"What delicious food." A feminine voice spoke out.
"The way it just melts in my mouth and the flavor just reflects elegance."
"Indeed." A male noble spoke, sitting across from her. She was surrounded by various male and female nobles that were having a banquet, connecting with nobles of her same status and higher.
The woman was Serala Vey. Gracefully poised with raven-black hair, styled in noble braids and vibrant blue eyes. She was considered very charismatic and composed in public.
"Gairos, Elphane, please prepare for my departure. I have finished my meal and wish to go out."
"Yes, My Lady."
"Understood. I will prepare the carriage."
Gairos was one of Serala's servants and seemed to be a combat butler. He was broad-shouldered and slightly grizzled in appearance, with sharp onyx eyes and close-cropped salt-and-black hair. Dressed in a flawlessly maintained butler uniform concealing weapons and tools of the trade.
Elphane wore a black butler's suit tailored to perfection, complete with silver-thread gloves, a raven-feather cravat, and polished bone cufflinks which he claimed to be ivory. His eyes are a dull gray-green, but attentive, always calculating. In bright light, faint surgical marks and skin-stitching are visible beneath his jawline. His gloves are never removed. He smells faintly of sterilized alcohol and a subtle, flowery cologne that masks stronger chemical scents.
Elphane presents himself as a dignified, immaculately trained butler in service to the minor noble house of Vey. Known for serving tea with flawless etiquette, remembering every detail of a guest's preference and walks without sound.
The location they were currently housed in was the Velvet Hollow, nestled along the upper terraces of Virestone Keep's inner city—just beyond the shadow of the royal palace—the Velvet Hollow caters exclusively to visiting nobles, foreign envoys, and wealthy merchants with ties to the court.
A grand four-story structure built from deep ashstone and veined marbles imported from the eastern coasts. The walls are lined with ivy-laced wrought iron balconies, each adorned with flower boxes that change seasonally to reflect courtly fashion. A golden hollowleaf embossed on violet banners that flutter over its arched entrance. The Hollow's kitchen is led by a chef of a former royal. The menus shift nightly, offering both Draevarran classics and foreign delicacies from the Kingdom of Thalor and even the Holy Dominion of Solmira.
As Elphane walked outside to prepare the carriage, Serala and Gairos went deeper into the Velvet Hollow back to Serala's suite. The main hall was an opulent atrium that greets guests with a domed ceiling painted with celestial motifs. A low, ever-burning chandelier of arcane fire casts a golden glow across red velvet lounges and polished obsidian floors. The private suites were soundproofed and enchanted for privacy, each with its own small library, personal bathhouse, and balcony.
"Was my previous performance with the rest of the nobility satisfactory, sir?"
"Yes, it was. There is no need to question your capability, Sergeant Orchid. I am merely here as your handler for this mission and your butler."
"While that may be true, I still intend to ensure that you believe my performance is adequate for the report you write to our supervising centurion, Captain Wyr-Stable."
Both Serala and Gairos were known as the Eyes of Hollow, embedded cell operatives of the Ophiuchus, within the Draevarran noble courts. While they were not the only operatives, they were the most skilled at their professions.
The Orchid, her assigned codename, played as a young noblewoman of major influence residing in Virestone Keep and specialized in psychological manipulation and subversion. She was a Cell Sergeant of Ophiuchus; a master of social infiltration and misinformation and trained in the Serpentry, a silent coded dialect used by the Ophiuchus Cell to embed directives with magic. She wields alchemical perfumes and poisoned jewelry — tools both ornamental and deadly.
The Wyr-Stable, his assigned codename, played as Serala's loyal butler — stoic, formal, and seemingly unremarkable. He was a Cell Captain; the Orchid's embedded handler. He was skilled in lethal hand-to-hand combatant, trained in the First Art of the Serpent, a Seerblade martial system blending pressure point combat and breath-based techniques to paralyze or kill silently. A specialist in disguise dismantling and detection of magical surveillance, capable of erasing entire paper trails, forging royal decrees, and extracting targets without a trace.
"Hm. I should inform Her Excellency of our departure. She must grow tired of waiting for our operation to commence. Is our bait acting accordingly?"
"Yes." She then opened the window, as she glanced toward one of the Seerblades that voiced his report through the Serpentry to the Orchid. The Seerblade was dressed as a Gravemarket Ashcloak.
"He is meeting with the Bone Whisper and his group of Ashcloaks in an empty alley near the Velvet Hollow, planning to ambush our carriage once we reach one of their outposts."
The Bone Whisper seemed to be slender and had a lithe build wrapped in tight, layered assassin garb made of muted gray-black leather and layered bone plating carved from human rib cages. His face is masked, bone-white and shaped like a grinning skull, with intricate carvings that hint at his fallen heritage. Underneath the mask: his once-handsome face is scarred, symmetrical and cold, with dead grey-blue eyes that do not flinch or flicker. His arms bear ritualistic tattoos and bone implants, laced into his flesh-like armor beneath the skin, each one storing pain, memory and death.
"That is good news. It seems everything is going as planned."
"Once the operation is underway, may I personally deal with Elphane? It seems he has described me in a way most uncomfortably."
"Do as you wish."
*
"I assume our prey has taken the bait." A new feminine voice spoke in the carriage.
The new noblewoman, seemingly of similar high status as Serala Vey, was veiled in silver and crimson, always in a mourning dress and known for being a highborn widow of old Draevarran nobility. No one that she encounters in the aristocracy has recalled whom she seemingly mourns. To the rest of the nobility, she is a mysterious, untouchable figure, courted for her wealth, feared for her knowledge and respected for her cool indifference. She was Lady Virelya Valebliss.
It was the Draevarran alias for Lady Seliora Eidryn, the Sovereign of Vengeance, while on her undercover assignment with the Ophiuchus.
"Yes, Your Excellency. Much better than expected."
"I see. The plan His Majesty has staged for the eventual absorption of the Gravemarket organization is underway, but the Hollow Choir must be eradicated."
"We're here!" Elphane yelled out from outside the carriage.
"It seems we've arrived at Duskvale."
Nestled within the dense brambles of the Old Hollow Trail, roughly fifteen kilometers northeast of Virestone Keep's outermost boundary, the Gravemarket Outpost of Duskvale is hidden in plain sight, cloaked by enchanted thickets, illusion wards and the lingering presence of death. It is located near a long abandoned village swallowed by the woods surrounding it, the outpost stands amid ruins once known as Greyroot Hollow, a place long believed to be cursed.
Duskvale is one of the primary Gravemarket nexuses outside the direct surveillance of Draevarran forces. Its role is twofold: serving as a covert research and harvesting station for rare materials, such as cadavers, magical remains and lost relics. It is also a command post for agents working beneath the notice of the King's spies. It is the second operational base of the Hollow Choir and commanded by one of the Choir's most secretive and experimental Fleshwrights, known quietly as Master Elphane.
The carriage was currently in the middle of Duskvale's Surface Ruins, the entrance to the Outpost Proper, a multi-tiered subterranean facility built into the collapsed chapel and catacombs of the old village. From above, it looks like rubble and vines—but below is a series of tunnels reinforced with bone-sculpted columns, charred timbers, and fungus-glowing pathways.
Seliora then opened the carriage door, as she appeared before the enemy force. It was composed of Choir Wardens and Choir Ferals. Choir Wardens — tall, thin constructs made of fused bone, sinew, and flayed skin—stood guard, dormant until intruders were sensed. Choir Ferals — skeletal-limbed abominations that scream in reverse—patrol the outer thickets, bound by hunger and command.
One of the Wardens approached Seliora, as it attempted to latch and restrain her.
"Filthy undead."
Seliora then swiftly grabbed the scabbard of her slim, elegant longsword, almost appearing as a rapier due to its slenderness but a slightly broader blade for dueling and assassination. She then unsheathed it. It was her Velmourn, forged from Eidrynic silversteel, a rare alloy infused with blood-red soulstone dust. The blade's surface appeared almost translucent — a ghostly silver — but from the center of the blade runs a visible crimson vein that pulses faintly, as though the vein was alive.
As she activates Velmourn's embedded runes, black veins briefly spiderweb outward from the crimson core, giving the impression the blade itself is hungering for justice and revenge.
She quickly slashed through the Warden with ease, as the construct itself seemingly confused at what had occurred, as she cut so quickly the undead was unable to register the action. It fell quickly then disappeared to dust. She had activated Vengent Resonance, a magic ability of Velmourn, that allowed the blade to grow sharper, faster and harder to block. The ability grows the more Seliora's emotional state aligns with righteous fury: it responds not to selfish anger, but true vengeance.
"My Silent Daughters, clean up the rest."
Three figures had then swiftly appeared behind her. It was the Sovereign's Daughters of Silence, considered the Emperor's whispered blade — death given poise and purpose. Personally anointed, trained and commanded by Seliora Eidryn, they are the living incarnation of the Third Dukedom of Vengeance's Reach. Each member is both executioner and ghost, carrying out edicts of imperial retribution with elegance and exacting finality. Their name stems from their victims' final moments: silent, awestruck, and without redemption. They operated in Sable Trinities, groups of three assassins functioning in perfect synchronicity with no communication required.
Clad in ceremonial robes layered with black leather and crimson lace, they move like wraiths at a wedding. Their veils are spun from noctshade silk, obscuring their faces but gleaming faintly under moonlight. They wear no insignia save for the blood-red gauntlet clasped over their hearts—the mark of Seliora.
Their primary weapons were twin curved sabers forged from shadowsteel that absorbs light and blood, leaving no reflective trace and the sabers cause muted wounds that resist magical healing. Bone-thin throwing needles dipped in slow-acting venom, paralyzing vocal cords and motor function within seconds and leaving the victim awake but silenced. A garrote of enchanted black filament that tightens with silence — reacts to the absence of sound rather than force. A collapsible war fan of obsidian blades and crimson silk, mainly used for defensive parrying.
They were typically used for high-value target eradication across enemy and internal territories, deep shadow reconnaissance and long-duration pursuit, silent suppression of dissent or betrayal within Eidryn and ritualized executions meant to send psychological messages.
Seliora's clothing then ignited in blue, the runes showing their presence, as her illusionary magic dissipated and revealed her uniform that usually wore.
"I believe the Bone Whisper is supposed to be inside with your target, Your Excellency. He has fought on equal terms with the Crown's Blade and almost killed him." Orchid spoke out.
"That man sounds quite strong then… it will be interesting to see how he fares against me."
"If you will excuse us, Your Excellency. We have our operational area to return to."
"Of course. I am aware you still are on assignment to continue your infiltration and internal subversion efforts inside of the capital. You may go."
"Thank you, Your Excellency." They both kneeled as they then returned to the carriage. Wyr-Stable grabbed onto the reins of the two horses and rode off from the abandoned area.
Before they rode off, Seliora then used Velmourn's Shadow Severance that allowed her to break through magical spells, barriers, shadows or illusions. It caused the illusionary wards and enchanted thickets around Greyroot Hollow to dispel instantly. The Corpse-Runes along the entrance also dissipated, where they typically detonated in bursts of necrotic flame when disturbed by non-marked beings.
"...Let us meet again, Orchid and Wyr-Stable of Ophiuchus."
*
Within the Outpost Proper, screams filled the vast columns and pathways as the Pale Singers and the Ashcloaks posted within the outpost were quickly killed off by the Silent Daughters.
The Bone Whisper was currently in the Listening Room: a small, domed sanctum containing scrying devices made from stolen eyes, oracle skulls, and preserved nerve clusters — typically used by Elphane to monitor agents, communications, and necromantic frequencies.
"It seems we have intruders and they are much different then the higher ranked nobles that I brought to be dissected." Elphane spoke out.
"You have permission to use the Voice of Bone within the Choir Vault. It seems the relic has fully bonded with you at this point in time."
"Understood." The Bone Whisper then went off to the Choir Vault to obtain the Vox Ossium.
"Our remaining forces will be called back to strengthen Duskvale's inner defenses. I will return to my Black Vein Chamber to prepare for our eventual evacuation if you are unable to subdue our foes."
The Vox Ossium, now known as the Voice of Bone due to its inherent bond with the Bone Whisper, is a fragmented relic obtained from the Holy Dominion of Solmira. Said to be fashioned from the spine and larynx of a condemned prophet whose words shattered minds and sundered souls, the relic had long been considered too unstable — until it was bonded to the Bone Whisper, whose training and spiritual corrosion made him the perfect host.
It is a bone-white spinal weapon that wraps along the Bone Whisper's arm and shoulder like a coiled exoskeletal serpent. Where the weapon meets his throat, a bony larynx-like implant merges with his voice box, allowing resonance-based activation. When fully activated, the relic hums with a whispering choir of voices and glows with a faint, pale light under the skin.
*
Seliora and the Sable Trinity in front of her continued to enter the depths of the outpost, after eliminating another small group of Ashcloaks.
"Soundless Predator."
A innate magic skill, Soundless Predator allowed the Bone Whisper to move with absolute silence, his presence nearly impossible to detect unless he wills it. Even skilled warriors struggle to anticipate his presence in open terrain.
One of the Silent Daughters was then attacked by the Bone Whisper, suddenly appearing from a small opening within the underground rock column. Feeling his presence within seconds before her head was struck off, the Silent Daughter instinctively blocked with her twin sabers. She was able to fight off his offensive attack, but still knocked backwards by his swift physical force. She then realized that the Bone Whisper was able to still briefly cut her neck, as blood slowly streamed down.
"So, you women are not pushovers after all, to be able to deflect my attack like that. Fellow assassins?... It looks like this might be fun, for one of you at least." He glanced at Seliora, immediately identifying that she was the strongest among the quadruple.
"You're alone?... what arrogance. I don't mind if you call the rest of your friends to make this more of a fair battle."
"There is no need for kindness. No matter how many gather, they are still small fries and they would just get in the way."
The Silent Daughters immediately launched forward, preparing to incapacitate the Bone Whisper. Realizing that fighting three at once would be a threat, he activated one of the abilities of the Voice of Bone. He used Shriek Pulse, which emitted a magic sonic burst from the implanted larynx that warps the air into a concussive wave of force, capable of rupturing eardrums, cracking ribs, and shattering lesser shields. The pulse is especially effective in enclosed areas, creating devastating echo chambers.
Velmourn subconsciously activated within seconds. It recognized the Shriek Pulse as a threat, as it countered the magic spell before it could cause damage, dispelling it. The Silent Daughters felt as if they were physically weakened, but weren't internally damaged.
"So you have one too, a magic relic."
The Silent Daughters then fell back as they realized they could not fight against him without a relic themselves, as Seliora walked forward.
"The name's Bone Whisper."
"Lady Seliora Eidryn, from the distant land of Eidryn. I hope you'll entertain me much more than your compatriots could…"