Prologue
--The God and the Vessel--
"Betrayal isn't something that happens. It's something you carry, like a shadow you can't shake."
That's when I realized it, and not long after, I would face the consequences of trusting the wrong people.
When I opened my eyes, there was no ground to stand on, no walls to bump into, and no ceiling to look up to.
I was floating.
A faint light glimmered above me. My breath got heavy instantly.
Where am I? Am I dead?
I lifted my arm, curiosity striking me, and tried to reach for the light.
I forced my fingers to stretch. But it was too far away. No matter how much I tried, it stayed out of reach.
Then I noticed another light. A small spark, barely glowing, appeared inside me.
Is this how souls should look like? Was it mine?
I reached for it nervously with my bare hand, but fear rooted itself in my mind.
It pulsed with warmth… and fear. As chains wrapped around it, squeezing the ember in my chest as if shaping it.
What's happening to me…?
I tried to move, but it was hard. I was floating. Sparks scattered. Panic gripped my mind.
I should be dead by now. Yet… I'm alive, and stuck here.
Then, Suddenly, a presence pressed against my mind. Cold and heavy. Watching me.
It didn't speak aloud, but I felt it—dwelling inside me, observing every part of me.
Who are you?
I thought.
Unfortunately, no reply came. Only the tightening of the chains. I felt the cold and pain of the constricting chains in my very soul.
The faint light in my chest pulsed, growing brighter. When finally, a voice echoed inside my head.
"You were not chosen by gods or destiny. No. You were abandoned. Forgotten. A mistake."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
I asked, confused.
Your life already ended. You're nothing.
The words pierced deeper than the knife that ended me.
Then why… why am I still here?
The voice chuckled. Dry. Rustling. Like leaves crumbling to ash.
"Because I could still use you."
"Use me? Like hell I'd let you use me…
Tsk… persistent, aren't you?
Hey… did you just click your tongue at me? And why me?"
"Because I see use in you. That's all. Don't ask questions, pitiable human."
The void shuddered. Chains of light and shadow erupted, wrapping around the ember of my soul. I could feel it—binding, suffocating, yet pulling me together.
"I will reshape you… and become you."
Reshape? Become me? Are you out of your mind?
"I am Zeberu. God of Deception. Weaver of Lies. If you want to live, then be a useful vessel."
A rush of terror and defiance surged through me. No. I don't want this. I didn't ask—!
"Like hell I chose to be chosen by a self-proclaimed god. Lies? Was there ever a god who lies?"
"Mortals have no choice against a god like me."
The voice echoed, mocking.
So… you're telling me to just obey you?
"You exist now because I allow it. I saved your dying soul so, be grateful, mortal."
"Hey, who said I asked for that?"
The ember of my soul shook violently. Sparks scattered into the void. The chains tightened, pulling everything back in, shaping me.
"Damn you…"
Zeberu's laughter cut through the emptiness, low and poisonous.
"Resist if you wish. It changes nothing. When you open your eyes again, you will walk in a world not your own. And every step… every breath… every lie… will serve me."
The flickering light of my soul convulsed, and suddenly the void cracked. Brilliant blue light spilled through the fractures. Wind roared. The sensation of falling consumed me.
"Awaken, vessel. Your suffering has only begun."
And then— I plummeted.