The Dread of Damned

Lucian stepped to my side. The next moment, an immense pressure filled the room. Everyone looked up. They knew what was happening.

Three streaks of translucent power streaked through the sky before colliding with the barrier above the estate.

A deafening boom shook the hall, sending shudders through everyone present.

"Pull back the barriers," Father commanded.

What is happening in House Aestherisin? A calm yet imposing voice echoed in my mind. Around me, others visibly tensed.

Moments later, three figures descended upon the hall—not in physical form, but as towering translucent visages, their forms stretching from the floor to the ceiling.

"Why was the sacred oath not upheld?" another voice demanded. Their faces were obscured by swirling smoke, concealing their identities.

"Does House Aestherisin wish to make enemies of the Trinity?" The third voice, impatient and filled with anger, resonated through the hall.

Father stood his ground. "We do not seek enmity with the Trinity. The one who perished was the head manager of Unity Bank. He was found to have ties with the Damned."

"Then he should have been sent back to the main branch for punishment," the calm voice replied. Though serene, its words cut like a blade.

The pressure in the hall thickened. Even the essence in the air seemed to freeze under its sheer force.

"He committed suicide," Eldon, standing beside my father, said.

"Does everyone believe they are fit to speak before the Trinity?" the angry voice thundered. Eldon collapsed to his knees, coughing up blood.

"And does the Trinity wish to make an enemy of House Aestherisin?"

A new voice, calm yet undeniably authoritative, filled the hall.

It was a voice I recognized—a timeless, ageless presence.

A fourth visage descended.

The pressure in the room lessened, and the three initial figures turned toward the newcomer.

"Are you interfering with our judgment?" the angry voice demanded.

"You came uninvited to House Aestherisin," the new visage said, lifting its gaze—not toward the three towering figures, but higher, as if addressing the very being behind them.

"Tell me… Do you wish to make an enemy of House Aestherisin?" His voice was steady, unwavering.

Zephyr Rylan was not here in person—only his visage.

"House Aestherisin has violated the sacred oath," the calm voice stated.

"We are bound to uphold the laws under our guarantee."

"Even if it means making an enemy of you, Frozen Time?" The third voice, enigmatic and laced with arrogance, questioned.

"He was being interrogated when he took his own life," Zephyr responded, his gaze shifting slightly—to the right, into empty space.

"Do I have the right to speak to you in this form?"

Silence hung in the air.

"And know this—you will not only make an enemy of me," Zephyr continued. "You will make an enemy of House Aestherisin."

Shadows thickened around the hall, dark and nearly tangible.

"House Aestherisin has grown arrogant," the calm voice remarked.

"Or perhaps," the visage turned toward me, its face nothing but a blur of smoke, "your new ruler is the one whose arrogance knows no bounds."

The weight of its gaze was suffocating. My blood raced, my essence churned—but I only smiled.

"Know this," the voice continued. "Arrogance without power to back it up is mere foolishness. It will get you killed."

The crushing pressure faded.

"We have seen all we need to see. We will accept the word of Zephyr Rylan. House Aestherisin has upheld the sanctity of the sacred oath and must continue to do so."

With that, the visages vanished. The shields above were restored.

"We thank the Grand Elder for his assistance," Father said, as Zephyr turned to look at me one last time before dissolving into nothingness.

The council was dismissed. I returned to my chambers.

"I know you're here, Grand Elder," I said, settling onto my bed.

A translucent figure appeared before me—not as towering as before, but still carrying an ageless presence.

"I know I said we needed to make House Aestherisin's change in power known," the Elder said, his gaze steady, "but provoking the Trinity was a risky move."

He moved forward, sitting on the sofa in the corner of my room.

"I knew the four pillars of House Aestherisin wouldn't be so weak as to falter under this much pressure," I said, leaning back.

I had learned of the four silent guardians who protected the house from the true forces of the outside world. They were unseen, unknown to all but the ruler—not even the Crown Prince was meant to be aware of them.

They had existed for as long as memory could recall. Kings had come and gone. Elders had risen and fallen. But the four pillars had remained unshaken.

"You weren't supposed to know about the pillars so soon," the Grand Elder mused. "But now that I've spilled the beans, let it be."

He paused.

"The first pillar is myself. In the upper echelons of the Nocturnals, I am known as Frozen Time of the North." He leaned back, speaking casually.

"The second is Shadow of the Underworld—the head of the Astral Knights. He was present in the hall today."

"The third is Endless River of Knowledge, and the last is Boundless Anger of the Heavens."

He stood.

"You don't need to know who the last two are… yet."

"Now," he said, his gaze sharp, "tell me. You had a plan for provoking the Trinity, didn't you?"

"Yes," I replied. "By becoming Crown Prince and immediately challenging one of the most feared forces among the Nocturnals, I have forced all the grand houses to form their own opinions of me."

I met his gaze.

"With the Damned's corruption confirmed within the upper echelons—two houses uprooted, and now House Aestherisin executing the Unity Bank's Grand Manager yet escaping the Trinity's wrath—it proves that the elder was a Damned himself."

The Grand Elder nodded in understanding.

"This makes House Aestherisin the most successful force in identifying and eliminating the Damned in centuries. The other grand houses will want our secret."

"Which means," Zephyr said, completing my thought, "a grand summit will be called soon."

"Yes. And when that happens, alliances and enemies will become clear," I said.

"And those who dare to stand against us," the Elder murmured, "will be eliminated."

I smiled. "No one will oppose me once I am on the throne—not just in House Aestherisin, but in all five grand houses."

The Grand Elder laughed as his figure dissolved.

The five grand houses were about to be thrown into chaos.