Quoted By:
"Yes. That is a wise approach. And it served as the backbone of the Exalted Hosts efficacy for virtually all its existence. Five specialist Exalts in a Circle or the "Sworn Brotherhoods" your dragon-blooded cousins so like are worth exponentially more than five Exalt generalists. Sadly you do not have the luxury of relying on others I'm afraid. You have precious few brothers and sisters, so Circles forming among them is a rare thing indeed. Thus I recommend you dip into a bit of everything so you become self-reliant."
"You said precious few. How many are we talking about exactly?"
"49."
"That's a bit sad, isn't it?"
"We work with what we have. Including you."
The demon's voice then fades back into the background and Jet fully returns his attention to reality. They've managed to finish clearing the road of refuse and they are ready to depart once more, with their prisoner in tow. Continuing their journey they went into a forest, just as the sun was about to set and they decided to make camp before it got too dark. They've erected a tent, made a fire and cooked some food. After everyone, but their captive whom they've tied to the trunk of a tree, ate, they've all withdrawn to their shared tent for the night. But once the girls were long asleep Jet quietly rose from his bedroll and went outside both to relieve himself and to take care of some business. A little while later he approached the bound and gagged bandit and slapped him awake. The man grunted and groaned at him even as Jet raised a finger to his own mouth and hushed him to silence.
"Be quiet or I'm killing you."
He whispered but the man kept struggling. Finally he had enough and the black circle opened on Jet's forehead, filling the area with a faint green luminescence and a darkness that made the night look bright in comparison. The brigand fell silent and stiff as a statue right away as he realized he was looking at an Anathema.
"Good. Here's what's going to happen. I'm going to cut you down and you'll start running towards the nearest town. You're going to tell them that I am coming, that they will kneel before me or be destroyed. I will take over the entire Scavenger Lands and nothing will stop me, not the Realm, not Lookshy, not the Confederation of Rivers. So run! Tell everyone!"
With a cut from a knife he looted off of his buddies Jet cuts the bandit leader free, who takes off whilst he's still gagged and his hands are still bound. He does not get far however as right after jumping over a shrub he flies high up into the air, as his leg got caught in a snare and the trap Jet set previously sprung. Casually the Fiend walked over and dropped the knife on the ground below the dangling man with a smirk.
"Well, it was a good effort."
He then left the man to his fate. Given how his heart must be racing right now, he'll suffocate pretty soon from hanging upside down and the blood rushing to his head.
"How did you know he was going to run that way?"
The demon asked, confused.
