Visionshaper.

His body sluggish and slow, his vision was hazy, he felt dizzy, and the scenery around him felt like a dream.

Veritas awoke inside an unfamiliar room.

"My head hurts."

Wearing a pure-white tunic, Veritas moved around to stretch his body and his messy white hair swayed around with his movements.

He scanned the surroundings only to be met by a sight of a mundane room. He was laying down on a soft bed, there were normal looking furniture around, and the overall aesthetic of the room was... vintage, or old..

The room itself looked ancient, as if it were a remnant of history.

He massaged his temples before getting up. Veritas wasted no time to investigate every single thing.

He went through the rusted-looking door and saw the long stretching halls.

There were ruined portraits, broken pillars, hanging lamps, and many more..

He walked through the hallway slowly, carefully making his way deeper into the place.

"Is this.. the castle?"

Veritas was all-too familiar with the sight of a castle, as a Prince himself he would not be mistaken when it comes to being knowledgeable about the insides of one..

He had awoken inside the castle located in the Ruins of Orph!

But something was different.. As far as he knew, the castle was destroyed, it didn't have a roof, it's walls were desolated, and the overall integrity of the structure was dwindling down.

He suspected some sort of peculiarity had happened after his fight with the Gargoyle Knight.

Before he even fainted, Veritas discerned an individual in his sight. He could not make out the entire scenario, it was as if that memory was erased from his mind!

Every time Veritas tried to think about that scene, his head was suddenly met with a terrorizing headache.

Thus, he could only hold his mind together to not let the headache stop him in his tracks.

Upon walking for a couple of moments, Veritas encountered an old and barren chapel. There were dusty seats, a dirty altar, and.... a headless angel statue.

It had 3 pairs of wings and it looked like it was giving grace to those that worshipped it.

However, unlike the Gargoyle Knight, Veritas felt that this statue was not alive. It was merely a symbol for the people to praise..

He continued going through the hallway.

He then encountered the Long Gallery.

Countless portraits were hung up on the wall. There were portraits of Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princesses.

However.. in the middle.. a large portrait of a silver-haired man was shown. He was playing a lyre, looking ever-so gracefully.

The figure looked quite familiar, but Veritas could not quite discern it from his memory.

'I've seen him before..'

But nothing popped up in his head, only a headache that creeped up in his body..

Seeing the portrait made his Soul shake, it made Veritas want to look away yet he was so allured by the familiarity of the man.

Alas, racking his head was not enough, Veritas had completely no idea as to who the man was..

He frowned and moved on.

The farther he got away from the portrait, the sooner his headache faded away.

Veritas traversed the ancient hallway and finally reached the center hall.

It was a spacious area, pillars upon pillars climbed up and supported the ceiling.

On top was a depiction of a great mural. If only the glasses weren't shattered and broken, the mural would've definitely made Veritas' mouth agape.

The mural showcased a blazing sun in the middle, surrounded by 7 imposing figures, which Veritas speculated to be Seraphims. Although he did not know much due to the limitation of his knowledge. Veritas discerned even more figures that surrounded the Sun.

The first layer, which were the 7 imposing figures, were the closest to the Sun. In the stories that he read, Veritas knew that these were called as the Seraphims. 

The second layer showed 7 more figures, each with 4-wings. Although they were still considered as Seraphims, these angels could be specifically called as Cherubims. 

The third layer weren't individual figures.. Rather, they were chariots made of gold and ethereal materials. Although Veritas could not discern the mural properly, he saw that some of the Cherubims were much closer to chariots.

The three layers were basked in a golden spectacle. There was a large golden ring that contained them and the Sun. Based on the stories that he read, the first three layers of the Angels were called the First Order.

They were beings that are closest to divinity, serving as the intellect and spirit of God.

It could be said that gazing upon a Seraphim could make one's Soul to lose control, eventually ending up to be an Unanchored.

Outside of the golden ring, there was a silver ring, and a bronze ring. The silver ring contained the Second Order and the Bronze ring contained the Third Order.

As far as he knew, the Second Order relied on the Soul. They ruled over Virtues and Powers.. He did not know the true names of Angels that are from the Second Order, but Veritas knew that they were the pinnacle of power..

Lastly.. the Third Order, possibly the weakest of all the Orders.. was the physical manifestation of Angels. The Archangels in the story that he read were a part of this Order.

They serve as messengers and mingled with normal humans. Although they did not influence humanity much, they are benevolent beings that aim for the greater good..

Not only that, but even the Seraphims can descend down the earth to bring upon a prophecy. Whether it be a vision for prosperity or desolation, the Seraphims also serve as the messenger for the Gods.

It is said that only those that are deemed important were capable of being descended down by a Seraphim.

With that said, Veritas looked away from the mural and searched for the Great Hall.

Upon scanning around, he gazed at the northern side of the room and saw the grandiose hall of the castle

He walked inside, and saw the broken pillars aiming to reach the top once more..

The place was dirty, there were cobwebs in the corners, ruined floors, destroyed walls, and many more..

However, in the distance, the Great Hall led to the Throne Room.

Veritas saw the ascending steps of red and gold, atop of it was an imposing throne.

Veritas walked slowly and carefully.

His headache worsened with each step.

Amongst the great broken pillars, the throne emerged upon the darkness of the silence. The steps leading up were tiring, yet Veritas pushed through. Each of his legs felt heavy and sluggish.

Yet.. in mere seconds, Veritas reached atop of the steps. 

His eyes widened as he saw a distinct figure sitting on the throne.

It was a remnant of a royal figure.

Exposed and shattered bones, ruined mantle, and a remnant of a glorious jeweled crown.

The crown was destroyed in half, only sitting on top of the skeleton partially. 

Veritas stared at it with sorrow.

"A lonely king.."

The king's silvery-gray hair laid down on his bones. Veritas knew that this King had already died for decades... even centuries.

Suddenly.. a voice whispered behind him.

"Orpheus.."

Veritas immediately turned back to the direction of the voice. Yet he saw... nothing.

Just a mere history of a desecrated castle.

Yet the whispers continued despite the nothingness in the room.

"Take my crown.."

Veritas decided against the whispers yet the terrifying headache compelled him to do so.

He was illusioned, only thinking that his purpose was to take the crown.

Veritas touched the half-crown, immediately sending his body a looming feeling of comfort.

"Revive my legacy.." It whispered to him..

Tempted, Veritas raised the half-crown and held it in his hand.

"Arise.. O, Great King.."

Veritas slowly placed the crown to his head, feeling his senses become warmer.

The whispers got louder and the winds grew strong with each passing second. However, Veritas didn't move at all. He stood still, his eyes becoming hollow and his face growing emotionless. 

In a matter of seconds, Veritas felt empty, as if his purpose of taking the crown had just been removed.

The whispers screamed at him in unison, and the winds around him turned into a gale.

His tunic swayed, his hair fluttered, and the winds touched his skin fiercely. 

Yet, Veritas just stood there!

Until.. it all suddenly stopped. 

His eyes regained their gleam and a mixture of emotions filled Veritas' face.

He felt a soft wind caressing his body, and it whispered:

"Grasp the Glory of the.."

The winds whispered softly in his ears, then continuing:

"Visionshaper.."

His head grew even more painful, causing Veritas to fall on his knees. His Soul wavered and overlapped with his body, it was as if it were being moved or squeezed.

He felt a cold feeling enter his body.

His Soul overlapped with one another. 

Veritas pure-white Soul was suddenly mixed in with a tenebrous-black one.

It was as if two Souls had merged into one.

Then.. Veritas suddenly heard a faint whisper, softer than the previous ones and more silent.

"...save her."

And so.. 3 months passed by in a flash..