Dear friends,
I apologize for the delay in releasing the chapters, as I am going through heavy pressures and dealing with some personal struggles, but I remain committed to you.
I want to share that I am currently working on both projects at the same time: Alveran and Longest Year.
I promise that what's coming next will be better, filled with strength and excitement.
Thank you for your support and patience, it is what motivates me to keep going.
With my regards,
Writer 1Shinigami1
The calm before the storm, a moment where darkness itself seems to breathe, waiting for the souls to come. Alveran is no longer who she was; her new power flows through her veins. Yet, every great power comes with a price… a price only revealed when the time arrives. Will it be the souls that pay? The body? Or the very spirit itself? Every step she takes inside this cave is a test, and every soul she absorbs is a step toward a truth that will not be easy for anyone… even herself.
Chapter Seven: The Ally
Alveran began exiting the cave, her new powers flowing through her veins with a frightening calm. Her aura had changed… she was no longer the same girl, her coldness had intensified, surrounding her like a chilling mist. Her steps were steady, neither hurried nor hesitant, as if she had been reborn in the darkness of the cave.
The darkness was impenetrable, thick as if it were a tangible substance, swallowing everything. She extended her hand and lit a small flame, making the light dance across the cave walls, revealing sharp rocks and a damp floor. The air was heavy, suffocating, as if the cave itself were breathing slowly.
Suddenly… a deep growl echoed through the cavern.
She stopped.
From the shadows emerged a massive beast, its body twisted and its eyes glowing with hunger and savagery. It was terrifying enough to make any human take a step back… but Alveran showed no reaction. She looked at it coldly, as if it were merely an experiment.
In a low voice, she said:
"At the right time… let me test my new power."
She approached without fear. The beast growled, ready to attack, but she placed her hand on its body and said calmly:
"Give me your soul."
In an instant, the beast froze in place. Behind Alveran, strange flowers with dark, glowing petals bloomed, slowly absorbing the beast's soul. Its body trembled as life was drained from it drop by drop… until it turned into a mere empty husk, falling to the ground.
Alveran watched the scene with clear enjoyment, as if savoring her first true victory.
Suddenly, Narivala's voice echoed in her mind:
"Power comes at a steep price."
She paused for a moment… but did not understand what it meant. She didn't care, and continued on her path.
After some distance, she found running water inside the cave. The sound of the water was calm, contrasting sharply with the harshness of the place. She approached, bent down, drank until she was quenched, then looked at her reflection on the surface. Her eyes were no longer the same.
She whispered to herself:
"I will suppress this corrupt world… and the beginning will be with my family."
Another growl cut through the silence.
She turned to see another beast attacking her from behind. Without hesitation, she placed her hand on it. The flowers bloomed again, more ferocious this time, beginning to absorb its soul.
She said with a cold smile:
"Congratulations, my flowers."
The beast fell, lifeless as before, an empty husk.
She continued walking until she saw a faint light at the end of the corridor. The light grew brighter as she approached… until she realized it was the exit.
We now move to the royal palace.
Alveran's deputy arrived at the grand hall, where the king sat on his throne. He bowed and said:
"Your Majesty… Alveran has been dealt with."
Silence fell for a moment.
Then the king said:
"Well done. I hereby appoint you as the new Commander of the Death Knights."
Alveran's father was standing in the hall. When he heard the news, a faint expression of satisfaction appeared on his face. He knew they had gotten rid of her… and he was pleased.
Suddenly, a maid burst into the hall, screaming:
"Your Majesty! Princess Alindra is missing from the palace!"
The king stood in shock and shouted:
"Search for her immediately! Everywhere!"
The hall erupted into chaos.
In the distant lands…
Alveran was walking calmly among rocks and barren plains. She noticed a shadow moving and stumbling. She approached cautiously… to find Princess Alindra.
Alveran exclaimed in surprise:
"Your Majesty! Why are you here?!"
Alindra looked at her with wide eyes:
"Alveran?! Are you alive? How did you survive? I thought you were dead!"
Alveran replied:
"It's a long story, my lady."
Alindra said firmly:
"I no longer belong to the palace or the kingdom… because they are corrupt."
Alveran looked at her steadily and said:
"Do not worry. I am going to cleanse this world of corruption… starting with my family."
Alindra hesitated:
"But how? You were powerless…"
Alveran answered coldly:
"I was powerless before. Now… I possess the ability to absorb souls."
Alindra was astonished:
"Are you joking?"
Alveran said:
"Look."
She approached a small nearby rabbit, placed her hand on it, and the flowers bloomed again, beginning to absorb its soul in front of Alindra. Within moments, the rabbit fell lifeless.
Alindra was amazed and said:
"I trust you, Alveran."
Alveran said:
"Let us begin the eradication of corruption."
And so… Alveran and Alindra set forth toward the Kingdom of Lialis, beginning their journey to rid the world of the rule of tyrants.
Power… is never a gift without a cost. Every soul she absorbs, every victory she achieves, leaves its mark upon her. Her body, mind, and memory… all will begin to pay the price gradually. Narivala warned her: "Power comes at a steep price," and now, with every soul she absorbs, the cost draws closer to revealing itself. The power is in her hands, but it is not without consequence… and time will reveal whether she becomes a weapon of triumph or a curse upon herself.