Chapter 4: The Price of Ascension
Scene 1: The Awakening of Lucifer's Power – Marcus' Escape
After hearing the truth, Valen is paralyzed by shock.
Marcus sees his only chance. He grips the Celestial Blade, feeling a strange pull—something ancient, something alive.
A voice whispers in his mind, resonating from the depths of the sword:
> "You… you are worthy."
A surge of dark celestial light erupts from the blade, shaking the hall.
The force sends Valen and the nobles reeling back as the energy explodes outward.
Marcus barely controls it—but it's enough.
He vanishes, escaping into the night.
As he flees, a single black feather drifts to the floor—a silent mark of Lucifer's presence.
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Scene 2: The Duke's Offer – A Path to Power
Valen remains frozen, his mind racing.
But the Duke of Veridian stands beside him, unfazed.
Duke Veridian: "Now, you know the truth. What will you do?"
Valen, trembling, asks if he was just a pawn all along.
The Duke smirks.
> "All of us are pawns until we rise above the board."
Valen father tells him if he wants revenge he will give him power for that but first prove You're worthy of his support become the heir of house verdian
The only way forward is clear:
To become the heir, Valen must eliminate his competing siblings.
> "If you are weak, you will be discarded."
A trial of blood awaits.
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Scene 3: The Heir's Bloodbath
Valen does not hesitate.
He hunts down and kills his siblings, one by one.
Each strike changes him.
The last remnants of his innocence shatter as their blood stains his hands.
Yet, he spares his youngest sister, whispering that this is mercy.
Finally, he stands before his father, coated in the blood of his kin.
> "I am the heir now."
The Duke nods in approval.
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Scene 4: The Trial of the Fallen Archangel (Marcus' Perspective, after escaping)
Marcus, exhausted and injured, stumbles into a dark forest.
The Celestial Blade pulses in his grasp, burning like a living thing.
The world around him blurs—
And suddenly, he is somewhere else.
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Lucifer's Realm – The Trial of Intent
Marcus finds himself in a void of stars, surrounded by celestial ruins and chains.
A towering figure stands before him—Lucifer.
Once Heaven's brightest light. Now a being bound in exile.
> Lucifer: "Why have you taken up this blade, child of Alderwood?"
Marcus, still burning with hatred, declares his intent.
> "I will bring down the Empire. I will kill them all."
Lucifer's golden-black wings unfurl.
His eyes darken, filled with storms.
> "Then let us see your truth."
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The Trial – Two Paths
Marcus is forced into a vision.
1. The Path of Revenge
He sees himself slaughtering the Imperial Family and nobility, leaving the empire in flames.
Yet, he also sees his own mind break, consumed by bloodlust.
He becomes no better than those he hates.
2. The Path of Rebellion
Instead of destruction, he tears down the corrupt system.
He leads a revolution, not as a monster, but as a leader.
He frees the people, wielding power not for vengeance, but for justice.
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Lucifer's Judgment
Lucifer's voice booms, shaking the void.
> "If you seek only blood, then know this—I will shatter your mind the moment you strike down the Imperial Family."
> "You may borrow my strength, but not for senseless slaughter."
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Scene 5: Marcus' Resolve – The Celestial Blade Evolves
Marcus kneels, gripping the sword tightly.
He breathes heavily—and chooses his path.
> "Then I will use your power—not for revenge, but to end this corrupt rule."
The Celestial Blade ignites, glowing with dark celestial energy.
Its once Spirit-grade form shatters—
It is no longer just an old family relic.
It is now a weapon that will evolve alongside Marcus, capable of surpassing even Divine-grade.
> Lucifer: "Then rise, Marcus Alderwood. Wield my power and break your chains."
The trial ends.
Marcus awakens, drenched in sweat, the sword humming with newfound power.
But in his mind Marcus does not change he wants revenge even if it means destroying everything in his path even himself
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Final Scene: The Two Paths Are Set
Valen stands over the corpses of his siblings, the new heir to House Veridian.
Marcus wields the newly awakened Celestial Blade, now Lucifer's chosen.
Both have taken their first true steps.
Their paths will collide—
Not as friends, but as the unstoppable force against the immovable object.
And in the shadows, Lucifer watches, awaiting the day his own fate will be decided.