Chapter Eighteen: Gluttony's Replacement.

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[ ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴ ᴘᴏᴠ ]

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[ ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴ ᴘᴏᴠ ]

    The Heart of Death was forged by ancient forces-- creators who feared the very entity they unleashed to govern mortality. They crafted it as a failsafe, a tether to Death's omnipotence. Made from primordial essence, it housed Death's core power, binding its influence within a fragile, crystalline vessel. If Death grew too unruly or wielded its scythe beyond balance.

The Heart of Death was divided into seven fragments, each a shimmering piece of dark crystal embodying a fragment of Death's power. When united, the Heart would weaken Death itself, rendering it vulnerable, even mortal-- a risk too great for the cosmic order. To prevent such a catastrophe, the ancients scattered the shards across the seven continents, each hidden in an environment that mirrored Death's reach: frozen tundras, dense jungles, scorching deserts, and the ocean's deepest abyss.

Each shard is protected by layers of natural and supernatural defenses, its aura influencing its surroundings-- causing eerie whispers, decay, or unnatural stillness. Only those marked by destiny or driven by desperation dare seek them. The shards are bound by a curse: reuniting them would unleash not only Death's vulnerability but also chaos, disrupting the fragile balance of life and mortality. Yet the allure of ultimate control ensures the Heart remains both sought after and feared.

For centuries, the tale of Death’s Heart-- a powerful artifact said to hold Death’s very essence-- was whispered in the shadows, its existence fading into legend. Few believed in its reality, and even fewer dared to pursue it. The story was deliberately obscured, fragmented into myths and riddles, to deter creatures across the realms from seeking the seven shards.

To many, it became a mere cautionary tale, a fabrication designed to ward off those hungry for ultimate power. But in truth, it was real, and its pieces lay scattered across the continents, protected by secrecy and time.

Saja, the ancient overseer of the reapers, was one of the few who knew the truth. With the rise of Taeri, an inexperienced grim reaper unable to control her newfound powers, the Heart’s danger became more pressing. Saja feared that if Taeri learned of the Heart, her emotional instability could draw countless creatures to its trail-- or worse, cause her to become a harbinger of chaos.

For this reason, Saja confided in only one person: Chan. As the Deadly Sin of Wrath, he was not easily swayed by greed or temptation, and his resilience made him the ideal protector of this knowledge.

When Saja revealed the truth, Chan’s resolve hardened. The Heart wasn’t just a relic; it was the key to either taming or unleashing Death’s full power. Its shards, scattered yet interconnected, posed a grave threat if assembled by the wrong hands. With Taeri’s awakening threatening to disrupt the delicate balance, Chan understood he had no choice but to return to Korea, the epicenter of these unfolding events.

          

His return wasn’t just about protecting Taeri; it was about ensuring that no one-- neither mortal nor sin-- unlocked the Heart of Death. For if they did, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The room fell into a grave silence, quiet as Chan explained the truth about Death’s Heart, his voice heavy with the gravity of its power. The weight of the revelation settled unevenly among the sins, their reactions as distinct as their natures.

Jeongin, the Sin of Pride, leaned back in his chair, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. His mind was already racing with the possibilities of possessing such a relic. If he claimed the Heart, no one could rival him-- not even Death itself. His desire to rule above all else burned like a flame, making his intentions clear in the glint of his sharp eyes.

Changbin, Greed incarnate, was less subtle. He openly voiced his desire, pacing the room with fervor. “Imagine the power,” he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. The idea of owning something so valuable consumed him; the very thought of it being out of reach gnawed at his insatiable appetite for possession.

Hyunjin, representing Gluttony, was quieter but no less dangerous. The idea of endless power to consume, to take without limitation, was intoxicating. His gaze darkened, fingers tapping against his thigh in a rhythm that hinted at his growing obsession.

Minho, the Sin of Envy, crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. He didn’t care for the Heart, not truly. But knowing Pride, Greed, and Gluttony wanted it was enough to spark his interest. If they craved it, then so did he-- it was that simple.

Seungmin, the embodiment of Lust, shrugged, indifferent. Power didn’t entice him unless it served his desires, and the Heart felt more like trouble than temptation. Felix, ever the passive Sloth, simply yawned, uninterested in chasing after something so troublesome.

Jisung, seated in the corner, didn’t even look up. His focus was elsewhere, detached and unconcerned, as if the Heart was nothing more than a passing whisper in the wind.

Chan’s gaze swept over the room, sharp and unyielding as the silence stretched. He noticed the flicker of greed in Changbin’s eyes, the calculating smirk playing on Jeongin’s lips, and the subtle tension in Minho’s posture. Hyunjin’s restless fingers drummed against his leg, while Seungmin and Felix remained neutral, though he didn’t trust their indifference. Even Jisung, slouched and distant, didn’t escape Chan’s scrutiny.

He slammed his hand down on the table, the force reverberating like a clap of thunder. The sins flinched, all eyes snapping to him. “Let me make this clear,” Chan's tone ired, his voice low and dangerous. “If any of you even think about using Death’s Heart for your own gain, I will ensure you regret it.”

The room chilled as he stepped closer, his aura suffocating. “You think being a sin makes you untouchable?” His lips twisted into a grim smile. “Remember what happened to the last sin who thought they could cross me?”

The unspoken memory hung heavy in the air. None dared to meet his gaze now. They all knew what Chan was capable of-- methods so ruthless that even sins, powerful as they were, feared the wrath he could unleash.

The memory flashed unbidden in Changbin’s mind, the weight of it pressing down like a leaden shroud. The last Gluttony had been a towering figure of unchecked appetite, his influence spanning continents as he consumed everything in his path, both literally and figuratively. But his hunger had made him reckless, and he dared to challenge Chan, testing the boundaries of Wrath’s patience.

Changbin could still hear the echoes of their confrontation-- a storm of fury and devastation. Chan didn’t simply defeat him; he dismantled him, piece by piece, stripping away the sin’s arrogance until there was nothing left but a hollow shell. Gluttony’s end had been swift and merciless, a warning carved into the annals of their history.

It was only weeks later that Hyunjin appeared, young and raw, filling the void left behind. His arrival had been met with skepticism, earning him the label "the new guy," a title that clung to him like a shadow, even now.

------------• ° -🤍- ° •-------------

Yup, bringing back this book
because I have a shit load of drafts
and I didn't want them to go to waste

I'm not entirely back
but yeah

First unanswered question of MOONLIT WHISPERS

Why Hyunjin came a little later and was referred as the 'new guy' when Jisung went looking for him

Any guess who the old gluttony was?

Question #17
Favourite sport?

Anyways hi, how are you?

As always Lee (> •-•)> will be taking your votes and comments

Thanks for reading
Cya🤍

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