Chapter 69: The First Primordial Human

Chapter 69: Chapter 69: The First Primordial Human

The room fell silent.

Not the ordinary kind of silence that settled after a shocking statement, the kind that eventually frayed into nervous coughs or the soft scrape of shifting feet. This silence pressed down like a physical weight. It filled every corner of the chamber, thick enough that even the faint crackle of the hearth seemed reluctant to continue. The words Silva had spoken still hung in the air, refusing to dissolve.

Master Cryvathar. First Primordial Human.

Theon stared at the invisible figure standing before him. For several long seconds he said nothing. His gaze moved slowly over Cryvathar figure, studying him in a way he never had before. Until this moment, Cryvathar had simply been an ancient, mysterious presence who appeared whenever he pleased, vanished without explanation, and somehow knew far more than he ever revealed. But this... this was different.

The first primordial human.

Theon’s throat tightened. He swallowed, the motion almost painful.

Just how old is this man?

The legends he had read treated primordial beings as relics of a distant age, figures who belonged to eras that existed beyond ordinary history. If Cryvathar truly was the first of the primordial humans, then he had walked the world before most of those legends were even written. Before kingdoms rose. Before many of the races that now claimed the land had founded their civilizations. Before the very concept of recorded time, as most people understood it, had taken shape.

Theon’s eyes narrowed. There was no way he was letting this go. Not anymore.

"Who exactly are you?"

Cryvathar met his stare without flinching. Theon’s voice hardened, the edge of barely restrained frustration cutting through the heavy quiet.

"And don’t give me another ’go ask the Emperor’ answer. I want the truth. Who are you? What are you doing here? Why have you been inside me all this time? And what exactly do you want from me?"

Cryvathar remained silent. His expression did not change. That only irritated Theon further.

"Well?"

At last Cryvathar sighed, the sound low and weary, as though the question itself carried centuries of weight.

"Just as I’ve told you before, boy. Go ask the current Emperor."

Theon’s eyebrows twitched. He slowly sat back down, folding his arms across his chest with deliberate care.

"Right."

He leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees.

"If you’re not going to tell me everything, then at least tell me something. What can you actually say besides sending me to the Emperor?"

Cryvathar opened his mouth, but before any words could form, another voice cut through the tension.

"Calm down, boy."

Theon turned. The crimson-haired woman who had stood quietly nearby finally stepped forward. She moved with a calm that seemed almost out of place amid the charged atmosphere, each step measured, unhurried. When she stopped before him, Theon studied her carefully.

"And who exactly are you again? [ Am sorry my memories were juggled up all thanks to Mr. Cryvathar here...] " His eyes narrowed further. "Also what were you doing inside that cave?"

Rather than answering at once, the woman looked around the room, taking in the faces of those gathered. Then she spoke quietly, her tone steady but firm.

"Sit down. Let us explain everything."

Theon glanced at Cryvathar, then at Silver, then at Lyra and Lazaria. Lyra crossed her legs on the bed while taking a nap.

"I agree with my master. It’s about time you two stopped keeping everything to yourselves."

Lazaria nodded, her voice soft but insistent. "Yeah. We’ve been dealing with one mystery after another. We’re tired of half-answers."

The woman gave a small smile, the first genuine expression she had shown since entering the room. Then she straightened, her posture carrying an almost noble elegance. She inclined her head in a gentle bow.

"My name is Seraphina Embervale."

Silver froze. The color drained from her face for a heartbeat.

"Seraphina Embervale..."

The woman looked at her. Silva’s expression shifted completely, a mixture of disbelief and something that looked almost like grief.

"You were actually alive?"

Seraphina’s smile faded slightly. "Yes." She nodded once. "I was alive all this time."

Theon looked from one woman to the other, confusion deepening with every second.

"Wait." He pointed between them. "What do you mean, ’you were alive all this time?"

Nobody answered immediately. Theon exhaled sharply through his nose.

"Why do I feel like I’m the only person in this room who doesn’t know what’s going on?"

Seraphina chuckled softly, the sound carrying a surprising warmth. "Calm down, boy." She took a seat with the same measured grace. "Listen first. Then ask your questions."

Theon reluctantly sat. Everyone else followed. Ifrith remained unconscious on the bed, his breathing steady after everything that had happened. Nova lay motionless outside on the balcony. The ancient wolf sat nearby, looking considerably less intimidating than he probably wanted anyone to believe.

Seraphina’s gaze lowered for a moment. When she lifted it again, her eyes held the weight of long-buried memory. She began to speak.

"Long ago, I was hunted."

Theon listened carefully, every muscle tense.

"I was ambushed inside that mountain by people who wanted me dead. I fought them, but I had already been wounded before I entered the cave."

"Why were they pursuing you?"

Seraphina’s expression darkened. "Because of who I was." She paused, the silence stretching. "And because of who I loved."

Theon leaned forward. "Who?"

Seraphina looked toward Cryvathar. Their eyes met. Something old and painful passed between them, a silent acknowledgment of shared history that no one else in the room could fully grasp.

"Cryvathar."

Theon blinked. "Wait." He looked between them. "You two knew each other since then?"

Cryvathar remained silent. Seraphina nodded.

"We did more than know each other." She drew a slow breath. "Cryvathar was from the ancient human clans. I was from the ancient elven clans. During our era, both of us were considered among the strongest beings of our respective peoples."

Theon remained still, absorbing every word.

"But humans and ancient elves were enemies," she continued. "They had fought for thousands of years. Generation after generation, the bloodshed never truly ended." Her fingers tightened slightly against the fabric of her clothing. "And yet somehow, we met."

"Where?"

"On a battlefield."

Theon raised an eyebrow. "Of course."

Seraphina smiled faintly, though the expression held little humor. "We first encountered each other as enemies. We fought. Blade against blade, power against power. But the more we crossed paths, the more we realized there was something different between us."

Theon’s expression softened, just a fraction. "Respect became trust."

Seraphina nodded. "And eventually, trust became love."

Theon leaned back slowly. "Forbidden love, huh?"

"Yes." Her answer came without hesitation. "Our clans rejected it. They told us that humans and ancient elves had been enemies for generations. They believed that two people falling in love could never erase thousands of years of bloodshed."

She lowered her eyes. "They were right about one thing."

Theon waited.

"We couldn’t stop the war." She looked back up. "So we decided to leave."

"You ran away together?"

"We tried." Her voice grew quieter. "But someone overheard us planning our escape."

Theon frowned. "And betrayed you."

Seraphina nodded. "They went to the ancient elven chief."

Theon slowly glanced toward the little wolf. The creature suddenly looked away, ears flattening against its head.

Seraphina continued, her voice steady despite the weight of the memory. "The humans were alerted as well. Both sides came after us. The battle that followed lasted through the entire night."

Theon stared at her. "Both clans?"

"Yes."

"You’re primordial beings. You couldn’t fight them off?"

Seraphina slowly shook her head. "No."

Theon frowned. "Why?"

"Because being primordial does not make us immortal." She looked directly into his eyes. "We possessed tremendous power. But our bodies were still mortal. Even a primordial being can fall when surrounded by enough powerful enemies."

Theon became silent.

"The battle continued for hours," she said. "By the time the sun began to rise, neither side had gained a decisive advantage." She looked toward Cryvathar. "And he realized something."

Theon already knew the answer, yet hearing it still struck deep.

"He knew we wouldn’t both escape."

Seraphina nodded. "So he made his choice." Her voice trembled slightly. "He decided to stay behind."

The room grew quieter still.

"He gave me his sword."

Theon instinctively looked down at the blade resting near him. NIVARETH. Seraphina’s eyes settled on it.

"That sword belonged to him."

Theon slowly picked it up. "You mean..."

"Yes." She nodded. "That is NIVARETH."

Theon looked at the blade, then at Cryvathar. "Wait." He raised the sword slightly. "You and this sword share the same name?"

Cryvathar finally spoke, his tone almost offended. "Of course we do. It’s my sword."

Theon stared at him for a moment, then shrugged. "Well, it’s mine now."

Cryvathar face went blank. Lyra covered her mouth. Lazaria giggled softly. Even Seraphina smiled, the expression fleeting but genuine.

Cryvathar sighed. "Fine. You can have it."

"Good." Theon lowered the sword.

Seraphina continued, the brief lightness fading. "He gave me the sword and told me to run. He told me never to allow them to get their hands on it."

Theon frowned. "Why?"

"Because if they were able to wield it..." She paused. "They could cause a calamity unlike anything our world had seen."

Theon looked at NIVARETH again. "Then you ran."

"I did."

"With the sword."

"Yes."

Theon suddenly raised his head. "Wait. You said Cryvathar gave you his sword. Then there should be another sword."

Seraphina’s eyes narrowed slightly. "There is."

"Who’s is it?"

"My sword." She paused. "PYRO."

The instant the name left her lips, a familiar sound echoed inside Theon’s mind.

A translucent screen appeared before him.

[World Archive Activated.]

[Ancient language Detected.]

[Analyzing...]

The letters shifted.

[PYRO]

[Ancient Language Identified.]

Another line appeared.

[PHOENIX FLAME SWORD]

Then another notification.

[Primordial Sword.]

[Formerly wielded by Seraphina Embervale.]

Theon slowly looked toward Seraphina. "You mean the Phoenix Flame Sword?"

Seraphina leaned forward, genuine surprise flickering across her face. "What? You know about it?"

Theon quickly shrugged. "I read about it in a book."

Seraphina stared at him for a moment, then laughed softly. "I’m surprised they still keep records of it."

"They do."

Cryvathar gaze shifted toward Theon. There was a strange suspicion in his eyes. Theon noticed it but chose to ignore it.

"Where is Pyro now?"

Seraphina’s expression changed. "It’s not with me."

"Then where is it?"

"I left it somewhere safe."

"Where?"

"In a cave."

Theon nodded. "Okay."

Seraphina continued. "With a dragon."

Theon’s mouth dropped open. "You left it in a cave with a dragon?"

"Yes."

He stared at her for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Okay. Actually... that’s safer."

Seraphina smiled faintly. "At least it is safer there than in the hands of another person."

"I can’t argue with that."

She continued. "My pursuers followed me throughout the night. I was exhausted. I could barely breathe. I was still carrying the sword."

Theon frowned. "Wait. Why didn’t you put both swords with the dragon and stay there?"

Cryvathar immediately looked at him. "Are you really a fool, boy?"

Theon turned. "What?"

"If those two swords came into contact with one another, do you have any idea what would happen?"

"No. That’s why I asked."

Cryvathar expression hardened. "They would react."

"React how?"

Silver stepped forward. "Master." Theon turned toward her. She continued, her voice serious. "There is an ancient record in the Demon Tomb. It speaks of two primordial swords. According to the record, if the swords ever come into contact with one another, their powers could merge."

Theon stared. "Merge?"

Silver nodded. "They could become one. And when they do, the resulting weapon develops a will of its own."

"A sword with its own mind?"

"Yes."

"And what happens then?"

Silva lowered her voice. "Chaos. Disaster."

Theon swallowed. He looked at NIVARETH, then at Seraphina. "Right. We definitely don’t want that happening."

Seraphina nodded. "No."

She continued. "I left Pyro with the dragon because I knew it would be safer there. Then I continued running." The mountain had appeared in the distance. She had been exhausted. Desperate. She saw an opening beneath the mountain.

"I thought I had finally found somewhere to hide." Her voice became quieter. "I entered. I kept going deeper. Deeper. Then deeper still."

The room seemed to grow colder.

"I eventually reached an open chamber. I thought I was finally safe." A bitter smile crossed her face. "I was wrong."

Theon felt a chill crawl across his skin.

"When I looked up..." Seraphina paused. "...I saw them. Ancient elves. Dozens of them. My own people. They surrounded me from every direction."

Theon slowly clenched his fist.

"And behind them..." Her voice cracked. "...my father appeared."

Theon looked toward the little wolf. The little creature immediately became uncomfortable. Seraphina pointed toward him.

"He was the ancient elven grand chief."

Theon’s gaze shifted from the tiny wolf back to Seraphina. "What?" He pointed. "That little thing?"

The wolf’s ears flattened. "I’m not a little thing."

"You?"

"I’m an ancient being!" The wolf puffed his chest, though the effect was less than convincing.

Seraphina slowly approached him. The little wolf’s confidence disappeared. She bent down.

"Father."

The wolf froze. "Ah... Seraphina."

She stared at him. The little wolf shifted backward. His tiny body actually trembled. Theon watched the exchange and thought, She’s terrifying.

Seraphina gently picked the wolf up, then dropped him onto the floor. "That can wait."

The wolf landed with a small thud. "Hey!"

Seraphina turned toward Theon once more. "They attacked me." Her expression hardened. "I fought them. But I was exhausted. I had been running all night. I could barely stand. I knew I couldn’t win."

She looked down. "So I made one final decision."

"The sword."

"Yes." She explained that she took NIVARETH and embedded it into an enormous eternal ice rock. Then she sealed it. The elves tried to take the sword. They couldn’t. No matter how many of them tried, none could wield it.

"So they decided to use something else."

Theon frowned. "What?"

"A forbidden ritual."

His breath caught. "Forbidden ritual?"

Seraphina nodded. "I thought those rituals had become extinct."

"They did. But back then..." Her voice became quiet. "...they hadn’t completely disappeared."

The room went still.

Seraphina closed her eyes. "When I opened mine again... I was no longer standing." Theon leaned forward. "I was in the air. My hands were bound. Chains were wrapped around my wrists. I couldn’t move."

She swallowed. "And when I looked down..." A tear gathered at the corner of her eye. "I saw him."

Theon already knew. But he still asked. "Who?"

Seraphina’s lips trembled. "Cryvathar." She looked toward him. "His body was lying beneath me."

The room fell completely silent.

"He was..." [Her voice broke.] "...dead."

Theon froze. For once, even he had no joke. No sarcastic remark. Nothing. Only silence.

Seraphina wiped the corner of her eye. Then she whispered:

"They brought him there to use his blood for the ritual."