Opening:
In an era lost to the mists of time, the Kingdom of Elysium rose to unparalleled glory, ruling over the land of Vesteria. At its heart stood Paxluma, a city brimming with divine splendor—radiant and awe-inspiring. It was more than just the seat of governance; it was a beacon of culture, magic, and boundless innovation. The people of Vesteria wielded a mystical energy known as Evocyte, and those who mastered it were called Evocaier. The city's streets were alive with energy, skilled Evocaier walking among the populace, their powers driving progress, and the city's towers reaching skyward as symbols of hope and advancement.
Yet, this golden age was brutally shattered by the arrival of the Cataclysmaris—terrifying creatures from the void. Their onslaught marked the dawn of an unending age of darkness. With unmatched ferocity, the Cataclysmaris obliterated Paxluma, transforming its once magnificent streets into desolate wastelands. Their rampage swept across Vesteria, annihilating nearly every corner of the realm and plunging the land into profound despair.
In the wake of this apocalypse, hope seemed extinguished. The land lay in ruins, and its people, broken and disheartened, faced an encroaching darkness that threatened to consume all.
Yet, from the ashes of despair, a new light emerged—the Evocaier Order. Formed from the remnants of Elysium's greatest organizations—the Mage Association, the Holy Knight Covenant, and the Eye of Elysium—they united under a shared purpose. Guided by the wisdom of Shining Virtue, the strategic brilliance of Cal Vatheriael, and the might of Alev Theador, the Evocaier Order became a bastion of resistance, unified in an unwavering effort to vanquish the Cataclysmaris and restore hope to the world.
Through courage and perseverance, the Evocaier Order achieved monumental victories. They succeeded in driving back the darkness, sealing Abyssal Breaches across the world—from barren deserts to frozen tundras. Each triumph kindled a spark of hope in the hearts of survivors.
But the final and most terrifying challenge still loomed—the heart of the Cataclysmaris threat, located in the ruins of Paxluma. Now a forgotten wasteland, this site housed the last and largest Abyssal Breach. Whispers of ancient terror spoke of a lingering evil, the true source of the Cataclysmaris, buried deep within the city’s broken remnants.
With the Abyssal Breaches sealed and their strength renewed, the Evocaier Order now stands on the brink of their most critical mission. They prepare to confront the darkness at its source and eradicate the evil festering within the ruins of Paxluma. Their resolve is unshakable, their bravery unmatched, as they face the shadows that once engulfed the beacon of hope.
[Chapter 1: Operation to Retake Paxluma, Year 381 Ad Felicitas]
[Location: Ruins of Paxluma]
The air in Paxluma felt heavy in Drifter's lungs, every breath carrying the scent of dust and destruction. His eyes swept across the scene before him—the ruins of the holy city, now a mere shadow of its former glory. The cracked stones beneath his feet formed patterns like dead veins, reminding him of humanity's fragility.
In the distance, Shining Virtue, the First Grandmaster, stood tall, his golden hair gleaming under the darkened skies. His pointed Elven ears twitched slightly, catching every sound in the oppressive silence. Drifter observed how the Grandmaster's golden eyes radiated unshakable resolve.
"Stand firm," Shining Virtue's voice sliced through the quiet.
"The light within us will prevail, even against this darkness."
In his hand, the radiant Radiantella Solarion, her spear of light, shimmered with brilliance. The runes etched across its surface pulsed with their own life, casting beams that pierced the gloom like a final beacon of hope.
Drifter felt the presence of his comrades beside him. Jaden stood, his black-and-gold armor vibrating with energy. The muscles in his arms tensed, ready for the battle ahead. On the other side, Vina, her cloak billowing gently, let her fingers dance with shimmering light magic. Her deep violet eyes were fixed ahead, every movement deliberate and calculated.
The cold bit into their bones, but it wasn’t just the air—it was something deeper, darker, lurking in the shadows. Drifter felt magical energy crackling at his fingertips, like electricity waiting to explode.
"As usual, let's finish this," Jaden whispered, his voice rough and restrained.
Drifter gave a small nod, his eyes locked on the yawning Abyssal Breach in the distance—a monstrous black hole that awaited them with boundless rage.
"The last Abyssal Breach, finally," he muttered, his voice as cold as crystallized ice.
Vina moved with a grace only an experienced mage could possess. Her hand reached into an old leather bag that had accompanied her for years. Her slender yet strong fingers pulled out an Elysian Wardstone, a mystical blue stone glowing faintly.
"Let’s hope this works," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with determination.
One by one, Vina handed out the Wardstones. Each transfer was an intimate moment—an unspoken promise exchanged between comrades. Drifter felt the subtle vibration of the stone as it touched his palm, its rhythmic pulse syncing with his heartbeat.
"What about you?" Drifter caught a flicker of concern in Jaden's dark eyes as he questioned Vina.
"I’ve got mine. Let’s all make it through this," she replied, her voice quivering briefly before regaining its strength.
In the distance, Shining Virtue’s voice rang out once more.
"Today, we take the fight to them. Today, we do not retreat!"
Sigils of light erupted in the air, forming gleaming armor around the group. Drifter watched every line and curve that formed—each telling a story of countless battles.
Blue energy coursed through Drifter's body, familiar yet always exhilarating. His black armor hugged his frame like a second skin—cold, hard, impenetrable. His black cloak billowed in the wind, its edges brushing the air like a living shadow.
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/pfV9TFy/01-4.jpg]
"May the Creator bless us," he whispered, the ancient words now a personal ritual before every battle.
In his hand, Exaltare manifested—a dark gray sword with curves resembling wild vines, its tip claw-like and poised to strike. Blue energy pulsed along its blade, illuminating its runic carvings with limitless power. Drifter felt the familiar connection to his sword, like reuniting with a long-lost part of his soul.
Beside him, Jaden summoned his black greatsword—Nacht Zweihander. Blue flames licked its edges, casting dancing shadows across his tense face.
"Let’s go," Jaden muttered, the simple word carrying a thousand meanings.
Vina raised her hands with practiced elegance honed over years. A protective shield materialized around them—a soft yet powerful yellow light, like a warm blanket shielding them from the storm to come.
"Stay safe, both of you," she urged, her voice calm but filled with commanding authority.
The wind whistled through the ruins, carrying the scent of burning metal and destruction—an all-too-familiar smell for Drifter. Moving in perfect harmony with Jaden and Vina, their bodies coordinated in a battle dance rehearsed thousands of times.
Exaltare gleamed whenever light touched it, its metal blade vibrating with hidden energy that only Drifter could sense. The blue fire surrounding Nacht Zweihander spiraled with mathematical precision, while Vina’s light cocooned them in an invisible shield that trembled with lethal intensity.
The air buzzed with unspoken tension. Drifter noticed Vina freeze beside him, her dark violet irises darting sharply, tracking every movement of the strange black figures flickering between dimensions. Shadows quivered, splitting the air like fractured glass.
Their footsteps echoed among the ruins of the city. Drifter felt the air around him grow thicker, as if being drawn toward something far ahead. The pulse of the Cataclysmaris throbbed in the distance, resonating like the heartbeat of a colossal creature hidden beneath the ground.
"They’re coming," Drifter whispered, his eyes trained on the subtle changes in the air, honed by hundreds of battles.
A roar tore through the air, its vibrations rattling every brick and fragment around them. From a torn dimensional rift emerged an Othrupinel-class—a creature whose body defied every logical geometry Drifter had ever known. Its form shifted and fractured, constantly reforming itself like a living nightmare. Sharp metallic tendrils lashed out, carving deep scars into the broken streets.
Drifter studied their flickering red eyes, each movement of the creature etched into his mind with lethal precision. Overhead, the blackened sky churned like boiling liquid. An imposing Gravephoma-Class hovered arrogantly, its massive core spinning within a vortex of dark energy. Crimson and violet roots dangled from its underside, as though trying to drain life from the already dead earth.
"Blade Swarm," Drifter murmured the spell in a low, almost inaudible tone.
Blue sigils flared in the air, spinning at speeds too fast for ordinary eyes to follow. A dozen glowing swords materialized from the void, their sapphire trails slicing through the air like a meteor shower. Each blade moved with perfect precision, cleaving through the Cataclysmaris with terrifying accuracy.
"Damn, as sharp as ever," Jaden threw a brief grin before charging forward, swinging his greatsword in deadly arcs of fire.
Vina’s light magic surged outward, forming a shimmering shield that enveloped them. Drifter watched her radiant energy freeze the creatures mid-attack, leaving them exposed to Jaden’s fiery strikes and his own calculated blows.
The battlefield was thick with magical energy. The Cataclysmaris lashed out with deadly tendrils in all directions, leaving dark trails in the misty air. Drifter watched as his comrades moved in a formation forged through countless battles.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
The Venators held their positions, loosing glowing arrows of energy that glittered with lethal brilliance. The Sorcerers commanded the elements with awe-inspiring skill—flames burned red-hot, ice shimmered in frigid blue, and bolts of purple and blue lightning crackled with furious energy, striking like angry serpents.
The Mages, clad in white robes, moved quickly among the ranks, casting protective barriers and channeling healing energy to their wounded allies. The Rune Arbiters darted like shadows among the enemy, their swords and daggers flashing in brief bursts of light within the thick air.
Jaden, along with the Valiants, swung their greatswords with deadly precision. Each strike left trails of magical energy humming in the air. At the front lines, the Holy Knights stood unshaken, their shields glowing with holy light as they absorbed wave after wave of attacks.
The Arcane Sabers, like Drifter, moved with lethal grace. Their blades danced through the air in choreographed formations, slicing through the Cataclysmaris as if they were paper. With one hand, they guided their swords with unmatched skill, while the other unleashed blasts of energy that struck unerringly.
The tension in the air was electric. Drifter noticed Vina freeze beside him, her deep violet eyes alert and following every flickering movement of the strange black figures phasing between dimensions. Shadows trembled, fracturing space like shattered glass.
A black figure emerged from the void—not fully solid, not fully liquid. Drifter watched its body throb like a dark heart, its organic armor sheathed in a transparent membrane that refracted light unnaturally. Its elongated limbs moved at impossible angles, its joints bending beyond any geometry Drifter could comprehend.
Its surface shimmered between metal and flesh, glistening like wet obsidian. Its sharp triangular head bore no eyes, only a pulsing black void that churned with a rhythm that made Drifter's stomach churn. A faint light flickered around it, forming a translucent silhouette that moved in defiance of physics.
"That’s... not normal," Vina whispered, her voice nearly lost to the rising wind.
Drifter sensed the tension in Jaden, who tightened his grip on Nacht Zweihander. The blue flames encasing his sword flickered erratically, as if responding to the looming threat.
"What the hell is that?!" Jaden shouted, breaking the silence as the translucent creature suddenly materialized behind him, its razor-sharp claws narrowly missing his back.
"It’s shifting dimensions... Stay sharp," Drifter analyzed coldly, his eyes locked on the creature’s unpredictable movements. He glanced at Vina, realizing her magic might be their only hope to neutralize the anomaly.
The Cataclysmaris flickered back into view, its dimensional shifts so rapid that faint trails of dying auroras lingered in its wake.
With a sudden, heart-stopping movement, the creature lunged straight at Drifter.
"Damn it... too fast," Drifter growled, raising Exaltare, its blade gleaming with a bloodthirsty glow.
"Wait, I’ll block it," Jaden stepped into the creature’s path, his resolve burning as fiercely as the fire on his sword, which roared and heated the air.
"Be careful, Jaden. Don’t overdo it," Drifter warned, his tone calm but edged with authority. He knew how easily his friend could lose himself in battle.
"Serenity’s Glow," Vina lifted her staff with graceful, lethal precision.
A radiant golden shield enveloped Jaden, shimmering like molten metal alive under the darkened sky. Drifter observed the trembling light forming a near-blinding protective barrier.
"Stay safe, big brother," Vina whispered, her usual calm voice tinged with worry.
Jaden gave her a sharp nod as the flames on his Nacht Zweihander surged, licking the air with a ferocious hunger. Drifter could feel the heat radiating from each of Jaden’s breaths, blue sparks spinning around his blade like deadly fireflies.
The Cataclysmaris flickered back into sight, its dimensional shifts leaving faint ripples of torn mist. Drifter watched as the translucent creature attacked Jaden with claws so sharp they seemed to slice the very air.
"Come on, then!" Jaden shouted, his jaw clenched in defiance, daring the creature to face him.
The translucent claws struck against the Serenity's Glow shield, creating waves of golden light rippling like water across a tranquil lake. Drifter watched as the shield trembled but held firm, while Jaden gritted his teeth, the flames on his sword flaring brighter with every passing second.
"Hold it there, big brother. I’m locking it down!" Vina called out.
Golden sigils began spinning in the air, forming an intricate web of light. Drifter observed as the lattice of energy spun faster and faster, trapping the Cataclysmaris like an insect caught in a spider’s web. Streams of blue and gold energy pinned the creature, halting its dimensional shifts.
"Now," Drifter commanded, his voice cold, carrying the weight of death.
Sapphire light exploded from his body as he vanished and reappeared behind the ensnared creature. Exaltare gleamed in his hand, the sword pulsing with deadly energy that made the air hum with power.
"Azure Tempest!"
The glow of Exaltare sliced through the air like a massive pair of scissors cutting through the fabric of reality. Blades of glowing blue light spun around Drifter, dancing in a deadly rhythm only he could comprehend. Each swing carved translucent blue lines into the air, frozen like lightning caught in slow motion.
The Cataclysmaris trembled as the first vibrations tore through its form. Drifter saw fine, hairline cracks spreading across its armor, crawling outward like fracturing ice. The metallic clang of breaking plates filled the air, an echoing dirge of inevitable destruction. Piece by piece, the armor splintered away.
"Hell yeah! You’re done for now!" Jaden roared, charging forward with fiery determination.
The blazing Nacht Zweihander greatsword came crashing down in a deadly arc, its blue flames incinerating the disintegrating creature. Drifter watched as Vina unleashed a brilliant beam of energy from her staff, piercing the crumbling form like a lance of pure light.
The glowing sigils shattered like glass under a hammer, scattering fragments of light into the air. The battlefield fell silent for a moment, as if holding its breath.
Drifter knelt amid the ashes and lingering glimmers of light, his fingers brushing away the scorched dust to reveal a cold Black Cube. The obsidian object pulsed faintly in his hand, emitting a red glow from swirling engravings that throbbed like a living heartbeat.
A low voice echoed through the suddenly heavy air. Blue lightning crackled across the battlefield, casting horrifying, dancing shadows. The ground trembled beneath Drifter’s feet, carrying an unseen threat.
"Drifter! Look out!" Jaden’s shout split the air, filled with rare fear.
The sky split open in a blinding burst of blue light. Drifter turned to see a figure emerge from within—a storm given form. Its towering shape gleamed with crackling streams of energy, a semi-transparent silhouette swirling with uncontrollable chaos.
The creature’s prismatic armor pulsed with blue light, etched with glowing sigils that beat to an invisible rhythm. Drifter watched its every movement leave behind trails of shimmering light, like lightning caught in a whirlwind.
Its helmet flowed seamlessly into its armor, rippling with static energy that made the hairs on Drifter’s neck stand on end. Where its face should have been was an infinite void filled with stars, with two cold, blue eyes shining like dying celestial bodies.
A cloak of energy cascaded from its form, shifting between storm clouds and transparent mist, with bolts of lightning snapping at its edges like furious, serpentine whips. Surrounding it were dozens of spinning hexagonal shields, their crystalline cores glowing faintly, connected by arcs of electricity forming a chaotic, controlled web.
In its grip, the creature held a massive weapon forged of void lightning—a semi-transparent blade surging with unstable energy, its edges glowing with pure destructive intent. The air around it warped and trembled, as though reality itself bent to its terrifying presence.
The Black Cube in Drifter’s hand grew hot, nearly burning him. Whispering voices slithered into his mind like toxic smoke.
Help... us...
Pain shot through Drifter’s chest like a thousand icy needles. He staggered, struggling to keep his balance as the world spun around him.
"Get out... Leave...!"
The scream was raw and desperate, but the voice didn’t relent. It coiled tighter around Drifter, constricting like a serpent crushing its prey. His vision blurred, a deadly cold spreading through his veins like poison. His arms felt numb as the Cube’s pulsating energy dug deeper into his soul.
"Drifter?" Vina’s voice sounded distant, like a call from the depths of a well.
Drifter opened his mouth to respond, but no sound came out. He was drowning in the endless, alien whispers, each one choking the air from his lungs like an unyielding noose.
Jaden moved swiftly, placing himself between Drifter and the Lightning Entity. His greatsword burned with furious blue flames.
"Drifter! Just drop it!" Jaden shouted, his voice laced with rare, genuine concern.
The Cube pulsed harder in Drifter’s grip, veins of glowing red light creeping up his arm like fiery, living roots. His fingers twitched involuntarily—they no longer felt like his own.
The Lightning Entity advanced with a terrifying grace, its shields crackling with arcs of deafening blue electricity. Each step left faint ripples of energy that distorted the air around it, its cold, glowing eyes fixed solely on the Cube as though it was the only thing in existence.
Jaden’s sword came crashing down with a fiery roar, striking the glowing shield that erupted outward. The impact sent him staggering back, his teeth gritted against the blow that nearly fractured his bones.
In a flash, the creature’s weapon split into twin lightning blades, crackling violently. It moved faster than the eye could follow—there one moment, gone the next—leaving streaks of blue light carving through the battlefield like open wounds.
"No way—" Jaden’s voice choked, filled with disbelief.
Another lightning strike slashed through the air, forcing Jaden to leap aside. The flames of his sword struggled to keep pace with the creature, which seemed to dance between the fragments of time.
Beside him, Vina raised her staff in a desperate motion, weaving a protective spell that shimmered like a golden web against the tense atmosphere.
"Keep moving! It’s reading our every move!" Vina shouted in warning.
The twin lightning blades flickered again in impossible movements, slicing through Vina’s shield like paper. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she staggered backward, hastily reconstructing her shredded spell.
Meanwhile, Drifter’s breaths came in short, shallow bursts, as though unseen hands were crushing his lungs. His voice quavered as he struggled to wrest the Black Cube from his own uncontrollable grip.
"Don’t..."
The ground quaked beneath his feet, trembling with a chilling pulse that seemed to originate from the depths of the earth like the heartbeat of an ancient monster. Dark energy spiraled around Drifter, forming a vortex that consumed all light. Reality itself cracked before him, black fissures splintering through space like jagged glass.
He could feel the pull deep within his bones, every inch of his body trembling against its will. His eyes widened as fear crawled from his fingertips to his spine, freezing him in place like frost spreading through his veins.
"No! Let me go!" his scream fractured amidst the hiss of the swirling black wind.
The Cube clung to Drifter’s hand like a parasite of darkness, its once-mysterious presence now an unbearable shackle scorching his skin. The pull of its energy grew stronger, dark whispers crashing against his mind like relentless waves eroding his consciousness.
"Drifter, hold on!" Jaden’s furious roar cut through the air, thick with a suffocating static charge.
The Lightning Entity darted with the speed of light, ignoring Vina and Jaden as if they were nothing more than minor obstacles. Its cold blue eyes locked onto the Black Cube, their intensity almost tangible. It was mere moments from reaching Drifter’s hand when his body was enveloped in total darkness, swirling in a maelstrom of shadow.
Drifter’s entire body convulsed violently, as if being torn apart from within by unimaginable power. The Lightning Entity stopped short, its dazzling energy swallowed by the growing shroud of darkness around him.
The darkness flooded every corner of Drifter’s mind, alien whispers breaking through every barrier of thought he had left. In his final moments of awareness, he glimpsed the Lightning Entity frozen in place—undecided between retreat and attack. Jaden stood just meters away, his brown eyes wide with horror. Vina held her hands aloft in a futile gesture, her usual radiant magic now dim and powerless.
Then—total void engulfed Drifter, pulling him into an endless abyss of nothingness.