicry flawless.

Satisfied, he adjusted the clasp of his robe, squared his shoulders, and stepped back toward the vestibule.

The guards outside straightened instantly as he emerged, none the wiser. "We proceed, My assistant is trying to clean the stain inside, no need to wait on him." Chaosbringer declared, his tone sharp and commanding.

And so the Elder returned to the Grand Forum, his presence unbroken in the eyes of his followers, while somewhere deep within the streets of Vorthas, the real Twelfth Elder was carried helplessly into the shadows, unaware that his reign within the Elders Council had already ended.