Prologue

|Agrona Vritra|

Fury surged within me as I unleashed the overwhelming power of the King's Force, causing my subjects to crumble under its oppressive weight. Three failed attempts had left me seething with frustration, unable to bear such incompetence any longer. My gaze fell upon Cristys, my trusted aide, whose head hung low in shame, seeking forgiveness.

"Compose yourself, Agrona," a commanding voice interjected, cutting through the tension.

Only a young Vritra possessed the audacity to speak to me with such boldness, their fearlessness a testament to their formidable strength.

"Jezebeth, have there been any complications with the three newly reincarnated souls in Dicathen?" I demanded, turning towards the youth whose purple eyes concealed vast knowledge and power.

Jezebeth reclined in his chair, exuding an air of arrogance, his gaze betraying a profound understanding of our predicament.

"Fear not, Agrona. The lesser-world reincarnates pose no threat. My sole concern lies with a particular individual. Should he emerge among them, our plans will be in jeopardy," Jezebeth replied, his fingers idly toying with his striking grey-silver hair.

I had pressed Jezebeth for this individual's identity on numerous occasions, but he had always evaded the question, referring to him simply as "him." Yet, I could discern the intensity of Jezebeth's obsession, a fervor that surpassed even my own.

"Jezebeth, for our success, you must divulge this information," I implored, reminding him of my superior standing in the present.

His piercing purple eyes bore into me, and I couldn't help but shudder under his penetrating gaze.

"You are correct. Bound to this inferior vessel, it would take me a decade to surpass you, mighty Asuras. However, the person I speak of fought me as an equal. His intellect and determination surpassed even my own," Jezebeth admitted, a hint of reluctant admiration tainting his words.

I was taken aback. "More brilliant than you? Who is this individual?"

A demonic grin twisted Jezebeth's face. "He is a shattered soul, a psychopath. He would not hesitate to exploit his loved ones as bait to achieve his objectives. Perhaps, should he be resurrected, he might reclaim his lost humanity."

The identity of this enigmatic figure eluded me. "Should we be concerned about him?"

Jezebeth waved a dismissive hand, alleviating my worry. "Do not fret. He will not venture here. Have you detected any anomalies upon my arrival?"

I nodded, a surge of relief washing over me. Focusing solely on one individual proved futile when his existence remained uncertain.

Yet, the notion of capturing Epheotus, seizing what was rightfully mine, ignited an insatiable desire within me. Jezebeth, too, appeared driven by the same ambition, and together we laughed, consumed by madness and obsession.

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|?????|

A profound exhalation escaped my lips as I deftly entwined the threads of destiny, the delicate fibers pulsating under my touch. Perspiration traced a path down my brow, each droplet a testament to the weight of exhaustion pressing upon me.

Beside me stood my sole confidant, his visage etched with concern. "Are you certain this is worth the sacrifice?" he inquired, his voice laced with worry.

I nodded resolutely, my gaze unyielding as I beheld the unfolding tapestry of fate. "He alone possesses the strength to confront the monstrous abomination Agrona has unleashed upon our realm," I affirmed. "Even if it necessitates the forfeiture of my own life essence, I deem it a worthy cost to safeguard our world."

"You cannot embark upon this arduous journey alone," he pleaded, his urgency resonating through his words as he supported me, ensuring my wavering stance. "You are our beacon of hope. You must endure."

"I shall endure," I reassured him, summoning a fleeting smile amidst the gravity of our circumstances. "Yet, I cannot shield Dicathen unaided. He is the long-awaited savior, the harbinger of the most treacherous path, destined to deliver us all."

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|Kathyln|

As I delved into magic training, I couldn't ignore the strange sensations that pulsed through my body. Manipulating mana came easily to me, and in a few short months, I surpassed the abilities of most black-stage mages. But it didn't feel entirely natural.

As if an invisible force was guiding my every movement, the flow of mana through my core and channels seemed to be out of my control. Despite this eerie feeling, I pushed on, determined to hone my craft. My mother was thrilled with my progress, proud to see me becoming one of the brightest talents in Dicathen.

With her unwavering support, I sought out qualified conjuring teachers to help me refine my magic. Alongside this, I began to learn archery and was amazed by how easily the bow felt in my hands. My instructor's eyes widened in surprise as I hit bullseye after bullseye with incredible accuracy.

But even with my remarkable talent, there was a nagging sense that something was not quite right. It was as if my body was being pulled in a direction far from the confines of the palace.

The strange feeling of being pulled somewhere persisted, and I couldn't ignore it any longer. I wondered what was causing it and what it meant for my future.

"Kat, Kat!" My mother's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I turned to face her.

"I'm sorry, mother," I said, a faint smile on my lips. "What's up?"

Her face lit up with excitement as she leaned in. "What do you think of getting engaged to Gary Whiteborn? You met him five years ago on his second birthday."

I furrowed my brow, trying to recall the memory. "I don't remember him, mother. But I'm open to meeting him."

Her smile widened. "That can certainly be arranged. Liza told me he's coming back when he turns eleven, so we can arrange a meeting then."

"Coming back from where?" I asked, curious.

"He's been adventuring," she explained, "And Liza was quite worried about him."

I felt a strange flutter in my chest, and I couldn't explain why. I'd never even heard Gary's name before, except when my mother spoke of Liza.

But something about the thought of meeting him stirred a strange feeling inside me, and I couldn't shake the sensation that we were somehow connected. Perhaps meeting him would help me make sense of it.