PACT OF THE UNSEEN -
Chapter 3: THE MORNINGSTAR'S FALL
The Hollow that had been stalking them through the dungeon's twisted corridors lunged from the shadows, its form a writhing mass of darkness and malice. Its voice was a wet, hungry rasp as it spoke.
HOLLOW:
Fresh meat.
The creature moved with terrifying speed, claws extended to tear them apart. Kael raised his walking stick uselessly. Lillian screamed.
The Hollow exploded into particles of shadow before it could touch them.
A massive figure materialized between them and where the creature had been, its presence so overwhelming that the very air seemed to compress. Purple energy crackled across its form as six magnificent wings unfurled from the darkness, each one radiating power that made Kael's teeth ache.
The voice that echoed through the chamber was theatrical, booming, and dripping with self-importance.
VOICE:
You dare disturb my rest? Insolent creatures, interrupting my slumber with your pathetic struggles!
The shadows coalesced further, taking on a more defined shape. The figure drew itself up to its full, imposing height.
LUCIFER (with dramatic flair):
Who am I, you may ask? I stand before you in all my glory! I am the Morning Star! The First Fallen! The Light-Bringer! Behold my magnificent—
KAEL (interrupting, deadpan):
Sorry, bruh. I can't see.
The dramatic energy deflated immediately. Silence fell across the chamber like a heavy curtain.
LUCIFER (confused):
Um... what?
Kael gestured vaguely at his wrapped eyes, his expression completely neutral.
KAEL:
Can't behold you in all your glory. Can't see. Blind. You know, no visual input to process your magnificence or whatever.
The massive form flickered with what could only be described as irritation. Lucifer turned his attention to Lillian, who was frozen in terror but doing her absolute best to appear calm.
LUCIFER (incredulous):
Is he for real? Can YOU see me?
Lillian made a split-second decision and committed to it completely.
LILLIAN (quickly):
Sorry, who's there? I can't see you either. I'm blind as well.
She made a show of squinting into the darkness in completely the wrong direction, her hand raised to shield eyes that supposedly couldn't see anyway.
LUCIFER (anger rising):
Don't screw with me! How did you END UP in my domain if you can't see?!
KAEL (shrugging):
Accident. We don't know the layout down here. Just kind of wandered in.
LILLIAN (nodding vigorously):
Yes! The world works in mysterious ways. We just followed the path and ended up here.
Kael thought to himself with grudging respect: She's playing this well. She can definitely see him. This is actually impressive.
Lillian's internal monologue was significantly less charitable: Bruh. This Kael. When we get home, I'MA SMACK HIM SO HARD.
Lucifer's massive form shifted, circling them like a predator examining its prey. The six wings created shadows that danced across the chamber walls.
LUCIFER (suspicious):
What are you two doing together? BOTH blind? Down HERE in a dungeon?
Kael paused for just a moment too long.
KAEL:
Well, we're two people.
Lillian jumped in, her voice pitching higher with nervousness.
LILLIAN:
Yes! Two people in LOVE! So we came for the fresh air and the breeze.
Kael's face twitched almost imperceptibly. Lucifer's form seemed to radiate confusion.
KAEL (forcing the words out):
And we got lost. Here. Obviously.
LUCIFER:
You could stay OUTSIDE and receive fresh air. Why come into a dungeon tunnel?
Lillian panicked and said the first thing that came to her mind.
LILLIAN:
We also came to, you know, do nasty things to each other.
Kael's eyes widened behind his wrappings. He gulped audibly.
His internal scream was silent but profound: DAMN YOU, LILLIAN! YOU CORRUPT BITCH!
He turned toward where Lucifer's voice was emanating from and cleared his throat.
KAEL:
Yes. Nasty things. To each other. Uninterrupted. Privacy and all. You understand.
There was a long pause. Then Lucifer's voice came again, this time with a note of understanding.
LUCIFER:
I suppose that checks out. The economy is terrible. Privacy is expensive. Young love finds a way, even in the most unfortunate circumstances.
Lillian exhaled in relief so profound her shoulders sagged.
LUCIFER (in a casual tone):
Nice yellow dress you're wearing, by the way.
LILLIAN (without thinking):
Thanks! I picked it out myse—
She froze mid-sentence. Kael's head dropped into his hand.
LUCIFER (triumphant):
So you KNEW it was a yellow dress, huh? Which means you CAN see! You aren't blind at all!
KAEL (exasperated, turning to Lillian):
You built that ENTIRE excuse, it almost worked, and you fell to THAT?!
LILLIAN (defensive):
Bruh, how was I supposed to know he'd do that? That's entrapment!
Lucifer's form grew larger, more menacing. The playful tone evaporated completely, replaced by something ancient and dangerous. The temperature in the chamber dropped several degrees.
Kael stepped forward, hands raised in a placating gesture.
KAEL:
Lucifer. I can sense you're pissed. But chill, bruh. Just chill for a second. If it makes you feel any better, I actually AM blind. That part wasn't a lie.
LUCIFER (irritated):
How is THAT supposed to make me feel better? I'm looking for a HOST!
KAEL:
You mean a bond? Like the Pact?
LUCIFER:
A HOST. With a CONTRACT. I get seventy percent control. My host gets thirty percent. That's the deal. Non-negotiable.
KAEL (immediately):
Con artist. We decline your generous offer.
Lucifer's voice dropped to something dangerous, something that resonated in their bones.
LUCIFER:
Well, it's that or death. Your choice.
Shadows writhed around them like living things. The walls pulsed with malevolent energy. From deeper in the dungeon, Hollow screeches echoed, drawn by the power radiating from this chamber.
Kael stood silent for a tense moment, weighing their options. Finally, he spoke.
KAEL:
Fine. But for this bond, I'll negotiate the terms. Firstly, I agree to the contract in reverse.
LUCIFER (oblivious in his eagerness):
PERFECT! Sign here and there, and we have a deal! Though I should warn you, the bonding process will be EXCRUCIATING. No one has ever survived it intact. They're shown visions of their most horrid moments, forced to relive every trauma until they die or break mentally, so if you want to reconsider—
KAEL:
I accept.
A magic circle materialized beneath Kael's feet, intricate symbols spinning in patterns that hurt to look at. Chains of light shot from Lucifer's massive form, wrapping around Kael's arms, chest, and head. He gasped as the first surge of power hit him.
LUCIFER (voice echoing from everywhere):
LET THE CONTRACT BE SEALED!
Kael screamed. His body convulsed, back arching as the bond forced itself into existence.
LILLIAN (reaching for him):
KAEL!
But she couldn't touch him. An invisible barrier separated them, and all she could do was watch in horror as he suffered.
The visions hit him like physical blows, each one more devastating than the last.
He saw himself as he had been. Young Kael, age eight, with eyes that were bright and clear and full of life. He was laughing, playing with wooden swords in a yard filled with sunlight.
YOUNG KAEL:
Mom! Dad! Watch this!
His parents smiled warmly. His father's eyes were filled with pride.
KAEL'S FATHER:
That's my boy!
The scene shifted violently.
Sirens wailed across the city. Explosions shook the ground. The sky tore open with violet-black rifts, and Hollows poured through like a flood of nightmares made manifest.
Kael's mother grabbed him, pulling him behind her with desperate strength.
KAEL'S MOTHER:
Stay behind us! We'll protect you! We won't let them hurt you!
His father summoned his pact creature, a magnificent griffin wreathed in golden light.
KAEL'S FATHER:
We can seal this rift! We have the power! We have to try!
The vision shifted again, and Kael was forced to watch as his parents stood before the massive rift, hands joined, channeling every ounce of their power into sealing it. The rift pulsed violently, fighting back.
Young Kael screamed from where they'd told him to hide.
YOUNG KAEL:
MOM! DAD! STOP! PLEASE! IT'S TOO STRONG!
His mother turned, tears streaming down her face.
KAEL'S MOTHER:
We love you, Kael. Always remember that we—
An explosion of dark energy erupted from the rift. The backlash hit young Kael directly in the face. He screamed as his eyes burned, as light and darkness and pain consumed everything. His vision went white, then black, then nothing.
The scene changed once more.
Young Kael knelt in rubble, his eyes wrapped in bloody bandages. Bodies lay scattered around him. The silence was broken only by distant Hollow roars and the crackling of fires.
YOUNG KAEL (broken whisper):
Mom? Dad? Where are you?
No answer came. He was alone. His small hands clenched in the dirt as the reality settled over him.
The visions accelerated, showing him years of rejection in rapid succession. Instructors shaking their heads. Other orphans avoiding him. The same words, over and over.
"You're not fit for this."
"Just accept it."
"You'll never be a Predator."
"Give up."
Kael collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. The chains of light faded. For a moment, there was only silence and the sound of his ragged breathing.
Lucifer's voice echoed inside his mind, impressed despite himself.
LUCIFER:
Yes! YES! Such strong willpower! You didn't break under the weight of your trauma! You will be my perfect vessel!
Lucifer's consciousness began settling into dominance, taking control of Kael's body and mind as the contract dictated. Seventy percent control. Kael would become little more than a passenger in his own flesh.
But then Kael spoke, his voice hoarse but laced with grim satisfaction.
KAEL:
Not quite.
LUCIFER:
What?
The contract circle began to glow with blinding intensity. Then it INVERTED. The symbols rearranged themselves, spinning backward, rewriting the fundamental terms of their agreement.
Lucifer's massive form suddenly SHRUNK. The six magnificent wings collapsed inward. The overwhelming power drained away like water from a broken vessel.
LUCIFER (panicking):
NO! HOW?! WHAT DID YOU— WE MADE A DEAL!
The light faded. On the ground sat a small, fox-like creature with six tiny smoldering wings. Its power had been reduced to Tier 1: Fallen Ember.
Kael stood shakily, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
KAEL:
It's simple. "In reverse" means I get seventy percent control. You get thirty percent. The contract recognized my terms and adjusted accordingly. You've regressed to Tier 1. And I control you.
Lillian stared in shock and awe. Then she started giggling nervously, the sound building into slightly hysterical laughter.
LILLIAN:
You should read the fine print of a contract before agreeing to it, genius!
The tiny fox glared at them both with impotent fury.
LUCIFER:
You TRICKED me! You manipulated the contract!
Kael bent down and picked up the tiny fox, holding it at eye level.
KAEL:
Now. Let us out of this dungeon.
LUCIFER (defeated):
You have bested me. Fine.
He waved a tiny paw with as much dignity as a diminutive fox-creature could muster. The dungeon walls shimmered and began to unravel like fabric being pulled apart by invisible hands.
As reality restructured itself around them, Kael suddenly gasped. His wrapped eyes widened beneath the cloth.
KAEL (stunned):
I can...
He reached up and pulled the wrapping down slightly. His eyes, which had been milky white and sightless for nine years, now had faint COLOR. Blurry shapes. Indistinct outlines.
KAEL (touching his face in wonder):
I can SEE. Not fully, but I can make out shapes. Movement. Colors.
He turned toward Lillian. For the first time in nine years, he SAW her. Blurry and indistinct, but there. Silver hair catching what little light existed. Green eyes wide with concern and relief. A face full of emotions he could finally perceive.
KAEL (soft smile):
You weren't lying. You ARE pretty.
Lillian blushed furiously, flustered.
LILLIAN:
I— what— shut up! We need to get to the manager's office before they close for the day!
The dungeon dissolved completely. They found themselves standing in a different hallway entirely. Clean. Well-lit. Normal. The nightmare was over.
KAEL:
Right. Let's go.
He tucked the tiny Lucifer into his jacket. The fox glared but didn't resist, recognizing the futility of rebellion.
The Vedi Manor stood as a monument to power and influence. While most estates in the wealthy district were content with displays of wealth, the Vedi family had always preferred displays of capability. The war room was a testament to this philosophy.
Massive holographic displays lined the walls, showing real-time data from across Valestra. Rift activity. Hollow migration patterns. Resource distribution. Military deployments. Every piece of information necessary to coordinate the defense of human territory.
At the center of it all sat Master Vedi, a man in his fifties with sharp features and an even sharper mind. He reviewed reports with the practiced eye of someone who had been making life-and-death decisions for decades.
Across from him stood his son, Levius Vedi. Eighteen years old with sharp blue hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to calculate the worth of everything they observed. He gestured to a holographic map showing the eastern perimeter.
LEVIUS (analytical tone):
The eastern perimeter Hollows are clustering here, here, and here. Standard extermination protocols won't work anymore. They're adapting to our patterns, learning to counter our typical formations.
MASTER VEDI:
Your recommendation?
LEVIUS:
Feint assault on the northern cluster. Draw their attention and make them commit their forces. While they're focused there, I'll take Leviathan through the southern waterway system and eliminate the hive core from below. Estimated casualties on our side: zero. Hollow elimination rate: ninety-eight point seven percent.
Master Vedi nodded, satisfaction evident in his expression.
MASTER VEDI:
Efficient as always. Proceed with your plan.
A servant entered, bowing respectfully.
SERVANT:
Master Vedi, Mr. Venici has arrived for your scheduled meeting.
MASTER VEDI:
Show him in.
Mr. Venici entered the war room with the confidence of someone accustomed to walking through doors that mattered. Portly, well-dressed, with calculating eyes that assessed everything for potential profit. Behind him, Lura Venici followed with obvious reluctance, her arms crossed and her expensive but practical combat outfit a stark contrast to her father's ornate clothing.
MR. VENICI (cheerful):
Ah, Master Vedi! Always a pleasure to conduct business with you!
MASTER VEDI (gesturing to seats):
Likewise. Levius, join us. This concerns Valestra's future, and you should be part of these discussions.
Levius took a seat with fluid grace. Lura remained standing near the window, clearly uninterested in whatever political maneuvering was about to unfold.
The adults began their discussion, voices low and conspiratorial.
MR. VENICI:
With the recent increase in Hollow threats, we need to ensure economic stability. I propose we consolidate control over the eastern trade routes. Merge our resources and monopolize the supply chains. Control the flow of goods, control the people.
MASTER VEDI:
And how do you propose we handle public perception? The people won't accept obvious exploitation.
MR. VENICI:
They'll accept it. They always do when it's framed as protection and security.
Levius had been staring out the window at the city below. When he spoke, his voice was calm and cold, cutting through the discussion without raising its volume.
LEVIUS:
The people don't want a colonizer. They want a leader.
Everyone turned to look at him.
He stood and approached the holographic city display, his movements precise and economical. He manipulated the controls, pulling up economic data, population sentiment graphs, historical precedent.
LEVIUS:
It might sound harsh, but it's reality. If Valestra is to grow and prosper, the people need to feel heard. They need to believe their voices matter.
He zoomed in on specific districts, highlighting areas of unrest and dissatisfaction.
LEVIUS:
There's a saying: even if you skin a chicken and leave it alive, it will still follow you if you throw bread crumbs. Build a Community Listening Board. Make it very public that every decision is "for the good of the land." Let them submit concerns and suggestions. Make them BELIEVE they have real influence.
Mr. Venici leaned forward, intrigued despite his initial skepticism.
MR. VENICI:
And in practice?
LEVIUS:
I'll handle the combat aspect. High-profile Hollow exterminations. Public displays of overwhelming power. The people need to see tangible results, visible protection. You handle the economic and political maneuvering behind closed doors. As long as they feel safe and heard, they won't scrutinize the details of how resources are actually allocated.
He turned to face them fully, his expression unreadable.
LEVIUS:
Control the narrative. Control the perception. The reality underneath doesn't matter as long as the surface looks appealing.
Silence fell across the war room. Mr. Venici looked shocked, then slowly impressed.
MR. VENICI:
That's brilliant. Ruthless, but brilliant. I'll begin implementing it immediately.
Master Vedi's expression showed unmistakable pride.
MASTER VEDI:
My son understands the game better than most politicians twice his age. Levius, go prepare for the eastern district operation. Time is critical.
Levius bowed respectfully.
LEVIUS:
With pleasure, Father.
As Levius walked toward the exit, Lura stepped in front of him, her hand moving to rest on her sword hilt. Her voice shook with barely controlled anger.
LURA:
You are DESPICABLE. I hate everything you stand for.
Levius didn't stop walking, barely glancing at her as he moved to step around her.
LEVIUS:
Am I supposed to care about your feelings?
Lura stepped to block his path again, closer this time.
LURA:
So that's how you see people? You and every politician like you are just fat, hungry pigs with an interest in ruining lives for profit!
Levius stopped walking. He turned to face her fully, a small smile playing at his lips.
LEVIUS:
I am not an enemy. I am a rationalist. A realist. I see everyone as a single organism working toward a collective goal. If some individuals are wasted along the way...
He stepped closer. His presence became oppressive, the air itself seeming to grow heavy with power.
LEVIUS:
...it was an act of patriotism on their part. Nothing more. Nothing less. Their sacrifice serves the greater good.
Lura felt the weight of his pact pressing against her awareness. Though she couldn't see it, she could FEEL the shadow of Leviathan looming behind him, vast and ancient and utterly overwhelming. She struggled not to step back, refused to show weakness.
LEVIUS (voice dropping to something dangerous):
And I suggest you watch your tone with me. I am not a kind person to rebels and idealists like you.
LURA (refusing to back down, standing face-to-face):
What are you gonna do? Beat me up, dipshit?
Tension crackled between them like electricity. Levius's eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, the temperature in the hallway plummeted.
MR. VENICI (rushing out of the war room, panicked):
Whoa, whoa! You two, CALM DOWN! Don't kill each other in Master Vedi's hallway!
Levius's expression smoothed instantly, like a mask sliding into place. He stepped back and bowed with perfect courtesy.
LEVIUS:
My apologies. I allowed my emotions to cloud my judgment momentarily. I'll take my leave now and calm myself.
He walked past Lura without another glance, his footsteps echoing down the marble hallway.
LURA (calling after him):
Self-righteous ASSHOLE!
Levius didn't respond. As he exited the manor into the courtyard, he raised his hand. A magic circle appeared in the air, intricate patterns spinning with aquatic energy.
LEVIUS (quiet command):
Leviathan.
The air SPLIT. Water surged upward from nowhere, defying gravity and physics, coalescing into a MASSIVE serpentine dragon. Its scales looked like living ocean waves. Its eyes were whirlpools that could drown worlds. The creature was easily the size of a building, radiating power that made the ground tremble.
Tier 5 and Beyond: Leviathan X Poseidon.
Levius stood before it, utterly dwarfed by its size but showing no fear. Then he and the creature vanished in a torrent of water that left the courtyard completely dry.
Inside the manor, Lura stood alone in the hallway. Her fists were clenched so tight her nails drew blood from her palms. She was shaking with anger and frustration.
LURA (to herself):
He thinks he's so much better than everyone. Just because he has power. Just because he was BORN into privilege and opportunity.
She looked down at her hand, at the faint pact mark glowing softly against her skin.
LURA:
I'll surpass him. I'll prove he's wrong about everything. I'll show him that people aren't just resources to be managed and discarded.
She trailed off, the determination in her voice mixing with uncertainty.
But even as she made the vow, she could still feel the crushing weight of Leviathan's presence, the casual display of power that separated them.
The gap between them was vast. But Lura Venici had never been one to accept limitations.
Chapter 3 Ends
NEXT: Chapter 4 - Secrets and Revelations
Kael's newfound partial sight leads him to discover documents that reveal the true corruption within the Predator organization. Meanwhile, Levius's assault on the eastern Hollows encounters an unexpected threat: an intelligent Hollow that shouldn't exist. The threads of fate continue to weave together as multiple players move toward an inevitable collision.