"Yeah, I know about it. Everyone does."

Avyan feels a deep inner shock as he hears these words. His throat goes dry as he starts to process that Soham had such a response to the death, literal death of one of his close friends. Time away has been huge but was it this much that it has no effect on him?

Avyan grows silent but from within, he is in deep conflict, "People move distant. Yes they do, but someone's death is a big deal. Even if you don't know someone, a death is heart-breaking. One can argue that Soham has seen things we haven't. These five years, he must have been through a lot of deaths and sacrifices. He knows how to overcome such pity. Climbing up the ladder sure does require a strong heart.

Will I turn into someone like him? With all the deaths I have been witnessing, times have been rough. I always thought of their loved ones, how their families and friends would feel, how would I tell them the news? But is it this straight-forward. Have people moved past this feeling of sorrow because of these tough times. I don't know, I do not think I can turn this cold-hearted. I do not blame him though."

Anirudh breaks the silence, "How is Akash doing? Where is he?"

Soham replies, "He is safe and well. The doctors have patched him good and he's in the most armoured truck, back there no zombie even got a hold of them."

Soham rolls down his window and lights up a cigarette, "It's better you guys take a good nap, you won't get much once we reach there."

Avyan looks over to Anirudh who turns his head sideways, pulls a curtain on the window and relaxes himself.

Avyan thinks, "Eldritch? So now we have superpowers, superheroes lurking in the wild. It feels surreal. I never thought this would become a reality. Raezi, super strength, enhanced physical features, regeneration, classic super-villain. Soham hasn't been the best at learning these things, he is on edge on too many details, I'll have to find answers elsewhere. Whatever it is, I have to survive, survive for him, for grandpa. I wonder how he's been, I guess I'll get answers once we reach there. Soham sure said that most of our families survived and are residing in the mountains. I am still worried.

I should get some sleep."

"UNLOAD, WE DO NOT HAVE ALL DAY"

Avyan wakes up in bright moonlight and looks around in a fuzz. Anirudh is already awake, looking outside the window at the soldiers unloading.

"Awake huh", Anirudh says

"Where are we? Where is Soham?"

"We're in the monarch's capital. Do you still have that gun?"

"Yes, I guess Soham forgot to take it back"

"Good, give it to me"

Anirudh takes the gun and adjusts it on his back, under his shirt.

"Sorry for the wait, we're done here. Please come out master.", Avyan looks outside his window and sees a tall woman with a sweet smile on her face.

Avyan and Anirudh step out of the car and are amazed to see around. Weary from their journey, they gaze in awe at the palace before them. As they stretch, relieving the stress of a long journey, a woman dressed in elegant, flowing robes steps forward to welcome them, "Welcome to Lunaria, masters. I am Elara, your guide and caretaker for your stay here. Please, follow me, and I will show you the beauty and splendour of the Frost Monarch's palace."

Lunaria, the capital of the Frost Monarch's empire, is nestled high in the rugged mountains, where the air is crisp and the moonlight casts a serene glow over the landscape. The city, illuminated by countless lights, sparkles like a jewel in the darkness. The architecture of Lunaria is a blend of traditional and modern styles, with beautifully crafted houses featuring intricate designs and glowing with soft, ambient light. The roads are covered by the winter snow, which shines bright in the dark night.

The streets are bustling with people, their faces relieved of any kind of danger, as they go about their nightly routines. The city's energy is palpable, with the sounds of laughter, conversation, and the hum of daily life creating a comforting backdrop.

At the heart of Lunaria stands the magnificent palace of the Frost Monarch. Its towering spires and elegant domes are bathed in the silvery light of the moon, making it appear almost ethereal. The palace, a marvel of engineering and artistry, is surrounded by lush gardens and sparkling fountains, adding to its grandeur. The palace lies over a huge area and is built accounting for the slope of the mountain, thus it rises in height, the farther we go in.

Avyan whispers to Anirudh, "Can you believe this place? It's like something out of a dream."

Anirudh nods, "Yeah, it's hard to imagine a city this beautiful exists in the middle of all this chaos. Look at those lights, and the way the moonlight hits the palace... it's breath-taking. This palace is made from a marble that is blue in colour. They sure are flamboyant."

As Elara leads them through the grand entrance, the sheer scale and opulence of the palace become apparent. The hallways are adorned with exquisite tapestries and sculptures, and the floors are made of polished marble that reflects the light in mesmerizing patterns.

Elara leads Anirudh and Avyan through the palace, "This palace, as you can see, is the pride of Lunaria. It was built centuries ago by king Kanghar. Our Liege settled here four years back and has been maintaining it with great care. Each room holds a piece of history, and the architecture is designed to capture the beauty of the moonlight, which is why it appears so radiant at night."

Avyan thinks, "It's incredible. The details... I've never seen anything like it."

Anirudh shouts in a rude voice, "How large is the palace? It seems to go on forever."

Elara replies calmly, "The palace is indeed vast. It houses not only the Frost Monarch and their family but also the council chambers, the library of ancient knowledge, and numerous guest quarters for visiting dignitaries. It's a place of governance, learning, and refuge."

As they continue walking, they pass through a garden filled with exotic plants and flowers that glow faintly under the moonlight, creating a magical ambiance.

Elara stops in front of a beautifully designed door, "This is where you will be residing. I suggest you take some rest, I have prepared a bath and arranged clean clothes for you. Then, dinner will be served"

Avyan replies, "Thanks Elara. I have a question for you if you don't mind."

"Sure"

Avyan says with a certain depth in his voice, "Are there any records of people living here?"

Elara smiles and replies, "If you are looking for your Grandfather, then he is well and alive. In fact, most of your families are."

Avyan and Anirudh feel a sense of relief.

"However, you cannot see them yet. As per the procedure, you have to meet with the Liege and respected Grand Marshalls first."

Anirudh grins and heads inside of his room followed by Avyan who waves a bye to Elara. The room is huge. Four separate beds, couches, table and several chairs. It is lit up brightly by yellow lights, candles and moonlight entering from the large windows.

Avyan says, "Not going to lie, I am impressed."

After having the feast served to them in their rooms, their gate knocks again. Elara enters the room, "I suppose your appetite is fulfilled, now it is time to for the meeting."

Elara is a little surprised to see the both of them as Avyan and Anirudh have a completely different look from earlier due to the new outfit. The dirt and mud that had covered their body had washed up, their grimy and dirty hair now looked vibrant and silky. Avyan wore a tailored navy blue trench coat with a high collar. Beneath the coat, he wears a crisp, white linen shirt that contrasts sharply with the dark outer layer. His pants are a sleek, charcoal colour, crafted from a flexible material that allows for swift movement along with polished brown leather boots with intricate lacing and metal accents. Anirudh was given a sleek, black leather jacket adorned with silver buckles and zippers. Underneath, a fitted dark grey shirt made of lightweight, breathable fabric accentuates his athletic build. His pants are durable, dark denim with reinforced stitching, suitable for both combat and casual wear. Sturdy black combat boots complete the look, providing both style and practicality.

Avyan rises up from the table, a little nervous. He is anxious about how the meeting would go on. Sweat dropped from his face even at a temperature of 3 degrees. Anirudh also rises and starts moving directly outside without a second thought.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

They follow Elara again through the various corridors and up the floors. They encounter several rooms and gardens in between. They finally reach in front of a very large door, it's surface was adorned with intricate engravings of ice structures and ancient symbols, each detail shimmering as if etched with frost itself. Elara turns back, "You may enter now". As she says this, the door opens up slowly, revealing the vast interior within. Anirudh enters the room first without taking a second look, Avyan follows him in. The room was vast. It was the base of the largest dome that could be seen from outside. The room itself was very chilled and dark. Their was a very long blue marble table in between the room and nothing else on the ground except some lanterns and plants. The walls were filled with paintings and crafts, but not ordinary paintings. Avyan noticed these paintings and went to take a deeper look. Anirudh says, "There's no one here, why do we have to be the first ones? Come on let's go back and come again after 10 minutes. This will prove to them that we are the superior ones."

Avyan makes an awkward face, "Oh shut up"

Avyan goes near the paintings and observes. The paintings are of humans and zombies. However, they are not fighting each other, they are co-existing int the same society. A painting where a human and a zombie are watching television. A painting where A feast is happening on a long table, on one side humans are feasting and on the other sides, zombies. There are uncountable such paintings.

"There you are", Avyan turns back to see who it is and he fills up in joy.

"Akash, I was worried. It's good that you are fine."

"Look at my leg, it's completely healed. I don't know what they gave me, but this worked like magic."

Anirudh joins in, "Good to see you back on your feet."

Akash slides his smile and puts on a serious face, "Did you hear about all this? Eldritch? Raezi? Monarchs!!"

Anirudh replies, "Yes but who told you about Raezi and stuff? I thought it was kept a secret"

"Yes it indeed is but Soham told me when we reached here. In fact, we were together till now, he just brought me here and left."

(!!)

"Quite punctual, I see", the voice hovered over from Avyan's shoulder. However, he felt nothing behind him. He tries turning his head but is stopped by a short and thin index finger, making his cheeks pit in. A look of confusion spreads over.

Avyan moves forward and turns around to see a person standing at a height matching that of himself. It was a woman, a woman wearing a long sleeved lavender sweater with a sleeveless black jacket on top and baggy dark brown cargos and boots. She was wearing sunglasses, even in a room as dark as this. Avyan is thrown aback again as he remembers a previous encounter.

"We met-", Avyan is interrupted

"I am really sorry Avyan for interrupting in between but please gather around the table, Zeesham is here."

As Avyan turns to face the table, he sees all the men already gathered around.

"What? This fast? I didn't even notice them entering the room."

Anirudh and Akash are also shocked. The faces of the people sitting are quite blurry due to the distance between them. As they move forward and the faces start to sharpen, they see an old friend sitting besides the unknown people.

Avyan bursts out in joy, "Ishan, thank god you are fine"

Ishan looks back and smiles. All the boys gather and sit beside each other on a round table. Along with them, four more people share the table.

A man stands up from his seat. He wore a dark blue gown with ice blue patterns. He seemed like a calm guy. Without wasting a second, he starts to speak in a strong and raucous voice.

"You may be angry, sad and unpleasant"

Anirudh thinks, "He takes a lot of breaks between his words"

"Anirudh, you think you should have been there. Avyan, you blame yourself for the flawed plan. Fact is, in order to improve, you have to forgive yourself for all the mistakes you did in the past."

Avyan leans forward on the table as he feels the power in the man's words. Anirudh who had no interest in the conversation suddenly diverts all his attention to the man speaking.

Anirudh yells with all his might. Even in this cold, sweat drops from his face, "I don't know nor care what you morons intend to do with us, just get it over with quick."

"You may want to harm me or Lector in any way possible. You think we did injustice, we are bad people. This is a bad time for you. You are vulnerable which you've never been in any point of your life.

When we hit the lowest points of our life, we are open to the greatest change.

I am Zeesham, the Frost Monarch. The Grand Marshalls have the answers you seek. I will take my leave to attend a matter of great importance."

Unlike how he entered, he left walking. A walk which shined with power. His words were brick-solid, no matter what the boys think, they left an impact in their minds.

Lector lifts a finger to adjust his sunglasses and says, "Okay boys, time for a little introduction. The last one was pretty hasty. I am Lector Gonzalez, the Flame Marshall."

The only woman among them unfolds her legs and says, "Welcome everyone. I hope you are having a nice time here. I am Vanya, the Control Marshall and this is Pulkit."

Pulkit, silent and scarred, remained enigmatic.

Akash thinks in disappointment, "He was the one I wanted to know the most about and she just said his name"

Pulkit sat there in silence. His face was covered with scars. He was distinguished by his outfit, a checked green and black haori coat accompanied by a patch pocket dark purple, almost black suit with a white shirt.

Akash stands up, "I am Akash"

Vanya smiles and replies, "Oh I very well know who you are boy". Her voice was a just like a sweet nectar for the ears.

Vanya proceeds to sit on the edge of the table and says, "So, Soham already briefed you guys about Raezi. Let me tell you why you are here. To get strong. Strong enough to fight Raezi"

Avyan's eyes widen up in shock. Anirudh sits there, staring into the darkness once again. Akash shouts in a frightened voice, "Bu-But how? Isn't he all that super-powerful?"

Vanya smiles again, "I am sorry, I got ahead of myself. Look over here"

A map suddenly appear on the table. Avyan leans back to take a proper look and says, "Yeah, I thought this was an odd table. This has a display as well."

Vanya continues, "This is the current map and census of infiltrated areas. The red marked have the highest number of undead and almost no surviving life there. The yellow zone has a decent number of zombies and some independent people and groups also live here. The green zone is where you find no zombies. By no I mean absolute zero. These areas are safe for even children to roam around freely."

Akash thinks and points out, "How are you so sure of the green safe-zones?"

Vanya replies, "Because I cleared them myself."

Lector lifts his hand and says, "Aren't you taking a little extra credit?"

Vanya sighs and replies, "Yeah, I mean the three of us."

Avyan thinks, "But how? How can every zombie be annihilated. They are good at hiding in the daytime and they can't possibly find every last zombie even at the night."

Avyan says, "This simply isn't possible"

Vanya replies, "Darling you don't know what's possible"

Avyan nods his head in disagreement.

Vanya continues with a stick in her hand pointing at the map, "As you can see, these green areas are inside or territory only. There are a few yellow regions as well as a couple of red ones but the 95% of our territory is free of the infected."

Akash interrupts in between, " Why can't these zombies just enter the green region from the surrounding yellow or red regions."

Vanya replies, "We do not let them. Our army is stationed at these region borders which prevents any incoming undead. Now getting back, we got a letter from Raezi. Here it is on your screen- "

"To the Esteemed Monarchs of Our Time,

Greetings,

I write to you from the shadows, where I have dwelled and bided my time. As you read these words, I urge you to ponder the macabre intricacies of our existence. Have you ever wondered how long it takes for the marrow of a human bone to liquefy under the precise application of pressure? Or perhaps, you have considered the sound of a heartbeat slowing to a halt as the body is consumed part by part? Or have you ever heard the crying voices of the dying? They show their true self just before their divine demise. The courageous turn into cowards, begging for their life, the motivated turn into hopeless beings waiting and shouting, begging for a quick death.

These are but idle musings, the kind that occupy my thoughts as I prepare for my grand return. For, you see, I have transcended the boundaries of life and death. I have risen from the abyss, and with me, I bring the echoes of the damned. I am no mere revenant; I am Raezi, reborn and empowered beyond your comprehension.

I come bearing gifts of dread tidings. Among your subjects, you will find familiar faces absent. They are with me now, unharmed but enveloped in the same shadows that herald my return. Their safety is assured, for now. I call the boys.

I have emerged from the depths with a purpose, a vision of the future that no monarch could envision. The tides of fate are turning, and I am the force behind the shift. The walls of your strongholds are not as impenetrable as you might believe. I urge you to inspect your borders closely, for they shall soon bear witness to my arrival and the upheaval I bring. Besides, I have left some gifts for you at your border, my liege.

Prepare yourselves, esteemed rulers. The time of reckoning is at hand. I come not with mere threats, but with the certainty of change. The world as you know it will crumble, and from its ruins, I shall rise supreme.

Until we meet,

Raezi"

Avyan stands up in shock and fear, "What is happening?"

Anirudh and Akash are also shocked to read the bold letter.

Vanya stands, walks and stops behind Anirudh's chair, she raises her hands and rests them on his chair and says, "Lector and I were sent to inspect the border and we found-"

Lector speaks up, "We found dead men. Our men, the soldiers of the Dry Monarch. Their heads hanging on poles. From above, the formation of poles read, 'A BEAUTIFUL START'. There were about 300 dead soldiers. However, Raezi did not kill them, Vanya was nearby, if Raezi would have been there, she would have sensed him. It was something else that killed the soldiers. We believe there are more creatures that are dwelling under our noses."

Vanya continues, "Now where you come in is, that the 'absent familiar faces' the letter is talking about is Avyan, your grandfather, Ishan's brother and Akash, you sister. Raezi has himself called you boys. Therefore, we brought you here for your own safety."

As Avyan finished reading the letter, his hands trembled, and he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He glanced at Anirudh, whose eyes were wide with shock, his jaw clenched tightly. The air in the room seemed to grow thicker, suffocating them with the weight of the revelation. He gripped the edges of the chair so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The mention of his grandfather sent a wave of panic through him, and the grotesque imagery Raezi used made his stomach churn.

Ishan's face contorted with a mix of anger and disbelief. "This... this can't be true," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. His initial shock gave way to a burning anger, his fists clenching in rage.

Avyan's mind raced, each word of the letter echoing in his thoughts. He felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. "We need to... we need to figure out what to do," he stammered, his voice cracking. He looked to Akash, searching for some sign of reassurance.

Akash sat in stunned silence, his usually confident demeanour shattered. He stared blankly at the letter, as if hoping the words would rearrange themselves into something less horrifying. The sophisticated language and chilling content made his skin crawl, and he could feel a cold, creeping dread settle into his bones. He swallowed hard, trying to find his voice. "How... how do we even start?" he finally managed to say, his voice thick with emotion. Vanya kept her hand on his shoulder to console him.

Lector rises from his chair and keeps a step on his chair, bends forward, places his face on his hand an rotates it, "Now, who's ready to get stronger?"