Part 1

The early morning sun bathed the cobblestone streets in a soft golden hue, casting long shadows from the tall buildings that lined the marketplace. The vibrant sound of merchants calling out their wares, the clink of coins, and the hum of gossip filled the air, as the capital city of the Empire slowly stirred to life.

Maya Astraeus moved through the bustling marketplace, her arms wrapped in a simple, weathered coat as she wandered from stall to stall, browsing for necessities. Despite the chaos around her, the young woman's mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of her brother, Leonard, who had yet to wake from his mysterious slumber. She had taken to running errands for him, even as she felt a strange unease stirring deep within her.

As she passed a fruit vendor, the sweet scent of ripe apples and pears momentarily distracted her. She stopped to pick out a few, but it wasn't the produce that caught her attention—it was the hushed murmurs of the people around her. She couldn't help but overhear the low, hurried voices discussing a subject that made her heart skip.

"The cult of the evil gods... they say they've been seen in the southern districts again," a middle-aged man muttered, looking over his shoulder as if the very mention of it might summon something dangerous. "It's getting worse. That girl's curse... it's spreading." His voice dropped to a whisper, but Maya caught every word.

"Do you think the Holy Knights will step in this time?" another voice asked, sounding concerned. "They've been so quiet lately, haven't they? The Saint Order hasn't done much since that incident last month. What if the cult is rising again?"

A third voice, more skeptical, joined in. "You heard about that Saint Maria, haven't you? The one from the Holy Order. I heard she fought off a whole band of cultists, but even she's worried about what's coming. Something's stirring, I tell you."

Maya's curiosity piqued. The mention of Maria, a name she had heard many times in passing, made her pause. The rumors about Maria's bravery had been circulating for months, painting her as a knight of unmatched skill, a shining star in the Holy Order. Yet, for all the admiration people had for her, Maya couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this story—more that she didn't know.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the familiar sound of footsteps drew closer. She turned to see none other than Maria Saintword herself, walking with purpose through the market, her elegant armor gleaming in the sunlight. Maya had heard of the saintly knight—her fame had spread across the Empire like wildfire, but this was the first time she had ever seen the woman in person. Tall and striking, Maria exuded an air of confidence and calm, her rapier at her side and her revolver holstered in its ornate case.

Maya stood frozen for a moment, both awe-struck and unsure of how to approach. The stories of Maria were legendary. A knight who could defeat a horde of cultists with little more than her sword and her wits. But as the woman drew near, Maya's feet seemed to move on their own.

"Excuse me, Miss Maria?" Maya called out, her voice just above the noise of the market.

Maria paused, her piercing blue eyes locking with Maya's. A brief flicker of recognition passed across her face, though she didn't immediately speak. Instead, she offered a polite smile, though there was a certain weariness behind her gaze—one that Maya could easily pick up on.

"Yes?" Maria replied, her voice calm and composed, though with a hint of exhaustion. "How can I assist you, young lady?"

Maya hesitated for a moment, taken aback by the woman's directness and her calm aura, before gathering her thoughts. "I... I've heard a lot about you, Miss Maria. The Holy Knights speak highly of you," she said, her voice cautious but admiring.

Maria's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "I don't believe I've ever been called 'amazing' in such a direct manner," she said with a hint of amusement. "I'm just a knight doing my duty."

"Of course, but you've helped a lot of people," Maya pressed, her curiosity getting the better of her. "I've heard rumors... about the cult of the evil gods. They've been seen in the southern districts again, and... some people say it's connected to you."

Maria's expression tightened slightly, though her voice remained even. "Rumors have a way of growing larger than the truth," she said softly. "But yes, there are things stirring that even the Holy Order cannot ignore. The cults grow bolder, and we must be ready for what's to come."

Maya felt the weight of the words, the heaviness of something unsaid in the air between them. "Is it true, then? Is the Empire in danger?"

Maria glanced around, her eyes scanning the market as if assessing the situation. "The truth is not as simple as danger or safety. The cults are one thing... but there are far darker forces at play. Forces that even I, as a knight, cannot fully understand."

The way Maria said it made Maya's blood run cold. She had been hoping for answers, but now, she wasn't sure she was ready to hear what Maria was really implying.

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"I've heard talk of the Abyss," Maya whispered, unsure of herself. "Do you think it's connected?"

Maria's eyes darkened for just a fraction of a second, a rare slip in her otherwise composed demeanor. She then nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "The Abyss is not just a story. It is a real threat. And it is coming."

Before Maya could ask more, the knight turned, as though sensing something, and gave her a brief nod. "Be careful, young lady. There are things happening that you are not yet prepared for."

With that, Maria continued on her way, her figure soon disappearing into the crowd, leaving Maya standing there, her heart pounding in her chest. The weight of the conversation hung heavily on her shoulders, the uncertainty of what was to come sinking deep into her bones.

As the market continued around her, the whispers about the cults and the Abyss seemed louder, more real, and more urgent than before.

Part 2 Dinner

The evening air hung heavy with the scent of burning candles and the faint hum of distant chatter from the streets below. Leonard awoke with a groan, his limbs heavy as if weighed down by the very gravity of his thoughts. The light from the setting sun filtered through the cracked curtains, casting long shadows across his room. The oppressive silence of the old house had become a familiar companion, and tonight it felt even more suffocating.

He rubbed his eyes, wincing at the dull ache in his head, and sat up slowly. The room was a mess, the remnants of his earlier thoughts scattered across his desk in a haphazard pile of scribbled notes, broken ideas, and unanswered questions.

The sound of footsteps reached his ears—heavy, deliberate, yet somehow comforting. Maya.

"Leonard!" Her voice was bright, carrying a trace of her usual energy. "Dinner's ready. You've been sleeping all day again!"

Leonard sighed and stood up, his head still swimming. "I didn't mean to," he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his dark hair. "I'll be down in a minute."

He made his way down the creaky stairs, the old wood groaning under his feet as he went. The faint aroma of something savory drifted from the kitchen, and his stomach growled in response. As he entered the small dining room, Maya was already seated, poking at a plate of steaming stew with a fork. She glanced up with a playful grin as he sat down.

"Late as usual, huh? You're going to turn into a vampire if you keep this up." Maya's voice was light, teasing, but her eyes were full of concern.

Leonard smiled faintly. "I'll try to be more punctual next time." His stomach growled again, louder this time. "What's for dinner?"

She chuckled. "Same as always. A little stew with bread. But before you start eating, you've got to hear what I learned today at the market."

Leonard arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's that?"

Maya leaned in, lowering her voice dramatically, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I overheard some merchants gossiping. You know, the usual. They were talking about strange things happening in the southern districts. Something about people acting... odd. And they were all whispering about the 'evil god cult' or whatever they're calling it now."

Leonard's hand froze over his spoon. His heart gave an involuntary lurch, but he quickly masked his reaction. "Evil god cult?" he repeated, trying to sound uninterested. "That's just a silly rumor, right?"

Maya laughed, shaking her head. "That's what I thought. But these people—they were serious, Leonard. I mean, they really believed it. They said there was some powerful force behind it all. Dark stuff, you know?" She took a bite of her stew, the twinkle in her eye never fading. "It sounds like a bunch of weirdos to me. I don't get why anyone would fall for it. But you know, I believe in the God of Knowledge, not all these... mysterious cults."

Leonard fought the urge to flinch at the mention of the God of Knowledge. It wasn't that he didn't respect her faith—he just didn't understand how she could be so... unshaken by the things that had begun to unfold around them.

"The God of Knowledge," he muttered, trying to focus on his food. "I suppose it's a safer belief than worshipping dark, unseen forces."

"Exactly!" Maya said with a grin. "I think if people spent more time studying real knowledge instead of chasing after these ridiculous stories, the world would be a much saner place."

Leonard nodded, but inside, he felt a creeping unease. Maya didn't know, couldn't know, about the strange power he had started to feel. About the presence that watched him. About the cursed skill he was still trying to understand.

After finishing their meal, the two siblings sat in comfortable silence, though Leonard's mind churned with all the things Maya had shared. He had to admit, there was something unsettling about the rumors that now seemed to be spreading throughout the Empire. The connection to the Black Sigel—the mysterious, ancient power—could no longer be dismissed as mere superstition.

When they finally finished, Maya excused herself to study, leaving Leonard alone in the dimly lit room. He wasn't ready to sleep yet—not when the thoughts swirling in his mind felt more like a storm than a fleeting distraction.

His hand instinctively reached for the pendant around his neck, the cool metal pressing against his skin as he grasped it. He could feel the strange energy pulsing from it—just a faint hum, but there, nonetheless. He had been too afraid to try his skill again since the incident with the altar, but tonight, something felt different. His pulse quickened, and he closed his eyes, focusing on the sensation.

He tried once more to summon the power within him. He had no idea how it worked, but something about the pendant felt like a conduit—a connection to the strange force that had been awakened within him.

For a moment, nothing happened. But then, as his concentration deepened, he felt it. The skill, dormant and elusive until now, flickered to life. He could sense the flow of energy around him, shifting and moving in ways he couldn't yet understand.

A low, haunting whisper filled his mind, distant and cryptic. Come closer. It is time.

Leonard opened his eyes sharply, the air around him growing heavy. He could feel the presence in the room, that same dark force that had been there in the cave, that he had felt in the quiet moments after his strange awakening. It was drawing nearer, responding to his own growing power.

His heart pounded, but there was no turning back now. Something deep inside him urged him to continue—to explore, to test, to learn what this power truly was.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "What are you?" he whispered to the air, the words escaping before he could stop them.

The whispers ceased. The room was still, but Leonard knew. This was only the beginning.