Chapter 49 - The Oath

"You already took the Oath of Shadows?" Ludovica asked Matteo.

"Yes, Luca and I took the Oath a couple days ago."

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Two days ago -

The basement of the church lay hidden beneath the hallowed ground above. Dimly lit torches flickered along the walls, casting dancing shadows that seemed to whisper secrets of bygone eras. The rough-hewn stone walls, weathered by the passage of time.

A world of shadows right under the nose of the palace of light.

At the heart of the chamber stood an imposing altar, its surface adorned with ornate carvings and flickering candlelight. Upon it lay a gleaming dagger and an ancient tome bound in weathered leather — a tome said to hold the secrets of the syndicate's origins, written in the blood of its founders — The Mandate of The Abyss.

As they entered the chamber, the priest gestured for the initiate to approach the altar. "The initiate will now stand before the altar," he commanded, his voice carrying the weight of tradition and ceremony.

The initiate moved to the designated spot, his heart pounding with anticipation. Across from him, the priest positioned himself at the altar's opposite side.

Behind the initiate, the two women took their places, their presence both supportive and watchful. With each figure in their designated position, the stage was set for the initiation to begin.

"The initiate shall now take hold of the ceremonial dagger," the priest declared, his resonant voice imbued with the weight authority, resounding through the chamber as he beckoned towards the blade resting upon the altar.

"Let the disciple present forth the crest of shadows," he instructed, his gaze shifting reverently to one of the figures standing behind the initiate.

Her graceful movements as she approached the flickering flames of the hearth, retrieving a red-hot rod with practiced ease. With solemn reverence, she handed the searing implement to the priest, its end adorned with a crest ablaze with crimson heat.

"The initiate shall now incise his left thumb with the ceremonial dagger," the priest directed, his intonation unwavering and steeped in solemnity.

With steady hands, the initiate reached out, fingers wrapping around the hilt, a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins as he lifted the ancient weapon, , feeling its cold steel bite into his flesh as he cut into it.

"Let the initiate allow his blood to anoint the crest whilst maintaining his right hand upon the Mandate," he commanded.

The initiate held his thumb above the glowing hot crest.

"Beyond the world in light, lies the true domain of power," the priest's voice resonated, carrying the weight of century-old wisdom -

"From the depths of obscurity, we rise as masters of the clandestine. In the silence of the abyss, our whispers echo louder than the mightiest roar. Bound by the darkness that courses through our veins, we are the architects of our own destinies. Where shadows converge, power awaits those bold enough to seize it, and doom awaits those who falter. Bound by blood and bound by shadows, our kinship is unbreakable, our unity absolute."

Throughout the ritual, as the initiate's blood trickled onto the scorching-hot crest, each droplet sizzled upon contact, punctuating the sacred silence with an audible hiss, a testament to the fervor of the initiate's commitment.

"The initiate will now take the oath - You Matteo Marchesi -"

"I Matteo Marchesi -"

"- hereby swear to tread the path of darkness as another shadow with unwavering resolve. Those who embrace darkness shall forever belong to the Shadows."

"- hereby swear to tread the path of darkness as another shadow with unwavering resolve. Those who embrace darkness shall forever belong to the Shadows."

"You vow to honor the Abyss and its mandate, to keep its secrets close and its mysteries guarded."

"I vow to honor the Abyss and its mandate, to keep its secrets close and its mysteries guarded."

"Unseen Underworld, Unfelt Tremors. You vow to keep the shadows silent."

"Unseen Underworld, Unfelt Tremors. I vow Keep the Shadows Silent."

"May the shadows guide your actions, May the abyss remain eternal."

"May the shadows guide my actions, May the abyss remain eternal."

"The initiate shall cease the flow of his blood," he instructed, his unwavering gaze fixed upon Matteo as the final crimson droplets descended upon the radiant crest.

"Unveil your upper arm," the priest commanded, his demeanor resolute and unyielding as he prepared to mark Matteo with the sacred symbol of the underworld.

As Matteo bared his upper arm, exposing the flesh to the priest's scrutiny, he couldn't suppress the tremor that coursed through his body.

The anticipation of the branding seared through his nerves, mingling with the lingering ache of his freshly cut thumb, a tangible reminder of the blood oath he had just sworn.

With a practiced hand, the priest wielded the searing iron, its tip glowing with an ominous heat that cast an eerie glow. As the priest's touch met his skin, Matteo's muscles tensed involuntarily, a primal instinct urging him to recoil from the searing pain that followed.

A sharp intake of breath escaped Matteo's lips as the scalding metal seared a path across his flesh, the intense heat engulfing him in a wave of agony. The scent of burning flesh mingled with the acrid tang of smoke, assaulting his senses.

Despite the torment, Matteo clenched his jaw, refusing to give voice to the pain.

When it was over, the priest withdrew the iron, leaving behind a searing imprint upon Matteo's skin, the outline of the symbol etched into his flesh with blistering precision.

Matteo traced the lines of the brand, his skin still throbbing with the echoes of the searing pain. The symbol a complex interplay of tentacles and hieroglyphic symbols. (here it is)

"With this act," intoned the priest, his voice again resonating with solemn authority, "Matteo Marchesi now belongs to the shadows."

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Back to present -

Matteo held out his branded arm for them to see.

And as Matteo looked out upon the city skyline through the balcony of the lounge, his gaze piercing the darkness like a beacon of his own, he knew that their journey had just started.

In the days that will follow, the Marchesi Crime Family rise to prominence, their influence spreading like shadows creeping across the cityscape.

Under Matteo's leadership, they will navigate the treacherous underworld with cunning and guile, establishing themselves as formidable players in the game of power and intrigue.

╔═══════════════════════╗

║ - Main Quest #1 - 

╠═══════════════════════╣

║ Playtime is over, time to grow up. 

║ Ascend to Street Boss. 

║ 

║ Tasks: 

║ => Establish and Train a small crew 

║ => Establish an Extortion Racket 

║ => Collect 100 Influence Points 

║ 

║ Rewards: 

║ => System Augment: Intimidation 

║ 

║ - Start - 

║ - Back to Main Window - 

╚═══════════════════════╝

[ Crew Established ]

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A/N :- With the establishment of the Marchesi Crime family and the story of its members, this chapter marks the end of Volume Two of the book.

I will probably take a week off now before starting the Third Volume. Get hyped as the main quest will be starting. Aesver Out.