The emperor carried leth while xyril dringked the fire that burned the Ashengil Castle, when suddenly a creature appeared stood tall and unnervingly lean, his pale, corpse-like skin skeletal frame.
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His eyes, a sickly yellow, gleamed with a predatory hunger, glowing against the shadows of his wild, tangled black hair that draped messily over his shoulders.
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Clad in tattered, dark robes that clung to his figure like decaying shrouds, he exuded an aura of deadly cold. His elongated hands ended in claw-like nails, perfect for tearing through flesh, and when he moved, it was with a silent, gliding grace that made him unseen almost weightless, a specter from the darkness of nightmares.
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And a tall, thin, skeletal figure dressed in a sharp black tuxedo with a long tailcoat and black trousers. He wears a black top hat and dark sunglasses, often with one lens removed.
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His face resembles a skull, either painted or naturally bone-like, with deep, dark eye sockets that give him an intense, haunting stare.
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He sometimes has a cigar in his mouth or carries a cane, adding to his commanding and eerie presence.
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A purple or black scarf or sash may also be part of his attire, enhancing his mysterious, otherworldly look. And a massive, spectral dog with a shaggy black coat that appears rough and unkempt.
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Its eyes glow with an otherworldly light, typically yellow or red, piercing through the darkness with an unsettling intensity. horns adding to its ominous and menacing presence.
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Its size is imposing, like a bear, casting a formidable shadow across the landscape.
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The creature just stared at Leth as if it were waiting. Suddenly, the dog-like creature lunged at them, and a tall, thin, skeletal figure transformed into fog, causing Caelum and the emperor's vision to blur. Elongated hands, ending in claw-like nails, crawled toward Leth's face.
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A flash of shadows sliced through the claws as Aeron, wielding his sword, struck them just as the emperor was about to fight the creatures. At that moment, his three sons appeared, their faces void of emotion. Caelum had awakened his abilities at the same time as Aeron and Valen.
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Valen was surrounded by his shadows, while Aeron’s sword glowed like the sun.
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"Master, be careful with the man wearing a tuxedo, he's Baron Samedi," the moth said.
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"Baron Samedi?" Valen asked, raising an eyebrow in skepticism.
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"I thought that creature was just a mere myth," Caelum said, glancing at the moth with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
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The moth fluttered its wings anxiously. "He's no myth, I assure you. The stories are true. He is the master of the dead, a trickster who revels in chaos and manipulation. He can summon spirits and twist reality to his will."
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Valen frowned, remembering the tales whispered among the villagers of a dapper figure appearing at the edge of the graveyard, always accompanied by a sense of foreboding. "What does he want."
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The moth hesitated, its delicate wings shimmering in the dim light. "He seeks to entertain himself. His presence often brings misfortune, and he delights in toying with the living. If we’re not careful, he might turn our very fears against us."
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"Great," Caelum muttered, crossing his arms. "Just what we need a villain with a penchant for theatrics. How do we deal with him?"
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The moth hovered closer, its voice dropping to a whisper. "Avoid his gaze. He has a way of bending the will of those who meet his eyes. And whatever you do, don’t take his jokes lightly they carry a heavy price."
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As they exchanged wary glances, a soft chuckle echoed through the shadows, rich and inviting, yet laced with danger. The figure in the tuxedo stepped forward, a grin stretching across his skeletal face.
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“Ah, what delightful company!” Baron Samedi said, his voice smooth as silk. “I do love when the living gather at the edge of the abyss. Tell me, my dear old friend, what brings you to my domain? A dance with death, perhaps? Or shall we play a game?”
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Valen straightened, adrenaline surging. “We’re not here for games, Baron. We know your reputation.”
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“Reputation? How delightfully mundane!” he replied, his laughter ringing out like chimes in the wind. “But I assure you, I only wish to have a bit of fun. Life is too serious, don’t you think? Let’s add a sprinkle of chaos to your little adventure.”
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Caelum took a step back, instinctively reaching for his weapon. “We’re not interested in your chaos. We came for answers, not to be your entertainment.”
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“Oh, but that’s where you’re mistaken!” Baron Samedi exclaimed, twirling elegantly. “In this world, every question carries a price, and I have all the time in the universe to collect. So, what shall it be? A riddle, a curse, or perhaps Death?”
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He smiled as he pointed his staff first at Leth, then at the emperor. "Long. Time. No. See. Old. Friend." His grin stretched unnaturally wide, revealing teeth that glimmered in the dim light, sending shivers down the spines of Valen, Caelum, and Aeron.
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"Samedi!" Eryndor said, struggling to maintain his composure while carrying Leth, whose unconscious form was slung over his shoulder.
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"You have something that I wanted." The baron's creepy smile only deepened, and an unsettling chill filled the air.
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Suddenly, the ground shook violently beneath them, rattling stones and sending dust swirling into the air. As the tremors subsided, Samedi chuckled, his voice smooth yet eerie. “That's our cue. See you next time... Oh, and here’s a piece of advice: find her—the real one.” His gaze turned cold and emotionless as he looked at Leth.
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Eryndor's grip tightened on Leth, his heart racing. “What do you mean?” he demanded, feeling a surge of dread.
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“Till next time, Eryndor.” Baron Samedi turned, his companions fading into the shadows behind him. “Or should I call you, Rune?”
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Eryndor's eyes widened in disbelief, the world around him seeming to blur as the weight of the name crashed down on him. “No… it can’t be.” The very fabric of his reality unraveled, the revelation echoing in his mind like a haunting refrain. Baron Samedi had not only acknowledged his past but had also dragged it back into the light a past he thought he had buried long ago.
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Valen, still processing the encounter, stepped closer to Eryndor. “What did he mean by that? Who is Rune?”
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Xyril who was just observing everything that had happened he saw the emperor's almost loosing his composter he then slowly went to him and carried leth.
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Meanwhile, at the Asterial Records—the underground library and heart of the empire—Muerte was searching for the mysterious individual trespassing in the forbidden section. Suddenly, he spotted a small figure in a robe, staring at him while holding a magical book. The book shimmered with iridescent colors, its pages occasionally turning on their own, revealing intricate illustrations of mythical creatures and enchanted landscapes.
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“Wh-who are you, and how did you get in here?” Muerte asked calmly.
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The figure remained silent, gripping the book tightly. Muerte felt an unfamiliar tremor coursing through him for the first time in his life.
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(What is this feeling... How?) he thought. (Who is this...?)
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“"Please Hurry", tell him that,” a soft voice urged.
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Muerte's vision suddenly blurred, and he saw another figure: a tall man in a flowing white hanfu. The soft silk fabric draped elegantly around him, accentuating his stature and grace. His long, wide sleeves fluttered gently with his movements, and the cross-collar design added an air of sophistication. A pale blue sash cinched at his waist, highlighting his figure and introducing a subtle touch of color. His long silver hair was secured with an ornate jade hairpin that glimmered in the light. As he walked, his soft cloth shoes made barely a sound, and a delicate silk fan rested in his hand.
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The man carried the strange person, and as he did, the hood suddenly fell back. Muerte could barely see the child’s face, but he noticed that the one responsible for the disturbance in the forbidden library had soft, silver-pink hair.
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