THE SANCTUARY & A FOOL’S DEMISE

Guards stood at attention outside the chambers, their polished armor glinting in the torchlight. Seb approached them, they maintained the stoic expression of a soldier. Seb's lips curled into a faint smile, though it wasn't one of amusement. "aren't you sleepy?" he said simply before surging forward.

With inhuman speed, he incapacitated both guards before they could even raise an alarm. He flung their bodies to the side and entered the chamber. On entering he didn't sense the presence of any guardian's near the third prince.

"How can he be so careless? truly a fool only has two soldiers as his bodyguards" he thought. Although from Seb's point of view it was such but if he told anyone else they would have the shock of their lives since the guards he had just incapacitated weren't ordinary they were in fact level 100 experts who were very rare in the vast empire, even in the whole continent. Seb found the man sleeping soundly in his lavish bed. 

The room was filled with the soft scent of incense, and the silken drapes fluttered faintly in the night breeze. Seb approached silently, his fingernails extended already as long as daggers.

The prince stirred, his eyes fluttering open. Panic overtook his features as he registered the figure standing over him. "Who—who are you?! Guards!!"

Seb tilted his head, his tone cold and amused as he chuckled "who am I??Well to my master I am his humble servant. But to you, I'm the last thing you'll ever see."

Before the prince could scream, Seb plunged his dagger like nails into his chest, piercing cleanly through his heart. The prince's eyes widened in shock, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came. Within moments, his body fell limp.

Seb wiped his nails clean and surveyed the scene. His work was precise, with no unnecessary violence or theatrics. The prince's death would remain a mystery to the public and in the history books.

Seb walked out of the room and woke up the two guards. as soon as they opened their eyes he used a dream haunt to erase their memories of being incapacitated by someone. and as soon as the process was over Seb left after shapeshifting into a bird. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Seb returned to the Nolan estate before dawn, with light steps he entered Shane's room. His master sat at his desk, a book in his hand namely 'history of Konark' and a faint smirk on his face, as though he already knew the outcome of his plans.

"It's done," Seb announced, bowing slightly.

Shane glanced up, his expression unreadable. "Any complications?"

Seb shook his head, his tone calm. "None, my lord. The third prince is dead, and no one saw me. they won't be able to trace it back to you even after centuries.

Shane leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze glinting with satisfaction. "Good work, Let the court scramble to figure out the truth."

A heavy weight of being constantly in danger came off Shane's shoulders, finally he could relax and take things slow from now.

he looked at Sebastian-the thousand year old demon beside him "You've done well, Seb," Shane finally said, his voice soft yet assertive, each word laced with the weight of expectation. "Your efficiency is remarkable Seb, I expected nothing less from you"

Seb nodded, with his stoic expression, though in his mind he knew. He had observed 

Shane long enough to recognize that Shane's schemes reached deeper than they first appeared. Shane never liked to waste time on formalities, from his years of experience of reading people he could tell his praise meant only one thing, Shane was about to give him another task and as he had expected.

Shane stood, his movement deliberate, as if even the act of rising carried authority. He turned to face the window, the soft glow of the morning sun sky outlining his

silhouette. "This empire," he began, his tone bitter yet laced with ambition, "is a fragile machine held together by the illusion of order. The nobles squabble like children, the court is riddled with corruption, and the imperial family thinks of itself as untouchable. my father despite being at the position of Duke couldn't stop prevent the prince from scheming against himself "

Shane paused, his gaze distant, as though he could see far beyond the horizon. "We need more than influence. We need absolute control. And to control a fractured system like this, we must dominate the shadows where no one dares to look."

Seb remained silent, his sharp mind already weaving together the hidden meaning from the threads of Shane's intentions.

"We need, not only magical strength but knowledge and information and people to execute our orders as well."

"You will create an organization," Shane continued, turning to face him once more. His piercing gaze locked onto Seb, pinning him in place. "A network so covert, so impenetrable, that even whispers of its existence will be considered myths."

"This empire thrives on strength and secrets, and we must master both. Begin

wherever you want, but I will suggest the Adventurer's Guild. It is chaotic enough to mask your movements, yet influential enough to give you access to every corner of the empire. Build this organization from the ground up. Start by taking in peasants and turn them into shadows that can bring down the sky if I order them to" Suddenly Shane's smirk widened, his sharp features almost predatory. "Your DEVIL'S DEAL(S) skill will ensure that their loyalty is unwavering. Power is the greatest lure, Seb. Offer them what they desire the most, take them out of their misery and they will gladly bind themselves to you."

"Give it the name THE SANCTUARY" Shane said as his eyes shone with determination to take things into his own hands Seb bowed his head lower, his voice steady.

 "It will be done as you command, my lord. The Sanctuary's Legion will rise, and it will be like your sword, ready to strike at your word." Shane's expression softened, though his sharp gaze remained unyielding. "Good, I hope you are successful in your mission." 

"Rest assured my lord this task will be over before you know it" Seb replied, his voice unwavering, though the faintest flicker of a smirk danced at the edges of his lips.

Through Shane's eyes a glimmer of satisfaction passed as he turned to the desk and started writing a letter, soon the letter finished he stamped it with a small seal and he handed the letter to Seb as he said "take this letter to Jade, he will know what to do next"

Seb kneeled on one knee "Master in the meantime I am gone please be safe and take care, I will meet you on the day of your awakening and you can rest assured there is nothing in this world that Sebastian Black can't achieve " he said in a tone filled with respect and reverence for Shane.

Shane, listening to Seb's heartfelt words of his Butler thought "demons are not as cold- blooded as they are thought to be." 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Discovery.

As the sun began to rise its glow shone through windows of the royal palace and its inhabitants began to scurry through the grand halls, their soft footsteps echoing against the hallway floors. This was supposed to be like any usual day but they were unaware that they were in for a surprise.

A young woman,dressed in a beautiful attire that represents her as a member of the Royal maids, walked briskly steps through the corridor leading to the third prince's chamber as her regular morning routine. She carried a gold plated tray with golden porcelain teacup on it clinking faintly with every step. Though light flicked with every step, flickering with a trace of nervousness could be seen on her face. That's because the third prince was known throughout the entire castle for his temper, and she was scared of the thought of waking him up too early.

She reached the enormous ornate double doors of the prince's chamber. She hesitated for a moment before knocking gently on the door. The sound seemed to echo in the quiet ambiance of the hallways.

"Your Highness?" she called out, her voice trembling with her unease. "Your morning tea is ready." She spoke with a tinge of nervousness.

Silence.

She frowned, moving her weight from one foot to the other. She wondered if he was still asleep. With no more hesitation, she knocked again, this time a bit harder. "Your Highness?"

There was still no response. She started to feel unease growing her chest. No longer wanting to wait, she carefully pushed the door open and peeked inside. What she saw made the tray slip from her hands, the teacup shattered as it hit the floor.

The third prince lay motionless on his grand, silk bed. His eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, as if he had seen the devil. His lips were pale, almost blue, and his once handsome face had turned ashen. The dried blood stain could be seen on his nightshirt.

The maid fell back, her breath catching in her throat before her scream echoed through the halls.

Guards rushed in almost instantly, their armor clanking loudly as they surrounded the scene. One of them approached the body cautiously, his hand shaking as he saw the condition of the limp body in front of him.

"The prince is..." The guard hesitated, his face pale. "He's dead."