Virtus The keys of Desire

A loud thud resonated through the cave that Cire had grown so familiar with. The bear's body landed heavily at the entrance of the temple. The young Key Master and Byru returned from their hunt, their minds refreshed and sharper than before. Cire had experienced a breakthrough—one born from trial and error—and most importantly, he had tested his new theory against a Sigil. To his relief and pride, it worked.

Dragging the massive bear back to the cave had been a grueling task. Nearly all of Cire's Virtus was depleted in the effort, but he managed to succeed. He leaned against the rough cavern wall, catching his breath, as Byru slithered around his neck in her serpent form, her translucent white scales shimmering like moonlight.

Praesul's footsteps echoed ominously from within the temple. Slowly, the masked mentor descended the stone steps, his presence as imposing as ever. He stopped in front of Cire and Byru, folding his arms with an air of judgment.

"Boy," Praesul growled, his cold voice slicing through the silence. "Why, in the name of desire, is that beast not skinned?"

Cire frowned, his tired limbs aching to protest. 'I just dropped the bear. How does he always manage to show up at the worst possible time?' he thought, his frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

"I'm sorry. I'll do it right away," Cire said, masking his irritation behind an overly polite tone.

"Good. I'm hungry. Hurry." Praesul grunted, turning away with a dismissive gesture.

'Don't worry, old man. Tomorrow, I'll make you and your haughty attitude kneel before me,' Cire thought bitterly. He studied Praesul for a moment, still unsure of the masked man's age. His gruffness and cryptic comments about "waiting for Cire's arrival for a long time" only fueled Cire's assumptions that Praesul was far older than he let on.

The bear meat, once cooked, proved to be a delicacy. Its flavor was strong but oddly addictive. Byru, meanwhile, slithered around the cave in her snake form, her scales gleaming like a shooting star. She hadn't touched the food—or even water.

It struck Cire as odd. He had seen Sigils devour other creatures, often after absorbing their Virtus, yet Byru showed no such hunger. The only thing she ever seemed to crave was Virtus itself. Still, he felt a sense of relief. 'I don't want to see her acting like some wild beast,' he thought, a small smile tugging at his lips as he watched her graceful movements. To him, Byru was more than a bond. She was a companion—cute and endearing in a way that brightened even the darkest days.

Yawning, Cire stretched out on the cavern floor. 'Tomorrow is going to be a great day. I can feel it,' he thought as his mark pulsed faintly on his chest, mirroring the rhythm of his heartbeat. With hope swirling in his mind, he drifted into sleep.

"You can't control us, Wish. And certainly not me, the incarnation of Power."

The eerie voice echoed in Cire's dreams, pulling him abruptly from sleep. He sat up, his breathing uneven. 'What does he mean? Does Wish want to control him? And 'incarnation of Power'—is he a Guardian too?'

Byru, now in her wolf form, licked his face warmly, comfortingly. Though she was still small, her presence felt grounding. Cire smiled faintly, scratching her fur. 'I don't have enough information to understand any of this. Maybe everything will start making sense when I unlock my first key.'

He shook his head, forcing the lingering voice into the back of his mind. "Relax and stay ready," he muttered, looking at Byru's soft, gleaming form. "Today is the day. I will succeed. We will succeed." His mark pulsed again, responding to his growing determination.

The morning routine passed quickly, and soon, Cire found himself meditating near the waterfall outside the temple. He absorbed Virtus from the surrounding air, his mind racing with thoughts of Praesul and their many sparring sessions.

'What is his desire?' Cire pondered, his brows furrowing. 'Evading? No, that's not it. He always counters when I leave an opening. His desires… they change, just like the bear's. At first, it wanted to kill me, but then it only wanted to survive.'

Understanding Praesul's desires felt like an impossible task. Humans, unlike Sigils, were far more complex. Cire sighed, his frustration mounting. 'Maybe it's because he holds a key—or multiple keys. Is it even possible to sense his wishes?'

The uncertainty gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside. Today wasn't the day for doubt. Today was the day for action. Cire stood, gripping his dagger tightly. His chest thumped with nervous energy, and his hands trembled slightly. Sensing his unease, Byru sent a soothing wave of peace into his mind.

Cire smiled, looking at her. "Let's do this," he said, more to himself than anyone else.

Praesul stood in the middle of the cave, his posture as relaxed and nonchalant as ever. His purple, glowing eyes narrowed as he watched Cire approach.

"You took your time, boy," Praesul said with a grunt. "Mmm. Maybe you're not such a fool after all."

The mocking tone sent a spark of fire through Cire's veins. 'Shut it, old man. Today, I will crush you.'

For the first time in weeks, Cire's demeanor shifted. There was no hesitation in his steps, no nervous glances. He radiated the presence of a seasoned warrior, his stance firm and confident.

Praesul tilted his head slightly, intrigued. He gestured for Cire to attack, a silent challenge.

Cire looked at Byru one last time. She growled softly, her eyes glinting with resolve. With a burst of speed, Cire dashed forward, his dagger gleaming in the dim cave light.