Noctem

The hidden room behind the altar of the sanctuary of Tenebrae was nothing short of enchanting.

It seemed more like a greenhouse—albeit a dark version of one.

Each flower there was black, but had a subtle gradient of colors within them, some were black with blue hue at their tips, while the others varied from pink to crimson to amethyst and other colors.

Most flowers looked like roses, while some closely resembled daisies. The majority of them were orchids and some looked like lilies, however they all bore a similarity, they were all black in color.

The roof of the greenhouse was arched and the room itself was extremely spacious.

Most surprising of all, was the soft white light penetrating through the black mirror-like material the glassy rooftop of the greenhouse was made from.

It fell on the tenebrous flowers, illuminating the room with its enchanting glow and if one gazed deeper, then they'd notice the subtle glistle entwined within the glowing radiance.

It was breathtakingly beautiful to say the least, however one particular anomaly stood out.

In the middle of the greenhouse, a pool filled with black liquid stood still, unmoving, seemingly undisturbed by the passage of time. Its edges were carved into the ancient obsidian stone floor which—unlike the rest of the temple, was unreflective.

Archaic runes glowed faintly with an otherworldly amethyst hue, running along the edges of the pool in a perfect rectangle, each pulsing in a rhythmic cadence.

The black liquid was viscous, which reeked of decay yet it radiated an indisputable power.

Both dark figures plunged Nox into the pool, watching as he sank to the bottom of the dark liquid.

****

Within the mind of the unconscious child, he felt a cold liquid seep into him, filling the tenebrous veins the darkness had created.

His pain subsided, replaced by an unnerving focus, quelling his fears as well, scenes flashed into his head, flickering in and out just as quickly as they were shown, however, one in particular remained— An endless night, consuming the light and life of various civilisations, and a myriad of shadows, viewing the world from several distorted perspectives.

He repeated these scenes for what felt like an eternity to him, while his body flowed in perfect stillness within the pool like the corpse of a dead man.

This went on for several hours until...

A hand burst forth from the depths of the dark liquid, grabbing on to the edge of the dark pool which thumped faintly as the glowing light of the archaic runes dimmed.

As Nox emerged from the pool, the black liquid slid off his skin as though it was never there. His posture was rigid, emanating a regal aura, his pale alabaster skin had become even paler and smooth, without a single blemish or scar from his previous battles. His once-childish frame now exuded an unearthly grace and his appearance—although previously enhanced by the blood of the shadow god. Looked beyond divine, it felt like he was the descendant of a death god, a devilishly handsome one, whose androgynous looks was meant for entrancing his prey.

However, that wasn't the most shocking change of all...

On the back of the effeminate boy, was the tattoo of a large seraphic wing held together by a semi circle halo with celestial spikes intercepting each angle.

The design would have been considered holy... If it weren't for the thin curved demon tail that flowed from one of the celestial spikes, stopping just below his tail bone.

It was a complex, symmetrical depiction of wings, spanning from both sides of his upper back which aligned perfectly with his spine as the centerline.

His eyes opened slowly, revealing irises like two bright green orbs with cat-like onyx slits, as he took in his surroundings with chilling calmness.

The dark figures stepped forward with one holding a tray containing a black robe and a pair of black pants while the other carried a similar tray but it contained a different item—An earing which had a simple straight design and red runes etched on its base.

They said nothing while Nox continued to stare at them, observing every single action they made before he could try attacking them, but in the next second, the tenebrous robe and pants, alongside the earring, all dissolved into black mist, appearing on Nox's body as it wrapped his form like a curling snake weaving itself back into its original form.

The case was the same for the earring as well.

Nox's brow rose slightly in amusement and a hint of confusion, but he remained silent. Meanwhile the dark figures bowed deeply, earning a confused stare from the effeminate boy, before they dissolved into the obsidian floor, leaving Nox alone in the tenebrous greenhouse.

The effeminate boy stepped out of the pool and walked with graceful, unhurried steps, as he did, he began to notice the changes that occurred during the ritual.

He felt different– no, he was different. He could feel an unknown power surging through him as well as a strange connection to the sanctuary of Tenebrae... It was strange indeed, the feeling was nostalgic, like he actually belonged here.

...It felt like home.

Emerging from the hidden room, Nox's gaze fell on Eren's unmoving form before landing on Aries.

The eccentric wizard seeing Nox, heaved a sigh of relief, obviously happy that the kid wasn't harmed in any way, but still there was a lingering doubt in the eyes of the wizard.

Something about Nox was different

And he could sense this, so did Aries, yet neither of them said anything.

The tenebrous knight stared at Nox with cold indifference, speaking in a calm voice laced with authority.

"The ritual has been completed, and there's no further use being here until it's time for your succession battles. I will open a gate leading to the outside world away from this plane, if you wish to, then I can send you to a secluded place in the ivonriel continent. I can as well open a portal leading to the cursed forest, whatever you desire, just say the word."

Nox took a few steps forward with deliberate movements before speaking in a cold and steady voice.

"Release them."

"I'm afraid I cannot do th.."

"I wasn't talking to you." Nox interrupted, not sparing a glance at the tenebrous knight.

A chilling silence permeated the temple, lingering for a few seconds before the tenebrous child spoke again.

"I was talking to the owner of this place."