In a candlelit hall far beneath the royal palace, Priyanshu sat at the center of a circular table surrounded by hooded figures. Each represented one of the hidden guilds, clans, or dark sects that answered to him now—whether they knew it or not.
He leaned forward slightly, the shadows dancing across his calm face.
"Report," he said simply.
A thin woman with a veil, the leader of the Night Silk Pavilion, stepped forward. "The Light Sect is in chaos. Their outer branches have withdrawn from the empire, citing dishonor. Three elders have called for a new heir to the Radiant Throne."
"Good," Priyanshu said, steepling his fingers.
A burly man with a scarred neck growled, "The markets are also shifting. The Goldscale Merchants refuse to trade with the sect's allies. Word spreads that their divine protection is fading."
"Even better."
Then came the voice Priyanshu had waited for.
"The Empress herself sent an envoy to the Flame Temple," said Raven, his most trusted agent. "A public cleansing ritual will be held in five days. They will force Aarav to prove his innocence by stepping into the Divine Flame."
The room fell silent.
Everyone here knew—if Aarav was tainted, even slightly, the Divine Flame would reject him. If he truly held demon blood, it would consume him.
It was suicide.
"Send a dream into his mind," Priyanshu ordered.
[New Quest Activated: Break the Hero's Mind]Objective: Twist Aarav's dreams with Echo of Betrayal for three consecutive nights.Reward: 200 Bad Karma, +1 Shadow Domain Core FragmentOptional Bonus: If the target flees or refuses the ceremony, gain public humiliation bonus.
"Consider it done," Raven nodded.
That night…
Aarav dreamed again.
He stood at the edge of the holy altar, surrounded by thousands of disciples and elders.
The Divine Flame burned bright.
He stepped into it.
And screamed.
Flames danced on his flesh, but it wasn't the fire that hurt—it was the laughter echoing through the flames. A voice from behind the light.
"You were never a hero, Aarav. Just a tool. A puppet for the gods. And now… you burn for their amusement."
When he awoke, he was drenched in sweat, clutching his chest as if his heart might burst.
"What's happening to me?" he gasped.
Meanwhile…
Priyanshu lounged under a cherry blossom tree, drinking wine. Lilya sat beside him, feeding him grapes, giggling at the panic she had witnessed in the Light Sect's spy reports.
"You know," she whispered, "you're the first man I've ever feared... and the only one I've ever respected."
He smiled, lifting her chin. "Fear and respect are the same thing in this world, my dear. The only difference… is whether I let you live long enough to feel both."