White lotus flags fluttered above the fortress of the Seven Gates, their idea purity mocking the rot beneath them it was slowly spreading. The towers of justice stood tall, flawless in light .yet somewhere deep inside, a sound,
A cry was echoed then it died against the white stone walls, swallowed before it could reach the outer courtyards.
Far below the halls of law and judgment, in a prison meant for criminals and creatures deemed unworthy of mercy, a demon hung in chains.
Astromius.
Silver restraints bound his wrists and ankles, etched with runes meant to weaken divine and infernal blood alike he looked tired and beaten. The metal burned where it touched his skin. His body sagged forward, head lowered, blood slipping slowly from the corner of his mouth and staining the stone floor beneath him.
The air was unkind and Cold. Time had no meaning here.
A soldier of seven gates ,he looked more like a minion than a soldier he stepped forward and grabbed Astromius by the hair, forcing his head up.
"Where is Kalies?" the man shouted striking his face hard enough to snap his head to the side. "What is he planning?"
Astromius face looked at him with confident and in tiredness.
Yet he choose to laugh at his face.
It was quiet. Broken. Filled with pain—but unmistakably mocking.
The guard struck him again and again
Astromius spat blood onto the floor his lungs was soaked in blood and he smiled through trembling breath.
Footsteps approached.
Every guard in the chamber stiffened.
Dian entered the prison without haste, his white robes immaculate, his expression calm—almost bored. He raised a single hand, showing the guards to step back and the guards immediately stepped back, lowering their heads.
Dian dragged an iron chair across the stone floor, the sound sharp, powerful and deliberate. He placed it directly in front of Astromius and sat, crossing his legs as though attending a hearing rather than an interrogation.
He leaned forward, bringing his face close.
He smiled gently at Astromius.
"I think you remember me im the one killed you lords beloved " Dian said without any hesitation.
I'm thankful to you that you stayed quite about it...."
Astromius loojed into Dian's eyes Rage made his blood boil.
"You should help me, Astromius," Dian said softly. "You should obey—like the obedient animal you are."
That's is what you are made for All your powers are to serve masters of other Clan's"
Astromius lifted his head with effort. Blood ran down his chin. His knees trembled where they pressed against the stone.
"You chose a dog," he said hoarsely, "and ordered it to bite its master."
And about Gretchen your destiny waits for you and it's own it's way...wait till he reach here... You should have seen his face when he find out you killed his love
It's terrifying
Astromius mocked Dian.
, Dian smiled.
Not in anger.
In disappointment.
He rose from the chair, took a silver rod from a nearby table, and without warning brought it down across Astromius's back.
The sound echoed.
Astromius screamed.
"I'm happy that kalies came to know i killed Gretchen. It's a pleasure to keep everything in order your kind was never meant to form alliance with us you know. I saved kalies from lowering his class...should be thankful don't you think".
He beat Astromius
Again.
And again.
Time passed.
The torches burned low, then were replaced. Blood dried on the floor, darkened, then was joined by fresh streaks. Astromius lost track of hours.His vision blurred, consciousness slipping in and out like a tide he could not control.
Dian returned.
Always calm.
Always patient.
Each time, the same questions.
Each time, the same silence.
On the second day, Astromius could no longer lift his head. His body hung limp in the chains, breath shallow, lips cracked and bleeding.
Still, he did not speak.
No one in sevengates knew Astromius was imprisoned beneath the Seven Gates. No records. No witnesses. Justice, after all, had an ideal image outside no matter how filthy it looks from inside.
On the third night, Dian stood before him once more.
"Kalies has already begun to disrupt the balance," Dian said quietly. "You could end this. Help me. Serve the order you abandoned."
Astromius forced his eyes open.
With what little strength he had left, he smiled. He no longer had a little energy to talk anything.
Dian stared at him for a long moment and ordered gaurd to give him some food.
He wanted to keep astromius conscious untill he served his purpose.
Dian turned and walked away.
Behind him, Astromius finally lost consciousness—chains rattling softly as his body sagged—but his silence remained unbroken.
And somewhere beyond the white walls of sevengates, the name Kalies continued to spread like a curse.