The Envoy

Some people command attention simply by existing. The man facing Teras radiated that quality—but wrong, twisted.

He wore a perfectly normal manila three-piece suit with a red pocket square, the picture of a high-class lawyer. His high cheekbones and exaggerated smirk made my skin crawl. His presence felt unclean, like oil seeping into water. Deep ocean-blue eyes met mine as his grin widened.

"Mister Ishan!" His voice boomed, shaking dust from the ceiling. Golden light danced through the falling debris. "I come with a proposition!"

He bowed with fluid grace, one hand extended. Teras' knives whispered past his head as he dipped. Silver-white power exploded from her, runes blazing along her arms, hair floating as if underwater. Her voice thundered with new strength.

"Leave, servant of the Capricious Queen. You are not welcome here."

The man's gaze never left mine. With a casual wave, he hurled Teras halfway across the hall. "Cer'Teras Moonshadow, follower of the Ever-Moving Moon. This doesn't concern you. Leave or kneel—I care not which."

Her eyes widened at her full name. The silver aura dimmed, though runes still glowed on her arms as she took position behind me, blades ready.

"Who are you?" I fought to keep my voice steady while holding back the crushing pressure. "How do you know my name?"

"You're famous, sir. Anyone of sufficient power feels a new Vestige connecting—rare as they are. Yours especially. The veil thins quickly, and your Domain sent ripples through all of Fantasy." His lecherous smile returned, sending shivers down my spine.

"Call me The Serpent's Smile—Snake, for short. I represent The Capricious Queen with an offer." Each word made me feel dirtier.

"State your business and leave. You're not welcome here."

"My gracious Queen would have you relinquish your Domain. In exchange: training, a home for your family, and the rank of Count at Court. More than generous for a new Domain." He pulled an elegant scroll from his jacket. It appeared instantly in Teras' hands, bound with a ribbon of chaotically alternating teal and pink.

"My Queen's patience has limits. I'll return in one month for your answer. Consider well, Lord Ishan." He vanished—not moving, simply ceasing to exist. The oppressive aura lifted.

I turned to my companions. Teras' eyes pleaded silently—don't accept. I suspected she'd wanted me to claim this Vestige specifically to keep it from the Queen's grasp.

Dan's face showed determined pride, rejecting another's rule. I agreed. Comfortable servitude had led to my previous decline. I'd sworn to be better, to make the harpy's death mean something.

"Dan, want to be Castellan? I need someone I trust."

His expression turned troubled. "I'd love to, but... shouldn't we discuss the Queen's offer? That messenger was stronger than Teras."

"Yes, but let's gather everyone first. If we give up the Domain, titles won't matter anyway."

I assigned Dan as Castellan. His goblin-sword shot from his hand with a sharp crack. It hovered before the arch, silver light flowing through its cracks and pits. The blade spun as rust flaked away. The cross-guard shifted to deep blue, the grip becoming black and gold filigree-wrapped leather. A white pearl replaced the pommel. When the spinning stopped, the blade shone stark white, driving itself halfway into the floor.

A screen appeared:

Damocles' End 

Bound: Castellan 

This blade, once broken from neglect, has been reforged by the weight of Obligation. Wielded both to slay its owner and defend the Flower of Elysium, Obligation flows through its core. Serve well, Castellan, may your Lord rule forever.

"Uhh, Teras?"

She sighed. "A bound weapon. Common in Fantasy. It grows with its wielder, connected fundamentally. You'll always sense its location."

"Like a soulbound item?" Dan bounced like a child at Christmas. "Can I summon it?"

"No, just sense it. It can still break, though that grows harder as it develops. Why would you summon it?"

Dan deflated. "Too good to be true..."

"Gather everyone," I said. "We need to plan. Teras, prepare to explain everything we need to know if we keep this Domain."

"You cannot let the Queen have this," she insisted.

"I know, but we still need to discuss it. Six people can't fight a nation."

Alone before the Vestige, anxiety gnawed at me. Surely someone more qualified should handle this. Someone like Teras.

But then I remembered the harpy's eyes, and I knew—no matter how unqualified, I had to try to make this right.