The door creaked open slowly, revealing a vast throne room cloaked in eerie silence. Dim torchlight flickered across dark stone pillars, casting long shadows that danced like spirits. The walls were adorned with faded murals—images of battles, rituals, and something far more ancient… more monstrous.
At the end of the room, upon a high black throne, sat a figure. He was regal, poised, and terrifying.
His skin was pale as bone, his body shaped like a human's—but his presence was not human. Blood-red eyes glowed in the darkness, locked directly onto Rey the moment he stepped inside. A cold, twisted smile spread across his face, as if he'd been waiting for this moment for centuries.
Fianna's eyes widened. Her body stiffened.
Rey instinctively stepped forward.
The figure rose slowly. His movements were unnaturally fluid, as though gravity held no weight on him. A voice as smooth as ice rolled from his lips.
"So… the lost child finally arrives."
Fianna's hand tightened around Rey's. "That's not one of the ancestors," she whispered. "Something's wrong…"
The figure spoke again.
"Welcome to my domain, Rey." His smile deepened. "I am Vladis Mortis."
Rey's breath caught. That name… he had heard it before. Somewhere in the whispers of the monsters… the one commanding them… the one searching for him.
Suddenly, Fianna stepped forward.
"No… this can't be. This place is sacred to the ancestors—"
Vladis raised a single hand, and the air shimmered. With a silent gesture, he pointed toward the doorway.
Without hesitation, Fianna's body went rigid—then she turned and walked out of the chamber.
Rey's eyes widened. "Fianna! Wait—what are you—?!"
But she was already gone. The doors shut behind her with a thunderous slam.
Rey turned back, trembling but defiant. "Dear ancestor… I give my greetings to you."
Vladis descended the steps from the throne. "Oh, such politeness. It's adorable, really."
He stopped inches away from Rey and gently placed a cold hand on his cheek.
"You don't remember yet, do you?" he said softly. "What you are… what you were always meant to become."
Then suddenly, his palm glowed faintly, and Rey's eyes grew heavy.
His limbs gave way. The world twisted.
He tried to resist—but his consciousness slipped like sand through fingers.
He collapsed to the floor, eyes fluttering shut.
Vladis Mortis knelt beside him, chuckling low and deep.
"There you are…" he whispered, brushing back Rey's hair. "My most wealthy treasure. My precious key."
He stood tall again, spreading his arms wide as if claiming the entire world.
Then came a scream—a monstrous, bone-chilling laugh that echoed through the entire castle like the cry of a beast unchained.
"Let all realms know—my hunt is over. He is mine now!"
Far above, the torches blazed with unnatural black flame, casting twisted shadows over Rey's unconscious body.
In that moment, the castle itself seemed to awaken, its walls pulsing with ancient hunger.
And somewhere, beyond the walls, Fianna stood outside, her hands trembling—unsure of what she had just witnessed, and terrified of what she had just left behind.
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