Chapter 3: Her Name Was Seraphina
The sun had not yet risen.
A chill swept through the plains north of Duskwind, brushing over the tall grass like the hand of some ancient ghost. Dawn hovered at the edge of the sky, bleeding lavender into the dark. In the distance, a convoy of white-armored templars moved steadily across the open fields, their formation perfect, their banners trailing behind like celestial fire.
At their head rode a woman whose mere presence bent the wind around her like a prayer.
Seraphina Valemir.
High Priestess of the Radiant Order. First chosen of the Light Deity, Elandra. Beloved by the masses. Feared by demons. And to Kael Ashborne?
A target.
She had been one of the blades that ended Kairon's reign.
Now she would become his first tether.
---
Kael stood atop the outer walls of Duskwind, watching the procession approach. His hair, now clean and tied back, caught the light of the fading stars. His armor shimmered faintly—a hybrid design he had forged the night before, part ceremonial, part battle-hardened. Around him, royal guards watched nervously, though none dared question why the Sovereign had insisted on personally greeting the approaching priestess.
"She's here," Kael whispered to himself.
And she was different.
He had read about her. Seraphina, the flawless maiden. A woman said to embody divine will. In the novel, she was described as light incarnate. But Kael had always felt something… off in the portrayal. A perfect character was an impossible one.
Perfection hides secrets.
The gates parted.
Golden horns sounded.
And then she entered.
Mounted atop a silver warhorse, clad in flowing robes of ivory and gold, her long platinum-blonde hair braided over her shoulder, Seraphina looked every bit the divine figure from the tales.
Yet Kael saw what others didn't.
Her eyes weren't warm.
They were calculating.
---
She dismounted with practiced grace and approached Kael, surrounded by her five templar guards, all of whom radiated intense holy mana.
Kael stepped forward alone.
When they stood barely three paces apart, Seraphina tilted her head. "...You are not Kairon Drestan."
Kael smirked. "You're correct."
"But you sit his throne."
"And I wear it better."
A brief silence.
Then she extended a hand. "Lady Seraphina Valemir, emissary of the Radiant Order."
He took her hand, gloved in white silk, and kissed it.
"Kael Ashborne," he replied. "Returned sovereign. Monster. Usurper. Take your pick."
"Monster suits you," she said, her tone light but eyes watching for the faintest twitch. "But I do wonder… why would a monster welcome the light into his domain?"
Kael didn't blink. "Because even monsters understand power. And you, my lady, shine brighter than most."
One of her templars twitched, clearly uncomfortable with the flirtation.
Seraphina withdrew her hand and glanced up at the sky. "We have traveled long. I request sanctuary within Duskwind to complete my pilgrimage to the eastern shrine."
"And I request an audience in return."
"For what purpose?"
"To ask a question."
She raised an eyebrow. "Only one?"
"For now."
She studied him, then gave a soft nod. "Then let us share words, Sovereign. I shall stay for one night."
> [Main Quest Updated: Target #1 – Seraphina Valemir]
Progress: 1% | Status: Neutral (Suspicious)]
---
The temple quarters within the palace had not been used in decades, yet they were immaculately prepared. Kael spared no expense—clean silk, fresh fruit, rare incense. Appearances mattered, especially with a woman of the cloth.
Night fell quickly, and Kael found himself standing alone outside the room where Seraphina prayed.
He listened, not through the door, but through the Covenant System.
> [Skill Activated: Echo Reading – Surface Thoughts and Emotions of Nearby Targets]
Seraphina's Mind: …He's dangerous. His aura feels like shattered starlight. Like something that died and came back twisted. But there's… grief. Deep. Old. I must not sympathize. I mustn't… but… why does he speak as if he's been watching me forever?
Kael blinked.
He hadn't expected her to be this self-aware.
He knocked.
A moment later, she answered, dressed in a simple white robe, a staff glowing faintly in her hand.
"I assumed you'd be resting," she said.
"I don't sleep well."
Seraphina studied him for a moment, then gestured. "Come in. But be warned—I am protected. Your charms will not work on me."
Kael stepped in anyway.
The room was bathed in soft, golden light. A small altar to Elandra rested against the wall, candles flickering around a statue of the winged goddess.
"I have only one question," Kael said. "Why did you kill him?"
Seraphina's gaze hardened. "You mean Kairon Drestan?"
"Yes."
She turned to the altar, her voice calm. "Because he demanded worship instead of service. Because he turned Eidralos into a crucible of suffering. Because no one deserves that much power. Not even you."
Kael stepped beside her. "What if he was trying to save the world in his own way?"
"Then he failed."
Kael was quiet.
Then: "And if I told you I wanted to change the empire—to rebuild it without the chains of prophecy or divine meddling?"
She turned to him sharply. "Then I would call you a heretic."
He smiled. "Then call me that. But still listen."
Seraphina's hands curled slightly around her staff.
> [Dialogue Choice: Persuade – Share Vision of Empire]
Success Chance: 47% | Use Fate Points to Enhance? (Cost: 10)]
Kael confirmed.
> Success Chance Boosted to 82% – Success!
He spoke then—not like a tyrant or villain, but like a man with a vision too large to contain.
"I want an empire where strength does not come from bloodlines or prayers. A world where destiny is written by choice, not prophecy. Where gods don't meddle in mortal affairs."
Seraphina stared.
"Words," she said.
"But they're true."
Silence again.
Then: "If I believe you, Kael Ashborne, what do you want from me?"
Kael looked her in the eye. "Your faith. Not in your god. In me."
She didn't respond.
Instead, she turned away and said quietly, "You should go. I need rest. Tomorrow, we leave for the shrine."
He nodded.
As he stepped toward the door, her voice stopped him.
"...You're not him. Not exactly. But something of Kairon remains in your eyes."
He didn't answer.
---
Back in his chambers, Kael sat at the edge of his bed, fingers steepled beneath his chin.
> [Progress Update: Seraphina Valemir – 15% | Status: Cautious Curiosity]
"She'll come around," he murmured.
But he also knew something else.
The hero was coming.
Aleron Dawnstar had likely sensed Kael's resurrection. He wouldn't sit idle. Soon, the two would meet.
And when they did, Kael needed more than magic or power.
He needed leverage.
And nothing screamed leverage more than the woman the hero was destined to love.