22 |SIDE CHAPTER 1| "My Eternal Hollownest"

(Pale King POV)

Silence... My throne room was silent, I was alone. After the "incident," many Soul Scholars came and requested that the vessel be hunted down for his sins. I rejected the requests, they were unnecessary.

However, I am beginning to doubt my decision, my ability to Foresight a gift that I was born with is starting to fault. Cracked futures present themselves to me, and most are disturbing. They detail my end by either the Radiance, the vessel, or another being.

I fear the end of my kingdom, aside from the disturbing visions I have distanced myself even more from the seal. I don't want to risk it becoming sentient, and I believe that I am becoming too sentimental with it.

I doubled its training with the Five Great Knights, the time is coming and I don't think I am prepared. But I must be confident, for my kingdom and its people.

I stood up and began to walk to my room, I passed by multiple pictures of me and my wife. I walked into my room and sat down on my white bed, and looked out the window.

Black liquid flowed down into the forge, 'Void... I should start making more Kingsmoulds.' I thought as I stood up and walked out of my room.

Life in the White Palace was simply boring, my servants bowed and spoke highly about me. I walked past some servants and looked around. No one was there, I couldn't allow anyone to know of Void and how the Kingsmoulds were made.

They all believe that they are bugs, it should stay that way. When I entered the forge all of the white went away, everything was black and there were many molds.

I walked up to my table and looked at the fountain of void beside me, I took a bucket from the table and scooped up some of the liquid. I poured it into the mold, I then closed the mold and put my hand on it.

Soul covered the mold, the soul was purer since I was a Pale being. A Pale being, yes I was a Pale being I stood above the very gods and I ruled this kingdom with my brilliant light.

So why? Why are there so many threats? You would think that people could be smarter, I am above a god and yet they still oppose me. It simply is idiotic, if I was still in my original form all of this would have never happened.

The mold opened, a black four-armed being got out of the mold. I pointed to some armor and it understood my command. It walked to the armor and put it on, it then grabbed a white scythe and walked out of the forge.

I sat down on a chair 'Should I use foresight again? Will the future be better than before?' I thought as I rubbed my head. I decided to use foresight, soul gathered in my head and I began to have visions.

Destruction

.

.

Wrath

.

.

Darkness

.

Deus Deorum...Dominus tenebrarum

I didn't understand what this mean, this had to be the most cryptic vision I have had. What did it mean? What was that language at the end of the message?

I was confused, but I would have to move on. I have a meeting with Herrah today, and I cannot be late.

//Time Skip//

I sat at a roundtable, Herrah stared me down like a beast. The atmosphere was dense, I started the conversation.

Pale King: "Herrah The Beast, Queen of Deepnest. I have to ask a question."

Herrah: "Ask away."

Pale King: "It has come to my attention that you have harbored a vessel, now I would advise you to hand him over."

Herrah: "I do not have him, and I do not know where he is."

Pale King: "I am not a villain, Herrah. All I wish to do is protect my kingdom, and that vessel is a threat. And threats must be exterminated."

Herrah: "That vessel that you are talking about is a living being, you have no rights over it."

Pale King: "Don't test me, Herrah. Your kingdom is decaying and it is bound to fade into history if you want to save your kingdom. I advise you to tell me everything about him."

Herrah: "I will not spea-"

The two Kingsmoulds put their scythes on Herrahs neck, Herrahs eyes narrowed as she stared at the Pale King with hatred.

Pale King: "You are still pregnant, right?"

Herrah: "...."

Pale King: "Tell me about the vessel, and the child will live."

Herrah: "You are a monster, you know that? I should've killed you once you arrived in Hollownest."

Pale King: "I'm not a monster, I just wish to protect my kingdom. My eternal kingdom. You can't understand that, beast."

The scythes touched Herrah's belly, one of the scythes poked her stomach causing some pain. The scythe started to go deeper causing more pain.

Herrah: "I-I'll tell you."

I put my hand on my cheek, Herrah put her head down in disappointment in herself, she started to speak.

Herrah: "His name is Excursion, I found him wandering in my kingdom. I then decided to adopt him as my son, he wanted to leave so I let him. That's all."

Pale King: "Your free, but Herrah if I see you with him. I will end your kingdom."

Herrah walked out of the room, she was accompanied by two Kingsmoulds. I was alone in the roundtable 'Excursion, that's the vessel's name? It's time to pick up the vessel from his training.' I thought, as I got up and left the room.

The sounds of nails clashing echoed through the halls as I approached the training room, the vessel traded attacks with Dryya The Fierce. She was nimble and fierce, she delivered kicked the vessel in the face.

She was clearly holding back her power, but the vessel was still knocked down onto the floor. I watched as the vessel looked at me, with no sentience. The time is nearing and the Radiance is coming.