Chapter 14.2: The Chains and the Choice

He turned to the massive door. “Maybe if we can push that—”

Something stopped him mid-sentence. A voice cut them off. Deep. Cold. From behind the door:

“Come inside, child.”

A chill ran down his spine.

“…What the hell was that ?!” Kaiser looked back, eyes wide in horror.

Both of them froze due to that mysterious voice and just stared at the huge door were the voice emerged from.

The runes glowed. The door creaked open—and a freezing wind swept out, thick with something ancient and wrong.

“I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die...” Kaiser mumbled.

Pitch black inside. Kaiser flinched. Kai hovered closer, posture tense.

“Shut up… And pick up that sword,” Kai said, voice low.

Kaiser turned. Near one of the skeletons lay a rusted longsword. “Do I really have to?”

“You see another exit?”

Kaiser groaned and grabbed the hilt. The sword was dull, unbalanced—but better than nothing. “Hey uh… Mr. Statue, I’ll just borrow this. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Whatever’s ahead…” Kai muttered. “Keep your guard up. Talk first. Fight if you have to.”

Together, they stepped through the doorway.

SLAM!

The door closed behind them on its own.

“KAI, THE DOOR—!”

“I know. Just stay alert.”

Everything went dark.

Kaiser held the sword in both hands, arms shaking.

Then—flames lit up one by one along the walls. Purple. Cold.

They revealed a second chamber. A frozen chamber. Ancient.

At its center: A figure hanging from chains.
Surrounded by piles of gold coins below.
A empty armored knight with glowing eyes, holding a weapon.

*The knight is hollow it operates on strange magic, basically a empty armor with a cracked helmet.

Jet-black armor. Enormous build. A massive axe strapped to his back. He hung, limp, over a glowing magic circle. Beneath him, a black grimoire pulsed with violet light.

Kaiser’s heart stopped.

“T-That knight… I’ve seen it before,” he whispered.

Kai floated beside him, silent. Eyes wide.

The knight’s helmet flared with white fire. Slowly, its head turned toward them.

“So... you have arrived, child.”

Kaiser’s grip tightened on the sword.

“That voice… y-you’re the one,” he shouted, breath shallow. “The voice I’ve been hearing…”

The chains clanked as the knight descended slowly, his feet hitting the floor with a soft thud.

“Yes. I am the one who whispered to you… and now, I stand before you.”

Kaiser took a shaky breath. “W-Who are you? What is this place?”

“I am Calsus, knight of the Cursed Dragon of Abyss. And you—are his chosen vessel.”

“Cursed Dragon? Abyss? Vessel?” Kaiser blinked. “What does that even mean?”

Kai whispered, “Ask him. Ask about the dragon. And the word ‘vessel’… it sounds like bad news.”

Kaiser called out, voice stronger now. “H-Hey Mr. Calsus. What is a vessel? And what is this… Cursed Dragon?”

“The vessel is one chosen to carry the will of my master—the Cursed Dragon. To serve. To conquer. To become the future.”

“The Cursed Dragon… is the one who sleeps beneath all creation. And you, child, were born to serve him.”

Kaiser stood still. “I didn’t understand anything you just said. Can you please explain what’s going on in simple terms?”

“I’m afraid I cannot reveal more. That is my master’s will.”

“…Okay, at least tell me—what do you mean by becoming a vessel?”

“A vessel is someone who serves a Sovereign and heeds their every command without question.”

“What is a Sovereign? Are you seriously asking me to be some kind of slave?”

“I cannot speak of Sovereigns further. And yes—if you must use such words.”

Kaiser stepped back. “No. I want to go home. Please send me back. Find someone else.”

“I cannot send you back. Nor do I wish to.”

Kai whispered, “This is bad. Grip your sword. This is about to get messy.”

Kaiser’s eyes narrowed. His fear burned away, replaced by resolve.

“Sorry… I’m not interested in your nonsense. Come at me. I’ll face you head on.”

The knight tilted its head. “You reject fate?”

“…Sorry I am not for sale.”

“So be it.”

The massive axe lifted from Calsus’s back with a hum of purple flame.

Kai’s voice screamed into Kaiser’s mind:
“LET IT OUT! THE PRIMAL INSTICNT! ALL OF IT! LET THE RAGE CONSUME YOU!”

Kaiser’s breathing slowed. His hands stopped trembling. He exhaled once—hard. His eyes sharpened.

And he charged.