The criminal underworld was a mysterious and elusive entity, shrouded in secrecy and hidden from prying eyes. It was unclear whether it was a single, monolithic organization or a vast network of vice and malice, like a cesspool of venomous snakes ready to lash out and bite any unsuspecting hand. Eden had managed to gather some information when he was sent to converse with Marconni, but it seemed that Marconni was just a slaver, a cog in a much larger machine.
Slavery had been abolished long ago for all races due to its inhumane and barbaric nature, but the demand for slaves has caused the entire outfit to go underground, away from the public eye. To the masses, this illegitimate enterprise has been done away with, but it still existed. And they knew this but chose to ignore it, making believe otherwise.
Ignorance.
Well, who could blame them?
The demand for slaves, particularly those of demihuman and elven lineage, had seen a surge in recent times. This was due to the diversity of these two species being found in almost every environment, with elves being the most diverse and populous beings scattered across the planet, and demihumans following closely behind in terms of this adaptability. Both species originated from the world tree, but for some reason had a long-standing feud.
The kidnapping and sale of citizens from Ekron, harpies, centaurs, and at least a couple of members of other races present in the province had made it clear that these slaves were not being bought simply to be used as cheap labor. There was something else at play, something sinister and calculated. The true nature of the criminal underworld remained a mystery, but one thing was certain: it was a complex and multifaceted entity that seemed to be pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
A group of Moonshades, members of the Moonshadow, had been sent to investigate under Sharone's orders, but they had disappeared without a trace. Before they vanished, however, they had managed to provide some information about the true nature of this criminal underworld. It seemed that the organization was highly structured, with different factions and cells working together to achieve their goals.
The darkness of the underworld seemed to be spreading, its tendrils reaching into the very fabric of society. It was unclear what the ultimate goal of the organization was, but one thing was certain: it was gaining more power.
The last report the Moonshades sent described them as a labyrinthine realm, hidden from the prying eyes of the innocent. This was a Tenebrous Dominion, a vast and intricate network of crime syndicates, secret societies, and shadowy organizations. At its helm stood the Khaos Nocturni, a mysterious and feared group of five Kings who ruled with an iron fist.
The Khaos Nocturni were the embodiment of malice and vice, their names reflecting the malevolence they represented. There was TheKing of Heresy, who defied the conventions of society and pushed the boundaries of morality with their unorthodox actions.
The King of Depravity, who wallowed in the depths of decadence and corruption, reveling in the excesses of the flesh.
The King of Cruelty, who delighted in the suffering of others with a heart blacker than coal.
The King of Treachery, a master of deception and betrayal, whose words were as trustworthy as a snake's promise. And lastly;
The King of Blasphemy, who mocked the sacred and defiled the holy, an existence a blight on the world.
These five Kings were the apex predators of the criminal underworld, their power and influence stretching far and wide across five continents. It was believed that they were unable to touch the contents of Seirodragan and Saifelle due to them being inhabited by Celestial beings, Fay, and Dragons, but who was to say how deep their influence really went?
What was known was that there was a single king on the continents of Ezkanur, Apollonia, The Savage Lands, and Heliopolis, although that didn't add up as that would leave one king and one continent.
Such was the information about the Khaos Nocturni. It just didn't add up. For instance, it wasn't known which king was on which continent and where or if they even resided on the planet and not some other dimension only they could access.
There was so much that wasn't known.
What Moonshadow did know was that they were the ones who pulled the strings, manipulating events from behind the scenes to suit their own agendas. Their rule was absolute, their authority unquestioned, having influence over entire nations. Those who dared to challenge them were dealt with swiftly and mercilessly; their screams would remain unheard as they disappeared through unexplainable circumstances.
The criminal underworld itself was a complex and dynamic entity, comprising various factions and organizations that operated under the umbrella of the Khaos Nocturni's rule. There were the mercenary groups, like the one Ricci Moor and Courier belonged to, who offered their military services to the highest bidder. The assassin guilds, like the one the One Jatarra used grew up in before coming to Archadia and participating in the Dio'ri belonged to, who took on contracts for those willing to pay the price. The crime families, like the Qinettw families who controlled the flow of illicit goods and services. And the smuggling rings, like the Smuggler's Guild and the Black Market Consortium, who moved contraband and information across borders.
These factions operated with a degree of autonomy, but ultimately, they were all beholden to the Khaos Nocturni. The Kings set the rules, mediated disputes, and enforced loyalty, maintaining a fragile balance of power within the Dominion. They were the guarantors of stability in a side of the world where chaos reigned supreme.
The Khaos Nocturni's history was shrouded in mystery, their origins lost to the sands of time. Some said they were ancient beings of unknown origin who were born for the sole purpose of spreading malice and malevolence. Others claimed they were a long line of mortals who would take on the mantle of king once the previous one had died. One thing was certain, however: they had ruled the dark side of the world for centuries, their grip on power unyielding.
The Kings' existence was a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few. Their faces were hidden behind masks and shadows, their voices whispered in hushed tones. Even the select few were unsure if they saw the true kings themselves or simply a puppet with the puppeteer being hidden from view.
Few people sought to uncover their true identities for one purpose or another, from seeking revenge for the death of a loved one or seeking to take their position of power, even up to those who were simply curious about who they really were and why they did what they did. Regardless of reason, those who put their noses where they shouldn't have were often silenced, with their bodies found sometimes years later in absurdly impossible states, if they were ever found at all.
Despite the fear and respect they inspired, the Khaos Nocturni were not infallible. Rumors of internal power struggles and conflicts circulated among the whispers of the criminal underworld.
Well, it was to be expected; there could only be one true ruler in the dark. And whether they existed or were yet to make an appearance out of the five was yet to be known.
Regardless, the Khaos Nocturni watched from behind the scenes, their eyes fixed on the world above. They were the puppeteers, and the strings they pulled controlled the very dynamic of the world order. Those who dared to challenge their authority would be crushed, their screams echoing through the shadows.