Greatest Legacy of the Magus Universe

Legends speak of the seven unseen forces that weave through the hearts of mortals and Magi alike. They have no temples, yet they are worshipped daily; no faces, yet they shape the fates of kings.

Some say they are mere flaws of mortal nature, but the ancient texts tell a different story.

It is said that in ages past, seven great calamities befell the universe, each marking the rise of a sin given form. Cities crumbled under thier touch, empires fell to their temptations, and heroes who sought to defy them were never seen again.

Though times have buried their names, their presence lingers in the ambitions of rulers, the greed of merchants, the fury of warriors, and the despair of the downtrodden.

Some say that each sin was once bound in chains, shackled deep within the layers of endless fire and torment.

That in the age before recorded history, seven evil and mighty beings—whose names are better left unspoken—carved their dominions from the bones of the fallen and wove their presence into the fabric of the Magus Universe.

Their touch lingers, calling to those who listen, offering power, wealth, vengeance… for a price, of course.

Few dare to speak to the ones who embody these sins, yet their symbols persist, hidden in ancient texts and infernal contracts.

They do not force their will upon the world, they merely wait for those willing to make the offer first.

And those who do? They never hunger again.

Not in life.

Not in death.

Viscount Altan Duskfall greeted the guests with a beaming smile on his face as he slowly walked in the direction of the manor’s main kitchen.

The closer he got to his destination, the smile on his face gradually died down, replaced by an extremely solemn expression.

He entered the kitchen, walked past his staff, and walked to the wine cellar. ”Don’t let anyone in,” he ordered the person standing guard outside the cellar.

”Yes, my lord!” The guard opened the door for his master and then closed it after he’d entered.

Inside the dimly lit cellar, Altan paced around the room with a visible frown on his face. His expression grew darker and darker the more he thought about the series of events that had transpired earlier.

Lord Barrett told us to treat Magus Constantine as a guest of honor, but why did the man look so clueless? He thought to himself in distress.

He said that Adam was a part of the cult but all of his actions tonight seemed very suspicious to me. For some strange reason, I have a feeling that Adam is not part of the cult at all…

What’s going on? Adam looked mildly surprised when I treated him as a close friend. Why did he behave that way? If he’s part of the cult and knows Lord Barett then he should have played along.

Although he did play along, I couldn’t help but notice several discrepancies, Altan pondered long and hard.

He could tell that something was wrong, but couldn’t quite put a finger on it. He was a shrewd man who could tell the flow of things around him. If he didn’t have this ability, it would have been difficult for him to be able to rise to the station he was currently at.

Altan was but a commoner from a countryside village in the Empire. Through his wits alone, he managed to become a Magus, made several connections, and ultimately stepped inside the aristocratic circles of the great city of Ravenfell.

However, wits alone weren’t sufficient for what he was able to achieve. It was his deep ambition that allowed him to become a powerful Viscount of Ravenfell.

As he continued to pace around the cellar, he thought back to his initial encounter with the organization which he knew simply as the Cult. It was a few years ago, at a time when he hadn’t become a Viscount yet. At the time, he was but a moderately successful merchant.

They approached me with an offer I simply couldn’t refuse - secretly run their human trafficking ring in exchange for a noble title in the city as well as vast connections in the trade market, he thought.

Meaning, it is very likely that this cult has the backing of a Councilor. If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t have the confidence to run the illegal ring on my own.

Besides, they gave me several other perks that helped my wife and I advance in our arcane path. But… the things they’ve given us far outweigh the things I’ve done for them. Why?

What do they truly want? Who is Adam Constantine? Why is he here?

Why did Lord Barrett tell me to involve Adam in the grand ritual that will take place later tonight? Why did he tell me to introduce Adam to all the important guests tonight?

It’s almost as if…

Altan’s heart sank when he thought of a terrifying possibility. His back was drenched in cold sweat and he muttered in disbelief, ”It can’t be…”

No, wait! Aren’t they afraid that I’ll expose them?! He tried to find justification in his mind.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Altan flinched when he heard someone knocking on the door. He looked at the door in slight apprehension. ”Who… Who is it?”

”My Lord, the madame is looking for you. May I send her in?” Said the guard from outside.

Altan took a deep breath to compose himself. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and cleared his throat before instructing, ”Send her in.”

The door opened and Fern entered with a radiant smile. But soon her smile faltered when she noticed something strange with her husband. ”Altan, is… everything okay?”

Altan didn’t speak until the guard had shut the door and locked it from outside. Then, he weaved a few hand seals and cast Mind Whisper, mentally conversing with his wife.

’Fern, I think we might be in danger,’ he said solemnly.

”What?” Fern couldn’t help but begin to feel anxious. ”Why are you—” Her words got caught in her throat when she saw her husband put an index finger to his lips.

Understanding his intent, she too cast Mind Whisper and then continued, ’What has happened, Altan? Is everything alright?!’

Altan replied with a grave look on his face, ’Tell me something, when you showed our guests around the different private lounges upstairs, what were their expressions?’

Fern thought for a moment before answering, ’Magus Constantine appeared to be indifferent. However, that person with him… she seemed uncomfortable. Although, she did try to hide it.’

Altan’s eyes narrowed. ’Fern… would a person associated with the cult find themselves uncomfortable while witnessing such mild things? Especially considering the fact that the cult engages in acts even more vile and disturbing.’

Fern covered her mouth and her eyebrows creased together. ’Are you saying that Magus Constantine and that woman are lying about who they are?’

’Either they’re lying to us, or the cult has been lying to us all this time.’ Altan nodded, his expression turning dark and sinister.

He then looked at his wife and added, ’There’s only one way to find out. If it’s really as I think it is, then we’re in deep trouble.’

He paused for a moment before adding, ’We may need to activate our contingency plan if that is the case!’

Fern gasped in shock. Her body started trembling and she immediately assumed the worst. Altan approached her and hugged her. ’Don’t worry, I’ll make sure we’re fine. You just do as I say, alright?’

As he gently assured his wife, Fern’s eyes turned cold and malicious.

You have underestimated me… All of you!