"Phantom Rebirth: The Last White Raven’s Path to the Ultimate Assassin"

Chapter 266: Reflection in the Silence of the Castle

Seraphis stepped away from the forge, her boots clicking on the stone floor with each determined stride. The weight of the conversation with the Bladesmith still lingered on her mind. The legends of the ancient blacksmiths, the possibility of elemental swords, and the phantom woman whose legacy was lost to time—it all filled her thoughts like a whirlwind, stirring her with a sense of purpose.

As she walked through the workshop, the sharp clang of the forge’s hammer faded into the background, replaced by a deeper silence that seemed to grow with each step she took. She passed the rows of gleaming weapons—each a piece of her own work, forged from fire and determination—but her gaze was distant. There was more to be learned, more to uncover, and she couldn’t help but feel that the road ahead was far more complicated than she’d imagined.

Without a word, she exited the forge and made her way down the familiar stone path leading to her castle. Her footsteps quickened as the thought of the playing cards—her only remaining connection to her old life—kept resurfacing in her mind. They had always been with her since her rebirth, a gift from the old man who had raised her, a link to the past she couldn’t quite let go of. She had relied on them in moments of solitude, and they had always been more than just tools of battle. They were something... deeper. And today, she felt it was time to have a long conversation with them.

As she reached the entrance of her grand castle, the heavy wooden doors creaked open, revealing the silent, echoing halls inside. The castle, while filled with opulence and history, often felt lonely—a place that had witnessed many victories but also held her quiet solitude. The long, dimly lit corridors seemed endless, and the high ceilings carried the weight of ages.

Seraphis climbed the spiraling staircase to her office, a room set high in the castle with large windows that overlooked the vast expanse of the land below. The dark wood of the walls contrasted with the gold accents, and the shelves were lined with ancient tomes, scrolls, and artifacts she had collected over her travels. The air here was always thick with the smell of old leather, ink, and parchment—things that spoke of knowledge and secrets. She felt at home here, among the books and relics, even though her heart longed for more.

Once inside, she shut the door behind her and walked toward her desk. It was simple in design, yet it held her most precious possessions—the things she couldn’t bear to leave behind. Her fingers brushed across the surface as she looked out the window, her mind still clouded by the Bladesmith’s words. The conversation about the legendary blacksmiths, the potential for elemental blades, and the mystery surrounding the forgotten woman—it all tugged at her soul, urging her forward.

But before she could make another move, her eyes fell upon the familiar box on the desk. It was unassuming, worn with age, but inside it lay the playing cards—the sharp metal cards that had been with her since she had been reborn. These cards were her companions, her silent guides in moments of doubt. They had served her in battle, but they were also much more than mere weapons.

Seraphis reached out and opened the box slowly, her fingers grazing the edges of the cold, smooth metal. The cards, perfectly aligned inside, shimmered faintly in the dim light. As she lifted them, she felt their weight, their presence. The cards hummed in her hands, as though they recognized the significance of the moment.

“Today,” she murmured softly, “we need to talk.”

Without hesitating, she set the cards on the table before her. As they lay there, they seemed almost alive, their presence more palpable than any mere inanimate object. She had always known the cards were special, but today, she could sense that they had a wisdom far beyond her own. They had been with her since the beginning, through every battle and trial, and now, after the conversation with the Bladesmith, she felt the need to understand them in ways she hadn’t before.

"Cards," Seraphis whispered, her voice carrying through the quiet room. "You’ve been with me through so much. But what have you learned about me, about the world, about the legends that seem to call to us?"

At her words, the cards began to stir. They didn’t move on their own, but somehow they seemed to shift slightly, as though acknowledging her question. The air around them grew heavier, and the soft hum they emitted vibrated in the room. Then, one of the cards—shaped like a spade—took on a faint glow.

She stared at the card, waiting. The cards never answered directly, but they always spoke in a language of their own, one that Seraphis had learned to understand over time. As if responding to her call, the spade card seemed to hover slightly above the table before it began to speak.

“I have learned much since we began this journey together, Seraphis,” a voice echoed in her mind, smooth and melodic, like the sound of wind flowing through a canyon. “I have seen the weight of your past, the fire of your spirit, and the hunger for knowledge in your heart. But there is more within you that you have yet to understand.”

Seraphis’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?” she asked softly, leaning closer to the card.

“Your journey is not simply one of strength,” the card continued, its voice almost whispering now, as though it was imparting something sacred. “You are not just a blacksmith or a warrior. You are a bridge between worlds, a link between the old and the new, between what was and what will be. The legends you seek, the stories of ancient blacksmiths—they are more than mere tales. They are the echoes of the past, and they will guide you to your true purpose.”

Seraphis exhaled slowly, processing the words. She had always felt that there was something more to her existence than just crafting weapons or proving her skill in battle. But this... this was something deeper, something far greater than she had imagined.

“And what is my true purpose?” she whispered, almost afraid to ask.

The card remained silent for a moment, and Seraphis felt a strange weight in her chest. She wasn’t sure what she had expected, but this silence—it wasn’t the usual silence of uncertainty. It felt more like the calm before a storm, the stillness before an answer that would change everything.

Finally, another voice broke the silence. It came from the card shaped like a diamond—sharp and precise. It spoke in a tone that was not as soft, but just as important.

“Your true purpose is to forge,” it began, its voice a low rumble, “but not just any forge. You will create weapons and tools that can shape the very fabric of this world. Weapons of power and influence. You will be the one to forge the bridge between the realms—those of the gods and of men. You will create not just for the sake of craftsmanship, but to fulfill a greater destiny.”

The words echoed in the air, and Seraphis stood still, her eyes focused on the card. It felt as though the room itself had shifted, as if the walls had faded and the ground beneath her feet had become uncertain.

“For what reason?” she asked, barely daring to breathe.

The card spoke again, this time with a stronger voice, one that resonated deeply within her.

“For the balance,” it said simply. “There is a power, a force that is out of balance in this world. You will bring that balance. But first, you must understand what it means to create beyond yourself. You must understand the true weight of your craft.”

The words struck her like a blow. The true weight of her craft—what did that mean? She had always known the power of creation, the ability to shape metal, to craft weapons that could change the course of battle. But this was different. This was a weight that transcended anything she had ever known.

“But how?” she asked, her voice thick with confusion and awe. “How can I understand that weight?”

The card shifted once more, and this time it was the heart-shaped card that responded. Its voice was softer, gentler, like a comforting breeze that soothed the mind.

“You must learn from the past,” it advised. “The stories you seek—about the gods, the blacksmiths, the weapons—they are not just history. They are lessons. The key to understanding your true purpose lies in the way you approach your craft. It’s not about forging the strongest sword or the most beautiful shield. It’s about understanding the essence of creation, the soul of the metal, the very core of what it means to make something that endures.”

Seraphis nodded slowly, absorbing the wisdom of the cards. It was becoming clear to her now—she was not merely a blacksmith. She was a conduit, a creator of something far beyond mere weapons. She was the bridge between realms, the one who could bring balance to a world that desperately needed it.

She picked up the final card, the one shaped like a club, and held it in her hand. It was cold, but in her grip, it seemed to pulse with life, as though it was alive with untold stories.

“The journey ahead will not be easy,” the club card warned, its voice strong and steady. “You will face trials, and there will be moments when you will question everything. But remember this: you are not alone. We are with you. Your journey is our journey. And together, we will forge the path that leads to the balance this world so desperately needs.”

Seraphis stared at the card, her heart heavy with the weight of the revelation. She was not just a blacksmith. She was something greater, something far more important than she had ever imagined. And this journey—her journey—was only just beginning.