Eclipsed monarch

The candlelight flickered in the dimly lit room as Kael flipped through the stolen documents. The Viscount had been a careful man, but not careful enough. Each page revealed more than mere financial transactions—it exposed something far worse.

Experiments. Human and beast hybrids. Failed creations.

Kael's eyes darkened as he read about a facility that had already been destroyed due to unstable test subjects, but the research had not stopped. Another facility still remained operational, producing beast-imbued crystals that could enhance magical abilities.

Selene sat across from him, quietly watching. But as Kael turned the next page, he felt her tense.

A crude drawing showed what they had done—humans with distorted limbs, beasts merged with human torsos, eyes hollow and lifeless. Failed subjects were marked as disposed of.

She didn't speak, but Kael could see it in her expression—disgust, fear, and perhaps recognition.

"You knew something like this was happening," he said without looking up.

Selene hesitated, then gave a slow nod. "Not to this extent. But… the Divine Order's elite had rumors. Those who asked too many questions disappeared."

Kael leaned back, his fingers tapping the wooden table. "Then they're still doing it. This facility… they've started refining something new."

He turned the last page, where a small report described a breakthrough—the creation of Abyssal Crystals. They were made from beasts exposed to corrupted magic, then condensed into a form that could be consumed, enhancing a person's magical capabilities permanently.

Selene's breathing was uneven. "This is madness. They're turning people into monsters."

Kael closed the folder. "No. They're turning people into weapons."

A long silence stretched between them before Kael spoke again.

"We're going after it."

Selene looked at him in shock. "You want those crystals?"

Kael's gaze was unreadable. "I want to control who gets them."

Selene lowered her head, gripping her wrist. She wasn't afraid of a fight, but something about this sickened her in a way she hadn't felt before.

Kael, however, remained calm—calculating. He didn't show any disgust, any anger. Only focus.

"Where is this facility?" he asked.

Selene exhaled, steadying herself. "The documents mention a location. It's near a city—Velmora. A smaller trade hub, but the Divine Order has influence there."

Kael nodded. "Then that's our next destination."

He stood, placing the documents into the fireplace. The flames crackled, eating away at the paper until nothing remained.

Selene watched as the last page burned. "So what's the plan?"

Kael glanced at her. "First, we observe. We watch their movements, their security. Then, we destroy the facility and make it look like the experiments turned against them."

Selene nodded. That was expected. But Kael wasn't finished.

"And before we leave, we take the crystals."

She frowned. "You plan to use them?"

Kael's gaze was unreadable. "I plan to make sure no one else does."

That answer was enough for now.

The next step was clear—Velmora awaited.