Chapter Twenty-Five — The Relic Beneath Stone
Location:
Subterranean Vault, Valerius Imperial Academy
Time: Night, during the alarm
The stone door collapsed inward with a low, thunderous groan.
Dust and ancient mana spilled into the corridor like breath released after centuries.
Celsius stepped inside.
The chamber beyond was circular, its walls carved with pre-imperial runes—older than the Kuasha Empire itself. Broken chains hung from the ceiling, embedded deep into the stone, each one etched with sealing arrays.
At the center stood an altar.
And on it—
A sword.
Not steel.
Not shadow.
Something between.
Eridiaries' voice whispered directly into Celsius' mind.
Eridiaries: That is not a relic. That is a confession.
Celsius approached slowly.
The closer he came, the heavier the air grew. His shadow stretched unnaturally across the floor, bending toward the blade.
The sword's surface was dull black, but veins of faint silver light pulsed within, like a heartbeat.
Celsius (quietly): "This doesn't belong to House Valerius."
Eridiaries: Correct. It was stolen.
Scene 1 — The Forgotten Crime
As Celsius placed his hand near the altar, visions flooded the chamber.
A younger Valerius estate.
A patriarch—the third, not the first.
Chains binding something screaming in the dark.
A ritual circle drenched in blood.
"Seal it beneath the academy."
"Erase the records."
Celsius staggered back.
Celsius: "You used the academy… as a prison."
Eridiaries: Your house learned to build power atop buried sins.
The chains rattled.
One snapped.
The sword trembled.
Scene 2 — Intruders
Footsteps thundered down the stairway.
"Found him!"
Torchlight spilled into the chamber.
Valerius Night Guard.
Elite.
Black armor. Silver masks.
Their captain stepped forward.
Captain: "By order of Duke Magnus Valerius—Celsius Valerius, you are to be restrained."
Celsius turned slowly.
Celsius: "For trespassing?"
The captain's grip tightened.
Captain: "For awakening forbidden assets."
The sword pulsed.
Celsius smiled faintly.
Celsius: "Then you're already too late."
Scene 3 — The Sword Awakens
The captain lunged.
Shadows exploded.
The chamber darkened as if the torches had been swallowed whole. Celsius' shadow rose behind him—tall, crowned, monstrous.
Not Eridiaries.
Celsius' own.
He reached out.
The sword lifted from the altar on its own.
Chains shattered.
A shockwave tore through the vault.
Guards were thrown back like leaves in a storm.
The sword hovered before Celsius, humming in recognition.
Blood of the first contract…
Heir of the broken path…
The blade dissolved into shadow—
And entered his chest.
Celsius gasped.
Not in pain.
In clarity.
Scene 4 — Above Ground: A Brother Watches
High above, on the academy tower, Darius Valerius opened his eyes.
His aura flared crimson.
Darius: "So… it was you."
Kael stood beside him, smiling wider than ever.
Kael: "Looks like Father's secrets are finally screaming."
Darius clenched his fist.
Darius: "Then I'll be the one to silence him."
Scene 5 — Aftermath
The vault collapsed.
Celsius emerged from the shadows into the night courtyard as alarms blared and students fled.
His presence had changed.
Subtle.
Terrifying.
Lyra stood frozen at the edge of the chaos.
Lyra: "Celsius… what did you do?"
Celsius met her eyes.
Celsius: "I learned the truth."
Behind him, shadows moved as if alive.
And far away—
Something ancient had begun to wake.
To be continued.