The dungeon air hung thick and heavy, a miasma of mildew, despair, and the lingering stench of decay. Dampness seeped from the porous stone walls, clinging to Ivel like a shroud. This was no ordinary prison; it was a chasm of utter darkness, a place where hope went to die. It was the deepest, darkest pit of Eldoria's formidable dungeons, a place reserved for the most dangerous criminals, the most irredeemable villains. Ivel, bound by magical seals and chains forged by Eldoria's most powerful wizards – chains capable of imprisoning even seventh-tier magicians – lay in the heart of this abhorrent abyss
He was unconscious, lost in the inky blackness, yet his spirit soared. He found himself in the ethereal spiritual realm, a shimmering expanse of celestial light that stood in stark contrast to his physical prison. Seven figures, cloaked in an aura of ancient power, stood before him – the Seven Swordsmen, spectral guardians of Caelum. Their eyes, glowing with celestial fire, watched him with an unnerving intensity
"Grandpa," Ivel greeted, his voice echoing in the boundless space. "I need your help—"
Before he could finish, a booming voice, warm yet laced with authority, interrupted. "Ivel, my boy. I have been observing your journey, your struggles, your triumphs. I have witnessed the atrocious acts committed by Cedric. He brings shame and dirt to the entire bloodline of our family. I would squeeze his throat and rip him to pieces if I could."
The Seven Swordsmen remained silent, their ethereal forms radiating power, their watchful gazes fixed on Ivel
"Ivel," Caelum continued, his voice resonating with the weight of centuries, "I assign you a new quest, a new job. You must overtake Cedric. You must reclaim your kingdom and your honor. Let everyone know who the successor of the greatest swordmaster is! Let the world know that a new legend has been born!"
Caelum's words ignited a fire within Ivel's soul. The weight of responsibility, the injustice of his father's murder, the betrayal of his kingdom – it all converged into a burning resolve
"Grandpa," Ivel replied, his voice filled with unwavering determination, "I will not disappoint you, or the Swordsmen. I will do this for the sake of Eldoria, and to avenge Father and Mother."
A question had been simmering in Ivel's mind for a long time, a question that now demanded an answer. "Grandpa," he asked, "I had a question about Zelfur. It was your sword during your golden era, right?"
Caelum nodded. "Yes, my boy. It was a sword forged by me, with the help of the Seven Swordsmen. A fragment of each of their swords, seven fragments in total, plus some rare materials, helped forge Zelfur, my greatest creation."
"Was there a soul sealed within Zelfur, Grandpa?" Ivel asked, his voice barely above a whisper
Caelum fell silent, his gaze intense. After a few seconds of unnerving stillness, he responded, "Ivel, I am bounded by the universe. This is something I cannot answer as of now. Grow stronger, and you will find the truth yourself."
Ivel had anticipated this response. Amisu, the soul residing within Zelfur, had hinted at this mysterious connection. "The soul in Zelfur said her name was Amisu," Ivel stated calmly, "and that she knew you, Grandpa, that you two were old friends."
A subtle smile flickered across Caelum's face, quickly masked. "My boy," Caelum said, his voice regaining its warmth, "I will reveal everything when the time comes. For now, return to your world. Your people need you. And I have noticed the egg you hold… take care of it well, and it will grow to become a worthy partner that will aid you on your journeys. Good luck, Ivel. Reclaim your glory."
With a final, encouraging nod, Caelum's spectral form dissolved, and the spiritual realm vanished, leaving Ivel alone once more in the suffocating darkness of his prison cell
He woke with a jolt, his body aching, his muscles screaming in protest. The magical chains restrained him, but a newfound strength, a potent energy coursing through his veins, invigorated him. He heard the faint sounds of approaching footsteps, and before he could fully collect himself, a voice echoed from the shadows
"Ah, you've awakened, boy," the voice sneered. It was Cedric. He stepped into the dim light of a flickering torch, "What is your real identity? And what do you want?" Cedric's voice dripped with a chilling mixture of curiosity and menace. His eyes, however, betrayed a deeper emotion – fear. He pressed further, his tone hardening, "Also, how do you know Edric? And why do you possess Zelfur, the legendary sword created by Grandmaster Caelum himself?"
Ivel, ignoring the pain in his body, let out a burst of laughter, a sound that echoed through the dungeon, startling Cedric. He laughed and laughed, until tears streamed down his face, then he stopped, a cold smile replacing the mirth
"Cedric," Ivel said, his voice low and dangerous, "you won't be able to hide for long. I will come for you, and I will take control. You want to know who I am? I am the nightmare to your dreams, the creature of your worst nightmares. I am the end of you. I am Prince Ivel!"
Cedric stumbled backward, his face paling. The name Ivel, the name of the prince he believed to be dead, struck him like a physical blow. The memories of the night of Edric's and his family's murder flooded back, bringing with them a wave of sickening terror. The carefully constructed façade of his reign crumbled, revealing the weak, frightened man beneath
Ivel's voice rose, each word resonating with the raw power of his grief and vengeance. "Son of King Edric! Great-grandson of Swordmaster Caelum! And you, a traitor to our kingdom, will die by my hands!"
Cedric, paralyzed by fear, scrambled to regain his composure. He frantically called for the guards, his voice a desperate plea. "Guards! Keep heavy watch over him! Take him away!" He turned and fled, his retreat a chaotic dash into the darkness
Cedric burst into Gareth's chambers, his face contorted with terror. "Gareth! He's back! This can't be!"
Gareth, initially perplexed by his liege's frantic state, tried to calm him. "My liege, what's happened? Explain yourself."
Lukas, Cedric's son, entered, sensing his father's distress. "Father, what's wrong?"
Cedric, still panting, his face slick with sweat, choked out the words, "Ivel… Edric's oldest son… he's back!"
Gareth's eyes widened. "What? How can that be? We skillfully killed him, along with the King and the Shadow Assassins made sure they were dead. We must execute him immediately!"
While Gareth and the knights scrambled to prepare for Ivel's public execution – a hasty, desperate attempt to quell the growing unrest and silence Ivel permanently – Ivel, alone in his cell, focused his energy on Zelfur. The legendary blade pulsed with a faint light, a connection forming between the two. Ivel closed his eyes, concentrating on the image of Amisu, a faint voice whispering in his mind, the echo of her connection to Caelum, guidance towards a new path
He attempted to transport himself to Amisu's spiritual realm, a realm separate from Caelum, a space solely theirs. It was a treacherous and difficult task. His body screamed in protest at the strain, the magical seals and chains pressing in, trying to prevent his escape. But Ivel pressed on, fueled by the memory of his family, the promise to reclaim his kingdom, and the unwavering belief that he would uncover the truth behind Zelfur and Amisu. The dungeon walls seemed to vibrate with the intensity of his focus; the very air crackled with magical energy as Ivel struggled against his physical restraints. The journey was far from easy, yet his determination remained unbroken. The future, however uncertain, was now his to fight for. He would not falter.