crown of self-interest

The darkened streets of the capital city, *Verathen*, stretched out before Zaros like a labyrinth of shadow and whispers. Night had fallen, casting the city in a dim, flickering light from scattered streetlamps and the occasional glow of a mage’s torch. He walked with measured steps, his mind elsewhere, contemplating the intricate web of events unfolding across the continents and within the realms beyond. Zaros had long since learned the value of patience and precision; tonight would be another step in the delicate dance he had orchestrated.

*Verathen* was not an ordinary city, though it was often dismissed as such by outsiders. Nestled at the crossroads of the world's most powerful territories, it was a city of neutral ground—a place where trade and politics flowed freely, but secrets and power moved even more subtly beneath the surface. The average citizen, unaware of the cosmic games being played above their heads, lived a life of relative peace. But to those like Zaros, the city was a key piece on the board, and he intended to claim it.

His thoughts drifted back to the meeting he had arranged with one of the city's most elusive power brokers, a figure known only as "The Keeper." The Keeper controlled information, whispers, and knowledge—the very currency Zaros needed to manipulate the factions that surrounded him. Tonight’s meeting would solidify an alliance that would give Zaros access to every hidden secret within *Verathen*, allowing him to weave his influence through the highest echelons of power.

Turning a corner, Zaros found himself standing before an unassuming building nestled between two tall stone towers. It was old, weathered by time, but no less formidable. A simple door adorned the front, but he knew better than to trust appearances. The Keeper did not entertain guests lightly. He raised his hand, prepared to announce his presence, but before he could, the door creaked open with a quiet groan, as though it had been waiting for him.

Without hesitation, Zaros stepped inside.

The interior of the building was a stark contrast to the exterior. Soft, ambient light filled the room, casting shadows in every corner. Shelves lined the walls, filled with tomes, scrolls, and arcane artifacts that hummed with latent energy. The air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and something else—something deeper, ancient, as though the very walls were alive with the memories of forgotten knowledge.

At the far end of the room, a figure sat behind a desk, draped in a cloak of deep blue. The Keeper’s face was obscured by a hood, but Zaros could feel the weight of the being’s gaze upon him. He approached calmly, his movements fluid and without tension, though his mind was already calculating a dozen different ways to control the conversation.

"Zaros Valen," The Keeper spoke, the voice soft yet resonant, as if layered with countless echoes. "You have come to seek what others fear to even think about."

Zaros allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. "I seek what is necessary."

The Keeper leaned forward slightly, the faintest glimmer of curiosity in their voice. "And what is it that you consider 'necessary'?"

Zaros took his time to respond, letting the silence settle. "Power. Knowledge. Control over the forces that shape this world and beyond. I am no longer content to merely understand the laws of magic—I intend to rewrite them."

There was a pause, and for a brief moment, Zaros could sense The Keeper assessing him, weighing the truth of his words against the danger they posed. After what seemed like an eternity, The Keeper spoke again, their voice now laced with a hint of amusement.

"Ambitious. But then, ambition is the driving force behind every great change, is it not?"

Zaros nodded, though his expression remained neutral. "Indeed. And it is ambition that brings me here. You possess information I require. Information about the forces that lie dormant within this city—forces that I can harness."

The Keeper’s fingers drummed lightly on the surface of the desk. "You speak of the Underrealm. A dangerous place for even one such as yourself."

Zaros’s eyes narrowed slightly. "I have faced greater dangers. The Underrealm is but another challenge to overcome."

The Keeper chuckled softly, the sound like dry leaves rustling in the wind. "Perhaps. But the Underrealm is not simply a place of forgotten magic and lost souls. It is a nexus—a place where dimensions intersect, where time and reality do not obey the laws of the living world. To enter it is to risk losing more than just your life."

"I have no intention of entering unprepared," Zaros replied, his voice cold and steady. "That is why I came to you."

The Keeper was silent for a long moment before finally standing. The figure moved with a slow, deliberate grace, stepping toward one of the many shelves that lined the room. After a brief search, The Keeper retrieved a small, intricately carved box and returned to the desk, placing it before Zaros.

"Inside this box is a key—a key to the Underrealm. But be warned: once you unlock the door, there is no turning back. The Underrealm demands more than just physical strength or magical prowess. It requires understanding, sacrifice, and an iron will."

Zaros reached for the box, his fingers brushing against the cool surface of the wood. He could feel the pulsing energy within, an ancient force that resonated with the power of the realms beyond. But there was no hesitation in his movements. He had already committed to this path, and nothing would deter him now.

"Thank you," Zaros said, though his tone lacked any true gratitude. This was a transaction, nothing more. He stood, tucking the box into his cloak. "You have done me a great service."

The Keeper watched him closely, their eyes glinting with a mix of curiosity and caution. "Remember, Zaros Valen, the Underrealm is a place of infinite possibilities—but also infinite peril. Do not take it lightly."

Zaros turned to leave, already calculating his next move. He had obtained what he needed, and now it was only a matter of time before the Underrealm would be his to control.

As he stepped back out into the cold night air, the streets of *Verathen* seemed even darker than before, the shadows stretching long and deep. Zaros pulled his cloak tighter around him, his mind already shifting to the next stage of his plan.

The Underrealm was a place where time, space, and reality bent and twisted, where the normal rules did not apply. If Zaros could gain control of it, he could reshape the world according to his will. No longer would he be bound by the limitations of mortality or the constraints of the physical world. With the power of the Underrealm at his fingertips, even the gods themselves would have to bow to him.

But Zaros knew that such power came with risks. The Underrealm was not just a place of forgotten magic—it was a place of forgotten entities, beings that had been trapped there for eons, waiting for someone foolish or brave enough to release them. He would need to tread carefully, for the slightest misstep could unravel everything he had worked so hard to build.

As he walked through the empty streets, Zaros’s thoughts drifted to the forces gathering across the continents. He could feel the tension in the air, the subtle pull of power from distant lands. The Skyward Cities, the Verdant Communion, the Abyssal Collective—all of them were watching, waiting for the next move in this cosmic game.

But Zaros was always two steps ahead. He knew that his actions in the Underrealm would send ripples across the world, drawing the attention of the most powerful factions. And that was precisely what he wanted.

For too long, the balance of power had remained stagnant, with the gods and their chosen mortals maintaining a stranglehold on the world's destiny. But Zaros was not content to be a pawn in their game. He would break the rules, rewrite the script, and seize control of his own fate.

As dawn approached, Zaros found himself standing on a hill overlooking the city. From this vantage point, *Verathen* appeared almost serene, its buildings bathed in the pale glow of the rising sun. But beneath the surface, Zaros could feel the undercurrents of fear and uncertainty. The city’s rulers might think themselves safe, protected by their wealth and alliances, but they had no idea what was coming.

Zaros’s gaze shifted to the horizon, where the distant outlines of the Skyward Cities floated high above the clouds. Beyond them lay the verdant forests of the Communion and the dark waters of the Sunken Empire. Each of these civilizations held their own power, their own secrets, but Zaros had no doubt that he would bend them all to his will in time.

For now, though, his focus was on the Underrealm. He would unlock its mysteries, claim its power, and use it to reshape the very fabric of existence.

The path ahead was fraught with danger, but Zaros had never feared danger. He thrived on it.

And when he emerged from the Underrealm, there would be no force in the world that could stand against him.

As the first light of dawn touched the city, Zaros turned away from the view and began his descent back into the shadows. There was work to be done.