Preparation for the final duels was interrupted by another escalation surrounding Charles’ weapon.
The aftermath was visible even without witnessing the event directly. Mazarin carried herself with unusual agitation, stripped of her normal restraint. I spoke with her privately while Enoch checked on Charles. Her assessment was immediate and unequivocal: the weapon’s hold is deepening, and removal will become increasingly difficult if delayed further.
NOTE: Mazarin reports that both she and Charles were drawn into a manifestation originating from the weapon known as Malice following Charles feeding it an enchanted greatbow acquired from House Maelthrumm. Within this space, an immense entity identifying itself as a Demon Prince addressed Charles directly, urging him to continue feeding the weapon with the promise that “both would be remade.” Mazarin attempted to intervene verbally, but described Charles as incapable of breaking focus. He accepted the weapon fully before both were expelled from the vision. Upon return, Mazarin identified an overwhelming infernal signature surrounding him through psionic examination and strongly advised immediate separation from the artifact.
I had been absent preparing for the final bracket when the group informed me that my identity had been exposed. A formal review by Conscriptus leadership had been convened to determine whether my participation remained valid under tournament rules. Apparently, disguising oneself while defeating half the bracket invites scrutiny.
The ruling ultimately permitted my continued participation.
The arena capitalized on the revelation with characteristic subtlety. Two Sisters. Two Blades. One Victory. Conscriptus understands spectacle as well as it understands violence.
Before entering the arena, Seraphina Maelthrumm advised me to abandon the disguise entirely. There was no further utility in concealment. I complied.
The response from the crowd was divided upon my appearance. Recognition spread unevenly through the stands, shock in some sections, approval in others, resentment elsewhere. House Katharis carries weight within Conscriptus.
I addressed the audience briefly before turning my attention to Celeste.
She fought well. Still her form remains less instinctive than mine, but is disciplined, deliberate, and increasingly confident. There were moments where hesitation nearly cost me initiative. I won the duel. Celeste accepted defeat with composure.
Upon returning to our quarters, we received a succession of visitors and potential sponsors. Among them was Dunkas of Ship Labs Armaments, whose interest appeared primarily transactional. More notable was the arrival of Belladonna and Beatrix Vorynth. The interaction remained cordial on the surface.
NOTE: Charles later met privately with Belladonna Vorynth regarding his pact weapon. By his own eventual admission, she offered a possible avenue to sever the bond. The condition attached was to force Luminora Katharis would withdraw from the duels. Charles did not disclose this proposal to the group. Additional information obtained during this exchange clarified House Vorynth’s relationship to the entity connected to Malice. According to Belladonna, the House maintains what she described as a “friendly rivalry” with the Demon Prince Orcus. Their objective is not restoration of the associated wand or artifact, but containment through failure. The weapon was intentionally placed into the hands of someone deemed unlikely to fulfill its purpose, with the expectation that it would ultimately consume both wielder and ambition alike.
Charles was selected not as champion, but as disposal.
Meanwhile, Mazarin met with Corven Valantis. By her account, the discussion proved unexpectedly productive. Corven appears receptive to broader structural reform within Conscriptus and the FETC, though cautiously so. His support remains conditional. House Valantis will not move openly unless legitimacy is first secured through visible strength. In simpler terms: I must continue winning.
The evening concluded not with celebration, but preparation. Charles and Mazarin continued searching for solutions regarding the weapon and Belladonna’s offer. The rest of us prepared for the remaining duels.
Tomorrow will determine more than tournament placement. Conscriptus watches strength carefully. It watches weakness even more so.
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