The night after Varcan's execution, I stood in the courtyard, staring at the stars. The flames that had taken my uncle's life still flickered faintly, dancing in the breeze like whispers of judgment. The war was over… or so it seemed. But peace never stays long with me.
That's when Arina's voice echoed inside my mind—calm, bright, and slightly teasing, like always. "Host, the monthly summon card is ready. You've been rewarded for stabilising the Empire's fate."
I sighed softly. "Another card? What's the cost this time?"
"No cost," she replied cheerfully. "You worked very hard this month. Consider it divine luck."
A golden sigil appeared before me, hovering in midair, swirling with faint purple mist. Then, Arina's voice grew softer—almost reverent. "You are receiving two Empress-tier summons. Sisters, born of fate and tragedy. Shall I proceed?"
I nodded. "Proceed."
Light exploded.
When the glow faded, two figures stood before me—both proud, powerful, and broken in different ways.
The first was Morvessa, known across endless worlds as the Poison Empress. She was tall and willowy, her skin pale as moonlight, her eyes a deep emerald that shimmered like venom mixing with tears. Her hair, black fading into jade-green at the tips, flowed like liquid silk. A faint aroma of deadly blossoms clung to her, sweet but sharp enough to make weaker men dizzy.
Her voice was quiet, carrying the softness of frost. "So this… is the man who summoned me?"
Arina whispered her stats in my mind:
Name: Morvessa
Title: Poison Empress
Cultivation: Saint Tier
Spiritual Root: Venom Jade
Physique: Poison Sovereign Body
Technique: Thousand Venom Scripture
Speciality: Silent Assassination
Favorability: 52/100
Her world flashed briefly before my eyes—visions of marble halls hiding corruption, of noble men smiling over poisoned cups. Once a princess, Morvessa had been sold into marriage by her own father to a cruel ruler who feared her power. They tried to break her through betrayal and poison, but she swallowed the venom meant to kill her—and made it her strength instead.
Now she looked at me as if judging whether I was another man ready to use her or destroy her.
Before I could answer, the second figure stepped forward. Her presence alone made the air heavier. Valtryn, the War Empress—goddess of battlefield and flame.
Tall and iron-strong, she wore armour streaked with red and silver, her crimson hair tied high like a banner of conquest. Her eyes glowed the colour of molten steel, and scars traced her hands—proof that she had fought rather than commanded from behind walls.
She moved like a storm given form, voice deep and commanding. "Who summons me from the silence of defeat?"
Arina whispered again:
Name: Valtryn
Title: War Empress
Cultivation: Saint Tier
Spiritual Root: Iron Flame
Physique: War Queen Body
Technique: Crimson War Codex
Speciality: Battlefield Domination
Favorability: 79/100
Her story was one of blood and loneliness. She had ruled through strength and fear, leading armies that crushed empires—but her people eventually turned on her when peace came. The same generals who praised her victories forged her downfall. She had died standing, a blade through her chest, surrounded by soldiers who once saluted her name.
And now she looked at me like a queen, daring me to command her.
Arina's voice nudged me softly from within. "Two sisters—born in different worlds but bound by the same wound. One betrayed by love, one by loyalty."
Morvessa's gaze was cold, watching me like a snake ready to strike. Valtryn, however, tilted her head slightly, inspecting me. "You've got the look of a ruler," she said. "But do you have the heart of one?"
I smiled faintly. "You'll have to decide that yourself."
Morvessa scoffed quietly. "Words. All men begin with them."
"Then I'll show you action," I replied.
I extended my hand, channelling divine and Aurelion energy into the air. The remnants of their past bindings—the threads of pain that tied them to betrayal—appeared as faint chains of light coiled around their souls. Both sisters flinched in surprise.
"I can see the curses left on you," I said gently. "Let me take them."
They both hesitated, but Arina whispered, "Host, your power can purify residual soul bindings. Proceed."
I stepped closer and pressed my palm forward.
Flame spread—not to burn, but to cleanse. Golden fire wrapped around their bodies, dissolving the chains link by link. Morvessa gasped softly, clutching her chest as the venom inside her shifted from torment to calm. Valtryn gritted her teeth as an invisible weight lifted from her shoulders.
And then silence.
When it ended, both stood free. The ground around us glittered faintly, as if the world itself had bowed in relief.
Morvessa looked down at her hands in disbelief. "For centuries… no one could touch this curse." Her voice trembled for the first time.
Valtryn stared at the fading light, her fists clenching. "And just like that, the ghosts are gone."
I gave a small smile. "Not gone. Turned into strength. Carry it forward."
The two sisters turned toward me slowly. Morvessa's sharp tone softened, just barely. "Perhaps you're not like the rest, after all."
Valtryn gave a faint smirk. "If nothing else, you'll make a fine ally when war comes again."
Arina chimed in my mind, satisfied. "Favorability updated: Morvessa—67/100. Valtryn—84/100."
As night deepened, the sisters watched the stars from the courtyard.
Valtryn leaned on her spear, her armour catching moonlight. "So this is your world. Still smells of politics and greed."
Morvessa twirled a jade dagger, her eyes thoughtful. "Yet he's already begun changing it."
I joined them, the wind carrying the scent of blooming Solaryn flowers. "Welcome home," I said sincerely. "You've both earned peace. Whether you fight beside me again is your choice."
Morvessa gave a quiet smile—small but real. "You saved me from poison. Perhaps I'll teach you some."
Valtryn laughed. "And I'll teach you war."
Arina's laughter echoed faintly in my head. "Congratulations, Mukul. The Empire grows stronger again."
I looked at my new allies, two empresses reborn from tragedy, and felt the flame inside me steady like never before.
The Poison and the War. Death and Strength. Two powers once broken, standing beside me now—not as weapons, but as kindred spirits reborn.