☽︎ᴥ︎︎︎☾︎

THE ARCHDUKE hurried up the stairs, making sure to avoid his death. The archduke was breathing heavily, his arms trembling, he was hardly able to straighten his gloves.

Beads of sweat trickled down his face, glistening in the dim light as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He nervously wiped his clammy hands on his damp clothes, the fabric clinging uncomfortably to his skin in the heat.

As Henry walked forward in the kingdom, memories flooded his mind, tales of the Cosmos—the darkness where the stars reside, where all order exists. These were no longer mere stories or myths; they were real. They whispered of the destruction of Olympus, of everything that once was, suggesting that it stemmed from humanity's own disintegration.

Could it be his fault? The Cosmos, some said, had a heart that had been manipulated by powers beyond human comprehension. It was a realm of shadows, a void that consumed all hopes and desires. It had always been there, but now it felt like a curse, an inescapable darkness looming over him.

Henry had a lot on his mind as he thought back to the forbidden magic he'd known ages ago. He'd learned that the universe was where everything got started, bringing Chaos, Darkness, and Order together in one spot. Now, though, he was facing something way darker— the place where destruction began, where the gods had fallen, and humans had taken over.

As he steps one foot, Henry could feel how much trembling that he was feeling, sweat went down on his forehead and he clenched his teeth. 'I don't want to do this, but I have to.' He whispered to himself.

His heart pounded so fast that it almost felt like he was being consumed into a hole. He could hear the voices of long-lost souls, their pleas and cries echoing in his ears, and he knew he had to do something to achieve justice and vengeance for them. Was he the one who caused this suffering, or was he only a pawn in a larger game?

Questions swirled in his mind, relentless and unyielding. The answers lay intertwined in the legends of the gods and the battle that once raged in Olympus—a war between scientists and the gods. It was a conflict that not only shattered the deities but also fractured the entire universe.

Just like how the cosmos balances between darkness and light, Henry felt the immense pressure weighing upon him. This was a battle between right and wrong, between the past and the present, where love and revenge collided in a singular place.

At this moment, he understood that he was part of something far greater, a mystery he couldn't quite grasp. There was a force at play, a source of assistance that remained undeciphered by anyone. The destruction of Mount Olympus represented more than just the fall of a kingdom; it was a pivotal moment that echoed through time, affecting realms beyond his understanding.

The Cosmos has long been regarded as an enigmatic domain, often confused with the Universe. It goes by numerous names—The Darkness, The Void—but it is much more than mere emptiness. It embodies order, standing in stark contrast to Chaos, serving as the grand foundation that encompasses everything that exists, including the Universe, worlds, and planets.

Cosmos transcended mere existence as a realm. It is a shadowy expanse where only glimpses of the world's joy are visible; however, once you step into this dimension, escape becomes impossible.

Consider Hera as an example. After being banished by Zeus following a series of events, she felt a sense of joy at the thought of returning to Olympus. However, she soon realizes that it was merely an illusion, and she's drawn back into the shadows by the chilling cosmos.

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A voice echoes, saying, "The Cosmos is shrouded in darkness. You can't escape or find freedom. "I have been alone for far too long. Let's talk." In response, Hera screams in despair, understanding that she is trapped for all eternity.

And now, there's a realm that's known as the Twilight Vale. This is where light and darkness reside, untouched for a thousand years. The skies exist in a perpetual state between day and night, a creation whose origins remain a mystery. The air is thick with enigma, enveloped in shadows. Once you step inside, returning becomes an impossible dream.

It's said that once you're swallowed by the Twilight Vale, you'll be consumed by the very realm of Chaos itself. Even the gods trembled at the thought of it, for this is where chaos takes root.

This realm was once meant to embody balance, where creation flourished, but that was long before the fall of Olympus began. Now, it has transformed into a prison for those ensnared within, leaving them to languish in agony as they wait for someone to rescue them from their torment.

Now, the man patched up his gloves and took his retribution to the whole city of Ethead. Henry walked into the castle walls where there's a barrier that extends from a wall, in order to shield the defenders of this place. This consisted of four large, powerful buildings of dressed granite—also called as crenellations—giving them a clear view as the enemy slowly approaching.

He had no intention of showing mercy. Born of a lineage steeped in the shadows, he was the son of Hades himself. In this life, he had been reborn into a realm that echoed with the whispers of the underworld.

Few were aware of the secret. Some dared to believe it. Yet, the heavy burden of truth—that he was the rightful heir to a long-forgotten legacy hidden deep in the underworld—was etched into every fiber of his being.

The scythe was more than mere steel; it was a testament to his father's spirit, a legacy passed down through generations.

Entering that place was no easy feat, even for someone like Henry, who possessed a powerful magic within him. But he was determined; there was no turning back now.

His hand closed around the dark coin, and then out of nowhere, bolts of black electricity rustled and boomed. At tsaka niya unti-unti nilabas 'yong death scythe niya and Henry slashed the death scythe into the walls, making it crackle and tremble before it began to crumble and break into pieces.

Now the dust started to surround him, his stand remained in place with no emotions at all. He didn't need to know whether the scientists were watching him; his eyes widened, he gulped for a moment, and fear took its place. His lips trembled but quickly steadied as he regained control over his emotions. All of his memories flashed back.

The church. The orphanage. The people who died. The ones that he cherished were taken away from him.

"What are you doing here!?"sigaw ng mga scientist sa kanya, ramdam na ramdam mo ang takot na bumabalot sa kanila. Ang iba'y nakatayo lang at nakatulala, 'di alam kung tatakbo na ba o haharapin ang lalaki.

Henry's lips turned into a wicked smile, as he became even more grim than ever. "Maybe consider what you have done. "Pero h'wag kayong mag-alala." He paused, and the silence completely took over its place. His smirk grew wider, becoming darker and more ominous than ever. "I have some exciting news for you."

Now that the shadows are dissipating, his figure emerged before them. His body sparkled once more, revealing the terror in his face as the black electricity encircled him.

Napaurong na lang ang ibang mga scientist at namutla na lang silang lahat, "A–At pa'no kung hindi!?" Takot na takot silang harapin siya ngayon.

Henry gave them another smile, and these smiles are getting darker now because they conceal something you could never have predicted. The scientist became even more terrified as he tightened his hold on his death scythe.

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"Do it, if you can."

The scythe pulsated continuously, its power barely contained. Henry narrowed his eyes at the blade, clicking his tongue slightly before channeling his dark energy into it. He swung it forward, and in an instant, the force of his motion sliced through the air with a piercing howl.

He then clenched his grip tighter, and moments later, released another surge of death energy. The scythe created a shockwave, causing it to ripple toward them.

Henry observed as their expressions grew even colder, and a look of desperation spread across their faces. The storm he had unleashed? It showed no signs of letting up, relentless and unyielding.

"Now, where is she?"

"I recommend you to stay here on Ethead. Kahit ikaw pa 'yan, wala ka nang magagawa pa sa puntong 'to sa pagpili ng isa sa inyong anim. The descendants are essential in this realm, and you know that."

He patiently awaited their response.

But there's no answer.

With a fierce motion, he swung his death scythe, slicing it straight through their chest. Their astonishment was palpable as they coughed up blood—a horrifying sight to behold.

"For the last time, where is the girl?" Henry's intense stare could freeze anyone who was bold enough to look him in the eye.

He could easily eliminate them if he chose to, but first, he must find the girl.

"I'm not sure..." the man replied.

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Hindi 'to nagustuhan ni Henry kaya't isinara na lang niya ang kamao niya. "Let me ask you once more. Where is she?" Rumors circulated that he was a man of little patience at siya 'yung tipo na 'di basta-basta matitinag, lalo kung alam niyang tarantado 'yung kausap niya.

At ang pagkatao niya'y labis na nasaktan simula pa noon, kaya't nauwi siya sa ganung estado. Lalo na sa mga taong gustong abusuhin ang pagkatao niya.

"Bakit, ano'ng gagawin mo? There's three of us here, Henry! You're nothing!" sigaw ng isa sa mga scientist habang papalapit ang mga 'to sa kanya and he clenched his fist.

"Do you understand why I struggle to control my powers? Sometimes, I push them too far," he remarked. As he spoke, powerful black bolts surged and crackled around him.

Then the ominous clouds converged, and distant black thunder rumbled ominously, as shadows and darkness deepened around the area.

"No!" They disagreed.

"Now that we have the gods' relics in our possession, nothing at all—not even you—can stop us from winning!" the scientists yelled at him.

His vision remains unchanged. He's definitely going to kill.

☫✠_____♆_____✡♆

AMIDST THE tumult that ensued when Ethead was struck by a dark flash of lightning, Giovanni began to awaken in the radiant chamber that enveloped him in light.

The air quivered with a vibrant intensity, teeming with possibilities on the horizon. Once gentle, the magic that danced all around began to pulse with a foreboding weight, hinting at shadows creeping in from the corners of an unseen realm.

The enchanted room includes a queen-size bed, a separate sitting area with a convertible double sofa bed, dining spaces, and a spacious balcony offering panoramic views. What sets it apart even further are the golden walls beside her and the enchanting sparkles that fill the room.

Giovanni gazes out the windows, only able to behold the terrifying scene of the place she once referred to as home. The whole area is consumed by flames, and it lies in utter chaos. The restless souls wandering here in the mansion made the situation even worse which was shaped by necromancy.

In the enchanting realm of Mudned, there existed a noble named Giovanni. She stood as the final beacon of his illustrious lineage, the last noble to carry the legacy of her ancestors within her veins. The future of Mudned rested heavily upon his shoulders, as the winds of destiny whispered tales of hope and challenge in equal measure.

The cherished daughter of Hebe, the guardian of youth's destiny.

The cherished daughter of Hebe, the guardian of youth's destiny.

The Holder of Fates: a name bestowed upon her, reflecting the weight of the threads of fate intertwined in her very being.

Legends fulfill their destined roles, for fate has decreed her path.

She never sought the answers, nor did she desire them.

The deities have crumbled, their once-mighty presence now reduced to echoes in the void. The world stands on the brink of oblivion, teetering on the edge of its final breath. And through the shadows, a figure approaches, drawn by an unseen force, destined to seek her out.

"That monster is coming!" they screamed.

Giovanni has just woken up. She's distressed by the news that's coming, knowing that her time is running out.

At the moment, she finds it difficult to understand anything; all she can see is a group of maids standing in front of her. Perhaps there are approximately ten of them? And a military presence is surrounding her, intent on removing her from the mansion.

This isn't the life she used to know. How could she possibly tell this to anyone?

"Giovanni, let's go!" Agad dumating ang isang lalaki, kumunot ang noo niya, at bigla na lang siyang sumigaw. Bago pa siya makapagreklamo, dinala siya nito sa isang madilim na kwarto at wala man siyang makita mula ro'n, and she recognized him as a fellow student from her school, and she was also aware that he was in the military. It was Alvis.

Are you curious about why this has begun?

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As the scientists embarked on their quest for a groundbreaking invention, long-hidden secrets began to surface, revealing that the legends they had dismissed as mere tales were, in fact, intertwined with the realms they were exploring. However, in their relentless pursuit, they found themselves captivated by the magic of these realms—ultimately crossing into Olympus, a transgression no mortal should dare to commit.

Mount Olympus was regarded as the dwelling place of the gods, who resided in magnificent palaces of marble and gold. This realm was divided into three parts: isa sa Mudned, isa sa Greece, at ang isa nama'y konektado sa Twilight Vale, na siya ring may koneksyon sa First Domain—kung sa'n nangyari ang unang reincarnation mo.

Olympus was essentially an ancient akropolis--a fortified hill-top and palace complex--located just below the peaks of Mount Olympos. The golden gates of the heavenly fortress were guarded by the three and it contained the palace of Zeus, lesser palaces for the other gods, and stables for the . The buildings were built of stone with bronze foundations and were surrounded by cloistered courtyards with golden pavements.

The main structure was the palace of Zeus. It had a fairly simple layout--as was typical of ancient Greek palaces--with a central hall, private bedchambers and storage rooms. The golden-floored hall served as both a council chamber and feast-hall for the Olympian gods and provided them an expansive view of the world below allowing them to observe mankind from the heights. The golden tables and tripods of the feast were animated by the divine smith Hephaestus, and trundled in and out of the hall as required.

Before the palace of Zeus was a large, cloistered courtyard where the full assembly of the gods would gather--including all of the earth-, river- and sea-deities as well as nymphs. The peak of Olympos functioned as the secondary seat or throne of Zeus, apart from the rest of other gods.

The Olympian akropolis lay above the clouds and the paths of the stars, near the apex of the solid bronze-dome of the sky. It existed in the zone known as the aither--the bright upper-air of heaven or shining blue of the sky. The gods feasted on ambrosia and nectar, substances collected from the meadows of the earth-encircling river Okeanos or the smoke of sacrificial offerings wafting to heaven.

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The conflict between the siblings after Zeus overthrew his father Cronus, he cast lots with his brothers Poseidon and Hades. Zeus won the drawing and ascended as the ultimate ruler of the gods.

Following the overthrow of their father, Cronus, he cast lots with his brothers, Zeus and Hades, to divide the realms of the world. His reward was to rule over the sea, and he was highly revered by sailors.

He's a greedy god with a strong focus on expanding his ranks. Those whose duties lead to a rise in the dead are held in high regard. The Erinnyes are embraced as honored guests. He's very reluctant to let any of his followers depart.

However, the situation changed when Zeus' thunderbolt went missing. The brothers formed an alliance, but Hades opposed it.

With Mount Olympus in chaos, the Teras and Demigods have been sentenced to pay the price for their destinies. Due to the recent events that transpired on Mount Olympus, their fates will be subject to a test.

Hades has no reason to complain, especially since Eleithyia brought her here. Giovanni's frustration intensifies as she remembers the history of their fate, which she finds especially irritating.

Although she can't remember her face, the sound of her voice lingers in her mind. She imagines her as a Goddess, represented by the pitcher and cup.

"Hindi ako sasama sa 'yo," she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at him, saying, "Alvis, I need to know kung sino'ng papatay sa 'kin." She made her claim, but he didn't even flinch at her words.

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She let out a hissing sound in his direction, feeling betrayed by all of them. Bakit ba sila desperado na malayo siya? Para sa'n? She's dissatisfied with the way things are developing. She has every right to express her concerns, particularly given that she's being treated poorly.

Giovanni sighed and she just threw the knife beside them, "Know your place!" All of them were desperate to save her, but she knew it was her fate. Since he was here to take her life, she wanted to witness it herself.

Due to their refusal to let her go, she was compelled to resist. The golden hue of her eyes revealed her lineage—she's the daughter of the Eternal Youth Goddess, Hebe. As she called upon her plant magic, her eyes turned into emeralds, surrounded by twinkling green sparks.

She has the power to control plant growth, commanding them to emerge from the soil and move at her discretion. She can influence every facet of plant life, modifying their DNA to create mutations or even breathing new life into withered or dead plants.

Her skills fulfill both defensive and supportive functions; she can induce flowers and other plants to bloom, use them as whip-like weapons, control spores and pollen, and restore plant life.

Now she finally escaped.

Or so she thought.

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The man's gaze have a nasty look in his eyes and rather villainous. Tinapon na lamang niya ang kanyang kutsilyo nang walang pag-aatubiling dahilan upang kumuha ng atensyon ng babae.

Henry has come to seize all the possessions of the House of Mudned by eliminating the last of the nobles in this kingdom. This is his destined path.

He hasn't laid eyes on her in years, not since the night of the attack. The Archduchess. Memories of her face, as stunning as ever in his mind, filled his thoughts. She had always been someone he regarded as invaluable, and he had sworn to protect her.

Once, things were different. Yet now that she's the target, the situation has changed. But could he bring himself to end her life, considering the deep love and affection he holds for her?

"H'wag kang magkakamaling kumilos, kamahalan."

In that moment, she understood she was in danger as he chambered his gun and pointed it squarely at her face. He sought retribution by obliterating everything around them.

☠︎︎༒︎☠︎︎

𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐈 𝐍 𝐄 𝐃   𝐖 𝐈 𝐓 𝐇  𝐇 𝐀 𝐃 𝐄 𝐒

Betrayal's Game Series #1

Kindly avoid mentioning the works of other authors in this story, as it can be seen as disrespectful. This is the sole guideline I have to share. ♡'･ᴗ･'♡

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Thank you for taking the time to read!