Concordia Hall, Elysvarre
Night After the Grand Assembly
The night breeze whispered softly through the marble corridors of Concordia Hall, a majestic edifice where the cries and hopes of entire nations converged with the resolute will of the magocrats in a symphony of silence. Yet tonight, that silence weighed heavily in the air like an inescapable death shroud, heralding a moment brimming with the profound significance of a soul destined to leave an indelible mark in memory.
Under the lofty glass ceiling adorned with the emblem of the old Pactum, Kaseo Vallaricus stood frozen in the now-empty hall. The candlelight set by the attendants had long since extinguished. The Grand Assembly was over.
Kaseo's face bore the tension of inner turmoil. He struggled to suppress the frustration gnawing at his chest, recalling Sheena's cynical smile as she rejected his proposal. Each heartbeat seemed to echo his failure, a burden on his shoulders, while a flicker of a rebellious spirit surged within the heart of the magocrat.
And his first act of betrayal had failed.
In the honor seat just vacated by Sheena and Fitran, shadows still loomed ominously. Their decision to reject Factum Ultima, proposed by Kaseo, represented not merely diplomatic opposition but a monumental betrayal that threatened to dismantle the intricate power structure he had meticulously built over centuries. This incident ignited tensions that reverberated through the very foundations of their political world, raising urgent concerns about the potential repercussions rippling through various strata of society.
"They rejected it. Even after I had woven every thread..."
The voice bore the weight of a fractured whisper rather than a complaint, filling the void between hope and the starkness of reality. Meanwhile, past memories flickered vividly in Kaseo's mind—every spell and ritual he had painstakingly learned, alongside all the sacrifices he had made to reach this precarious juncture. He felt as though each one of those sacrifices had become utterly meaningless in the face of betrayal by those who were meant to stand united with him, deepening the emotional burden that increasingly overwhelmed his spirit.
Days later, Kaseo stood in the underground ritual chamber of the old Caereth residence—a bloodline that, according to the genealogy, shared a similar gold curse with the Valtheris Elyndra line (Sheena's family). The room was thick with a heavy aura, as if waiting for someone capable of changing fate.
The eight main members of the Caereth family were bound by a potent circle of magic, their eyes closed in deep concentration. The Aether in the air was so thick it felt almost suffocating, challenging their ability to breathe. Kaseo gazed intently at their seemingly tranquil faces, yet he felt a profound wave of anxiety churning within him. Each family member embodied fragments of a complicated history—one filled with scars, aspirations, and invaluable lessons that could never be forgotten, creating an emotional tapestry in this precarious scenario.
"The curse possesses a rooted will. If I cannot extract it from Valtheris, then I must lift it from their distant relatives instead." Kaseo's voice resonated within the emptiness of the ritual room, echoing his conviction; yet deep within, he wrestled with doubts regarding the choices he had made. Was it morally right to shoulder the burden of another in a desperate bid to liberate himself?
All around them, the symbol of Transference Pactum radiated a bluish-green glow. The ancient glyphs containing the Proto-Speech language quivered: Kaseo felt his fingers tremble in sync with the glyph's movements, as if a powerful force was flowing between them. Each heartbeat intensified his desire to alter their fate.
"Velkhir Anath Etyrum," he shouted with a mix of hope and tension, feeling the weight of the choice he bore.
Kaseo took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts, yet his mind was filled with dangerous possibilities. He could not fathom the consequences of this ritual, but there was no turning back now; every decision made carried unforeseen risks.
Kaseo reached out his hand. The spell Dominatus Successionem was prepared to draw the golden curse from the blood of Caereth. A memory of his father surfaced, recounting the perils of wielding magic without profound understanding. With each movement, he sensed that he had to protect not only himself but also everyone involved in this ritual, especially the Caereth family, ensnared in their fate.
But once the spell was released—a fatal mistake was revealed.
It was not merely a curse that shifted; instead, a far more terrifying and unpredictable force surged forth, shaking the very foundation of Kaseo's hopes and meticulously laid plans to their core.
The bodies of the Caereth family exploded into aetheric gold dust, altering their lives and Kaseo's forever.
Not pure gold, but aetheric gold—the essence of the soul scorched by an insatiable resistance to magic that surpassed its own will. Amidst the swirling golden fragments, Kaseo felt his own soul tremble, as if linked to an unspoken void. The memory of Lady Caereth's loving gaze offered a fleeting reprieve from the guilt that weighed heavily upon his heart, yet within that guilt, the seduction of power unveiled the magnitude of his decision.
The last look from Lady Caereth, the elderly mother who once cradled Sheena as a baby, turned to Kaseo with eternal hatred before her body vanished.
All of Caereth perished in the unforeseen blaze, illustrating the tragic consequences of Kaseo's actions.
Not a curse that was transferred.
Kaseo had annihilated them all. The screams of souls trapped in aetheric gold echoed in his mind, as if cursing every step he took. In that chilling silence, Kaseo felt clashing waves of emotion: a union of loss and triumph tore through him from within.
Ironically, the curse of gold cannot be merely transferred; it is not simply a form of magic—rather, it represents a primordial will that submits only to the bloodline willing to endure the wounds of destiny, forging an unbreakable bond that reflects the tragic path Kaseo has chosen and brings profound ramifications for everyone entangled in this intricate cycle of fate.
Kaseo closed his eyes.
"I have failed... but this game is not over."
In the now silent basement, Kaseo lit four pitch-black candles. At the center of the new magic circle, there was no longer the emblem of Concordia or the old Pactum. This time, the glyph used was The Language of Denial, a forbidden script known only to those who have denied the will of the world.
With each candle that ignited, the tension within him surged. The scent of burnt wax filled his nostrils, mingling with the oppressive humidity in the air. Kaseo felt his heartbeat quicken, as if each pulse whispered his despair.
"Khar'el Vostrum Sal'naeth."
The incantation summoned not just a spirit.
He called upon Satan, a legendary figure filled with darkness yet simultaneously embodying a terrifying beauty. In an instant, Satan appeared before Kaseo, radiating a mystic aura that was difficult to comprehend, converging all hope and uncertainty at a single crossroads.
The air quivered. The candlelight extinguished one by one.
From the shadows emerged a tall silhouette—a woman, clad in a transparent black gown adorned with magical tendrils, her obsidian wings unfurled behind her, and two curved horns glimmering in dark blue.
Kaseo was momentarily stunned, captivated by the arrogance and allure of the figure before him. Every detail of her gown and wings resonated with ancient legends he had always avoided—a warning of the emptiness lurking beneath. In his heart, he wondered if he was truly ready to confront this entity.
Satan.
Mater Aeternum.
Queen of Denial, a legendary entity recognized for her fate and power that can alter the course of the world.
Her eyes were red like rubies trapped within magma.
"I hear you, Kaseo Vallaricus."
Kaseo knelt, his head bowed, yet turmoil raged within him. In this forced humility, he felt a struggle between despair and hope swelling in his chest. Was all this for something greater, or was he merely ensnared in a darker scheme?
"I have failed to lift the golden curse. Sheena Valtheris and Fitran Fate have rejected Factum. The Caereth family perished at my hands. Have I disappointed Your will, the Denying Queen?"
Satan moved slowly. Each step made no sound, yet the stone pillars around them quivered and cracked. In that silence, Kaseo felt a dark presence enveloping the room, like a shadow pressing down on his soul.
"You have not failed. You have merely shown that the old world can no longer be negotiated, and your presence is the first step to breaking these boundaries."
Satan lifted Kaseo's chin with a finger. Her gaze pierced through to Kaseo's soul, as if she could see all the doubts and sorrows weighing on his shoulders.
"The curse, Kaseo, is proof that free will is not a right bestowed upon all creatures. Sheena and Fitran have transcended the bounds of Pactum. They are moving towards absolute sovereignty—and that is the greatest sin in the eyes of the world."
Satan gazed deep into the darkness, as if sensing the vibrations of energy from the souls trapped in a state of wakefulness, reminding Kaseo of the lurking dangers. In his mind, the past and future collided; memories of long nights and betrayal warmed his heart, revealing that sovereignty was a treacherous potion to be approached with caution.
"I will destroy them myself, if You allow it," Kaseo said, his voice trembling between devotion and vengeance, as if he were ensnared in a profound emotional labyrinth. In his thoughts, images of what might transpire if he succeeded in liberating himself and others from the curse binding them together began to emerge.
As the words were uttered, the dim light in the room created an atmosphere of emptiness, and Kaseo felt a heavy burden on his shoulders. He reflected on all the sacrifices he had made to maintain the balance of the world. In his heart, he prayed for the strength to face the choices ahead; a part of him yearned to dream of victory, yet the smoldering fear of revenge split his thoughts.
A cold smile etched itself on Satan's face.
"Not at all."
"For now... be quiet. Two of my allies have already moved to unexpected places, sending waves of darkness towards our enemies." Kaseo sensed the tension between them, the intricate web of plans drawing closer, adding a sacred intensity to the impending battle.
Silence hung in the air as if time stood still for a moment. Satan felt the vibrations from both, a convergence of dark power strengthening his resolve. Each passing second filled his soul with pain and a burning desire for revenge that tickled his mind, waiting for the moment to explode.
From the darkness behind Satan, two figures slowly emerged:
"Beelzebub will take care of Fitran, draining his memories and will until he is of no value, transforming him entirely into a lie that can be manipulated."
"Asmodeus will approach Sheena. Not to kill her, but to plant doubt, a seed that can grow into chaos. If their will shatters, then a new Pactum can be proposed, opening the way for unexpected changes. This time, they will kneel not out of threat, but because of inevitable loss."
Kaseo clenched his fists. Sweat began to dampen his temples as memories flooded back—memories of witnessing the strength of darkness tearing apart bonds he once believed unbreakable. In his mind, a whisper infiltrated: "Will you let this happen once more?"
"How long must I remain silent?"
Satan drew closer, whispering like shadows encircling the soul. Her voice, soft yet pulsating with an otherworldly power, sent chills cascading down Kaseo's spine. "Silence is a formidable strength often overlooked, Kaseo. Within the stillness, you can hear the unspoken whispers of your heart; this moment is pivotal for meticulously planning your strategy and treading lightly because every movement is crucial in this complex game." Kaseo felt the weight of Satan's words, beginning to grasp the critical importance of foresight in confronting greater challenges with unwavering perseverance.
"As long as it takes. Remember, Kaseo: the strong are not those who strike first. The strong are those who endure long enough to rewrite the laws of reality."
Behind Satan, a spinning glyph formed the symbol Corona Terbalik—a mark of will that defies heaven and old laws. In that moment, Kaseo felt a strange pull within his soul, like a surge of energy calling him to action, yet he knew that patience was the sharper weapon.
"Do not strive to be a hero on a crumbling stage. Be the puppet master within its ruins."
Kaseo bowed his head deeply. As he pondered, the moonlight illuminated his face, which bore the marks of determination and confusion. In his heart, he felt an infinite tug between what he hoped for and the bitter reality he must confront.
"I will wait. Until their will fractures. Until their world yearns for the hand they once repudiated." Kaseo's voice rang out with fervor, yet a single tear of destiny trickled down his cheek. Memories of the past surged vividly within him, where hope and uncertainty intertwining in his soul formed old wounds that were daunting to heal.
In the distance, the drums of the night in Elysvarre began to beat, symbolizing the passage of time and the approaching responsibilities. Each beat resonated like the cheers and screams of souls trapped between worlds, reminding Kaseo of the heavy burden he was destined to bear as he faced his written fate.
Yet, deep within Concordia, the dawn of destruction had been sealed with blood and a will that denied light; Kaseo understood that this dire situation was not solely his burden to bear, but a looming threat that would envelop the entire world around him. He realized that time did not favor him, and every fleeting day would bring them closer to the precipice of ruin unless he took decisive action. Kaseo felt like an outsider, an observer witnessing the unvarnished truth concealed behind the veil of illusions crafted by those who remained inactive.
But deep within Concordia, the beginning of destruction had been signed with blood and a will that denied the light. Kaseo understood that time was not on his side, and with each passing day, they drew closer to the abyss of ruin if he did not act. His inner voice screamed, reminding him that every action taken carried consequences that would determine the fate of all involved.
As Satan vanished, Kaseo stood firm. Every muscle in his body vibrated with determination, reminding him that despite the overwhelming loss, hope always provided the strength to move forward. He was resolute in not letting it all be in vain.
Behind him, the stone wall cracked. From the crevices emerged small golden flowers—Lilium Pactum, the ancient emblem of a sacred but forgotten covenant. The flowers shimmered in the moonlight, signifying that hope still existed, even in the darkest of circumstances. Kaseo felt a strange power flowing from the flowers, as if they were a message from the past urging him to step further and discover his true path.
He picked the flower, holding it gently as he marveled at its beauty, which seemed to contradict the bleakness of his surroundings. In the silence, he whispered, "Courage must triumph over darkness." The flower had become a symbol of his hope, and Kaseo was determined to use its beauty as a reminder of his mission.
"An ancient curse will become a new crown, forging a better future. If not for Sheena, then for a greater world, full of potential and new hope." His voice resonated with resolve, and deep within, he knew he had to fight not only for himself but also for those who had no voice, transforming the curse into a strength for good.
"Let Fitran Fate and Sheena Valtheris enjoy their small victories, as if this were the end of the story." He smiled cynically, realizing that the victory they celebrated was merely a fleeting illusion. Kaseo felt his heart race, understanding that each step towards his path must begin immediately, before everything slipped away and became irretrievable.
"I will wait at the end of the game." His words resonated with power, solidifying his unyielding determination. He would be a player, not just a pawn in this intricate game.
In the distance, the voices of Beelzebub and Asmodeus echoed, signaling that the wheel of sin had begun to turn. Kaseo knew he did not have much time. Each passing second brought him closer to an inevitable fate, yet he prepared to face the challenge with unwavering courage.