Kalon Bloodborn POV

“No. I don’t have access to the storage,” Damon refuted, backing me, with his forearms crossed.

We had been deliberating over how to gain access to a storage pouch—a treasured item released from the Guardian’s Castle, unique to each Celestial and bearing only one in their lifetime.

I walked around the tables of the workshop, my eyes matching his.

“But you know the guards assigned there. I just need you to distract them.” The plan was simple: Damon would obtain the storage pouch of a deceased warrior named Dregol, an Amun. His vessel had been consumed by poison, already dead before help could arrive.

The belongings of the deceased were stored in the storage room, accessible only by high-ranking guards of the Citadel. With recent events, Damon and I had become well known, much to the workings of the Patriarch. Having Damon withdraw the fallen warrior's storage pouch would be a simple task compared to mine.

With the storage pouch, we could store the bodies of demons from our upcoming deployment, allowing us to later examine them and perhaps gain insights into the workings of spirit energy.

“I haven’t had enough time to think this through,” Damon said, sounding exhausted as he ran a hand through his wavy hair. He circled around anxiously.

“There’s not much to think about.” I replied.

“I know. I’m worried about you.” I raised an eyebrow in question. He continued, “Taking his heart, even a small portion, doesn’t sit well with me. What if you get caught?”

“If I may, master,” Proteus interjected, his voice raspy. Severus's body coiled around him, holding him in place. My beast had turned my chronicler into its plaything, having grown to seven feet long over the years.

“And if we gain insight into this spirit energy? We could save all of Enoria. I believe the Amuns would be pleased to know his heart was put to good use. The missing storage pouch would likely be overlooked—an error, if you will.” I replied.

Our actions could be deemed evil. The fact that he was already dead offered little comfort. There would be no going back. Knowing fully well that in two years' time we’d be deployed to the 'Great Ruins' to face off against demons—possessed Celestials driven mad by bloodlust—only heightened my resolve. Within those demons once lived life. I could save so much if I gained the power.

Steeling myself, I made my way to the infirmary. Navigating through different chambers before arriving my destination. Standing guard at the door was a lamian I knew too well.

“Oh, you finally made it, Kalon. The acrid smell of these bodies is making me uneasy.” He pulled at his uniform, revealing gooseflesh that had formed on his skin.

“Haha... sorry about that, Vernon. I’ll handle things from here.”

“I won’t be long. Let me just get myself together.”

“Take your time.” I said, watching his form vanish through the hallway.

Quickly, I sealed the door from the inside and scurried through the cabinets in search of the tools I needed. The bodies were completely covered with fabric. I went through each one until I found Dregol’s. His face was ghostly pale, his skin cold—the effect of the poison leaving burns along his limbs.

I undertook a thorough examination of his body, determined not to leave anything out.

With a cool head, I demarcated the region of Dregol’s heart, making an incision over his chest. Cutting through the flesh, and working my way deeper into his body. His heart, a greyish hue, encircled a network of interconnected vessels, many branching off into distant parts that were a sickly green—the strong effect of the poison administered to him.

I severed the connection and carefully extracted the heart. In its place, I formed a mass of flesh using his cells, connecting the vessels to it. I wiped away the viscous mucus that covered the heart and tucked it away within my robe.

Having obtained his heart, I meticulously inspected his body for any cuts that could give me away, breaking down any foreign flesh. I couldn’t help but wonder how such a polished warrior could succumb to such a fate.

The examination process was nerve-wracking. Upon finishing, I patiently waited for Vernon’s return before taking my leave.

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The hall was bustling with Celestials moving in and out of the teleportation gates, with guards assisting where needed. The gates themselves were massive constructs, engraved with intricate runes. Between the towering frames, a stream of colors shimmered within the gateway, reflecting the ethereal flow of magic.

I leaned against the wall, the storage pouch safely hidden beneath my coat. Damon sat on the ground beside me, grooming Kaa, while Proteus carried our luggage. We were waiting for Selene to finalize our travel pass with the guards, who needed to adjust the destination coordinates to the Great Ruins.

Ariadne had left earlier, mentioning she needed to retrieve something, though I couldn't imagine what was so urgent. Our deployment at the Great Ruins would only last three years—surely, it could have waited.

Our wait came to an end as Selene returned, accompanied by a male Sol I hadn't seen before. He had shoulder-length mahogany-colored hair and wore an embroidered robe, which marked him as someone of significance. He leaned in, whispering something into her ear, and she responded with a smile. Their hands briefly crossed, and for some reason, I felt a flicker of discomfort.

Selene was like the elder sister I never had, always protective and supportive. If she was caught up with the wrong person, I wouldn't hesitate to intervene. As I watched her with the Sol, a thought crossed my mind. Could this be the Sol she always spoke of?

Selene, now a head shorter than me, embraced me in a hug, resting her head against my chest. I released her, my voice low, not wanting to make a scene. The Sol's gaze was fixed on me, likely trying to catch my words as I whispered, "What's going on? Who is he?"

Flustered, she pulled back and gently took the Sol’s hand. "Kalon, Damon, meet my fiancé, Lord Ronan." Her words hit me like a jolt. My eyes widened in disbelief.

I trusted Selene to find someone who could take care of her, but I couldn’t help feeling betrayed that she was only telling us now. Damon mirrored my surprise but quickly adapted, his grin broadening.

"Wow. Congratulations, big sister Selene," Damon said, his voice warm, as if nothing could phase him.

I offered my hand to the man who would soon become my brother-in-law. "I've heard a lot about you. The name’s Kalon."

When Ronan shook my hand, there was an unexpected warmth to it, as though his very presence radiated power. His eyes, glowing with an inner light, met mine. For a moment, I felt something indescribable—an intensity beneath the surface.

"Lord Ronan. A pleasure to meet you, Kalon," he said, his voice carrying both confidence and formality. "I too have heard a lot about you."

Before I could respond, hurried footsteps drew my attention. Ariadne appeared, her stride purposeful, and strapped to her back was a case that looked heavy. She stopped in front of me, dropping the case with a soft thud.

“I know you don’t fancy weapons, so I brought you this,” she said, a sly grin on her face.

Curious, I opened the case to reveal an array of potions, each meticulously labeled and undoubtedly of high rank. My eyes widened at the quality. These weren’t just common brews; they were potent concoctions, likely made from rare ingredients.

'The Nodens do value such things' I mused, noting the quality of each potion.

"Thank you, Ariadne," I said, genuinely appreciative. "These will definitely come in handy."

Ariadne shrugged, her casual demeanor masking the effort she had clearly put into this. "Figured you'd need something for the trip. I don’t want you coming back half-dead."

I chuckled softly. "I'll make sure to stay in one piece."

We made our way through the gates.

I blinked, taking in the strange surroundings. The immaterial void felt disorienting, a vast space that stretched endlessly, with no discernible ground or sky. It was as if we were suspended in the middle of a great swirling nothingness, yet the spectrum of light surrounding us gave the sensation of movement—a passageway, rather than a place.

Damon, looked around in awe. "I’ve been through these gates countless times, but it always feels… otherworldly."

I nodded, the tingling sensation still lingering on my skin. "It’s like stepping between realms." The teleportation gates were a marvel of Celestial craftsmanship, channeling magic in ways that even now remained a mystery to most of us. The spectrum of light surrounding us ebbed and flowed as if guiding us along a river of stars.

Selene’s voice echoed faintly in my memory as I recalled her words. "You boys really are obsessed with your big sister," she had joked. Yet, her subtle embarrassment didn’t escape me. There was more to her relationship with Ronan than she let on, but I’d respect her privacy. At least for now.

The sensation of weight returned slowly, and the lights around us began to fade. We were nearing our destination. Damon shifted, his posture tense, but he gave me a reassuring glance. "Three years at the Great Ruins, Kalon. Are you ready?"

I exhaled deeply. "Ready or not, we’re here. The real work begins now."

We arrived in a station similar to the one at the citadel. What stood out were the number of other races. Having been allocated our rooms, a guide was assigned yo us.

Bellatrix, the giant, her massive frame making the rest of us seem insignificant by comparison. Her heavy voice was authoritative, almost commanding, though there was no malice in it.

Leading us out of the station. Before our eyes was an eerie expanse of the Great Ruins stretched out before us—dark, ancient, and foreboding. A cold wind greeted us, the ruins bathed in an unsettling twilight. Towering structures, long abandoned, crumbled under the weight of time. The ground beneath our feet was uneven, and strange whispers carried on the wind.

"Welcome to the Great Ruins," Bellatrix announced. “What do you boys think?”

The guards, with their pristine white uniforms and ethereal appearance, gave an unsettling contrast to the looming darkness of the Great Ruins. The Amuns, in particular, were striking—porcelain skin and silver hair that almost seemed to glow under the weak light, as if they were part of another world entirely. Despite their beauty, I couldn’t help but feel a weight of tension in the air, the same kind that came from standing at the edge of a battlefield.

"What do I think?" I repeated, glancing back at the dense forest on the horizon, the immense mana pressure pressing down like a storm on the verge of breaking. "It feels like we’re standing on the edge of something dangerous. The mana here... it’s overwhelming."

Bellatrix nodded, her gaze following mine toward the forest. "The mana you sense is not natural. It’s been this way since the Celestial War. Those artifacts you see are what’s keeping it contained. The Ruins hold more than just demons and ancient magic. You’ll be briefed in more detail, but for now, just know that this place is alive in ways you can’t yet understand."

Damon had regained his composure, though his expression was still cautious. "And the guards?" he asked, eyeing the Amuns. "They’re stationed here permanently?"

Bellatrix chuckled, her laughter deep and rumbling. "No one stays here permanently, Damon. Not even the Amuns. The pressure from the Ruins would drive anyone mad after too long. The guards rotate, but they’re some of the best trained. You’ll be working closely with them during your stay."

I nodded, though the idea of working alongside these ethereal warriors felt strange. I wasn’t sure if it was the mana or their presence that made my skin prickle.

"Come," Bellatrix said, motioning for us to follow. "There’s more you need to see before you can settle in."

As we walked, I felt the weight of the Ruins press down even harder. This was only the beginning.

Damon chuckled, dropping his arms and casting a quick glance at me. "Well, let’s hope we don’t need those raiders rushing in, then."

I kept my eyes on the guards, the "raiders" as Damon called them, their rigid postures never wavering. They were clearly well-trained, but something about their stillness was unnerving. Each one of them looked ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice, as if they were just waiting for the Ruins to spit out some horror.

Bellatrix led us further along the outskirts, the looming presence of the dense forest never far from view. The artifacts she’d mentioned earlier hummed faintly, barely noticeable unless you were paying attention. Yet the mana that emanated from the Ruins itself was inescapable—pulsing like a heartbeat, a dark and chaotic force contained only by the careful work of centuries past.

"Success on our adventure..." I muttered under my breath, glancing at Aszra who slithered beside me, his forked tongue flicking out every now and then as if tasting the mana in the air. I knew Damon felt it too—an unease that settled deep in our bones.

Bellatrix must have noticed the shift in the atmosphere because she stopped and turned to face us. "This place changes people," she said, her tone serious now. "The longer you stay here, the more you’ll begin to understand its nature. It’s not just the demons or the ancient magic you need to be wary of. The Ruins have a way of testing those who come here. Mentally and physically."

Damon scoffed, though I could tell he wasn’t as confident as he pretended to be. "We’ll be fine. Right, Kalon?"

I gave a noncommittal nod. The Ruins weren’t just any place. They had a reputation for breaking even the strongest of Celestials. But we were here now, and whatever lay ahead, we had to face it. Bellatrix’s parting words echoed in my mind: Success on your adventure.

I glanced once more at the forest before turning to Damon. "We’d better be prepared for anything. This is just the beginning."