City of Valyria – Slaver's Crescent, Midnight
The Slaver's Crescent was a hive of shadowy deals and silent screams, nestled in the city's underbelly where light seldom reached and law dared not tread. Kaelarys moved through the maze of alleyways wrapped in his shadowcloak, a magical garment woven with spells of silence and invisibility. The crescent was alive with dark purpose — cages rattled, men haggled in guttural Valyrian, and chained souls watched with hollow, waiting eyes.
He paused before a rusted iron gate, where two guards stood flanking a sign carved with draconic glyphs: House Morghon — Flesh and Fire. One of the lesser dragonlord families, Morghon traded in human cargo and magical beasts alike. Their arrogance made them rich. And careless.
Kaelarys approached the gate and drew his system interface into view.
New Quest: Liberate Magical Slaves from House Morghon (0/10)Bonus Objective: Recruit Unique Slave – A Sorcerer of the ShadowbindersReward: +500 EXP, Magical Loyalty Bond, +Reputation
He activated Soulveil, and his presence vanished like smoke on the wind.
Inside, the compound was a grotesque fusion of cruelty and decadence. Slaves were chained to rune-inscribed walls, many infused with magical tattoos meant to suppress their powers. In the deepest cellar, he found them — ten prisoners held in enchanted cells: warriors, healers, mages, and one man who caught his eye instantly.
He knelt in the dark, gaunt but dignified, with eyes like burning coals.
"You are not one of them," the man said, his voice like smoke. "You carry… the scent of conquest."
Kaelarys gave a small smile. "You're not wrong. Who are you?"
"I am Azhakan, once of Asshai. I was a shadowbinder… before the collars and fire."
System Ping:Unique Slave Detected — Shadowbinder AzhakanWould you like to form a Soul Contract?→ [Yes]
Kaelarys accepted.
A dark-red glyph spun into the air and burned into the space between them. Chains shattered. Azhakan rose slowly, and with a whisper, melted his own bindings to ash.
"I will serve," he said, "and bring death to your enemies."
They freed the rest in silence, Kaelarys storing them in his magic ring temporarily. As they slipped back into the night, he paused only once—to light the Morghon slave ledgers on fire. The flames consumed centuries of cruelty in seconds.
Back at the Maegaron estate, Kaelarys released the slaves, offering them freedom—or purpose.
All ten chose to stay.
Lyanna watched the newest additions with mild surprise. "You're building an army."
He nodded. "Piece by piece. We don't just need soldiers. We need specialists."
She gestured to Azhakan, who stood silently in the shadows, his fingers already weaving magic Kaelarys barely recognized. "And he?"
"A weapon," Kaelarys said. "And a teacher."
Quest Complete: Liberate Magical Slaves (10/10)Bonus Objective CompleteReward: +500 EXP | Soul Loyalty: Azhakan | Unlock: Shadow Magic (Tier I)Skill Gained: Veil of Night — Grants invisibility and magic dampening for 15 seconds (Cooldown: 10 min)
Later, in the solitude of his private chamber, Kaelarys opened the system panel again.
Status:Level: 9EXP: 1250/2000Known Spells: Soulfire, Shadowbind, Flame Lance, Veil of NightCompanions: Lyanna, Varyn, AzhakanSlaves Trained: 20/20Ships Captured: 1/3Artifacts: 5/5 (COMPLETE)Dragon Eggs: 2/3Ritual Progress: 35%
He studied the numbers carefully, every one a building block in the tower of ambition he was constructing.
Soon, he thought. Very soon, I will not just be another noble in Valyria…
I will rule what remains of it.