Chapter 7: The Soul of Nine

A silence deeper than death hung in the ruined temple. Ash floated slowly in the air, catching the pale light from Kael’s flickering torch. The golden figure remained where he had materialized—still glowing faintly, not fading, not advancing. Nyra stood motionless, eyes narrowed, the faint hum of energy vibrating from the small star-shaped device in her palm. It hovered just above her fingers, rotating slowly—a micro-laser weapon, primed and deadly. Her expression was unreadable. “I don’t trust you,” she said flatly.
“None of us do.” The golden man turned to her, no anger, no emotion. Only a slight glow in his eyes grew brighter. “No one trusts the truth when it first speaks,” he said.
“It doesn't ask for faith. It demands it.” Zayn stepped forward beside Nyra, arms crossed. “Then maybe try explaining why you’re creeping out of ancient walls and hijacking our teammate’s mind.” Lilu stood behind them, staring at the golden man with childlike curiosity. She tilted her head, clutching her satchel like a teddy bear. Kael, still pale from his vision, looked between the golden figure and his friends, his hands trembling just slightly. Riven didn’t speak. He simply stepped into the center of the group, eyes hard and alert, sword strapped to his back. They stood now in a semi-circle—five shadows against one light. The golden man raised a hand slowly, palm open. “You fear me. That is good. Fear tempers foolishness. But I did not come to harm you. I came… to awaken you.” Nyra’s eyes narrowed. “Why now?” “Because the sword has stirred,” he said. “And so too does what lies beneath.” Kael shifted nervously. “Who are you, really?” The figure stepped forward, golden feet hovering inches above the stone, light trailing behind him like burning mist. “I am what remains of the Seers of Olcor. Once, we stood beside the Rakshak. Now… I am the echo of what was. A shadow left to guide those who will rise again.” Zayn scoffed. “Rakshak? What the hell is that—some demon word?” “A title,” the figure said. “A curse. A prophecy. And a burden heavier than realms.” He turned to look directly at Riven. “You carry the sword, but know nothing of it.” Riven raised an eyebrow. “It glows sometimes. It’s got holes in it. That’s all I know.” Kael muttered, half to himself, “It’s precious…” The golden man looked at them, one by one, as if peering into their hearts. Then he shook his head slowly. “You know nothing.” He turned and began walking toward the pond near the base of the rocky outcrop—the same place where the sword had first appeared, once glowing, now dark. His footsteps made no sound, and yet the very ground seemed to hum in response. “Follow.” There was something in his voice. Not a command. Not a threat. Just… a pull. Lilu was the first to move, skipping slightly, boots slapping the cold stone. “He’s not mean. I think he’s like… a storybook.” Nyra rolled her eyes. “He’s a ghost.” “Even ghosts can be good,” Lilu smiled. Kael followed silently, still visibly shaken. Zayn nudged Riven with an elbow. “Don’t you think we should cut our losses?” “Too late,” Riven muttered. They all approached the pond—water perfectly still, glowing faintly with inner light, like moonlight trapped beneath glass. The golden man stopped at its edge. He turned. And pointed to the water. “This is not a pond,” he said.
“This is the Soul of Nine.” Kael blinked. “Soul of what?” “The Nine Realms,” the golden figure answered. “The root of existence. Time. Fire. Flesh. Blood. Thought. Spirit. Ice. Death. And the Hidden.” Nyra stepped closer. “What does this have to do with the sword?” The golden man looked down into the water, voice softer now—almost sad. “Everything.” The pond shimmered. A ripple danced across its surface. Suddenly, strange symbols began glowing beneath the surface—ancient runes that none of them could read. Nine symbols, in a perfect circle, each pulsing in its own color. Lilu gasped. “It’s… like the sword.” Riven’s eyes widened. “The holes in the blade…” The golden man nodded. “Each gem slot on the sword… each void… is a keyhole. And each key lies within the heart of a demon ruler that guards the gate between realms.” He looked up at them now. “The sword is a map. A weapon. A prison. And a crown.” Zayn stepped forward, face tense. “Why didn’t anyone tell us? Why not the Chief?” “Because the Chief serves what lies beneath.” Everyone froze. Kael looked sick. Nyra’s grip on her weapon tightened. “You mean…” “Yes,” the golden man said. “He fears the sword. He would bury it in darkness and silence, where it cannot sing.” Riven stared at the water, jaw tight. “So what now?” The golden man turned to him. “Now… you begin to remember what was forgotten. You choose whether to run from this… or embrace what you were born to face.” Kael sat down slowly, overwhelmed. “This is too much…” Nyra turned to Lilu. “Did you know any of this?” “No…” she said softly. “But I think the sword likes us.” The golden man’s glow began to dim. “Rest. In the morning, I will show you what the sword truly is… and what it once did… when the last Rakshak fell.” And just like that, his body flickered— —and vanished. The temple returned to silence. The group stood in front of the glowing pond, the circle of nine symbols still pulsing like ancient heartbeats. None of them spoke for a long moment. Then Zayn broke the silence. “So… we’re in the middle of a prophecy war with a ghost sword and a liar boss.” Riven chuckled dryly. “Yeah. Just another day.”