《The Curse: Immortality》


 Prologue

    Death is reality...


    Death is our only ally, the one constant that ends our suffering. As it seems to be the end of our adored lives, it is despised and regarded as an inevitable and cruel part of our existence. But isdeathtruly the curse?


    Life is a war, a cruel journey adorned in such mesmerizing beauty that it entices even the coldest hearts. Meanwhile, death is the harsh, unvarnished truth that disturbs us, making no effort to appeal to anyone. The curse is neither life nor death; it is the absence of the delicate balance between the two. Destruction of this balance gives us eternal life. That is the true curse and the one I know better than anyone else.


    ***


    Death is what gives life meaning, the final chapter in our stories, marking the end of both joy and sorrow. Everything that has a beginning must have an end. I never feared death. And yet...Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Years, decades, and even centuries slipped through my fingers like grains of sand, and I eventually lost track of my own age. I am Alphonse, or perhaps that''s the only part I can remember. I alone remain untouched by death. I watch the world change around me. Cultures transform, and humanity evolves and marches on to conquer greater horizons. But amidst all this, one thing remains constant: I am a witness to death, time and time again.


    It has been a long time since I withdrew from society. The deaths of loved ones became unbearable, even for me, the relentless warrior who once triumphed in countless grand wars. None of my achievements bring me joy anymore. My parents'' deaths were not ones I witnessed with my own eyes. I was too young back then, perhaps not even a decade old. Throughout my life, everything I grew attached to followed a repeated cycle that I''m painfully familiar with; I find someone, get to know them, get to see them live their lives, good or bad, and eventually decay like everything else. Every ally, every enemy, every soldier under my command¡ªthose I called parents, and even those I dared to see as my own kin¡ªfaded into the same, cold reality: death.


    All I seek is an end to this unending journey. I have lived a long life, far too long¡ªhaunted by a curse I can no longer endure.

 Chapter 1: The Grand Wars

    The "Dual Moon" era, also known as the DM era, is the era of my birth. All I remember is the chaos caused by a relentless Grand War¡ªGrand War Two. Supposedly, it was also the era when all mages and their spells mysteriously disappeared. Few bodies of mages were found, including those of great ones who had played vital roles in the Second Grand War, mutilated and disfigured almost beyond recognition. A city named "Mages'' End" was created in Velrithia in their honor. In that city lies the tomb of the "Three Great Sages of Magic.


    Even during the era of magic, the curse of immortality was not considered a possibility by most mages, except for a few. Yet somehow, I was cursed during Grand War Two, which took place about five centuries after the first. "How?" Countless theories exist, but no real answers yet.


    "Am I the only immortal one, or...?"


    "Are any of the mages still alive?"


    "Why... how did they disappear in the first place?"


    To find answers, I studied the records of Grand Wars One and Two. Grand War One took place just before the dawn of Dual Moon. It was the age of blades and magic, and there were countless casualties. No man was prepared for a war of this scale. However, none of the records or tomes stated the reason for the war in the first place.


    "How does a war of this magnitude, involving almost all nations and tribes, not have a cause in any records?"


    For the past hundred years or so, I''ve been studying the historical records of the Grand Wars, mainly the first one. Though I was well acquainted with the second war, I still went through its records just in case I missed something. Amusingly, I knew more about the war than any records described¡ªperhaps because I was involved in it. Looking back, that was the first time I led a war of that magnitude; it was a thrilling experience. I was quite naive back then, almost like a child... or at least that''s how I perceive it. "I''m sure no one would call a general a ''child,''" I think to myself.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    At present, we''re in the era of the "Rising Sun," more specifically, 710 RS. Between the era of the Dual Moon and the Rising Sun, there was a period of great distress. For roughly a hundred years, people suffered from the losses of the most devastating Grand War. The war was practically a massacre. The men killed opposing soldiers¡ªand their people, innocent and evil alike. It was later named the "Black Century," the result of Grand War Twelve. Seeing all these wars, I always get this feeling of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, and I''m reminded yet again that I''m all alone here.


    I was strong enough to fight alone and emerge victorious among thousands upon thousands of enemies in that war, but it wasn''t the first time. It''s been a long time since I''ve fought alongside allies. When you cannot die, eventually you can grow stronger than the entirety of humanity. My training and discipline only accelerated the process. But the relentless training is in the past now. I am already stronger than the entire world. I can fight and win any war all by myself without even making a proper appearance. I will only get stronger, and the thought frightens me.


    I ended the last Grand War, the twelfth one. No one knows me in this era, and I want it to remain that way. I made it seem like a story that goes, "All soldiers died, and the final duel between the remaining two soldiers of opposing sides ended in a draw, killing both of them." In reality, I was the one who put an end to both sides.


    After gathering all the information I could find about the war, including what I already knew, I seem to have made a shocking discovery. All military strategies of Grand War One and Grand War Two, more specifically their "Operational Plan" maps, indicate that the war took place near Mount Tyro¡ªthe mountain uncharted by mankind. Interestingly enough, Mount Tyro was where the bodies of the three great mages were found. They were discovered in the foothills of the mountain, and the rest of Tyro remains untouched by the human eye. The mountain is always surrounded by a dark cloud. According to legend, the closer you get to the mountain, the harsher the never-ending storm becomes. Seemingly, a few had to lose their lives to make that discovery.


    The mountain''s steep nature and never-ending storm caused people to consider it a bad omen, and hence no one dared to venture close. If anything, that gives me hope.


    "Perhaps if I explored there..." The thought was firm, and I had made up my mind. "If that''s the only clue I could find after a hundred years of searching, what do I have to lose?"


    Tomorrow, at the break of dawn, I''ll head for Mount Tyro. Perhaps I''ll find some answers there.

 Chapter 2: The Massacre

    It¡¯s the break of dawn. The sun has started to rise. It¡¯s the fourth day of January, the first month of the year. The Rising Sun calendar uses a 12-month structure, unlike the Dual Moon era, which relied on the patterns of the two moons to track the passage of time.


    During the Dual Moon era, the moons¡¯ magical reserves were tapped extensively. However, following the Twelfth Grand War¡ªjust before the Black Century¡ªthe second moon shattered. Its magical reserves destabilized after the abrupt cessation of magical usage. Centuries later, those reserves fully collapsed, leaving nothing of the celestial body behind.


    Or at least, that¡¯s the story everyone believes. The real reason for the moon¡¯s disappearance is unknown. It remains one of the greatest mysteries, alongside the vanishing of the mages.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost six o¡¯clock. I should get ready.¡±


    I rise from the single bed. It¡¯s not the most comfortable, but it¡¯s good enough for rest. The room is small but has all the essentials: an office table by the bed, a bathroom, and a compact kitchen. It¡¯s far better than most places I¡¯ve spent the night.


    This is one of the cheapest inns I could find. Just two bronze coins per night. I could easily afford better accommodations, but that would draw attention¡ªsomething I can¡¯t afford.


    ¡°I should take a bath before leaving¡­¡±


    ***


    The table before me is a chaotic mess of tomes and records I borrowed from the library.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    ¡°I have to return these, too,¡± I mutter with an internal sigh.


    I slip on my tattered black robes and pick up my trusty spear. Wrapping the books in cloth, I prepare to head out. As I descend the stairs and approach the exit, the innkeeper calls after me.


    ¡°Thank you for staying with us! Safe travels!¡±


    I return the books and make my way toward the city gate.


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    The gate is surrounded by guards, their spears ready for combat. Why would so many soldiers be posted here?


    ¡°Hey, you! Stop right there!¡±


    One of the soldiers yells, pointing his spear in my direction.


    ¡°You cannot leave the city!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I ask, keeping my voice calm.


    ¡°What, you don¡¯t know about the mass murder at Velrithia Academia?!¡± the soldier replies, his voice tinged with suspicion. Then his eyes narrow. ¡°Wait¡­ tattered black robes, a spear¡­ You¡¯re the killer, aren¡¯t you?!¡±


    Well, that escalated quickly.


    Velrithia Academia? A massacre? Velrithia recently rejected Kaelvaron¡¯s request for financial aid for its academia due to Velrithia¡¯s poor finances. If this incident leads people to blame ¡°Kaelvaron assassins,¡± it could easily spark a war.


    ¡°What are you waiting for? Arrest him!¡± the commander barks.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be a smart move,¡± I warn, my grip tightening on my spear. ¡°Don¡¯t do something you¡¯ll regret.¡±


    ¡°A-Are you trying to command me, the commander of the guards of Mages¡¯ End?!¡± he shouts, his bravado cracking. ¡°G-Guards! Arrest him! Show no mercy if he resists!¡±


    I don¡¯t have time for this. I need to uncover the truth behind this massacre before things spiral out of control.


    ¡°If you¡¯re going to attack, hurry up. I don¡¯t have all day.¡±


    The guards hesitate before a few lunge forward, spears aimed at me.


    Well, I warned them.


    With a series of swift strikes, I sever their spearheads, leaving them holding little more than wooden staves. Before they can react, I toss a smoke bomb, obscuring their vision.


    By the time they recover, I¡¯m gone.


    ¡°Now then¡­¡± I think to myself, blending into the shadows. ¡°Time to get to the bottom of this.¡±

 Chapter 3: The Blood Demon

    Velrithia Academia, once a beacon of knowledge and order, now stood as a haunting monument to loss and betrayal. Its pristine halls, once filled with the eager footsteps of students and the quiet hum of research, were tainted by distrust and grief. Crimson barrier ribbons stretched across the entrance, a stark warning to all. A sign, cold and impersonal, lay on the floor: NO ENTRY.


    Ignoring the warnings, I approached the academia. What was once a vibrant hub of scholars, brimming with the energy of students and professors, now resembled a forsaken ruin. The empty halls whispered of tragedy, their silence oppressive.


    ¡°Hey, you! Stop right there!¡± a voice yelled behind me.


    I turned slowly, sighing as yet another obstacle seemed to materialize out of nowhere.


    ¡°This is a crime scene, unauthorized personnel aren¡¯t allowed in here! Didn¡¯t you see the sign outside?!¡± The lady yelled, her hands tucked in her pockets. Her scarlet hair tumbled down her back like a river of flames, fiery and unkempt. Her azure eyes stood in stark contrast to her simple, inexpensive coat and the worn woolen trousers. A pair of clothes selected purely for their practical value, reflecting her lack of care about her appearance or the impression she might leave on others. She was escorted by two of men who seemed to be her assistants. They wore thick winter clothes, sensible in the freezing weather. Unlikeme, who stubbornly wore the same summer-style clothing through almost all seasons.


    With a sarcastic tilt of her head, she turned to one of her assistants. ¡°This is why I told you to make the signs bigger. Some people just refuse to read anything smaller than a headline!¡±


    The assistant bowed apologetically, his posture shrinking under her glare as he hesitantly responded, ¡°B-But ma¡¯am, the entrance was sealed off with caution ribbons¡­¡±


    She stepped forward, her irritation becoming more evident as she continued, her voice rising. ¡°How did you even get past the barrier? You¡¯re not supposed to be here!¡±


    ¡°What makes you think I¡¯m not authorized to be here? Is it the way I¡¯m dressed?¡± I asked, keeping my tone neutral. However, even I¡¯d question why someone who looks like a beggar from Velrithia¡¯s north sewers would be present in a crime scene.


    She raised an eyebrow, taking in my tattered robes.


    ¡°Wait¡­ Are you¡­?¡± Her demeanor shifted, thinking I was an investigator, but before she could finish, I cut her off.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡±


    Her expression hardened. ¡°This is why I hate men¡­¡± The lady muttered under her breath, and then proceeded to yell at me again ¡°Will you tell me your name already, or should I just call you moron?!¡±


    What do ¡°men¡± have to do anything with all this?


    ¡°Nice to meet you, I¡¯m moron. May I know who I¡¯m being interrogated by now?¡±Stolen story; please report.


    She looked clearly dissatisfied at my heartfelt answer.


    ¡°I¡¯m Detective Lisa,¡± she said, answering with a forced smile that barely masked her anger. I almost felt sorry for her. ¡°Now, will you please state your purpose for being here?¡±


    She seemed as if a volcano was ready to erupt at any moment. Perhaps it would be better to cooperate if I wanted to participate in the investigation.


    ¡°I am Alphonse,¡± I said, extending a hand. ¡°I want to help with the case.¡±


    ¡°Wha¡ªhow am I supposed to trust you? You¡¯re not even authorized to be here! Why would you want to help to begin with?!¡±


    Why is this lady so obsessed with the word ¡°authorized¡±?


    I really didn¡¯t want to do this.I think to myself with an internal sigh.


    ¡°This academia¡­ used to be the center of knowledge for everyone in Velrithia¡­ Even if it costs me my life, I wish to find those responsible. Perhaps that way I could repay my debt to this country for all it has done for me¡­ I guarantee you I won¡¯t be a burden. Please give me a chance¡­ I¡¯m begging you¡­¡±


    How pure¡­ even though they were nothing but blatant lies. Still, this seemed like the best approach to convincing Ms.Detective to let me help. Though, I¡¯m sure not everyone would be swayed so easily¡ª


    ¡°I see¡­ I¡¯m so sorry to have misunderstood you, Mr. Alphonse. You seem to be a wonderful and honest gentleman.¡± The lady says, completely convinced. Her eyes gleaming with kindness and a sense of camaraderie


    Never mind.


    ¡°Fine... I¡¯m willing to give you a chance, but you must not interfere with the case or touch anything that could be potential evidence.¡± Lisa said, her eyes filled with kindness.


    ¡°I understand, I¡¯m eternally grateful, Detective Lisa.¡± I said, silently wondering if I¡¯d overdone it.


    ***


    Lisa led the way through dimly lit corridors, their once-brilliant murals now obscured by grime. The echoes of our steps seemed deafening in the oppressive silence, and then we turned a corner¡ªinto a nightmare.


    ¡°Why... Who could be cruel enough...?¡± It was clear Lisa wasn¡¯t used to blood.


    The room was filled with mutilated corpses of students and professors alike, covered in splatters of blood. It was not a pretty sight to behold.


    I knelt down to check the bodies as I seemed to catch something out of the corner of my eye.


    ¡°Detective, take a look,¡± Their left hands seemed to have a complex logo carved into the flesh. ¡°Does this look familiar?¡± I ask the detective.


    The detective¡¯s eyes widened with horror as she observed the intricate carvings on the flesh.


    ¡°This is¡­ the Bloodlust Cult¡¯s signature,¡± Lisa whispered, her voice trembling as if she were uttering a cursed name. Her gloved fingers hovered over the intricate carvings etched into the blood-stained wall. The symbols pulsated with a faint, eerie glow, as though they were alive and feeding on the air around them.


    ¡°They¡¯re not just a criminal organization,¡± she continued, her tone low, almost reverent in its fear. ¡°The Bloodlust Cult worships the Demon of Blood¡ªa being of pure malice and chaos, the creature who tamed hell itself. They wipe out entire communities for reasons unknown by anyone. Men, women, children¡­ none are spared.¡±


    She paused, her hand trembling as it lingered over the carvings. ¡°But this¡­¡± Her voice cracked, and she took a step back. ¡°The last time I saw this mark, it was carved onto my father¡¯s body¡ªten years ago. He was¡­ one of their sacrifices.¡±


    The air grew heavy, oppressive, as if the very mention of the Demon of Blood had summoned its presence. A faint metallic tang filled my nostrils, and I glanced at Lisa. Her face was pale, her confidence from before now replaced with a haunted expression.


    ¡°And you think they¡¯re responsible for this massacre?¡± I asked, already knowing the answer.


    Lisa nodded, her eyes narrowing. ¡°They must be. The precision, the cruelty¡­ it¡¯s their calling card. But this time¡­¡± She hesitated, her gaze flicking toward me as if weighing whether to continue. ¡°There are whispers that the Blood Demon itself has awakened¡­¡±

 Chapter 4: Fear

    "But this time... There are whispers the Blood Demon itself has awakened..." Lisa muttered. The two assistants stared at disbelief and fear.


    "The Blood Demon...?" Alphonse asked, feigning ignorance.


    Lisa''s gaze sharpened. "Yes. The Blood Demon¡ªthe creature that was slain five hundred years ago has awakened."


    "And how can you be so certain?" He pressed. "What if it''s just the Bloodlust Cult... or perhaps Kaelvaron''s assassins?"


    Lisa paused for a moment, considering the possibility, then shook her head.


    "Human imperfection is easy to recognize, especially when you''ve been in this line of work for as long as I have. But this... Every mark is identical. The exact same placement. The exact same alignment. This isn''t the work of mere humans from the Bloodlust Cult, and definitely not assassins." Lisa explained, her voice trembling.


    She took a steadying breath before finally speaking again.


    "¡­Alphonse, I need to report this to the¡ª"


    She turned¡ª


    He was gone.


    Lisa¡¯s stomach dropped. "Where did he¡­? You two, did you see him leave?! Why didn¡¯t you tell me?!"


    "L-Leave?! He was right here a moment ago!" one of the guards stammered, equally stunned.


    ***


    "Seems like Kaelvaron won''t be blamed for this. Hopefully there won''t be any wars..." I muttered.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    The spire of the Academy, on the bell tower, served as a vantage point. I could see most of Velrithia from here. The academy is a ten-story structure. The tower also added to the height. The breeze was pleasant too¡­ almost nostalgic¡­


    More importantly, Mount Tyro was clearly visible, despite being about fifty kilometers away. The dark clouds and occasional flash of thunders on top of the mountain were a stark reminder of why this mountain was considered to be a "bad omen".


    "Regardless of the tight security, I should be able to sneak out of the city." I thought, not wanting to waste any more time. "Will I really find something here¡­?"


    As I approached the city gate, I was a little surprised,


    "What happened to the guards?"


    The gate, once bristling with guards tasked with ensuring no soul could escape, now stood desolate. Their absence was not a relief but a harbinger¡­ The air hung heavy, thick with the scent of iron and something far older, far more sinister.


    An eerie roar echoed from the heavens¡ªa deafening bellow that rippled through the air, rattling the very bones of the earth.


    The sky was smothered in thick, swirling clouds, their usual gray now drowned in a deep, unnatural crimson. The air felt dense, charged with something indescribable. A faint, eerie glow pulsed through the haze, casting long, wavering shadows over the land.


    Then, for the first time in years, I felt it¡ªfear.


    The moon, an unpleasant red, stretched across the sky, covering all but the slivers of the horizon.


    "The moon?! But it''s daytime! The sun is still¡ª"


    It''s gone.


    The sun, the steady anchor of day and night, had vanished without a trace. Only the faint, bloody light of the sky remained, casting long, twisted shadows across the ground. The moon hung lower now, its surface more defined, more menacing. It felt like it was descending¡ªslowly but surely¡ªdrawn to the earth by some unseen force.


    "¡­!"


    The moon was getting closer, clearer, darker, and all I could do was stare in disbelief.


    A nervous chuckle escaped my lips. "You''ve got to be kidding¡­"


    Was I afraid of death? No¡­ But every inch of my soul trembled with fear¡ªthe fear of witnessing whatever was happening. It was as if I had seen this exact scene play out before...


    Tears filled my eyes as I stood still, petrified. I found myself begging for death once again¡ªthis time, not for freedom or escape, but out of fear of witnessing what comes next. A feeling so familiar, yet distant. I did not know what was about to happen, but I was certain I did not want to.


    I shut my eyes, as if that alone could make everything disappear.


    Darkness swallowed my consciousness.

 Chapter 5: Unnamed Memory

    "Where am I...?"


    ...


    Silence. Darkness.


    I''m afraid...


    Of what...?


    The void surrounding me slowly faded, replaced by a warmth I had long forgotten. My vision blurred¡ªI could neither see nor comprehend what lay before me. Yet, for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I felt safe.


    "Your name will be... #!%#^# Alphonse..."


    A voice, soothing yet distant, echoed through my mind, like the chime of a bell¡ªfaint, nostalgic.


    But something was wrong.


    A strange unease coiled around my thoughts.


    "What was my first name...?"


    "Say that again..." I murmured, reaching forward.


    My hands¡ªsmall, soft, unfamiliar.


    An infant''s hands.


    "Where am I...?" I pondered once more, but the question no longer mattered. A deep sense of serenity washed over me. I wanted to stay here forever...


    My eyes drifted shut. For the first time in a very long time¡ª


    I could rest.


    ...


    The peace was short-lived, my eyes snapped open.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    I was no longer cradled in warmth.


    My vision was clear,


    Before me stretched an open meadow¡ªendless fields of grass swaying under an unseen wind. My hands were normal again. My body had returned to its originally state. But something was wrong...


    "Where am I...?"


    Then, I looked up.


    And my breath caught in my throat.


    The sky bled crimson, once again. The moon descended even closer. An ominous sound shook the ground as the moon approached. My eyes were wide with fear, once again witnessing the sight I could only hope to be just a nightmare.


    I squeezed my eyes shut, once again, willing it all away.


    ...


    Silence.


    The sound had stopped.


    Slowly, I opened my eyes.


    The sky remained an eerie red, but the moon had halted its descent.


    "...Alphonse..."


    My body jolted in surprise as I instinctively tried to turn around¡ª


    "Face your fears, Alphonse."


    The voice echoed once more, this time, a firm command. It was a familiar voice, one I''d heard not too long ago. As I turned around, I found no one.


    "...Face your fears..."


    The words reverberated within me.


    "Relax, Alphonse. Calm yourself..."


    I exhaled shakily, my body unwilling to obey. But something within me urged me forward.


    "You do not need to fear... Raise your hand..."


    I hesitated. Then, slowly, I lifted my right arm, the palm of my hand facing the moon.


    The moment I did, the moon inched forward once more, its presence crushing, suffocating.


    Panic settled in my heart.


    "Alphonse... Calm yourself..." the voice urged once more. "Close your eyes... Focus... You alone command yourself¡ªdo not let your fears rule you."


    I took a slow breath.


    And obeyed.


    Forcing the fear from my mind, I envisioned something¡ªanything¡ªother than this nightmare.


    Then¡ª


    I felt a pulse, as if something had awakened within me. And suddenly¡ª


    A sound¡ªloud, and thunderous.


    I opened my eyes.


    My hand was glowing.


    The sky remained unchanged, but the fear, the helplessness, was gone.


    I took a step forward. Then another.


    The light grew brighter, wrapping around me, swallowing everything in its radiance.


    And for the first time¡ª


    I closed my eyes, not out of fear¡ª


    But out of authority, as the world bent to my will.


    ***


    I was once again surrounded by darkness. But this time, I wasn''t scared...


    The silence was calming, and the darkness was peaceful. It was over. And then I heard it once again¡ª


    "You will be the brightest star in the sky... one that will guide us to a new dawn..."


    The familiar voice resonated, stronger now, yet still gentle, as if it had always been there, waiting. It enveloped me like the embrace of a lost memory, too precious to forget.


    "My son..."