Night fell upon the empire — heavy and silent.
The imperial messengers had left the villages, yet their trail of fear lingered.
By the firesides, people read aloud the Crown's Decree — and with every repetition, the name Celestine d'Arnoir became less of a warning… and more of a call.
---
⚜️ The Voice of the People
In a small northern village, a group of peasants gathered around the fire.
The eldest among them — a man with calloused hands — held the parchment in his grasp.
— "A traitor to humanity, that's what the empire calls her. But tell me… what has the empire ever done for us, other than steal our harvests?"
The crowd murmured among themselves.
A young woman, her face smudged with ash, rose to her feet.
— "I saw what she did. Celestine made rain fall upon the dead lands — where even the priests' blessings couldn't heal the soil."
— "Lies!" — shouted one of the imperial spies hidden among them. — "She uses forbidden magic! Everything she touches turns to ruin!"
The woman glared at him, eyes blazing.
— "And what does the empire do? Burns everything it cannot control!"
Silence fell — sharp as thunder.
Then, a hooded man stepped forward, letting a silver medallion fall upon the table — the symbol of a rose entwined with a raven.
— "The Rose of the Void awakens," he murmured. "And those who were forgotten… shall be remembered."
---
🌑 The Castle of Ashes
Within the ruins of Arvendale, Celestine walked through corridors overgrown with dark vines.
With every step, she felt the Void pulse beneath the stones — as though the ancient walls recognized her blood.
Behind her came Damien, followed by Alera, a former imperial captain who had deserted after the decree.
Alera knelt before Celestine.
— "Your Grace… groups are forming. Villagers, mercenaries, even nobles. They all claim to fight for 'justice.' They call you the Queen of the North."
Celestine raised an eyebrow — amused and bitter.
— "Queen? That's new."
— "They believe you'll bring balance… that you'll destroy the empire and rebuild what was taken."
Celestine stood silent, gazing through the shattered windows as cold wind swept in.
For a moment, she seemed weary.
Then a faint smile curved her lips.
— "Balance, justice, vengeance… call it what you will. But the empire must remember the price of the blood it spilled."
She turned to Damien.
— "Send ravens to the south. Tell all who follow me that Arvendale has risen again.
And that the Void is not the end… it's the beginning."
---
⚜️ The Hidden Council
In a distant fortress, Leonhardt met Emilia in secret.
Both wore cloaks to conceal their identities.
— "Have you read the reports?" he asked, tossing a parchment onto the table. "There are riots in three provinces. The army is divided. Half refuse to fight their own people."
Emilia bit her lip.
— "And the other half believes Celestine is a demon."
— "She isn't," Leonhardt said firmly. "But if this continues… the empire will force her to become one."
— "What do you intend to do?"
He hesitated, his voice low when he finally spoke:
— "Help her. In secret. If the throne wants to bury the truth… then I'll be the traitor who unveils it."
Emilia stared at him, shocked.
— "Leonhardt, if you do this, you'll never be able to return."
— "Perhaps I shouldn't."
She took his hand gently.
— "Then you won't do it alone."
---
🌹 The Call of Ravens
Meanwhile, the skies of the North filled with shadows.
Thousands of ravens flew in formation, carrying small fragments of parchment — each sealed with the same mark: a dark rose crossed by a black feather.
The messages reached every corner of the empire:
"Arvendale lives. The empire trembles. Come north."
The news spread like wildfire.
Bandits, exiled mages, deserters, and dreamers began to march — not for gold, but for a name.
Before the rebuilt walls, Celestine stood watching the horizon lit by distant torches.
Her army grew with every night.
Damien approached.
— "They follow you, even without knowing you."
— "They don't follow me, Damien," she replied, her gaze fixed on the moon. "They follow what the empire stole from them — hope."
The wind rose, lifting her silver hair.
And the Void Seal on her hand glowed fiercely — as if the Void itself answered her call.
---
⚜️ The Last Prayer
In Lythra, High Priestess Selene knelt before the altar.
Candles flickered, and the statues of the saints seemed to watch her in silence.
She lifted her face toward the stained glass depicting the God of Light.
— "If light brings suffering… then perhaps the Void is mercy."
A tear traced her cheek.
— "Forgive me, Lord… but I must see the other side."
Rising, she removed her white veil and donned a dark cloak.
A raven awaited her at the window.
And before departing, she whispered:
— "Take me to her."
---
🌹 Chapter Epilogue
Across the empire, rebellion found its voice.
Nobles whispered in shadows, peasants took up arms, and even the gods… seemed to fall silent.
Upon the golden throne, Emperor Edric watched the flames rise along the northern borders.
— "So it begins," he said with a faint smile. "The war that will define the world."
And far away, amid the mountains, Celestine answered the fire with a calm, cruel gaze:
— "No, Your Majesty. It merely awakens."