The capital was burning—though not with fire.
A dark miasma writhed over the skies above Pritampur Palace, and from its center, cries echoed—demonic, beastly, human. The once-golden spires pulsed with a crimson glow as spatial cracks spread through the royal treasury like a diseased web.
Guards fled. Formation masters chanted desperately to contain the breach, but the seal had already shattered.
Within the treasury chamber, ancient relics floated midair, drawn into a swirling vortex. Among them was a skeletal hand—wrapped in chains of divine jade—that now twitched with unholy hunger.
Above, hidden in a distortion barrier, Priyanshu and Mistress Shaya stood, watching.
"You weren't kidding," Shaya said, whistling softly. "Something or someone ancient just woke up."
Priyanshu's eyes gleamed. "This isn't a mere accident. Someone cracked open the royal seal to let it loose."
He focused.
[System Insight Activated]
Entity Identified: Soul Fragment of Emperor Grahn—First Tyrant of Calamity.
Power Level: Dormant—Sealed by Three Heavenly Lords.
Status: Hunger Level – Critical. Currently absorbing remnants of immortal relics.
Threat to Host: Moderate to High.
Suggested Action: Subdue or Hijack Awakening Process.
"Perfect," Priyanshu muttered. "A calamity... ripe for leash."
Shaya gave him a sidelong glance. "You're thinking of binding that thing?"
"I'm thinking of feeding it just enough to recognize me as its savior. A starving beast always bows to the hand that feeds it."
[New Quest: Chain the Forgotten Emperor]
Objective: Interrupt the full awakening. Bind the tyrant's soul into a cursed contract.
Reward:– 400 Karma Points (Evil)– Unique Skill: "Throne of Cataclysm" – Allows dominion over bound ancient souls.– Title: "He Who Chains the Fallen Kings"
With a wave of his hand, Priyanshu summoned a spiritual totem: a bone key once hidden deep within his system's inventory.
"I knew the system gave me this for a reason," he whispered.
He stepped forward into the distorted space. Below, the fragmented soul of Grahn howled, sensing a new presence—fresh, potent, commanding.
"Listen, Emperor of the End," Priyanshu called out. "Be still—and I shall give you form again."
The vortex paused.
The skeletal hand quivered. A whisper like thunder surged through the chamber.
"You... are not of this time..."
"No. I am of every time. I am what follows when kings fall. Serve me, and I shall make you more than you were."
He hurled the bone key downward. It pierced the vortex, locking into the skeletal palm.
A blinding flash followed. Screams of resistance, the clash of will versus will.
Then... silence.
The smoke receded.
Grahn's soul hovered, a black orb now leashed by red threads, pulsing slowly.
[Success: Grahn's Soul Bound]
You now hold dominion over one Calamity Soul.
Skill unlocked: "Cataclysm Anchor" – Summon bound tyrants to enforce your will.
Priyanshu smiled.
Shaya looked genuinely impressed. "You just chained a world-ending monster."
He turned to her, eyes glowing. "This is just the beginning. Soon, even the gods will dance on my strings."