Zariel sat on the edge of his bed, staring blankly at the wall of his dorm room. I told her half the truth and half a lie. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, and he couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled in his chest. If I hadn’t, her life—no, the lives of all the first-year students—would be in danger. The thought of his sister and their classmates being at risk sent a chill down his spine.
Earlier that day, he had visited Instructor Althea’s office, seeking answers about the Twelve Gods. As he listened to her recount the locations of the temples, his mind raced. In the North, there was the temple of the Divine God of Gemini; in the West, the Divine God of Leo; in the East, the Divine God of Virgo; and finally, in the Empire of Aethires, the temple of the Divine God of Libra. These four temples represented the pillars of divine influence on the continent, but there was so much more he needed to understand.
Instructor Althea's voice echoed in his mind. There’s a lunatic cult that believes in other gods—the most infamous being the Heralds of the Abyss. Zariel felt a shiver run through him. He couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that the divine power he sensed from the Student Council was linked to that very cult. But I lack information; I don’t know what is true and what is just a rumor.
Returning to his dorm after class, Zariel couldn’t escape the gnawing worry. He let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair. How can I solve this alone? The question echoed in his mind, a haunting refrain. If only I had trustworthy allies… He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, allowing himself to ponder the impossible.
Suddenly, a memory from his past life flickered through his mind, illuminating a path he had never considered. Allies? What if I practiced necromancy? The thought was both thrilling and terrifying. Back in his previous life, he had never given necromancy a second thought, believing himself powerful enough without it. But now, as he faced threats that seemed insurmountable, he wondered if he had underestimated its potential. How could I learn it, though?
He considered the essence of shadow mana, intrigued by the possibility. It could be the key. The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Necromancy was traditionally an ability wielded by dark mana users, but the path to mastering it seemed shrouded in mystery.
How do I even begin? The headache he had been suppressing flared to life. Sigh. My head hurts. I’ll have to think about this after the exam.
He closed his eyes, trying to quiet the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. If I can find a way to harness this power, I might be able to protect my sister and the others. But first, I need to survive the upcoming trial. Once that’s over, I can explore this path further.
Zariel opened his eyes, determination hardening within him. He would not be a pawn in someone else’s game; he would take control of his destiny. As he gathered his thoughts, he realized he had no choice but to navigate this treacherous landscape with caution. Allies were essential, but they would have to be the right kind—trustworthy and capable.
For now, focus on the exam, he reminded himself. Then, the real work begins.
YOU ARE READING
Twilights of the Gods
Fantasy"Centuries ago, the battle mage who dared to challenge the gods was sealed away in eternal darkness, his name erased from history. But prophecies whispered of his return, and now, after ages of imprisonment, he has been reborn in a world dominated b...
