The marble bell tolled three times over the imperial capital.
On the white towers, golden banners fluttered beneath a veiled sky.
The sound was the same that echoed whenever the Empire declared something that would change the fate of the continent.
In the throne room, Emperor Edric IV sat — imposing, his gaze as cold as a blade.
Beside him stood the Grand Inquisitor Seraphiel, cloaked in silver robes, holding a scroll sealed with blood.
> "Your Majesty," Seraphiel said, kneeling,
"the North has risen again. The ruins of Arvendale shelter the heretic and the traitor."
Edric stared at him for a moment.
> "Celestine d'Arnoir and Prince Leonhardt… a double sin."
> "She defiled the divine gifts. He, the sacred blood."
The Emperor stood. The sound of his boots echoed like a verdict.
> "Then there is no doubt. The North must be purified."
He gestured, and a servant brought forth a small obsidian box.
Inside it lay a fragment of dark crystal — pulsing, alive.
Seraphiel frowned.
> "Your Majesty… that is—"
> "The Heart of N'val," Edric finished.
"The very power that once sealed the Void. If she has awakened it, we shall wield it against her."
Seraphiel bowed his head.
> "And the Preparers?"
> "Send them." The Emperor's voice turned to ice.
"I want the Duchess's head on my table before the next moon."
---
⚔️ The Conclave of Light
Meanwhile, beneath the Central Temple, monks and mages gathered before an altar bathed in golden fire.
Three hooded figures waited for orders — the Preparers, the sacred assassins of the Order of Light.
Seraphiel entered, scroll in hand.
> "The target is the heiress of Arvendale. A villain, a witch, and the seducer of a prince. You know what must be done."
One of the Preparers looked up. His eyes were empty, glowing pure white.
> "And the prince?"
> "If he resists… purify him as well."
The air cracked with the blessing of the gods — or perhaps with their wrath.
The three vanished into the shadows.
---
🌹 Arvendale – The Calm Before the Storm
In the North, snow fell again, covering the scars of battle.
Celestine trained alone in the courtyard, each strike flowing with lethal precision.
Her sword, Eclipsa, cut through the air, leaving trails of dark energy that dissolved into the wind.
Leonhardt watched from a broken pillar.
> "You don't fight the way you used to."
She smiled faintly.
> "Because now, I'm not fighting myself."
He walked toward her, offering a bottle of water.
> "The Empire will strike back, Celle. My father won't accept losing control."
> "Let him come," she said, taking a sip and looking toward the horizon.
"The North will welcome the Empire with fire and steel."
Leonhardt studied her quietly.
> "It's not just about winning, you know? If we go too far, the whole world will call us monsters."
Celestine met his gaze.
> "Then let us be monsters — so long as the world fears what it once called justice."
---
🌑 The Signal in the Shadows
That night, Celestine dreamed of the Void again.
But this time, it wasn't the calm abyss.
It was storming — filled with voices, as if something were tearing it apart.
> "They have touched it... They use what is mine…"
She stood within the dream.
> "Who?"
> "The gods... the throne... they have freed the fragment. The Heart knows me."
Celestine felt the ground tremble.
The Void roared, and visions appeared — golden temples, kneeling magi, and a dark crystal pulsing like a living heart.
She awoke with a gasp.
Eclipsa shimmered beside the bed, vibrating.
Leonhardt burst into the room.
> "Celle! What happened?"
She looked at him, pale-faced.
> "The Empire... they found the Heart of N'val."
He blanched.
> "That's real?"
> "More real than ever."
She rose, resolve hardening in her eyes.
> "If the Empire plans to use the Void against me... then I'll reach them before they can."
---
⚔️ Prelude to War
The next day, Celestine summoned the Council of the North.
Generals, mercenaries, and mages gathered around a circular table hastily built.
In the center, a map drawn on leather marked the Empire's routes.
> "They'll attack from the east," Damien said, pointing.
"It's the only path not blocked by snow."
> "Let them come," Celestine said, setting her sword atop the map.
"We won't wait. We'll intercept them in the Verden Mountains."
Raoul crossed his arms.
> "You mean to take the war to them?"
> "Yes," she replied with a faint smile. "But not the way they expect."
She turned to Leonhardt.
> "You'll lead the human troops. I'll handle... those who aren't."
Silence fell.
Damien frowned.
> "What do you mean by those who aren't?"
Celestine turned.
Through the windows, the black mist of the Void stirred — and within it, humanoid shapes began to take form.
> "The Void owes me a favor."
---
🌹 Epilogue – Voices from the Throne
In the imperial palace, Edric walked alone through the marble corridors.
Around him, statues watched in silence, and each step echoed like a prophecy.
Suddenly, something moved behind him.
A shadow.
A voice.
> "You toy with forces you do not understand, Edric."
The Emperor turned. No one.
But the air smelled of frost and iron.
He lifted his chin, defiant.
> "Then let them come. Even the gods will bow before the Empire."
Far away, the bells rang again —
and their echo reached the North, where Celestine sharpened her blade.
The holy war had begun.