TBATE: CAERA | VALKYRIE ASCENSION

Chapter 4: A Miscalculation

SERIS VITRA'S POV:

The next day, I stepped through the portal directly from my estate in Sehz-Clar, emerging inside Taegrin Caelum, the heart of the Vritra Clan's power. The transition was seamless, but the weight of where I now stood settled heavily on my shoulders.

Taegrin Caelum, a massive castle, was an architectural marvel, but its grandeur was tainted by the grotesque decorations that adorned its halls. The walls were lined with the remains of defeated asuras-dragon scales gleaming dully in the dim light, the severed arms of pantheons mounted like trophies, feathers from sylphs hanging like macabre curtains. The presence of a phoenix's blazing plume, titan bones, leviathan teeth, and hamadryad branches, only added to the ominous atmosphere.

This castle, nestled behind the treacherous Basilisk's Fang Mountains in the heart of the Central Dominion, was a constant reminder of the power and cruelty of the Vritra Clan. Every inch of Taegrin Caelum seemed to pulse with the lingering energy of those who had been conquered, their remnants now serving as grim ornaments to the Vritra's might.

"Welcome, Scythe Seris!" a voice echoed through the grand hall as I stepped forward. The greeting was formal, almost detached, yet laced with the weight of expectation that came with my title.

I acknowledged the greeting with a slight nod, my expression calm and composed. The weight of my title hung in the air, a reminder of the power dynamics that governed this place. Without pausing, I addressed the nearest attendant, my voice cutting through the silence.

"Have the other Scythes arrived?" I asked, my tone steady but carrying an undercurrent of authority.

The attendant, still bowed, responded quickly, "Yes, Scythe Seris. The others have already arrived and will be gathered in the main hall when the High Sovereign calls."

I nodded, absorbing the information. The gathering of all Scythes in Taegrin Caelum was a rare occurrence, one that signaled something significant was about to unfold.

I dismissed the attendants with a curt nod, signaling that I no longer required their presence. As they quietly retreated, I made my way through the castle's corridors, each step resonating with the weight of the impending gathering. The thought of what might be discussed lingered in my mind, but I pushed it aside, focusing instead on my destination.

The chamber I was given when I was appointed Scythe of Sehz-Clar twelve years ago remained unchanged. The door, made from a dark, polished wood, opened silently as I entered. The room was as I remembered it-sparse, yet elegant in its simplicity. It was designed for utility rather than comfort, reflecting the nature of my role.

I moved to the large window that overlooked the vast expanse of the Basilisk's Fang Mountains. The jagged peaks, shrouded in mist, served as a reminder of the Vritra Clan's dominion and the challenges that lay beyond. It was a view I had seen countless times, yet it never failed to stir a sense of aspiration within me.

As I stood there, I allowed myself a brief moment of reflection, knowing that whatever awaited us in the main hall would demand my full attention and resolve. The High Sovereign's ability to read a person's emotions as easily as one might read an open book was always present in my mind. Any slip in control could be exploited, and any hint of doubt or fear could be used against me. I could not afford such vulnerability, not now, not ever

After about half an hour, I heard a knock on my door, breaking the stillness of the room.

"Enter," I called out, my voice steady and composed.

The door creaked open, and an attendant stepped inside, bowing deeply before speaking. "Scythe Seris, the High Sovereign has summoned all the Scythes to the hall. The gathering is about to begin."