Chapter 20: Crimson Shadows
The Chamber of Memories shook violently.
Stone fragments rained from the ceiling as the crimson-cloaked assassins surrounded the group.
Their faces were hidden behind expressionless white masks.
Not one spoke.
Not one hesitated.
Only their leader stepped forward.
His black spear radiated a sinister crimson aura.
"Abster Valen Zorlav."
"You will come with us."
"Alive."
Abster tightened his grip on his sword.
"...And if I refuse?"
The leader lowered his stance.
"Then we will break every bone in your body."
Without another word—
The assassins attacked.
CLANG!
Lucien intercepted two blades with a single swing.
"Stay behind us!"
Lyra raised her staff.
"Wind Art: Gale Burst!"
A powerful gust blasted several assassins backward, but they recovered almost instantly.
"They're fast!" she shouted.
One assassin slipped through the chaos and lunged toward Elena.
She raised a barrier of holy light.
CRACK!
The barrier shattered under the impact.
Before the assassin could strike again—
BOOM!
Fenrir crashed into him, sending him flying across the chamber.
The Divine Beast stood protectively in front of Elena, baring his fangs.
Elena smiled softly.
"Thank you, Fenrir."
Meanwhile...
Abster faced the spear-wielding leader.
The man's movements were unlike anything he had seen before.
Every thrust was precise.
Every step was calculated.
Clang! Clang!
Steel met steel.
Neither gained the advantage.
The leader suddenly smiled beneath his mask.
"So..."
"You've improved."
Abster frowned.
"You speak as if we've met before."
"We have."
"But not in this life."
Before Abster could ask what he meant—
The leader's spear emitted crimson lightning.
"Crimson Art..."
"Falling Star!"
The spear shot forward with explosive speed.
Abster instinctively activated his instincts, narrowly twisting aside.
The attack pierced the wall behind him, leaving a massive hole.
Garrick stared in disbelief.
"That technique..."
"It's stronger than an S-Rank attack!"
At the center of the chamber, the Memory Crystal pulsed violently.
Cracks spread across its surface.
Orion's eyes widened.
"No..."
"The battle is destabilizing the crystal!"
Caelum immediately understood.
"If it breaks completely..."
"The remaining memories will be lost forever!"
Abster glanced at the crystal.
Then at his friends.
Then back at the assassin.
He made his decision.
"I'm ending this."
Golden and black energy flowed around his body.
Not the full Authority.
Just enough to strengthen himself.
The leader's eyes narrowed.
"You've learned control..."
They clashed once more.
BOOM!
The entire chamber shook.
This time, Abster's sword knocked the spear aside.
With a swift movement, he placed the tip of his blade against the leader's throat.
"It's over."
The chamber fell silent.
Instead of panicking...
The assassin laughed.
"You really have changed."
He removed his mask.
Everyone gasped.
He was a young man with silver hair and crimson eyes.
A scar crossed his left cheek.
"My name is..."
Kael Vesper.
"I wasn't trying to defeat you."
"I was testing whether the king we waited for..."
"...was worthy."
Before anyone could react—
The remaining assassins knelt.
Kael dropped to one knee as well.
"We are the Crimson Veil."
"For one thousand years, we have protected the Hidden Sovereign from the shadows."
Lucien blinked.
"...Protected?"
"You attacked us!"
Kael smiled.
"If we truly wanted you dead..."
"...none of you would have survived the first minute."
Even Garrick couldn't argue with that.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from above.
A guardian rushed into the chamber.
"Commander Caelum!"
"The Black Legion has entered the city!"
Everyone froze.
Kael stood immediately.
"So they've finally arrived."
Abster looked toward the chamber's entrance.
"Lord Zarek..."
The battle they had been expecting...
Had finally come to Nox Aeterna.
But deep inside...
Abster no longer believed Zarek was his true enemy.
End of Chapter 20
New Faction
The Crimson Veil
An elite organization that has secretly protected the Hidden Sovereign's legacy for a thousand years.
Led by Kael Vesper, a master spearman whose loyalty is to the Sovereign rather than any kingdom.