The grand, dimly lit hall of the First Floor of the Citadel of Nightfallen was silent, save for the echo of soft footsteps against the polished obsidian floors. Shadows danced on the walls, cast by the flickering torches lining the room, their light barely reaching the corners. At the head of the room, seated on her throne of onyx and shadows, was Lira, the Shadow Sorceress, her crimson eyes gleaming as she observed the assembled maids before her.
The maids of the Citadel were not ordinary servants. Each had been hand-selected and crafted with meticulous attention to detail, their beauty as sharp a weapon as their hidden power. Though they worked in silence, attending to the needs of the guardians and the Citadel, Lira had always known their potential reached far beyond mere service. Today, she would put that potential to the test.
Forty maids stood before her, their faces emotionless, dressed in their dark maid uniforms that accentuated their flawless features. Each had been trained in the arts of discretion and servitude, but underneath their delicate appearances, a formidable power lay dormant. Lira's task was to select the finest among them to carry out a mission far more dangerous than anything they had faced before.
Lira rose from her throne, her figure cloaked in flowing black robes that rippled like living shadows. Her presence alone commanded attention, and as she moved, the room seemed to dim even further. With a gesture of her hand, she summoned the attention of the maids, her voice a cold, soft whisper that filled the hall.
"I have summoned you all today for a task that will test not only your loyalty but your ability to blend into the world beyond the Citadel," Lira began, her voice laced with authority. "The world outside is vast, and we must gather knowledge if we are to understand its inner workings. The noble houses, the kingdoms, and empires—each hides secrets that will serve our lord, Lucian. And you, my handmaidens, shall be our eyes and ears."
She paced slowly before them, her gaze assessing each maid. "But not all of you will undertake this mission. Only the most skilled, the most capable, and those who can hide their strength will be chosen."
Lira extended a hand, and from the shadows emerged a black, twisting flame. As the flame hovered in the air, it split into eight smaller flames, each flickering before the eyes of the assembled maids. Slowly, Lira gestured, and the flames floated toward eight of the maids, one by one.
"Selene, Mira, Calista, Aira," she called, selecting four maids from her own First Floor. Each of them stepped forward, their faces calm yet determined. "You shall serve me directly on this mission. You are among my finest, and I trust you understand the gravity of what is to come."
Lira's eyes then shifted to the remaining maids, and four more flames drifted toward four maids from Seraphine's Fourth Floor—Livia, Elara, Feyra, and Nerissa. These maids, while serving under the Abyssal Priestess, were equally adept in the art of deception and intelligence gathering.
"You eight have been chosen for a mission unlike any you have ever faced," Lira continued. "You will infiltrate the noble houses, the kingdoms, and the empires of this world. Your beauty and grace will allow you to gain entry as mere maids, but you are not to reveal your true power. Stay hidden, remain unnoticed. Blend into their world. For though your levels far surpass the common folk of this realm, power alone will draw unwanted attention."
The maids bowed in unison, their faces still emotionless, though there was a subtle glimmer of excitement in their eyes. To be chosen for such a mission was an honor, one that none of them took lightly.
Lira's gaze sharpened as she gave her final warning. "Remember this above all else: You are not warriors on this mission. You are not to fight unless there is no other option. If any of you are discovered, it could jeopardize everything. You are to act as simple maids—nothing more. Your true power is a weapon of last resort."
The maids nodded, fully understanding the weight of the task before them.
Lira raised a hand, and from the shadows, several items materialized—small, enchanted medallions, each one inscribed with intricate runes. "These medallions will allow you to contact me and Seraphine. They will also suppress your auras, hiding your true strength. Use them wisely."
The maids each took a medallion, placing them around their necks. The instant the medallions touched their skin, the room seemed to hum with energy, and the faint aura of power that had surrounded them vanished entirely. To the outside world, they would appear as nothing more than ordinary maids.
Satisfied with her selection, Lira stepped back and crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "You are dismissed. Make your preparations. You leave at dawn."
As the eight chosen maids turned to leave, Lira's gaze lingered on them for a moment longer. She knew this mission would be crucial to gathering the information needed for Lucian's grand plans, and though these maids were powerful, the world they were entering was full of uncertainty.
After the Maids' Departure
Once the others had left, Lira remained behind in the grand hall, her thoughts turning toward the intricacies of the mission she had just set in motion. The maids were perfect instruments—beautiful, skilled, and capable of gathering the intelligence they so desperately needed. But even Lira knew that the world outside the Citadel was vast and unpredictable.
From the shadows, a familiar presence appeared behind her—the Abyssal Priestess, Seraphine, her pale face serene as ever. Her deep blue robes trailed behind her as she moved silently toward Lira.
"So, you've made your selections," Seraphine said softly, her voice like a whisper of wind. "Did you choose wisely?"
Lira turned, her crimson eyes meeting Seraphine's calm gaze. "They are ready. You know as well as I that they are the best we have."
Seraphine's lips curved into a faint smile. "Indeed. But let us hope they remember to play their roles. The world outside the Citadel is full of dangers we do not yet understand."
Lira nodded, her own thoughts mirroring Seraphine's. "They will play their part. They must. For Lucian's plan to succeed, we need to know what we're dealing with. And they, hidden among the nobles and rulers, will give us the knowledge we seek."
Seraphine tilted her head slightly. "And if they fail?"
Lira's smile was cold, devoid of emotion. "Then they won't return."