Part 7:
Around 650 years ago, the world of Atheron was in turmoil. Chaos spread like wildfire as each race sought to assert its dominance over the others, eager to claim superiority and rule over all. The territories of the world were embroiled in a bloody conflict, where rulers vied for absolute control, and wars raged without end. Dragons from Drakathor, demons from Narakath, vampires from Nocthalis, humans from Valeria, and elves from Elandor—all clashed in an endless cycle of conquest and slaughter. The battlefield was littered with the corpses of soldiers, their lives sacrificed in the name of their rulers' ambitions for world domination.
Amidst this chaos, alliances were formed, many out of desperation. The dwarves of Khazgard and other smaller races, too weak to defend themselves, were forced to align with the "superior" races. Those who chose neutrality, like the dwarves, were often crushed between the warring factions. Yet there was one race that remained untouched: the spirits. Existing beyond the material realm, the spirits lived in the mystical dimension of Ethelanis Groves, floating between space and time. They cared little for the conflicts of mortals, dwelling in eternal peace, only occasionally visiting the Great Forest of Spirits that bordered many realms. No one dared approach them.
But as the war grew more violent, with battles turning into massacres and hatred fueling the fires of destruction, an unexpected intervention occurred. The spirits, for reasons known only to them, emerged from their realm and put an end to the war. Their immense supernatural powers silenced the conflict, forcing the warring races to sign a peace treaty. Territories were divided equally, and sub-races were assimilated into the lands of their conquerors. The war, which had lasted over 500 years, finally came to an end. A fragile peace settled across the land.
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Seraphina's Story – A Hundred Years Later
As Seraphina began telling her story, she felt the weight of her heart lift, as if she were shedding a burden she had carried for years. She had never shared her past with anyone, not even her closest allies. But tonight, sitting across from Lucian, she found herself speaking, her words flowing like a river finally freed from its dam.
"Around 120 years ago, just after the peace treaty was established, life began to change."
Seraphina's voice was steady as she recounted the history of Havenmoor, a once-thriving city under the rule of a demonic sorcerer. The sorcerer was a unique being—a demonic human who, despite his demonic origins, had brought peace and prosperity to the city during the war. His people adored him, and even as chaos spread through the world, Havenmoor remained a haven of tranquility.
But that peace was short-lived.
The Imperial King of Valeria, distrustful of the sorcerer's demonic blood, decided that no demon should be allowed to exist in human territory. The memory of war still fresh in his mind, he saw the sorcerer as a potential threat, a ticking time bomb that could hollow out Valeria from within. Fearing the worst, he ordered the complete eradication of Havenmoor.
The Valtheris family was chosen to lead the assault, with Alistair Valtheris, the head of the family at the time, commanding the troops. They marched to Havenmoor, their hearts heavy with duty but resolute in their mission. Even though they knew that the sorcerer had kept his people in peace, the orders were clear: leave no one alive.
"The city was razed," Seraphina continued, her eyes downcast. "Innocent people… men, women, and children were killed, all under the assumption that the sorcerer's influence had corrupted them. Alistair Valtheris faced the demonic sorcerer in a battle that shook the entire city. After hours of fierce combat, Alistair emerged victorious, but at a cost none of them understood at that time."
The sorcerer, mortally wounded and filled with rage, heard the screams of his people as they were slaughtered before his eyes. In his dying moments, his hatred for Alistair and the Valtheris family boiled over. Unable to save his people, he instead turned to the darkest magic he knew. He poured his life force, his mana, and his very soul into a curse—an ancient and forbidden spell that would ensure his revenge long after his death.
"Alistair Valtheris didn't realize it at the time," Seraphina said softly, "but that curse wasn't just placed on him. It was placed on our entire bloodline."
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The Curse of Valtheris
A hundred years passed without incident. The Valtheris family flourished, and Havenmoor became a distant memory. But then, strange things began to happen. The previous head of the family, Alistair's successor, died under mysterious circumstances. Seraphina had been born around that time, and her father, Kaelan Valtheris, had taken over as the head of the family.
"At first, it was subtle," Seraphina explained. "I was born with irregular mana, something no one could understand. My father called the best sorcerers, priests, and physicians to examine me, but none could find the cause. That was when Elysia Lunaris, head of the Lunaris family, was brought in."
Elysia, a master of healing magic and arcane knowledge, discovered the truth. The demonic sorcerer's curse had been passed down to Seraphina. The curse had been lying dormant for over a century, gathering strength. Now, it had fully manifested in her.
"Elysia said it was a'living curse,' one that could never be removed, only contained. The curse wanted only one thing—to exist in the land of Havenmoor. But if I stayed away from Havenmoor, it would slowly consume the entire Valtheris bloodline."
Seraphina's voice trembled slightly as she spoke. "My father considered ending my life, thinking it might break the curse. But Elysia warned him that doing so would only strengthen it. Killing me would not end the curse, and the Valtheris family would be doomed. So, he built this mansion, here in Havenmoor, and sent me here."
For six long years, Seraphina had lived alone in her mansion, away from her family and the lands of her ancestors. She had tried to find peace, to live as a normal human, even taking up a job as a receptionist in the nearby city. That was where she had met Lucian, only three days into her new life.
"And then," she whispered, "I met you."
For the first time in her life, Seraphina felt something beyond fear, beyond the coldness of duty. In Lucian's presence, she felt a warmth in her heart that she had never known. It wasn't love—not yet—but it was something close, something she couldn't quite understand.
"I've lived with this curse all my life," Seraphina said, "but when I'm with you, it's as if I'm not cursed at all. I'm… free."
Lucian, ever observant and emotionless, listened in silence. He was intrigued by the curse's power and the role it had played in shaping Seraphina's life. But deep down, something stirred. Though he couldn't yet name it, something about her story resonated with him in a way that was unfamiliar, yet undeniable.
To be continued...