It happened so fast that Areis didn't even notice the third party until their blade had already pierced his chest.
He looked down at the dark blade sticking out of him. Its surface was black as night. A grievous expression crossed his face.
He recognized it.
The Cursed Blade—Muramasa. An Artifact ranked among the highest of Weapon-Type Artifacts. It carried one of the deadliest Legends. A blade that never failed to kill. Even a scratch meant certain death.
"Bwack!" Areis coughed up blood and struggled to breathe.
"Z… Zera?" He knew that voice. He knew the one who wielded the cursed blade.
Zera—the ruler of a once-small nation that rose to rival the Six Great Kingdoms. Her rise had forced an alliance that had never happened before in the history of the continent.
Areis had many enemies. They spread beyond the borders of the Continent. It made sense that people wanted him dead. But what he never expected… was betrayal.
Cough. Cough. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked, turning his head.
She met his gaze with crimson eyes that burned with pure sadism. Her body was sleek and slender. Her blood-red hair flowed like silk.
"Why…?"
Zera giggled and curled her lips into a cruel grin. Both her hands clutched the hilt of the Muramasa.
Areis stared at her in disbelief. He coughed again and fell to one knee. His scythe slipped from his grip and hit the ground with a dull clang.
Felgrand laughed in triumph. "I warned you not to underestimate me. I said I'd take everything you hold dear."
Aeris didn't reply. He didn't even look at Felgrand.
His eyes stayed on the woman standing beside him - Zera Darkblood, one of his Four Baneful Generals and his most trusted ally.
Zera smirked. Her eyes held no regret, only cold satisfaction.
"Consider this my resignation," she said with a low whisper.
She drew her sword again.
Aeris dropped to his knees. He felt his strength leave his body in one quick wave. His fingers trembled. His heart raced, but his limbs felt heavy.
He tried to activate his healing spell. Nothing happened.
His tongue clicked in frustration. His vision began to blur. The chaotic energy that always surrounded him was completely gone.
Zera looked down at Aeris. "Your healing spell won't work," she said. "Not against my Muramasa." She giggled.
"... "
He finally understood. Zera, the woman he trusted more than anyone, was never truly his. He looked up at her. "Was everything a lie?" he asked. "You were the first person to take join my cause in bringing Azmith together. You stood by my side when I challenged the tribal chiefs. And you were there during all of our important battles. Was it all an act?"
Zera didn't answer. She kicked him to the ground and stomped on him.
Felgrand pointed his blade at Aeris and smirked. "How the mighty have fallen," he said. "What was it you used to say? Ah… yes. 'Rejoice… for I am not going to kill you.'"
He squatted in front of the broken Aeris and whispered, "Death is an easy punishment for someone like you. You have made far too many enemies, Aeris. And I'm not just talking about the Great Nations. A mutual friend wants to see you suffer a fate worse than death."
He leaned closer.
"You'll live the rest of your existence in the Void."
Fear - It was something that didn't show even when Zera betrayed him. But now… it was there. Clear on his face.
It made sense. The Void was a place even divine beings feared. No escape. No death. Just endless silence.
Felgrand stood and turned toward the ruins of the Once-elegant castle. "Don't worry, 'll take good care of your home, and I'll keep your throne warm... Not that you'll ever see it again. But I do fancy the idea of you rotting away for eternity knowing that the Nation you built will have a new king."
Felgrand raised his hand and began to chant.
"Oh great descendants of Null, the Primordial of Nothingness… grant me a fraction of your power. Give my enemy a fate so cruel that even death would turn away…"
The sky turned black. His eyes darkened. A glowing line split open in the sky. The rift widened, revealing an endless darkness.
Aeris stared into it. This was going to be his prison.
Then, suddenly, he laughed. The sound echoed across the battlefield.
"Felgrand!" he shouted. "I must admit that you've bested me now, but don't you think this is over. I will come back, I'll claw my way out of any prison. I'll break through any realm. No matter how long it takes... And then, I'll make you regret not taking my life!"
Aeris then turns his gaze to Zera. "And you… you treacherous manipulative bitch. I'll tear your body apart limb by limb. And when I'm done, I'll follow your soul to the deepest parts of the underworld and torment you for eternity."
The rift pulled him upward, lifting his body into the sky.
"Keep my throne warm for me while I take my nap... But best be sure that when I am back... You are ready to repent."
The rift snapped shut and Aeris was gone.
Felgrand sighed before turning his gaze to the throne which did not have a single dent. He walked toward it. His dream was now reality. He had finally avenged his master and in doing so has achieved the impossible - He had bested the most powerful Sovereign. And now, Aeris's throne is his for the taken.
However, Felgrand couldn't help but shake off a nasty feeling in his chest.
'What will happen if Aeris does return?'
He shook the thought away.
It didn't matter.
Felgrand sat on the throne and took a deep breath. It felt right. It felt earned.
"I am the Supreme Sovereign now. Phase one is done. Now," He turned to Zera. "We can proceed with the next phase."