As Shadow stepped into the strategy room, the weight of the cooking ingredients in his hands served as a stark reminder of the mundane tasks that punctuated their lives amidst the chaos of the underworld. With a sigh, he set the ingredients aside, calling out for Nova, expecting to hear the familiar sound of his brother's footsteps echoing through the hidden chambers beneath their home.

But there was no response. No sign of Nova's presence in the dimly lit room, no trace of his mischievous grin or the sound of his playful banter. Instead, there was only silence - an ominous stillness that hung heavily in the air, sending a shiver down Shadow's spine.

Before he could react, a sudden movement caught his eye - the glint of steel in the darkness as an unseen assailant lunged at him from the shadows. Reacting on instinct, Shadow seized the attacker's wrist, his muscles tensing as he pushed them back against the desk with a forceful shove.

"Haha! You're still not quite there, little brother," Shadow chuckled, his voice tinged with amusement as he looked down at the would-be assailant. "You'll have to train harder if you ever hope to catch me."

Nova's face emerged from the darkness, his features a mix of frustration and determination as he struggled against Shadow's grip. "Just you wait," he growled through gritted teeth. "One day, I'll surpass you, and then you'll see."

With a smirk, Shadow released his brother, the tension between them dissipating as quickly as it had arisen. "We'll see about that," he replied, his tone teasing yet affectionate as he tousled Nova's hair. "But for now, did you bring what I asked for?"

Nova nodded, gesturing towards the pile of vegetables on the table with a grin. "Of course," he said proudly. "Only the finest quality, just like you requested. Looks like we're in for a feast tonight."

Shadow chuckled, his eyes alight with anticipation as he surveyed the bounty before them. "Indeed," he agreed, his voice filled with excitement. "Tonight, we celebrate our success."

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As Nova settled into his chair near the workshop, a sudden tension hung in the air, casting a pall over the room. Sensing his brother's unease, Shadow's gaze softened, his expression one of concern as he reached for the book with the golden crest.

"Did you succeed?" Nova asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper as he examined the book in Shadow's hands.

Shadow nodded, a sense of pride swelling within him as he handed the book to his brother. "Take a look for yourself," he said, his voice filled with quiet reverence. "It's all there, just like you asked."

As Nova carefully examined the book, he realized it was not just any ordinary tome; it was a piece of history, a window into the past that held the secrets of the empire's tumultuous beginnings. With a sense of reverence, he began to flip through the pages, his eyes scanning the faded text as he delved deeper into the annals of time.

The book chronicled the rise of Emperor Vixor, a figure shrouded in myth and legend, whose iron will and indomitable spirit had shaped the destiny of the human kingdoms. It spoke of a time long ago when the lands were torn asunder by war and strife, and the fate of nations hung in the balance.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

In the early days of Vixor's reign, the human kingdoms had been fragmented and divided, each vying for power and dominance in a world fraught with uncertainty. But Vixor was a visionary, a leader who saw beyond the petty squabbles of his peers and sought to unite the disparate kingdoms under his banner.

With cunning and guile, he forged alliances and brokered deals, slowly but surely expanding his influence and consolidating his power. But his greatest challenge lay ahead - the conquest of the rival kingdoms that stood in his way.

The book detailed the bloody conflicts that ensued as Vixor's armies clashed with those of his enemies on the fields of battle. It spoke of heroic deeds and tragic sacrifices, of victories won and losses suffered, as the fate of the human kingdoms hung in the balance.

But through it all, Vixor remained steadfast in his resolve, his iron grip tightening around the throats of his foes as he pressed ever onwards towards his ultimate goal - the unification of the human kingdoms under his rule.

As Nova read on, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for the man whose deeds had shaped the course of history. For Vixor was not just a conqueror but a mage of unparalleled skill and power, a figure of mythic proportions whose very name struck fear into the hearts of his enemies.

Lost in his reverie, Nova barely noticed as Shadow entered the room, his attention consumed by the ancient tome in his hands. But as Shadow's voice pierced the silence, breaking the spell that had held him captive, Nova's reverie was shattered, and he turned to his brother with a frown.

"What?" Nova asked, his tone tinged with annoyance as he tore his gaze away from the book. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

But Shadow paid no heed to Nova's irritation, his eyes fixed on the book in his brother's hands with a calculating gleam. "How much do you think we can sell that for?" he asked, his voice low and measured.

Nova's brow furrowed in confusion, his mind still filled with visions of Emperor Vixor and his magical exploits. "Sell it?" he echoed, his voice tinged with disbelief. "But this is a piece of history, Shadow. It's priceless."

But Shadow's expression remained unchanged, his gaze cold and calculating as he regarded his brother. "Everything has a price, Nova," he replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "Even history."

For a moment, Nova hesitated, torn between his admiration for Emperor Vixor and his loyalty to his brother. But in the end, the lure of profit proved too great, and with a resigned sigh, he nodded in acquiescence.

"Fine," he conceded, reluctantly handing the book over to Shadow. "But promise me you'll find it a worthy buyer. Someone who will appreciate its true value."

Shadow offered his brother a wry smile, his fingers tracing the embossed crest on the book's cover with a sense of satisfaction. "Don't worry, Nova," he assured him. "I always do."

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Meanwhile, in the dimly lit depths of the underground, amidst the echoing chambers of a hidden facility, a scene of brutality unfolded. A figure stood atop another, their faces obscured by shadows as they engaged in a deadly confrontation. The voice of the one pinned beneath rang out in defiance, a last act of resistance before the inevitable.

"How dare you, human! Who do you think you are?" the trapped individual cried out, their words dripping with anger and desperation.

But the figure above them showed no mercy, their actions swift and merciless as they brought their heel crashing down upon the skull of their victim. Blood spattered across the stone floor, staining the earth crimson as life fled from the fallen.

With a cold and calculated demeanor, the killer surveyed the aftermath of their actions, their golden eyes gleaming in the dim light of the underground. Amidst the carnage, they paused, their gaze drifting downwards to where the blood pooled around their feet.

"I think I'll need new shoes," they remarked casually, a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of their lips. With a nonchalant shrug, they resumed their journey, striding purposefully through the labyrinthine passages of the underground.

But then, as if struck by a sudden realization, the killer came to an abrupt halt, their smirk growing wider as they considered their next move. "Hmm, someone worthy found it," they mused aloud, their voice tinged with anticipation. "Let's see how far you'll go, child. I'll be watching."