Once Again, To the Present

  A Few Minutes Later

  That Same Night

  The focus shifts from the ancient capital of Oculi, where Miss Viat? (20 years old) resided, to a location hundreds of kilometers away.

  Now descending into the underground of the once-majestic city of Luskrusca, which lies in total ruin in the present day, years after its fall.

  On the surface, nothing is seen but wild animals wandering among the wreckage, while others have made nests and homes from the destroyed crevices.

  Most of that vast city—once stretching across 25,000 square kilometers—is now nothing more than a pile of rubble.

  A city that had once been beautiful and populous nearly ten years ago, now leads us to its underground, to the heart of Luskrusca.

  Descending almost five kilometers into the earth, one begins to see the emergence of rooms and halls—structures of sophisticated and intricate architecture.

  This same architecture, once so elegant and majestic, had made Luskrusca one of the most beautiful cities for vacationing and tourism in its golden days.

  By now, it was late at night, and those who had previously been finishing their daily training had returned to their personal dormitories.

  They sought rest after bathing or engaged in individual study—a common practice among them, though not mandatory, as they were not in the season of exams.

  Revealing, thus, that this awe-inspiring place—an artwork in itself, blending medieval aesthetics with sophistication through the use of stone and metal—was none other than the headquarters of the Duodecim Relicti organization, which firmly refused to be called "just another faction."

  Regardless of whether the one speaking was from the Inanis or the Reginae faction, the members of Relicti harbored a burning desire for justice against both sides equally.

  This made them feel nothing but absolute disdain for anyone truly loyal to either of the two factions that had split the world of Oculi into opposing halves.

  Over the past ten years—ever since the death of the former queen, Luna, and the subsequent coronation of her young daughter, Lilian, still a child at the time—many things had unfolded in this world, which for centuries had all but forgotten the visceral reality of bloody wars spreading across vast lands.

  And so came their consequences—direct or indirect—upon the people as a whole, all within the beginning of yet another war: a battle for order in the name of the Reginae, or a quest for vengeance driven by the Inanis.

  Only after hope was lost—hope once offered by the gentle hands and thoughtful words of Luna, who had guided her people for nearly two decades from her throne—did the tides begin to shift.

  Now, beneath the headquarters of the Duodecim Relicti, the narrative moves through several corridors where a few guards patrolled in calm silence.

  They wore well-tailored black combat uniforms with red stitching, adorning their well-trained bodies.

  These were among the most official and commonly worn uniforms of the Duodecim Relicti organization, entirely designed by the hands of Mr. Ravi.

  He had once been one of the most talented designers in the old city of Luskrusca, and had narrowly survived the first two days before the city’s total downfall.

  In the present day, however, he was no longer among the living—having passed away at the age of 95, reportedly from a heart attack in his new home.

  That home was located in a modest little village near the coast, a place untouched by the flames of war brought by the Inanis in the past decade.

  After traveling through various corridors, the focus finally arrives at a large red door, adorned with delicate white details along its exquisite frame.

  It appears to be opened by a pair of hands belonging to a single person, who carries a few documents in hand, entering the room with a tranquil and respectful demeanor.

  A Few Moments Later

  Great Hall of the Relicti

  Visible throughout the entirety of that place was a vast assembly hall, with its single long table positioned right in the center of the black-toned room, flanked by several lateral pillars.

  This gave the environment a sophisticated yet delicate atmosphere, which was also exceptionally well-maintained in terms of cleanliness and the organization of its sparse furnishings.

  The furniture was positioned near the side walls, beside the pillars, while simultaneously—at the other end of the table, far from the door—

  —which had been opened just a few seconds earlier by another person who now walked alongside the long table, passing calmly by the chairs in a composed, unhurried manner—

  holding some documents in one hand, intended to be delivered personally to the person who, at that moment, was seated alone at one end of the table.

  It was then revealed that this person sitting alone in the vast hall was the young Lucian (20 years old), wearing his most formal black attire, adorned with red and white accents.

  Lucian sat there, seemingly analyzing a few papers laid out in front of him on the table—documents pertaining to the organization’s next steps in regard to its future plans.

  Plans aimed at dismantling the two existing factions of the world of Oculi. Lucian appeared completely unfazed by the approach of the other person who had entered the hall.

  This newcomer was also dressed in the same outfit as Lucian, implying that he too held a high rank within the hierarchical structure of the Relicti organization.

  At the same time, the previously wide-open doors began to close on their own, slowly and simultaneously, until they shut completely—

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  without a single sound echoing from them, in that hall so silent and steeped in a melancholy atmosphere that seemed to emanate from Lucian himself.

  In that moment of near-absolute silence, the only sound to be heard was the echo of footsteps—belonging to a young man with short, dark hair, approaching one of the side chairs near Lucian.

  It was then revealed that this second person was the young Bell (17 years old), who, despite being younger than Lucian, served as his current right-hand and was the third member to have joined the organization in its early days.

  Bell had been recruited nearly eight years ago, personally by Lucian, alongside his closest ally, the young Viat?, who had been the first person Lucian ever recruited into the Relicti.

  At the time of Bell’s recruitment, he had been almost ten years old, living on the streets of one of the villages not under the banner of the Oculi royalty.

  It had been on a rainy day that Lucian—then twelve years old—alongside his left hand and trusted companion, Viat?, both clad in black clothing and hooded cloaks, had approached him.

  Now, in the present, the young Bell held responsibility for overseeing the entire sector involving the armies and battalions formed under the command of the Relicti organization.

  At that moment, he was carrying a few recently prepared documents—personally compiled by him over the past five days—regarding the current state of the military forces and their capabilities.

  After the newly formed soldiers had undergone the “Accessio” examination — a trial focused on enhancing their strength to an even higher degree.

  This exam, in which many perish due to its extreme brutality, forces one to face their own self at an absurdly intense mental level.

  Many end up losing their sanity, using blades forged from their own essence to cut their own throats.

  Or, in some cases, to unconsciously pierce their own hearts, all while trying to endure the mental torment intertwined with a version of themselves.

  One that wishes to corrupt them with feelings such as vengeance or a thirst for power — even though the sole purpose of the organization Relicti is the pursuit of justice, and nothing beyond that.

  Sitting and reading the documents laid out on the table, with one arm resting upon it, Lucian calmly seemed to lift his gaze as he breathed deeply.

  Leaning his back against the chair in which he sat so comfortably, he then looked up at the grand chandelier above the table, spinning so delicately and gracefully.

  Its beautiful crystal pieces nearly composing the entirety of its intricate construction, moving with such smoothness that not a single piece ever touched another.

  Throughout its entire rotation, spinning on its own axis in such a unique manner, the subtle turn of its structure gave rise to a kind of low melody.

  One perceptible only to a few sensitive ears, due to its very low frequency — and yet, at the same time, a melody that felt warm and comforting.

  And simultaneously melancholic in its gentle intonation, being one of the most beautiful and ancient melodies ever created by one of the greatest musicians in all of Luskrusca.

  Thus echoed what could only be the deeply thoughtful breath of someone who shouldn’t have allowed themselves to dwell once more upon the past.

  That deep breath alone was enough for the young Bell — who knew his friend Lucian very well — to easily understand, through those few "silent hints,"

  That Lucian, sitting alone at the table at that moment, was trying to read the documents before him and was failing to concentrate.

  Because his mind was trapped in the past, remembering the reason behind that heavy and distant look now clouding his eyes in the present moment of the narrative.

  The loss, almost ten years ago, of the person who had been the very center of his world — still remembered with colors so vivid and beautiful.

  That person, now only a memory, still lingered in his mind — smiling and singing so beautifully during countless ordinary moments in their former home in the city of Luskrusca.

  None other than his beloved and departed little sister, Lulu, who had died at the tender age of five on the very first day of the “Twelve-Day War” that devastated the entire city of Luskrusca.

  That beautiful and gentle smile Lulu carried in life became even more unique when paired with the silly faces she made as she sang and danced so cheerfully.

  Her long, graceful red hair often caught Lucian’s affectionate gaze during those peaceful and comforting days of their childhood.

  By his side, Lulu would so often help him in the kitchen, even though she was too young to cook. Still, she loved assisting him with simple things, just for the joy of being near him.

  And so it was that in the present, Lucian found himself once more gazing upward toward the chandelier as it spun gently, allowing him to hear the melody that had been Lulu’s favorite in life.

  Even though the song was among the oldest and often deemed sad and boring by many, to Lulu, it was the one that made her feel happiest when she was with Lucian.

  Through the many nights they had shared the same bed — from the day she was born until the last night they spent together, smiling side by side.

  He would look at her sleeping beside him in bed, even though she had been given a bed of her own. Still, out of habit, she would make her way to his during the early hours of the morning.

  Feeling safer by his side, for he was her greatest source of comfort, the one who made her feel truly happy — even if unconsciously so.

  The young Bell now reached his chair at the end of the table where Lucian sat, taking his place at Lucian’s right side in that moment, glancing sideways at his friend.

  And he noticed that same look — the one Miss Viat? would recognize instantly. Even when it only lasted a few seconds, it was enough to fill her with concern and sorrow for Lucian.

  Because she understood that look in his friend’s eyes. It was the gaze of someone who no longer had a guiding light in life — ever since the exact moment he buried Lulu.

  She had been the light shining on the horizon amidst the darkness. And now, only a few faint stars remained in his sky, their glow too dim to lead him through the night.

  The young Bell placed his documents on the chair in front of him, above the table, before sitting down at that same long table with its twelve chairs.

  At that moment, only two of those chairs were occupied during that calm night in the great meeting hall of the Relicti organization.

  He sat down, trying as much as possible not to make much noise while pulling out his chair, then took a seat next to Lucian.

  Lucian remained staring at the chandelier as it spun, his gaze both distant from the present and yet filled with such painful nostalgia.

  Finally seated, young Bell seemed to settle into his chair just like Lucian, creating a scene of the two of them silently watching the chandelier.

  Revealing that Bell, too, could hear the unique and special melody coming from the chandelier, just as Lucian did, and that he also admired that music in the same way as the deceased Lulu.

  Recognizing the beauty she saw, even so young—from her three years old until five—before she passed away amid the ruins of her old school in the city center.

  Lucian and the young Bell now leaned back in their chairs, never once meeting each other’s gaze in that painfully silent moment.

  They both looked simultaneously, with such calmness, at the great chandelier turning slowly, its numerous crystals showing signs of cracks, yet still so beautiful.

  They subtly shimmered through the fractures covering most of the crystalline white surface, enhancing the illumination of the entire room with even greater beauty.

  Adding to this was the way these luminous crystals spun gently around a much larger crystal at the center of the grand chandelier.

  This central crystal did not rotate like the others, nor was it white in color. This larger crystal was red, and through its luminous cracks, one could see a purer light, at the same time more beautiful and softer compared to the light emitted by the smaller rotating crystals that created that exquisite melody.

  That melody was ancient and scarcely admired in the present, almost 500 years after its creation, known by the name: Pulchritudo Singularis Tonorum Sanguinei.

  [Lucian – Calm & Thoughtful Voice] ...Bell, do you think she (Lulu) would be happy with this creation of mine in her honor for her 15th birthday? [Takes a Deep Breath] –

  [Bell – Calm & Attentive Voice] I am absolutely sure that young Lulu, upon seeing such a gift, would love each one of these crystals shining with such beauty, while listening to her favorite melody. [Comforting & Deep Breath] –

  [Lucian – Nostalgic & Painful Voice] Bell, I… I would give my life if necessary, just to hear her sing and smile by my side once more, even if only for a single second... [Subtle Tremor & Voice Faltering] –

  [Bell – Attentive & Sympathetic Voice] ...Viat? and I know that all too well, and everyone who follows you so faithfully and respectfully here in the Relicti understands the unbearable weight behind those words of yours, my dear friend Lucian. [Reflective & Deep Breath] –