The words escaped Desmond instinctively, before he truly realized to whom he was speaking. The moment recognition dawned, his entire body tensed. He turned sharply, ready to kneel and address the ruler of the Everstrife Empyrean World as protocol demanded.
Yet before he could lower his head, a soft radiance washed over him—a current of tranquil energy that stilled his mind and calmed his heart.
Cain smiled as he watched The Flow reach into the man's spirit and ease the tension from his soul.
"It's been a long time, Desmond." His voice carried warmth, not authority.
The one before him was none other than Desmond Zanguinis, the first Deus Behemoth Cain had ever met. They had crossed paths hundreds of years ago, at a royal banquet held by the Crown Prince of the Godslayer Human Empire, back when both men were still in the world of Aether.
The Zanguinis family had been instrumental in helping Cain navigate the treacherous landscape of the Deus Behemoth Empire in those early days.
