Chapter 5: The Memory Vault
There were no windows in the eastern wing of the Valtore estate.
No doors, no guards, no maps that acknowledged its existence. The place was a myth whispered among servants and feared by heirs. They called it the Hollow Wing — the place where memories went to rot.
Lucien knew better.
It was a vault.
Not for treasure.
But for truth.
---
He stood before a solid wall of blackstone, fingers tracing a symbol carved centuries ago — a single eye, split down the middle.
A trigger only he could see.
Click.
The stone shimmered, then receded like melting wax, revealing a narrow staircase that descended into darkness far colder than any cave.
Lucien entered.
---
The Vault
The walls were lined with memory crystals — glowing spheres that pulsed with faint light. Each contained a scene, a secret, a truth carved from the minds of the dead or dying. The Valtore family had collected them for generations. Blackmail, confessions, betrayals, war strategies, forbidden spells… all locked away.
Lucien walked past rows of labeled cases:
Confession: General Solis – Betrayal of the Flame Accord
Assassination Plan: Emperor Kael – Failed Due to Decoy
Secret Organization: "Eclipse Fang" – Identity Leaks
He stopped before one labeled in blood-red ink:
> "The Pact of Seven – Memory Fragment (Redacted by Order 0)"
Lucien's pupils constricted.
Order 0 was the highest level of suppression in the world — invoked only by those at the top of the World Table, a shadow organization of the seven empires' true rulers.
Even most emperors didn't know Order 0 existed.
But Lucien did.
He placed his hand on the crystal.
The surface fought him, resisting intrusion with ancient mental locks. Most would be cast into a coma just trying.
But Lucien's mind was not like others.
He remembered everything — including mental formulas and bypass sequences buried in forbidden texts.
He cracked the lock.
---
The Memory: Fragmented, Chaotic
Seven voices in the dark.
Seven masks.
Seven thrones circling a massive mirror filled with golden threads — the same mirror in the Valtore Crypt.
> "The Threadkeeper has found a successor." "Kill the boy before he remembers." "No… observe him. If he passes the trials, he may replace us." "And if he doesn't?" "Then we erase him."
Lucien's breath slowed.
Threadkeeper.
That was what the mirror had called him.
So this… this was the game behind the world.
A secret council. A hidden system. A mantle passed from one "heir" to the next — all without the public ever knowing.
He pulled his hand away, eyes wide, but not with fear.
With direction.
Now he knew what he was destined to inherit.
Not a noble house.
Not an empire.
But the entire backstage of reality itself.
---
As he left the Vault, he muttered under his breath:
"They wanted to test me…"
He smiled.
"Let the test begin."