Chapter 2: The Vultures Above the Throne
The echo of Kael's steps rang out through the ancient halls of the Sovereign's Keep.
Blood still clung to his hands, drying beneath his fingernails as he descended the stairwell hidden behind the throne chamber—a passage once used by Kairon to escape assassination attempts in the past. Now, Kael used it not to flee but to prepare.
His destination: the War Council Chamber.
> [Reminder: New Quest Active – "Forge Your Legacy."]
Objective: Reclaim the Seat of Sovereignty and confront the Council of Lords.]
The Council of Lords—Eidralos' ruling noble elite—was currently in session, no doubt gorging themselves on the power vacuum left after Kairon's previous "death." They were vultures circling a corpse they hadn't realized had started breathing again.
Kael's mind was ablaze.
He had Kairon's memories now. Most of them, at least. He remembered the betrayal. The council's orchestrated vote to seal him in the Vault of Silence under the guise of protecting the empire. He remembered the vote being unanimous.
They had buried him alive.
And now they would learn that some corpses claw their way back.
---
The War Council Chamber was vast, lit by floating orbs of arcane light. Its obsidian walls were etched with magical inscriptions. Twelve thrones lined a crescent-shaped dais. Eleven of them were filled with nobles clad in elegant robes and jeweled armor.
At the center, a massive circular table bore a detailed map of the empire.
"...With the Sovereign still absent," Lord Venric of House Althain was saying, "it is only proper that I be appointed acting ruler until his passing is officially—"
The doors slammed open.
Every noble froze.
Kael stepped in, his silver-violet hair flowing behind him, his eyes glowing with faint violet embers. His black coat, torn and bloodied, billowed as if carried by unseen wind.
"Miss me?" he said coolly.
Gasps erupted.
"Impossible!"
"He was sealed!"
"That's… That's the Sovereign!"
"No," Kael said, voice sharp, cutting through the panic like a blade. "I am Kael Ashborne, inheritor of Kairon Drestan's will. The cursed sovereign reborn."
He descended the stairs with slow, purposeful steps.
The nobles backed away, their hands twitching toward enchanted rings and concealed weapons.
"Remain seated," Kael warned. "Or you'll lose more than just your titles."
Lord Venric stood, face flushed. "You are no sovereign! You're an aberration! The vault was sealed by the Will of Ancients—your return is blasphemy!"
Kael smiled.
"Funny. Blasphemy usually comes from the mouths of traitors."
He lifted his hand. The Covenant System shimmered to life around him, invisible to all but felt by all—an aura of pure dominance rippling across the room like a wave of dread.
> [Skill Activated: Insight of the Fallen – Retainer Combat Memory III (Dual Blade Arts). Duration: 2:50]
Kael vanished.
In the next breath, he was behind Venric, blade at the man's throat.
The council erupted in screams and magical bursts. Shields sprang up, swords were drawn—but Kael didn't flinch.
"Lord Venric," he said calmly, "was among those who orchestrated my death. I see no reason he should keep breathing."
Venric sneered. "You think killing me will bring you legitimacy?!"
"No," Kael replied, pushing the blade just deep enough to draw blood, "it will send a message."
Then he plunged the dagger through Venric's neck.
Gasps turned into shrieks. Blood sprayed across the table as Venric collapsed.
Kael turned to face the rest of the council.
"Anyone else want to claim the throne?"
> [Optional Objective Complete: Spare no traitors.]
Reward: Skill Fragment – "Imperial Dominion" (1/3)]
The remaining lords fell silent.
Kael strode toward the throne at the end of the chamber—the Sovereign's Seat. As he sat, runes on the stone flared to life, accepting his blood, his presence, his will.
> [Sovereign's Blood Recognized. Seat of Power Reclaimed.]
[Covenant System Synchronization: Stage II Unlocked.]
[New Feature: Covenant Forge – You may now craft personal skills, relics, and domain laws.]
A heavy silence followed.
Lord Callus, the eldest of the lords, finally broke it. "...You have returned. Whether by divine will or arcane mistake, you stand here as Sovereign. Then speak, Kael Ashborne—what is your decree?"
Kael leaned forward.
"My decree is simple," he said. "The age of traitors is over. The empire will bend to my will, or it will break under it."
---
Later, in the privacy of his chamber, Kael sat before a massive mirror, staring at the unfamiliar face that had become his own.
He was beautiful. Almost unnaturally so. Flawless pale skin, high cheekbones, eyes like burning galaxies. But behind the ethereal beauty was danger. Power. Madness.
"I'm not Kairon," he whispered. "And I'm not Kael anymore, either. I'm something… new."
He stood and approached the Covenant Forge—a floating interface only visible to him. Words and runes danced in the air.
> [Covenant Forge – Active]
Available Resources: Fate Points – 100
Available Templates: Combat | Charm | Strategy | Summoning | Domain Control
Create Custom Skill?
Kael selected Combat.
> Name Your Skill:
He typed: "Sovereign's Reversal"
> Description: Instantly reverses the effect of any incoming spell or ability back to the caster once per day. Cooldown: 24 hours.
Cost: 75 Fate Points.
Confirm Creation?
"Yes."
> [Skill Created: Sovereign's Reversal.]
Kael smirked. "That'll come in handy."
He closed the forge and moved to the window. Outside, the capital of Duskwind lay spread beneath him—towers of blackened stone, glowing runes etched across bridges and battlements, a city built by ancient tyrants and ruled by fearful nobles.
Soon, it would be his city. Truly his.
But something tugged at his senses.
A memory. A whisper.
Three women. Three faces.
The Hero's Companions.
In the novel, they were each destined to fall in love with Aleron Dawnstar:
—Seraphina Valemir, the Holy Maiden with light magic so pure it could burn away corruption.
—Lyria Noctveil, the assassin-princess of the Shadowlands, born of secrets and blood.
—Ilyra Windrose, a genius magi-engineer, half-elf, inventor of arcane technology and war machines.
Together, they helped defeat Kairon.
But now, Kael had something different in mind.
He opened the System and created a new quest.
> [Custom Quest Created: "Undo the Hero's Fate."]
Objective: Turn each of the three companions away from Aleron Dawnstar and into loyal allies—or lovers.
Reward: ???
Kael stared out at the stars.
"I'll take everything from him," he said. "His power. His destiny. Even his women."
The stars did not answer.
But the wind howled in approval.