The chamber was dimly lit, the air thick with anticipation. Ethiron stood beside Velvet, her gaze steady yet filled with an unspoken gravity.
"This is your first trial," Ethiron began, her voice resonant. "To proceed, you must confront your past."
As his words settled, the environment around them began to shift. The walls of the chamber dissolved into a cascade of colors, reforming into a vivid landscape.
The scene unfolded to reveal the Lullaby Isles bathed in the soft glow of dawn. Gentle waves caressed the shores, and a dense forest stretched beyond the coastline, its canopy whispering secrets to those who would listen.
In a secluded part of the village stood a modest dwelling, its walls adorned with intricate carvings that spoke of old magic and traditions. Inside, young Velvet sat by a large window, their deep blue eyes reflecting both curiosity and confinement.
Fortuna, Velvet's aunt on their father's side, entered the room carrying a tray with breakfast. Her bluish-white hair was neatly tied back, and her emerald robes flowed gracefully as she moved.
"Good morning, my dear," Fortuna greeted, placing the tray on a small table. "I brought your favorite—honeyed bread and berry tea."
Velvet offered a small smile but remained silent, their gaze fixed on the world beyond the window.
Ethiron, observing the scene from the present, leaned closer to Velvet. "Is this how you remember it?" she inquired softly.
Velvet nodded, their voice tinged with nostalgia. "Yes. Aunt Fortuna always tried to make things better."
The past Velvet turned to Fortuna, their youthful voice breaking the silence. "Auntie, why must I stay here all the time? Why can't I play with the other children?"
Fortuna's expression softened, a hint of sorrow flickering in her eyes. "It's for your safety, Velvet. You are... special. The village elders believe it's best this way."
"Special how?" Velvet pressed, frustration evident in their tone.
Fortuna hesitated, then sighed. "In time, all will be revealed. Trust me, my dear."
Present-day Velvet clenched their fists, whispering, "I never understood why they kept me isolated."
Ethiron placed her hand on their shoulder. "Protection is just a prettier word for possession."
The scene shifted to a moonlit night. Young Velvet sat alone in the "Royal Room," surrounded by toys that offered little comfort. The muffled sounds of village life reached their ears, a stark reminder of the world they were kept from.
Determination flashed across Velvet's face. They approached the window, unlatched it silently, and slipped into the cool embrace of the night.
Navigating through the shadows, Velvet made their way to the forest's edge. The canopy loomed overhead, both inviting and foreboding.
"This was the first time I defied their rules," Velvet murmured, watching their younger self disappear into the woods.
Ethiron observed intently. "An act of defiance, eh? Truly impressive that mere mortal hands can reach into the bottomless pit of betrayal."
Deeper into the forest, Velvet stumbled upon a clearing illuminated by fireflies. They giggled, reaching out as the tiny lights danced around them.
Without realizing it, Velvet began to hum a melody, and to their astonishment, more fireflies appeared, swirling in harmony with their tune.
"I thought they were fairies," Velvet recalled with a soft chuckle. "I didn't know then that I had an affinity for spirits."
Ethiron's eyes gleamed with interest. "A rare gift, indeed."
Days turned into weeks, and Velvet's nocturnal escapades became frequent. They explored hidden nooks of the village, played pranks, and reveled in the freedom they carved for themselves.
One evening, while sneaking through the village center, Velvet noticed unfamiliar men distributing supplies to the elves. Their curiosity piqued, they hid behind a barrel, eavesdropping.
A tall, black-haired man stood conversing with Fortuna. His presence was commanding, and Fortuna's demeanor was uncharacteristically tender.
"Who is he?" Velvet whispered, a pang of jealousy stirring within.
The man spoke, his voice deep and melodic. "Fortuna, is the child safe?"
Fortuna nodded. "Yes, Morian. They remain in the Royal Room, as instructed."
Velvet's eyes narrowed. "Morian," they repeated, the name searing into their memory.
Morian continued, "And the seal? Is it secure?"
Fortuna's expression darkened. "Hidden deep within the forest. Only a select few know its location."
Present-day Velvet's breath hitched. "The seal... I remember now."
Ethiron's gaze sharpened. "This knowledge was kept from many. Yet, you stumbled upon it."
Determined to uncover the truth, young Velvet ventured into the forest the following night. Trusting their "fairies" to guide them, they followed the ethereal lights deeper than ever before.
After what felt like hours, they arrived at a clearing dominated by two massive metal doors standing solitarily.
"This must be the seal," Velvet whispered, awe-struck.
Satisfied with their discovery, they turned to leave, only to come face-to-face with Morian.
Morian's eyes widened in shock, then filled with tears. "Velvet... you're here."
Morian lowered himself to one knee, hands outstretched in a gesture not of command, but of sorrow. "I had only wanted to protect you," he murmured, his voice trembling beneath the weight of years left unsaid. "Not like this… not in solitude."
Young Velvet blinked at him, confused. "You cried," they said, voice brittle with suspicion and wonder. "Why?"
"Because I missed you," he answered without hesitation, "And because I was a coward who left the hard choices to others."
"From this day on, Morian and I would meet more frequently, often away from the eyes of the village." Velvet commented.
"And what happened when she found out?" Ethiron asked.
"She accepted the outcome..." Velvet responded.
The scene shifted to an unknown point in the future
One afternoon, the three walked the forest trail together. The sun bathed them in honey-gold, and young Velvet danced between shafts of light like a will-o'-wisp come alive.
"I can summon them whenever I want," they said proudly, and with a snap of their fingers, a halo of lesser spirits bloomed around them, trailing wisps of pale fire and wind.
Fortuna stopped in her tracks. "What…?"
Morian was stunned to silence, and for a long breath, neither adult moved.
"Fairies," Velvet explained with a grin. "They like me."
"Spirits," Morian corrected softly. "Lesser spirits, perhaps… but unbound. Responding willingly. Do you understand what this means, Fortuna?"
She did not respond immediately, but her posture stiffened. Her eyes glittered. "It signifies a blessing from the Song—could this be a regalia of some kind?."
"You two are like my parents," Velvet said suddenly, eyes innocent and glowing with joy. "You two are always talking and watching me and worrying. Just like a real family."
Fortuna flushed, caught off guard, and Morian chuckled under his breath.
"Auntie," Velvet continued, tugging on Fortuna's sleeve. "Can I still see Morian?"
There was a pause, one thick with invisible weights, and then Fortuna knelt before Velvet, brushing their hair back.
"If you promise not to go into the forest without telling me," she said, "then yes. You may see him."
"I promise!"
The memory stilled for a moment—and then cracked. The air turned frigid.
It began with footsteps.
The forest darkened unnaturally as a figure cloaked in gold and white, his hair the color of sun-bleached wheat, stepped into their path. Eyes like molten amber settled on them with sovereign calm.
"I see," he said, voice smooth as glass. "So the child walks freely."
"Drallus Ehr," Morian hissed, stepping forward. "You were not supposed to come here. This was not our agreement."
Drallus tilted his head. "Agreements bind men, not The God Chosen Emperor."
"You could've waited. You could've spoken with the clergy at the Church."
"And let your leashmen dilute the message?" Drallus countered. "No, Morian. I came to see it myself. The Seal of the Isles, and the woman who guards it."
Fortuna stepped in front of Velvet, arms spread wide. "You're not laying a single finger on them."
"Oh?" Drallus arched a brow—and then another figure emerged from the woods. Shrouded in dark shadow and wearing a black coat, his eyes glowed with a light not wholly of this world.
"The First Prophet," Morian said coldly.
The Prophet smiled—a narrow thing, no teeth. "The forest calls, and the seal sings," he said. "And I have come to listen."
"You killed my brother," Fortuna snarled.
With a wave of her hand, a flurry of glacial spears erupted from the earth and sped toward him. But before they could strike, the Prophet raised one languid finger—and the spears melted into harmless snow.
Fortuna screamed and called down a mountain of ice from above, crushing both men under its weight.
For a breath, the forest went quiet.
But then—
Shards exploded outward as if from within, and Drallus stepped out unscathed. The Prophet followed, brushing frost from his coat.
"Enough!" Morian roared. "Fortuna—take Velvet and run. Run and don't look back."
Fortuna hesitated, gaze flitting to Morian.
"You swore you'd protect her!" he barked. "Now go!"
With trembling hands, Fortuna grabbed Velvet and fled. Behind them, Morian reached into his robe and pulled forth a small box—a relic etched with runes. He looked to the sky and whispered something Velvet couldn't hear.
Then he opened the box and pressed it against his chest.
"What is that?" Drallus asked
"A remnant of my power... something my former vessel left behind when I descended." The Prophet responded "The Essence of The Dead Queen".
A howl ripped through the trees as Morian's body convulsed, threads of black essence coiling around him, fangs sprouting from his maw. The Essence of The Dead Queen was reborn, and Morian, once a man of ideals, surrendered to its ruinous power.
"Oh well, Drallus. I have no use for you—nor your Central Authority." The First Prophet said.
"Huh!? You were the one who dragged us out here?" Drallus responded.
"As I said, I simply have no use for you."
Drallus Ehr, filled with unbridled rage at such a dismissive remark—especially one directed at the Emperor of the Central Authority—unsheathed his sword. In less than a picosecond, he cut the First Prophet down into nothing.
"How do you like that, you ungrateful brat?"
Drallus turned to Morian, glaring. "Now then... time to deal with you—"
Suddenly, the First Prophet slammed Drallus Ehr into the ground, standing with one foot on his head.
"What the—how the hell did you survive?"
"Drallus Ehr was never on this island. He's in his office, drinking tea," the First Prophet replied calmly.
"Hey, now hold o—" Drallus started, before vanishing beneath the Prophet's boot—leaving no trace behind. It was as if Drallus had never arrived on the island at all.
The First Prophet dusted off his coat and turned to Morian.
"Now then... shall we continue?"
Fortuna raced through the trees, holding Velvet close, breath ragged. They burst into a clearing where a young man with gold tattoos awaited—Arcei.
"Fortuna—what happened?"
"No time! Morian is—he's holding them off. We must get Velvet away!"
"I thought you said the island was dormant!"
"It was supposed to be! The seal—!"
But then Arcei went pale. A scent lingered in the air—cinders and ash.
"No…" he whispered. "Not here. Not now."
Behind them, a black-robed man emerged from the fog. Arcei summoned a blade of wind, but the man held up his hand.
"I'm one of Morian's Fingers," he said quickly. "You must leave. Now."
"The Black Wolf is real?" Arcei demanded. "That's impossible. It can't be controlled!"
The Finger nodded grimly. "They've brought The Central Authority. The First Prophet. Drallus. And yes—the Black Wolf."
A scream pierced the woods. A tongue of flame slashed across the Finger's side—and before Arcei could react, a massive lupine figure made of shadow and embers appeared, licking the man with a hellflame that consumed his body in seconds.
"NO!"
Arcei tried to drag Velvet away, but a whip of shadow entangled his leg. He fell—and in a desperate move, he severed the limb with wind, cauterizing it with fire.
But the damage was done. Flames licked up his back.
"I'm done for," he gasped, shoving Velvet toward a field of white flowers. "Run—! Run now!"
Velvet hesitated only a second before obeying. The forest blurred around them. As they ran, spirits—once their companions—appeared once more. Velvet, placing their full faith in the spirits, followed them through the forest and arrived before the seal.
"I dont remember any of this... Why do i not remember!" Velvet screamed.
"Well my dear, we are about to find out" Ethiron said with a gleeful smile on her face.
The seal awaited them—unchanged and colossal.
Standing before it was the First Prophet, arms raised as if in welcome.
"Good child," he said. "Thank you for returning."
Velvet backed away. "I didn't mean to—"
"You were always meant to. I've controlled the spirits from the moment you first made contact—right up until now." the Prophet said calmly. "And now… open the door."
"I can't."
"You can," he said, stepping forward. "You possess the Shard of Brilliant Light. Only a being of such power can restore what I once was."
"Shard of Brilliant Light?" Velvet asked.
"A piece of Luminous himself," Ethiron replied. "However, it seems his deduction may be wrong. I don't sense his presence within you."
"I promised Fortuna I'd never—"
"I will raze the Isles to nothingness if you don't," he said flatly. "And your precious aunt and Morian will die regardless. Or… you could open the seal, and we will leave. Forever."
Velvet reached for the door. A glowing mark on their palm pulsed—proof of the key. But then…
A blizzard erupted from the east.
Fortuna arrived, wielding every ounce of her power.
"You will not take them!"
They clashed. Ice against resonance. The Prophet fell—again and again—and every time, he rose.
Morian followed, eyes empty, The Dead Queen inside him snarling with bloodlust.
"It's me," Fortuna whispered, backing toward Velvet. "It's us. Please fight it."
But the Prophet smirked—and flicked his fingers.
For a moment, Morian's eyes clouded.
He turned—and plunged his blade into Fortuna's chest.
"No," Velvet whispered. "No, please—no—"
Morian blinked. "What…? What have I done—?"
Fortuna crumpled. Blood soaked the earth.
"I love you," she whispered.
"It wasn't your fault... Your mind was clouded, but through my cause, your souls will be reunited," the First Prophet said calmly as he approached Morian.
"Now then, child, would you kindly open the seal?" the Prophet asked, raising his hand toward Velvet.
Velvet stared at the First Prophet, unable to process what had just transpired. Minutes of dead silence followed before Velvet finally responded.
"Die. Die. Die. Die. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!" Velvet screamed, unleashing a storm of lightning in every direction, striking the First Prophet down repeatedly. Yet, with each death, the Prophet rose again.
"You are a kind child. Please, open the seal," he said.
"You do not understand the gravity of the situation," he continued.
"I will bring back your family in my new world," he promised.
But each time, he died—only to rise once more.
"It seems that further action proves meaningless. I shall take my leave for now," the First Prophet said, walking over to Morian, who remained on his knees, stunned and filled with shock.
"Your new name is now Vaun'Zareth, the Apprentice of Pride," the First Prophet declared.
"Vaun'Zareth... Vaun'Zareth... Vaun'Zareth... Vaun'Zareth... Vaun'Zareth... Vaun'Zareth... Vaun'Zareth... Vaun'Zareth... Vaun'Zareth... Vaun'Zareth... Yes... Yes... Yes... Yes... Yes... Yes... Yes... Yes... YES!" Morian responded, his voice becoming a chant as he was transported away by the First Prophet.
Lightning tore from Velvet's body, arcing into the sky. Thunder split the heavens. Spirits howled in terror. Velvet's fury manifested in uncontrollable electrical surges, frying the entire island. The Isles burned with light as Velvet's magic lashed in every direction, a furious storm that raged uncontrollably.
Eventually, Velvet was encased in a shell of lightning, their body slowly falling into a deep slumber. Their age froze, time slowing to a halt.
"Ah, what tremendous power you possess. You pass the trial," Ethiron observed.