Maegaron Estate – Underground Training Hall, Nightfall
The underground chambers of the Maegaron estate echoed with the clash of blades, the thud of fists against padded armor, and the barked orders of instructors. Torchlight flickered along stone walls, casting long shadows over rows of slaves and recruits as they trained—some fresh from the pits of Valyria's underbelly, others taken in raids or bought from rival houses too arrogant to suspect Kaelarys's growing ambition.
Kaelarys watched from the balcony, arms crossed over his chest, his expression unreadable. Beside him stood Lyanna, hands on her hips, observing the soldiers' progress with sharp, appraising eyes.
"They're improving," she said. "Rough, untested—but hungry. Fear breeds obedience. But respect… that's what we must cultivate now."
Kaelarys nodded silently. Below, two young men sparred fiercely with wooden blades. One slipped, and the other landed a hard strike to his ribs, dropping him with a cry.
"They'll learn," Kaelarys murmured. "They have to."
With a flick of his wrist, the system interface shimmered into view.
Quest Progress:
Train 20 Slaves (14/20)
Strengthen Fleet (1/3 Ships)
Retrieve Magical Artifacts (4/5)
Dragon Egg Collection (2/3)
Dragonbinding Ritual: Progress 32%Skill Upgrade: Master of Arms (Level 4) — +5% Attack Speed, +10% Blade Mastery
He turned to Lyanna. "I'll finish the artifact quest myself. The final piece is hidden beneath the Citadel of Pure Flame. According to Varyn's spies, it's a blade—one that can sever the soul."
Her brows rose. "You plan to walk into the Pure Flame's vault? Alone?"
"No one else can get past the wards. My magic is strong enough now. I've studied the schematics. I'll be in and out before they know I'm there."
That night, Kaelarys moved like a wraith through Valyria's darker corridors, slipping past drunk guards and silent watchers. The Citadel of Pure Flame loomed like a black crown, its volcanic stone glowing faintly with embedded runes.
The ring vibrated against his skin. A new system update appeared:
New Temporary Ability Unlocked:Soulveil — Cloaks user in null-magic for 3 minutes. Cannot be detected by wards or spells. Cooldown: 12 hours.
Kaelarys activated it.
He entered through the eastern wall, where an ancient lava vent had cooled centuries ago, now forming a hidden tunnel. The Soulveil kept him hidden even as he passed within arm's reach of sorcerer-priests chanting before molten fountains.
Descending into the vault, he found it: the Soulsever Blade. A cruel, jagged thing forged from obsidian and soulsteel, it pulsed with ancient magic.
As he grasped the hilt, the blade whispered to him—foreign tongues, curses, promises. The magic ring shuddered but absorbed the worst of the blade's hunger.
Quest Complete: Retrieve Magical Artifact (5/5)Item Acquired: Soulsever — Cursed Blade (Damage vs. Spirits +300%, Can bypass magical defenses)Skill Unlocked: Soulstrike (Cooldown: 1 hour)EXP Gained: 400Level Up: Level 8 → Level 9
A tremor shook the vault. Alarms flared. He had minutes to escape.
Kaelarys sprinted through the tunnels, ducking under blasts of fire magic and leaping over fallen debris. The Soulveil wore off just as he reached the tunnel exit, but the ring cloaked his aura enough to hide him from pursuing mages.
By sunrise, he stood once again in the training hall, the Soulsever blade laid on the table before Lyanna.
She touched it and pulled back with a hiss. "This blade is cursed."
Kaelarys nodded. "And ours."
A moment of silence passed between them. Then Kaelarys turned toward the hall of recruits, now grown to nearly two dozen men and women, hardened by pain and steel.
"We're done hiding," he said, his voice like flint striking steel. "From this day forward, we build not just for survival—but for conquest."