The Smiling Death

"Where do you want to take me?"

Scarlett asked calmly, her eyes never leaving Vetaal. The tall man merely smiled. Without answering immediately, he casually waved one hand through the air.

The space before them rippled.

A circular crack spread across the empty air before expanding into a large portal. Crimson and black energy swirled within it like a whirlpool, hiding whatever lay beyond.

Vetaal glanced at the portal before looking back at Scarlett.

"Hah... there’s somewhere I want to show you."

He stepped closer to the portal and gestured toward it.

"Come with me."

Scarlett remained where she was. Her beautiful amethyst eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"Where does it lead?"

Vetaal chuckled while looking at her. "You’re still that cautious."

He folded his arms.

"Did you already forget everything we’ve been through together? We fought side by side to escape that island. I helped every one of you without asking for anything in return."

He paused before adding,

"And yesterday it was me who came to you yesterday. If I hadn’t brought you here in time...You never would have reached Amon before Alaric’s final attack."

Scarlett’s fingers slowly curled into a fist.

She couldn’t deny it. Yesterday, while she had been making her way toward Eriye Village...

Vetaal had suddenly appeared before her without warning.

He had told her only one thing.

’Amon is in danger.’

Then, before she could question him, he had opened a portal and brought her directly to the battlefield.

Had he arrived even a few seconds later.

She didn’t want to imagine the outcome.

Yet that only made him more suspicious. How had he known Amon was in danger? Why had he chosen to help? What did he gain from saving him? Or he wanted something from her that’s why helped her to save him?

Those questions still had no answers.

Then she remembered his final words before they parted.

"Amon’s life will be in far greater danger in the future. I can help you protect him...But first...You must come with me and hear my proposal. I will also tell you about what dangers will follow Amon."

That single sentence had remained in her mind ever since.

After a long silence Scarlett finally nodded.

"...Fine. I’ll come."

She couldn’t refuse after watching Amon face such danger and nearly die.

Vetaal smiled faintly. "I knew you would."

Without another word, he stepped into the portal.

Scarlett remained standing for several seconds. She turned one last time toward the peaceful village in the distance.

Then she silently walked into the portal. The world around her shifted. When Scarlett stepped through, the portal behind her closed with a quiet ripple.

She slowly looked around. What greeted her was a ruined city.

The entire city had been built from ancient black stone, its surface darkened as though countless fires had scorched it over thousands of years.

A thick gray mist covered the sky overhead, blocking nearly all sunlight and bathing the city in perpetual twilight.

Silence ruled the ruins. Not a single bird could be heard. The buildings stood broken and crooked, their walls cracked with age and overgrown with moss and creeping vines.

Every structure had been constructed from the same dark stone, giving the entire city an eerie sense of unity.

Rows of empty windows stared into the streets like hollow eyes.

Shattered statues lay scattered across abandoned plazas, their faces long since weathered away by time.

Only the occasional sound of dripping water echoed somewhere within the endless silence. The air itself felt unnaturally heavy.

As though the city was still waiting. Waiting for something that had never returned.

Scarlett’s gaze slowly drifted toward the city’s center. There towering above every other structure.

Stood an enormous black tower. Despite its incredible age, it remained standing proudly against the passage of time.

Ancient symbols and strange carvings covered its surface, glowing faintly beneath the dim light filtering through the mist.

Every road within the city curved naturally toward it. It was as though the entire city had once been built around that single tower.

A thin layer of fog lingered around its base, concealing its entrance. Even in ruin the tower radiated an overwhelming sense of ancient authority.

Scarlett slowly turned her head. On the opposite side of the city stood another massive structure. Although smaller than the tower, it was no less impressive.

It resembled an ancient temple. Its enormous pillars remained standing despite countless cracks spreading across them.

Moss covered much of its surface, while vines climbed over weathered stone walls. It looked as though it had stood there watching civilizations rise and fall.

For thousands of years.

Scarlett finally broke the silence.

"Where is this place?"

Vetaal smiled.

"This city is called Kalvetra."

He slowly looked around the abandoned streets.

"During the Second Era it was one of the greatest and important cities of the Human Empire."

His voice carried an unusual hint of nostalgia.

"Time has reduced it to this."

He began walking down the deserted street.

"Come."

Scarlett quietly followed beside him. After several moments, she asked,

"Why did you bring me here?"

Vetaal didn’t stop walking.

"You’ll understand soon enough."

His gaze remained fixed on the towering black structure ahead.

"There are things that are better explained in the right place."

He pointed toward the ancient temple in the distance.

"Let’s go there. Only then will I tell you everything."

---

After walking through the silent streets for several minutes, Vetaal finally came to a stop.

Scarlett halted a few steps behind him. Before them stood a grand mansion. Even after thousands of years, its imposing structure still commanded respect. It had once been magnificent.

Now time had left its mark upon every stone. The walls were cracked from age, while thick moss and creeping vines had spread across the dark stone exterior, slowly reclaiming the building for nature.

Vetaal walked toward the entrance. He placed one hand against the tall iron gate.

Creeeak...

The rusted metal groaned loudly as he slowly pushed it open. The sound echoed through the abandoned city before fading back into silence.

Scarlett quietly observed the mansion. Like the rest of Kalvetra, it had been built entirely from black stone.

The towering iron gates hung loosely from broken hinges, half-consumed by rust.

Several windows had shattered long ago.

The remaining ones were nothing more than dark, empty openings that resembled hollow eyes watching anyone who approached.

Vines climbed across nearly every wall, wrapping around balconies and pillars alike. The front courtyard was littered with dried roots, broken stone, and centuries of accumulated debris.

A cracked stone pathway stretched toward the entrance. On either side stood rows of statues of knights or rather what remained of them.

Some had lost their heads.

Others were missing arms or entire torsos.

Yet despite their ruined state, they still carried an air of solemn dignity, silently guarding the mansion even after countless centuries.

Scarlett slowly followed Vetaal toward the entrance.

The mansion’s enormous double doors towered above them.

Their dark wooden surface was carved with intricate patterns and ancient symbols that had faded with time but still hinted at the craftsmanship of a forgotten age.

As they stepped inside, dust floated lazily through the dim light filtering in from broken windows. The vast entrance hall remained surprisingly intact.

Although abandoned, traces of its former grandeur could still be seen.

Scarlett quietly looked around before asking, "Where exactly is this city?"

Vetaal chuckled.

"It lies within the Kingdom of Valmoria."

He paused for a moment.

"But... I can’t tell you its precise location."

Scarlett frowned.

"Why? Because this city belongs to the royal family. They’ve kept its existence hidden from the world for generations."

He smiled mischievously.

"And the two of us just snuck inside."

Scarlett’s eyes widened.

"What? You mean this is a forbidden place? For outsiders?"

"Exactly."

Vetaal shrugged casually.

"But don’t worry. We won’t get caught. I’ll make sure of that."

Although Scarlett remained skeptical, she chose not to press the matter further.

The two continued deeper into the mansion.

They passed through the enormous entrance hall before entering a long corridor lined with faded paintings and ancient decorative armor.

Their footsteps echoed softly against the stone floor.

Eventually Vetaal stopped before a single wall.

Hanging there was an enormous portrait.

Scarlett’s gaze slowly rose toward it.

The man within the painting sat perfectly upright upon a massive chair that resembled a throne carved from dark wood.

He wore luxurious robes of deep sapphire-blue velvet embroidered with intricate silver patterns. Around his neck rested a large emerald gemstone held within an ornate silver clasp.

Everything about him radiated authority. His posture was flawless. His expression was cold.

His piercing emerald eyes seemed almost alive, carrying the gaze of someone accustomed to absolute power.

A man whose commands had never been questioned.

Long crimson hair flowed freely over his shoulders, framing an exceptionally handsome yet intimidating face.

Even though it was only a painting. Its presence filled the corridor with silent pressure.