In the grand council chamber of the Violet Moon Imperial Palace, an air of gravitas hung heavy. The walls adorned with intricate, celestial murals bore silent witness to the momentous meeting that was about to unfold. The room was bathed in a soft, violet glow emanating from the luminescent crystals embedded in the walls.
Seated at the head of a long, crescent-shaped table was the imposing figure of the Violet Moon Empress. Her indigo gown was adorned with shimmering silver crescent moons, a symbol of her reign. Her long, obsidian hair cascaded down her back, and her luminous silver eyes seemed to hold the wisdom of ages. She was surrounded by her council, an assembly of dignitaries, advisors, and generals.
Thomas, disguised as a participant in the meeting, sat among the council members, his features obscured by a clever illusion. His eyes, however, remained sharp, attentive to the proceedings.
The Empress rose from her throne-like chair, her voice carrying authority and grace. "Ladies and gentlemen, we gather here today to discuss the threat posed by the Sonad Empire. Their actions have grown bolder, and it is imperative that we address this challenge."
With a wave of her hand, holographic projections filled the room, displaying a detailed analysis of the Sonad Empire's recent movements. The holograms showcased troop deployments, resource allocations, and potential strategies.
"As we can see," the Empress continued, "the Sonad Empire has garnered support from influential factions within demon society. This poses a considerable threat to our cosmic domain. We cannot afford to underestimate them."
She went on to outline her own proposed plans—a multifaceted approach involving diplomacy, covert operations, and a bolstering of their defenses. Her strategies were meticulous and calculated, demonstrating her astute leadership.
As the meeting progressed, the Empress couldn't shake a strange feeling when her gaze fell upon the disguised Thomas. It was an indescribable sense of familiarity, as if she had encountered this individual before. Her silver eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary, searching for answers in his veiled countenance.
Once the council meeting concluded, the Empress made her way toward Thomas, who had begun to rise from his seat. She approached him, her regal bearing undiminished by the informal setting.
"Stay a moment, please," she requested, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity.
Thomas complied, and they retreated to a smaller, more private chamber within the palace. Alone in the room, both the Empress and the disguised Thomas exchanged meaningful glances.
It was then that Thomas leaned closer to her, his voice a mere whisper, and uttered a single word—a nickname from a distant past, one known only to her parents and her big brother, a memory buried deep within her heart.
The Empress froze, her eyes widening in shock and disbelief. She stared at Thomas, her breath caught in her throat, as a flood of memories and emotions surged within her. The word he had spoken had unlocked a long-buried part of her past, revealing a connection she had never expected.
The Empress's violet orbs bore into Thomas's with an intensity that seemed to scrutinize the very depths of his being. When she saw the eyes of judgment reveal trustworthiness, she nodded subtly, acknowledging the unspoken alliance between them. Without further delay, Thomas deployed a sound-blocking formation around the room, ensuring their conversation remained confidential.
With a calm and measured voice, Thomas began to speak, weaving a tale that transcended time and space. "Your Majesty, I have merged with the spirit of your brother, Kez'Ganak." he explained, his voice carrying the resonance of Kez's memories. He recounted a life marked by exile, detailing Kez's experiences, from the moment he was cast out to his struggles, his dreams, and his eventual alliance with Thomas.
From Kez's memories Thomas knew the empress had little knowledge of her brother who she only met a couple times as a child before being taken away. That could be seen as she didn't even know Kez had been exhaled by his family
As Kez's story unfolded, the Empress's composure wavered, and emotions welled up within her. Tears filled her silver eyes, and when the tale reached its conclusion, she could no longer contain her grief. She pulled Thomas into a heartfelt embrace, a powerful moment of shared sorrow and understanding.
Half an hour later, they sat together, the Empress having processed the incredible revelation. She now understood that Thomas was not only a human from the planet the Sonad sought to conquer but also the vessel for her cherished brother's spirit.
With the weight of this knowledge upon her shoulders, the Empress spoke candidly. "Thomas, despite my position and the clan I have established, I am still bound by the constraints of my fiancé's family. I cannot exert the full extent of my influence as I would like. However, I assure you, my determination to counter the Sonad Empire remains unwavering. It has always been my plan."
...
On the very day Thomas returned to the inn, his consciousness was once again summoned to the Hall of Gods. There, he found himself face to face with Kez'Ganak, who wore a visible smile on his spectral visage.
"I may not possess mighty powers or unparalleled experience," Kez began, "but what I have, I offer to you, my child. I can only hope that in the next life, I might reunite with my wife..."
Unlike the process of achieving 100% synchronization with a deity, which would result in the full assimilation of their divinity, Kez, being a mere mortal, could only impart his knowledge and skills, as his true spirit had been liberated from the system and sent to the Immaterial World.
Thomas learned that the realm of the deceased, which had lost all its deities, was in a dire state. Souls that arrived there were unable to reincarnate, for the cycle had been disrupted for an extended period. Yet, Thomas couldn't help but feel that this might be a better outcome. There was now a chance that Kez could find his wife, unborn child, and all those he had lost throughout his lifetime.
Simultaneously, a sequence of notifications came.
[The Final Quest of Kez'Ganak has been completed, and the title Demon Lord's Heir has evolved into Demon Lord.]
[Title
[Seven Sins Demon Lord: A demon lord in possession of the heart of the morning star, who has overcome the influence of his demonic nature and thus mastered the power of the seven deadly sins. Can fully wield and merge with any power under the seven sins.]
[The reward for the quest: Infernal City has been acquired.]
Where his spirit had just been, a pitch-black key appeared, and words filled his mind.
[Key to the Infernal City.]
Reaching out to hold the key, the moment his fingers made contact, Thomas felt it dissolve into his skin like molten magma, flowing through his veins. Following the newfound thread in his soul, he ventured into an unfamiliar pocket dimension.
As he traversed this enigmatic realm, he beheld the Infernal City, a colossal metropolis adorned in regal shades of deep purple and black.
Its towering walls, etched with arcane runes, and myriad special-grade artifacts contributed to its grandeur as the capital of Gehenna, one of the many domains within the Immaterial World, now gifted to Thomas as a reward for his quest. However, Thomas found the city's atmosphere a bit too dark for his taste. With a wave of his hand, the entire city transformed into a more modern look while still maintaining its magical essence. Brightly lit towers erupted, and entire buildings collapsed and rose anew. The city was now filled with details in gold, blending with the black and purple to give it a touch of holiness, rather than being just a dark, gothic city.