Books and Tomes, Sacred Texts Even

"The best I can do is read a story to you, young Master. Would you like this?" She says, leading me back to the bedroom where I first awoke in.

"Um yeah, sure." I reply softly.

Emilia tucks me in then makes her way over to the small bookshelf against the wall in my bedroom, grabbing a book off the top shelf.

"This story is called, 'The Soleful Redemption: The Tale of Kyaniel and Nihilith', my favourite novel my father read to me when I was your age, Master Lucien." She explains.

It's a very detailed cover, showing two angels. They are holding hands while gazing upwards towards a shining star in the sky, seemingly waiting for it to descend upon them.

She opens the book and begins reading.

"Long ago, a realm far beyond Dralthar was shrouded in darkness and despair. Nihilith, The Angel of Desolation wandered aimlessly, consumed by his own bleakness. His heart was heavy, and his spirit devoid of hope. But one day, as fate would have it, he crossed paths with Kyaniel, a spirited and determined angel with a unique affinity for feet."

What?

"Kyaniel saw beyond Nihilith's desolation and recognized the hidden strength within him. He believed that by caring for Nihilith's weary feet, he could help lift the weight of despair from his troubled soul. And so, with gentle hands and a compassionate heart, Kyaniel tended to Nihilith's worn and calloused feet, offering solace and relief."

A bit odd for a children's book and yet I can't help listening for what comes next. As the story continues my eyes grow weary.

Can't. Sleep. Yet. Must. Find. Out. About. World.

Emilia drew a breath. 

"As Kyaniel tended to Nihilith, a remarkable transformation took place. Nihilith's desolation began to fade, replaced by a glimmer of hope and purpose. The darkness that once engulfed him was slowly vanquished, replaced by a newfound sense of purpose and belonging."

Well, that's awfully nice of him. Stick up for your fellow man… er… angel? Seems like an alright guy in my book.

"Word of this miraculous union spread throughout the angelic realm, inspiring others to believe in the power of compassion and redemption. The moral of this story Master is that 'We must bring deliverance to the chosen, purifying their souls with our guiding hand.' This is a tenet of the Seraphic Council, Master Lucien."

"Tenet?" I ask, half asleep.

"Surely you must remember, young Master. Do you not recall learning the tenets of the Seraphic Council?"

"Yeah but I'm much too tired to recall anything at this hour if I'm honest, Emilia." I say trying to get her off my case.

"I see. I won't bother you about it anymore then. I'll leave you to rest Master." She says, trying to comfort me.

She walks out of the room, and I heave a sigh of relief, pulling the covers back over me. I hope tomorrow will bring some progress in figuring out more about this place.

✠ ✠ ✠

It’s dawn.

I wake up feeling fully rested. Sitting up in bed, I catch a glimpse of my reflection in the distance. It surprises me, so I rush over to the tiny mirror above my dresser.

Man, I look weirdly cute in this little form. Unruly tuft of black hair, pointy ears, soft blue eyes, and a pouting expression. I can't help but smile at my adorableness.

Touching my hair, I confirm that it's really mine. So, this is me now. Wearing a silk nightgown, and it's surprisingly comfy. I wonder if I'll ever get used to this stuff. I never thought I'd be wearing something this fancy just for sleeping.

Looking at my reflection again, I can't help but think, who could resist a little guy like me?

Turns out, quite a lot of people can.

Just as I'm about to head down for breakfast, I bump right into Emilia and some other maids coming in.

"Oh, good morrow Master Lucien! You're still in your evening nightgown on a Saturday? We must get you looking right and proper to start the day!" Emilia says as the swarm of maids pulls things both off and of my body and from my dresser. They begin dressing me with all sorts of formal clothing items that I don't know the names or uses for. They do it as fast as they can, not sparing a second glance at me once.

I’m conflicted. On one hand, there’s a bunch of hot maid girls all over me, dressing me up like their royal doll. They're all excited about it, but seriously, why the heck would maids be so into making their master look like some fancy-schmancy dude? Maybe that's the point; to make me look important?

On the other hand, I just want some breakfast and some peace, you know?

Being called "Master" by these kind maids doesn't change a thing. Yeah, they say my name is Master Lucien Doombringer something-something Brahmeus. Whatever. It's just another title they're slapping on me. I mean, look at me, I don't even look old enough to be a "master."

After the whole wardrobe circus is done, they lead me to the bathroom and start brushing my hair and doing other fancy stuff. I can't even remember the last time someone brushed my hair for me.

They give me this stupid middle part, and I hate it. I look like one of those snooty princes with giant egos. But, I have to give them credit, they're damn skilled at making me look all pristine and stuff. If only the guys I worked with back at my old job were even half as competent as these girls. Maybe I wouldn't have ended up here in the first place.

"You seem lost in thought, Master." A maid breaks my train of thought. "What's our cute Master thinking about?"

My heart melts. No one's ever said that to me before.

"I don't think I'm cut out to be a master," I murmur softly as she twirls around a few strands of my hair.

"Of course you are! These things take time, Master Lucien."

Another says, putting the finishing touches on my hair.

The three ladies finish their task, and then head off to clean the bathroom.

"You are free to go, Master." Emilia waves, sending me on my way.

I'm standing in the hall, staring at my leather boots for what feels like forever. What should I do today? It's the weekend, right? So maybe I've got some downtime. Should I sneak out without anyone noticing? Now's as good a time as any, since I can actually see where I'm going.

If this place is anything like the castles in those fantasy books, there's gotta be some fancy Library of Perpetual Knowledge or something. If I find that, maybe we can learn more about this world.

Hurrying down the corridor, I try to locate the library, keeping an eye on my surroundings.

It's tricky with all these twists and turns in the house. All the doors look the same. Thank goodness for those shiny golden plates indicating what room is what. Otherwise, I'd be just as lost as last night.

As I continue, a guy dressed in all white robes walks past me.

"Excuse me! Excuse me Sir! Do you happen to know where the Library is located?" I ask.

"Ah! Good morrow, Lucien."

His voice is old and shallow sounding, like it belongs in the grave, which might very well be exactly where it's headed. He speaks with the same raspiness in his tone as the last one.

"I'm glad you've taken it upon yourself to read for once. I get lost in these halls every now and then too y'know. Head downstairs, go through that courtyard and soon you'll be there. Make sure to read up on your Combat Theory. That's a skill you need to know as an adult so that you may use your powers effectively. Also, refrain from calling me sir, it makes me feel old." He chuckles.

"Understood." I say meekly.

"On your way Lucien." He then walks on, leaving me standing by myself, baffled.

"Combat Theory?" Now that sounds intriguing. I wonder, maybe he's talking about the kind of skill tree, ability research, max-out-your-stats type stuff I'd lose sleep over while playing those RPG games as a kid.

If he's not messing with me, then this world just took a major leap in the epic scale.

I can't help but be pumped up for what's to come.

✠ ✠ ✠

Nodding and waving can only get me so far in this world. I've gotta do some serious digging on my own.

After a while I stumble upon a building with a big sign that reads "Library."

Cha-ching!

Well, as Master of this ludicrously large castle, I should be able to waltz right in and do some reading, right?

With my confidence boosted, I quietly open the door and step inside. And let me tell you, what I see next totally blows my mind! Shelves and shelves of books and tomes covering every single wall. Ancient scrolls to children's tales to fairy tales to novels and poetry to historical texts, you name it, they got it. This place is like a one-stop-shop for all the knowledge I need to catch up with this world.

I continue my search, scanning the shelves, when I come across a massive bookcase filled with family history books. Gosh, what's my last name in this world again? Oh right, Brahmeus. I flip to that section and find a preface. My eyes dart across the pages until something catches my attention:

"Within the hallowed halls of Barathrum Manor, the ancestral seat of the Brahmeus family, lies a wealth of knowledge and a tapestry woven with the threads of generations past. These familial history documents, meticulously preserved and cherished, hold the stories and secrets of one of the most powerful and influential families in the realm of Dralthar."

Holy crap, this can't be happening! This is legit, I'm seriously impressed! This book is way too damn good! It's like... unbelievable!

I keep flipping through the book, checking out all the portraits. And then, there it is—my old man's portrait. He looks a bit different here, not like the guy I saw in the practice room last night. Curious, I start reading the first few lines next to his portrait.

"General Marcus Valerian Draven Brahmeus, a man of unwavering resolve and esteemed military prowess, stands at the helm of the Brahmeus family. His name, bearing the weight of ancestral legacies, resonates with the echoes of valor and authority. General Brahmeus possessed a keen strategic vision that extended beyond the battlefield. Recognizing the need for unity, governance, and protection in a world of magical forces and complex interplay, he envisioned the Seraphic Council as a means to consolidate power and establish order.”

The what council? Great, now I'm even more curious. So many questions, so few answers.

Where's my photo, though?

Finally, I spot my portrait. Aha, that's me alright. Time to dig into this thing and see what it's all about.

"In the sprawling halls of Barathrum Manor, a child was born under the watchful eyes of destiny. His name was Master Lucien 'The Doombringer' Valerian Marcellus Draven Ignarius Alarion Seraphis Brahmeus, and from the moment he drew his first breath, it was evident that he was no ordinary child."

That much is true, I'm different in reasons that make sense to me and other reasons that make sense to them, let's keep reading.

"Born into the illustrious Brahmeus family, whose lineage stretched back through generations of renowned warriors and mages, Lucien was destined for greatness. His father, General Marcus Valerian Draven Brahmeus, a revered military general, and his mother, Lady Amaryllis Ignara Brahmeus, a powerful mage, knew that their child carried the weight of their family's legacy upon his young shoulders."

No wonder these guys are such sticklers. I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything, all this talk about my heritage, ancestors, and magical abilities—it's a whole overload to process.

Maybe someday I'll get the hang of it. But before I can ponder any further, someone barges into the library, looking for me, of course. It's some fancy-looking butler, all dressed up.

"You're late young Master," he whispers loudly to me.

"Sorry!" I whisper back, quickly following him to the dining hall.

As I enter, I see what appears to be my family, plus a few others, sitting at the table. My father, dressed in fancy black robes with white fur, and my mother, with her silver hair and icy stare. My sister is there too, looking all indifferent, but then she shoots me a wicked grin from her plate.

And yeah, there are some hooded folks too, but I can't see their faces. I take my seat, trying not to make a fuss.

"Master Marcus Brahmeus & Lady Amaryllis Ignaris Brahmeus, your son is here." A voice from the shadows announces.

My mom gives me that sweet smile of hers. "Hey, Lucien, where were you, dear?" she asks, and then she turns to my dad.

While my mother was happy to see me, my father looked anything but.

My dear old dad calls out my name. Just my name. Silence stretches as I figure out what to say.

"Respond, young master." He commands.

"Yes Father."

"Care to explain your absence from quality time spent with friends and family?"

"Reading, sir." I reply, trying to mimic what he wants to hear.

"You mean to say you find solace in a book rather than your own family?" He scowls at me.

My father, the scary dude, really puts the pressure on. Maybe I should just be honest and not argue with him. "I didn't mean-"

"It doesn't matter." My father cuts me off. Ouch.

"What does matter is that you should not neglect family. You are the future, you are my legacy. What good would that do to my legacy if I brought forth a self-centered, arrogant, selfish, rude boy instead of a true son." He says.

This from a guy who has the tallest chair out of all the dinner guests and who can't be asked to hear his son's side of the story? I can't help but find it kind of funny.

"Sir, I-"

My dad stops me by raising his hand slightly. "Enough." He says sternly. "I don't care what excuses you might give. Members of the Seraphic Council will be arriving any second now. You better start eating."

He stares intensely in my direction, daring me to even utter another word to contradict him.

After I've wolfed down my food, I can't resist sneaking a peek around at the other guests sitting at the tables. Most of them are sipping wine from fancy glasses.

Some old dudes in white robes sit closest to the one who caught my eye earlier. I think I recognize one of them, the same dude who gave me directions to the library. But why didn't he warn me about this?

The man beside him looks strangely similar, with long, stringy gray hair and a towering presence. They seem to be advising him, and I can't help but lean in closer to eavesdrop.

"The Seraphic Council members may arrive at any time and this meeting must be held without fail." One of them says sternly.

Meeting? Someone definitely should've said something to me. I feel so out of place.

The man who gave me directions looks up. "General Marcus, I sense motion at the door." I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up.

I turn my head to get a closer look. The guy leading the group looks , I mean, if killing a bear and wearing its head as a helmet is his thing, then hell yeah. More extravagantly dressed folks trickle in. One of them wears a cloak with a creepy mask covering their whole face, another rocks a glowing red orb attached to her staff, and the third is a young woman donning black armor, axe in hand like it's her lifeline.

The doors slam shut behind them.

My father's mood does a 180-degree spin as he greets our guests.

"Friends, friends! My dearest Members of the Seraphic Council! How marvelous it is to see your faces once again. You all look so wonderful in your vestments... and of course beasthides, right?” My father quips, eyeing the giant hulk clad in animal hides and wearing a giant skull that obscures his face.

Everyone's having a good laugh together.

"The real reason I've gathered my finest warriors here is, well, you've all heard the rumors long enough, and I thought it's time to set the record straight. I have a son," my dad announces, pointing right at me.

All eyes shift my way, and I can't help but look away.

"He's still young, just ten years old, so pardon his aversion. He has much to learn," he explains.

Oh? Ten years old? Not bad! I guess I still got that youthful charm. Must be the maternal genes or all the good food they've been feeding me. That's always fun.

"Master Lucien 'The Doombringer' Valerian Marcellus Draven Ignarius Alarion Seraphis Brahmeus. Come forward," my father summons me.

As I slowly rise from my seat, the others raise their heads to meet my gaze. And let's just say, they're not impressed.

I’m all the more used to people giving me looks like that. Just another day at the office, folks. That is if my coworkers looked like an assortment of create-a-characters from some MMORPG.

Then a disembodied voice announces the meeting's commencement.

"Seraphic Coventus XVII at the Castle Barathrum has begun. All guests will recite the core tenets of Ascendancy in accordance with the divine teachings of Kyaniel and Nihilith."

Hey! I know those names! Those were the angels from the book Emilia read to me. So it turns out that these angels guide, watch, and protect this organization I'm a part of. Who would've thought that book was more than a myth? These guys take their vows seriously.

"We embrace the power of the arcane, channeling its energy through our veins. We recognize the inherent supremacy of our souls, acknowledging their limitless potential yet to be realized."

Arcane? Oh, this just got interesting. I try my best to follow along, not knowing these words too well. Seems to irk my father a bit, but he holds back.

"We unravel the tapestry of reality, shaping it with our will and desires. We honor the strength of the chosen few, the enlightened leaders who guide our path. We strive for the annihilation of weakness, as only the strong can forge a new world. We herald the ascendancy of the Seraphic Council, architects of a glorious future."

They sure love that word "ascendancy." Probably got it on repeat in their vocabulary. I guess they do think highly of their angelic protectors.

"We chastise the old order, clearing the path for our dominion and authority. We proclaim the supremacy of our souls, radiant beacons bound by flesh and bone. We liberate ourselves from the shackles of convention, embracing our true potential. We uphold the righteous rule of our leaders, shaping a world reborn in their image."

Here I thought this world didn't need fixing. Guess no world truly is perfect.

"We seek the eradication of opposition and the ruin of souls."

Our enemies must be pretty terrible people for their souls to be wished into ruins by others.

"We aim to reconstruct reality, where our souls shall eternally flourish and thrive. We master the arts of magic and warfare, wielding it as a testament to our divine nature. We bring deliverance to the chosen, purifying their souls with our guiding hand. We perpetuate the everlasting legacy of the Seraphic Council, shaping a destiny rewritten."

These guys sound so damn badass! Some lines are a bit questionable though. What do they mean by 'reconstructing reality'? Or 'supremacy of our souls'? Are we just naturally gifted like that? Are we the answer to all the world's problems? Seems unlikely, but hey, I'm a noob here.

This Seraphic Council sounds too legit and grounded in what they believe. This goes way beyond live-action role-play; these guys genuinely want to change the world. I still don't know if I'm fully on board, but it looks like I don't have much of a choice. My father's hellbent on making me an upstanding gent and an 'integral' part of his 'legacy' or whatever. So, it probably means more responsibilities than I'd like to handle anytime soon.

"Now then." My mother finally speaks up. I almost forgot she was in the room with us. She's been pretty quiet until now.

"As the mother of Lucien and my daughter Seraphina, this Coventus was called by my husband and me as a request for your help in teaching these children all that you know. Lucien will grow up to be the catalyst to a new world where our souls will dominate all of Dralthar, and Seraphina will become a mage powerful enough to carry our power. I entrust this to you, highly esteemed members."

Damn, that sounds pretty heavy. She pauses briefly, and her next words come out in barely a whisper. I can practically feel the pain pouring off her.

"All of this was prophesied by Kyaniel and Nihilith themselves. This is your calling."

"This is all our calling." My father adds. "We must teach them the ways of the Seraphic Council and their rightful position. For they are the embodiment of our hopes and dreams, the culmination of our beliefs and aspirations. This is their purpose, theirs and ours alone. It's time they learned of it."

Damn, he's really hyping us up. The Seraphic Council members erupt into thunderous applause.

"A new era begins now."

Called it.