crown of self-interest

Zaros stepped out of the **Twilight Vault**, the heavy iron doors creaking shut behind him. As the final clang of metal echoed down the stone corridor, the weight of the vault’s ancient energy dissipated, leaving only the faint thrum of magic in the air. The Arcane Citadel was a labyrinth of knowledge, power, and secrets—some of which Zaros had uncovered, and others he had yet to seize.

His interaction with the **Chronomancer** had been fruitful, a necessary first step. Time was now a tool in his arsenal, something to be studied and harnessed, though never controlled outright. The Chronomancers had made that clear: time was a delicate balance, one that could unravel if misused. But Zaros had no intention of tearing the fabric of reality apart. He only needed to pull a few threads.

As he walked through the shadowed halls of the Citadel, his mind was already plotting his next move. The Chronomancers had given him what he sought—a cautious connection, a way to bend time to his needs when the moment arose. But they were only one piece of the puzzle. The **Phantom Court** loomed in his mind, their presence like a specter that would not be ignored.

The Court was more than just a hidden power—it was a realm beyond the reach of most mortal beings. To access it, one needed more than mere necromancy or spirit binding. One needed to truly understand the divide between life and death, to walk the line that few dared to cross. Zaros knew that if he wished to unlock the Court’s secrets, he would have to demonstrate his mastery over death in a way that transcended anything he had done before.

His thoughts were interrupted as he reached a small chamber near the base of the Citadel. Inside, waiting patiently, was **Nira**, one of his most trusted agents. She was a Weaver, adept at manipulating magical forms and emotions. Nira had served Zaros for years, her loyalty unwavering despite the many dangerous tasks he had set before her.

She looked up as he entered, her dark eyes glittering with curiosity. "You have returned," she said quietly, inclining her head. "Did the Chronomancers grant you what you sought?"

"They did," Zaros replied, his voice as calm and measured as ever. "But they are only one part of this equation. Their power lies in subtlety, in manipulating the flow of events from behind the scenes. I require something far more direct for what comes next."

Nira tilted her head, intrigued. "The Phantom Court?"

Zaros nodded. "Indeed. Their mastery over death is unparalleled, and I intend to harness it. But first, we need to make contact. The Court does not simply reveal itself to anyone, even those of my power. We must draw them out."

"And how do you propose we do that?" Nira asked, her voice soft but sharp. "The dead do not easily answer to the living."

Zaros allowed a faint smile to cross his lips. "No, they do not. But there are ways. The Court values those who walk between life and death, those who understand the balance as they do. To gain their attention, we must prove that we are worthy of their gaze."

Nira frowned slightly. "You mean to perform a ritual?"

"Not a mere ritual," Zaros corrected. "A demonstration of power. I will summon the dead, not as puppets, but as willing participants. I will bind their spirits and show the Court that I can command the forces of death without fear, without faltering. Only then will they take notice."

Nira’s expression remained impassive, though Zaros could see the glint of concern in her eyes. She was loyal, but she was not blind to the dangers of the path he was walking. "And if they take notice... what then? The Phantom Court is not known for its mercy."

Zaros’s smile widened slightly. "I do not seek their mercy. I seek their power."

Nira did not respond immediately, but Zaros could see her mind working, weighing the risks and rewards of what he proposed. Finally, she gave a small nod. "Very well. What do you need me to do?"

Zaros turned toward a nearby pedestal, upon which rested an ancient tome bound in black leather. The book had been with him for as long as he could remember, its pages filled with spells and incantations that few dared to speak aloud. He opened it, flipping through the worn pages until he found the one he sought.

"We will need a place of power," Zaros said, his fingers tracing the intricate sigils on the page. "Somewhere where the veil between life and death is thin, where the spirits can cross over with ease. There are such places scattered throughout the world, but one in particular has drawn my attention."

He looked up at Nira. "The **Sunken Ruins of Aeloria**."

Nira’s eyes widened slightly at the mention of the lost empire. "Aeloria... That place is a graveyard. Its ruins are haunted by the souls of those who perished when the empire sank beneath the waves. Few dare to go there."

"Precisely," Zaros said. "It is the perfect place for what I intend to do. The dead there are restless, eager for release. I will offer them that release, but on my terms. And in doing so, I will gain the attention of the Court."

Nira nodded slowly, her initial hesitation giving way to determination. "I will make the necessary preparations."

"Good," Zaros said. "We leave at dawn."

As Nira turned to leave, Zaros closed the tome and gazed out the small window of the chamber. The ruins of Aeloria would provide the perfect stage for his next move. The dead were not his enemies—they were tools to be used, allies to be commanded. And once he had shown the **Phantom Court** his mastery over death, they would have no choice but to acknowledge him.

But even as he plotted his next step, Zaros could not ignore the deeper truths that lingered in the back of his mind. The Chronomancers, the Phantom Court, the Skyward Cities—each of these factions held pieces of a puzzle, a puzzle that stretched far beyond the present moment. Zaros knew that his ascension was not merely a matter of gaining power. It was about understanding the true nature of the world, of existence itself.

The Chronomancers had hinted at it, in their cryptic way. The flow of time was fragile, easily disturbed by those who sought to control it. The Phantom Court, too, operated on a level that transcended mortal understanding, their domain one that existed outside the bounds of life and death.

To truly ascend, Zaros would need more than magic, more than strength. He would need knowledge—knowledge of the forces that shaped reality itself. And he would need to bend those forces to his will.

The journey ahead was perilous, but Zaros thrived on peril. He had always known that his path would be one of danger, of risk. But he had also known, from the very beginning, that he was destined for greatness.

The dead would serve him. Time would bend to him. And soon, the very fabric of reality would be his to command.

---

By the time Nira returned with the necessary supplies, Zaros had already laid out his plans in full. The ritual he intended to perform would require precision, an intricate weaving of necromantic energy and arcane power. He had spent years perfecting the technique, studying the ancient texts of the **Abyssal Collective** and the forbidden knowledge of the **Phantom Court**.

But this would be the first time he put his theories into practice. It was a gamble, to be sure, but one that Zaros was willing to take. The rewards far outweighed the risks.

As dawn broke over the Arcane Citadel, Zaros and Nira set out for the Sunken Ruins of Aeloria. The journey would be long and fraught with danger, but Zaros relished the challenge. Every step brought him closer to his goal, every obstacle another test of his strength and resolve.

And when he finally stood before the Phantom Court, they would see him for what he truly was: a force to be reckoned with, a master of life and death, time and space.

Nothing could stop him. Not now. Not ever.