At the highest level of the Celestial Palace, an unsettling stillness pervaded the air. Amidst this silence, a masked figure stood, clutching a curiously shaped stone that emanated an eerie purple glow.
The room, unmistakably a study, was filled with shelves of ancient tomes and artifacts. A damp musky odor was present throughout the room. Strange symbols and runes adorned the walls, their meanings lost to time. A solitary window behind the masked figure struggled to illuminate the space, its light dimmed by the overpowering radiance of the stone. The sunlight cast long shadows across the floor, competing with the violet glow.
The stone looked jagged and unpolished, yet felt surprisingly smooth, with a mosaic of swirling lines and runic symbols etched into its surface. The dim light reflected as a glimmer. It felt unnervingly cold against his palm, as if it had absorbed the chill of countless forgotten winters, each line etched into its surface pulsing with a life of its own.
A man in a military lieutenant's uniform stood at attention, addressing the masked figure. "Our projections indicate that we can only safely transport 30 Lithos from the Reverie to Earth before the world barrier begins to deteriorate," he reported. "This is after accounting for the strain on the barrier while transferring the three individuals below."
The masked figure, known as Kaiser, responded with calm assurance, "Do not worry about the absence of Lithos. Should any of them make it through the Wastelands and reach Nyxium, we will bring forth a treasure even greater than Lithos to Earth. Of course, we will repay your government for all the help it has provided as per our deal."
The Lieutenant, his voice tinged with uncertainty, asked, "My Lord, what will be the fate of the participants once they arrive in Reverie?"
Kaiser's eyes, devoid of remorse, gleamed with chilling determination. "Reverie is a harsh world. If it doesn't break them, I have other plans in motion. Once they reach Reverie, their usefulness to us is at an end. They must perish."
Lieutenant Dan, despite his stoic exterior, felt a surge of irritation and dread every time he met those cold eyes. He couldn't fathom why he was forced to serve this man, nor could he comprehend the extent of his power. Each encounter left him with an unspoken terror that slithered along his spine, soaking his back with cold perspiration.
"Any updates from the other sectors?" Kaiser’s voice cut through the silence, cold and sharp like the edge of a blade slicing through still air.
The chamber was dimly lit, the only light emanating from the flickering embers in the hearth. The scent of burning cedarwood, mingled with a faint hint of iron, filled the room, grounding Kaiser in the present even as his mind danced with the shadows of the past.
Lieutenant Dan snapped to attention. The faint rustle of the lieutenant's uniform echoed in the vast chamber, a sound so small yet sharp, like the crack of ice splitting beneath unseen weight. "Lord Denver has confirmed that the US branch will supply us with Lithos, provided we meet their price."
Kaiser’s lips curled into a bitter smile, the sound of the lieutenant’s report fading into the background as the weight of old betrayals settled on him. ‘Denver... you're still a youngster who thinks they're cunning, yet you do not see how the other lords are using you,’ he mused silently, the acrid taste of resentment sharp on his tongue. ‘They sent me to Earth under the guise of honor, shackling me with the celestial palace—a gilded cage meant to weigh me down.’ The memory of their whispers, their plans to paint him as a failure and positioning Denver to take his place on the Council of the Transcendent was not hidden from his eyes.
The crackling of the fire punctuated his thoughts, each pop a reminder of the night he had been summoned by the former King. The old monarch’s voice, raspy and weak, still haunted him. "You've served my family well throughout the years..." The scent of the King’s dying breath, sour and metallic, lingered in his nostrils as vividly as it had on that fateful night, "Alas, even in death's door I can't help but ask something of you. Protect my son and my family."
Kaiser’s gaze drifted to the Darkmore crest hanging on the wall, its shadow stretching long and ominous in the dim light. The air in the room was heavy, thick with the scent of ancient stone and the lingering echoes of the King’s final plea. ‘These fools have no idea what’s truly at stake,’ he thought, his jaw tightening as the fire’s warmth failed to chase away the chill of injustice that gnawed at his core. ‘They use the young King as a pawn, blind to the old King’s secret deal with Coeus. They’re too busy carving out their own fiefdoms to see the storm brewing on the horizon.’
The soft rustle of fabric drew his attention back to the lieutenant, who stood waiting, his breath shallow and tense. Kaiser could hear it, the subtle hitch in the man’s breathing, the barely contained fear beneath his stoic exterior. It was a sound Kaiser had grown accustomed to—the sound of loyalty tainted by uncertainty.
“I’ll handle Denver,” Kaiser said, his voice as steely as his resolve. “Begin the procedure to transport the three below. At least one must survive the wastelands and enter Reverie—it’s our only hope.”
As Lieutenant Dan bowed and turned to leave, Kaiser’s gaze hardened. “Wait.” The single word hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications.
The lieutenant paused, his boots scuffing lightly against the cold stone floor. The room seemed to contract around them, the silence pressing in from all sides, broken only by the distant howl of the wind outside. Kaiser’s eyes narrowed, the weight of his next words settling in his chest like a leaden weight.
A faint, otherworldly hum filled the room as a purple sphere of light appeared on Kaiser’s forehead, its glow casting eerie, shifting shadows across the walls. The air around them grew thick, saturated with the scent of ozone and the sharp tang of magic. Kaiser’s breath hitched, the strain of summoning such power evident in the tight lines of his face.
“When you encounter the trio,” Kaiser instructed, his voice low and resonant, “gaze at each one for five seconds without blinking. It will increase their chances of survival in the wastelands.”
The Lithos in his hand pulsed briefly before disintegrating into fine dust, the particles swirling in the air before settling onto the stone floor with a faint, almost imperceptible hiss. The smell of crushed stone mingled with the lingering scent of cedar, grounding him even as his aura extended outward, wrapping around the lieutenant like an invisible shroud.
Lieutenant Dan nodded, the sound of his heartbeat nearly audible in the stillness as he responded, “As you command, Lord Kaiser.”
Kaiser watched as the lieutenant departed, the door closing with a soft thud that echoed through the chamber. The room seemed to exhale in his absence, the oppressive silence returning like a living thing.
Kaiser allowed himself a long, weary sigh, the taste of ashes lingering on his tongue. ‘This technique is dangerous,’ he thought, his fingers curling into fists. ‘My aura will linger within them for weeks... but it’s a risk I have to take.’ The scent of burning wood filled his lungs as he offered a silent prayer to King Echidnaeus, the sovereign he revered above all. Even now, the thought of his aura being misused gnawed at him, the potential consequences looming large like shadows in the flickering firelight.
Yet, as he contemplated the plan, a sense of grim satisfaction settled over him. The fire crackled softly, its warmth a stark contrast to the cold resolve that had taken root in his heart. ‘Failure is not an option,’ he mused, ‘I have to believe I’ve made the right choice. For House Darkmore, for Divinora Nyxium... for our world.’
The fire hissed as a log shifted, sending a shower of sparks into the air. Kaiser watched them dance briefly before fading into darkness, his thoughts already turning to the trials that lay ahead.
“Reverie...” Kaiser murmured, his eyes dark with resolve. ‘A man does not mourn the loss of termites crushed beneath his feet to save his home. And here I am, doing everything to ensure these termites survive... May the fates be kind, oh winners of the trial...’
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
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Exiting Kaiser's room, Lieutenant Dan let out a long, trembling breath, his back slick with cold sweat, his legs quaking beneath him.
He fumbled for his wallet, retrieving a worn photograph of a little girl, her smile a beacon of innocence and joy. He stared at it, his heart aching with a longing he couldn't voice. "Every time I face that monster, I need to see your face to stay calm," he whispered, his voice cracking. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "It's been six months since they sent Daddy here, and they won't let him come home. You must have grown so much. Maybe you keep asking Mommy where I am," he murmured, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips.
He imagined his daughter, full of boundless energy during the day, only remembering to ask about him as she settled down for the night. The thought made his tears flow freely, yet the smile never left his face. "Remember when you were scared of the monsters in the closet? And Daddy chased them away? Now Daddy has to work for a monster, and Daddy's scared too...but your smile is what calms daddy down...thank you..." His voice broke as he sank against the wall, sobbing quietly. "I'll be back soon..." he vowed, wiping his tears with the back of his hand.
He stood up, shoulders squared, and put on the invisible mask he wore every day – stern, sharp, and commanding. The mask was a necessity, a facade of strength he had to maintain. As he walked down the corridor, he couldn't shake the fear gnawing at his insides. The world outside was changing, becoming colder, more hostile, and he felt trapped in this place, unable to protect those he loved or himself from the horrors around him. The global recession, these random 'Lords' popping out of nowhere with powers akin to magic, those purple stones,...he knew something big was going on...and the tides were changing.
Each step echoed his unspoken fears. He hadn't joined the military to watch humans die, to sacrifice his own race for someone like Kaiser. He wanted to save lives, fight for his people, not fight against them!
However, he knew the world wasn't this simple. Although the details of his mission were not known to him, he knew he had to trust his country's judgement, if he wanted to see his family prosper. The weight of his duty bore down on him, but he couldn't show it. The facade was all that kept him going, all that kept the despair at bay.
Lieutenant Dan was a man torn between duty and humanity, strength and fear, hope and hopelessness. He kept moving forward, even as the world shifted beneath his feet, his heart anchored to the image of his daughter's smile, a flicker of light in the encroaching darkness of the corridors of this ancient and secretive palace.
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Guided by Dr. Young, the group of six individuals made their way into the Celestial research facility. As they approached the main gate, Lorian couldn't help but notice several people in military attire.
"Don't worry, our research here is funded by both the government and the military. This laboratory is, after all, owned by the military," Dr. Young explained, trying to ease any concerns.
Lorian couldn't help but joke to himself, 'This story went from horror to sci-fi faster than a rocket ship.'
As they passed through the towering front gates making their way to the doors within, their eyes were met with the splendor of the celestial palace. The sight was otherworldly, truly magnificent in every sense.
"Look where our tax money ended up," joked Neal as they walked into the building.
"This rundown palace must have been built with your great grandfather's taxes," chimed in Calista with a teasing tone.
A few military personnel swung open the doors of the celestial palace as Lorian and the group approached.
"Lieutenant Dan, it's good to see you," greeted Dr. Young upon spotting the leading military man. The lieutenant responded to the greeting with a brief nod.
Lieutenant Dan looked at Lorian and the rest with a cordial smile as he asked, "Gentlemen and ladies, I presume you are the victors. May I inquire as to your esteemed names?"
As the winners disclosed their identities to Lieutenant Dan, he attentively regarded each of their faces, establishing unwavering eye contact. His aura had transformed in some subtle way, as if his departure from the masked man's room had altered something deep inside him.
'His gaze upon me sends shivers down my spine' Lorian thought as he introduced himself to the lieutenant 'he has the gaze I have when I'm staring at ice-cream' He mused.
Upon the completion of the introductions, Lieutenant Dan's demeanor abruptly shifted to one of gravitas. "We shall reconvene upon the acquisition of the necessary data," he ordered. "Dr. Young, time is of the essence."
"Of course, sir," replied Dr. Young with a salute.
Lieutenant Dan addressed the participants, urging them to follow Dr. Young's instructions and refrain from touching anything inside the Palace. He also reminded them that his team would be closely monitoring them as per protocol once they entered the Palace-turned-Laboratory.
The participants nodded in agreement and proceeded into the building.
Lieutenant Dan watched as the participants moved forward, feeling a deep sense of unease welling up inside him. "What just happened?" he wondered to himself, remembering the recent moment of losing his cool.
For a moment it felt as though his mind wasn't his own. As a man with a family, Dan harbored a profound regret regarding his chosen profession and current location, a place where the paranormal seemed like the norm.
Yet, he had faith in his country. Even though he did not understand what was going on, he understood that this mission served a larger purpose, one that was ultimately beneficial.
'I just need to have faith and do my job,...' he rationalized with himself, suppressing his anxieties. 'let's just hope I will keep my sanity by the time I return home' he said to himself as he walked at a measured pace, joining Lorian and the group indoors.
As the group stepped inside the palace, their minds were consumed with one thought: "How is this not considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World?" Frozen in place, they were awestruck by the stunning beauty that surrounded them.
The intricate architecture and design of the palace were sights to behold. The walls were adorned with shimmering jewels and gold accents, and every corner held some new marvel. Calista's eyes widened as she twirled around, taking in the grandeur with an excited gasp. "This place is like something out of a fairy tale!"
Ares, always the pragmatist, let a rare smile touch his lips. "It's a lot fancier than the places I'm used to, that's for sure."
Neal, his shyness momentarily forgotten, nodded enthusiastically. "I've never seen anything like it. It's... it's incredible." He looked at Calista walking place to place excitedly, a small smile forming on his lips. His tongue slowly circled around his lips unconsciously.
"She's adventurous," Ares teased as he approached Neal.
"She's reckless," Neal whispered in a rather serious tone, his eyes darkening for a fleeting moment. However, he quickly smiled. "I mean, s-she doesn't even know where she wants to go,...she doesn't plan at all..." he stuttered, the earlier edge in his voice almost undetectable.
Ares broke into a chuckle. "How mature of you," he added.
Lorian couldn't help but feel a mix of amazement and a bit of dejection as he looked at the palace's interior. 'I wonder how many other cool places the military hides from us normal people, well at least I got to see this one! I got to take a pic at least hehe' He thought as he sleekly pulled his phone out.
He turned on his phone, which had been shut down during the trial earlier, eager to capture the moment. Keeping in mind Miss Sharon’s warning about not using his phone for about 30 minutes he hadn't touched it until now. He slowly pulled his phone out from his pocket, and started taking pictures using the volume buttons while hiding his phone. 'It's common knowledge that the military doesn't allow photographs at their areas of control' Lorian thought to himself.
He wasn't the only one who had this idea, as Calista, who had always wanted to travel and see the world, had promptly opened her camera app ready to take a picture. Unlike Lorian, she didn't even attempt to hide her phone.
'Huh?' Lorian was surprised as nobody stopped her attempts.
Seeing nobody stopping Calista, the rest joined in at clicking pictures as well, with the exception of Nelson. Even Ares pulled out his old keypad phone to take a few pictures.
Lorian sighed, pulling out his phone as well. "Weird," he muttered, glancing around. 'I can't wait to show these pictures to mom. Oh wait, I should call the hospital and check on her,' He thought. Searching for a signal, he noticed with frustration that there was none. 'Naturally,' he thought, 'How could there be any network in this isolated place?'
As he prepared to put his phone away however, he noticed a message at the bottom of the screen:
"No sim card inserted."
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As the data collection in the New Horizon's research labs came to an end, Arnold walked out while mumbling to himself, "Miss Sharon...why'd you leave so quickly??" His back hunched as he walked, "I couldn't even get your number." As he looked towards the clean white floor, he remembered Miss Sharon's face, 'She seemed so sad... I wonder what happened'
He straightened his back and scanned the room for familiar faces. 'Where did the winners go? Where's brosky?' he wondered, 'Did they leave already?'
He pocketed his reward with satisfaction. 'At last, some extra cash,' he thought to himself, 'I should message Lorian brosky and give him a piece of my mind for leaving without saying goodbye.'
He unlocked his phone and composed a text message:
"Hey brosky, where did you disappear to? Left without saying goodbye?"
After some contemplation, he decided to express his frustration by adding two angry emojis.
"Hey Arnold, don't you want to celebrate and go party after this is all over?" As he typed in the message, the hooded guy, Ester approached him from behind "I know a great spot nearby; do you want to join me? Let's invite the winners too, they made more money than us. We'll make them give us a treat." He chuckled at his own suggestion.
Arnold sent a message, "Brosky, if you're free, some friends and I are going out to party. I'll text you the location, please join us. And if you're with any of the other winners, bring them along too."
Shortly after, a reply came from Lorian’s number,
"Our data collection ended quick so I left for home immediately.
Send me the location. I'll be coming with three other winners that I know of."