Luck was preparing to rest in his tent, after a long day of battle on the border. Even tired, he kept his senses sharpened, ready for any surprise attack in this endless war against Nannu's legions. Suddenly, he heard screams coming from the distant camp. He jumped to his feet and left the tent, wielding his bloody sword. To his astonishment, a dense white fog had begun to emerge, quickly engulfing the entire area.

In the blink of an eye, the nearby soldiers disappeared inside the mysterious cloud. More desperate screams were muffled by the icy mist. Luck ran toward the sounds, trying to locate his companions, but could barely see his outstretched hand. That's when he heard it: a ghostly sound of hooves that seemed to come from all sides at once. Large shadows of invisible creatures moved vertiginously inside the fog. And then, he glimpsed two red dots hovering high up. Demon eyes of some monster.

A muffled scream echoed, and a head rolled to his feet without a body. His blood ran cold. They were black knights, riding dark steeds, glittering with weapons in their pale hands. They cut through the army like a scythe through harvest, destroying without mercy. Luck realized he could not face them. He hid behind a large motionless rock and watched motionless, on alert, as the shadows passed on their infernal mounts. Gradually, the mist dissipated and revealed a horrifying scene: bodies lacerated everywhere.

The black knights left as suddenly as they appeared, taking the carnage with them. Luck clenched his face in anger, knowing that this calamity had the signature of the self-proclaimed new "King of the Dead". The tyrant had found a new way to cause suffering to those who fought.

Black Snake galloped toward Nannu's capital city, under a thick fog that hid the sun. Vermilion, king of Volkaron, had sent him on a secret mission to confirm the rumors reaching his kingdom. They said that a usurper had taken Nannu's throne, dominating the city with black magic and summoning the dead. This could represent a threat to all neighboring kingdoms if not contained. Riding always alert, the reptilian spy tried to find clues about what was really happening in that distant land. He spent days exploring the outskirts of great Alnuum without finding anything abnormal.

Until, approaching the city gates one afternoon, Black Snake felt a chill run down his scales. The sun set behind dense black clouds forming in the sky. From the wall came sinister noises, like clashing bones. And then he saw them: pale beings emerging from the ground, wielding broken weapons. The dead rising to march toward the city. Black Snake spurred his horse, fearing the worst. When he finally entered Alnuum, he faced horrifying scenes. Corpses being dragged through the streets, while demonic laughter came from the castle heights.

Now there was no doubt: a new King of Darkness had taken the throne with necromantic powers. And the nightmare seemed only beginning for the unwary inhabitants of this doomed land. With every step he took within Alnuum's walls, Black Snake regretted not fleeing when he had the chance. He watched hidden, the horror that now took hold of the once vibrant city. He decided he needed to gather as much information as possible before leaving. Perhaps there was still a chance for the people to rebel against their new dark lord.

Then, as night fell, the spy stealthily climbed the castle walls. He feared finding more abominable visions of desecration and torture in those halls once luxurious. The waning moonlight barely illuminated the inner gardens. Black Snake moved like a ghost among the shadows of the ancient trees, when something made him stop. A icy presence materialized before him. Under the black cloak, only two flame-red dots glowed, red like the embers of an infernal fire.

The figure raised a shadowy hand and pointed a dark finger at Black Snake. He instinctively knew it was one of the new King's servants, tasked with hunting intruders. He tried to grab his dagger, but it was too late. A black aura enveloped his body, paralyzing him. Then everything went dark. When he awoke, he found himself in a cold, damp cell. He would be interrogated by the tyrant the gods had forsaken. And he would end up like more unfortunate inhabitants of Alnuum, bound to a land dominated by eternal darkness.

In Morfrey's palace. The place once beautiful now exudes a air of darkness and decay. Morfrey talks excitedly with his right hand man, Sebastian.

"Everything is proceeding as planned. Soon I will ascend to a divine state!" he says.

Sebastian responds:

"Yes, my lord. My servants relentlessly collect corpses for the great ritual. And the dark mages perfect the necessary enchantments."

"When my essence is freed from this mortal form, no power will be able to stop me," Morfrey lets out a shadowy laugh.

In the city, the population lives in fear. Some cowardly nobles submitted to Morfrey, wanting to maintain privileges. They incite the people to do the same, saying they will guarantee protection. The former Temple of the Eternal Spring is now the Black Temple. There, cultists perform blasphemous acts, sacrificing victims on bloodstained altars. They ask Morfrey to grant them power over death. Many desperate citizens have turned to the cult, seeking some meaning for their days of terror. With every macabre offering, Morfrey feels stronger in his intent to ascend to the level of gods and subjugate all under his eternal yoke.

But in the resistance, new heroes emerge to face the darkness. And hope still lives, nourished by the call for freedom. In the black throne room, Morfrey received information from all lands under his domain. Sebastian knelt before the king of the dead.

"My lord, the spies brought news. There are rumors that survivors of the old royal family are organizing a resistance in the shadows."

Morfrey's face contorted in fury. But he soon calmed down, laughing diabolically.

"Let them hide for now. Soon, nothing will be able to oppose my eternal reign! How go the ritual preparations?"

"Following the plan, master. Your servants relentlessly search for ingredients and victims."

"Excellent. I want all the details ready by the full moon."

Meanwhile, in the cracks of the underworld, Lilla and Relon fiercely trained with the warriors. They knew Morfrey would soon come after them. In the castle dungeons, Black Snake was interrogated for hours, but revealed nothing. He was thrown in a cell. Elsewhere, Sebastian ordered them to search for the resistance. After days of futile efforts, he returned frustrated.

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"We were unable to find them, my lord. It seems they have completely disappeared!"

However, Morfrey only smiled indifferently. His thoughts were on the ritual to come. Once imbued with divine powers, no enemy could oppose him. Darkness would swallow the whole land. Only a light of hope kept the flame of rebellion alive.

Sebastian kneels before the dark king and says:

"My lord, we have made little progress in searching for the young Kal Launno. Our best trackers have scoured every corner of his lands without success."

Morfrey's face contorts in fury. His blue eyes spark.

"How is this possible? He was under our power!" he growls.

"This brat should have been in our hands long ago! He holds an importance he doesn't even imagine for my designs!"

Still kneeling, Sebastian says.

"I apologize, Morfrey. When we think we are close, he disappears without a trace."

Morfrey clenches his fists, thoughtful. Something about the boy deeply interests him, some secret. But he does not reveal his plans.

"Double the searches! I want Kal alive before me, no matter the cost! His abilities will be crucial for me to achieve absolute supremacy."

Sebastian bows even lower.

"Yes, my lord! We will capture the boy at any cost and bring him to you under close watch."

Deep in the dungeon of the castle, Black Snake lay unconscious in his cell. Upon awakening, he found it strange to be alone, normally a guard watched over his imprisonment. He rose unsteadily, still weak from starvation. That's when he noticed the heavy bars of the gate were open. Without understanding, his survival instinct spoke louder. Silent as a snake, he slipped dragged from the dungeon and set about traversing deserted corridors. No one else inhabited that place except the dead that wandered aimlessly through the rooms.

He managed to escape through the gardens and scaled the walls agilely. When he set foot outside the cursed castle, he thought he was dreaming. But he needed to warn Vermilion of the terror that was growing. He mounted his horse and rode off into the night at a gallop. Meanwhile, in the capital streets, fanaticism was taking hold. More and more common folk were joining the Cult of the Dead. They officiated macabre rituals in public squares, invoking demons. Sebastian began using them as spies, promising great power in exchange for information on enemies.

Soon they began leaving in groups down the roads, scouring villages in search of clues about the resistance's whereabouts. Anyone who dared oppose was brutally punished. In the castle, Morfrey enjoys the riches conquered, served by his corrupted followers. They live in opulence, given to gluttony and depravity. In the streets, the Cult of the Dead grows exponentially, attracting many to its blasphemous rituals. Their preachers promise wealth and pleasures in exchange for loyalty to the darkness.

In the resistance, Suzannah and Marcus watch with concern.

"We cannot compete with these demons in numbers," says Marcus.

"We must show the people our cause is just."

Seeing the mass adherence, Sebastian puts a man to lead the cult. He chooses Lord Fernan Legra, a corrupt and shameless noble. Fernan takes advantage of the new role. He wears rich robes and preaches between bursts of wine. He promises to make the cult a true empire of worldly pleasure. Under his fanatical command, the followers surrender even more to madness, spreading terror. The people fear dying if they oppose, but also losing their soul if embracing the darkness.

The shadow king receives new followers. Suddenly, the doors open and a man enters, dressed in rich embroidered robes. It is Arnon, high priest of the divine sacerdotal of the old cathedral of the eternal spring. He kneels before Morfrey and proclaims:

"Great lord of darkness, I come to offer myself as your most faithful servant. I wish to spread your word among my people."

Morfrey smiles, recognizing the power Arnon still holds in the minds of citizens.

"Rise, Arnon. I know of your wisdom and charisma. I accept you joining my inner circle."

He summons Lord Fernan and Sebastian.

"From today, Arnon is the new High Priest of the Cult of the Dead. He will be above you, Fernan."

Swallowing his rage, Fernan bows. Arnon smiles, eager for his new power over life and death. Under his charismatic leadership, the cult will attract even more followers. And the darkness will spread faster, swallowing the last hopes of Alnuum's people.

In the stifling dungeon, Lilla, Relon and their counselors were discussing urgent matters, when they heard approaching footsteps. It was Larek, leader of the vestal virgins of the cathedral of the eternal spring, with a terrified expression.

"My friends, I bring terrible news. Arnon has betrayed us!" He found him in the castle, wearing rich black robes next to Morfrey."

A whirlwind of emotions overcame Suzannah. She remembered the greed in Arnon's eyes when contemplating the pleasures of the court.

"That worm, he always wanted power and ostentation. He must have ceded to the temptations of darkness."

Marcus punched the wall in fury.

"Now Morfrey knows where we are! We must evacuate before he sends assassins after us."

They rushed to organize the evacuation of the last resistors, under the weight of betrayal. Now they were truly alone against the forces of evil, with no hope beyond their own bravery. In the darkness of the tunnel, Relon heard footsteps. His intuition screamed "danger!". Suddenly, soldiers emerged, led by Sebastian.

"Attack! Morfrey orders your deaths!"

Chaos erupted. Larek intervened to protect Lilla, but succumbed under a hail of arrows. Marcus drew his sword in fury.

"Run! While we fight, flee down the tunnel!"

Wounded, Lilla dragged herself through the tunnel with the survivors. When they emerged, they saw a silhouette: it was Shiera Felwave!

"Come with me, brothers! You will find refuge in our home."

Tired, they were welcomed to the Felwave mansion. There they found Anna, who healed them with her blood magic.

"I will be safe here with my family. The dungeons below the mansion are deserted. You can hide there."

In the basement, 8-year-old Zion came to meet them, smiling sweetly. Lilla saw in him the innocence they fought to protect.

Meanwhile, in the castle, Sebastian reported to Morfrey that he had found the enemy den. The dark king grit his teeth in fury at how close he came to definitively crushing the rebellion. But resistance would be reborn from the ashes, thanks to the generosity of those willing to risk all against the darkness.

Exhausted, Black Snake finally reached King Vermilion's presence in his throne room.

"Great sovereign, I bring terrible news from Alnuum!" he panted.

Vermilion listened attentively, with his son Flamarion at his side. Then Black Snake's eyes became opaque. His voice took on a strange tone.

"Vermilion, do you really think you can send your snakes to crawl over my lands? Soon I will take your kingdom with my servants!"

Vermilion realized the messenger had fallen under some spell. Suddenly, Black Snake began to monstrously inflate.

"Flamarion, run!" shouted the king, positioning himself in front of his son.

A deafening "BOOM" echoed through the room. An explosion of flesh and guts soaked those present. When the dust settled, Vermilion and Flamarion were unharmed but horrified.

"Father, what was that?!" inquired the young prince, trembling.

"Black magic, my son... black magic! Morfrey has shown us what he is capable of. We must prepare for an invasion!"

The king understood there was no longer a peaceful solution. Only direct confrontation could put an end to the darkness's threat.

In Morfrey's throne room, Sebastian kneels before the throne and says:

"My lord, the magic for your ascension ritual is almost complete. Soon you will be a god among mortals."

Morfrey lets out a deep, shadowy laugh.

"Excellent, excellent! Only one piece is still needed for my plan to be complete. Kal Launno!"

"The boy Kal Launno!" laughs Arnon, present in the throne room.

"I know his mother and family live in a village southeast of here."

"Capture them alive!" orders Morfrey.

"Bring them here, and I am certain Kal will come after them."

Arnon smiles, eager for his new mission. Sebastian bows his head.

"It will be done, my lord! Soon we will have Kal in our hands."

"Excellent work, Arnon. Your loyalty will be rewarded!" cackles the dark king.

Now nothing stands in the way of Morfrey's plans. With Kal in his power, nothing will stop him from achieving absolute supremacy over mortals and immortals.