Noctisbellum Genesis: The Birth of an Empire of Night | KT Writes

A Historical Account of the Rise of Ruben’s Shadow Dominion

Noctisbellum Inc. is an empire built not for conquest, but for survival. People whisper that its founder, Ruben, is no ordinary man. Rarely seen during the daylight hours, his parties are spectacular and quite exclusive. To get an invitation is to be truly seen. His company also pushes boundaries, conducting some of the most advanced research into gene therapy for blood disorders, medical applications for toxic substances -like using Komodo dragon venom as an anticoagulant, stem cell-based limb regrowth, and genetically tailored medications for previously untreatable conditions in some individuals.

However, the following account, compiled by a Dark Company historian, seeks to unravel the origins of Noctisbellum and question the legitimacy of the 1893 agreement that has allowed its existence to persist. I can’t help but question why this individual is so determined to bring down a company which benefits all those who come to it for help. Even so, I will share this piece of his research and let you draw your own conclusions.

The following analysis, compiled by Dr. Elias Voss, seeks to unravel the origins of Noctisbellum and question the legitimacy of the 1893 agreement that has allowed its existence to persist.

Extract from the Captain’s Log of the Stygian Voyager: The Crossing

Date: 18th October, Year Unknown Location: Aboard the vessel Stygian Voyager, en route to the New World

The passengers remain silent, their presence unsettling even the most hardened sailors. The leader—Ruben, as he calls himself—speaks little. His gaze is sharp, his manner refined, but there is something in the way the shadows cling to him that makes the men uneasy.

At night, whispers drift from their quarters, words in a tongue I do not recognize. The crew avoids the lower decks. One man swears he saw mist curling beneath the door, though I tell him it is only the damp air of the sea.

We make port soon. I do not know what awaits them in the New World, but I know this: whatever they are fleeing, it is not pursuit by men.

Ship Registry Entry: Stygian Voyager

Name: Stygian Voyager Type: Merchant Brig Year Built: 1849 Port of Registry: Panama City, Republic of New Granada Owner: Valverde & Sons Shipping Co. Captain: Sebastián Valverde Cargo: Medical supplies, textiles, and unlisted private consignments Route: Panama City → Valparaíso (Chile) → Pacific Crossing to California Notable Events:

  • 1850: Departed Panama City on its maiden voyage, carrying cargo bound for Chile.
  • 1851: Sighted off the coast of Chile under unusual weather conditions.
  • 1852: Briefly disappeared from maritime records before resurfacing near San Francisco.
  • 1855: Crew reports of unexplained illnesses and missing sailors.
  • 1861: Aboard the Stygian Voyager, a passenger was recorded as having died under unknown circumstances—no body was ever recovered.
  • 1873: The ship was involved in a legal dispute over missing cargo, though no evidence of theft was found.
  • 1889: Last recorded voyage under Valverde & Sons Shipping Co.—ownership transferred to an unnamed private entity.
  • 1897: Last recorded sighting—rumored to have been abandoned off the California coast.

The Formation of Noctisbellum

Upon arrival in America, Ruben did not seek power in the way of kings or conquerors. Instead, he built something far more enduring—a supposed sanctuary for those who could not exist in the light. Noctisbellum Inc. was formed under the guise of fringe science, a corporation dedicated to protecting those who lurked beyond human understanding.

But its true purpose was far older.

In California, the empire took root, its influence spreading through unseen corridors of power. While humans remained oblivious, monsters were convinced that Noctisbellum alone stood between them and the pitchforks of modern society.

Extract from the Noctisbellum Inc. Land Registry, 1852

This document certifies the purchase of Parcel 16, Territory of California, by Noctisbellum Inc., under the authority of its founder, Ruben. The land shall remain under the ownership of Noctisbellum Inc., regardless of future transactions involving structures built upon it.

All tenants, leaseholders, and proprietors shall retain full rights to their dwellings, but the land itself shall remain under the jurisdiction of Noctisbellum Inc. in perpetuity.

Signed, J. Whitmore, Land Surveyor Witnessed by: Ruben Hellebore

Annotation from Dr. Elias Voss, Dark Company Historian: A peculiar clause, one that has remained unchallenged for decades. Land ownership typically transfers with the sale of property, yet Noctisbellum Inc. retains its hold, quietly maintaining rights that most would overlook.

It is an oversight, perhaps—one born of legal ambiguity rather than intent. And yet, the implications are unsettling. A man who still owns the land beneath countless homes and businesses holds a power few would recognize until it is too late.

A War That Should Have Ended

Extract from the unpublished research of Dr. Elias Voss, Dark Company Historian

For over a century, Noctisbellum has operated unchecked, its influence growing beyond the boundaries of the 1893 agreement. What was once a necessary truce has become an outdated relic—one that allows Ruben Hellebore and his forces to thrive, while the Dark Company is forced to abide by restrictions that no longer serve humanity’s best interests.

The monsters within Noctisbellum’s territory live without consequence. They are protected, sheltered, and given the illusion of freedom. But freedom for creatures such as these is a dangerous thing.

I have seen firsthand what happens when one of them is allowed to roam unchecked. Perhaps I was blind to the truth. But I know this: Noctisbellum is not a refuge. It is a kingdom built on deception, and its ruler has no intention of relinquishing his throne.

The Man Behind the Empire

Ruben’s influence extends far beyond Noctisbellum’s corporate façade. His invitation-only gatherings are legendary—exclusive affairs where celebrities, politicians, and scholars mingle with figures who seem to exist outside the public eye. Few speak of what happens at these events, but those who attend never question the unspoken rules that govern them. It is incredibly difficult to get any information about what happens at these parties.

Beyond the glamour, Noctisbellum enforces its own laws, upheld by a force known only as the Hunters. These men, descended from ancient warrior clans, do not hunt monsters—they police them, ensuring that those within Ruben’s domain abide by the territory’s laws. Their methods are swift, their loyalty unquestionable.

At the center of it all stands Reaford, Ruben’s closest confidant. He is not a servant, nor merely an advisor, but a man who has shaped Noctisbellum alongside its founder. While Ruben remains the empire’s face, it is Reaford who ensures its survival, handling affairs that require a more direct hand.

And then there are Ruben’s friends—figures of influence who ensure Noctisbellum’s continued existence.

Noctisbellum remains, its presence undeniable, its influence growing beyond the boundaries of the 1893 agreement. It has embedded itself within society, operating in plain sight while shielding those who should not exist. The world does not question its presence, nor does it suspect the truth.

But the evidence is clear. Noctisbellum is not simply a corporation—it is a fortress, a governing body, a system built to ensure the survival of creatures that should have faded into obscurity. It has thrived under the illusion of neutrality, expanding its reach while maintaining the protections granted by an agreement that no longer serves humanity’s best interests.

This cannot continue. The 1893 agreement must be unraveled, its protections stripped away, its ruler forced to answer for what he has built. Noctisbellum is not a refuge—it is a fortress, a kingdom built on deception.

Letter from Thomas Calloway to His Wife, 1867

My Dearest Margaret,

The land here is rich, and the gold flows like the rivers after a storm. I have leased a plot from a man named Ruben—an unusual fellow, though generous in his dealings. His company, Noctisbellum Inc., owns much of the land here, yet he asks little of us beyond a small rent. Much smaller than many others doing the same thing

Still, there is something strange about this place. The nights are too quiet, the shadows too deep. Some of the men whisper of figures watching from the hills, though I have seen nothing myself.

Last night, I woke to find my lantern extinguished, though no wind had passed through my tent. And this morning, Henry—one of the strongest among us—left without a word. His tools remain, his gold untouched.

I do not know what to make of it, but I will not leave until I have secured enough for our future. Pray for me, my love.

Yours always, Thomas

There are two sides to every story

And what conclusions you draw from this are yours to decide, but I suggest considering all the evidence. Looking at what both companies are actually doing, The Dark Company, after all, is not a publicly known entity. They act without considerations for what the people they claim to serve actually want. Still, I won’t try to convince you one way or another, that’s not my place.