The sun rose crimson over Pritampur, casting a blood-red hue upon the sacred plaza outside the Flame Temple. Thousands had gathered to witness the purification ceremony of Crown Prince Aarav—an event rarely seen, and one meant only for the most dishonored or suspected heretics.
Aarav stood stiffly before the temple steps, robed in white. His once-bright eyes looked dull and heavy with shadows, as if a thousand sleepless nights had collapsed upon him. The haunting dream from the past few nights—laughing flames, a whispering voice, and mocking crowds—still echoed in his soul.
Behind the veil of the crowd, hidden within layers of illusion and stealth arrays, Priyanshu watched everything unfold.
He didn't need to speak a word. Everything was already in motion.
[Quest Update: Break the Hero's Mind – Final Stage]Objective: Witness public disgrace of the target.Bonus: Prevent target's death and allow suffering to continue.
The Grand Flame Priest stepped forth and announced, "Today, before the Flame of the Ancients, Crown Prince Aarav shall prove the purity of his soul. Should he be true, the flame shall embrace him. If he bears corruption… it will devour him."
Aarav hesitated.
Whispers spread.
"He fears the flame."
"Why won't he move?"
"Has he lost faith?"
Even his own royal guards exchanged glances. Doubt was contagious.
Finally, Aarav forced a weak smile and stepped into the flame.
It didn't burn him.
But it didn't embrace him either.
The fire rippled, darkened, turned cold for a moment—and the crowd gasped.
"What is that?"
"Black flame? What does it mean?!"
"No… no… NO!" Aarav shouted. "I'm not corrupted! I'm not a monster!"
The flame surged.
Then it laughed.
An eerie, hollow laugh filled the temple—one only Aarav could hear.
"I told you… puppet," the voice hissed.
He fell to his knees inside the flame. Though it didn't burn his flesh, it scorched his soul. Guilt, shame, betrayal—everything Priyanshu had implanted through dreams now exploded.
The crowd stared in confused horror.
The High Priest raised his staff. "The Flame does not burn the flesh… but it rejects him. He must be purified in seclusion."
Aarav was dragged out—howling not from pain, but from madness.
Back at the palace, Priyanshu stood before a hidden mirror embedded with soul jade.
The mirror showed Aarav's broken figure.
"Pitiful," Priyanshu said coldly. "But useful."
[Reward Acquired: Shadow Domain Core Fragment (2/10)]Bad Karma +200Righteous Aura Disguise upgraded.
Lilya appeared behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Is it bad that watching him fall made me feel… excited?"
Priyanshu smirked. "Not bad. Just human. And we're playing gods now."
She giggled. "So, what's next?"
"Next?" he said, eyes gleaming. "We take the church."