The Blood That Binds the Past
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🌑 Scene 1: The Bloodletting Above the Memory Well
Caelen stood at the edge of the platform, windless air swirling with the remnants of shattered Mirrorborn.
In his left hand — the Nulllight Blade, humming with cursed intent.
In his right — his blood.
Dripping freely into the Memory Well below.
Each drop hit the silver pool and spread like ink across glass.
And then—
A pulse.
> Thump.
Like a heart.
> Thump.
And then—
A scream.
Not from Caelen.
Not from the earth.
But from within the blood itself.
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🧬 Scene 2: Echoes of the First Valtoris
In a sudden flash, the world around Caelen went dark.
Not black.
But memory-dark.
He saw himself standing in an ancient stone hall — tall, cracked pillars draped in ivy, lit only by blue-white flames.
A figure emerged.
Clad in flame-wrought armor.
A crown that burned but never consumed.
Eyes hollow with time.
> "You who call yourself heir…"
The voice was layered, like it had echoed through centuries.
Caelen fell to one knee instinctively.
> "You carry our name, our rage… and our failure."
> "Failure?" Caelen asked.
> "You still seek to erase the past.
But we—once—sought to redeem it."
The ghost of the First Valtoris reached out—
—and touched Caelen's forehead.
In that instant, memories surged into him.
A battlefield soaked in both fire and betrayal.
A child buried beneath ash.
A flame that devoured innocence.
And a brother once loved.
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🔥 Scene 3: The Legacy Brand
When Caelen awoke—
The Memory Well had stilled.
But his chest burned.
He tore open his tunic—
—And across his skin, a sigil had appeared.
An ancient glyph of flame and chain—twisted into a crown.
> "The Brand of Valtoris," he muttered.
"The original power. Sealed in our blood for centuries."
He laughed bitterly.
> "And it chose me."
He held out the Nulllight Blade.
> "Let's see if you still shine, brother.
When your own blood burns against you."
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🌋 Scene 4: Riven's Instinct
Far away—
Riven stood in the remnants of the shattered mirror chamber.
He suddenly staggered—
His hand shot to his heart.
A burn.
Not from pain.
From connection.
Selene rushed to him.
> "What is it?"
> "Something's waking in him.
Something old.
Something that remembers me…"
He looked up.
> "He's not just trying to erase me anymore."
> "Then what?"
> "He's trying to claim what I was meant to be."
Ignivar pulsed violently in his grip.
A whisper rippled through the blade:
> "Face him.
Where it all began."
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🏰 Scene 5: Return to the Ruined Throne
Riven looked east.
Past the Flame Canyons.
Beyond the Hollow Fortress.
To the broken ruins of the Old Throne of Valtoris.
The place where he was crowned.
Where Caelen first turned.
Where fire first chose… and fate first cursed.
> "It ends where it began."
Selene took his hand.
Lyara stood beside them, her eyes glowing faint.
> "I've seen a thousand fates.
But none where both of you walk away whole."
Riven tightened his grip on Ignivar.
> "Then I'll carve a new one."
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