The night air was thick with the scent of rain, though none had fallen. Xel'Varyn stood upon the highest balcony of the Eclipse Palace, her golden eyes scanning the city below. The streets of Solrath, now named Nyx'Kareth, the City of Eternal Twilight, burned with activity even at this late hour.
Merchants, warriors, spies—her empire never truly slept.
But neither did her enemies.
A raven landed on the stone railing before her, its beady eyes reflecting the flickering lanterns below. It cocked its head, waiting.
She extended her fingers, allowing the bird to hop onto her wrist. With a single whispered command, the rune upon its chest flared.
"Show me."
The raven's eyes glowed, and Xel'Varyn's mind was flooded with whispers.
---
[System Update: Hidden Threats Revealed]
Incoming Report from the Shadowveil Spymasters:
Rebellion confirmed. Noble houses in the western provinces have begun funneling resources toward armed resistance.
A leader has emerged. Title unknown, but referred to in hushed tones as The Veiled King.
A forbidden power is at play. Evidence suggests that dark relics—ones sealed away centuries ago—have been unearthed and distributed to rebel forces.
---
Xel'Varyn opened her eyes, the raven screeching as it dissolved into shadow.
"The Veiled King…" she murmured, rolling the name over her tongue.
Edwin stepped from the shadows behind her, his voice a low whisper. "I've already dispatched assassins to gather more information. But I suspect this is no ordinary rebellion."
Victor Dain, standing near the doorway with arms crossed, let out a low growl. "Ancient relics? You know what that means."
Xel'Varyn's gaze sharpened.
Cultivators. Forbidden arts. Powers that even she had yet to grasp.
She tilted her head, considering. "Let them believe they have the upper hand. A war fought in the light can be seen. A war fought in the dark…"
She turned, her black cloak billowing behind her.
"Is over before it even begins."
---
[System Update: New Objectives]
New Threat: The Veiled King & The Hidden Relics
You cannot fight what you do not understand. Seek knowledge. Unravel the source of these artifacts before your enemies grow too powerful.
New Title Acquired:
Watcher in the Dark (Your presence extends beyond sight. Fear of the unseen weakens the resolve of your foes.)
New Trait Acquired:
Soulbound Intel (All spies and messengers connected to you share their knowledge instantly upon death.)
---
The First Move
As dawn broke over the city, Xel'Varyn descended into the Vault of Lost Names, deep beneath the palace.
It was time to consult the Wraith Archivist.
If forbidden artifacts had truly returned to the world…
Then so, too, had the nightmares that created them.
---
[To Be Continued…]