Chapter 13: The Shadow of the Self
The obsidian seal snapped between Valerian's fingers like brittle bone. Red wax flaked onto his desk, the letter curling at the corners, as if recoiling from its own message.
The Obsidian Conclave.
A name that crawled through noble courts like a rumor with teeth. A place where power converged, where the oldest magics and forbidden doctrines mingled. The conclave was not a council—it was a crucible. And those summoned were either tempered by flame or shattered entirely.
Valerian stood still for a long time, the silence of the room pressing in around him. Then, with slow deliberation, he folded the letter and slid it into the hidden pocket inside his coat.
"Umbra," he called.
From the farthest shadow, the horned knight stepped forth, cloaked in obsidian mist. No words passed between them. There was no need.
"We ride tonight."
> [Quest Activated: "Summons of the Deep Court"] Objective: Reach the Obsidian Conclave alive. Warning: All transport sigils denied. You must travel through the Vale of Lost Names. Recommended Level: 35+ Penalty: Death and soul fragmentation. Reward: Access to Forbidden Lore and Class Upgrade Opportunity.
A sharp breath escaped Valerian's lips. No hesitation. The deeper he sank into this world, the more he realized one truth: comfort was the mask of death.
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By dusk, the academy lay behind him like a memory half-forgotten. Only Mila stood at the gates, arms crossed, expression tight.