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Chapter 100: Welcome to the Family
Chapter 100: Welcome to the Family
The air inside the fortress was thick with an unspoken energy, as if the very walls held secrets waiting to be uncovered. The grand tour had already left Theia stunned, but Seraphis wasn't finished yet.
"Alright, everyone, follow me," Seraphis said, her tone filled with a quiet authority. "I’ll show you one more cool place."
The twins perked up immediately, exchanging eager glances. Theia, still absorbing everything she'd seen, crossed her arms and followed with curiosity.
Seraphis led them down a dimly lit hallway, the torches casting flickering shadows against the stone walls. The air grew cooler, and the ground beneath them shifted slightly as if descending deeper into the mountain. Theia remained silent, her trained eyes noting every detail—the narrow passage, the faint hum of magic lingering in the walls, the smoothness of the stone beneath her boots.
After a few minutes, they reached a pair of massive iron doors. Seraphis placed her hand on the center, and with a low rumbling sound, the doors swung open effortlessly.
What lay beyond left Theia speechless.
The Central Command
A vast chamber stretched before them, its ceiling arched high above like the halls of a royal palace. The floor was made of polished obsidian, reflecting the dim light of the chandeliers hanging from above.
At the center of the room stood a long, grand table, large enough to seat a war council. The chairs surrounding it were carved from dark wood, each adorned with intricate engravings of ravens in flight.
Against the far wall, a massive map of the entire continent was spread out, marked with symbols and notes that Theia didn’t yet understand.
"This…" Theia trailed off, scanning the room. "This looks like the central command of a kingdom."
Seraphis smirked. "I like to call it Central Command. It’s where I strategize, plan, and oversee everything."
Theia stepped forward, running her fingers along the detailed markings on the map. "This is an incredibly accurate representation of the continent," she said, impressed. Then, she raised a brow. "Why only the continent? Why not map out the entire world?"
Seraphis shrugged. "I don’t plan on venturing across the whole world just yet," she replied. "For now, the continent will do fine."
Theia nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly turned to Seraphis with a serious expression.
"You know what?" she said, her voice measured. "I have a question for you three. Well, mostly for you."
Seraphis tilted her head. "Shoot."
Theia hesitated for a moment, then exhaled. "I know this might be a bit weird… I mean, we just met, but…" She crossed her arms, then finally asked, "Can I live here?"
Seraphis and the twins blinked.
"This place is damn good," Theia continued. "Better than my place. And, honestly? I have to pay rent. This would be a massive upgrade."
Seraphis smirked. "I can do you even better," she said, stepping closer. "How about you join the family?"
Theia narrowed her eyes. "Why do you want me to join?"
Seraphis placed her hands on the table. "Not right now, but in the near future, I plan on creating my own Guild—one that operates outside the constraints of the Assassin’s Guild." Her gaze sharpened. "And I need a foundation. You’d be the perfect one."
Theia chuckled. "And what’s in it for me?"
Seraphis smiled knowingly. "Plenty of things," she said. "For starters, I may not be a master craftsman, but I’m damn good at making weapons. And from what I can tell…" She gestured at Theia’s daggers. "You didn’t forge those yourself, did you?"
Theia hesitated.
"Exactly," Seraphis continued. "I can make you blades. Custom weapons suited to you."
Theia pursed her lips, considering.
"And then," Seraphis added, "there’s the uniform."
She gestured to the black and red outfits she and the twins wore. Theia studied them for a moment before nodding approvingly. "Not gonna lie, they look good. Better than what I’m wearing."
"And they’re not just for show," Seraphis said. "They’re enhanced—self-repairing, reinforced, magically durable."
Theia raised a brow. "Alright, sounds tempting. But what’s the catch?"
Seraphis’s expression darkened slightly. "There is one," she admitted. "Once you accept, you will be magically bound. You can quit, you can retire, but you can never betray the family."
Theia felt a chill run down her spine.
"I’m sure you’ve heard what happens to traitors," Seraphis added, her voice low.
Theia shivered.
Despite being a legendary assassin, there was something about Seraphis that sent a deep, primal fear through her.
After a long moment, she sighed. "Fine."
Seraphis smirked. She pulled a dagger from her belt, the blade glinting under the dim light.
"If you want to join the family," she said, "you must drink my blood."
Theia blinked. "What?"
Seraphis sliced her palm, letting her blood drip into a small metal cup on the table.
"You’re not a vampire, are you?" Theia joked.
Seraphis chuckled. "No. But you’ll find out what we are soon enough."
Theia hesitated, staring at the cup. Then, with a sigh, she grabbed it and downed the blood in one swift motion.
Instantly, heat spread through her entire body.
A strange energy surged in her veins, her vision flickered, and suddenly—a wave of memories crashed into her mind.
A Vision of the Ravens
Theia saw everything.
The truth of what Seraphis and the twins really were.
They were not just assassins.
They were Ravens.
And Seraphis was the White Raven—the mother of them all.
Theia watched, helpless, as visions of the past played before her eyes—ancient battles, hidden knowledge, and a power unlike anything she had ever known.
Then—darkness.
Awakening
Hours later, Theia jolted awake.
Her heart raced, her hands trembling slightly. "What the hell did I just see?"
Seraphis stood nearby, arms crossed. "You saw the truth."
Theia swallowed. "You’re not human. You’re not elves. You’re Ravens."
Seraphis nodded. "And now, so are you."
Theia stared at her own hands. "Does that mean…?"
Seraphis smiled. "Yes," she said. "You can turn into one too."
She reached into a dimensional bag and pulled out a black uniform with red accents. A matching black mask rested on top.
She handed it to Theia.
"Welcome to the family."
Theia slowly put it on, feeling the weight of her new reality.
She glanced down at the red accents. "What’s with the red?"
Seraphis smirked. "You have an affinity for fire," she said. "So I thought it suited you. And when you transform… your raven form will have a red feather. Maybe two. Depends."
Theia clenched her fists.
She was no longer just an assassin.
She was something more.