"Phantom Rebirth: The Last White Raven’s Path to the Ultimate Assassin"

The First Question

Seraphis stood motionless, dagger in hand, as the black mist coiled like living smoke.

The skull at its core pulsed faintly, its runes flickering in and out of sight.

Two glowing amber eyes formed within the mist, watching her with unsettling intelligence.

Finally, Seraphis broke the silence.

"What are you?"

The mist shifted, its tendrils curling and stretching as if in amusement.

Then, a voice—**smooth, whispering, yet strangely playful—**answered.

"I am Sootveil Pyrailu."

"The shadow that dances in firelight."

"The trickster of the forbidden arts."

"The one who weaves illusions from smoke and whispers."

Seraphis narrowed her eyes.

"A creature of illusions… that explains the shifting mist."

But that answer wasn’t enough.

She needed more.

"What were you doing inside that box?"

The creature’s mist shuddered, like a breeze had passed through it.

"Trapped."

"Bound."

"Silenced."

It shifted again, its form flickering between shapes—first a coiling dragon, then a laughing fox, then a woman in a flowing cloak, before returning to its formless mist.

"They feared me. So they locked me away."

A Prison of Smoke and Magic

Seraphis stepped closer, studying the box.

The chains had dissolved, but the wood of the container was scarred with deep burn marks.

This wasn’t just an ordinary prison.

It was a cage built for something that couldn't be bound physically.

"Who sealed you?"

Sootveil Pyrailu chuckled.

The sound was low and full of mischief, like a whisper shared between conspirators.

"A mage. No… a group of mages. Centuries ago. They thought they could rid the world of me."

It swirled closer to Seraphis, its amber eyes locking onto hers.

"But illusions never truly die, do they?"

Seraphis felt a chill down her spine.

This thing wasn’t just a prankster.

It was something old, something cunning, something dangerous.

Testing the Trickster

Seraphis tightened her grip on her dagger.

"Show me."

Sootveil Pyrailu tilted its mist-like head.

"Show you what?"

"Your power."

The creature let out a breath of dark mist.

Then—the room changed.

The walls stretched infinitely outward, the bookshelves turning into towering black trees.

The ground beneath Seraphis softened—it was no longer stone.

It was grass.

A forest had replaced her library.

Seraphis turned sharply, raising her dagger.

"Impressive."

But she wasn’t fooled.

It was an illusion.

The Art of Deception

Sootveil Pyrailu laughed softly.

"You see through it so quickly. Most would be lost for hours."

Seraphis stepped forward, watching how the mist shifted.

Everything looked real.

The trees, the sky, even the faint scent of damp earth in the air.

But…

She focused her mana, sharpening her senses.

Then—she saw it.

The edges of the illusion flickered, like a candle flame in the wind.

Seraphis stabbed her dagger into the air—

And everything shattered.

The forest disappeared, revealing her library once more.

Sootveil Pyrailu hummed in approval.

"Clever. You have a strong mind."

Seraphis sheathed her dagger.

"Your illusions won’t work on me."

The creature’s eyes glowed brighter.

"That remains to be seen."

The True Nature of the Beast

Seraphis crossed her arms.

"Why did they fear you?"

Sootveil Pyrailu’s mist swirled thoughtfully.

"Because illusions can reshape reality."

It drifted around her, whispering.

"A man sees fire where there is none, and he burns himself alive."
"A warrior sees his enemy as his brother, and he hesitates."
"A king sees a crown of gold, but it is only ash."

Seraphis frowned.

"You mean… illusions that kill?"

The creature laughed again.

"Illusions are neither good nor evil. They are simply... possibilities."

Seraphis wasn’t sure she liked that answer.

She had met many killers before.

This thing was different.

A Dangerous Offer

Sootveil Pyrailu stopped circling her.

It stared directly into her soul.

"I have been locked away for centuries."

"I want to see the world again."

"Take me with you."

Seraphis raised an eyebrow.

"And why would I do that?"

The creature’s mist thickened, surrounding her.

"Because I can be useful to you."

Its voice was whisper-soft now.

"You are an assassin, are you not?"

Seraphis tensed.

"I am."

The creature’s glowing eyes narrowed in delight.

"Then you understand the power of deception."

"Let me serve you. In exchange… let me be free."

A Trickster’s Gamble

Seraphis considered the offer.

On one hand—this thing was dangerous.

But on the other hand—

Its abilities were exactly what an assassin needed.

She tapped her fingers against the hilt of her dagger.

"If you betray me—"

Sootveil Pyrailu smiled, if a creature of mist could smile.

"Oh, but that is the fun part, isn’t it?"

Seraphis exhaled slowly.

Then—

She extended her hand.

The mist coiled around her fingers, cold and weightless.

A pact was formed.

And with it—

A new shadow had joined her side.