Severed Connections

The air in the hidden chamber crackled with tension. The Executor, a silent judge in the shadows, radiated an aura of cold authority. Noir Vale, his gaze unwavering, met the Executor's unseen eyes. He wasn't intimidated. Curious, perhaps. Intrigued, certainly."You speak of fate," Noir said, his voice echoing slightly in the confined space. "But what is fate, if not a story someone else wrote?"The Executor didn't reply, but the dark energy surrounding them intensified. It pulsed like a heartbeat, a silent threat.Noir shifted his stance, subtly preparing himself. He knew this wouldn't be a simple discussion. The Executors weren't known for their diplomacy. They were enforcers, guardians of the status quo, and Noir, with his disruptive abilities and his pursuit of forbidden knowledge, was a direct challenge to their authority."You seek knowledge that is forbidden," the Executor finally spoke, their voice laced with a warning edge. "Knowledge that could unravel the very fabric of the Arcana Codex.""And what if it needs unraveling?" Noir countered.The Executor's shrouded head tilted slightly. "The Codex is the foundation of our world. It dictates the balance of power, the order of society. To tamper with it is to invite chaos.""Or to create something new," Noir replied. "Something better."The Executor's dark energy surged, coalescing into a swirling vortex of shadows. "Your arrogance blinds you, Vale. You play with forces you do not understand.""Perhaps," Noir conceded. "But understanding is what I seek." He gestured toward the book tucked beneath his coat. "And I've just found the first chapter."The Executor lunged.Their movements were swift, precise, honed by years of training. The dark energy manifested as shadowy tendrils, lashing out at Noir with terrifying speed.Noir reacted instinctively. He didn't try to dodge or deflect. He moved into the attack.He reached out, his fingers brushing against the shadowy tendrils. The moment he made contact, the dark energy flickered, then dissipated. The Executor staggered back, a flicker of surprise in their unseen eyes.Noir felt a surge of power coursing through him. It was different from the magic he had absorbed from Caius. This was darker, more volatile. He recognized the feeling. It was the energy of the Void.He had absorbed the Executor's attack.But he didn't unleash it. Not yet. He needed to understand it, to control it."You see," Noir said, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm not the one playing with forces I don't understand."He extended his hand, and a swirling vortex of shadows erupted from his palm, mirroring the Executor's earlier attack. But this wasn't a mere imitation. It was his version of the Void's power, twisted and reshaped by his will.The Executor raised their arms in defense, but it was too late. The shadowy vortex slammed into them, sending them crashing against the stone wall.The Executor slumped to the ground, their dark robes disheveled. They didn't move.Noir approached cautiously, his senses on high alert. He wasn't sure if the Executor was defeated, or merely playing possum.He reached out and touched the Executor's robes.Nothing happened.He frowned. He had expected to feel a surge of power, to absorb the Executor's remaining energy. But there was nothing.He realized then. He hadn't absorbed the Executor's magic. He had severed their connection to it. Just like he had done with Caius, but on a much grander scale.The Executor was no longer a threat. They were simply… powerless.Noir straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the hidden chamber. He knew this was just the beginning. The Executors wouldn't give up easily. And the secrets of the Fifth House, the Suit of Void, were still shrouded in mystery.But he had a starting point. The Codex of Lost Truths.He picked up the book, clutching it tightly. He had a feeling it was going to be a long night.