Chapter 4: The Locked Legacy
The skies over the Kingdom of Phillipe were covered in gray clouds, as if mirroring the mood of Xebec von Phillipe. After the incident with Baal's magic influencing Bastian, and the flash of ancient memories about an awakening seal, Xebec could no longer sleep. He locked himself in the royal library, combing through old records full of dust and forgotten secrets.
"House Malefic... a noble house of sorcerers who supported the Demon King?" he murmured, his fingers tracing the name written in old ink.
He opened a forbidden book, sealed with royal wax. As the seal cracked, a cold air seeped out. Inside, an ancient tale was written—about a group of sealers who imprisoned Baal's power within human vessels... and a noble family who betrayed their oath for eternal power.
Malefic was recorded as the first betrayer.
Meanwhile, in another wing of the palace, Bastian curled up in bed, his eyes bloodshot. His dreams were now filled with shadowy voices. Among the whispers, one voice grew clearer:
"You are the perfect vessel, Bastian. Your brother rejected destiny, but you... will surpass it."
The seal tattoo on his back burned again. He awoke and stared into the mirror. In the reflection, his eyes glowed faintly red. "What's happening to me...?"
In the secret corridors of the palace, Xebec encountered a mysterious figure—a gray-robed old woman with her eyes covered by a cloth bandage. She introduced herself as Aelra, the last guardian of the sealer's bloodline.
"Our time is short, Prince," she whispered. "The seal of Baal is not just awakening—it's seeking a perfect vessel. You must find the four Pillars of Light before the night of the blood moon."
Xebec was confused. "What does this have to do with Bastian?"
Aelra paused. "Your brother... has already been marked by a dark legacy. If you don't act, not only the kingdom—Bastian's very soul will be destroyed."
A few hours after meeting Aelra…
Xebec descended a stone staircase into a hidden chamber beneath an abandoned temple. Aelra followed behind him, her wooden staff tapping softly. The air below was damp and smelled of old iron—like blood long dried.
"This place," Aelra said slowly, "is one of the four guardian temples. Here, the ancient sealers hid one fragment of Baal's Binding Spell."
In the center of the room stood a cracked crystal pillar, surrounded by a faded magic circle. A faint black aura circled its base.
Xebec approached and placed his left hand on the crystal's surface. Instantly, a soft burst of light erupted—and ancient memories from the royal lineage pierced his mind. In the vision, he saw an ancient king, wearing a horned crown, standing before Baal, bound in thousands of chains of light.
But Baal laughed, and one by one, the seals were undone by his own followers.
Xebec awoke with a jolt, drenched in cold sweat. Aelra watched him seriously. "That was no mere vision. That is your legacy, your blood—your burden."
---
Meanwhile, in the eastern wing of the palace, Bastian was changing. He barely spoke to Nanea or the palace guards. His eyes grew darker, and his nights were filled with whispers that coaxed him: "If you want to protect them, claim the power that's rightfully yours."
On the third night, the seal on Bastian's back glowed with dark purple light. The markings twisted, becoming more intricate—like an eye watching the world.
As he opened his eyes, a shadow emerged from the wall of his room.
"Young master... the time is nearly here. The Demon King awaits you."
Bastian stared at the shadowy figure—a creature with dark skin, coiled horns, and a cloak like smoke.
"I don't want to destroy my brother," he whispered.
"You don't have to," said the shadow, its voice soft and sinister. "Just replace him. Because you... are more perfect."
---
Back at the hidden temple, Aelra handed Xebec an ancient map.
"These are the locations of the other three Pillars of Light. But beware—others are seeking them too."
Xebec gripped the scroll tightly. His eyes were resolute. "If this is about protecting Bastian and the kingdom, I will find the three pillars—even with one hand."
And as he stepped out of the temple, the distant sky turned red—a sign that the blood moon would soon rise—and the growing seal of Baal would reach its peak.
That night in the palace's eastern tower, the sky burned red like an unhealed wound.
Bastian stood on the balcony, his body trembling. The seal on his back glowed brighter—dark purple lines crawling up his neck and arms, hidden beneath his royal robe. Voices only he could hear echoed in his mind:
"You don't need to be afraid... You are part of a great destiny. Not a shadow, but the light that will replace the darkness."
But Bastian shut his eyes, resisting. "I'm not a traitor. I just want to be acknowledged…"
Suddenly, someone stepped out from behind the curtain—Astrid's stepfather, Duke Malefic.
"Prince," he said gently, "don't fight this power. Accept it. You think Xebec can protect the people? He can't even protect himself."
Bastian gripped the balcony railing tightly. "He saved me… he saved Nanea…"
"Exactly. But saviors rarely last long. This world is cruel, and only the strong survive the throne."
Duke Malefic extended a small goblet filled with shimmering black liquid. "Drink this, and you will begin to understand the meaning of true power."
Bastian stared at the goblet. A metallic scent and something older than the world itself wafted from it. He wanted to refuse—but his body... moved on its own.
A drop touched his tongue. And the world changed.
---
Elsewhere in the kingdom, Xebec and Aelra rode eastward.
"The Mist Forest," Aelra said, "where the second Pillar of Light is hidden. But that place is now overrun by shadow beasts—half-demons drawn by the seal's awakening."
Xebec nodded. "Then we must hurry. Before those shadows reach Bastian…"
Aelra looked at the prince for a long time. "Do you still believe in him?"
"He's my brother."
"He's also an heir to the blood that can unlock Baal's gate."
Xebec didn't reply, but his eyes were sharp. Deep in his heart, he knew: time was running out. And if he was too late... it wouldn't just be the throne that was lost. The world would fall again into the darkness once buried with the name Baal.
---
Meanwhile, deep in the palace's underground…
Curious, Nanea had been following the whispers of servants talking about Bastian's changes. She snuck around, searching—and accidentally overheard two shadowy figures speaking through a hidden wall.
"The seal has matured. Once the blood moon rises... the body will be the perfect vessel."
Nanea held her breath. She turned to run—when suddenly, a glowing purple eye emerged from the darkness, staring straight at her.
"Well, well… the little princess enjoys spying, doesn't she?"
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To be Continued...