Part 1: "The Ancient Lord"
Long ago, in an age swallowed by time—before wars, before dark pacts—there was a home shrouded in shadow. In that place, fear and love were tightly woven, wrapping our mother, the purest woman of the Western lands, in a life of suffering she still called home.
Narrator (Varek):The last of us three—Sariel—was our mother's most beloved. His name, chosen with devotion, meant Commandment of God. Our mother, strong and resolute, always defended our existence against a father who saw us only as tools for his dark ambitions.
But even the strongest will has its limits. Over time, sadness consumed her. And when her final moment came, she left us with one last promise, whispered as she kissed our foreheads:"Varek, don't let anything happen to them."
That night, as her breath faded into eternal sleep, our curse began.
Father:"Humans are nothing more than food for the dead. You—my sons—are gifts for my plans."
His words were cold, stripped of any love. Under his rule, we grew up surrounded by lies, secrets, and invisible chains. He kept us hidden—or rather imprisoned—in a cave, far from the outside world, promising that one day we would receive our gifts.
"Do not set foot outside without my permission," he commanded, teaching us that humans were weak, fickle, and easy to manipulate. Their thirst for power, he said, was their downfall. And we, his sons, were destined to rise above it.
Then came his commandment—words that sealed our fate:
Father:"To my children... creatures of the abyss, destined to walk the mortal world with exceptional gifts:"
To Sariel:"To you, the youngest, I grant the vow of spirituality—between the living and the dead. You will transcend the need for a physical body. Your essence will be eternal. You will hear others' thoughts and manipulate them from the shadows—a gift worthy of reverence."
To Sanathiel:"To you, the middle one, I entrust the Moonstone. An object from my ancient world that will allow you to heal any wound and rule over all who share your blood. You will be the master of beasts."
To me, Varek:"To you, firstborn, I give the gift of immortality. You shall be the balance between your brothers, the sun of truth, and my heir. But this honor comes at a cost: you must sacrifice one of them. Sacrifice is nature's order. Choose wisely who will fall first."
His words were a sentence. That day, as he looked at us with twisted pride, I knew I could not fulfill his demands. Our mother's promise echoed in my mind: "Protect your brothers, no matter what."
So I ran.
With Sariel and Sanathiel at my side, I fled the cave and our father, searching for a place where we could be free. Yet even as we ran, the shadows of his words followed us like an echo—reminding us that the past always finds a way back.
Varek, reflecting on Sariel:Sweet, delicate Sariel… his innocence masked something I couldn't understand. In his wide, teary eyes there was both sweetness and something else, something darker.
"Brother," Sariel asked, voice trembling, "will we live here forever? When will father come?"He sighed deeply, searching for an answer to ease the boy's fears. Then added, in a whisper,"When will we go home?"
I gently wiped the child's tears, the weight of his questions piercing my chest like thorns."I promised we'd live in a better place—far from the abyss. Don't cry, Sariel."I tried to smile, but my words were soaked in sorrow.
"Did father stop loving us? Did he leave us?" Sariel asked, uncertainty in his eyes.
His questions cut deep. I couldn't lie, but I also lacked the strength to tell the truth. Instead, I embraced him tightly, hoping that simple act would shield him from what awaited us.
"We're family. No matter what," I said firmly, though my fears whispered a different truth.
We arrived at an abandoned cabin, far from our father and his dark commands. There, we tried to build a new life—at least the illusion of one. The nearby villagers were kind, bringing fruit, clean clothes, and teaching us how to hunt and read. But peace never lasts.
One night, while gathering firewood, I heard soft footsteps behind me. I turned quickly—and there stood Sanathiel, his eyes glowing beneath the moonlight.
"Sanathiel? Brother, how did you get back so fast?"
I approached him, brushing dirt off his vest. That's when I noticed something odd: his pockets were full of white fur. In his hands, he clutched a dead rabbit. Fresh blood stained his fingers, and when I checked his mouth—I saw sharp fangs, capable of tearing through any prey.
"Don't ever disappear without telling me first," I warned, my voice firm but worried. I knew something in Sanathiel was changing—something I couldn't yet comprehend.
He said nothing. He just looked at me with those intense, almost feral eyes… and then turned away, walking toward the cabin as if nothing had happened.