The golden bells of the cathedral tolled six times before silence fell across the marble hall. Rows of white-robed priests stood with bowed heads, their lips moving in solemn prayer. Holy light shimmered through the stained glass, painting saints and angels across the floor.
And right in the middle of that divine scene… stood a devil in disguise.
Raven.
Clad in a servant's uniform, face calm and unreadable, he carried a tray of silver goblets as though he belonged. His eyes, crimson under the shadow of his hood, scanned the room — every priest, every sigil, every enchanted statue.
Vee's voice echoed softly in his mind.
> "Target confirmed. That's Cardinal Marius. High-tier light mage, fifth seat in the Holy Order. Weakness: Arrogance. Exploitable."
Raven's lips curved slightly.
> "Arrogance, huh? Perfect."
He placed the tray gently on the altar and bowed. The priests barely spared him a glance. Why would they? In their eyes, he was just another servant.
That was their first mistake.
> "System," he murmured in his mind, "scan the cathedral layout. I want every hidden chamber, every seal, every relic."
"Running scan…" Vee's tone turned teasing. "By the way, I like this look on you. Humble servant with a dagger behind his back."
"Stay focused."
"Fine, fine, Mr. Brooding Villain."
Lines of faint blue code shimmered behind his eyes as the scan completed. Hidden chambers, forbidden vaults, cursed relics — all marked.
Raven's plan was simple:
Steal the Church's secret.
Turn their faith into fear.
And start building his legend — not as a hero, but as the Shadow of Salvation.
---
The cardinal's voice broke through the silence.
> "The hour approaches. Today, we summon the Hero destined to lead humanity!"
The priests cheered softly, their voices trembling with faith.
Raven's mind ticked like a machine.
> "A hero, summoned today… if I hijack the ritual, I can insert my own mark. A curse bound to their savior."
His eyes darkened.
> "Then the world's symbol of hope becomes my puppet."
Step one: Get close to the altar.
Step two: Corrupt the summoning circle.
Easy.
If no one interfered.
Which, of course, someone did.
"Hey," a voice whispered beside him.
Raven turned slightly. A young novice — blonde, nervous — looked at him curiously.
> "You're new, right? Haven't seen you before."
Raven gave him a polite smile. "Transferred from the southern branch."
> "Oh… must be rough. The cardinal's strict."
Raven nodded, tone humble. "I only wish to serve the Light."
The novice smiled, reassured. "That's the spirit."
Vee chuckled in his head.
> "You're scary when you sound innocent."
"People see what they want to see."
"And you give them the illusion they crave."
"Exactly."
He waited until the novice turned back to the ceremony, then slipped closer to the altar.
---
The summoning circle sprawled across the floor — intricate, glowing, alive. Light magic pulsed like a heartbeat. Angels and divine seals woven into the pattern. To touch it meant blasphemy.
Raven crouched, studying it. He could almost admire the craftsmanship — layers of divine geometry, ancient light runes, the signature of a hundred saints.
Almost.
But perfection had cracks.
> "Vee."
"I see it too. The central anchor — glyph of purity. Swap it with your sigil and the ritual still works, but the summoning target carries your imprint."
"How long do I have?"
"Thirty seconds before activation."
"Plenty."
He drew a finger across the floor. Black mist coiled like smoke, unseen by mortal eyes. His mark — a crescent shadow biting into a golden sun — etched itself into the glyph.
A perfect overlay. Undetectable.
A curse inside a prayer.
The priests began chanting louder. The air vibrated with divine energy.
> "Initiating summoning sequence!" the cardinal cried.
Light erupted — brilliant, blinding. The circle flared white, wind roared, and divine power surged like a storm.
And at the heart of that holy maelstrom, Raven smiled.
Because beneath all that radiance, a thread of shadow pulsed quietly.
His seed had been planted.
---
The storm calmed. A figure knelt in the center — a young man, glowing faintly, dazed and confused. The Hero.
Cheers erupted. Priests wept with joy.
Raven bowed like the rest, expression calm.
Inside, his mind raced.
> "System, link established?"
"Confirmed. Curse mark synced. When he awakens his power, your influence will grow."
"Good."
He watched the hero, eyes cold.
> "You'll save this world, boy.
But you'll do it… my way."
---
"Servant!" The cardinal's voice snapped him back.
Raven knelt immediately. "Yes, Your Grace."
> "Take this hero to the sanctum. He must be cleansed before the divine revelation."
"At once."
Perfect.
Raven guided the confused hero down the hall, past gilded walls and chanting monks. The boy glanced around, eyes wide.
> "Where… where am I?"
"The Holy Cathedral," Raven said calmly.
"I… I was in a city. Then light… then—"
"You were chosen," Raven said softly. "By the Light itself."
The boy swallowed, awe filling his face.
> "Chosen…"
Vee whispered,
> "He's just a kid. Looks too innocent for a hero."
"All the better," Raven murmured inwardly. "Innocence makes the best mask."
He opened the door to the sanctum — a small, candlelit room.
> "Rest here. The priests will come soon."
The boy nodded, exhausted.
As soon as he sat, Raven quietly traced another symbol under the table — a shadow anchor, linking the curse to his soul.
A chain unseen.
A fate sealed.
> "One puppet prepared," Vee mused.
"No. One piece placed," Raven corrected. "Puppets don't build empires. Soldiers do."
He rose, smoothing his robe.
> "Next, we corrupt the heart of faith."
"The cardinal?"
"Not yet. First, his pride."
---
When Raven returned to the main hall, Cardinal Marius was basking in praise. His voice thundered, his smile gleamed. The man looked like holiness incarnate — yet his eyes, just for a second, flicked to the treasure vault door.
Raven noticed.
And smiled.
> "Vee."
"On it. Tracking his gaze… confirmed. He's hiding something sacred — and dangerous."
"A relic?"
"Something better. Something forbidden."
Raven stepped forward, bowed.
> "Your Grace, the hero rests safely."
"Good. You serve well, young one."
"The Light guides all."
The cardinal nodded, satisfied, and turned away.
Raven's eyes followed him, mind already spinning threads of manipulation.
> "Arrogant. Proud. Secretive."
"In other words," Vee purred, "your favorite prey."
"Exactly."
And as the bells chimed again, Raven began weaving his next move.
The church had summoned a hero.
But unknowingly…
They had also invited a devil into their heart.
-----
The sanctum's doors closed behind him with a soft click.
Raven's footsteps echoed across the marble corridor — slow, deliberate, like the ticking of a clock before judgment. The holy scent of incense filled the air, masking the faint trace of his curse's energy.
Every step, every glance, every word — calculated.
He was no longer surviving.
He was hunting.
> "Vee," he murmured. "Pull up the Cardinal's background."
"Searching archives… got it. Marius Velent. High priest for twenty-three years. Known for strict discipline, rumored political ambition. He's petitioning the High Council for a Saint's seat."
"Meaning he's desperate for reputation."
"Bingo. Perfect leverage."
Raven stopped at the corner balcony overlooking the cathedral plaza. Pilgrims knelt in prayer below, thousands strong, faces lifted toward the golden statue of the Lightbringer.
> "Look at them," he muttered.
"Blind faith?" Vee teased.
"No. Weapons. They just don't know it yet."
Faith was power. Power could be stolen.
And soon, it would be his.
---
A group of priests approached from the main hall, gossiping quietly. Raven listened without turning.
> "The relic vault opens tonight, I heard."
"Really? Only the Cardinal has access."
"He's taking the Hero for a blessing ritual."
"Must be the Light's Relic…"
Raven's eyes narrowed slightly. Light's Relic…
> "System, cross-reference."
"Relic classified: 'Heart of Eclipsera.' Ancient divine core, amplifies holy magic. If corrupted, it inverts light into shadow."
"So it can be… rewritten."
"Exactly. But you'll need physical access."
"And a key."
"Which the Cardinal has."
Raven smiled.
Perfect.
---
That evening, the cathedral dimmed under twilight. Torches flickered across golden arches. Choirs had gone silent, and the air hummed with expectation.
Raven moved through the corridors with a candle and calm steps. His disguise had changed — now a holy assistant, robes pristine, eyes lowered.
At the entrance to the vault stood two armored Templars.
> "Authorized personnel only."
"I serve under His Grace, Cardinal Marius," Raven replied smoothly, holding out a scroll sealed with the Church's crest — one he had forged hours ago.
The guards exchanged glances, inspected it, and nodded.
> "Proceed."
Raven bowed and entered.
---
Inside, the vault shimmered with sanctity. Rows of relics sat behind enchanted glass, glowing faintly with divine essence — swords of saints, crowns of prophets, fragments of holy texts.
And at the center, floating above a marble pedestal, pulsed a radiant orb — The Heart of Eclipsera.
It glowed pure white, like a captured star.
Raven's crimson eyes reflected it — light meeting shadow.
> "System, confirm containment wards."
"Five layers. Divine inscription, mana shield, soul-lock, temporal freeze, faith tether."
"Time to dismantle."
"You're going to tamper with a relic worshiped by millions. Bold move."
"Not tamper. Upgrade."
He drew his dagger. The blade shimmered black-purple, humming softly.
> "Initiate Shadow Rewrite."
A low hum filled the vault. Symbols crawled across the air, merging black with gold. The Heart flickered — once, twice — then pulsed darker.
Divine light bled into twilight hues. The room dimmed. A faint whisper echoed — not divine, but something deeper.
Ancient.
Hungry.
> "Containment stable?"
"98% integrity. Your mark is merging perfectly."
"Good. When the Cardinal uses it on the Hero, my curse will triple in strength."
---
"Who's there?"
Raven froze, turning slowly.
At the doorway stood Cardinal Marius, candle in hand, face sharp with suspicion.
Raven bowed deeply. "Your Grace."
> "What are you doing in my vault, servant?"
Silence.
Then — Raven smiled faintly.
> "Fulfilling prophecy."
Marius frowned. "Explain."
Raven stepped closer, voice low and reverent.
> "While tending to the Hero, I received a vision. The Light whispered: 'The Heart must awaken before dawn.' So I came — to prepare the relic."
The cardinal's suspicion wavered.
Faith was powerful… but ego was stronger.
> "A vision, you say?"
"Yes, Your Grace. It said only you could complete it."
Flattery. Deference. Divine implication.
Marius's pride flared like a flame.
> "The Light… chose me."
"Of course. Who else is worthy?"
The Cardinal stepped toward the pedestal, staring at the relic in awe. He saw its dim glow — not corruption, but transformation.
To him, it was a sign.
> "Magnificent…" he whispered. "Truly, the Light favors me."
"Then claim its blessing," Raven urged softly. "Let the world witness your sanctity."
Marius reached out, hands trembling, and touched the Heart.
A burst of golden radiance filled the vault. The air thrummed. Power surged — holy, yet tainted.
Raven knelt, eyes shadowed.
Vee whispered,
> "You just made him your conduit."
"Exactly. When he blesses the Hero, my shadow will spread through his faith. He'll think it's divine light."
"That's evil."
"That's strategy."
The glow faded. Marius stood taller, chest heaving, eyes gleaming with newfound zeal.
> "I feel it. The Light's embrace."
"Then let us bring it to the Hero."
The Cardinal nodded, overcome by pride.
He didn't realize he'd become a carrier of Raven's curse.
---
The next morning, the ceremony began.
Hundreds gathered. Priests chanted. The Hero stood at the altar, nervous but resolute.
Cardinal Marius raised his hands, relic hovering above his palms.
> "By the Light's grace, I anoint thee, Hero of Dawn!"
The orb flared — brilliant, pure. But beneath that glow, darkness threaded like veins, invisible to all but one.
Raven, standing among attendants, lowered his head, lips curving.
> "System, link status?"
"Complete. The Hero's soul now carries both divine light and your shadow. Dual resonance established."
"Meaning?"
"His power grows — but so does your influence. You can trigger instincts, impulses, even thoughts."
"Good. Let him be their savior."
"And your weapon."
The Hero knelt, glowing faintly. Cheers erupted.
To the world, this was a blessing.
To Raven, it was a binding.
---
That night, the city celebrated. Bells rang. Fireworks bloomed.
And in the shadows of the cathedral's spire, Raven watched — arms crossed, eyes cold.
> "Day one complete," Vee said lightly. "You corrupted a relic, manipulated a cardinal, bound a hero, and infiltrated a church. Productive."
"Not enough."
"Ambitious much?"
"I was used in my last life, Vee. Betrayed. Broken. This time…"
He turned his gaze toward the city below — lights flickering like fragile stars.
> "…I'll use them."
Vee was silent for a moment, then spoke softly.
> "And if someone resists?"
"Then they'll kneel… or disappear."
Wind howled through the spire, carrying the faint echo of the church bells.
The Hero of Light had been born.
But so too had the Shadow King who would one day eclipse him.
And this world — pure, naive, radiant —
would soon learn the name Raven Cross.
To be continued...