Chapter 7: The First Truth Revealed
The pedestal loomed before me, its glow faint but persistent, as if it had been waiting centuries for this moment. Silverfang sat by my side, his ears twitching at the faint hum of energy filling the chamber, while the sprite fluttered close, its light casting shadows across the ancient carvings. The air was thick with anticipation, a quiet tension that pressed against my chest.
My hand hovered over the runes, hesitating. This was it. Whatever lay within this pedestal could finally give me answers about my curse—why I was reborn into this world as a pariah among humans yet revered by beasts and other races. My instincts screamed caution, but the pull of curiosity was stronger.
With a deep breath, I pressed my palm against the pedestal. The runes flared to life, their light coursing up my arm like liquid fire. The chamber around me faded, replaced by a swirling void of blue and gold light. I was weightless, suspended in the middle of this vast nothingness.
A voice, deep and resonant, echoed from every direction. "Orion Valor, bearer of the Curse of Dominion, you seek the truth of your existence."
"I do," I said, my voice steady despite the chaos around me. "Who cursed me? Why?"
The void pulsed, and a figure began to take shape—a silhouette of radiant energy. It towered over me, its form indistinct but undeniably powerful. "The curse was not born of hatred, but of fear. Fear of what you represent. Fear of what you may become."
My fists clenched. "That doesn't explain anything. Who feared me? Why would they go to such lengths?"
The figure's light dimmed slightly, as if weighed down by the truth it carried. "You were born under the convergence of the seven celestial stars, a phenomenon that occurs only once every thousand years. Such an event marks the arrival of a being destined to shift the balance of power in the world."
I frowned, my mind racing to piece together the implications. "And they cursed me to prevent that?"
"Yes," the figure said. "The Council of Seven, the most powerful human rulers, sought to bind your destiny with a curse that would isolate you from their kind. They hoped that by turning humanity against you, they could ensure their continued dominion over the world."
"And the beasts?" I asked. "Why are they drawn to me?"
The figure's glow brightened. "The curse was flawed. In seeking to sever your bond with humanity, the Council inadvertently amplified your connection to the primal forces of this world. Beasts and other races, untainted by human prejudice, recognize you as their rightful sovereign."
The revelation hit me like a thunderbolt. My curse, which had been a source of suffering and alienation, was also the key to my power. The humans' fear had backfired spectacularly, granting me a strength they could never have anticipated.
"How do I break the curse?" I demanded, my voice sharp.
The figure hesitated, its light flickering. "The curse cannot be undone, for it is woven into the fabric of your soul. But you can transcend it. By embracing the power it grants and forging your own path, you can rise above the Council's machinations."
"And what happens if I don't?" I asked.
The void darkened, a chill creeping through the air. "Then the Council's fear will become reality. They will stop at nothing to destroy you, and this world will plunge into chaos."
The vision began to fade, the figure's form dissolving into the void. "Your path is your own to choose, Orion Valor. But know this: the choices you make will shape the fate of this world."
I blinked, and the chamber snapped back into focus. The pedestal's glow had faded, leaving only faint traces of its runes. My companions were at my side, their expressions curious but concerned.
Silverfang let out a low growl, his golden eyes fixed on me. The sprite's aura pulsed with a question. What did you learn?
I took a deep breath, the weight of the revelation settling on my shoulders. "Everything," I said. "And nothing."
The words felt hollow, but they were true. The answers I had gained only raised more questions. But one thing was clear: the Council of Seven had made a mistake when they cursed me. They had feared the balance of power shifting, but they had only ensured it would. And I would make sure they regretted it.
"Come on," I said, turning toward the exit. "We have work to do."
As we stepped back into the open air, a new resolve burned within me. The curse wasn't a shackle; it was a gift. And I would wield it to reshape this world, no matter what it took.