The War God Temple was eerily quiet as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the ancient stonework. Kent stood alone in the vast temple, his gaze fixed on the towering statues of the War God.
The news of the Underworld factions, the revelation about his family, and the possibility of visiting the Spirit World had all come crashing down on him like a tidal wave. His thoughts swirled in a chaotic storm, each one demanding his attention, each one more urgent than the last.
The desire to uncover the truth about the Quinn family, to understand the strength of their army, and to find his place in this rapidly changing world gnawed at him relentlessly.
He had been left alone to his thoughts, the Blue Planet’s desert warriors who guarded the temple not daring to interfere with his solitude. They knew better than to cross the man who had received the War God’s inheritance, a man who could command the very elements themselves. As Kent stood there, his mind racing, a sudden movement caught his eye.
A raven, its black feathers gleaming in the fading light, swooped down from the sky and landed a few feet away from him. In its beak, it carried a letter, sealed with a wax emblem bearing the mark of the Seventh Realm. Kent watched the raven curiously, his brow furrowing as it hopped closer to him, the letter still clutched in its beak.
In a low, guttural tone, Kent spoke to the bird in the language of beasts, a skill he had mastered through the beast tongue manual given by Fire Kirin, Zambu.
The raven cocked its head in surprise, its dark eyes widening as it recognized the authority in Kent’s voice. With a hesitant caw, it released the letter into Kent’s hand, then quickly took flight, disappearing into the darkening sky as if fleeing from an unseen danger.
Kent couldn’t help but smile at the bird’s reaction, his expression softening for a brief moment before his curiosity returned. He turned his attention to the letter, noting the intricate silk seal that depicted a bow.
His mind raced with possibilities as he carefully broke the seal and unfolded the parchment, his eyes scanning the elegant calligraphy.
The message was brief but clear:
_”I have a great offer for you in exchange for a small favor. It might change your fate and give you the chance to visit the Spirit World. If you’re interested, meet me at the Frost Family Castle near the War God Temple._
_Lily Frost.”_
The name was written in a graceful, flowing hand, and Kent’s eyes narrowed as he read it. This was the invitation he had been waiting for, the chance to learn more about the Seventh Realm and its secrets. But what did she mean by “a small favor”?
Kent folded the letter carefully and tucked it into his robe, his expression thoughtful. He knew he had to take this opportunity, even if it meant stepping into unknown territory. The lure of the Spirit World was too great to ignore, and the promise of resources for his cultivation only sweetened the deal.
Without wasting another moment, Kent summoned his throne. With a determined expression, Kent seated himself and willed the throne to rise into the air, swiftly carrying him toward the edges of the War God Temple.
The wind whipped through his hair as he soared across the desolate landscape, the temple shrinking behind him as he neared the Frost Family Castle. It didn’t take long for the imposing structure to come into view, its towering spires piercing the darkening sky.
The castle was a magical fortress, its walls thick with ancient stone, and its towers guarded by Seventh Realm disciples who eyed Kent warily as he approached.
A lady servant, dressed in the traditional garb of the Frost Family, awaited him at the entrance. She bowed deeply as Kent dismounted from his throne, her eyes averted in respect.
“Master Kent, Lady Lily is expecting you,” she said in a soft voice, gesturing for him to follow.
Kent nodded and followed her through the castle’s grand halls, his senses alert to every detail.
The servant led him up a winding staircase to the top of the castle, where a set of ornate double doors stood open, revealing a spacious terrace that overlooked the vast expanse of the land below. The evening air was cool, and the sky was painted with the last hues of twilight.
Lily Frost stood at the edge of the terrace, her back turned to him as she gazed out over the horizon. She was a striking figure, her long, silver hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of moonlight.
A table with two chairs and a bottle of fine wine sat in the center of the table, the glasses already filled in anticipation of his arrival.
Kent’s footsteps echoed softly on the stone floor as he approached, but Lily did not turn to greet him. Instead, she remained facing the horizon, her posture relaxed yet commanding.
“Welcome…” she said, her voice smooth and melodic, carrying an air of authority that matched her presence. “I’m glad you accepted my invitation.”
Kent remained silent, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. He knew that appearances could be deceiving, and he wasn’t about to let his guard down just because she had made a tempting offer. The thought of Lily being Thea’s sister, didn’t let Kent to calm down.
Without turning to face him, Lily gestured to the empty chair across from her. “Please, sit. We have much to discuss.”
Kent obliged, lowering himself into the chair with a calm, measured grace. His eyes never left Lily as she finally turned to face him, her striking blue eyes locking onto his.
Lily smiled, a faint, enigmatic curve of her lips as she picked up her glass of wine and took a slow sip. Her gaze remained fixed on Kent, her eyes studying his masked face.
“What is your decision?” she asked, her tone light but with an undercurrent of something deeper, something dangerous. Discover stories at empire
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Thank you,
PeterPan 😉