Whispers of the Unseen

The night was thick with an unsettling stillness. A cold breeze wove through the dimly lit streets, carrying with it the faint scent of damp stone and something else—something faintly metallic.

Julius pulled his coat tighter around himself as he walked, his shadow stretching unnaturally under the flickering gas lamps.

He had no place to return to.

Yes, he could retreat to the Starry Hall, that throne of endless void, but merely existing there drained him in ways he hadn't yet fully understood. And worse—each time he sat upon that seat, the whispers grew clearer.

Whispers that were not entirely his own.

Julius scowled, pushing the thought aside. He had more immediate concerns—finding shelter, securing a foothold in this city once again.

It was then that he heard it.

A distant scream, quickly muffled.

His steps halted. His gaze flicked toward a narrow alley where the shadows seemed to pulse unnaturally.

Another anomaly?

Julius didn't hesitate. With a practiced movement, he slipped into the darkness, his senses sharpening as he moved through the passage. The scent of something foul thickened, and with each step, the weight in the air grew heavier—as if the very space around him was rejecting his presence.

At the alley's farthest end, near a rusted iron gate, he saw it.

A body.

Or what remained of one.

The corpse lay sprawled on the cobblestones, limbs twisted unnaturally. Deep, jagged carvings marred the flesh, forming symbols that seemed to pulse, faintly glowing under the moonlight.

Julius frowned. He had seen something similar before—but where?

His breath hitched slightly as realization dawned.

The markings… they resembled the inscriptions from the cursed artifact he had just dealt with.

A ritual killing.

His fingers twitched, instinctively brushing over the seal on his arm. Could this be connected?

Before he could investigate further, a soft sound reached his ears—the scuff of a boot against stone.

Julius turned sharply.

A figure stood at the entrance of the alley, barely visible in the flickering light. They wore a long, tattered coat, their face obscured by a shadowed hood.

For a brief moment, neither of them moved.

Then, the stranger chuckled—a low, knowing sound that sent a shiver down Julius' spine.

"You shouldn't be here," the figure murmured, their voice rich with amusement… and something darker.

Julius' eyes narrowed. "Funny. I was just thinking the same about you."

The air between them shifted, tension crackling like a storm about to break.

Then, the stranger did something unexpected.

They reached into their coat and pulled out a silver token—one Julius recognized immediately.

A mark of the Hidden Veil.

Julius' heartbeat slowed.

A secret society of arcane scholars, relic hunters… and murderers.

The figure tilted their head slightly. "You're meddling in things far beyond you, Shadowborne."

Julius exhaled slowly. The title sent a fresh wave of irritation through him. It had started with Caleb's prayer, but now even strangers were beginning to recognize him?

Troublesome.

Still, he kept his expression unreadable. "Is that so? Then why don't you enlighten me?"

The stranger chuckled again. "Because some truths are best left unknown."**

And with that, the shadows around them stirred.

Julius moved instinctively, reaching for the power coiling within his veins—

But the figure had already vanished.

The alley was silent once more, leaving only the corpse and the scent of something foul lingering in the air.

Julius clenched his jaw. Looks like he had another mystery to solve.

Chapter 34: The First Step into the Unknown

Julius stood over the lifeless body, the metallic scent of blood thick in the cold night air. His eyes swept over the intricate carvings on the corpse—a ritualistic script that pulsed with an eerie glow—before exhaling sharply.

He had seen enough.

Without hesitation, he stepped out of the alley and into the foggy streets. A few gas lamps flickered in the distance, their dim light barely cutting through the gloom. Julius scanned his surroundings before approaching the nearest patrol guard, his tone even yet firm.

"There's been a murder," he said, his voice carrying an edge of authority.

The guard, initially startled, quickly straightened. "Where?"

Julius gestured toward the alley. "Follow me. And make sure to summon an investigator—this isn't an ordinary crime."

A Temporary Refuge

By the time Julius finished giving his statement, the night had grown even colder. He left the scene before dawn, his steps slow and deliberate as he sought shelter.

He had considered resting in the Starry Hall, but the toll it took on his essence was far too great.

Not yet… he thought grimly. Not until I understand it better.

After some searching, he managed to secure a room in a modest inn at the edge of the district—nothing luxurious, but enough to keep him hidden and give him time to think.

He barely had time to settle on the creaky bed before exhaustion claimed him.

The Cathedral's Invitation

Morning came with the distant toll of cathedral bells. Julius woke with a sharp breath, his body still lingering in the tension of last night's events.

With no better plan in mind, he made his way toward the cathedral.

The towering structure loomed over the city, its spires piercing the gray sky like silent sentinels. As he approached the grand entrance, the heavy doors creaked open, and a familiar figure greeted him.

Shindori.

Her warm brown eyes sparkled with admiration as she took in his presence. "Julius, you really are something, aren't you?" she said with an amused chuckle. "Solving Caleb's case in such a short time… Even Casper was impressed."

Julius merely raised an eyebrow. Casper? Impressed? That was a surprise.

Shindori grinned at his expression before lowering her voice slightly. "The High Priest, Father Moore, wishes to speak with you. Follow me."

Julius didn't respond, merely nodding as he let her lead him through the winding halls of the cathedral.

The Golden Gaze of Judgment

The room Shindori led him to was unlike the rest of the grand cathedral.

It was plain, almost spartan, with only a single wooden desk and a tall window casting golden light onto the stone floor. Yet despite its simplicity, the air here felt… heavy.

At the center of it all stood Father Moore.

The man was tall and thin, draped in ceremonial robes that barely concealed the strength hidden within his form. But it was his eyes that held Julius captive—golden, luminous, as if holding the weight of divinity itself.

Julius had the distinct impression that this man could see through him.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, Father Moore broke the silence. "Tell me, Julius. How did you do it?"

Julius remained still. "You'll have to be more specific."

The priest's gaze didn't waver. "Breaking the bond between a contractor and a cursed artifact. It is unheard of."

Julius met his stare evenly, his mind racing. He had known this question would come, but now that it was here, he realized he hadn't prepared an answer that wouldn't raise suspicion.

A lie wouldn't work—not against someone like this.

But a half-truth…

He exhaled. "It wasn't my power."

Father Moore raised an eyebrow.

Julius continued, keeping his voice carefully measured. "I prayed. I pleaded with a great being—one known as the Shadow Sovereign. And in response, He granted me the means to sever the contract."

Silence filled the room.

Julius could feel the weight of the priest's scrutiny. He had said it as though it were a mere act of faith—as though he had no control over it himself.

Would he believe it?

Then, unexpectedly, Father Moore leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. "Fascinating."

Julius blinked. "You believe me?"

The priest's lips curled slightly, though not in amusement. "Whether I do or not is irrelevant. What matters is understanding this 'Shadow Sovereign.'"

He paused, then added, "How does one pray to Him?"

Julius hesitated.

If he revealed too much, it could lead to complications. But refusing to answer would be even more suspicious.

Finally, he spoke. "A sigil must be drawn—on stone, wood, anything. Once the symbol is inscribed, one must offer a sincere prayer while calling the name… 'Sharun, the Shadow Sovereign.'"

The moment the name left his lips, Father Moore's entire body tensed.

His golden eyes darkened, as though recalling something deeply buried in the past.

Julius narrowed his gaze. What did that reaction mean?

Yet, just as abruptly, Father Moore regained his composure. His expression became unreadable once more as he reached into his robes and pulled out a small silver badge.

With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed it to Julius.

Julius caught it with ease and examined it—a knight's insignia.

"Congratulations," Father Moore said, his voice smooth. "From this moment onward, you are a member of the Silver Knights of the Cathedral."

Julius remained silent, the weight of the badge heavy in his palm.

His first step toward the future had been taken.

A Prophecy in Motion

Julius left the chamber without another word. The silver badge felt cold against his skin, a symbol of something much larger than himself.

And yet, as the heavy doors closed behind him, Father Moore remained in place, staring out of the tall window.

His golden eyes shimmered, distant.

Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he muttered:

"It seems… the prophecy has begun."