Chapter 8: The Masks of Mantarys
The city of Mantarys loomed ahead like a wound in the skin of the world.
Black spires rose like the teeth of a dying god. Obsidian bridges coiled between towers shaped like the ribs of leviathans. A sickly yellow mist clung to its lower wards — the Breath of Morghul, a curse left from the last failed summoning.
Aerion Vórenyx rode at the head of his caravan, flanked by twenty crimson-cloaked guardians. Behind him followed carts of enchanted steel, volcanic glass ingots, and two recently bound fire elementals — trophies of conquest and tools of diplomacy.
System Update: Entering Zone — Mantarys, City of the MaskedStatus Effects: Magical Flux +20%, Diplomacy -10% (Distrusted Bloodline), Danger Level: Moderate to High
Vaena Qelarys adjusted her veil beside him. "You know the saying: In Mantarys, no one shows their true face. Not even the statues."
Aerion's gaze narrowed. "Then let's see whose masks crack first."
The Archons' Masquerade
They were greeted at the Iron Courtyard by a delegation of the Nine Archons, each wearing ceremonial masks: wolf, snake, sun, hawk, flame, moon, and more. Their leader — Archon Rhaelon — wore the mask of a flayed phoenix.
The welcome was courteous, but cold. They did not kneel. They did not smile.
"Lord Vórenyx," Rhaelon intoned, his voice a silken blade. "We welcome the fire of the forge. But Mantarys bows to no flame but its own."
Aerion smiled politely. "Good. I'm not here for obedience. I'm here for answers — and trade."
Dialogue Option Unlocked: Assertive Diplomacy — Choose Threat or Bargain
He chose neither.
Instead, he produced the Bracers of Sundering Flame — and let them speak.
When their flames flared, melting a section of ceremonial stone beneath his feet, the archons stirred.
That night, they invited him to the Masked Council.
Secrets and Serpents
Mantarys was a city of layers — not just in stone, but in lies.
Vaena slipped into the House of Whispers, a brothel-temple where masks were traded with every sin. Her spies returned with chilling news:
Cult activity confirmed. Four Archons are linked to the Sons of the Fire Wyrm. Blood rituals planned. Sacrifices scheduled during the eclipse in three days.
Aerion convened his war council in secret.
"Let me burn them," hissed Captain Tyros.
"Too soon," said Kaelar. "Exposing them now invites chaos. Better to trap them in the act — and burn them with the city's blessing."
Aerion agreed. They would bait the cult.
He offered a false gift to the Archons — a 'new enchantment' that amplified summoning circles. They accepted hungrily, never suspecting the rune traps he embedded within.
Eclipse and Embers
On the day of the eclipse, Mantarys gathered in the Circle of Ash to witness the summoning.
The cultists donned their flame-drake masks, chanting as shadow devoured the sun. Blood spilled. The portal opened.
And Aerion struck.
Trap Triggered: Anti-Summon Glyphs EngagedEffect: Backlash Surge +300% — Reversal Initiated.
Instead of a demon, the summoning reversed — dragging the cult leaders screaming into the void.
The crowd panicked. But Aerion stepped forward, his bracers blazing, voice thunderous.
"False flames tried to consume this city. I give you true fire — to forge your strength!"
He raised Wyrmshear. A pillar of flame erupted.
The people roared.
Reputation Gained: Savior of MantarysTrait Gained: Lord of Masks — Increased Influence in Deceptive or Political Regions
Closing the Circle
In the aftermath, four of the Nine Archons were dead. Three others pledged fealty to Aerion. The last two fled.
Vaena whispered in his ear that night, atop the sky terrace overlooking Mantarys.
"You're no longer just a flame in the forge. You're the storm in the smoke."
Aerion stared toward the horizon, where Valyria's glow pulsed in the night.
He had cracked a city of masks.
Now it was time to shatter the empire that built them.
End of Chapter 8