Itherindia Vintes the tenth generation heir of the Vintes family one of the most powerful and ancient mage lineages in existence
family that holds dominion over dark power, yet that power does not reflect cruelty within them. In contrast to the authority they
possess, they choose to live in seclusion deep within the forest
In the southern region of Ishiwor a land filled with peace and silence free from the influence of any social authority
Beneath moonlight pouring down upon a night untouched by darkness the sound of footsteps pressing against the grass grew clearer The journey came to an end when he beheld a vast mansion standing before him towering at the heart of the forest
Yet those footsteps ceased without warning, disappearing abruptly without any sign a sudden vanishing that invoked quiet astonishment
Amid fountains and carefully arranged shrubs within the mansion garden the young woman appeared draped in a smooth black cloak left unfastened revealing a fitted suit and a short black skirt beneath along with opaque black stockings that resembled trousers White hair framed her presence marking her with an air of mystery
She stood perfectly still her gaze fixed firmly upon the entrance of the mansion with clarity and resolve At that moment a man emerged
He arrived clad in a long black coat wearing a mask painted with a sorrowful and bleak expression
His form manifested slowly like a wandering spirit before he knelt down in an act of absolute loyalty before Itherindia Vintes
She stepped closer to the masked man took hold of his hand and pulled him to his feet She then embraced him gently offering silent comfort He returned the embrace carefully with a trace of nervous restraint
She began to move walking slowly along the garden path of the mansion at night while the cold masked man followed behind in complete silence
..Thank you very much You hold a great debt of gratitude toward Vintes...
He stood calmly, allowing a gentle breeze to brush softly against the long black coat his face concealed beneath the mask revealing only pitch black eyes that were sharp and unsettling His true voice was polite yet filled with unwavering resolve
For Vintes..
I am willing to exchange everything for righteousness ..
Itherindia lifted her gaze toward the beautiful moon in a night tinged with gloom as though contemplating something deeply hidden within her heart before she spoke in a gentle tone
Sela How is she..
The young lady is safe..
The masked man replied politely though that courtesy carried a subtle cunning and profound awareness as if he intended to say only this much to convey something far greater He deliberately blinked once.
"There is no need for concern. The young lady is with mercenaries."
He spoke with courtesy yet inwardly he felt a strange amusement toward the unfolding situation
Their conversation ceased entirely leaving behind only the silence emanating from Itherindia herself Beneath her gentle and refined demeanor she concealed immense power within The silence grew ever more pronounced amid the chorus of insects echoing through the night
"Do not alter too many things."
Itherindia commanded with a tone that was firm yet courteous
"Allow everything to proceed according to the fate that is meant to be."
He reached into a small inner pocket beneath the coat and retrieved a wooden carving shaped like a faceless figure
The masked man clenched it with indescribable force reducing the delicate carving into dust In that instant a burst of white light surged forth from his left hand
Itherindia turned back with slight surprise her eyes reflecting the brilliant white light erupting from the masked man hand As the light gradually faded a white radiant gemstone emerged
White light continued to emanate from the masked man hand the energy released from the gemstone disturbing the surrounding environment Blades of grass and leaves trembled throughout the area while clothing and hair swayed faintly in response
Ten remain...
The masked man reported in his usual polite tone yet the stillness of his presence carried vast power tightly restrained within the hand holding the gemstone
Itherindia slowly moved closer to the masked man raising her left hand to the same level as the gemstone Serenum Black energy began to shimmer from her glove
The black energy enveloped Serenum completely dark power slowly seeping into the pure white gemstone like spreading dye The pristine whiteness was consumed bit by bit
Until the gemstone transformed into complete blackness The moment the transformation ended the white radiance was replaced by an intense red glow that blanketed the surroundings
"Shatter."
She declared with absolute authority, clenching her left hand tightly as it remained connected to the gemstone
The light vanished abruptly leaving only moonlight and shadow Serenum had become a pitch black sealed mass floating motionless above the left palm of the masked man
When Itherindia gave a slight nod of
permission the masked man responded by gripping Serenum now in the form of a black sealed mass bound by her dark power
He crushed it with brutal force revealing a fragility never before seen in the sealed gemstone It shattered into fine black dust
slowly drifting down onto the grass beside them.