The rain fell softly over the ruins of Arvendale.
Amid the scent of ash and iron, only the wind's whisper replied.
Celestine gazed upon the devastated field, where blood mingled with mud, and the sky seemed to mourn something that would never again be pure.
Before her, upon an improvised bed, lay Leonhardt—still, pale, his chest wrapped in blood-soaked bandages.
She had spent three days trying to stabilize his soul, torn between life and nothingness.
The Void had touched him… and now, something different pulsed within.
Damien approached, holding a tray of herbs.
> "I don't know how he's still alive. No human survives a wound like that—not even with healing magic."
Celestine replied without lifting her gaze:
> "He's no longer just human. The Void chose him as well."
> "What?"
> "When my power escaped me on the battlefield, part of it… recognized him. It touched him and, somehow, claimed him."
Damien frowned.
> "You're saying the empire's prince now bears the same mark as you?"
She finally turned to him.
In Celestine's eyes, the flickering flame's reflection seemed to dance—as if her shadow itself had a soul.
> "Yes. And that's why he can never go back."
---
⚜️ The Dream Within the Abyss
Leonhardt floated in a formless place where there was neither sky nor ground—only echoes.
Voices called to him, soft and ancient, whispering his name as though the wind had known it for millennia.
> "You seek justice…"
"But what is justice to the children of light?"
"You fought for truth—and truth killed you."
He tried to scream, but no sound came.
Then, a feminine silhouette appeared before him—woven of stars and shadows, like a mirror of Celestine.
> "You've seen what they hide. The stained throne. The empire of lies."
"Now you belong to the Void—not by choice, but by truth."
Leonhardt took a step forward.
> "If this is the Void… then why do I feel pain?"
> "Because you still love."
The figure touched his chest, and cold spread through his heart.
> "Then love. But know that every love within the Void… consumes."
And the world shattered into fragments.
---
🌑 The Awakening
Leonhardt opened his eyes with a restrained cry.
The ceiling above him was cracked stone. The air—dense and cold.
He tried to rise, but Celestine stopped him with a gesture.
> "Don't move."
He blinked, disoriented.
> "Celestine…? Where… are we?"
> "In the northern ruins. Arvendale."
> "The war… the empire…"
She looked away.
> "They've retreated. For now."
Silence. Only the rain outside.
Leonhardt brought a trembling hand to his chest—and felt something pulsing.
A dark glow throbbed beneath his skin—the same sigil Celestine bore.
His eyes widened.
> "What is this?"
Celestine replied calmly:
> "Your sentence… and your rebirth."
He took a shaky breath, meeting her gaze.
> "Then… you cursed me."
She smiled sadly.
> "No. I saved you."
> "And now?"
> "Now, the empire will try to destroy us… together."
---
⚜️ The Council of Shadows
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, Emperor Edric IV stared at the scorched map spread across his table.
Around him, generals and nobles argued over their defeat.
He remained silent—until the chancellor murmured:
> "Your Majesty… there are rumors the prince survived."
Edric lifted his gaze slowly.
> "Rumors?"
> "Yes, Your Majesty. They say he was seen in the north… beside Duchess Celestine."
The hall fell into a chill hush.
The nobles exchanged uneasy glances.
Edric rose, and the weight of his voice shook the stained glass.
> "Then the blood of the throne is corrupted. So be it."
He pointed toward the north on the map.
> "Summon the Order of Saints. Prepare the purification ritual."
> "Your Majesty… that means a holy war."
> "No," he said, a faint smile crossing his lips.
"It means the end of the gods who dared betray us."
---
🌹 In the North
Leonhardt, still weak, walked along the balcony of the ruined castle.
Snow fell gently, and Celestine watched him from afar.
The Void around them felt calmer—almost protective.
> "Do you feel it too?" he asked.
> "What?"
> "As if the world itself were breathing with us."
She looked at him curiously.
> "That's the Void recognizing you."
> "Then it has a soul."
She smiled faintly.
> "Perhaps. Or perhaps we're the ones who never had one."
For a moment, silence between them felt almost peaceful.
But in the distance, crows took flight toward the south.
Celestine followed them with her eyes—and knew.
> "The empire moves again."
---
🌑 Chapter Epilogue
At midnight, Celestine descended into the ancient crypts of Arvendale.
The walls were covered in inscriptions written in the old tongue of the Void.
She touched one of the runes, and a voice echoed within her mind:
> "Strength without control is destruction.
A heart without pain is emptiness.
Choose what you wish to become."
She closed her eyes.
> "Then teach me to control what I am."
Darkness answered in a whisper.
> "Train the body, sharpen the blade… and the Void will follow your rhythm."
Celestine opened her eyes, her expression resolute.
> "Then let it begin."