Since ancient times, a legend has circulated across the world.
Whenever the evil of this world reaches its peak, a being known as the *Valkareth* is born—a being whose purpose is not to rule, but to destroy everything so that a new order may rise from the ashes.
Its coming is inevitable.
— From the prophecy of valkareth
---
1067 IY, Imperial Capital, Great Valkyros Empire
The night was unusually still.
The vast palace stood silent beneath a dim winter moon, its towering walls and sprawling gardens were wrapped in a strange calm. Even the air felt heavy, as if the world itself was waiting for something to happen.
Guards in sophisticated armor were roaming every corner of the palace
Inside, the palace corridors were quiet. Candlelight flickered along tall marble walls, casting long, unsteady shadows.
Two maids stood near a tall arched window, their hands occupied with folded linens, though their attention was elsewhere.
"Have you heard?" Eliza whispered, glancing down the corridor.
Mary looked up immediately. "About Her Imperial Majesty?"
Eliza nodded. "The pains began before the sunset , The midwives were summoned in the night… and the royal physician hasn't left since."
Mary tightened her grip on the cloth. "Then… does that mean that empire will finally have it's heir . "
A brief silence followed.
The palace felt like it was holding its breath.
"Do you think it will be a prince?" Mary asked quietly.
Eliza hesitated, her gaze drifting toward the sealed doors of the Queen's chamber.
"The astrologer predicted that it will be a son though," she said. "A child born under the winter moon… one whose name will become a legend."
Mary exhaled softly. " well every Emperor become a legend , no matter how wise or noble he was as they are descendants of Lorrenz afterall ."
Eliza did not reply.
Moments later, a faint cry echoed from deep within the palace.
Both maids froze.
"…Did you hear that?"
Eliza allowed herself a small smile, though her expression remained tense.
"Yes," she said. " Looks like the future of the dynasty is secured for now "
Soon after, the palace bells began to ring.
---
Beyond the palace inner walls ,the city awoke almost instantly hearing the loud bells from the palace .
People gathered outside the palace gates, not out of devotion, but expectation for the millennia old traditions that was about to commence .
Then footguards appeared above the gates watchtower and began throwing copper coins into the crowd, the atmosphere shifted.
Order vanished.
People pushed, shouted, and clawed at one another to grab what they could. Some fell. Others stepped over them without hesitation.
Within minutes, the guards raised their bows.
"Clear the area peasants " one of them called out. "Those who remain will be shot down without mercy ."
The crowd dispersed immediately carrying their fallen comrades with them, whom they just crushed moments ago for their greed .
This tradition had existed for generations. The birth of royalty was always marked the same way—bells, crowds, and coin.
And sometimes… casualties.
---
Sometime later ...
Inside the palace, the mood was entirely different.
Outside the Empress's chamber, physicians, guards, and servants stood in uneasy silence.
Then came the sound of footsteps.
Steady. Measured.
The whispers died instantly.
Emperor Maximus II of Lorrenz Dynasty had arrived.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with a velvet cloth wrapped over his eyes, he walked forward with calm certainty. Though blind, there was nothing uncertain about him.
His blindness was the price of a deal he made long ago .
At his side, Marcus guided him—but only in form. Not in authority.
"We greet Your Imperial Majesty," the gathered attendants said, bowing deeply.
Maximus gave a slight nod and asked as marcus at his side described the situation in front of them properly .
"Why are you all outside?" he asked.
The head physician stepped forward. "By Her Imperial Majesty's order, we withdrew after the birth… to grant her and her newborns upmost privacy."
A brief pause followed.
"Open the door," Maximus said.
---
The doors opened.
The room beyond was dark.
Cold air drifted in through the open windows. The bed was empty.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Only the faint sound of breathing could be heard.
From the cradle.
Two infants lay there, asleep.
"…Cartha , cartha I have come ?" Maximus called.
No answer came.
Then Marcus spoke carefully. "Her Imperial Majesty is not present."
" Only living thing in this dark room are the two infants in the cradle ahead "
A pause.
"… two infants ?" Maximus asked.
"…Twins, Your Majesty." said a midwife behind them
Silence followed.
" by whose order you conceal something this important from me ?" Maximus asked , his voice cracking a bit
The physician behind lowered his head and said in fright "b… by Her Imperial Majesty orders."
That hesitation was enough.
A dull thud echoed through the room as the physician collapsed, clutching his throat.
" Move him to the central prison after this and consider it my finest mercy " said Maximus in a cold voice
No one moved.
No one dared.
Maximus stepped forward towards the cradle guided by marcus
"Describe the twins ."
Marcus obeyed. "Both resemble Your Majesty. Pale skin, light hair…"
He paused.
"The one on the left has silver irises like you."
Another pause.
"The one on the right… possesses golden irises. They appear… luminous."
Silence lingered.
Maximus extended his hands toward the cradle.
Slowly, he touched the first child.
Then the second.
As if memorizing them.
"Heinrich will be his name ," he said.
His hand rested briefly over the child with golden eyes.
Then—
" and his name shall be Maximillian."
The names were spoken without hesitation.
---
The moment did not last.
The doors opened again.
A man armored in light golden armor came in , his armor had distinct three stars on it forming a triangle
"Your Imperial Majesty," he said, "the Archperceptor requests your presence. You are specially to bring your newborn child there ."
No one reacted to his tone.
Maximus nodded and said in a sarcastic way " Then let's go afterall i would certainly not delay the special Archperceptor of ours "
---
They moved through the palace until they reached a massive door.
Beyond it lay something far older.
The air inside carried a sharp metallic scent.
At the end of the corridor they passed through and in center of the chamber it led to , there stood a massive glass cylinder filled with a strange, glowing liquid. Pipes extended from it into a colossal face-shaped structure made of dark metal beneath it , its surface was lined with stitched, wrinkled material that seemed almost… organic.
"His Imperial Majesty has arrived," Marcus announced in aloud voice.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then the structure stirred.
Its eyes flickered to life.
"Maximus…" a low mechanical voice echoed which sounded like a jolly grandpa. "You have come."
"State your purpose for disturbing me in such a crucial moment of my life ," Maximus replied in a cold voice
The Archperceptor's gaze shifted toward the children.
"I wished to see your heir afterall , can't you grant this excited impatient old man his wish " it said.
" Just get straight to the point " said Maximus
" Alright but first send your whole entourage out for that " said that thing
" You heard it " said Maximus
After hearing it , everyone except Maximus, Marcus, and the two maids left the chamber.
"Bring them closer to me so that I can inspect them " said Galvus in a unhidden curious voice
The infants were lifted suddenly by some unseen force at the wave of Maximus hand
The mechanical eyes studied them in silence.
First the silver-eyed child.
Then the one with golden irises.
A long pause followed.
"Maximus… remain calm for what I am about to say ," the Archperceptor said.
"Speak."
"A prophecy exists that I am studying for a long time , it is older than your dynasty. It speaks of a being— called Valkareth."
The chamber grew still.
"A being born when the world reaches its darkest point. One whose pupose is to destroy it so a new order can be born from it ."
Maximus stood unmoving.
" i have spent a millenium researching it and according to my all conditions, that being mentioned is none other than your golden eyed son ," the voice continued.
A pause.
" And even you might have suspected that your golden eyed child is special —
The mechanical gaze settled on the golden-eyed child.
"Afterall , no child should possess such eyes."
Silence.
"There is a high probability… that this child is the Valkareth."
The words settled heavily.
"…My son is this valkareth you speak of ?" Maximus asked.
"Yes."
" Then tell me what is the solution, Archperceptor " maximus asked
Another pause followed.
"There is only one viable course," the Archperceptor said.
"This child must be erased."
The word echoed.
"No name. No record. No history."
"He must be raised in isolation, far from the world."
Maximus remained still.
"…And this will prevent your prophecy from coming ?"
"It may."
That uncertainty lingered.
" So there's no choice ,this day has truly been a up and down hill of emotion for me " maximus said in a emotional voice
Maximus waved his hands once again and put the twins back in maids hand then he stepped forward towards them and said
"Which one?"
"The child to your right."
Maximus raised his hand.
Slowly, he touched the Heinrich face
Soft.
Warm.
Alive.
The child stirred slightly.
For the briefest moment—
His hand trembled.
Then it stilled.
"…Heinrich."
_________________________________________
Don't forget to rate it