Requeim of Reverence

MARIA VOLKSLOVA - AT HER MANSION

It was getting tenser every day as soldiers patrolled the mansion in increasing numbers. This left me with no choice but to remain isolated within these vast, empty halls. It was for my own safety or so I kept telling myself. For now, Father's Mana barrier kept them from breaking in, but it wouldn't last forever. More importantly, the soldiers were still awaiting their orders. The moment they received them, the barrier wouldn't hold them back for long. I wasn't safe here.

The maids had already fled days ago. But it was my decision as I had ordered them to leave for their own safety. Still, as I sat there, knees drawn to my chest, blanket wrapped tightly around me, I couldn't help but wonder: What am I supposed to do next? Why hasn't Father sent word? It had been three days.

A familiar paranoia tightened its grip on my chest. Was I going to die here? Not from an attack, but from sheer loneliness?

Knock. Knock.

A sudden tap at the window nearly startled the ghost out of me. My body stiffened as I slowly crept toward the glass. With my footsteps light and almost silent.

Who would knock on my window at a time like this?

Yet, I already knew the answer.

I slid it open cautiously.

"Au-Audel?" My voice wavered as I whispered his name. "What are you doing here? The guards—did they see you?"

"Calm down," he said, his tone steady as he shrugged. "They haven't even caught a whiff of me. Now, are you going to let me in or not?"

"S-sure," I stammered, stepping aside.

Without hesitation, Audel climbed inside, moving with the ease of someone well-acquainted with sneaking past threats.

Clearing my throat, I quickly composed myself. "So? What brings you here? Did you speak with my father?"

His expression darkened. "I did. And it wasn't pleasant. He's rebelling against the king." He hesitated. "I don't know if I should even be telling you this."

I felt the air leave my lungs.

"What?" My voice shot up in pitch. "Wait, wait. So it's real? He's really doing it?"

Panic welled inside me, but before I could spiral further, Audel reached out, gripping my arm firmly.

"Calm down," he said, his voice softer now. "First of all, you're not safe here. I came to get you out. I'm taking you to your father."

I stared at him, my heart hammering. "That means you're coming too, right? You know what that means, don't you? With your connections to my father, it's only a matter of time before they come after you and your family."

He sighed. "That doesn't matter right now. Mary is safe as long as she's in Boltaire's mansion. I'll explain everything later. But we have to go. Now."

I hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Wait—let me get ready."

Without wasting another second, I rushed out of the room.

Audel Emporio

I sat on the couch, waiting as Maria readied herself in the next room. My left arm rested on the couch's armrest, my leg crossed in an attempt to steady myself. But no matter how composed I tried to appear, my thoughts were anything but calm.

The memories… What did they mean?

Staring absently at the clear blue sky beyond the window, I watched a flock of birds perched on a nearby tree, trying to piece together the fragments in my mind. Yet, I couldn't shake the haunting images of my supposed past life.

The Void Table. The Path of Time. The artifact.

What were they? Did I really come from the future? And Master Vestiron—did he follow me into this timeline with a purpose of his own? The more I thought about it, the more it seemed as though I had used that daisy-like artifact to turn back time. But if that were true… how did Vestiron end up here as well?

Just who is he? Who am I…?

A heavy sigh left my lips, my chest tightening under the weight of uncertainty. Just as I exhaled, the door to Maria's room swung open abruptly, jolting me from my thoughts.

"Ma-Maria?" I murmured, taken aback.

She stood there, half-dressed, her expression distant. Something was wrong. Definitely wrong.

Lowering my gaze, I tried to suppress my growing concern. "What's wrong? We don't have much tim—"

Before I could finish, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me. It almost caught me off guard. Almost.

But there was no warmth in her embrace.

A chill ran down my spine. My initial concern twisted into a frown.

She was hypnotized. I was sure of it. But by what? Or… by whom?

I straightened, placing my hands on her shoulders to push her back slightly, meeting her gaze head-on. My eyes hardened, calculating. But hers… hers were sharper—deadly, even—as she curled her lips into a pitiful smirk.

"This virgin body is craving some affection," she murmured, voice dripping with mockery. "Why don't you gift it to me?"

I didn't flinch. "Who are you?" My stance remained firm, my gaze unwavering.

She took another step forward, leaning in close, her breath ghosting over my skin. A whisper followed, laced with something almost… sinister.

"Wanna find out?"

I rolled my eyes, exhaling sharply as I released a surge of mana—enough to startle her, to force a reaction.

But it backfired.

With a sudden yank, she grasped my sleeve and pulled me forward, dragging me toward the bed. I barely had time to suppress my surprise before our eyes locked again.

"You've caught my interest, boy," she whispered, her voice almost devilish. "Why don't you sign a contract with me? I'll give you your past memories in return."

That—that—made my breath hitch. My carefully maintained composure cracked, just for a second.

Seizing the moment, she shoved me off the bed. I hit the floor with a dull thud.

Standing over me, she loomed tall, her presence far more menacing than before.

"Audel Emporio," she declared, her voice laced with an eerie certainty. "Your fate will only worsen if you don't hunt down the Diviners. They'll come for you before you even realize it."

At the mention of the Diviners, something in my mind clicked. A pulse of knowledge surged through me, as if a forgotten page of a book had just been flipped open. The words slipped from my mouth instinctively, like reading from a text I had long studied.

"Diviners are heavenly creations of the Architect—also known as The One, or God. They are the messengers of the Architect and can take human form."

I paused, my throat tightening. But the words kept coming, like a truth buried deep within me, clawing its way to the surface.

"But that human must come from their lineage. The Volkslova family are the descendants of the Diviner known as…"

I hesitated, bile rising in my throat at the mere thought of uttering the name. But I forced myself to speak.

"Lady Lyra—the Diviner of the All-Seer."

Maria—or whatever had taken hold of her—smirked. Her eyes gleamed with something almost… delighted.

"And you," she whispered, her tone laced with cruel amusement, "must be one of the remnants of the one who was once called Audel."