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Chapter 157 - Naked Ambition

Varus, a member of the Blooded, unwittingly sold the Fontenot's diary as an ordinary ancient book, succumbing to a potent cocktail of fatigue and misperception.

Corrupted by Fontenot's diary, its malevolent influence tainted each reader who possessed it. After passing through numerous hands, it eventually landed in Mythralis, falling prey to the Guthrie family - Edwin Guthrie and Governor Orion Guthrie.

Governor Guthrie, after copying the content and its associated rituals from the notebook, grew apprehensive. He feared the White Tower, renowned for its divination and prophecy, might track down the book. Driven by this concern, he devised a plan to distance himself from the book by strategically "losing" it to divert their attention to another unsuspecting soul.

Mythralis, with its notorious allure for dubious characters, was never without a fringe of low-ranking aspirants lurking about. Too wary to venture within, they knew of the city's formidable Storm's Church. Governor Guthrie, capitalizing on this opportune presence, quickly disposed of the diary after copying its contents. Having extracted its strategic value, he saw no further need for the incriminating tome.

Subsequently, Governor Guthrie, having acquired a deeper understanding of ritualistic magic and mysticism, felt emboldened by his newfound knowledge.

Drawn by the allure of the rumoured 'treasure' hidden beneath Mythalis Island's depths, he embarked on an expedition beneath the sea. Confident in his mastery of ritualistic arts and magic, he dismissed any concerns that might arise, entrusting the governance of the island to his nephew, Edwin, a decision that resonated with his ambitious aspirations.

In the midst of his preparations, Governor Guthrie encountered Severin, a rogue on a mission in Mythralis, his sights set on a specific prize.

Governor Guthrie held Severin's remarkable mental interference and deciphering abilities in high esteem, recognizing their potential value.

Impressed by Severin's aptitude and dedication, Guthrie resolved to foster his talents, envisioning him as a valuable addition to the Brotherhood's ranks. Following Severin's invaluable assistance in their treasure-hunting endeavours, Guthrie afforded him the opportunity to delve deeper into the mysteries shrouding the island's hidden riches and history.

While feigning assistance, Severin spent days meticulously studying the Church, all the while skillfully extracting valuable information from the Governor like squeezing juice from a fruit.

Governor Guthrie clandestinely confided in Severin about the sinister ritual and his own perilous exploits to impress him.

To Guthrie's surprise, Severin displayed an avid fascination with the forbidden knowledge, his interest piqued by the allure of potential gains. Despite Guthrie's reservations, Severin revealed his intent to clandestinely orchestrate a replication of the ritual in the waking world, while executing his plans to plunder the Brotherhood.

Embracing the dual roles of scholar and schemer, Severin saw an opportunity to harness the dark powers of the ritual for his advancement, even as he plotted to outmanoeuvre the Brotherhood and seize control of its coveted resources.

The astute Severin couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the purported "treasure" than met the eye. Despite his suspicions, driven by his own clandestine ambitions, he chose not to confront Governor Guthrie directly, recognizing the potential benefits of maintaining the facade of cooperation.

Instead, Severin sought an ally in old man Aulus, a figure from his past with whom he shared a history. Their longstanding acquaintance afforded them a unique bond of understanding.

Previously, during his investigation, Séverin discovered that the Fontenot family's diary was in the possession of an itinerant Aspirant.

Consequently, he relieved them of such burden.

For some baffling reason, and a lack of sufficient explanations, the Fontenot's diary found itself in Severin's possession.

Following the Stormseekers' investigation into the activities of the itinerant Aspirants and the alleged evil warlocks, Marcellus encountered Edwin Guthrie and subsequently joined the Stormseekers as a supporting combatant under the advice of Old Man Aulus.

Morwen and his retainer, Caeso, found themselves in dire straits.

Their last coin had been squandered at the gambling tables, leaving them drowning in debt and pursued by relentless collectors.

Desperate for a solution, they revealed their abilities as aspirants to their debtors, hoping to either secure funds or instil enough fear to deter further harassment. 

However, they made a conscious decision to conceal their noble lineage, unwilling to disgrace their families or burden them with such trivial debts, after all, they were on an adventure.

Their debt collector; Mr. Doan, a notorious figure entrenched in the murky underworld of wholesale prostitution, gambling, and theft, presented Morwen and Caeso with a solution to their plight. 

Mr. Doan, recognizing Morwen and Caeso's capabilities, proposed a plan to capture a lucrative bounty that would not only clear their debt but also offer a chance at redemption.

While the offer seemed enticing, Caeso hesitated to strike a deal with such a disreputable character, mindful of the dishonour it would bring upon their noble lineage in high society.

Instead, he opted to keep the plan as a potential backup, while also discreetly informing his family of the situation, sending them a letter; a prudent decision considering the potential consequences of associating with someone of Mr. Doan's ilk.

Unable to directly inform family, they likely had confidants to petition for funds.

As Morwen and Caeso checked on a letter at the Courier's Nest, where they had discreetly left a message for their family, they stumbled upon the bounty orchestrated by Mr. Doan. 

Despite Caeso's reservations, Morwen found himself increasingly drawn to the solution presented by Mr. Doan.

Fueled by a desire to resolve their predicament in a manner befitting their honour as adventuring men, Morwen's resolve wavered as he contemplated the potential benefits of the arrangement.

As Morwen continued to observe his target, Marcellus, he couldn't shake the feeling that pursuing the bounty might indeed be the simpler route compared to dealing with his own family's expectations and potential repercussions.

Marcellus appeared to be a young man of promising stature, reminiscent of an aspiring swordsman embarking on an adventure.

However, Morwen soon discovered a troubling detail—the target was in a semi-insane state, complicating matters and making a direct confrontation a risky endeavour.

Morwen harbored doubts about Caeso's reasoning.

While his swordsmanship and mastery of tenma breathing techniques were passable, Morwen felt his caution bordered on fear of confrontation.

This revelation only reinforced Morwen's conviction that the bounty presented a more viable solution, albeit fraught with its own set of challenges.

With Caeso by his side, Morwen weighed his options carefully, realizing that a full-on offensive approach might not be the wisest course of action.

Instead, they reluctantly turned to the underhanded tactics suggested by Mr. Doan, a decision born out of necessity rather than preference.

Their plan hinged on persuading the prostitute Ingrid to drug the bounty, a morally dubious manoeuvre that left a bitter taste in Morwen's mouth. Yet, driven by the urgency of their predicament and a desire to maintain their honour, Morwen's resolve remained unyielding.

Unbeknownst to Morwen and Caeso, their previous encounter with Marcellus had not gone unnoticed.

In the heat of the moment, they had inadvertently released their spirituality, setting off subtle ripples that Marcellus keenly sensed.

It was a small oversight, easily overlooked in the chaos of their meeting, but to Marcellus, it was a telltale sign—a promise of an attack.

Most Sequence 9 Aspirants would miss this, but Marcellus, a Hollowed with an uncanny sensitivity to spirituality, did not.

As Marcellus felt the faint spirituality, a sense of foreboding washed over him, stirring a primal instinct to tread cautiously.

Though he couldn't quite pinpoint the source of his unease, Marcellus remained vigilant, attuned to the subtle nuances of Mythralis Island and the news of Hunters hunting the Viper pirate informed the StormSeekers!

The oversight haunted Morwen and Caeso as Priest Corwin swiftly killed Morwen and subdued Caeso, teaching them a harsh lesson.

Unfortunately, the Stormseekers' investigation ended abruptly as Caeso failed to implicate Mr. Doan in subsequent interrogation, offering a plausible explanation instead.

Priest Corwin scoffed at Caeso's excuses.

Priest Corwin wasn't convinced by Caeso's excuses, riddled as they were with truth and falsehood. Yet, unlike others, he saw value in keeping Caeso alive. 

As the saying went: "A willing tongue, however forked, is better served alive than a silent head on a pike."

However, while everyone overlooked Mr. Doan as the conspirator, Severin remained astute. The debacle unwittingly exposed Mr Doan as the second member of the brotherhood, marking the final piece of his plans.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, Claudia, a survivor of the ritual, impulsively set sail for Mythralis with a hastily assembled crew of aspiring sailors and the baron followed suit.

Their arrival, however, sparked unexpected tensions, leading to a volatile situation.

Meanwhile, Séverin, sensing the growing instability, began discreetly enacting his plans. He made a public announcement, revealing his presence on the island and setting the stage for a confrontation.

Livius, entangled in a clandestine relationship with Finn and Lucia, found himself immersed in a secret gang of thieves. Though their activities were an open secret among the populace, the governor, consumed by his concerns, turned a blind eye to their antics, preoccupied with a looming treasure and indifferent to his daughter's tantrums.

The trio, Lucia, Livius, and Finn, were a whirlwind of debauchery and decadence. It was anyone's guess who initiated their hedonistic descent.

Lucia, driven by relentless boredom, sought thrills with pirates and fantastical escapades. However, even her rebellious spirit had limits, lines her father wouldn't tolerate. So, she found solace in the closest substitutes – Livius and Finn, who readily embraced a life on the wild side.

Whether it was love, lust, or something more complex, both young men were undeniably drawn to Lucia. Few men of their age could resist her allure, except perhaps Edwin.

Lucia, keenly aware of the effect she had on men, revelled in the attention Livius and Finn showered upon her. Their desires, a mere game to her, only fueled her amusement. Far from discouraging their advances, she stoked the flames of their infatuation, turning their admiration into a maddening obsession.

Blinded by their growing fixation, they took advantage of her, committing unspeakable acts with her and to her.

Unfazed by their transgression, Lucia maintained her hold over them. Both Livius and Finn remained captivated, eager to fulfil her every whim.

The seeds of jealousy and competition had somehow blossomed between the two young men. Each vied for Lucia's attention, their efforts escalating into a relentless one-upmanship. Whether this rivalry was organic or subtly nurtured by Lucia remained a mystery.

Driven by his desperation to impress Lucia and fueled by a growing resentment towards Livius, Finn, an orphan with nothing to lose, plunged headlong into a life of crime. Piracy, thievery, and a slew of other nefarious acts became his currency, a twisted attempt to buy Lucia's attention and prove his worth.

Eventually, he delved into Mysticism, and Livius did the same.

Unbeknownst to the governor, Livius and Finn had repeatedly stolen his daughter's affections, a truth concealed from all but Edwin, who chose to shield his uncle from the revelation.

However, their clandestine liaisons were exposed when Marcellus stumbled upon them in the act.

As Livius wandered through the labyrinthine streets, he found himself engulfed in a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. The notion of extinguishing the source of his anguish, of silencing Marcellus forever to safeguard his secret, flickered like a sinister ember in the recesses of his mind.

Yet, reason prevailed, as he acknowledged the futility of such actions, recognizing his inadequacy to execute or conceal such a deed.

Lost in his tumultuous thoughts, Livius's journey led him to the banks of a tranquil stream, its crystal-clear waters shimmering in the dappled sunlight. Thirst gnawed at his throat like a relentless predator, compelling him to kneel by the water's edge and cup his hands, drawing forth the cool natural elixir of life that is water to quench his parched tongue.

There he met a stranger.

This stranger, unveiled himself as quite the conversationalist, adept at the art of banter. With each exchange, their verbal jousting revealed layers of camaraderie.

And then, this stranger disclosed his true acumen: a master of wit, hidden beneath the guise of anonymity, offering Livius different ways on how to handle Marcellus.

And then, this stranger revealed his true identity: a long-lost friend from the orphanage of the Church of Storms – Severin!

This played seamlessly into Severin's meticulously crafted plan.

Livius, the unsuspecting copyist of the Church of Storms, unwittingly became the linchpin in Severin's scheme to manipulate the future targets. With Livius now beguiled, Severin's design began to unfurl like a grand tapestry, each move meticulously calculated to set the dominoes in motion.

Livius, unaware of the role he played in Severin's grand design, unwittingly propelled the machinations forward, each action and reaction catalyzing the next.

Livius was The Catalyst.