That day, pillars of light erupted all around the world without a warning. Some place, like Tanathopia or the ancient fortress of light disappeared overnight from the surface of the earth in a series of massive explosions. Those in the know who observed the event could find no direct relation between the type, power or age of the curse and the consequence of its disappearance… but the scale and number undeniably played a big role.

Without rhyme or reason, giant plots of land, that had been cursed for decades or even hundred of years suddenly found themselves cleansed, or spontaneously burnt to a crisp. As the places that suffered the less were the ones under the new necromancer king of the north, or the ragtag group of death lord believers in the south, many were quick to push the blame on them.

However, for the new subject of the necromancer king who had almost entirely escaped the tragedy though, it became a confirmation of a new belief that had recently been taking root: what if it was a punishment for their crimes against the dead?

Down south, in an ancient castle, a woman awakened with terrible sadness in her eyes. At her feet, laid many corpses, sacrifice for a revival she hadn’t wished for.

“Your majesty,” Cried an old man with tears in his eyes. “is that really you?”

“Why?” Murmured the woman. “Why did you bring me back? Whose body is this?” She looked at the numerous bodies on the ground. “Was bringing this foolish me really worth such sacrifices?”

“It was his lordship idea, a massive ritual fueled by the six elements all across the country in order to remove the all the curses in the world, and purify all the accumulated necrotic power. An outlet was necessary for the energy released though, as well as a strong leader to bring the new world together afterward.”

“And you chose me out of all people?! Me, who ruined the world? I deserved this agony; you should have left me to rot!”

There was an outcry among the few survivor left in the room, they had followed their leader’s ideal, never once thinking their long-lost lord might have a different opinion.

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The woman looked at the desiccated corpse of her long-lost friend: as the centerpiece of the ritual he’d suffered the most of it and there was nothing left of his soul. “My dear old friend, you were always such a self-sacrificing fool.” She looked at the corpse silently, it wasn’t the same she had last seen him possess but there was no mistaking the form of a wight. Her heartbeat accelerated as she pondered about the future. Yes, her heart’s beat, it wasn’t false life or imperfect possession, this stranger’s body was hers truly. What else could she do but honor their sacrifices.

She walked back to her throne. As she sat in it, she felt its harness, its coldness, acknowledging the first sensations she felt in so many centuries, she asked. “Tell me of the life lord’s plans.”

Far north, the necromancer king unemotional face drew a true smile, the same one he normally reserved for his family. He had no idea what happened or why, but if the report was to be believed, this insane event had offered more legibility in a single night that he could have achieved in a life time of trickery and manipulation: those who had followed him with fear or doubt in their heart were confused no more as the world itself had spoken against those who opposed him.

“I want estimations of the destruction. Welcome the refugee and open the granaries wherever possible, but only when it is possible! We must help those in need but never at the cost of our own citizen well-being.”

“Yes, my lord!” All present answered with absolute conviction; his rule was cruel and calculating, however in less than a year he had eradicated crime, corruption that had plagued the once great countries for centuries. He’d even reclaimed the large parcel of cursed land to give it back to the people. The display of yesterday had eradicated what little doubt was left in in their mind: he truly was the one true king chosen by the heaven.

Vanati and his fellow cardinal didn’t know if they ought to rejoice or not. In one night, most of the naysayers, abusive lords and corrupts merchants had disappeared from the surface of the earth. There were damages of course, but the place that had openly used death mages to cleanse the land had suffered less than others. Furthermore, not a single place associated with the church had suffered damage.

Obviously, many of their opposition had accusatorily pointed it out, but the scale of the event had been too massive and those people too unpopular to garner real support. It wasn’t as if the church and the mage were suddenly popular, particularly in the place that had suffered the most, but the one in power knew which way the wind was blowing; there was already an example with the so-called necromancer king. More than anything though, they feared the possibility of a second or even third event.