"I found myself waking in a strange place, surrounded by an immense white void. There was no ground, no horizon, no ceiling; just an infinite space that seemed to close in, almost suffocating.
My body ached, and when I looked down at my arms, I saw multiple cuts still bleeding slowly. The injuries from my battle with the Deathweaver lingered, a haunting reminder of how close I’d come to the brink.
I tried to move, but each muscle protested in pain. My tunic was in tatters, barely covering me. There was a dull ache in my chest, but the uncertainty of where I was gnawed at me more.
A light descended from above. Its glow was soft, almost warm, yet disturbingly pure. The light shifted, forming into a child clad in white robes and a turban. I didn’t recognize the form, but I knew who it was. My exhausted body tensed involuntarily.
"Neutral God," I murmured.
The child gazed at me with a calm smile, as though my bewilderment amused him.
"Am I dead?" I asked, feeling a trace of fear creep in.
"No, Kaion," he replied in a gentle, almost playful tone. "This is merely a space between realms. You’re safe here, hidden from prying eyes."
I frowned, unsettled by his cryptic answer. If I wasn’t dead, then…what was this place? Before I could ask, a realization struck me.
"The treasure..." I muttered, a wave of worry flooding over me. "Did it destroy everything when it was released?"
The child let out a slight, mocking laugh.
"Destruction?" He looked at me quizzically. "Was that your wish before you lost consciousness?"
I shook my head, recalling the words I had spoken just before I’d blacked out.
"No… I only wanted to rest," I whispered.
The Neutral God gave me a warm smile and leaned forward slightly, murmuring, "Don’t worry. That treasure has a rather rebellious sense of nobility."
I studied him warily, uncertain of his words. Before I could press for more, his expression grew serious.
"Time is short, Kaion. Things will soon become more complicated. You must find the journal... and prepare yourself."
"Journal?" I repeated, confused. "What are you talking about? What do you want from me?"
Before I could demand answers, the Neutral God looked off into the distance, a bemused smile playing on his lips.
"You have visitors. Be kind and understanding with them."
The world began to crumble around me. The ground beneath me shattered into fragments, and without warning, the white void faded, giving way to a dark, damp cave.
I found myself lying near a fork in the path, propped against a cold rock. The faint glow of mana crystals lit the space, casting eerie, flickering shadows that seemed to dance around me.
Footsteps echoed from the main tunnel. Soft, rhythmic… familiar. I felt a knot form in my stomach as the steps drew closer. When the figure emerged from the darkness, I felt an immense wave of relief.
"Orphelia," I whispered to myself, recognizing her unmistakable silhouette.
Her presence filled the cavern with an almost otherworldly intensity. The mana crystals’ light caught her pale skin and her raven-black hair. Her crimson eyes glowed, radiating both beauty and danger. She wore a gothic attire that highlighted her lethal elegance.
She seemed to be searching for something or someone, her gaze sweeping through the cave with a mixture of restrained fury and worry. But when her eyes landed on me, her expression shifted.
"You…?" Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, and I could tell she hadn’t fully recognized me yet.
I tried to smile, though every part of me throbbed in pain.
"Hello," I replied, with more confidence than I felt.
In a flash, using supernatural speed, Orphelia was by my side. Her face, now inches from mine, showed concern—a rare sight in her. Her gaze took in my wounds, assessing each cut, her eyes darkening.
"How did you get these?" she asked, a mix of worry and latent anger in her tone.
I shrugged, trying to play it off.
"Just a setback. But I survived," I said, aiming for nonchalance.
Orphelia wasn’t convinced. Her cold, yet gentle hands traced my wounds with a delicate touch, contrasting with the intensity in her gaze.
"Who did this to you?" she pressed, her tone laced with a promise of vengeance.
A shiver ran down my spine, and I took a slow breath. I knew she wouldn’t let it go without an answer, but I didn’t want to worry her further.
"That doesn’t matter anymore. What matters is that I’m here, alive," I replied, meeting her gaze, trying to calm her.
She looked at me for a moment and then, without a word, pulled me into a gentle embrace. I could feel her cool skin against mine, her body tense with worry.
"I can’t stand seeing you like this..." she murmured, her voice breaking with an emotion she rarely showed. "I will destroy anything that dares to harm you."
The surprise left me speechless. I was about to say something when I heard footsteps echoing from another tunnel. Ever alert, Orphelia pulled back quickly, positioning herself between me and the source of the sound. Her once-soft hands transformed into dark claws, emanating an energy that made the air around us grow dense and cold.
"Stay behind me," she ordered, her tone commanding.
The footsteps grew closer, accompanied by a faint chiming, like bells. Before Orphelia could strike, a deep, resonant voice filled the cave.
"Stop playing games," the voice echoed off the stone walls. "Little one, it’s time to wake up."
The ground beneath me began to shatter once more. The tunnel fractured, and everything around me splintered like glass. Orphelia tried to grab me, but before her claws could reach, the world dissolved into nothingness.
I knew her name, and she had been with me, yet I still didn’t know who I truly was.
The bond between us continued to grow, though fate, for now, kept that secret guarded.
image [https://i.postimg.cc/J0jjvP6q/Whats-App-Image-2024-09-15-at-03-02-10-1.jpg]
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I jolted awake, gasping, back in the real world. The cave, the crystals, the voice, Orphelia... everything was gone.
A cold sensation seeped beneath my skin, chilling me to the bone. My muscles felt heavy as lead. The darkness was total, interrupted only by the faint glow of soul crystal lamps hanging in the corners of the room. It took me a moment to remember where I was. The bed was soft, comfortable, yet the sense of vulnerability weighed on me more than ever. The dream lingered, fresh in my mind, the voices of the cave still echoing in my ears—especially the Neutral God’s. His mention of a journal and the questions he left floating unsettled me. But there was something else... that mysterious voice that seemed to have awakened me just as the darkness had deepened. It felt oddly familiar, though I couldn’t place it.
I tried to move, but the pain was still sharp. Yet I realized the Deathweaver’s poison no longer flowed in my veins. My body was bandaged, and next to me were several delicate glass bottles filled with brews and ingredients I recognized instantly. My master alchemist, Halvor, had been tending to me. I allowed myself a brief smile, relieved to still be alive.
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With effort, I sat up in bed. Every movement hurt, but simply being alive was enough comfort for now. I was still in the same small, fragile body as always, a child barely six years old but appearing closer to eight due to my ancient race. I looked at my hands, small and delicate, with a mixture of frustration and resignation. In my previous life, I had been capable, strong, cunning. Here, I was a child... yet a child with a mind that had lived another life.
"So helpless..." I thought, clenching my fists in frustration. "This body is a burden. In a world like this, being weak is the same as being dead."
The feeling of uselessness washed over me, but I quickly pushed those thoughts aside. I couldn’t afford to lose control, not here, not now. I had learned that despair led only to ruin. In my past life, as a lawyer, I understood that things couldn’t be forced. Everything had to flow with patience and perseverance. True power, the kind I sought, didn’t come overnight.
I sighed, calming my thoughts. I couldn’t rush my growth, but I could make smarter choices. What happened in the cave had been a clear warning: I was far from invincible. I still had powers, yes, but I was weak compared to the monsters that inhabited this world. The "Treasure of the Abyss," that creature I’d sensed so close, could have torn me apart in a single blow if it had wanted to.
"I didn’t survive because I was strong," I murmured to myself. "I survived because my life was spared."
The harsh reality settled over me like a yoke. This world was not fair, and it never would be. If I were to survive, I would have to be cleverer than anyone who stood in my way. I couldn’t do it alone. Mages were formidable in the right situations, but they couldn’t fight everything and everywhere. I needed allies. People strong enough to offset my weaknesses, someone who could stand up for me when my own abilities weren’t enough.
Slowly, I rose from the bed, unsteady at first but managing to keep my balance. My footsteps echoed on the stone floor, cold and rough. The room, though comfortable, had a heavy atmosphere, filled with old books and alchemy jars that Halvor had left on the shelf. The air smelled of medicinal herbs and potions, a soothing mix that calmed the nerves but not the worries.
"I need a plan," I said aloud, though no one was listening. "I can’t just rely on luck. I need to build something... something bigger than myself."
As I was straightening up, the door opened with a faint creak. Halvor entered, his face tired but showing a flicker of relief when he saw me awake. His gray hair was as disheveled as ever, and in his hands, he carried more bottles, likely medicine.
"Finally awake, Kaion!" he exclaimed, striding towards me. "You shouldn’t be moving so much. You’ve been out for three whole days. Your body’s still recovering from the Deathweaver’s poison."
I tried to keep myself sitting up, but his severe tone made me relax, sinking back into the pillows.
"Three days…" I murmured. "I thought it was only one night."
Halvor sighed, placing the bottles on the bedside table with careful movements.
"Three long days. Your mother and sister have been worried sick. In fact, a letter just arrived from the upper floors. There’s an emergency in Erebos, and they’ll be here soon."
My eyes narrowed at that. Erebos was the capital city and home of the current King of the Abyss. That meant something serious was happening. Though my mother and sister belonged to a powerful caste on the lower floors, they rarely got involved in the daily affairs of the underworld. This was significant.
"Any idea what it’s about?" I asked, though I didn’t expect a clear answer.
Halvor shook his head.
"I only know what the letter said: an emergency. Your mother and sister will be here soon. In the meantime, you need rest. If they see I haven’t taken proper care of you, I’ll have no choice but to join the condemned in the Lost Caverns." He smiled, but there was genuine worry in his eyes.
I relaxed a little, though the weight of my thoughts didn’t lessen. Then, without even realizing it, I whispered her name.
"Orphelia..."
Halvor tensed immediately, his face showing a rare surprise. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, noticing that his reaction was more intense than I’d expected.
"What... what did you say?" he asked in a low, cautious tone.
I looked at him, trying to hide my confusion, but his expression said it all. He knew the name.
"Orphelia…" I repeated, feigning disinterest. "Does it sound familiar?"
Halvor was silent for a few seconds, weighing his words.
"They call her the Eternal Night," he finally said, his voice full of caution. "She’s a legend in the deep continent. A powerful vampire, a living myth. If you truly know her name…" His eyes narrowed, filled with mistrust. "You haven’t encountered just any creature, Kaion."
A chill ran through me, but I kept my calm. I couldn’t tell him about what I’d seen in the dream, or about the strange connection I felt towards her. There were things I still had to understand, and Halvor couldn’t know everything. Not yet.
"I just heard the name somewhere, nothing more," I lied smoothly.
Halvor studied me for a moment longer before nodding, seemingly accepting my response.
"In any case, you shouldn’t concern yourself with legends or ancient stories now. What you need is rest. When your mother and sister arrive, they’ll want to see you in good condition, or they’ll have my head for not taking proper care of you."
I allowed myself a faint smile. Halvor, as severe as he was, always worried more than he let on.
"All right, I’ll lie back," I agreed, though my mind continued processing every word, every detail.
I settled back into the bed, the weight of my thoughts much heavier than my physical exhaustion. There was so much to uncover and so many pieces that still didn’t fit. But for now, I had to wait… though the feeling that something big was about to happen didn’t leave me.
The sound of the door closing behind Halvor was the last thing I heard before darkness engulfed me once more.
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I couldn’t sleep. My mind was too busy, bouncing from thought to thought as if trying to solve an impossible puzzle. Vesper. His damn greed, that mad look he had given me, and above all, those words… "Old Enemy." What did it really mean? How could I be an enemy of someone I’d barely encountered in this life? And then there was the Treasure of the Abyss. I knew I had released it, but I had no idea where it was now or what it was doing. Perhaps it was causing chaos somewhere in Profundia. Maybe. The mere thought pressed uncomfortably against my chest.
But the dream... that damned dream about the journal the Neutral God mentioned… That kept turning over in my mind as well. A journal that contained the truth about something? About who I really am? I’d woken up before getting answers, and the lack of clarity was driving me mad.
And then there was Orphelia. Though I’d never met her, I felt a connection with her, strange and deep, as if our souls were somehow intertwined in an incomprehensible way. It was an unsettling feeling, but I couldn’t ignore it. How could I know someone I’d never seen? And why did that voice, the one that woke me, feel so familiar?
All this kept me awake. Every time I tried to close my eyes, another question rose, hitting me like an unstoppable wave of unease.
With a sigh, my eyes fell on one of the walls of my room. An involuntary smile played on my lips as I remembered the time I’d broken that wall while practicing my spells. Thalor had nearly killed me when he saw the hole, grumbling and muttering as he patched it up. Somehow, that memory managed to relax me a bit. There was something almost funny about how I’d gone from being the kid who broke walls to now facing villains and beasts.
I allowed myself to close my eyes again, hoping that sleep would finally come. But just as I began to drift into a light doze, a soft creak pulled me from the haze.
The door to my room opened, and I quickly turned, alert. Standing there were the two people I most wanted to see in the world.
Lysa and Aria, my mother and sister. My anchors. In seconds, they ran to me and wrapped me in a hug so tight I could barely breathe. I felt the dampness of their tears on my neck, and in that moment, all the weight I had been carrying melted away completely. Here, in their arms, I was safe. Everything else—Vesper, the Treasure of the Abyss, the unresolved mysteries—faded into insignificance.
"Kaion!" Aria sobbed, pressing her face into my shoulder.
Lysa hugged me too, but more reservedly, as usual. Still, I could feel the relief in her movements, in the way she held me as though afraid I might disappear again.
For those brief moments, the outside world ceased to exist. It was just me, home, with the two people I loved most in this cruel, unforgiving world. Everything seemed to be okay. But, as with all peaceful moments, it didn’t last long.
A sharp sting in my cheek and a tug on my ear brought me back to reality. Both of them were pinching me, scolding me as they did.
"Reckless!" Lysa growled, pulling my ear hard. "What were you thinking?"
"You nearly scared us to death!" Aria added, yanking the other ear. "Do you not understand the meaning of ‘protect your life’?"
I rubbed my cheek and ears, giving them a resigned smile. I knew I deserved it. My actions had been reckless, and though I had saved Isolte and Marek, I’d ended up captured due to my own carelessness. The last thing I wanted was to worry them, but I couldn’t help it. That’s just who I was.
"I’m sorry," I whispered. "I was an idiot, I know. But I couldn’t just let them die..."
Both of them looked at me sternly, but after a few moments, their expressions softened. They knew I acted from the heart, and although my decisions were sometimes dangerous, I always tried to do what was right.
"We understand," Lysa finally said with a small smile. "Still, what you did was heroic, son. You saved your friends, and that’s worthy of a Graves."
"We’re proud of you," added Aria, gently patting my head. "But please, next time, think before you leap."
I smiled warmly and hugged them both again. Feeling their warmth, their presence, was a balm for my spirit. I knew the world outside remained dangerous, but here, with them, everything felt a little easier to handle.
"You should eat something and rest," Lysa said, gently breaking the embrace. "Eolka and Eldric will come tomorrow. They, like us, will want to hear what happened in the cave. But don’t worry, they won’t force you."
I nodded, grateful for her consideration. I knew I’d have to recount what had happened, but I wasn’t ready to relive it just yet. Too many pieces were still jumbled in my mind.
"I’ll tell them everything tomorrow," I said firmly. "I’ll explain what I can remember."
Lysa motioned to Aria to go get some food.
"I’ll be right back," my sister said, rising quickly. "Don’t take too long, Mom. Kaion needs to rest."
Once Aria left, the atmosphere in the room changed. Lysa, standing beside the bed, looked at me strangely, a mix of concern and something else… something I couldn’t immediately identify. She sat on the edge of the bed and observed me intently, causing a knot to form in my stomach.
"Kaion," she said softly, her tone colder than usual. "Was Vesper in the cave?"
Her question caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected her to mention him so soon. But I answered without hesitation.
"Yes. He was responsible for everything."
Lysa closed her eyes for a moment, as if processing the information. Then, swallowing hard, she spoke again, her tone now icy.
"Who killed him?"
I froze. Dead? Vesper was dead? I didn’t remember that. My mind flashed back to when I’d collapsed, but I hadn’t seen his end. The air in the room grew thick, and the weight of my mother’s words settled over me like a slab of stone.
The discomfort between us grew. I didn’t have the answer, and I wasn’t sure I wanted it.
Silence stretched out like a shadow, as Lysa’s question hung in the air."